Motion™ partnered with Humm financing to offer a special deferral on purchases up to $15,000: no payments or interest for 12 months! Post-deferral, payments transition to equal monthly installments with a low fixed interest rate. Humm extends third-party financing to Motion™ clients, accommodating flexible payment plans up to $30,000. With a swift application process, clients receive credit decisions in under 7 minutes. Payments can spread over 5 years in equal monthly installments. Humm facilitates access to mobility and accessibility equipment, easing financial burdens with fixed interest rates and predictable monthly payments. Don’t miss this offer ending March 29.
Community News
Income Tax Season is Here!
Through the Canadian Volunteer Income Tax Program, we offer free, simple income tax preparation. To be eligible to participate for free tax service, your Income must be under $35K for an individual and under $48K for a couple. Contact the office for more information.
Be a Catalyst for Change!
Are you passionate about making a meaningful impact in your community? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable seniors? Comox Valley Senior Support Services is on the lookout for people like you to join our dynamic Volunteer Community.
Would you like to visit with a lonely or isolated senior? Or assist someone with accessing services in the community? If so, please contact us to learn more about providing support in your community. We offer training monthly so there are minimal delays to getting started. Volunteers are provided with monthly support meetings and regular education sessions. Contact us today to get started!
Better at Home Program
We are excited to announce that Comox Senior Support Society has been contracted to run the Campbell River Better at Home program. The Better at Home program helps seniors/elders continue living in their own homes longer and stay connected in the community by providing some basic non-medical home support services.
Residents in Campbell River who are 65 years of age and older, and who meet the program’s objectives can access the Better at Home services within the program’s resource constraints. Becoming a Campbell River Better at Home client involves an initial meeting with our Better at Home Program staff to discuss the program, confirm eligibility, and complete registration forms.
For more information or to contact the office call: 250-830-8709, or email: [email protected]
Honor Loved One’s at Easter
As Easter approaches, coping with the loss of a loved one can find solace in honoring their memory through meaningful actions. Expressing internal grief outwardly through mourning actions brings an almost unexplainable sense of peace. To commemorate your loved one this Easter, consider personalized Easter baskets, themed with their favorite colors, candies, and meaningful items. Or, create a memory basket by encouraging family and friends to write special memories and placing them in plastic eggs. Keep their Easter traditions alive, fostering joy and connection. In these thoughtful gestures, their influence and impact endure, bringing comfort during the holiday.
Oral Health Nutrition
The nexus between nutrition and senior oral health plays a pivotal role in overall well-being, especially with the heightened risk of tooth loss in aging. Optimal nutrition can mitigate challenges associated with tooth loss, impacting overall health. Water, with its fluoride content, combats tooth decay and enhances saliva production, crucial for pH regulation. Crunchy vegetables like carrots stimulate gums and support dental health. Dark, leafy greens provide essential calcium and minerals. Fiber-rich fruits such as apples and pears neutralize mouth acids effectively. Protein-rich foods like nuts, fish, and meat contribute to mouth-healthy saliva production, highlighting the integral connection between nutrition, dental health, and overall well-being in seniors.
Signature Tea of the Month
Relax & Unwind Citrus Chamomile. Winter can often bring feelings of sadness, but you can combat those winter blues with a comforting blend of chamomile and fresh citrus tea. Chamomile’s gentle and soothing properties mix well with the invigorating citrus notes, creating a beverage that calms the mind and uplifts the spirit. This delightful infusion can become a beacon of tranquillity by reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Make a nightly ritual to sip on a cup of this tea before bedtime to enhance your well-being, and foster a peaceful night’s rest.
Testimonials
“Let me start off by saying this is my first time in recovery and it’s been quite a journey! One of the programs that have helped the most was the Men’s group at SRWC. When I started the program at SRWC I was upset and carried a lot of anger and resentment. For the first few classes I kept to myself, still a bit in denial. The topics that were being presented to me were exactly what I needed to hear. The group was a place where I was able to learn and also demonstrate these new coping skills in my new lifestyle.”
-Group Graduate
“SRWC has empowered me in my struggle with addiction. I have been to AA groups in the past with little success. Being in group with Matt has provided me with the tools, backed by research studies, has set my life up in a way to prevent relapse and give myself the best chance at being successful in recovery. Matt fosters a caring, nurturing environment and allows those that attend to feel comfortable sharing their difficulties and fears, which I believe is essential for long term recovery.”
Group Participant
Our Men’s Continuing Recovery Program is facilitated by Certified Addictions Counsellor Matthew Hodgins. The program runs Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1:30-3:30pm. SRWC has recently moved to our new location at 280 Smith Street. If you are interested in joining or have any questions, please contact us at 204-956-6650.
