There are many conversations that families should have. One of those concerns your final wishes. Planning your funeral and cemetery arrangements means you can discuss the options with family in a relaxed, stress-free environment. The other conversation is planning for your future health care. If you were sick and couldn’t speak for yourself, would your family know your wishes? You might be surprised by the space between what you want for future care and what your loved ones think you want. It’s important that they know your values, what is meaningful in your life, and how you would like decisions to be made.
Community News
What Does Health Mean to You?
What is your definition of health? It can be different depending on your goals, ability, current health status, and other aspects of your life. Health incorporates mental, physical, and social health, just to name a few areas that impact our overall health and what we consider health to be, look like and feel like. Before you make your next health goal, define what health means to you. Research, reflection, and coaching can all help set goals, formulate plans, and the all-important maintenance phase of all changes that come with goal setting. I can help.
The Perfect Lift Chair for You
There are countless makes and models of lift chairs, (aka power recliners). Here are tips to decide which one is right for you! *Chair Size. How much space do you have? Do you prefer a smaller chair or a larger one that envelops you in a big hug? *Material & Coverings. Leather-type material is easier to clean while plush materials can be more comfortable. *Padding. If you have a bad back or sit for long periods you may want more padding. *Single vs. Double Motor. Double motors offer extra lumbar support. Come into our store and try out the different models.
Resolutions for 2022
With the start of the new year, we are all hoping that this one will be different than last year and the year before that. 2021 is now officially over and as we embark on 2022, it is time to move forward. Let’s work on making resolutions that will help us through. Focus on that all-important Self-care (and Community-care)! Find the things in life that are enjoyable (and able to do within the constrictions of the pandemic), and resolve to commit to them regularly. Be specific yet flexible, and most importantly, make them enjoyable (not just healthy)!
Happy & Healthy in 2022
Many of us made a New Year’s Resolution to take better care of ourselves in 2022. We welcome you to check out the Wellness Hub, our local, online Health and Wellness resource for great information on doing just that. The Wellness Hub features hundreds of health tips and articles on a variety of health and wellness topics along with a directory of hundreds of local businesses and practitioners offering services and products. It is easy to search, access and share information. While you are checking out the Wellness Hub, don’t forget to enter the January Contest. The draw date is January 31, 2022.
Support is Available
Post-holiday debt can pile up quickly and easily become overwhelming. The stress of overdue bills can temp us to use gambling as a quick fix to achieve financial relief. Gambling when we’re vulnerable can cost us everything, not only our money but our mental and physical health. There are lots of free and confidential supports and tools available. This includes Voluntary Self-Exclusions from casinos, gaming centers and BCLC’s PlayNow available 24/7 toll-free at 1-888-795-6111 or connects with us at VIGamingSupport.ca. There are also excellent credit counsellors, financial advisors, ministers, pastors, podcasts, and/or trusted friends. Support is a game-changer: Do it!
Community Profile: Cowichan Valley Lifeline
The Comox Valley Lifeline Society, a non-profit organization, has been providing an easy-to-use personal emergency response system to the Cowichan Valley since 1988. The Society was established because the membership believed that people deserved the dignity to live on their own and have access to immediate help in an emergency. If you experience a fall or other emergency in your home, every second counts. Delays can jeopardize your recovery and your independence. Lifeline quickly connects you to a trained Response Associate, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at the push of a button. You are never alone and help is always there when you need it.
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
Life Stages and Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can affect people of all ages for various reasons such as genetics, exposure to loud noises, presbycusis, autoimmune issues and sometimes ototoxic medications. More dangerously, untreated hearing loss can cause issues, often psychological, which also tend to be the indicators.
If you’re concerned that you or a loved one may have hearing loss, here’s a list of signs in each stage of life that may indicate a hearing loss.
Children
Signs of hearing loss in children often go unnoticed, hence it’s important to look for signs as early as infancy for quick treatment. If a hearing loss isn’t indicated now, it’s still a possibility as they age.
Here are some of the signs to watch for:
- Lack of attention to sound and sound localization
- Delayed speech development
- Unable to monitor their own voice or follow verbal instructions
- Behavioural changes and hyperactivity
- Poor school performance
Teenagers
Diagnosing teens is easier because they’ve developed communication skills. Personalities influence any diagnosis because they affect our verbal interactions and reactions to different situations.
The following are some indicators:
- Struggles with verbal cues and instructions
- Often ask people to repeat themselves
- Lack of participation in school activities, poor school performance
- Isolated from social situations
- Behavioural changes – may act out or do nothing at all
Adults and Seniors
In adults, signs of hearing loss present differently with age due to developed coping mechanisms. Seniors often lose their hearing as they age, but they can take action to treat it for a better quality of life.
Here are signs to look for:
- Regularly ask people to repeat themselves
- Talk very loud or quiet
- Difficulties understanding verbal communication
- Isolate themselves in noisy environments and don’t participate
- May present with depression or anxiety
- Complaints of dizziness, ringing in ears and exhaustion
If you’re concerned about hearing loss affecting you or a loved one, NexGen Hearing provides free hearing tests and hearing aid consultations, sales and fittings. NexGen Hearing’s team is dedicated to helping you find solutions and discussing your hearing needs, goals and options to find the best outcome and support you every step of the way.
Author: By NexGen Hearing, NexGenHearing.com
Happy Holiday Wishes
As another year draws to a close, we give thanks for the many blessings that we have received. We continue to publish this newsletter, along with four additional local ones here on the island, with help from our communities. We thank our advertisers, readers, subscribers and newsletter distributors for helping us to continue to spread the wellness message. A big thank you to Isabella Ostman who is retiring at the end of the year. She worked with Teresa for five years to establish and grow our newsletters and the WellnessHub. We wish everyone Peace, Happiness and Good Health this Holiday Season.
Experience Profound Relaxation
Your body can be rebalanced and reset on a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual level. A therapy session in The Harmonic Egg (a uniquely engineered bio resonance chamber) activates the body’s repair mechanism to promote profound relaxation. With the fusion of advanced technology and ancient wisdom, it uses the vibrational energies of sacred geometry, light, colour, and sound. These frequencies vibrate to create a 360 degree amplified resonance experience that returns the body to homeostasis. Each energy therapy session is individually tailored and is precisely controlled, consistent, and repeatable. It is completely non-invasive and 100% safe. Use code XMAS99 in December to save $25.
