Community News
Relief for Jaw Tension

Do you wake up with jaw tension? Or perhaps you grind your teeth at night? One thing you can do to ease the tension is to massage your jaw before bed. Simply put a fist—the first two knuckles work best—on either side of your face, just below your ears, right at the corner of the jaw (near the temporomandibular joint—that’s what TMJ stands for), then just gently traction down. Let your jaw relax and even hang open a bit as you do this. Do 3–5 passes and head to bed. Repeat anytime you notice tension in the jaw.

Profile: Northwood Pelvic Health Clinic

At Northwood, our dedicated pelvic floor physiotherapists are committed to providing compassionate care and personalized treatment plans to address a range of pelvic floor issues. We treat anyone with a pelvis, males and females. Conditions we treat include incontinence, prolapse, overactive bladder, menopausal symptoms, pregnancy and postpartum, and endometriosis pain. During an appointment, we ask questions related to your mental and physical health and symptoms. Other parts of the assessment may include core function, hip mobility and strength, internal pelvic floor muscle assessment, and more. We offer a free intake call. Our services are covered by extended health care plans.

Profile: James Bay New Horizons Society

We provide accessible programs, services, and volunteer opportunities to our members and residents in general. Our goal is to help people maintain, improve, and develop new skills, interests, and social opportunities, and to enhance the quality of life of our members and visitors. Membership benefits include: *Participate in all programs, services, and special events, including games, painting, movies, music, fitness, and many more. *Borrow books, CDs, and movies at no cost. *Opportunity to become involved with volunteer work. *Meet new friends and more. Contact us today for more information!

Health by Nature – No Prescription Needed

Getting out into nature every day can help with your health and well-being. Spending time in an urban green space or forest can reduce stress and boost the immune system. Puttering in a garden bed or walking in the sunshine and listening to birds can decrease anxiety levels and feelings of anger. Sunlight helps the brain release serotonin, which is associated with boosting mood and helping a person feel calm and focused. Walking barefoot outside can improve sleep. Just a few minutes of fresh air every day can make a big difference in your mental and physical health.

There’s No Place Like Home

Many seniors, whether they need short-term or long-term care, prefer remaining in a place most familiar to them— their home. By removing elderly loved ones from their home, we often take away years of memories and relationships with neighbours and communities, which can lead to a decline in health and leave them feeling sad and isolated. If Mom or Dad is willing to explore the idea of home care, involve them in the process and remember to take it slow at first. Home is still the safest place to receive care!

Seasonal Allergies and Dentures

If you wear dentures and suffer from seasonal allergies, it can be tricky to manage allergies. Allergies can cause sinus discomfort, which might affect how your dentures feel. To stay comfortable, clean your dentures often to remove allergens like pollen and dust. If you’re using allergy medication, check if it affects your oral health. Avoid smoking, as it can make both allergies and dentures harder to deal with. Also, since allergies can cause dry mouth, drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist and help your dentures fit better.

Senior Information Session – April 30, 2025

The Victoria Seniors Business Network (VSBN) is hosting a free session titled “Navigating Community-Based Resources for Seniors.” This event will occur on April 30th at St. Patrick’s Parish, located at 2060 Haultain Street in Victoria. The session will feature speakers including Chelsea Wozniak, Executive Director of Luther Court Community Health Centre; Carol Turnbull, Executive Director of Saanich Volunteers; and Anna MacKay, Outreach Services Coordinator for Oak Bay Volunteers. For more information, please call (778) 200-3387. You can register for the session on the website. 

Route65.ca – Seniors Living & Care Directory

Are you or a loved one looking for senior living or home care options? With so many choices, it can feel overwhelming. Route65.ca is your trusted guide. Developed by the BC Care Providers Association, Route65.ca is a free resource designed to help the public navigate BC’s seniors living, wellness, and care continuum. The platform features a provincial directory of reputable retirement living, assisted living, long-term care, and home care options, along with wayfinding tools and educational resources to support system navigation and accessing services. Visit Route65.ca today to start your search. Need assistance? Call us toll-free at 1-877-955-6565 or by email at [email protected].

Business Profile: Ideally Blissful

Tammy Prince, the owner of Ideally Blissful, loves helping people live happy, healthy and productive lives. Her healing journey included studying healing modalities. The Emotion Code changed her life and also the lives of family, friends and clients. Belief Re-patterning was a continuation of her education. It allowed her to let go of beliefs that no longer served her and helped create new beliefs. RAYD8® was a natural progression; an additional way to support people in their ability to heal. Rayd8® is sound and light therapy that can help improve immune function, enhance sleep and reduce pain.

Prepare for an Emergency

Being prepared in advance can reduce stress and increase the safety of seniors during a tsunami event. By taking the necessary steps to prepare an emergency kit, plan evacuation routes, and understand local resources, seniors, caregivers, and families can be ready for any emergency. Local Resources for Support include: *Victoria Emergency Management Agency: Offers workshops and updates on tsunami preparedness. *BC211: A community resource line that can help seniors access emergency services and support. *Seniors Services Society: Provides support and information for seniors in need of assistance with emergency preparedness. *The City of Victoria’s emergency planning website or contact local community organizations.