A senior once said to me, “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!
Community News
Help Keep Kids Active this Fall
Now that kids are back in school and routines have resumed for the fall and winter, many families are challenged with how to provide affordable activities for their children. That’s where SOS comes in. SOS provides numerous free programs, including a nurturing environment for early learners to build social and emotional skills while parents/caregivers take a much-needed break. Child and youth programs inspire confidence, connections and provide mentorship and healthy food. The SOS Recreation Assistance for Children & Youth program helps families with registration costs for other local programs. Support these programs and help SOS rebuild capacity by donating to the SOS Project Rebuild Campaign.
Get Listed on the WellnessHub
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.
Not Just for Style
Socks are a creative way to express your personality and style. You can even order socks with a picture of your dog on them. When choosing socks for appearance only you don’t get the many health benefits related to wearing the right socks. Socks with antibacterial properties help prevent odors and fight germs and fungus. Socks can also prevent foot pain by protecting feet from the environment and if you wear them to bed, can help you fall asleep more easily. Voxx socks not only keep your feet warm and clean smelling, they may also offer general pain relief, more energy and increased balance and stability.
Sport Betting Support
“Sports bettors, who tend to be young men, are the most vulnerable to problematic behavior, according to the NCPG’s National Survey on Gambling Attitudes and Gambling Experiences. The survey reveals that sports bettors are three times more likely to exhibit problem gambling behavior than other types of gamblers.” (Quoted from onlinepoker.com). Given the popularity of sports betting across North America, and Canada’s soon-to-be new law allowing single event sports betting (Canada.ca DoJ), vulnerable sports bettors may find themselves in a position to engage in more impulsive betting behaviour. Reach out to ViGaminSupport.ca for more info on how we can help!
Profile: The Medicine Shoppe
The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy offers personalized service. Through their Pharmacy at Home Program, complimentary home visits help you manage your medication schedule or set up your blister pack. Free delivery service is available anywhere in Nanaimo, Lantzville, Nanoose, Errington, Parksville and Qualicum. They also offer Blood Pressure, BMI and Diabetes Monitoring, Foot Care and Compression Sock Fitting and a compounding laboratory to prepare customized medication. Book your Medication Review with your Personal Pharmacist at Medicine Shoppe Departure Bay Road in Nanaimo and in Parksville. Mel and Kristen Azcarraga, pharmacists and owners, are proud to serve their community.
Daily Routine Important for Seniors
People are afraid of the unknown. If an older adult is losing control over their physical abilities, independence, or cognitive abilities, their world gets filled with more and more unknowns. Establishing routine is extremely important for seniors. A daily routine offers a level of stability that individuals often enjoy, as it allows them to settle into a schedule they understand. Doing the same basic activities like eating, dressing, and bathing at the same time every day is known to improve sleep quality. A predictable routine also helps to reduce stress and anxiety.
Importance of Staying Mobile
Mobility is key to maintaining independence, especially as people age. For seniors, the loss of mobility has profound social, psychological, and physical consequences. If joints and muscles aren’t properly maintained, basic movements may cause pain or even injury. Luckily the many negative effects that comes with immobility can often be prevented or limited by physical activity and exercise. Join a local exercise class, take daily walks, or find something that you enjoy and make it a habit. There are many opportunities to move throughout the day and you can even practice many upper- and lower-body mobility exercises from a chair.
Walking in Wet Weather
Fall will soon be here and that usually brings wet, colder weather. Don’t let that stop you from enjoying the outdoors but be aware of changing conditions. Walking after a rain fall can be risky. Many walkers do not realize how slick the leaves on the ground can be. Wearing proper shoes and using Walking Poles can help reduce the chances of slipping and falling. Make sure that your footwear also provides support for your ankles. Using a pair of Walking Poles allows you to enjoy nice long walks with friends no matter what the weather. Keep doing what you love to do!
Moving to a Retirement Community
Are you thinking about making a move to a retirement community? Here are some questions to ask when doing your research that will help you make your decision: *Does the facility have policies and procedures in place to ensure the safety and wellness of its residents and staff? *Are there cleaning protocols in place? *Is there sufficient staff to ensure extra cleaning and care is in place? *If an infection should occur, what procedures are there to ensure the containment? Answers to these questions will help you make an informed decision.
Benefits of Sleeping Earplugs
If you have a partner who snores or noisy neighbours, ear plugs for sleeping can help. They can be used by anybody who wishes to block out noises in situations where people need to relax or switch off from the outside world. They are designed to reduce ambient sounds and are ideal for: *Sleeping, *Travelling and sleeping on a plane, *Meditation, *Commuters who use noisy transport such as buses or trains, *People who work irregular shift patterns or night shifts and *Students who want to concentrate without being disturbed. Ear plugs for sleeping are custom fit and available in a wide range of colours.
