Do you gamble from time to time? Has the pandemic increased your feelings of loneliness and isolation? Do you listen to podcasts? Are you concerned about someone’s gambling behaviour, or possibly your own? You are not alone. Connect with others by tuning into the Fold Em podcast on your favourite app or check out www.gamblingproblemhelp.ca and click “listen now”. You can listen in on how others have sought help to overcome problematic gambling behaviour. On the island, reach out Tracy Tsui for FREE, confidential support.
Community News
Communicating with Individuals with Hearing Loss
Communicating effectively with someone experiencing hearing loss can be a challenge. Here are some tips to help: *Find a quiet place – create the best conditions for them to understand you, *Understand level of loss – understand the unique set of challenges they face, *Say it a different way – choose uncomplicated words so it’s easier for them to understand, *Make eye contact – Eye contact allows someone to read your expression for context, * Get their attention – make sure they know you’re speaking. If you or a family member are concerned about hearing loss, be sure to schedule a hearing test today!
Spring into Spring!
Steer yourself from the winter doldrums to warmer days and healthier, happier selves! *Get up with the sun and create a morning routine with meditation, stretches and exercise. *Increase your fruit and veggies intake; eat fruit in the morning and add more green vegetables at dinner. *Get a good pair of runners and do what you enjoy, just get outside and move! *For longevity, stress, weight management, mental health and overall wellbeing, establish a bedtime routine; shut off screens, wind-down, and get 7-8 hours of Zzzs. Stock up on your daily or specialty wellness supplements to help you achieve your health goals and keep you feeling your best!
Make Your Home Safer
Things you can do to make your home safer and reduce the risk of falling:
Remove tripping hazards like clutter, small throw rugs • Keep items you use the most easily accessible • Improve lighting to ensure you can see your path when walking, especially at night • Install grab bars in the bathroom and ensure your home has handrails on all staircases • Wear non-slip shoes both inside and outside of the house • Get a Home Safety Assessment if you are at risk of falling; an Occupational Therapist can help to advise you on making your home safer.
Think Outside Your Bubble
What is the NEW NORM? Is everyone in my bubble being safe? Can we shop in our COVID-19 bubble beside other bubbles and be safe? There is so much information out there, helpful and unhelpful, that may drive ourselves headfirst into further stress and seclusion. It’s time to go outside and let your bubble breath, that’s right, take off that mask and breathe in some fresh island air this month. We may find clarity in heading back to the outdoors. Ground yourself in the outdoors and find some quiescence in your mind.
Helping Seniors Eat Healthy
Seniors need to get adequate nutrients from their meals to help them reduce the risk of serious health conditions, stabilize their mood, and maintain their mental health. Retirement communities help meet seniors’ nutrition needs by providing meals that are low in saturated fats and have moderate amounts of unsaturated fat, which promotes a stable body mass index (BMI) and metabolism. Healthy portion sizes support a healthy weight for older adults by preventing excessive calorie intake. If you or a loved one have questions about proper nutrition and eating habits for seniors, reach out to your care provider or retirement community.
Share Love with an Online Obituary
An online obituary allows a family more opportunities to share about their loved one. Photos, special moments and a life story are centralized in the guestbook and allows for digital condolences. It can also act as a permanent memorial that the family can revisit to re-read the messages left by family members and friends. Online stories can be read around the world and will be seen by loved ones near and far. When posting your message of sympathy and support, try to share something that the family may not know and appreciate learning. A funny story from your times together can bring surprising comfort.
Spend Family Time Enjoying Nature
It is well known that nature and fresh air is a tonic for the soul. Reconnecting with nature is good for our physical and mental health. Living on Vancouver Island, we are lucky to have some of the world’s best nature in our own back yard. Strathcona Provincial Park, designated in 1911, is the oldest provincial park in British Columbia. Located 25 minutes west of Courtenay and just steps away from Mount Washington Alpine Village, it is a mountain wilderness that offers an incomparable nature experience. Summer activities include hiking, zip lining, mountain biking, swimming and relaxing while soaking in the natural beauty.
Meet the Pharmacists
Neel and Rupal Tanna are the Remedy’s Rx pharmacists at Duncan Pharmacy and also in Crofton. Their personalized service includes; *Everyday 20% discount for seniors, *Free prescription delivery, *Immunizations services because even during Covid, these are important to keep you and your family healthy, *Medication Reviews to explain each of your medications in detail, *Blister packaging for easier management of medications, *Compliance packaging with instruction labels in larger print or translated into icons to make them easier to follow, *Advice on natural supplements. As Remedy’s Rx pharmacists, they believe in providing in the best possible pharmacy care.
Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?
The placement of dental implants causes only minor surgical discomfort because the jaw bones have few nerve endings, Bone grafting may have a little more discomfort associated with it. Many patients are able to work within a day of surgery. Any post-operative discomfort is controlled with prescription pain medication. Patients are placed on a soft diet and antibiotics for a few days and told to use an antiseptic mouth rinse several times daily. If sutures are necessary, they will be removed 7 to 14 days after the implants are placed. New techniques developed are always geared to improving patient comfort.
Shovelling Snow? Injury Prevention
In our area, winters usually mean rain, but there are days when we need to do some snow shovelling. With that comes an increased risk of sprains and strains. Prevent injuries by employing a few tips: *Do a 5 minute full body warm up before shovelling. *Scoop and push small amounts of snow. *Lift and move weight with your legs. *Engage core muscles to assist in stability, balance and limb movement. *Check your posture. As we tire our posture tends to fail. Take a break, sip hot cocoa and reset yourself. For instruction on effective posture and core awareness, ask your Physiotherapist!
