Over 90 percent of Canadians aged 45 and older want to remain in their homes as they age, according to a recent HomeEquity Bank survey. To Age in Place, homes often need to be modified with features such as stair lifts and wider doorways. Caregivers may need to be hired to provide in-home support. The costs can really add up. Fortunately, as a homeowner, you can access the equity in your home to pay for these costs. A Reverse Mortgage is a simple and sensible way to unlock the value in your home to help you live life on your terms.
Community News
March Trivia
.1.What food never spoils?
2.What percentage of the immune system is linked to the gut?
3.True or False? Eggs contain all 9 essential amino acids.
Did You Know?
About 60% of your brain is made of fat, which is why healthy fats (like omega-3s from fish, nuts, and seeds) are important for brain health.
Trivia Answers
1. Honey
2. About 70%
3. True. Eggs are a superfood!
Book Club: Just One Heart:
A Cardiologist’s Guide to Healing, Health, and Happiness
In Just One Heart, Dr. Jonathan Fisher, a Harvard-trained cardiologist and mindfulness teacher, offers an evidence-based guide to wholehearted living, grounded in the latest research from medicine, psychology, and neuroscience. Blending Western science and Eastern wisdom, this book shares practical tools and daily practices to reduce stress, build emotional resilience, and reconnect with what matters most—while protecting and strengthening your heart.
Heart Health, Hearing Health
Healthy aging starts with caring for both your heart and your hearing. Research indicates a significant correlation between cardiovascular health and hearing health. The inner ear relies on steady blood flow to deliver oxygen and nutrients, and reduced circulation can damage delicate hair cells, leading to hearing loss. Supporting heart health through regular exercise, a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, stress management and quitting smoking can also help protect hearing. Conditions such as high blood pressure can affect blood flow to the ears, making regular checkups essential. At Beltone, we support healthy aging with free hearing assessments and innovative hearing solutions to help you hear your best at every stage of life.
Light Therapy for Seasonal Depression
Light therapy can be an effective way to manage Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in seniors, especially during the darker winter months. SAD can cause low mood, fatigue, sleep changes, and loss of interest in daily activities. Light therapy involves sitting near a specially designed light box that mimics natural sunlight, usually for 20 to 30 minutes each morning. This exposure can help regulate sleep cycles and boost mood by supporting healthy circadian rhythms. For seniors, light therapy is noninvasive and easy to use. It is important to consult a healthcare provider before starting to ensure safe and proper use.
BINGO: Normalize Feelings
After identifying what you feel, the next step is to remind yourself that emotions are part of being human. Feeling sad, angry, anxious, or uncertain does not mean something is wrong with you. It means you are having a natural response to life’s challenges. When we normalize our emotions, we remove shame and make space for compassion. Feelings don’t need to be justified; they just are. In the BINGO model, N stands for Normalize, the reminder that every feeling is valid, and that understanding begins with acceptance.
Solutions for Toe Discomfort
Do you have hammer toes? Claw toes? Mallet toes? These are very common lesser toe malalignments that can make it very challenging to fit into footwear comfortably. Over time the forefoot arch, or transverse arch of the foot, begins to splay and drop. This can create high pressure on the ball of the foot, encouraging toes to curl and deform. Custom foot orthotics are a fantastic tool to help alleviate uncomfortable pressure caused by hammer toes. At Common Sense Orthotics, there is an on-site lab, so your local pedorthists can fine-tune your orthotics to best support your tricky toe discomforts!
Meet the Realtor: Barbara Dias
Transitioning from a longtime family home is more than a move – it’s a significant life event. I specialize in guiding Victoria and Saanich seniors through this process with care, clarity, and compassion. We move at your pace with a customized plan that puts you in control. You don’t have to worry about the details – I bring a trusted network of organizers, movers, and legal experts to handle the heavy lifting. Through strategic preparation and local expertise, I ensure you maximize your home’s value while enjoying a seamless transition. Let’s create a clear path to your next chapter, together.
Free Entry for Seniors
Monkey C Interactive’s Artcade is celebrating its second anniversary in downtown Victoria by offering free entry for seniors on Thursday, February 26 and Thursday, March 26, from 2pm–10pm, at 706 Fort Street (between Douglas and Blanshard). Seniors aged 60+ are welcome to self-identify at the door—no ID required. Free Thursdays are made possible through the City of Victoria’s OUR DWTN Storefront Activation Program. The Artcade is a five-star interactive art experience featuring playful, hands-on musical sculptures by local artists and musicians. It has been featured on CBC All Points West, CHEK News, and The Upside. Come press our buttons!
