The City of Nanaimo’s Spring and Summer Activity Guide is here! Within its pages you will discover over 1,000 programs that are sure to keep you and your family active this spring and summer. We have courses in arts, crafts, dance, fitness, first aid, music, language, wellness, outdoors, sports, swimming and skating, and we have community event details. Studies continually show the benefits of being active and socializing as an important part of being healthy – both physically and emotionally. This spring and summer, “grow with us”! Contact us if you need some ideas to keep you active.

When you are the caregiver of a loved one, it’s important to also take care of yourself. Here are some signs that you may be suffering from burn out: *Withdrawal from family and friends *Changes in sleep patterns *Feelings of irritability, helplessness and resentment *Decline in your own health. Things you can do to support yourself include talking to a trusted friend or co-worker; finding a support group and being realistic about your loved one’s state of health. Recognize that the time may come when your loved one will need specialized long term care and know that it is available in your community.

It takes time to get used to wearing a new hearing aid. This includes getting used to the sensation of the device in your ear, the new sense of hearing and the background noise. The brain needs practice to re-learn how to selectively focus on and filter sounds. It’s important to be patient during this process and not to get discouraged. Wear the hearing aid as much as possible to determine what hearing aid settings are the best and what adjustments may be required. Your hearing care professional will help you find the perfect device and settings for you.

Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens helps you honour the life and memory of your cherished loved one. Their professionals are there to help you make decisions with confidence in your urgent time of need. They can also help you pre-plan your own final arrangements. This allows you to design an exceptional statement that reflects your life and values, save money and reduce the burden that may be put on your family. As a member of the Arbor Memorial family, Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens provide funeral preparations, cremation services, and interment rights to families in Cedar, Nanaimo, and across Canada.

Looking for a way to incorporate fitness into your life? Check out Parks, Recreation and Culture for some drop-in options. Classes are held at Oliver Woods and the cost is $11 per class. • H.I.I.T Classes: Monday, Wednesday, 5:15-6:15 pm • Rookie Boot Camp: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 9:15-10:15 am • Legs, Bums, Tums: Tuesday, 5:30-6:15 • Fat Burn Fitness: Thursday, 9:15-10:15 am • Full Figure Fitness: Monday, 10:30-11:20 am. See website for other drop-in opportunities.

Has excessive gambling become an issue for you or someone you love? The BC Government provides British Columbians with free information and resources to support informed choices and healthy behaviours with respect to gambling participation. BC Responsible & Problem Gambling Program provides services that are confidential and free of charge, funded by the Government of British Columbia. This includes *24/7 Gambling Support Line, *Outreach Support and *Personal and Group treatment. Call 1-888-795-6111 or go to BCRresponsibleGambling.ca for more information.

Wintery conditions do not usually last long on Vancouver Island but it is good to be prepared for snow and ice. 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 be weather ready!

At the beginning of 2020, most of us took some time to reflect on the past year and think about our hopes for the new year. Amidst the cliché resolutions to ‘stop procrastinating’, ‘eat healthy’ and ‘wake up early’ many of our hopes boil down to three simple things; health, family and happiness. This may mean looking for help to keep your elderly family members healthy and happy. Keeping loved ones comfortably in their own homes as long as possible alleviates some of the stress off the family’s primary caregivers allowing for more quality family time.

Is your laundry room set up in the basement? As we age, climbing stairs can become problematic. So what happens when you have to do laundry? An elderly friend used to spend the entire day in the basement doing laundry. Then she still had to carry the load of clean clothes up the stairs. Sometimes laundry becomes the straw that breaks the camel’s back when it comes to remaining in your own home. It does not have to be that way. A pickup/drop off laundry service that comes to you can keep you independent in your own home.