It’s 1950, and new colours are being added to the Red Scare. Two U.S. State Department employees, Bob and Norma, have been tasked with identifying sexual deviants within their ranks. There’s just one problem: Both Bob and Norma are gay and have married each other’s partners as a carefully constructed cover. Inspired by the true story of the earliest stirrings of the American gay rights movement, madcap classic sitcom-style laughs give way to provocative drama as two “All-American” couples are forced to stare down the closet door. Tickets are on sale now for October 6–26, 2024.
Community News
It’s Not the “Things” that Matter
“The secret to having everything in life, is believing that you already have it.” 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!
Dangers of Social Isolation
Social isolation in seniors is a very serious problem affecting thousands of people across Canada. Health changes that prevent people from visiting others, such as the loss of a driver’s license or the death of loved ones, can contribute to the loss of social opportunities and contacts. These challenges can lead to depression and premature moves to assisted living facilities. Fortunately, there are many resources out there to keep seniors connected. Contact Nanaimo Lifeline, and we will be happy to connect you with organizations and services in our community that can do everything from daily phone calls to driving you to appointments.
Regular Denture Maintenance
I made a set of fangs for my daughter when she was in grade school—a long time ago. They were a huge hit because they looked so real. Dentures with fangs might be just up your alley! The fall is the eating season. Long weekends, relatives, garden harvest, canning… so much to eat. Regular relines are part of denture maintenance. They should be done every 2-3 years. Neglecting denture maintenance has serious consequences, including jaw protrusion, misaligned bite, sore spots, and difficulty chewing. Contact us today to book a complimentary evaluation. We are part of the Canadian Dental Care Program.
Understanding Sciatica
Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed, causing pain, tingling, or numbness down the leg. This is often due to nerve root compression in the spine, lumbar disc issues, spinal stenosis, or tight muscles like the piriformis. Acupuncture can effectively treat sciatica by relaxing tight muscles, improving circulation, and regulating the nervous system, offering a non-surgical alternative to pain medications. Studies show it can relieve symptoms and enhance the effects of other treatments. Various exercises can benefit you as well. For chronic pain, you may need 2-3 sessions to notice relief.
Help for Seniors
With the rising cost of living and lack of affordable housing for seniors, we’re seeing an increase in the number of residents we consider vulnerable. In fact, according to Food Banks Canada, 1 in 4 British Columbians are living in poverty. And in our area, we have witnessed this troubling crisis firsthand. With community support, we have been able to recover more than $200,000 in backpay for local seniors since July 2023. Get in touch with us if you know a senior who could use our assistance. Financial donations are gratefully accepted online, by phone, or in person. Thank you!
Volunteers Needed
When someone needs a hand, our dedicated team of Sendial volunteers is happy to help. Volunteers take and shop orders for customers who, because of injury, frailty, or other physical reasons, can’t easily grocery shop themselves. Love to talk??!! Phoning volunteers are needed at our Parksville and Longwood Station locations. Volunteers take customer orders, calling weekly or biweekly. Phoning is done from home, and orders are submitted in person or by email. A two-hour general orientation (Zoom) is the first step, followed by role-specific training (Zoom), and then in-store shopping observation. Interested? Please contact us by phone or email.
The Wellness Benefits of Walking
Walking offers numerous benefits for seniors, making it an ideal form of exercise. It helps maintain cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles, and improves balance, reducing the risk of falls. Regular walking also supports joint mobility and flexibility, which can ease symptoms of arthritis. Beyond physical health, walking boosts mental well-being by reducing stress and enhancing mood, thanks to the release of endorphins. It also provides an opportunity for social interaction when done with friends or in a group. Importantly, walking is low-impact, easy to incorporate into daily routines, and requires no special equipment, making it accessible for most seniors.
Time to Get Your Dentures Checked
Ho! Ho! Ho! It is not that time of year yet, but, if you hope to get a new smile before Christmas, book appointments soon. The busy time for denturists is September to December, so it is a good idea to book appointments now. If your dentures are over seven years old, they may need replacing due to tooth wear. If they are two to five years old, they may need to be refitted with a reline. If you are in the habit of using adhesives, it is time to have your dentures evaluated.
Stay Active with Swimming
A great way to get some low-impact exercise is through swimming! This non-weight-bearing exercise is perfect for those who want to stay fit but have a creaky joint or two. Here at Lifeline, you know we’re always trying to educate about how to prevent falls, and guess what? Swimming helps with that too! Because it allows for increased flexibility through a full range of motion and engages all muscle groups, swimming helps you be overall stronger. Swimming tires you out, so it helps improve sleep as well. It also helps towards the goal of 30 minutes of exercise three times per week.
Raindrop and Endocrine Massages
A Raindrop Technique Massage helps bring balance and harmony to the body by combining massage, distinctive energy approaches, intuitive wisdom, and pure essential oils. Benefits may include; *stress release, *improved immunity, *reduced pain and inflammation and *improved circulation. It rejuvenates the body and the mind. An Endocrine Massage is a relaxing soft touch massage using Young Living essential oils and crystals. We absorb so much stress into our endocrine system. This stress can unbalance the body and deplete our energy centres, leading to adrenal burnout. An endocrine massage helps to realign the energy centres in the body. Book your September Special $60 massage today!
