Community News
Sport 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. Reach out to ViGaminSupport.ca for more info on how we can help!

Walking in Wet Weather

Fall will soon be here and that usually brings wet, colder weather. Don’t let that stop you from enjoying the outdoors but be aware of changing conditions. Walking after a rain fall can be risky. Many walkers do not realize how slick the leaves on the ground can be. Wearing proper shoes and using Walking Poles can help reduce the chances of slipping and falling. Make sure that your footwear also provides support for your ankles. Using a pair of Walking Poles allows you to enjoy nice long walks with friends no matter what the weather. Keep doing what you love to do!

Profile: The Medicine Shoppe

The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy offers personalized service. Through their Pharmacy at Home Program, complimentary home visits help you manage your medication schedule or set up your blister pack. Free delivery service is available anywhere in Nanaimo, Lantzville, Nanoose, Errington, Parksville and Qualicum. They also offer Blood Pressure, BMI and Diabetes Monitoring, Foot Care and Compression Sock Fitting and a compounding laboratory to prepare customized medication. Book your Medication Review with your Personal Pharmacist at Medicine Shoppe Departure Bay Road in Nanaimo and in Parksville. Mel and Kristen Azcarraga, pharmacists and owners, are proud to serve their community.

Moving to a Retirement Community

Are you thinking about making a move to a retirement community? Here are some questions to ask when doing your research that will help you make your decision: *Does the facility have policies and procedures in place to ensure the safety and wellness of its residents and staff? *Are there cleaning protocols in place? *Is there sufficient staff to ensure extra cleaning and care is in place? *If an infection should occur, what procedures are there to ensure the containment? Answers to these questions will help you make an informed decision.

Good Intentions

Have you heard the expression “Good Intentions”? What does that mean? The dictionary definition of intention is: mentally determining to carry out an action in the future. Dr. Wayne Dyer, internationally renowned author and speaker says: “Our Intention Creates Our Reality”. Do you set intentions for your life? September is a great time to set or re-set Intentions. A Certified Body/Emotion Code Practitioner can help you release unprocessed negative (trapped) emotions that keep you from setting positive intentions for your life.

Importance of Staying Mobile

Mobility is key to maintaining independence, especially as people age. 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 you enjoy 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.

Public Notice – Cedar Valley Memorial

An important bylaw change took effect recently which increases the number of allowable interments per traditional burial space in our cemetery. This new bylaw applies to traditional burial lots in select gardens and allows for the placement of up to two additional cremation interments in a qualified lot. This is a unique opportunity to add to your existing family heritage on your current lot and save more. Please contact us for more information on this opportunity or to discuss other options. We’re here to help.

Early Detection of Hearing Loss

Identifying a hearing loss and aiding hearing loss early helps preserve the brain’s ability to receive and use the incoming sounds in a meaningful way. Early intervention keeps the brain sharp. Hearing aids do not cure hearing loss but they do help improve your hearing and your ability to communicate. The longer you wait to aid hearing loss, the harder it is for your brain to adapt to the sound of hearing aids. The benefits of hearing aids increase the sooner and more consistently you use them. See a hearing professional if you suspect that you may have some hearing loss.

We All Need Social Support

Social support is important to our physical and mental health. We need other people who can offer many different kinds of social support. When you reach out to a close friend or family member about a personal issue you are looking for emotional support. This is someone you contact when you just want to talk about a problem and share your thoughts and feelings. You connect with a specialist about accessing a service or reach out to a counsellor or doctor when you’re looking for information or a deeper level of knowledge. Try to identify and connect with people in your life who offer you the social support you need.

Help for Smelly Feet

Do you have bromodosis? Smelly feet is a very common medical condition from buildup of sweat resulting in bacteria growth on the skin. Your feet have more sweat glands than any other part of your body with naturally occurring bacteria to help break down sweat. Bad odor forms when bacteria and sweat are allowed to build up. Some simple tips to prevent bromodosis include washing your feet at least once a day and alternating between two pairs of shoes. Choose well-fitting socks like Voxx socks made with antimicrobial fibers to wick away moisture to help keep your feet dry and sweet smelling all day.

Golden Gamers

“Golden Gamers” is a recent term used to describe seniors who play video games. Some play to pass the time, some play to connect with their grandkids and some play competitively. There’s nothing wrong with playing video games, online or on a console. Just like gambling, some seniors may be vulnerable to the addictive qualities that the gamblification of gaming offers. This includes paying to open loot boxes for premium items, skins, coins, extended time, etc. No different than slot machines, some games can entice vulnerable seniors to spend beyond their means. For more information, contact VIGamingSupport.ca.