For low-income parents who have young children, the last two years have been especially difficult. Financial stress, months of social isolation, and the daily challenge of keeping growing minds and bodies busy have taken their toll. And for older children and youth, school disruption and the loss of social connection with their friends have affected their academic and emotional well-being. That’s why SOS Child, Youth and Family programs are so important for supporting mental health and well-being. To learn more about these free programs, or how to support them, visit our website, call us or come by our Community Services Centre in Parksville.
Community News
Causes of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss often occurs with age when the inner ear structures degenerate, causing a loss of protective hairs and nerve cells. Other factors that can increase an individual’s risk of developing hearing problems include *Loud noise or occupational hazards: One-time or continuous exposure to high decibel sounds. *Heredity: Your genetic makeup or family history. *Traumatic head injuries. *Ear disease and other diseases like otosclerosis or Ménière’s disease. *Other illnesses: high fever and some medications can damage the inner ear. Consult a hearing professional if you or a loved one is struggling with hearing loss.
Normal Forgetfulness or Dementia?
As we age, it’s normal to experience more frequent instances of memory loss. Some common symptoms of normal memory loss include transience, when the brain forgets some memories over time, and absentmindedness, where you may forget something because you weren’t focused on it. Other factors can also contribute to normal memory loss, such as depression and other mental health issues. Memory loss that involves the following can be cause for concern and should be addressed by a doctor: 1) Forgetting important information, like names. 2) Being extremely disoriented in unfamiliar environments. 3) Major personality changes like aggressiveness or impulsivity.
Reiki – Release Stress and Tension
Reiki offers deep relaxation and helps the body release stress and tension. A reiki treatment gives you time to yourself where you are ‘being’ instead of ‘doing’. Clients report feeling more clear, peaceful, relaxed, and lighter in themselves. Reiki provides a space where you can be more aware of what is going on inside your body and mind. You can learn to listen to your own body and make wise decisions about your wellbeing. Being more present in your body helps you to access the inner knowing and wisdom that we all have!
The Wellness Hub Vancouver Island
Looking for more local health and wellness information? Check out the Wellness Hub Vancouver Island. It features hundreds of local business and practitioners offering services and products, health tips on a variety of topics, podcasts, reviews and more. It is easy to search, access and share information. While you are on the Wellness Hub, don’t forget to enter the April Contest for a Wellness Basket sponsored by Bonneau Gifts. The draw date is April 30, 2022.
Great Socks for Travel
Many of us have compression socks for traveling. On the day of travel, put them on when you get up; that is when your legs are less swollen. This allows your body to adapt to the socks. Make sure to leave them on for a few hours after you land to again allow your body to adapt. Wearing the socks for the extra time can reduce any swelling of the legs much more effectively than if they are taken straight off. Travel socks do not work unless you wear them. If the ones you have are not comfortable, look for a different kind.
Canada’s Low Risk Gambling Guidelines
Have you heard of Canada’s Low-Risk Gambling Guidelines? Guideline 1) Gamble no more than 1% of household income: For example, a Household income of $70,000 before tax should gamble no more than $58 per month. Guideline 2) Gamble no more than 4 days per month, which works out to roughly once a week. Guideline 3) Avoid regularly gambling at more than 2 types of games: For example, lotteries and slots, scratch tickets and bingo, OR poker and VLTs. 3+ forms of gambling substantially increase the risk of developing a gambling problem. Check them out at GamblingGuidelines.ca #LRGG.
Enjoy Your Life to the Fullest
Good hearing means being able to enjoy every moment in life. But when you start experiencing hearing problems, you quickly feel you cannot enjoy all the things that mean the most. A hearing professional will work with you to get you back to better hearing. They can give you back the ability to enjoy your life to its fullest. Quality hearing professionals are with you for each step of the journey and to identify the best solution for you. Look for a hearing centre that offers an extensive, complimentary hearing test, free follow-ups, and a wide range of innovative and discreet products. We can help.
Plant Positive Intentions in Spring
April is here! It’s time for planting intentions! Your intentions should be positive, uplifting and in the present tense. When you state your intentions, do so in a positive tone. Avoid using any negative words. Intentions are what you want, not what you do not want. Say the intention out loud to yourself. Reading and hearing it makes it more powerful. Are you ready to plant & birth JOYful intentions for your life? If you are not yet ready, book a Body Code session to release those negative emotions and put JOY back in your life!
The Role of the Pharmacist
A pharmacist’s role has changed a lot over the years. One of their newer responsibilities is medication management. This means making sure that you get the safest and most effective drug treatment for you. Sometimes that leads pharmacists to “adapt” prescriptions. What is prescription adaptation? Firstly, they might need to change or clarify the dose, formulation or the regimen of your medication. Secondly, they might have to change your medication altogether. And thirdly, they might give you new fills of your medication, based on your previous prescriptions. All adaptions are made with your safety and health in mind.
Peace of Mind Anywhere
Today’s technology allows you to feel safe and secure wherever you might be! Whether in your home, walking to your mailbox or on vacation, some devices give you 24/7 access to help. These on-the-go devices can send an alert when you press a button, send an automatic alert if it senses that you have fallen, and provide direct, two-way communication with a 24/7 Response Center. They are designed to help locate the user in a variety of situations – home or away, indoors and out. It is possible to get out there and enjoy life with peace of mind.
