Community News
Socks for Healthy Circulation

Today’s travel often involves long flights in cramped seats that can be very hard on your circulation. Wearing socks with mild compression will comfortably help increase circulation and reduce the risk of swelling. The compression steadily squeezes your legs, helping your veins and leg muscles move blood more efficiently. They offer a simple, safe and economical way to keep blood from stagnating. Others things that will help you during long flights include getting up and stretching every hour while flying, staying hydrated and flexing your ankles every 30 minutes.

Live Life to Its Fullest

A senior once said “The secret to having everything in life, is believing that you already have it.” There is something to that. Many seniors will tell you that the things that you thought mattered in your younger years were not really what mattered. It’s not the ‘things’ that matter. It’s the people, the experiences, the memories that you carry with you throughout your lifetime. Retirement communities are great places for retirees to continue to make new friends, have new experiences and make more wonderful memories. We should all strive every day to learn something new or meet someone new – it’s what keeps us young at heart!

Time to Nurture Ourselves

Oh, what a beautiful fall! As I watch the leaves drop I am reminded to slow down. Mother Earth is so wise. It is a time for nurturing ourselves as we ready for the winter months. Unfortunately, our busy lives have lost the rhythm of mother earth. We have become detached, distracted, and for many depressed and anxious by the chaos in our present world. We have forgotten what is true and what is provided for us all to embrace. Peace of mind, joy, and freedom from fear and pain is your birthright. Embrace the power within you, nurture your resilience, your immunity, and your connection to truth. Let’s talk. Let’s celebrate.

Tips to FIT Fitness into Your Life

We all know that maintaining an active lifestyle should be one of our top priorities. Only by taking care of ourselves do we stand a chance of being the kind of person we strive to be on the job, at home and in our communities. Here are two tips: 1) Strive for an earlier start to your day. 2) Join a fitness class or start personal training. A personal trainer or fitness class will give you some tools to start. Don’t waste another year of not being your very strongest self. We offer online and in-person coaching.

Tips for Fall Prevention

November is Falls Prevention month. Falls are a real concern for older adults. 85% of all injury hospitalizations among older adults are for falls. The following tips can reduce your risk: *Get regular exercise and physical activity. *Have your medications reviewed by a physician or pharmacist. Some medication combinations can cause dizziness. *Have your vision and hearing checked regularly. *Make your home safer – remove tripping hazards, improve lighting and keep important items within reach. In the event that a fall happens, getting help quickly is important. Lifeline’s Auto Alert button provides help 24/7 and automatically detects 95% of true falls.

Meeting Needs this Christmas

Keeping up with the rising cost of living is very difficult for many residents. Thinking about the upcoming Christmas holidays only brings feelings of worry and anxiety, wondering where the meals will come from, let alone gifts for the children. For more than 50 years, the SOS Caring for Community at Christmas program has been making sure local children and youth have something special waiting for them under the tree. The program also provides grocery gift cards so residents can choose food that is meaningful to them over the holidays. Visit the SOS website to make a financial donation, find gift drop-off times and learn how to access the program.

Sleep Changes & The Elderly

Seniors who wake up more often during the night and earlier in the morning, usually have a harder time falling asleep, and spend less time in deep, dreamless sleep. Some measures to help you sleep better include: 1) Eat a light bedtime snack. 2) Avoid caffeine for at least 3 or 4 hours before bed. 3) Avoid napping during the day. 4) Exercise regularly, but not within 3 hours of bedtime. 5) Practice relaxation techniques at bedtime. 6) Don’t watch TV or use devices while in bed. 7) Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.

Staying Social as a Senior

As we get older, health conditions, mobility limitations or a lack of energy can keep us from being as socially active as we once were. A diminishing social life might happen gradually as close friends experience the same conditions and family members grow busy. We may not even notice how long it has been since we last spent time with a friend! Isolation has many physical and emotional health risks. Especially if you live by yourself, staying socially active is critical to enjoying a healthy lifestyle. Volunteer at a local organization, join a senior living community or find a group that focuses on similar interests (e.g., knitting, water aerobics, cooking). Get back to living your best life!

Too Much Screen Time

A 2019 report from Common Sense Media into media use by US tweens and teens stated: *8- to 12-year-olds in the US used screens recreationally for an average of 4.44 hours per day – excluding time spent online for schoolwork. This is twice the recommended healthy exposure. *8- to 12-year-olds from high ­income families spent 1 hour 50 minutes ˂ low-­income families. *Gaming accounts for (31%) of all screen time among 8- to 12-years-olds; (46%) play mobile games daily (in 2015 it was 27%); (24%) play console video games daily. On average, an hour and a half per day are spent gaming. citation: intenta.digital

A Gift for Your Family

Making final arrangements ahead of time is a wise and considerate decision. This guarantees that your wishes are observed and spares your family from undue pressure at a time of great emotional stress. Having final plans in place is a blessing when passing is anticipated. With an unexpected death, they are even more important. An unexpected death can bring overwhelming grief, guilt and anger. These feelings can make it very difficult to plan an end-of-life service that respects the wishes of a loved one. Preplanning is a special gift to give your family. We can help.

Join the WellnessHub Today

Are you a health care practitioner? Do you have a health and wellness business? If so, you want to get a listing on the WellnessHub – Basic listings are FREE. The WellnessHub is Vancouver Island’s local online health and wellness resource. It features practitioners, businesses, health tips, a monthly contest and much more. Monthly memberships are available for people who want extra exposure. The WellnessHub is supported in print, social media, radio and more. We work with you to get your message out to your potential customers. The Hub attracts thousands of local visitors every month.