Community News
Coldest Night of the Year Fundraising Event

Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) is an annual event that supports people experiencing homelessness in your community. This fundraiser helps YWCA Saskatoon provide shelter, care, and holistic support to women and families experiencing homelessness to heal and find hope. CNOY 2024 takes place on February 24th, 2024 – drawing individuals together to support the cause through raising money as well as taking part in a 2 km or 5 km walk. Across Canada, over 190 communities are involved with CNOY, supported by people who care about their communities and the most vulnerable people who live in them. Learn more + get involved at cnoy.org/saskatoon

Innovative Hearing Technology

Technology can change our lives and hearing aids are no different. Thanks to technology, devices to help individuals with hearing loss are far from the bulky and difficult ones of the past. There is a huge variety of hearing aids to suit the specific hearing profiles of an individual; these can be discrete, easy to use and adaptable. The new smart digital hearing aids feel less like a crutch and more like an accessory. In fact, it is difficult to distinguish between hearing aids and the earbuds that so many people have in their ears.

Shopping Delivery Program

Navigating the cold and snowy weather can pose challenges for shopping outings. For the convenience of our members, we offer a service where you can simply phone or email us with a detailed shopping list, and we will handle the rest. Our team will go to the store to shop on your behalf and then deliver the groceries directly to your home. Whether you need this service frequently or just one time you can place orders as needed. Order requests are accepted on Mondays and Tuesdays, with deliveries scheduled throughout the remainder of the week. Given the limited availability of spots each week (highlighting the significance of our dedicated volunteers), we encourage you to reach out for more information or to place your order. Your comfort and well-being are our top priorities.

Seeking Volunteers

We are continually seeking volunteers to assist seniors and individuals with disabilities in our community. If you have a passion for giving back and can spare a few hours, please consider reaching out to our office to inquire about volunteering opportunities. We offer a diverse range of programs, including housekeeping, gardening, snow removal, grocery shopping, handyman services, and yard work. If you are interested in contributing to any of these initiatives, we invite you to contact us for more information. Your support can make a significant difference in the lives of those we serve.

Caring for Aging Parents

Adult daughters and sons call every day, anxious to know how to best plan for their parent’s care. We suggest families talk early and often about future care preferences and desires. Understanding their health conditions and potential risks as they age will help you select the best options in light of care needs. As well, there is a financial cost to care so make sure there is a realistic plan in place. Just as important, don’t overlook having a plan for you as you look after your loved ones. Reach out to family, friends, or professionals for help and support.

Help Support Seniors in Our Community Today!

Now, more than ever, your support is of immense value. It propels the advancement of our services, playing a crucial role in maintaining seniors’ independence. The contributions from our generous supporters not only supplement costs for low-income seniors in the community but also fund essential programs like our free tax assistance program for any senior. Every dollar of support remains within Saskatoon, directly impacting the lives of our community’s lower-income seniors. Your generosity enables us to extend vital assistance to those in need. For those willing to contribute, please refer to our contact information at the end of this article to make a positive impact on the lives of our seniors today.

Tax Season

As the New Year begins, so does income tax season. We are pleased to offer income tax filing assistance for lower income seniors and disabled individuals in our community. Our dedicated volunteers manage this program, providing free income tax filing services for our clients. It’s important to note that our volunteers specialize in processing simple tax returns only. Unfortunately, we are unable to handle business taxes, capital gains, rental property income, or estate taxes. In consideration of the health and safety of our volunteers and clients, tax filing will be conducted remotely via telephone. If you require assistance, please contact our office to be added to the list. The program is scheduled to commence in early March.

Tips for a Healthy Home

While we are mindful about nourishing our bodies with wholesome foods, clean water and activity, consider the health of our homes. The presence of mould and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) can cause a myriad of health complaints such as headaches, nausea, respiratory issues, organ and central nervous system damage. Indoor air pollution can be five times higher than outdoor air pollution! The best ways to reduce harmful air quality in our homes are to eliminate mould, prohibit smoking indoors, increase ventilation and ensure home improvement projects use materials with low or no VOCs. Source https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality

Ways to Care for Yourself

1) Practice Meditation or Mindfulness: Prioritize mental well-being by incorporating mindfulness, meditation, or a moment for self-appreciation into your daily routine. 2) Physical Activity: Join a gym, go for a walk, practice yoga, play sports, or have your own dance party at home. Exercise is a powerful form of self-care. 3) Spend Time with the People you Enjoy: Positive relationships contribute to overall well-being. Surround yourself with those who uplift you. 4) Eat Nourishing Foods: Nourish your body with nutritious foods. 5) Get Adequate Sleep: Establish healthy sleep habits, as quality sleep is essential for overall well-being. 6) Cultivate Creativity: Engage in creative pursuits like drawing, adult coloring books, painting, poetry, cooking, or singing. Creative expression is therapeutic and fulfilling. 7) Explore your Cultural Identity: A strong cultural connection not only boosts mental health resilience but also improves social well-being and coping skills.

Warmth to Soothe your Nervous System

This is the season of hibernation, time to rest and restore, as nature teaches us. It’s a time to tend to our nervous systems and engage in activities that support our overall health. Warmth is one of the ways that you can soothe and ease your nervous system. This may include warm baths, cozy blankets, warm drinks, warmth from the sun on your face, and our favourite way is Sauna! We encourage you to prioritize your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being during this winter hibernation season and remember to listen to your body!

How’s Your Focus?

Many with ADHD struggle with the ability to focus for longer periods of time, especially on mundane tasks. There are many options to improve. Mindful meditation helps train your brain to eliminate distractions. Medications can help to improve the connectivity of your neurotransmitters making it easier for signals and thoughts to get through which increases the efficiency of your focus. Exercise can also increase the brains’ ability to concentrate by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brains which helps to regulate the attention system. ADHD Coaching can help find solutions that work for you.