Community News
Profile: Wandering Pearl Dental Hygiene

At Wandering Pearl, we are operating and providing care under the directive received from The College of Dental Hygienists of British Columbia. We welcome clients of ALL ages into our super comfortable, friendly, modern clinic on wheels. It is a safe environment with no waiting room or shared spaces. We provide excellent dental hygiene care including teeth cleaning, polishing, cavity prevention, oral hygiene education, whitening and so much more… all when and where it is convenient for you. We come to you.

Community Support for SOS

Supporting your community is one of the most rewarding things you can do. Consider volunteering or making a monthly donation to sustain vital SOS community programs. Whether you volunteer to assist a senior with grocery shopping or help at the SOS Thrift Shop, every effort contributes to uplifting lives. By choosing to contribute monthly—whether it’s $10 or $100—your support will help provide nutritious meals to children, youth, families and seniors, and ensure local residents have critical support when they need it. Join us in making a difference and feel the fulfillment that comes with giving back. Learn more on our website.

Exercise your Eyes

Do you suffer from headaches, sore neck, shoulder tension or jaw tension? Your eyes could be a part of the issue. With so much screen time, our eyes can get tired and strained. Eyes have muscles that control our focus. We want to be able to take them through a full range of motion and let them relax. Make a full circle with your eyes in one direction, and then the other. How much of your peripheral vision can you see without turning your head or your eyes? Do you notice less tension elsewhere? Try this a few times a day and see what happens.

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.

Love Your Hearing This February

February is the perfect time to show your hearing a little extra love. Healthy hearing keeps you connected, confident, and engaged in the moments that matter most. If you’ve noticed sounds seem muffled, conversations feel harder to follow, or you’re turning up the volume more often, it may be time for a hearing checkup. Early detection can prevent further decline and improve your overall well-being. Modern hearing technology is discreet, comfortable, and designed to support your lifestyle. Make this the month you put your hearing health first, because staying connected starts with listening well.

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.

Wellness Events – February 28!

The Wellness Expo at Beban Park in Nanaimo is a day to explore various approaches to health, nutrition, fitness, and overall well-being. See the Expo Website: Wellness.News/ExpoNanaimo for a list of 70+ exhibitors, 10 presentations, and door prizes. FREE to attend 10 am – 5pm.

That evening, the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) fundraising walk takes place in Nanaimo and Oceanside. This annual event supports people who have experienced homelessness. The fundraiser helps ICCS run programs that provide shelter, care and holistic support to help them step forward to independence and hope. Go to the website for more information and to register: CNOY.org.

Your Body Is Ready for a Reset

If the holidays left you feeling bloated, heavy, or out of rhythm, and you have already abandoned your New Year resolutions, this is your moment to take control. February is still the perfect time to reset your digestion, stabilize hormones, and feel like yourself again. My Metabolic Transformation Program gives you a clear, personalized path to lose weight, reduce inflammation, and boost energy—without guessing or struggling alone. Pair it with Digestive Acupuncture for fast relief from bloating and sluggish digestion, so your body can absorb nutrients, burn fat efficiently, and feel lighter.

Caring for People with Dementia

Dementia care requires more than assistance—it requires compassion, patience, and skill. Comfort Keepers’ specially trained caregivers provide personalized support that promotes dignity, safety, and meaningful daily moments. From gentle routines to engaging activities, we focus on preserving independence while offering reassurance and companionship. With Comfort Keepers, families can trust that their loved ones are cared for by professionals who combine expert training with genuine heart, helping clients live comfortably and confidently at home.

Two Ways to Care

February is a good opportunity to set positive intentions for the year ahead. With that in mind, SOS is asking residents to consider either volunteering or donating monthly. This initiative offers two ways to care, one mission to share. Whether it’s driving someone to a medical appointment, spending time with an isolated senior, or helping at the SOS Thrift Shop, your involvement can change lives. Your monthly donation (whether it’s $10 or $100) will help provide nutritious meals, give parents a break while their children socialize, and ensure low-income residents can file their income taxes, among other essential supports. Please go to our website for more information.

What is Heart Coherence?

Heart Coherence occurs when there is communication between the rhythms of your heart and the rhythms of your brain. YES, your heart has a brain. Your heart has intelligence; ~ it doesn’t just “feel”, it “knows”. Information is received by your heart first and then is communicated to your brain. This communication is very important, as your heart is the master coordinator of the rhythms in your body. Heart coherence has a powerful effect on your mental, emotional, and physical health. This is heart coherence, and when it occurs, you are supported to become empowered. Call today for a complimentary information session.