The month of December can be overwhelming . We often forget to stop and enjoy moments with our friends and family. Here are some holiday-themed events that the whole family can enjoy:
· SKATES with SANTA: Tuesday, Dec. 18, 6:30-8 pm at Frank Crane Arena and Friday, Dec. 31, 3:45-5:15 pm at Nanaimo Ice Centre. · DUNK with SANTA: Saturday, Dec. 22, 3-5 pm at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre
· WINTER WONDERLAND – $2 Skating Sessions: Dec. 26 to 30 at Frank Crane Arena.
· FINALE 2018 – Family New Year’s Eve Party: December 31, 5-10 pm at Beban Park.

What does a hearing evaluation look like? To begin, your Hearing Care Professional will take a thorough medical history and inspect your ear canals and middle ears to confirm good ear health. Then sitting in a sound treated booth, while wearing headphones, you will be asked to respond to tones. The tones tested are specific and range from the low to high frequencies that are important for hearing speech. There is also word testing to measure communication abilities and your ability to hear speech in quiet and in noisy situations. If you are over the age of 50 or suspects hearing loss, a hearing evaluation is recommended.

The first holiday season after losing a loved one can be a very difficult time. Family traditions and rituals are sacred events that can be adapted to the changing dynamics in the family. By planning for the change, whether it be starting new family traditions or updating old ones, you can help create realistic expectations around the significant events. It is important to acknowledge that things are going to be different. Adjusting to a family member passing is a big transition; be open to the change and accept it for what it is – a new opportunity to create stronger family bonds and traditions.

The GAM Info Rep is a new service offered by the BC Responsible & Problem Gambling Program. GAM Info Reps are part of your Gaming & Gambling support services. Like any advisor, the GAM Info Rep is there to support you with your distinct needs every step of the way. Whether you need to inquire about counselling services, legal services, housing, community health, debt management or any other support service, the GAM Info Rep is there to help. Your GAM Info Rep on Central Vancouver island is Tracy Tsui. 778-386-9955 or toll free 1-888-558-2857.

December is always a month that people look forward to but also dread. We look forward to seeing family and getting a few extra days off work, while we dread the traffic and trying to find the right gift for our loved ones. It is important for us to take a little time for ourselves to relax so we don’t become overwhelmed. Curling up with a good book for 20 minutes, going for a walk, or taking a relaxing bath is all it takes to help us relax. Schedule down time and you will find the holidays a little easier to manage.

With winter coming and soon to be snowy days, walking in the snow and ice can have its ups and downs. When walking outdoors, wear shoes or boots with traction because there is nothing worse than having footwear without grip. Make sure that your footwear also provides support for your ankles as that can help you avoid a slip. Using Walking poles is a great way to avoid slips and to get steady balance. Sign up for a free Walking pole seminar and get yourself weather ready!

Osteopathy is a patient-centered approach to health relating to the whole body of the patient. Skilled palpation and a detailed knowledge of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics guide the osteopath to assess and restore balance within and between all the systems of the body. This includes the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, neurological, cranial and visceral systems. In health, the body seeks to maintain a balance within and between these systems. An osteopath uses a wide array of manual approaches to reduce and resolve strains, stress and dysfunction in all areas of the body. The goal is to remove restrictions to vascular, neural and biomechanical mechanisms and ultimately support the natural healing mechanism.

With almost 30 years in the care industry, including 18 years as an LPN and 6 years providing foot care, your feet are in good hands with Christine. After completing the Nursing Foot Care Course at VIU, she found her passion treating Diabetics and feet at risk. A typical foot care treatment includes but is not limited to: Foot inspection and discussion of any identified foot issues, nail trimming/thinning including extremely thick or fungal nails, corn and callus removal and/or reduction. If desired, it can also include a foot wrap and/or application of moisturizer. She is offering specials this month.

Naturally Healthy Clinic, NaturallyHealthyClinic.ca

Here are some tips from Parks and Recreation to help you stay active this fall season: * Change Your Perspective – Being active keeps you healthy. * Try Something New – Parks and Recreation now has Zumba drop-in classes at Oliver Wood for only $7. * Get Creative at Home – Invest in a few pieces of equipment and exercise for a few minutes each day. * Buddy Up – Make a commitment to exercise with somebody else. * Set a Goal –How about getting in 10,000 steps every day for three months?
Looking for ways to stay active? Check out the Activity Guide or visit recreation.nanaimo.ca.

Hearing aids have a life span of about 3-5 years. With good maintenance and care, they can last many years after that. However, to receive the best care and technology, it is recommended to invest in new hearing aids after the initial 3-5 years. Faster processing within the hearing aids, improvements in speech-in-noise, rechargeability and wireless connectivity are just some of the technological advancements. Hearing aids are programmed specific to your hearing loss and process sounds to best meet your needs. Contact your hearing professional to find out more about the best investment in technology for your hearing loss and lifestyle.