Comox Valley Senior Support Society, dedicated to helping seniors, is seeking volunteers to join our Board of Directors. The Board provides governance, leadership, fundraising, and financial oversight to staff and the Society’s operations. Meetings are held once per month, with additional support required on an as needed basis. If you have a passion for seniors, an interest in working with a collaborative Board, and supporting an active staff team, please contact Chris at admin@comoxvalleyseniorsupportsociety.ca

Did you know that CVSS offers caregivers Support groups? For those providing care for a loved one living with dementia, being able to visit with and seek support from others with similar experiences can be very helpful. You are not alone in the caregiving community. For more information, please call the CVSS office at 250-871-5940 or email at admin@comoxvalleyseniorsupport.ca

The World Health Organization states there are three ways to combat ageism:
• education to dispel myths and stereotypes and raise awareness of the impact of ageism.
• intergenerational interventions, which create cooperation and empathy between age groups.
• law and policy changes, which can reduce inequity and discrimination.

These efforts require commitment from governments and institutions, as they hold the most power to create change. On an individual level, people can contribute to these efforts by being an ally. Allyship involves dedicating personal time and energy to acting against ageism by:
• Becoming aware of ageism: Reflect on how ageism shapes one’s own thoughts, feelings, and life experiences.
• Learning about ageism: Learn how ageism affects others by listening to personal stories, reading books, and researching.
• Developing skills: Learn about and practice advocacy skills, such as knowing when to speak up and when to step back.

Ageism is the discrimination against an individual strictly based on their age. Ageism is most often thought of as prejudice against older individuals, however there are forms of ageism that affect younger generations as well. Here are some quick definitions, facts, and solutions about ageism. Types of ageism include:
• institutional ageism, which occurs when an institution perpetuates ageism through its actions and policies.
• interpersonal ageism, which occurs in social interactions.
• internalized ageism, which is when a person internalizes ageist beliefs and applies them to themselves.

Ageism comes in many forms. Some examples of ageism in the workplace include:
• refusing to hire people over or under a certain age.
• enacting policies that unfairly privilege one age group over another.
• viewing older people as out of touch, less productive, or stuck in their ways.
• viewing younger people as unskilled, irresponsible, or untrustworthy
• bullying or harassment.

For many aging adults, non-medical home care is the right fit. Your loved one will receive the support and attention of a professional caregiver for however much time they need it. Some care recipients benefit from companionship services for just a few hours each week, while others prefer receiving assistance from a caregiver daily. However, some aging adults have medical needs that go beyond the scope of non-medical home care. They might benefit more by receiving care from a live-in nurse or another healthcare provider. And for others, assisted living might be the best choice if they require 24-hour medical care or attention.

Waiting for your Cancer PET/CT imaging appointment? Cancer doesn’t stop & wait with you. That’s why people choose to have PET/CT imaging done privately. Receiving these reports sooner allows for treatment to start sooner. PET/CT assists with: CANCER – detecting cancer, revealing cancer spread, confirming cancer treatment effectiveness, finding a cancer recurrence. BRAIN DISORDERS – clarifying early diagnosis of dementia, confirming possible Alzheimer’s diagnosis. HEART DISEASE – Confirming cardiac sarcoidosis presence/recurrence. If you have been referred by your physician for a PET/CT scan and are waiting for your appointment it may be time to ask your oncologist, urologist, or GP to make a referral to INITIO Medical. Initiomedical.ca

The thyroid gland is small, but it has a big job, releasing hormones that are essential to metabolism and other body functions. When the thyroid gland is underactive, you might feel tired, be more sensitive to cold, have dry skin and hair, or have difficulty concentrating. Medications for hypothyroidism interact with many drugs and foods and may sometimes require a dose adjustment, especially for major life changes such as menopause or a significant weight change. We are here to help you manage your medications and achieve your best health.

It can be hard to know when the “right” time is to move a senior loved one into an assisted living community, but there are some important signs. If your senior loved one is having trouble keeping up with personal hygiene, cleaning their home, preparing meals, remembering to take medications, or is experiencing falls, it might be time to discuss a transition to assisted living. Your loved one will benefit from being in a safe environment, having more opportunities to socialize, getting adequate nutrition, having someone assist with medication schedules, and accessing transportation for a variety of outings and errands.