Nutrition plays a major role in dental health, helping to ensure gums, teeth and tissue are healthy and free from tooth decay, gum disease and other issues. It’s important to eat a healthy, balanced diet for dental health, which includes enough protein, calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, folate, and omega-3 fats. Vitamins A, B, C, and D are also important, as are antioxidants. Some great things to include in your dental diet are probiotics from fermented foods, cranberries, soy products, CoQ10, echinacea, garlic, ginger, ginseng, arginine, and green tea. It’s best to avoid heavily processed foods, especially ones high in sugar.

The strength of CVSS is its contingent of amazing volunteers helping provide services to nearly 300 seniors each month. If you would like to visit with a lonely or isolated senior, or assist someone with accessing services in the community, or if you have another strength to offer, please contact us to learn more about providing support in your community. Volunteer training sessions are done every year in September, thru November and then January thru May. Volunteers are provided with ongoing support and regular education sessions. Please contact Shirley at [email protected] or 250-871-5940 to find out more, or to register for the next orientation.

The Wicking Dementia and Research Centre offers free online courses. Based in Tasmania, Australia, these programs use data from around the world to provide excellent information for students. Links to the following course can be found here: https://mooc.utas.edu.au
Understanding Dementia
The ageing of human populations across the globe has contributed to dementia being identified as one of the public health issues of the 21st century. The MOOC curriculum addresses this health issue by drawing upon the expertise of neuroscientists, clinicians and dementia care professionals from both within the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, and beyond.

This fall, seniors have a golden opportunity to embrace the joy of learning new skills. Whether it’s mastering digital photography, delving into creative writing, or exploring the intricacies of gardening, the season offers a perfect backdrop for growth. With a wealth of online resources and community classes, seniors can engage their minds and passions, fostering a sense of accomplishment and connection. Learning not only enhances cognitive function but also brings fulfillment and a renewed sense of purpose. Embracing the vibrant hues of autumn, seniors can embark on a rewarding journey, proving that it’s never too late to acquire fresh skills and enrich their lives.

If you are part of a family that includes a loved one living with Alzheimer’s disease, it’s important to remember that one of the keys to aging at home is doing so safely. Safety at home begins with adapting the environment to support the changing abilities of the person with Alzheimer’s. Tips to help safeguard the home include: Install safety latches/locks on the doors and fenced/gated exteriors; Limit access to knives and harmful chemicals; Install grab bars for safe movement; Keep furniture in the same spot to avoid confusion; Install alarms on the doors, and store car keys in a locked container.

In partnership with LUSH Valley Food Action Society, CVSS provides 82 meals a week to seniors in the Comox Valley. While some seniors contribute to the cost of the weekly meals, they are heavily subsidized. A donation of $12 a week will provide between two and four meals for a senior in the Valley, helping ensure food security for vulnerable residents. Donations can be made at the CVSS office, or by cheque, via mail at C1-450 8th Street, Courtenay, BC, V9N 1N5. Tax receipts are provided for donations over $20. Alternatively, monthly donations can be set up on our Canada Helps website at: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/comox-valley-senior-support/

Memory loss in aging parents poses unique caregiving challenges. Alongside physical manifestations, such as forgetting tasks or medications, the emotional toll on both parent and caregiver is significant. Frustration and depression often accompany memory loss, making communication and caregiving more difficult. To navigate this journey, consider these six best practices: reassure your parent, prevent getting lost, enhance home safety, manage caregiver stress, review medications, and seek additional support. By implementing these strategies, you can provide the necessary care while maintaining your own well-being. Home Instead® offers compassionate memory care services to support you and your loved ones through this challenging time.

The Comox Valley Seniors Support Society (CVSS) is delighted to announce that the Campbell River Seniors Info Hub will be amalgamated as a program into the CVSS. This exciting collaboration aims to enhance the quality and reach of services available to older adults throughout the region.
The Campbell River Seniors Info Hub has been a trusted source of information, resources, and support for seniors in Campbell River. By joining forces with the Comox Valley Senior Support Society, the program will now have the opportunity to expand its impact and provide a broader range of services to seniors in Campbell River.

The amalgamation will result in an array of benefits for seniors in both Campbell River and the Comox Valley. By leveraging the strengths and resources of both organizations, the newly expanded Comox Valley Senior Support Society will be better equipped to address the diverse needs of the senior community. This includes access to a wider range of information, referral services and social support activities.

“Bringing together the Campbell River Seniors Info Hub and the Comox Valley Senior Support Society is an important addition for our organizations and the seniors we serve,” said Christopher Bate, Executive Director, CVSSS. “We are thrilled to combine our expertise, knowledge, and resources to create a stronger and more inclusive support system for older adults across the region. This amalgamation reinforces our commitment to supporting seniors and providing programming that enhances their quality of life.” The Comox Valley Senior Support Society will ensure a seamless transition for clients of the Campbell River Seniors Info Hub, ensuring continuity of service and support during this exciting period of change. For further information about the Comox Valley Senior Support Society and the Campbell River Seniors Info Hub amalgamation, please contact: Chris Bate, Executive Director, CVSS 250-871 5940; [email protected] or Cheryl Stinson, Coordinator, Campbell River Seniors Info Hub [email protected]

It is our honour to advocate on behalf of Canada’s senior citizens. The NDP is working tirelessly to ensure that seniors have access to the resources they need so they can live a stable, happy life. We understand that seniors have been struggling to a great extent to pay for their basic needs. We find it unacceptable that many seniors are still living in poverty after having worked their entire lives to build this country. There is a bar of dignity everyone in Canada deserves to have. We will continue to fight for your rights. If you need assistance with federal programs or have concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our offices.