SRWC Men’s Continuing Recovery Program
SRWC’S continuing recovery program is designed for male identifying participants who are at least a month sober from drugs and alcohol and wish to maintain their recovery by holistic lifestyle change. The program combines elements of psychoeducation, and behavioral Counselling, offering a supportive environment for men who have completed a treatment program and are continuing their recovery journey. OUR APPROACH. The program takes a gendered approach to highlight how men are vulnerable to addiction by discussing negative gender roles hindering sobriety; the rules and expectations on what it means to be a man. Historically, men have been told that sadness is a sign of weakness, and men shouldn’t talk to other men about their emotions. Anger is the only strong emotion that is acceptable to display. To detach emotionally and appear in control feels imperative because society dictates men shouldn’t talk about their pain. It should be no surprise that many men struggle with their emotions and attitudes long after they’ve achieved sobriety. ISSUES MEN FACE IN RECOVERY. Men usually have fewer social ties than women. For many, their only source of emotional support is their partner, and when that unrealistic expectation is not met – they panic. With unmet needs, men externalize their emotions in various ways such as reckless driving, suicide, alcohol, drugs, interpersonal and community violence. Alcohol use among men has long been associated with masculinity, competition and serves a rite of passage for many. Many men grieve the loss of comradery when they choose to get sober and the Men’s group at SRWC aims to provide the bond they desire.
Rigid gender rules form a box. When a man steps out of the box, they are challenged, with various explicit names, many associated with femininity. When discussing this as a group, we asked ourselves: “Why does it have to be this way?”. The answer is; because we hadn’t questioned it yet. That rigid box of gender expectations creates the breeding ground for addiction – isolation, shame, and secret-keeping. WE CAN HELP. The program challenges the structural ways of thinking in pursuit of being our true authentic selves; feeling comfortable asking for help and expressing a wide range of emotions in a safe way. We discover that characteristics that have historically been defined as weaknesses, are essential parts of a healthy man. To untangle these rigid rules of masculinity is to be vulnerable; an essential component to recovery. SRWC has set the stage for men to empower themselves in a safe, welcoming environment.
Your Morning Meal Matters
With a busy schedule, breakfast can be easily overlooked, but research suggests that skipping it may do more harm than you think. Breakfast kickstarts your metabolism, providing essential energy for the day ahead. It helps stabilize blood sugar levels, preventing mid-morning energy crashes and irritability. Additionally, a balanced breakfast fuels cognitive functions, enhancing concentration and productivity. Studies link regular breakfast consumption to weight management, as it reduces the likelihood of overeating later in the day. Nutrient-rich breakfast options also contribute to better nutrient intake, supporting overall health. Cultivating a breakfast routine promotes a healthier lifestyle, positively impacting physical and mental performance.
The Gut-Brain Connection
Lately, scientific research has been revealing more about the special connection between your gut and your brain. This connection, called the “gut-brain axis,” shows that the health of your gut directly affects your mood and mental well-being. It turns out that what you eat doesn’t just impact your body’s health, but also has a big effect on how you feel and think.
The gut-brain axis is like a two-way road between your stomach and your brain. This communication happens through a network of nerves, hormones, and chemicals that let your gut and brain send messages to each other. A major player in this relationship is your gut microbiota – a bunch of tiny living things in your digestive system.
Studies have found that the types of microbes in your gut can influence how your brain makes and controls neurotransmitters. These are chemicals that help send signals in your brain, which are really important for controlling your mood and emotions. For instance, serotonin, a neurotransmitter that makes you feel good, is made mostly in your gut. If your gut microbes are out of balance, your serotonin levels can be messed up, which might lead to mood issues like depression and anxiety.
So, how does food fit into this? The things you eat directly change your gut microbes. If you eat lots of processed foods, sugary stuff, and unhealthy fats, you can make bad bacteria grow while the good ones shrink. But if you eat fiber-rich foods, whole grains, fruits, and veggies, you give good bacteria the right kind of food to thrive.
One famous diet linked to a healthy gut-brain axis is the Mediterranean diet. It’s full of fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats like olive oil and nuts. Research shows that people following this diet have more gut bacteria that help with good mood and clear thinking. The diet also fights inflammation, which is important for brain health by reducing stress and swelling in your body.
Moreover, your gut microbes help make short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) when they break down dietary fiber. These SCFAs are connected to less inflammation and better brain function. They also help keep your gut lining healthy, which stops harmful stuff from getting into your bloodstream and affecting your brain and mood.
Scientists are learning that an unhealthy gut-brain axis might play a role in mental health issues. Conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are linked to mood problems, showing how much a healthy gut matters for your overall well-being. Researchers are also looking into using things like probiotics and prebiotics to change gut microbes and maybe ease depression and anxiety symptoms.
Even though we’re getting a better picture of the gut-brain connection, we’re still learning. How you react to food and its effects on your mood can be different due to things like genes, lifestyle, and existing health conditions. But the main idea is clear: a balanced and healthy diet is really important for your mental well-being.
In conclusion, the gut-brain connection is a cool and growing area of research that shows how what you eat can change how you feel mentally. The link between gut microbes and neurotransmitters proves that your diet choices don’t just affect your body – they affect your feelings too. By choosing whole, nutritious foods and avoiding processed and unhealthy options, you can help keep your gut-brain axis healthy and maybe lower the chances of mood problems. As we learn more about this relationship, we might find new ways to boost our mental well-being through what we eat.
