Waiting for your Cancer PET/CT imaging appointment? Cancer doesn’t stop & wait with you. That’s why people choose to have PET/CT imaging done privately. Receiving these reports sooner allows for treatment to start sooner. PET/CT assists with: CANCER – detecting cancer, revealing cancer spread, confirming cancer treatment effectiveness, finding a cancer recurrence. BRAIN DISORDERS – clarifying early diagnosis of dementia, confirming possible Alzheimer’s diagnosis. HEART DISEASE – Confirming cardiac sarcoidosis presence/recurrence. If you have been referred by your physician for a PET/CT scan and are waiting for your appointment it may be time to ask your oncologist, urologist, or GP to make a referral to INITIO Medical. Initiomedical.ca

The thyroid gland is small, but it has a big job, releasing hormones that are essential to metabolism and other body functions. When the thyroid gland is underactive, you might feel tired, be more sensitive to cold, have dry skin and hair, or have difficulty concentrating. Medications for hypothyroidism interact with many drugs and foods and may sometimes require a dose adjustment, especially for major life changes such as menopause or a significant weight change. We are here to help you manage your medications and achieve your best health.

The World Health Organization states there are three ways to combat ageism:
• education to dispel myths and stereotypes and raise awareness of the impact of ageism.
• intergenerational interventions, which create cooperation and empathy between age groups.
• law and policy changes, which can reduce inequity and discrimination.

These efforts require commitment from governments and institutions, as they hold the most power to create change. On an individual level, people can contribute to these efforts by being an ally. Allyship involves dedicating personal time and energy to acting against ageism by:
• Becoming aware of ageism: Reflect on how ageism shapes one’s own thoughts, feelings, and life experiences.
• Learning about ageism: Learn how ageism affects others by listening to personal stories, reading books, and researching.
• Developing skills: Learn about and practice advocacy skills, such as knowing when to speak up and when to step back.

It can be hard to know when the “right” time is to move a senior loved one into an assisted living community, but there are some important signs. If your senior loved one is having trouble keeping up with personal hygiene, cleaning their home, preparing meals, remembering to take medications, or is experiencing falls, it might be time to discuss a transition to assisted living. Your loved one will benefit from being in a safe environment, having more opportunities to socialize, getting adequate nutrition, having someone assist with medication schedules, and accessing transportation for a variety of outings and errands.

On October 18, the Comox Valley Senior Support Society will host its first annual fund-raising Spelling Bee! Only an hour and half long, this event will promise to test your skill at spelling and will provide and entertaining time for all who attend.

Income Tax
The Senior Information and Access Support Team is once again offering its expertise to assist seniors with their taxes! Seniors must register with CVSS to access this service (a fast and painless process!). Please contact Chris or Tiss at 250-871-5940 or [email protected] to register.

Comox Valley Senior Support Society, dedicated to helping seniors, is seeking volunteers to join our Board of Directors. The Board provides governance, leadership, fudariaing, and finacial oversight to staff and the Society’s opertaions. Meetings are held once per month, with additional support required on an as needed basis. If you have have a passion for seniors, an interest in working with a collaborative Board, and supporting an active staff team, please contact Chris at [email protected] or Jenny at [email protected] for more information.