There is still a significant period of unpleasant weather ahead this winter. Please think of isolated and vulnerable seniors in your community who may need assistance in inclement weather. If you are unable to assist them yourself, please help them connect with CVSS and we will help them find what they need.

The Board of Directors and Staff of Comox Valley Senior Support wish everyone a calm and healthy 2023! Moving into a new year provides an opportunity for us to acknowledge the remarkable community that CVSS works with. Thanks to the community for its incredible support and entrusting CVSS to work with seniors who call the Valley home. The ongoing relationships CVSS enjoys with LUSH Valley Food Action Society, Better at Home, Geriatric Support Services, Community Health Services, the Comox Valley Transition Society, the Comox Valley Coalition to End Homelessness, United Way BC, Driving Miss Daisy, Home Instead, the Comox Valley Presbyterian Church, Comox Valley Dodge, St. John the Devine, and so many more all highlight the power of collaborative community efforts. We thank the 120 volunteers who work with CVSS, supporting 300 seniors per month, providing their skills, commitment, passion, and their time. To our community’s most fabulous residents, the hundreds of seniors we come across every year… Thank you for letting us assist you. We look forward to continuing to see you with you in 2023.

During these dark winter months, the sun’s rays are not strong enough for our bodies to produce sufficient Vitamin D. This is why Osteoporosis Canada recommends that most Canadian adults should take a daily vitamin D supplement. Vitamin D plays an essential role in bone health by facilitating the absorption of calcium. It also helps maintain muscles and reduce the risk of fractures caused by falls. Some studies have suggested that it may reduce the risk of certain diseases. Talk with one of our pharmacists about recommended doses or to learn more about other supplements, vitamins and minerals.

Post-holiday debt can pile up quickly. Rising interest rates and the cost of living, food and fuel can become very overwhelming. Sometimes gambling can be seen as a quick fix to achieve financial relief. When we’re vulnerable, gambling can cost us more than money; it can also cost our relationships, our mental and physical health. If finances are tight, seek credit counselling; talk to your bank or financial advisor. Gambling is meant to be entertainment and not a solution to financial problems. Reach out to us here at VI Gaming Support. We’re here to help!

Maintaining relationships and spending time with others is essential to our emotional and mental well-being. It can help prevent depression which affects 20 percent of the population over 70 years of age. Socializing also keeps the mind active and improvements are greater when the person is involved in fun interests with other people. Plan regular get-togethers with friends, such as a weekly lunch date or coffee with another senior or loved one. Scheduling social interactions give us something to look forward to on a regular basis. For those who are truly adventurous you can enjoy new experiences and meet new people by signing up for travel tours, book clubs, and much more at your local community centre.

Keep your eyes open for a Comox Valley Seniors Resource Guide coming in 2023. 20,000 copies of this spiral bound guide are being created in partnership between Comox Valley Senior Support and Denman and Hornby Community Health Care Services and will be available free of charge.

Winter months bring on more then cold temperatures; they often bring on winter blues. Many seniors experience depression due to lack of sunshine, activities, and socializing.
Come in out of the cold into the warmth of the Comox Seniors’ Centre at 1801 Beaufort Ave in Comox. Enjoy a coffee and meal at Dei’s Cafe with friends or meet new acquaintances. Pick up Dei’s hot meals to go; ask what’s on the menu. Check out our library for a good book, DVD, or puzzle. Looking for a handmade gift for someone special; our best kept secret Gift Shop is waiting for you. Become a member and participate in the many activities available.
The Centre is always looking for volunteers. Chase those winter blues away at the Comox Seniors’ Centre.

Many older adults with Alzheimer’s or dementia enjoy and want to be included in holiday festivities. However, the added activities could cause increased agitation and confusion, unpredictable behavior, or mood swings. To create a stress-free, happy holiday season, try to scale things back and modify activities so they’ll feel calm and safe. Focus on a few of the most meaningful traditions. Ask which activities they value most. That could mean trimming the Christmas tree, lighting the menorah, singing songs, or baking special holiday treats. Even if your older adult might not remember these holiday activities later, the warm feelings they’ll have is a different kind of memory their body will carry for a while.

A growing proportion of the population …
• Seniors currently (2005) make up 13% of Canada’s population—projections show that by 2036, they will account for close to 25% of the population.
• Women account for 52% of seniors aged 65 to 69 and for 75% of those 90 years or older. Differences in life expectancy between men and women have begun to narrow, a trend that is projected to continue.
Urban dwellers …
• As is the case with all Canadians, fewer seniors are living in rural areas than in the past. In 2001, close to 61% of seniors lived in one of Canada’s 27 Census metropolitan areas, while another 9% resided in smaller urban areas (with a population of 50,000 or more). A much smaller proportion (23%) lives in rural areas, with only 8% of rural dwellers living in more remote rural areas.

Home Instead is once again coordinating Christmas gifts for Comox Valley Seniors. A big thank you to Esther and her crew who are generously donating their time to gather, wrap, and deliver gifts for CVSS seniors this holiday season.