Community News
Book Club: Real Self-Care

A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness. From women’s mental health specialist Pooja Lakshmin, MD. Real self-care, in contrast, is an internal, self-reflective process that involves making difficult decisions in line with our values, and when we practice it, we shift our relationships, our workplaces, and even our broken systems. Find it at your local bookstore.

Trusting Myself Fully

I invite you to take out a pen and paper and complete this sentence with your dominant hand: “If I trusted myself completely, I would do/say or make happen” ……? Then with your non-dominant hand respond: “What holds me back from fully trusting” ….? When we struggle to create or share what we truly want, it’s often because there is a missing part of ourselves lost, frozen or trapped in time. When we seek validation from those outside ourselves over the wisdom that resides within us, this leads towards 2 big compromises: 1) Seeking and chasing the need for constant approval (anxious attachment) or 2) avoiding and rejecting what we desire, so we don’t feel the disappointment and rejection (avoidant attachment). Relationships are a shared energy, the more we trust our gut knowing, the better we can trust, share and receive what we truly desire.

New Short-Term Respite Care

Respite care is part of the long-term care continuum, yet publicly funded respite care beds are limited in their availability and demand for them is growing. For this reason, Providence Living is exploring how to provide short-term, private-pay respite services at The Views at St. Joseph’s in Comox. This service will address the care gap for families who need respite for a loved one but don’t qualify for a publicly funded bed. The short-term respite program launched on June 05, 2023. This private room has its own sink and toilet, and the daily fee includes all meals, 24-hour nursing care, activities, outings, and much more.

Senior Summer Safety Tips

Skin cancer is one of the most common and preventable forms of cancer. Apply SPF of at least 30 to 50—every two to four hours you are outdoors or riding in a car. Routinely wearing a quality pair of sunglasses protects the eyes from cataracts, a condition common among older adults. Look for a pair with a label showing they block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. As we grow older, the body doesn’t adjust to changes in temperature and humidity as quickly as in younger days. This puts seniors at higher risk for dehydration and sun-related illnesses, like heat stroke – so make sure to keep hydrated!

Why Does my Tooth Hurt?

Tooth pain can arise from various reasons, causing discomfort and affecting daily activities. The most common cause is tooth decay, where bacteria erode the enamel and reach the sensitive inner layers. Gum disease, characterized by inflammation and infection of the gums, can also lead to tooth pain. Dental abscesses, which are pus-filled infections, often result from untreated decay or severe gum disease. Tooth fractures or cracks can expose the nerves, causing sharp pain. Additionally, tooth sensitivity to hot or cold stimuli may indicate enamel erosion or gum recession. It is essential to seek professional dental care to diagnose and treat the underlying cause of tooth pain. It is essential to seek professional dental care to diagnose and treat the underlying cause of tooth pain. The sooner the pain is addressed, the better chance there is of saving the tooth.

Product Review:

Introducing the NEW pureAir 3000 with ODOGard®, the only purifier to combine both active and passive air purification technologies with the odor-eliminating power of ODOGard®. The advanced active technology includes ionization and a proprietary form of photocatalytic oxidation, active radiant catalysis (ARC®). In addition to reducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the pureAir 3000 reduces allergens such as pollen, pet dander, smoke from wildfires, and odors caused by mold, bacteria, and other pollutants. Visit GTECANADA.CA to learn more and use the coupon code WN3K for a free pureAir 50 when you purchase a pureAir 3000 + ODOGard®.

Ask The Expert

Q: At my last eye exam I was told to clean my eyelids more often. I was rather shocked because I’m proud of my hygiene. Is this for real?

A: Yes – but don’t think of it as a hygiene problem. The edges of the eyelids and eyelashes have their own complexion and biochemistry, as well as their own unique set of microorganisms. For some people, keeping these areas extra clean is a good way to reduce symptoms of chronic irritation of the eyes. There are numerous products to help you with this. Try to stick with it! If you’re experiencing this common issue, or are overdue for your regular eye exam, Mosaic Optometry is here to help.

The Mood & Mind Club

It’s time to do mental healthcare differently and The Mood & Mind Club is where we start! Let’s empower ourselves to take back control of our health and throw away the band-aid approaches that don’t offer the lasting results we need. In this private membership we’re creating a community of women that are supporting their mental health in a more natural, holistic way. They don’t want to be on meds, they see the power in nutrition, mindset work, self discovery and self responsibility. Want to know more? Visit https://www.shinetruewellnessco.com/moodandmindclub

Safe at Home by MOTION™

MOTION™ Courtenay offers a variety of products that help you stay mobile and safe in your home. Some of the products offered include: STAIRLIFTS – choose from a variety of stairlifts to suit any type of stairway – straight, curved, split-level, or intermediate landing, and enjoy our fast in-home or virtual consultations. POWER LIFT RECLINERS – available in a wide range of styles, colours and materials, they help the user lower into and raise up from a seated position with ease. GO-GO SCOOTER® & GO CHAIR® – exceptional portability and provide a whole new level of comfort and performance with feather-touch disassembly.

Hear to Help

Clients often ask me, why do their ears seem to produce more earwax since wearing hearing aids? Hearing aids can stimulate the ear canal gland and cause it to produce more earwax than normal. This is why so many people report an increase of earwax when they begin using hearing aids: it’s how the body naturally reacts to something foreign in the ear. Up to 50% of hearing aid repairs are due to ear wax. Ear cleaning should also be a part of your hearing aid maintenance routine.

Book Club: The Longevity Paradox

How to Die Young at a Ripe Old Age. by Dr. Steven R Gundry. In The Longevity Paradox, he maps out a new approach to aging well—one that is based on supporting the health of the “oldest” parts of us: the microorganisms that live within our bodies. Our gut bugs—the bacteria that make up the microbiome—largely determine our health over the years. From diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s to common ailments like arthritis and the appearance of our skin, these bugs are in the driver’s seat, controlling our quality of life as we age.