Community News
Is It Safe to Go to the Dentist?

Dental offices follow very strict guidelines set by the BC Centre of Disease Control as well as the College of Dental Surgeons of BC. The flow within the office will be highly regulated and there will be more forms and questionnaires to answer. Staff will be wearing a greater amount of PPE and barrier equipment to ensure the patient’s safety. Most offices are also adding air filtration and viral killing UVC light technology. This is part of the layering strategies that makes dental offices safer than a public space. Dental offices can see less patients in a day so there may be minor delays getting an appointment.

Help at the Push of a Button

Falls are a real concern for older adults. The good news is that most falls are preventable. Seniors can lower their risks by changing risky behaviour, proactively managing their health, and safety proofing their homes. Talk to your primary care provider about a fall-risk evaluation. Ask yourself, if I were to fall tonight, how would I get help if I couldn’t reach the phone? A medical alert service ensures that you can access help 24/7 at the push of a button. Some services also offer automatic fall detection. It’s never too early to protect yourself before a fall. Take these precautions today to live more independently and confidently.

Time to Clean Out the Medicine Cabinet?

Here are a few tip to clean up your Medicine Cabinet and other places where medication and vitamins are stored: *Gather all medications in one place. *Check the expiry date of each item. *Set aside any medications that you no longer take or has expired. *Set aside any medication that is not in its original container or whose appearance, consistency or odour has changed. Take all discarded mediations and vitamins to your pharmacist for safe and ecological disposal. Do not throw them into the waste basket, sink or toilet. The Medicine Shoppe can help with the cleanup process and disposal.

We Are Here For You

The BC Responsible and Problem Gambling Program continues to provide free services to citizens of British Columbia through this period. We are working to provide virtual options (telephone and videoconferencing) for the delivery of our services, including counselling and outreach support. For more information, please contact the Gambling Support Line at 1.888.795.6111 or email [email protected]. If you need to renew your VSE agreement, please contact BCLC’s Customer Support Centre at 1-866-815-0222. A BCLC Investigator will set new ‘temporary’ agreement renewal and contact you when venues are set to open to obtain your documentation.

Effects of Social Isolation

Several studies have shown social isolation can negatively affect your health. This National Institute on Aging primer notes that loneliness can lead to high blood pressure, depression, and put you at greater risk of illness. That could mean more doctor’s visits and higher health care costs. And what if you or your loved one takes a fall with no one around? Beyond the physical pain, the financial implications could be high. And then there’s the emotional toll of social isolation, which can be even more devastating. These are all things to consider when deciding whether you or your loved one spend the next chapter of life at home or in a senior living community.

Support for Your Health

The general lockdown has had some good outcomes but also many traumatising ones. Today more than ever, we need to support our Physical, Emotional and Energetic health. Our multidisciplinary medical-therapeutic team at Naturally Healthy Clinic is now back to work. We offer both in-person and distance treatments and consultations. Most services are covered by benefits. Our Wellness team is diligent about upholding the highest standards and ready to support you on all three aspects of your health. Please check our website regularly for our events, specials, workshops and classroom and online courses. We are passionate about your Health and Happiness!

Wellness Information in Your Community

At Wellnessnews Choices for Healthy Living®, we continue to provide health and wellness information to our communities. In addition to our printed newsletters, Wellnessnews.ca has hundreds of searchable health articles written by local experts. Our Meetup group is FREE to join and offers workshops on a variety of health topics. Check it out at Meetup.com/Wellnessnews. Teresa Ostman hosts “Wellness Wednesday” @ 1 PM on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month on CHLY 101.7 FM radio or stream at CHLY.ca. Watch for our new online Wellness Resource Hub that will launch in the near future.

Socks for Fathers’ Day

Why not give you the man in your life a gift of wellness for Fathers’ Day. Socks may not be on his wish list but VoxxLife socks are not just any sock. They have with wearable technology that works with the brain to reduce pain, increase strength and endurance and enhance stability and balance. Knee high socks with mild compression are great when standing for a long time or excess sitting. For the active walkers or runners, chose moisture wicking socks to keep the feet cool in summer. Socks are available for contactless pick-up or delivery in Central Vancouver Island or order directly from the website.

Managing Multiple Medications

Your pharmacist offers solutions that can help you manage multiple medications. *Synchronized Refill Dates. The quantities of your medication may be adjusted to coordinate refill dates. All medications can be refilled at one time reducing the number of visits to the pharmacy. *Blister packaging to arrange your medications in a weekly or monthly schedule. *Pre-Authorized Refills. Your pharmacy staff will let you know it’s time to renew your medication and provide a date for pick-up. *Extension of Expired Refills. Sometimes a prescription expires before you can see your doctor. Following an assessment, your pharmacist may be able to renew your prescription.

Stay Mobile

Mobility is key to maintaining independence, especially as people age — and 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 works for you 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.

Product Review: WELLNESS TINCTURE

ACTIVE RELEAF aims to encourage active wellness through the use of nature’s most powerful ingredients. Offering a collection of plant-based wellness products, ACTIVE RELEAF’s WELLNESS TINCTURE is their strongest remedy. Used as a natural plant-based alternative for people experiencing anxiety, insomnia, pain, inflammation and other ailments. The WELLNESS TINCTURE is formulated with a high concentration of broad spectrum cannabinoid-rich hemp plant extract, paired with coconut MCT oil to help deliver cannabinoids and increase bioavailability. Taken sublingually (under the tongue) or mixed into your favourite beverage. With three different concentration options (400mg, 1000mg & 2000mg) and measured droppers, dosing is accurate and flexible for your needs.