Community News
Words to Live By

“Life is a journey, and self-care is the map that guides you to the most beautiful destinations within yourself. Prioritize your well-being and enjoy the scenic route.” – Keith Macpherson

Online Health and Wellness Resource

Wellnessnews Choices for Healthy Living® invites you to check out the WellnessHub, your online Health and Wellness resource for Vancouver Island. The WellnessHub features hundreds of local business and practitioners offering services and products. In addition, there are hundreds of health tips, articles and podcasts on a variety of topics. It is easy to search, access and share information. While you are checking out the WellnessHub, don’t forget to subscribe to receive a monthly email letting you know about events and the monthly contest. You can also read the digital version of our five island editions of the newsletter.

Celebrate Important Relationships

As February arrives, people are reminded of the importance of spending time with family and the importance of relationships in their lives. Valentine’s Day brings up mixed emotions for many, with some looking to celebrate it, while others, for various reasons, try to avoid it. If we look at Valentine’s Day as we used to when we were children, we can see the day as a way to celebrate the important relationships we do have, regardless of type, and connect with all of them to let them know we are thinking about them.

Aronia Berries are Powerful Antioxidants

Today more than ever, a healthy immune system is important. According to Healthline, Aronia berries may strengthen the immune system and even counteract some infections. Aronia –grown in BC – contains powerful antioxidants that remove harmful free oxygen radicals from cells. In the spectrum of nutrition, berries rank near the top, and among berries, none are more nutritious than the Aronia berry. Research shows that in diabetics, Aronia berry juice, when taken regularly, reduced blood glucose. Aronia extracts have also reduced inflammation and improved immunity. In hard-to-treat cancers, combining Aronia with chemotherapy improved the effectiveness of conventional drugs.

Denture Adhesive; Friend or Foe?

While denture adhesives offer a temporary boost to denture stability, it’s essential to be mindful. Relying too heavily on adhesives might inadvertently hide underlying issues with your dentures. This may delay crucial dental check-ups and adjustments that your dentures need for optimal comfort. Improper adhesive application can lead to discomfort, affect the taste of the food that you eat, and present cleaning challenges that may impact oral hygiene. Remember, adhesives can’t replace regular denture check-ups. Keep those friendly appointments with your denturist to ensure you maintain your smile, stay comfortable, and that your mouth remains healthy for the long run.

Community Health Centres in Victoria

The Victoria Community Health Co-operative is currently offering Nursing services based on a Community Health Centre model. Services are available at no cost with a BC MSP card. We are located in Cook Street Village at #200-1075 Pendergast Street. Our nurses are able to assist you by providing a nursing assessment and recommendations. We provide navigation services to assist you to connect with other healthcare providers as required. In keeping with the principle of community well-being, we offer wellness sessions on a regular basis. Contact us or visit our website to find out more.

Property Assessments

Property assessments are in! What do they really mean? Your municipality needs to determine how much your contribution to the overall budget should be, so they apply a “mill rate” to the estimated value of your house. You probably have never had a physical assessment, nor have you reported upgrades or renovations. The assessment number is a guess at best. It’s always interesting that owners want their assessment to be low when paying taxes but high when trying to sell! The assessment is irrelevant to market value; it is only determined by what a buyer is willing to pay. We’d be happy to chat about your real estate needs.

Fall Prevention Clinic: Feb 16, 2024

Please join Comfort Keepers for a free fall prevention clinic on February 16th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at The Victorian at McKenzie, 4000 Douglas Street. The clinic includes presentations from: Heather Fudge, a retired VIHA fall prevention specialist; Jeff Campbell, owner of Ears To You, a mobile hearing clinic; and Gina Martin, owner of DiverseAbilities, who coined the phrase “Having a disability does not change who you are. It changes your interaction with the world.”. The clinic also includes free hearing tests by Ears To You, a question and answer period, onsite tours, and refreshments from the kitchen at The Victorian at McKenzie.

Falls Can Be Serious

Falls are the cause of 85% of injury-related hospitalizations among Canadian seniors; between 20% and 30% of seniors fall each year. These result in $2 billion a year in direct healthcare costs. Over one-third of seniors are admitted to long-term care following hospitalization for a fall. (Seniors’ Falls in Canada, Phac-Aspc.gc.ca) As we age, the severity of falling is immense, and the outcome can be devastating. A broken bone for a senior can lead to many other health issues, long-term disability, and the possibility of losing independence. Comfort Keepers believes prevention is the best measure to stay safe, mobile, and continue your best life.