For many Canadian seniors, home health care is a key part of aging safely at home. Whether seniors need medical services, personal care, meal preparation, transportation, housekeeping or companionship, home care can help them live independently at home, for as long as possible. Caregivers help family members by delivering expert care that gives everyone peace-of-mind and relieves any feelings of caregiving being “burdensome.” A professional caregiver also will enjoy socializing by chatting, engaging in activities like puzzles or crafts and listening to music. Talk to your family about aging in place safely, with the supports you need.
Community News
Book Club
Living Well with Arthritis: A Sourcebook for Understanding and Managing Your Arthritis Living Well with Arthritis is written by Canadian doctors for Canadians. Its authors, all respected experts in the field, focus not only on medications and complementary treatments, but also on management of the many aspects of life that arthritis can affect. Topics such as dealing with chronic pain and fatigue, developing emotional and social coping strategies, and managing relationships are all explored, taking readers through the steps of how the body is affected, and ways to manage the disease.
Add a Little Exercise to your Lifestyle
Physical activity plays an important role in your health and quality of life by making you feel healthier and stronger. Being active helps to improve your balance, reduce your risk of falls and injuries and can help you stay independent longer. So take the initiative! It’s never too late to start and you don’t need to go to a gym to add a little exercise to your routine; consult your doctor and ask to learn more about exercises that can be done while sitting in your chair!
Community Announcement
Comox Valley Senior Support Society is a British Columbia registered, federal charity (Charity # BN 896568417 RR0001). Partial funding for programs is provided through Island Health and the United Way of the Lower Mainland. The remainder of operating costs are covered by donations from valuable, and greatly appreciated donors. Tax receipts for donations are issued upon request. Donations can be made online via our website at ComoxValleySeniorSupport.ca/Donate.
Caregiver Support
Sponsored by Comox Valley Senior Support Society:
WHAT: Organizational meeting WHEN: September 8 2021
WHERE: Fanny Bay OAP Hall
TIME: 10:00
COST: Free
PURPOSE: To determine the interest in forming a support group for caregivers from Union Bay to Bowser. The intent of the group is to share information, resources, and offer emotional support. Depending on the need 2 groups may be formed -male and female.
MORE INFORMATION ?
Call: 250-871-5940 (leave message if no answer)
E-mail: cvseniorsupport@shaw.ca Fanny Bay and Bowser Caregiver Support Groups are Sponsored by Comox Valley Senior Peer Support
Current Volunteer Opportunities
1. Phone Call Program: weekly phone call to an isolated senior to see how they are doing and engage in conversation
2. Caregiver Phone Support: weekly check in with a caregiver to listen, encourage and support.
3. Caregiver Support Group Facilitator: facilitate a once per month Zoom-based support group for caregivers. Health care/social work/experience as a caregiver backgrounds preferred. Call or email the office for details
4. Fundraiser: If you would like to support the Society through fundraising, you are invited to join our dynamic Fundraising Committee. Yes, fundraising can be fun and the current committee members make it so.
5. Senior Information and Access Support (SIAS) program volunteer: help a senior with forms, income tax completion, housing issues, advocacy, systems navigation
BOOKS FOR SENIORS:
This is a partnership program between the Courtenay and Comox Libraries and CV Senior Support. Once each month a book bundle will be delivered to your door by a CV Senior Support Volunteer. A book bundle will contain items of your choice: print books, audio books, magazines, music CDs, video CDs. If you are interested in participating, please call our office: 250-871-5940
What Does “Self-Care” Mean to You?
We always think of self-care must incur huge costs or involve activity beyond the reach of most people, but we truly can incorporate self-care into our daily lives for free, or very, very cheap. Once self-care becomes habit, it becomes ingrained as one of those things that we simply expect of ourselves. It DOES NOT change overnight, or even in a month. In day-to-day life, consider consistent time by yourself to do something you enjoy: reading, watching a favourite show, cooking a special treat. These short periods of time add up! A bit of time enjoying something just for yourself will have a positive impact over time. Treat yourself occasionally. It can be as simple as a cup of coffee once a week, a walk in a beautiful park or a drive out of your neighbourhood. Disconnect your cable, limit time on social media. Sit in your yard or in a park and visit with your friends. Begin a journal. Simplify your meals and drink more water. The idea is to not overwhelm yourself with excessive movement or big changes, just get your body moving even a little bit, one small change at a time. Something is better than nothing!
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, relationships with neighbors 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!
Ask The Expert
Q: I don’t like wearing sunglasses when I’m gardening. Is it really necessary? Sunglasses are too dark for me. A: You would probably do well just wearing some clear, non-tinted safety glasses. You can get these at any hardware store, and most of them have UV protection which will protect your eyes, even in bright sunlight. Eye injuries are common with gardeners, and the safety glasses will be beneficial in that regard too.
Don’t Ignore Chipped Teeth
A chipped tooth can happen for a variety of reasons, including biting something hard, hitting your mouth, having tooth decay, or grinding your teeth. While you might think having a chipped tooth is no big deal, this can lead to some problems. Sharp edges can cut your inner mouth, while deep chips can impact tooth roots (possibly leading to infections or toothaches), as well as tooth decay (which can cause sensitivity and bad breath). To avoid needing a root canal or extraction, it’s important to have a dentist examine and fix a chipped tooth before the problem gets any worse.
