The Coldest Night of the Year is Canada’s National Walk for Homelessness. Since 2011, it has raised more than $96 million in 166 communities across Canada. The Coldest Night of the year is a winterrific family-friendly walk to raise money for local charities serving people experiencing hurt, hunger and homelessness. Team up, fundraise, walk and gather for good… because it’s cold out there. The event takes place on February 24th. The event features family-friendly 2 or 5 km walks. See the website for details on how you can get involved with the Victoria events that raise funds for Our Place Society and Pacific Centre Family Services Association.

Maintaining clean dentures involves a daily routine. *Use a soft-bristle brush and a non-abrasive denture cleanser to remove stains, plaque and debris. *Soak dentures overnight in water to loosen stains. *Be gentle to prevent damage; clean over a towel or basin of water. *Avoid hot water to prevent warping. Schedule regular denture checkups for a professional cleaning and a proper fit. Even with full dentures, gently rub your mouth and gums daily using a regular toothbrush. Avoid abrasive toothpaste and harsh cleaners that can damage dentures. Following these tips preserves dentures and improves overall oral health. Find more tips on our website.

One area of stress for those who haven’t moved for many years is what to do with all of the items they’ve collected over the years. Who will want them and how do you get them moved? Styles and décor change so pieces like your piano or dining table may not have the value today they once did. The good news is there are services locally that can help you with everything. Planning in advance is helpful, so if you’re thinking of a move in a year or two, start downsizing now. We’d be happy to chat about your Real Estate needs.

While walkers and wheelchairs will always have their place when it comes to safety, have you considered adding a little technology to your routine? Like blood sugar monitors that you wear, plug in smoke alarms that turn off the stove automatically or pill dispensers that remind you to take your medication. The future is here, and we can help! Comfort Keepers thinks outside the box when it comes to Seniors Safety and we can help you! We are available for an in-home assessment for care with an eye on your safety.

Are you moving enough during the day? If you spend a lot of time sitting, your calf muscles which usually help pump blood through your veins do very little. This can cause swelling and blood to pool in the lower legs. Standing all day can have the same effect. Walking is a great exercise to help the calf muscles do their job. Socks with compression squeeze your legs to move blood up your leg whether you are sitting or standing. Voxx Knee Highs offer gentle compression, are comfortable to wear and have HPT to help with pain, balance and stability.

Looking for more local health and wellness information? Check out the WellnessHub Vancouver Island. It features hundreds of local businesses and practitioners offering services and products, health tips on a variety of topics, podcasts, reviews and more. It is easy to search, access and share information. Our health and wellness resources also include our printed newsletters, the “Wellness Wednesday” radio show and health and wellness events. November is a great time to start new activities and adopt healthy habits to keep you active and well during the wet months of fall.

For seniors, maintaining social connections and staying in touch with loved ones not only improves quality of life, it improves health. Socially isolated seniors have a 59% greater risk of mental and physical decline than those who do not experience social isolation. Socialization has been shown to slow Alzheimer’s and Dementia patient’s decline. Having caregivers can help stem the existence of loneliness in the lives of our seniors. We enjoy conversations, daily walks, shopping, cooking and folding the laundry together. These can be moments of joy when done together in the right way. Comfort Keepers engage the human spirit.