Community News
Fear of Falls Causes Unsafe Behavior

Someone who is fearful of falls, may start to avoid everyday activities by staying home and doing less. This lack of activity leads to the loss of strength, reduced muscle tone, and loss of coordination and balance. This deterioration of your physical being increases the risk of falling and, when a fall does occur, the fear is further heightened. Turn your fear of falling into positive actions: remain active, exercise regularly, use assistive devices such as walkers or grab bars, wear sensible shoes and consider participating in a group session with others who are anxious about falling.

Using Time Outs with Your Child

Timeout is a temporary, artificial, and inadequate solution to a real problem. Worse, it actually prevents us from seeing the real problem, because when kids feel judged and rejected, they tend to clam up (as we all do). In truth, timeout is the exact opposite of what our children need when their behavior hits the skids. Defiance, aggression and other limit pushing behavior are our children’s way of letting us know their impulses have taken hold. We successfully handle challenging behavior by following these steps:*Focus on helping our children when they can’t help themselves, *Set limits calmly and early, expect impulsivity, *Be ready to physically follow through with limits by preventing unsafe or inappropriate behavior, *Accept and acknowledge feelings without judgment, so that children can trust us as their empathic leaders and themselves as good people.

Mindful Mouthful

The cookies, dessert bars and meat pies at The Mindful Mouthful have a delicious twist! They are hand-made locally by uniquely abled adults from the Clements Centre for Community Living. These talented individuals are on a mission to promote consciousness and celebrate their ability to work and earn a living. Before becoming The Mindful Mouthful, the project was known as Lunch on Clements, a volunteer program where people learned new skills in a teaching kitchen. In 2016, with the support of Enterprising Non-Profits, Restauranteur Andrew Moyer from Ottavio Italian Bakery & Delicatessen, and a three-year grant from the Vancouver Foundation, the dream became a reality. Now in its fourth year, the program continues with 19 paid employees. The next time you want a fresh batch of sensational sweets and savoury delights contact The Mindful Mouthful to place an order. Their products are available at their kitchen on 5856 Clements Street.

Double Your Donation Dollars

For more than 15 years, the Sundrops afterschool program has relied on an aging, 11-seat van to transport kids to and from community activities. The van can no longer accommodate the growing number of children served as well as wheelchair access required. Variety, the Children’s Charity has agreed to cover half the cost of a new, 24-passenger bus equipped with TWO wheelchair lifts! This new bus allows more children and their program facilitators to maintain physical distancing, and will mean that no child is left behind and no activity is off limits. Ford Island Superstore has agreed to match community donations up to $10,000 to help raise the other 50% for the new bus! You can help to Kick Start the Bus with this incredible opportunity to double your donation and double your impact! Every dollar you donate will directly touch the life of a child by providing barrier-free access to community activities.

Online Health and Wellness Resource

Wellnessnews Choices for Healthy Living® invites you to check out the Wellness Hub, your online Health and Wellness resource for Vancouver Island. The Wellness Hub features hundreds of local business and practitioners offering services and products. In addition, there are hundreds of health tips and articles on a variety of topics. It is easy to search, access and share information. There are currently a few events listed and we are hoping that soon it will be filled with local community event. While you are checking out the Wellness Hub, don’t forget to enter the Summer Adventure Contest. The draw date is July 31, 2021.

Impact of Re-Opened Gaming Venues

Casinos and gaming centres are opening again after a long pause of over 15 months. Are you excited? Happy? Concerned? Anxious? Are you looking to make a re-entry plan that will keep gambling fun and recreational? Would you like to connect with someone for support? Perhaps you want to assess the impact of re-opening land-based gaming venues will have on your relationship with gambling? All of us at Vigamingsupport.ca are here to help you navigate this renewed reality. Whether you are concerned about a loved one’s relationship with gambling, or your own, we are here. Support groups. One-to-One support. Counselling. Reset. Regroup. Restore.

Pharmacy Services for You!

Your pharmacist offers solutions that can help you manage multiple medications. 1. Synchronized Refill Dates. The quantities of your medication may be adjusted to coordinate refill dates. All medications can be refilled at one time reducing the number of visits to the pharmacy. 2. Blister packaging to arrange your medications in a weekly or monthly schedule. 3. Extension of Expired Refills. Sometimes a prescription expires before you can see your doctor. Following an assessment, your pharmacist may be able to renew your prescription.

Help Your Family Member Get a Hearing Test

When you notice that someone close to you may have untreated hearing loss, it’s natural to want to help them. Here are 7 ways to urge them to have their hearing checked: *Point out that annual hearing tests are recommended for everyone, *Explain what they risk by waiting, *Prepare for common objections, *Let them know they’re not alone, *Go with them and have your hearing tested too, *Don’t be the only voice that speaks up, call your local professional and ask for their advice. Your hearing professionals are happy to help.

Summer Skin Care

This summer while enjoying the sunshine and nature outside, don’t forget to take care of your skin. Fill your body with healthy food, including extra fruits and vegetables while limiting the processed junk. Staying hydrated, especially during extra heat and activity is vital for your whole body, skin included. Your skin can benefit from using simple natural products like aloe vera, unrefined rosehip oil or shea butter. For extra anti-aging and rejuvenation of the skin cells, choose a vitamin C serum for daytime and a retinol/or Vit A alternative at night. Be sun safe and enjoy the summer!

Exploring Career Interests

The next step on your career path involves looking at careers that interest you. This list can be developed by looking at your strengths and past work, the suggestions of others and discussing your formal assessment results. While looking at possible careers keep in mind your goals, current reality, and conduct informational interviews with people currently employed in your field of interest. Researching your top career choices allows you to answer key questions like · Is this occupation a good fit for me, · What are the current industry trends? · Do I know anyone currently working in the industry…Can they help? · Will there be a need to increase skills?

The Fundamental Role of Community

When seniors find themselves living alone, feeling alone, or gravitating toward isolation, it’s important for them to seek human connection opportunities. For many, this might mean a lifestyle change. Senior living communities are an ideal solution for minimizing the effects of isolation, as they offer tangible benefits like social interaction and a sense of safety among neighbours and staff. As residents boost their engagement, interact with people more regularly, discover new interests and hobbies, share meals and activities, participate in discussions, and take advantage of various human touchpoints, they are better positioned to live healthier, longer, happier lives.