Community News
Holiday Joy in Community

The Christmas season is a time for connection, warmth, and shared joy. Living in an independent senior community makes it even more special. Residents enjoy festive decorations, holiday concerts, and delicious meals without the stress of preparation or cleanup. There’s always company for card games, baking, or reminiscing over cocoa by the tree. With caring staff and a vibrant social calendar, no one feels alone during this magical time of year. Celebrating together, creating new memories, enjoying traditions, and feeling the true spirit of Christmas surrounded by friends who feel like family.

Holiday Stress? RAYD8 Can Help

To deal with holiday stress, focus on self-care like getting enough sleep, exercising, and maintaining a healthy diet, while also setting realistic expectations and boundaries. Prioritize what’s most important, make time for relaxation and activities you enjoy, and don’t be afraid to say no to social obligations to avoid over-scheduling. RAYD8 Frequency is an excellent way to ease holiday stress. It uses light and sound frequencies to help the cells of your body become recharged and revitalized, which allows you to relax and rejuvenate. Come and experience this amazing technology firsthand and enjoy 50% off your first session.

BINGO: Identify Feelings

Once you’ve taken a calming breath, the next step in self-regulation is to name what you feel. Emotions are information, signals that guide how we respond. When we pause to identify what’s happening inside (“I feel frustrated,” “I feel nervous”), we move from reacting to reflecting and responding in the present. Naming feelings doesn’t make them stronger; it makes us stronger by giving clarity and choice in how to express. In my BINGO model, I stands for Identify Feelings, because feelings are normal, natural, and deserve to be recognized for what they are and what they tell us.

Enjoying the Holidays with Hearing Loss

If you have a hearing loss, attending family gatherings with many people can be stressful. Here are three tips to ensure a peaceful and enjoyable holiday season. 1. Spend time with family members one-on-one. 2. Try to sit next to someone who will be willing to keep you in on the conversation if you miss anything that has been said. 3. Book a check of your hearing aids before the holiday season starts to ensure they are working their best. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the laughter of your kids, grandkids, or family members as they open presents or sit around the table. Happy Holidays!

Benefits of Custom-Made Orthotics

Appropriate footwear and orthotics improve stability by providing a solid foundation that enhances balance, corrects biomechanical misalignments, and supports proper posture. This integrated approach reduces strain on the feet, ankles, knees, hips, and back, which helps to prevent pain and injuries. Many local seniors are benefiting from custom-made orthotics. The pedorthists at Common Sense Orthotics take the time to assess your needs and custom-build the orthotics on-site from a three-dimensional model of the patient’s foot. They offer a year of free orthotic adjustments to ensure everyone gets an ideal fit. Could you benefit from orthotics? Book an assessment today!

Clean Eating Recipe

Cranberry-Cashew Energy Cups. 1⅔ c rolled oats; ¾ c unsalted cashew butter; ½ c unsweetened almond milk; ½ c 50% dried cranberries, chopped. 2 tbsp chia seeds; 1 tsp vanilla extract; ¼ tsp salt; ½ c dark chocolate chips; 1 tbsp coconut oil. Combine ingredients (leave chocolate & coconut oil aside). Divide mixture among prepared muffin cups (about 1½ tablespoons each); firmly press the mixture into the cup bottoms. Melt chocolate & coconut oil together until smooth and spoon mixture over the oat mixture in each cup. Refrigerate, uncovered, until chilled.

Save Money on Medications

Celebrating the holidays can be expensive, and with costs also going up for daily essentials, most of us are looking for price breaks without sacrificing quality or convenience. Ordering your prescription medications online is an excellent option in Greater Victoria. An online pharmacy can offer lower dispensing fees by minimizing overhead without compromising on quality. The prescription drugs are the same as those available from a traditional pharmacy, without the long queues. MyPharmacyonline.ca offers free delivery or pickup with optional expedited shipping. Their friendly and conscientious staff work hard for your business. Contact them today at 250.800.0187 to experience trusted, affordable care!

Spend Time with Loved Ones

Strong social support and the reduction of stress associated with healthy family relationships can positively impact overall well-being, which is a key component of a cancer-preventive lifestyle. The primary factors for reducing cancer risk involve lifestyle choices. Guidewire: Cancer Seeker is an AI tool that helps estimate your ongoing cancer risk based on your genetics, history, and habits. It generates a report on what you can do to further reduce your cancer risk. It is possible to reduce your risk by 30-50% through modifiable factors. Call 250.800.2850 today to book a free meet-and-greet to invest in your health today.

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.

Make Your Home Shine for the Holidays

The holiday season is a time for warmth, gatherings, and good cheer – it can also bring extra bustle! Before guests arrive, a little pre-holiday spruce-up can make your home sparkle. Focus on high-traffic areas like kitchens and entryways, polish those windows to let in the winter light, and don’t forget guest rooms for overnight visitors. Whether it’s a quick refresh or a full deep clean, a tidy home helps you relax and enjoy the season. TCB Cleaning Services can take care of the details so you can spend more time celebrating with the people you love.

The Brightest Gift This Winter

Rainy days and long nights can make winter feel lonely, especially for seniors. Connection is the greatest gift. A phone call, a visit, a shared story — these moments light up the season. At Everkind Home Support, we offer more than care: we bring warmth, dignity, and joy. From personal care to cozy drives to see the festive lights, we help seniors get out of the house while staying dry and comfortable. This Christmas and New Year, let’s remind our elders they’re never alone — because kindness, like family, makes all the difference.