Community News
Profile: Nurse Next Door

Here at Nurse Next Door, it’s about caring, not just health care™. We help seniors stay in their own homes. The goal is to give families peace of mind and allow seniors to maintain their dignity and remain as independent as possible. Our extraordinary family of Caregivers will take care of your loved one so you can get back to being a daughter or son. Our in-home caregivers build relationships and encourage independence. Matched specially for your loved one, they’re flexible, supportive, and passionate about helping Mom or Dad live more comfortably. Contact us today for a free Caring Consult.

A Key to Better Blood Flow

Nitric oxide (NO) is a crucial molecule for many processes in the body. It is particularly important for blood vessel and brain health. NO promotes a widening of blood vessels which increases blood flow, lowering blood pressure. Research has also shown NO to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. To naturally increase NO, simply start humming. When we hum on the exhale of a breath, vibrations are generated in the sinuses which dramatically increases NO levels. Other options include eating more leafy greens such as Arugula and beets. Even though supplements are also available; nature provides the best way to get your nitric oxide.

Make Time for Self-Care

Self-care is not selfish – never mind what your mother and others may have told you. Make sure to take time for YOU. You deserve to relax and enjoy the summer. *Rejoice in the sunshine. *Dig your toes into the sand at the beach. *Feel the water lap at your ankles. *Go into the forest to reconnect with nature and do some Forest Bathing. *Enjoy ice cream while watching the sunset. A certified Body/Emotion Code practitioner can help you release any unprocessed negative (trapped) emotions to allow more time for relaxation, joy and self-care.

Innovative Hearing Technology

Technology can change our lives and hearing aids are no different. Thanks to technology, devices to help individuals with hearing loss are far from the bulky and difficult ones of the past. There is a huge variety of hearing aids to suit the specific hearing profiles of an individual; these can be discrete, easy to use and adaptable. The new smart digital hearing aids feel less like a crutch and more like an accessory. In fact, it is difficult to distinguish between hearing aids and the earbuds that so many people have in their ears. Contact us today to find out more.

Ask Your Pharmacist for Help

If you are struggling with a minor health problem, a Pharmacist can help. They can *Recommend a non-prescription medication for minor conditions such as dry skin, fungal infection, diarrhea or constipation that do not require a doctor’s visit. *Provide advice on Over the Counter (OTC) Medications. They can guide you through the different options and help you make an informed choice. *Recommend that you seek urgent care or emergency care if they see a red flag regarding your condition. *Prepare Your Medication List. It is useful to have a list of your medication and allergies in case of emergency, travel or a doctor appointment.

Helping Kids Thrive this Summer

Families are always looking for affordable ways to keep busy minds engaged during the summer. SOS offers families positive programs that enable local children and youth to experience a fun summer while strengthening their social and mental wellbeing. This is especially important for youth transitioning into adulthood. At SOS, youth can connect with responsible adults in a safe environment, receive support, eat nutritious food, make new friends, and learn about community resources. To learn more about these free programs and how to support them, visit our website or come by our Community Services Centre in Parksville.

Prevent Hearing Loss

Protecting your hearing is the best way to prevent hearing loss. Custom hearing solutions are available to match any lifestyle. For example; *Water Enthusiasts – Swimming or simply taking a shower can result in water trapped inside the ear canal, potentially resulting in irritation or infection. Custom hearing protection keeps the water out. *Hunters – A single gunshot can cause permanent hearing loss. Custom hearing protection is specially designed to prevent against impulse noise. *Music lovers – Listen to music with custom hearing protection that maintains the sound quality and allows you to enjoy rich, natural sound.

Keep Living Your Best Life

A good retirement residence is not just a convenient place to live, it’s an environment in which you can pursue your passions, thrive and continue living with purpose. It may be daunting to think about moving into a retirement home, but have you considered how your life might improve by making this change? Meet a new network of friends, build new relationships, and take part in activities you once enjoyed, or commit to learning something new! Leave the worrying behind when it comes to home maintenance, meal preparation and your own safety – and have us do it for you!

Strengthening Our Resilience

Asking for help is the first step toward improving mental health and wellbeing. The next step is finding it. That’s why, for the last 54 years, SOS has been committed to ensuring that all residents have access to support for strengthening their resilience. Our Counselling Referral, Personal Growth, Seniors’ Advocacy Services, Seniors Connecting and Child, Youth and Family programs make a meaningful difference to residents of every age and socio-economic group. To learn more about these free and subsidized programs, or how to support them, visit our website, call us or come by our Community Services Centre in Parksville.

Sports 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. Contact us for more info on how we can help!

The Powerful Effect of Hormones

Hormones affect many areas of your health, including your mood, your metabolism, and your sexual and reproductive function. Anyone who has been through puberty knows that hormones have a powerful effect on one’s body. Unbalanced hormones can make you feel like a stranger in your own skin. Compounded hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a way to restore balance and help you feel like yourself again. With your healthcare provider’s prescription, we can help establish a hormone replacement regimen that brings your hormones back into balance to closely mimic what your body has been doing naturally for years.