Community News
Gratitude is Very Powerful

Thanksgiving is a great time to practice gratitude, a high vibrational frequency. When you are grateful, you attract higher positive energies. Try writing in a gratitude journal every day to attract these energies. List all the things that happened during the day that you are grateful for. Gratitude is connected with greater happiness; it helps people feel positive emotions and improves health. As a Certified Body/Emotion Code Practitioner, Permelia can help you release unprocessed negative (trapped) emotions that will assist you in being grateful and will help you attract even more positive energy. Contact her for an appointment today.

The Power of Gratitude in Healthy Aging

Gratitude is a powerful tool with transformative effects on mental health and overall well-being, especially for seniors. In later years, aging can be a time of fulfillment and joy, and practicing gratitude may be key to unlocking these enriching experiences. Beyond boosting emotional well-being, gratitude also supports physical health by improving sleep quality and reducing stress and depression. Taking a moment each day to appreciate even the smallest joys can lower the risk of heart attack, angina, and stroke, help manage arthritic pain, and reduce frailty in older adults.

Changes of the Season

The leaves are turning, the wind is brisk and autumn has come. With it comes the sense of quiet that settles in like leaves on the forest floor. However, it is important that we do not settle back into old habits. Keeping pace with new hobbies and social activities which are known to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease, arthritis and osteoporosis, is important for long-term health goals. Don’t let the change in season stop you from being your best!

Are Your Vaccines Up to Date?

Fall boosters for COVID-19 will be available in October. This is also a great time to update vaccination schedules for travel, pneumonia, shingles, and more. Your pharmacist can help provide information and answer many of the questions that you may have regarding vaccines. Vaccines can help prevent disease and save lives. Individuals most at risk are: * people over 65 or under 5; * pregnant women; * residents of long-term care facilities; and * people with chronic diseases such as diabetes. Please book online to choose the day and time that will work for you to come in for your COVID-19 and additional important vaccines.

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.

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.

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.

Business Profile: Genie Senior Services

Start to finish senior moving service. They do it all, including the move. Genie Senior Services is locally owned and operated by teams that live and work in the community. They do not use subcontractors; it’s all done in-house. They do it all, from the FREE initial consultation to the time you’re comfortably settled in your new home. This ensures the smoothest experience for you; you don’t have to lift a finger! They offer a full-package, move, and unpack all-inclusive service. Contact Genie Senior Services today to downsize, declutter, and relocate to your new home.

Minor Ailments and Contraception Services

Your pharmacist has the knowledge, training, and authority to assess and prescribe for minor ailments and contraception. Minor ailments are health conditions that can be managed with minimal treatment. If you have a skin rash, fungal infection, heartburn, seasonal allergies, shingles, UTIs or a vaginal yeast infection, visit your pharmacist for a free assessment. After the assessment, your pharmacist may prescribe medication or refer you to another healthcare provider. If a prescription is issued, a prescription fee applies, just like prescriptions issued by a physician. Your primary care provider will be notified to support continuity of care and treatment outcomes.

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.