Today’s bone grafting procedures can overcome most physical factors including insufficient or poor quality bone. Existing dental conditions such as gum disease do not prevent the placement of dental implants but may modify when and how they are placed. Your age is not a major consideration as long as you are in good general health but some medical conditions do exist that may prevent you from being a good candidate for dental implants. As our general life expectancy is increasing, you still have many potential years of healthy eating ahead of you. Your dentist can help determine if indeed you are a candidate for dental implants.

Think you’d notice if you have impaired hearing? Those with hearing loss are often the last ones to recognize it. Unless the impairment occurs through sudden physical or medical-related trauma, hearing loss generally occurs slowly over time. This gradual change presents itself as people mumbling, unclear voices, or difficulty hearing through background noise. Friends and family are usually the first to notice when they aren’t being heard, or when they are consistently asked to repeat themselves. You may be tempted to brush it off as selective hearing, but if those close to you have said they suspect you have a hearing loss, it’s time to get your hearing checked.

The theme for the 2019 Gambling Awareness Week is “Find Your Balance”, in support of maintaining a balanced outlook of the role gambling may play in our lives. In early May, be on the lookout for BC Responsible & Problem Gambling Program community events in your area; ranging from sponsored swims, pop up community awareness booths and contests at community centers and other locations. Finding Our Balance in life can be challenging. Striking that balance is easier when we have a diverse array of activities in which to engage.

Dr. Daniela Jesin, ND Naturopathic Physician has a wealth of experience and is committed to guiding her patients in their quest to naturally achieve their personal vision of wellness. Completing her Naturopathic Medical training at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto, Dr. Jesin was a member of the clinical focus shift treating patients suffering with Fibromyalgia and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. She has treated patients at Brampton Civic Hospital; Canada’s only Integrative Naturopathic Clinic in a hospital setting. Dr. Jesin practices at Elegance Sculpting. Her services include cupping, acupuncture, allergy testing, chronic pain, hormone health, and more. She offers 15 minute complimentary consultations.

Listen to your body! What does it need? Ayurvedic medicine is one of the world’s oldest medical systems with a natural and holistic approach to physical and mental health. This broad approach of maintaining balance in the body mind encompasses diet, lifestyle, environment, body work, breathing techniques and mental practices. Ayurveda massage is done with warmed oil. By gently massaging the body, paying particular attention to the marma points, the flow of vital energy Prana that may have been blocked is released. Every Ayurveda massage begins with an initial consultation that includes pulse, tongue and an Ayurvedic constitution analyses.

Yates Memorial Services is a family owned business. Together, Rae and Barry Tuck and their son Bradd operate Yates. To be family owned means we provide a personal approach to meeting families’ needs. Barry started his funeral service career in Duncan, BC and has passionately been working in the profession for over 35 years. At Yates, we offer two large spaces for celebrations of life, traditional services, and receptions. As well, we have a beautiful 13-acre cemetery for traditional, green (ask us) or cremation burials. We are proud to offer the only on-site crematorium in the Oceanside area.

As we age, keeping our brain healthy is essential. Hyperbaric Oxygen can be used to improve Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Stroke, MS and Brain Injuries. Recent studies show that Hyperbaric Oxygen can substantially improve brain health and can prevent and stop the progression of these disorders. By increasing neuronal stem cells and decreasing brain inflammation, HBOT can improve memory, cognitive speed, brain fog, headaches and migraines. In combination with exercise and nutrition, regular HBOT can maintain and improve your brain health even as we get older. There is no limit to the brain’s plasticity and growth with the right environment.

Have you ever watched babies stretch their arms and legs as they wake up?  If so, you have witnessed pandiculation.  This is the nervous system’s natural way of waking up the sensory-motor system and preparing for movement.  As we age and develop habitual ways of standing and moving, this natural response becomes inhibited.  As muscles become tight and fail to release, tension and pain may result.  Our nervous system has learned to keep muscles tight, it can also learn to release those same muscles. Somatic exercises re-educate the brain to restore the natural mind-body pandiculation response.

Carol Meekes, at ease Somatics, ateaseSomatics.com

Looking for care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia? Nanaimo Memory & Complex Care provides a high standard of living for your loved one in a beautiful and relaxing environment.  Their building is designed to accommodate different levels of cognitive ability and to promote the highest level of independence possible. They feature private and companion suites in a pet-friendly environment.  The enclosed gardens and walking paths offer a place to stroll freely in nature to help create a sense of independence.  Nanaimo Memory & Complex Care offers both long-term residential or short-term respite care.

Heather Fisk, NanaimoMemoryCare.com