The Comox Valley Senior Support Society’s Second Annual Spelling Bee will be held on Tuesday, October 17 at Florence Filberg Centre in Courtenay. The first Spelling Bee was such a community success that we decided to get a larger space and invite more people! We look forward to seeing you there.
Community News
April is Oral Health Month
What better time to think about how you take care of your mouth? Not only is good dental health important to having healthy teeth and gums, but it may also lower your risk of chronic disease. Four things you can do to maximize oral health:
1. Make nutritious food choices – avoid high sugar and high acid foods and drinks. 2. Visit your dental professional regularly – if accessing affordable care is a challenge for you, please contact Comox Valley Senior Support and we will do our best to assist you. 3. Brush and floss every day!
4. Avoid tobacco.
Did You Know?
Seniors are living longer than ever before. Advances in oral health care prevention and disease treatment mean that many seniors will have some or all of their natural teeth.
When we age, teeth undergo changes. Sometimes these changes are affected by chronic diseases and the use of medications. Some changes may include:
• Sensitive teeth – teeth can be sensitive to hot or cold foods and/or touch
• Exposed roots – gums may start to pull away from your teeth as you age. Exposed roots are exposed to bacteria that can cause cavities
• Darker or yellower teeth – the colour of teeth naturally changes with age. Also, consuming staining food and drink over a lifetime can change the colour of teeth. Plaque also builds up faster as we age and can accumulate stains.
Non-English Speaking Seniors
People in British Columbia whose first language is Tagalog or Hindi can now access the updated BC Seniors’ Guide in their own language.
The enhanced 12th edition of the guide was published in July 2021 in seven languages: English, Chinese, French, Punjabi, Farsi, Korean and Vietnamese. All languages can be accessed online in PDF format, and print copies can be ordered through the Office of the Seniors Advocate.
To access the BC Seniors’ Guide in all nine languages, visit: http://www.gov.bc.ca/seniorsguide
To order free print copies, call (toll-free): 1 877 952-3181
Comox Valley Seniors Resource Guide
The 2023 Comox Valley Seniors Resource Guide is now out! This free guide is being dropped at locations around the Valley, but if you want one, or more, set aside for you, please contact the office (250-871-5940) and we will either hold one for you or arrange for delivery! This spiral bound guide were created in partnership between Comox Valley Senior Support and Denman and Hornby Community Health Care Services and are available free of charge.
Oral Health Month
April is Oral Health Month! Here are five tips for maintaining good oral health: 1) Make healthy food choices and limit sugary and highly acidic foods to avoid tooth decay and acid erosion. 2) Don’t smoke or use tobacco products, which can stain teeth, cause gum damage, give you bad breath, cause tooth loss, and even lead to oral cancer. 3) Brush twice and floss once daily. 4) Make note of any oral issues you have, including sensitivity, bleeding, pain, or strange lumps. 5) Visit your dentist regularly. We now offer VELScope Oral Cancer Screening in our practice. The exam takes about 2 minutes and is completely safe and painless.
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
According to a recent survey, 90% of homeowners between the ages of 55 and 75 would like to stay in their long-time home as they get older. And, not surprisingly, 66% of seniors believe their home is where they will be most comfortable, with 53% believing they will stay healthier in their own home. But living out that scenario and remaining in the driver’s seat calls for a plan of action – and an understanding of potential safety risks in the home. Home care makes it possible to remain home despite physical challenges. From respite care to 24-hour in-home care, services can be tailored to meet your needs.
Meet Your Practitioner
Raymond Gilby is a Registered Hearing Instrument Practitioner / Cerumen Management (RHIP/C) and is the owner of Clear Ear. He is the Vice-President of the Hearing Instrument Practitioners Society of BC, as well as the BC representative for the Canadian Hearing Instrument Practitioners Society. For the past decade, Raymond has been working across Vancouver Island, performing services safely in clients’ homes. Recognizing that many clinics no longer offer cerumen (ear wax) removal, Raymond earned his full certification in cerumen management and offers his clients micro-suction (the gold standard for wax removal), irrigation, and sometimes a combination of the two.
Pain From Your Mattress?
The Better Sleep Council recommends replacing your mattress every 7 to 10 years, but physical changes such as weight loss, injury, or surgery can alter your body’s position when you sleep and make a mattress change necessary before your mattress reaches its end of life. If your mattress no longer provides adequate support, it can lead to a poor sleeping posture. This misaligns the spine and strains muscles, causing or worsening lower back pain. It’s important to choose a mattress that not only supports your back and provides comfort, but also meets your personal preferences, so you can get the best, pain-free night’s sleep possible.
Get Mobile!
Do more of what you want – when you want. If you ever find yourself waiting around for people to assist you with daily tasks and errands, a mobility scooter could allow you to take matters into your own hands. Confinement can be the most depressing situation that people with mobility issues can experience. Nobody wants to stay inside for a long time, especially when it isn’t necessary. Electric scooters have come a long way and are now more affordable than ever. They provide the freedom to get around, they conserve physical energy, and they also provide you access to places you may not have previously been able to go.
The Journey to Better Hearing
Recognizing the signs of hearing loss in yourself can be difficult, and taking steps to address hearing loss can be even harder. Many individuals with hearing loss delay treatment 7-10 years and are often not sure how to seek assistance. With the right steps, creating a treatment plan can be simple.
Don’t Wait – Have Your Hearing Assessed
Once you start to notice signs of hearing loss, the first step is to obtain a hearing assessment. You can do this by contacting a local hearing health professional or obtaining a referral from your primary care physician.
During the hearing assessment, the clinician will determine your lifestyle and communication needs as well as the type and degree of hearing loss present. If a medical condition is identified a referral will be made to the appropriate health professional.
Hearing Aid Selection & Fitting
If hearing aids are recommended, the clinician will work with you to find the right product that will meet your hearing and lifestyle needs. A trial period with the chosen hearing aid is an important part of the process, as it provides you time to adjust to the hearing aids so you are able to assess the benefit accurately. It can sometimes take multiple visits to the clinic to have the hearing aids adjusted. It is important to establish a trusted relationship with your hearing health professional as hearing aids require ongoing maintenance and at a minimum should be checked annually.
NexGen Hearing offers free hearing tests and hearing aid consultations, hearing aid fittings, leasing options and sales. Book an appointment at one of our 45+ clinics in the BC Interior, Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island by clicking here or calling 1-877-606-6671
