Art therapy provides a number of both physical and mental benefits to people of all ages. It can help improve your overall mental health and wellbeing by staving off depression and anxiety, improving your self-esteem, and giving you a greater sense of control. Practicing artistic pursuits can also boost your cognitive functioning and sense of identity, and when done in a group setting, can provide important opportunities for social connection. From a physical perspective, painting can improve your hand-eye coordination and dexterity, and studies have suggested that the positive mental health effects of art therapy can also improve physical wellbeing.
Community News
What Does “Self-Care” Mean to You?
We always think of self-care must incur huge costs or involve activity beyond the reach of most people, but we truly can incorporate self-care into our daily lives for free, or very, very cheap. Once self-care becomes habit, it becomes ingrained as one of those things that we simply expect of ourselves. It DOES NOT change overnight, or even in a month. In day-to-day life, consider consistent time by yourself to do something you enjoy: reading, watching a favourite show, cooking a special treat. These short periods of time add up! A bit of time enjoying something just for yourself will have a positive impact over time. Treat yourself occasionally. It can be as simple as a cup of coffee once a week, a walk in a beautiful park or a drive out of your neighbourhood. Disconnect your cable, limit time on social media. Sit in your yard or in a park and visit with your friends. Begin a journal. Simplify your meals and drink more water. The idea is to not overwhelm yourself with excessive movement or big changes, just get your body moving even a little bit, one small change at a time. Something is better than nothing!
There’s No Place Like Home
Many seniors, whether they need short term or long-term care, prefer remaining in a place most familiar to them – their home. By removing elderly loved ones from their home we often take away years of memories, relationships with neighbors and communities which can lead to a decline in health and leave them feeling sad and isolated. If Mom or Dad is willing to explore the idea of home care, involve them in the process and remember to take it slow at first. Home is still the safest place to receive care!
Available Resources
The Comox Valley Community Health Network is a community-driven network that facilitates collective action to positively impact the social determinants of health in the Comox Valley. We believe a healthy, sustainable, resilient community is a shared responsibility. CVCHN.ca
Community Announcement
Comox Valley Senior Support Society is a British Columbia registered, federal charity (Charity # BN 896568417 RR0001). Partial funding for programs is provided through Island Health and the United Way of the Lower Mainland. The remainder of operating costs are covered by donations from valuable, and greatly appreciated donors. Tax receipts for donations are issued upon request. Donations can be made online via our website at ComoxValleySeniorSupport.ca/Donate.
Community Announcement
The Caregiver Support Program offers support groups and resource information to those providing care for a senior family member or friend. Limited, short term counselling is available for those who may need it.
Memory Support: Meets twice each month for a two-hour period and is intended for seniors who are living with memory loss. The group focuses on conversation, information, support and having fun. This program will begin again once Public Health Orders have been lifted.
Overcoming Dentist Anxiety
Dental phobia has become ingrained into our society with phrases like ‘pulling teeth’ being used to mean difficult and unpleasant. As a result, an important part of the dentist’s role has become putting the patient at ease, making them secure and comfortable. Those with dental phobia tend to avoid dentists. Unfortunately, putting off regular checkups is a good way to end up with gum disease or other problems, which is why establishing a good patient-dentist relationship is so important. If you are a person who suffers from dental anxiety, mention it to your dentist and they will work with you to find a way to alleviate the stress.
Alzheimer’s & Home Safety
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.
Community Announcement
The Society’s Senior Information and Access Services provides assistance with forms and applications, Income Tax, community resources / referrals. Food security is supported by providing help with grocery shopping, Food Bank pick up, and delivery of hot meals in partnership with LUSH Valley Food Action Society.
Available Resources
The BC Association of Community Response Networks (BC CRN) is a provincial umbrella organization that supports local CRNs who in turn work to create a strong community response for adults who may be experiencing or be impacted by abuse, neglect and self- neglect. BCCRNS.ca
Ask The Expert
Q: I’m 77 years old and I remember my eyes used to be dark brown, but now they’re grey. My doctor said that’s normal. Are my eyes really getting less brown?
A: The colour of your iris usually stays the same throughout your life, but the cornea (the clear surface in front of the iris) can get a little cloudy over time. This is from normal lipid deposits, often within the outside edge of the cornea. If this happens in younger adults, we would wonder about blood lipid levels and that can be investigated of course.
