Help Parents Stay Independent
It’s common for seniors to lose some independence due to health problems or mobility issues. Mobility scooters can help! No matter where your parents live, a mobility scooter can allow them to gain a sense of independence by enabling them to get out of the house more. Since mobility scooters are powered by an electric motor and simply need a charge after use, your parents just have to sit back and relax while getting to wherever they’d like to be. Some models are portable, making them easier to transport if taking people out and about in a car is important.
Community News
January Brain Teasers
1. How come hyenas are so healthy? 2. What will a bee get from visiting too many flowers? 3. What game can be dangerous to your mental health? 4. What is the healthiest kind of water? 5. What ring is actually a square?
Brain Teaser Answers
1. Because laughter is the best medicine. 2. High bud-pressure. 3. Marbles, you don’t want to lose them. 4. Well water. 5. A boxing ring.
Words to Live By
There are greater things to be achieved in every New Year, and each and everyone must prepare themselves to be great, not by words of the mouth, but by a lot of sacrifices. – Michael Bassey Johnson
Words to Live By
Happy New Year from the Board of Directors and the staff at Comox Valley Senior Support Society.
DECEMBER LOCAL WELLNESS BOX PRIZE PACKAGE
Over $500.00 worth of prizes including; $210.00 Therapeutic Yoga-Based Movement Gift Card – BodyWell Remedial Exercise & Registered Massage Therapy www.getbodywell.com
$115.00 Initial evaluation and treatment Gift Card – Red Sage Wellness – Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine www.redsagewellness.com
2 Tickets to the Vancouver Island Symphony – Mozart’s Serenade March 19, 2022 in Nanaimo www.vancouverislandsymphony.com
Voxxlife Socks from Great Socks for All – www.greatsocksforall.voxxlife.com
Cactus Club – Gift Card www.cactusclubcafe.com/location/victoria
Holidays with Dementia
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.
Should I Remove my Dentures at Night?
Removing your dentures at night while you sleep will increase your oral health and your gums will thank you for it! Experts highly advise that if you wear dentures, you should be giving your gums and dentures a well-deserved break at nighttime. Soaking your dentures in a denture cleaning solution or clean water will increase their longevity and will keep them in tip-top shape, which in turn will prevent bacteria and plaque buildup. Additionally, your gums will have an opportunity to be naturally cleaned by saliva in the mouth, which will prevent infections from developing and decrease the chance of irritations your mouth.
BC Community Response Network
The BC Community Response Network is a provincial organization that supports local CRNs who in tun work to create strong community response for adults who may be experiencing or impacted by abuse, neglect, and self neglect. As the new host agency of the Comox Valley Community Response Network, Comox Valley Senior Support is looking forward to filling the vital role a CRN can play in the community. While, just getting up to speed with the work that needs to be done, staff are looking forward to the task at hand. Please stay tuned for future updates! Further information on BC CRNs can be found at: https://bccrns.ca
Donations Welcome as Holidays Draw Near
Donations to Comox Valley Senior Support Society can be directed toward any one of its programs or can be directed towards general operating expenses. Though many of the programs are volunteer powered, there are still numerous expenses for each. If you have any questions about any of these programs or about how a donation may best be used, please Contact Christopher Bate at [email protected] or 250-871-4950. Donations can be made by cheque or by following the link on the society’s website.
Community Announcements
Friendly Visitor Program – offers a weekly visit or phone call from a trained volunteer for seniors who are isolated and lonely. This program also encompasses hospital visits and coordinating delivery of library books. Senior Information Access Support – helps seniors navigate various systems (internet applications, forms, phone calls etc…). Community resources referral. Assistance with grocery shopping and delivery. Caregiver Support Program – provides monthly support groups for caregivers to have an opportunity to speak with, listen to, and support other caregivers. Caregiver Respite – facilitates monthly fun social activities for people with dementia so caregivers can have a brief break. Volunteer Training – Our volunteers are valued a lot, and that is one of the reasons we put so much effort into orientation and ongoing education.
