Over 90 percent of Canadians aged 45 and older want to remain in their homes as they age, according to a recent HomeEquity Bank survey. Unfortunately, most people underestimate the actual cost of doing so. To Age in Place, homes often need to be modified with features such as stair lifts, grab bars, and wider doorways. Caregivers may need to be hired to provide in-home support. The costs can really add up. Fortunately, as a homeowner, you can access the equity in your house to pay for these costs. Contact me for more information, or attend my Wellness Expo presentation on February 28th.

Do you take a number of prescription medications? Combining certain medications and supplements can cause medications to become ineffective, and the combinations may even be harmful to your health. Book an appointment for a medication review with your pharmacist to go through your prescriptions and check for vaccinations that you may have missed. If laboratory tests are needed, an appointment with a virtual doctor can be booked. This is especially important if you don’t have a family doctor. Book your medication review with your pharmacist at the Medicine Shoppe in Parksville today.

Biofield Tuning (BT) is a gentle sound-based practice that uses tuning forks in the biofield that surrounds your body to help release stress, tension, and unresolved patterns. By working with the body’s natural energy system, BT supports emotional balance and greater ease, especially when fear, self-doubt, or the inner critic begin to take over. When the system is out of tune, life can feel that way too. Rather than pushing for change, BT helps restore clarity and balance through presence and listening. In person and remote sessions are offered.

The Wellness Expo at Beban Park in Nanaimo is a day to explore various approaches to health, nutrition, fitness, and overall well-being. See the Expo Website: Wellness.News/ExpoNanaimo for a list of 70+ exhibitors, 10 presentations, and door prizes. FREE to attend 10 am – 5pm.

That evening, the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) fundraising walk takes place in Nanaimo and Oceanside. This annual event supports people who have experienced homelessness. The fundraiser helps ICCS run programs that provide shelter, care and holistic support to help them step forward to independence and hope. Go to the website for more information and to register: CNOY.org.

If the holidays left you feeling bloated, heavy, or out of rhythm, and you have already abandoned your New Year resolutions, this is your moment to take control. February is still the perfect time to reset your digestion, stabilize hormones, and feel like yourself again. My Metabolic Transformation Program gives you a clear, personalized path to lose weight, reduce inflammation, and boost energy—without guessing or struggling alone. Pair it with Digestive Acupuncture for fast relief from bloating and sluggish digestion, so your body can absorb nutrients, burn fat efficiently, and feel lighter.

Dementia care requires more than assistance—it requires compassion, patience, and skill. Comfort Keepers’ specially trained caregivers provide personalized support that promotes dignity, safety, and meaningful daily moments. From gentle routines to engaging activities, we focus on preserving independence while offering reassurance and companionship. With Comfort Keepers, families can trust that their loved ones are cared for by professionals who combine expert training with genuine heart, helping clients live comfortably and confidently at home.

February is a good opportunity to set positive intentions for the year ahead. With that in mind, SOS is asking residents to consider either volunteering or donating monthly. This initiative offers two ways to care, one mission to share. Whether it’s driving someone to a medical appointment, spending time with an isolated senior, or helping at the SOS Thrift Shop, your involvement can change lives. Your monthly donation (whether it’s $10 or $100) will help provide nutritious meals, give parents a break while their children socialize, and ensure low-income residents can file their income taxes, among other essential supports. Please go to our website for more information.

One thing that the Canadian Dental Care Program has brought to the fore is dentures that are worn out but still functioning without issue. The wearer has adapted to a situation that usually involves overclosure and a protrusive bite. In most cases, the dentures are over ten years old and affordability, not pain, has brought people into our office. The changes required are substantial, and it may take a month or two of constant wear to relearn how to use good dentures. Contact Accura Denture Clinic for all your denture needs.

Create your future by using the existing equity in your home to do all the things you looked forward to in retirement: *Travel, *Give your children an early inheritance, *Invest, *Downsize or upsize your home; all without any payments. You may have a mortgage or credit card debt to pay off. With the significant appreciation in home values over the past few years, we now have more equity in our houses to use and enjoy. Don’t just think about a solution for your equity, do something about it. Contact me today for more information.