Community News
Meet the Counselor: Claire Gunzel

I am a licensed master professional counsellor and an ICF-certified coach at Alchemy Wellness Counselling. I work with women to develop and enhance mental health and well-being, as well as embody and communicate boundaries. The pressures of your day-to-day lives, being pulled in so many directions, whether it be career, romantic partnerships, family, and friendships, while entering mid-life, are vast. I get it! Through compassionate, practical support, I help women reconnect with their inner authority, navigate complex and changing relationships with their bodies, partners and friends. I’m here to help women cultivate joy and resilience so they can live with clarity, confidence, and a deeper sense of personal alignment.

Remove Blocks with Emotion Code

Blocks with money, wealth and abundance aren’t just about mindset – they can also be caused by trapped emotions from your past or even inherited generationally. They may include feelings of fear, anxiety, rejection around failure, or shame or even ancestral patterns of hopelessness and struggle. By using the Emotion Code, these specific emotional energies can be identified and released from your body. By clearing and releasing these blocks at the root, it becomes easier to feel worthy of abundance, take inspired action, allow more prosperity to flow freely, and to truly go from “Stuck to Unstoppable”.

Hearing Loss and Balance

Hearing loss is one of several factors that can cause falls. Individuals who have even a mild degree of hearing loss are three times as likely to experience accidental falls. Studies have shown that wearing hearing aids improves balance compared to an individual who does not wear hearing aids but who has hearing loss. There are three major ideas for why hearing loss can affect our balance: 1) hearing loss causes less awareness of our environment, which means less awareness of people or activities around us; 2) hearing loss decreases spatial awareness, which makes it harder to know where you are compared to your surroundings; and 3) hearing loss uses more brain energy, which means there is less energy for balance.

Strong Today, Strong Tomorrow

Maintaining muscle and bone strength is one of the most powerful ways to stay active and independent as you age. Strong muscles support your joints, improve balance, and make everyday tasks—like climbing stairs or carrying groceries—easier and safer. At the same time, healthy bones provide the sturdy foundation your body depends on. Strength training with light weights or resistance bands, combined with weight-bearing activities such as walking or dancing, helps maintain both muscle and bone resilience. Fueling your body with enough protein, calcium, and vitamin D adds even more protection. Consistent effort goes a long way toward building lifelong strength and confidence.

Support for Outdoor Activities

Spring is here, and with it comes the desire to spend more time outdoors, engaging in walking and other activities. As you transition from winter inactivity to spring activities, it’s important to focus on joint alignment, force absorption, and muscle conditioning to prevent injuries. At Common Sense, we can help you enjoy your springtime activities safely. We offer assessments of your footwear to ensure it meets your biomechanical needs, and we can determine if orthotics or braces would support your active lifestyle. Book your assessment today!

Senior Information Session – April 22, 2026

The Victoria Seniors Business Network (VSBN) is hosting a free session titled “Promoting Independence and Safety in Your Home”. This event will occur on April 22nd at St. Patrick’s Parish, located at 2060 Haultain Street in Victoria. The session will feature speakers including Sara Beswick, Medical Equipment Specialist, Island Mediquip; Andre Baily, Home Elevating Specialist, Island Mediquip; and Shana Reid, Client Relations Manager, Comfort Keepers. For more information, please call (778) 200-3387. You can register for the session on the website.

Unlock the Equity in Your Home

Reverse mortgages are an often-misunderstood product for accessing your home equity. In reality, they can be a useful tool to relieve financial stress, allowing you to age comfortably in the home and community you have built a life around. They can also help provide a living legacy of home ownership and education for loved ones today, rather than down the road. Today’s Reverse Mortgage market has more lenders than ever, giving more choice and benefits to the homeowner. Book a free 1-on-1 session, and let me guide you through the ins and outs of a product that may be right for you.

Fundraising Hike for Hospice May 3

Join us for our annual Hike for Hospice at beautiful Willows Beach Park in Oak Bay! This fundraising event brings our community together to raise critical funds and awareness for Victoria Hospice, while enjoying a scenic 3.5km loop along Beach Drive to Oak Bay Marina and back. There are many ways to participate: *Encourage your workplace to join the Workplace Challenge, *bring along a four-legged friend for their chance to win the “Best Dressed Dog” award, or *Hike on Your Site – wherever it works best for your schedule. If you’d like to volunteer, your help is greatly appreciated!

Regular Eye Exams Matter

When was the last time you had your eyes checked? Regular eye exams are about much more than just getting a new glasses prescription—they’re a vital part of your overall health routine. Whether you’ve had perfect eyesight your whole life or you already wear corrective lenses, consistent eye care can protect your vision and catch early signs of issues you might not even notice yet. Reasons to schedule an eye exam include: *Early detection of eye diseases is critical, *Your vision needs change with age, and *Gives a clearer look at your overall health. Book your eye exam appointment today.

Support for Healthy Aging

‍Red light therapy is gaining attention as a safe, non-invasive way to support healthy aging. Using gentle wavelengths of red and near-infrared light, the therapy stimulates cellular energy production in the body’s mitochondria. Research indicates it reduces joint pain and inflammation, improves circulation, supports muscle recovery, and promotes healthier skin. Many people also report better sleep and increased energy. Sessions are relaxing, painless, and an opportunity to be at peace. As interest in drug-free wellness solutions grows, red light therapy is becoming a popular option for seniors looking to stay active, comfortable, and vibrant while supporting their overall health and vitality.

Take Time to Remember

Grief can feel overwhelming. Remembering loved ones through celebrations can offer comfort and healing. Whether it’s lighting a candle or sharing stories with family in a personalized celebration, these small acts help keep their memories alive. Celebrations of Life provide a sense of connection, allowing us to process emotions while honouring their legacy. They remind us that love doesn’t end with loss. It transforms into cherished memories that bring peace. Taking time to remember helps navigate grief with meaning and resilience, ensuring that those we’ve lost continue to have a presence in our lives.