We often hear the negative about seniors in our society, rather than celebrating them. Seniors offer wisdom and life experience integral to the fabric of a vibrant community. They contribute by shopping, using services (keeping people employed), and paying taxes. Seniors volunteer and make more charitable donations than any other age groups do. Many organizations could not function without them. Additionally, they help with babysitting and caregiving for spouses and friends, ultimately helping others to successfully “age in place”. Take the time to acknowledge the contributions made by seniors. By making our community more age-friendly, we can all play a role in inspiring more intergenerational understanding and connection.

With the sunny weather, more of our skin is on display and exposed to the elements. We want our skin to look smooth and healthy; healthy skin is vital to our survival. Our skin is an organ that we wear on the outside to protect what is inside. The products that we put on our skin and on our faces are just as important as what we put into our body. To avoid harmful chemicals and allergens, use skin products made with pure organic essential oils and natural ingredients to hydrate, nourish, pamper and repair your skin – naturally. Make sure to read the label. Look for skincare products with no nasty chemicals, preservatives or artificial fragrances.

Do we need sunscreen when it is cloudy? When it is sunny outside, we tend to be good at slathering on the sunscreen, but did you know that up to 40 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation reaches the earth on a completely cloudy day? Using sunscreen everyday protects us from harmful radiation from the sun and reduces our risk for skin cancer, premature aging and sunburns. Today, there are many organic sunscreen options available. Your local health store can help you find one with organic ingredients, that is well-rated by the Environmental Working Group and that provides broad spectrum protection.

Acupuncture, best known for its ability and effectiveness to treat pain, releases endorphin levels and diminishes the nervous system’s pain response while increasing circulation to the affected area. It can also decrease inflammation and swelling, relax muscles and stops muscle spasms. Acupuncture can effectively treat the following pain conditions: Arthritis, Back Pain, Neck Pain, Sciatica, Headaches, Fibromyalgia, Sprains, Tennis/Golfers Elbow, Knee Pain, Joint Pain, Frozen Shoulder, Carpal Tunnel, and more! If you have suffered from a sports or work related injury, and would like to book an appointment, please contact us!

Everything about you is controlled by your brain; what you think, feel, smell, see and how you move. Reconstructing life after an acquired brain injury takes hard work and commitment. At Cowichan Brain Injury peers provide hope to peers. Everyone participates to help rewire the brain. Neurons that fire together, wire together. Neuroplasticity happens by new experiences, new knowledge, a positive attitude, lots of humor, repetitions and consistency. We are optimistic that there are no limits to recovery, but allow for the largest opportunity for the highest level of recovery. Drop-In meetings, Monday to Friday, from 11 – 1 pm, 5814 Bank Road, Duncan.

In hot weather, staying extra hydrated is vitally important for your well-being! Your water requirement depend on your size, activity level, diet, caffeine consumption, and exposure to warmer weather and sun. Start your day with 2 glasses of water and keep a water bottle with you in the car and when you go out. Aim for about 2.5 to 3 litres per day. Drink more if you feel hot and dry, have a headache or muscle cramps or are feeling unwell. Eating raw fruit and vegetables and drinking herbal tea also helps you be sufficiently hydrated. Try adding a pinch of sea salt to your water bottle as a natural electrolyte.

Are your dentures irritating your gums? If your dentures do not fit properly, they can chafe the gums, causing irritation. Tissue irritation can make your dentures so uncomfortable, it’s practically impossible to wear them because of the pain. Practice good oral hygiene habits. Remove your dentures every night and use a soft-bristled brush to brush your gums, tongue, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth. Maintain regular checkups with your denturist and if your dentures become loose, have them looked at as soon as possible. Loose dentures can cause irritation that can lead to sores and infection.

Game theory is the mathematical study of games that goes beyond the theory of probability to include the behaviour of other players. But most of the time, gamblers do not pay strict attention to probability let alone other more complex mathematical considerations. Despite knowing that the odds are stacked against us, and our money likely lost, we continue to gamble for our own individual reasons. Michael Jordan once said, ”I want people to understand, gambling is not a bad thing if you do it within the framework of what it’s meant to be, which is fun and entertaining.”