December can be a challenging month at the best of times. Online gambling and sports betting have gained incredible popularity recently. Vulnerable people can be at an increased risk of developing gambling issues when combined with the financial and emotional stress the holiday season can bring. If gambling which was once a light-hearted and fun activity has become a coping mechanism for emotional and/or financial relief, reach out to VI Gaming Support. We are available by phone, text, email, social media (Facebook & Instagram) or online on our website. Our toll-free support line is open 24/7. You are not alone.
Supporting Seniors in Their Home
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.
Count Your Blessings
December is a perfect time to give thanks for our many blessings. At Wellnessnews, we hosted our Wellness Expo in 2023 and introduced a SeniorsNews newsletter in Victoria. We continue to publish four additional local newsletters here on the island and also grow the WellnessHub, our local online resource. We are grateful for these and many things that we take for granted; clean air, water from the tap and feelings of wellbeing. We thank our advertisers, readers, subscribers, distributors and community partners for helping us to spread the wellness message. We wish everyone Peace, Happiness and Good Health this Holiday Season.
Spotlight on Ageism Zoom Session
BC Community Response Networks is offering a new program – Spotlight on Ageism. Ageism is highly prevalent and is the most socially accepted and tolerated form of discrimination in Canada. Like sexism or racism, ageism is; discrimination – based on someone’s age. Ageism can occur at any point in our lifespan – regardless of how old we are – and may lead to others making judgements about our background, capability, mental or physical status, based only on their impression of our age. Join us on Zoom and learn virtually. Tuesday, December 5th, 2023 from 12 PM – 1 PM. Register at www.BCCRNS.ca or contact the BC CRN Program Team at [email protected].
Laughter is the Best Medicine
You know you’re getting old when Santa starts looking younger!
Laughter is the Best Medicine
Q: What’s a parent’s favourite Christmas carol? A: Silent night!
Loneliness and Isolation Can Affect Senior Health
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.
Cracks at the Corner of Your Mouth?
Angular cheilitis is a common skin condition that causes inflammation, redness and cracking at the corners of the mouth. It can be caused by wearing old dentures that have lost their proper height. Loss of denture height leads to overclosure of the mouth, which can cause the buildup of moisture and saliva at the corners of the mouth. Factors like saliva accumulation, poorly fitted dentures or excessive lip licking can create a moist environment that contributes to this condition. To prevent angular cheilitis, it is essential to have well-designed dentures and maintain diligent oral hygiene to minimize discomfort. Checking for proper denture height can be a quick, 5-minute appointment.
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.
The WellnessHub Vancouver Island
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.
As Winter Comes
Most everyone on the West Coast knows, November brings with it more rain and overcast skies. Many people experience an effect on their mood during this time, which can certainly make things more difficult. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a known phenomenon, where the winter weather affects moods and outlook on life. A couple strategies to help overcome these “winter blues” is to continue with those all-important self-care strategies of enjoyable activities, and the regular use of a full-spectrum light of some sort throughout your day! Fight back against the dreary with light!


