At Wellnessnews Choices for Healthy Living®, we are proud to be active in our communities. We promote events and activities that help bring health and well-being into people’s lives. This month, we have partnered with the Victoria HarbourCats and the Nanaimo NightOwls Baseball Clubs, The Victoria Goddess Run and the Aging Well Seniors Expo in Cowichan. Our health and wellness resources include our printed newsletters, our online WellnessHubVancouverIsland.ca, the “Wellness Wednesday” radio show on CHLY 101.7 FM or CHLY.ca and our Expos. Check out the Hub for more information and to enter our June contest.

Meridians, based on traditional Chinese medicine, are pathways for life energy – Chi. Chi is a force that informs and connects all parts of your body and controls its function. Acupuncturists and reflexologists access Chi via acupuncture points to stimulate the flow of Chi, releasing blockages that cause dysfunction and dis-ease in the body. We define energy as “information that vibrates” (Cyndi Dale, 2009). Vibrational medicine uses frequencies and resonance for the same purpose. It stimulates the body on a cellular and subtle energy level, activating and facilitating the energy flow in the meridians which leads to the release of energy blockages.

There are many conversations that families should have. One of those concerns your final wishes. Planning your funeral and cemetery arrangements in advance means you can discuss the options with family in a relaxed, stress-free environment. The other conversation is planning for your future health care. If you were sick and couldn’t speak for yourself, would your family know your wishes? You might be surprised by the space between what you want for future care and what your loved ones think you want. It’s important that they know your values, what is meaningful in your life, and how you would like decisions to be made.

How close are you to your grandchildren? Are you in regular contact with them? Many do not live close enough to each other to meet in person so it is lucky that technology such as FaceTime, What’s App and Zoom has made it easier to build a relationship with grandchildren from far away. There are health benefits to establishing these relationships. One study published in “The Gerontologist” as well as other studies show that grandparents who are part of their grandchildren’s lives perform better on cognitive tests and have sharper minds. Many reports feeling younger and being more interested in the world around them.

As we age, it may become more difficult to stay in our own home and enjoy an independent lifestyle. Home care services can help. There are a range of services available including; companionship, homemaking services, personal care and nursing care. These services are easy to initiate with a phone call. At an appointed time, a nurse who adheres to all safety protocols comes to your home to provide an assessment of your needs. This assessment is free with no obligation to purchase. One or more of these services can help you remain in the comfort of your own home.