Community News
Someone to Turn To

There are hundreds of programs and services available across our region to help people with a wide variety of issues including housing, financial assistance and senior services. The big questions is “How do you find them?”. bc211 is the answer. You can simply call, send a text, email or go online to reach a navigator who can help find the best options for you. This free and confidential service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in over 160 languages. bc211 has been available on Vancouver Island since September 2017. It is funded by United Way and various partners.

What is Diabesity?

Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes have become worldwide pandemics. They are so common, doctors often refer to them as “Diabesity”. The pandemics prove conventional treatment for diabesity is not working, Counting carbohydrates and calories only is not enough to combat insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. The more overweight we are, the more fertile the ground is for diabetes to develop. The more processed food we ingest, with its colouring, flavour enhancers and hidden sugars, the more our waistlines increase. The less we exercise, the more lethargic our insides get, the more toxic our bodies become. We can halt or reverse this trend personally and globally. By changing daily eating and exercise habits, diabesity can be undone. Is it time for you to take action and control of your life? All it takes is a conscious decision and determination. There is help available to assist you along the way!

Caring for Fine Lingerie

When you have found a well-fitting bra, you want to take good care of it. It should be hand washed in warm water with a detergent made especially for fine lingerie. Do not use bleach, fabric softener or wool wash soap. Soak for about five minutes to let the deodorants, perspiration and oils dissolve, then agitate and rinse. Do not wring. If you must use your washing machine, wash on the delicate cycle and use a washing bag to protect your bra. Bras should never be put into the dryer. Dry by hanging them from the centre front panel or lay flat.

Navigating the Health Product Maze

How do you navigate the maze of the hundreds of brands of health and nutrition products available in the marketplace? There are so many products available in different locations that it is difficult to figure out where and what to buy. Your local health food store is a good place to start. It is staffed by knowledgeable experts who keep up with what is new in the industry. They will ask you questions and take the time to find out your needs. Once this discussion has taken place, they will be able to recommend the best products for you.

Profile – Nanaimo Memory & Complex Care

At Nanaimo Memory & Complex Care, they believe in and practice their proven-effective methods they call The Avenir Approach. They place residents according to their cognitive abilities and create an individual care plan for each individual. These essential principles define their daily dedication to the well-being of residents with memory loss. They provide support for the whole family, offering education and meaningful resources during initial consultation and on an ongoing basis. They focus on how they, as a team, can come together to provide the best quality of living for your loved one. This includes everything from how to start the conversation about memory care to making moving day as worry-free as possible. Nanaimo Memory & Complex Care offers a range of price points based on needed care to assist with your financial planning.

Adventures with Dad

I bought my Dad a pair of socks. He is elderly and was not impressed that I was bringing him another pair of socks. He was probably hoping for chocolates! I just put the socks in his dresser drawer. A few days later, I was away on vacation so Dad calls my sister and says “I want more of those socks”. At first, she didn’t pay much attention because she knew he has lots of socks. When he asked her again, she took him more seriously. It turns out that Dad wears his new sock to bed every night and they calm his restless legs. Dad now has enough of these great socks to last him a week. His old socks are for sale.

Staying Safe and Being Active

Here in the South Cowichan Area, we have numerous opportunities for our seniors to stay active and engaged. South Cowichan Community Policing has an active role in the well being of our residents and our seniors. We offer programs like Block Watch, Friendly Phones, Speed Watch and many more and we welcome volunteers to be actively involved in them. BE ACTIVE! Bring your best self out and continue doing what you love or explore activities new to you. Let’s keep our amazing community safe and supportive for all.

Community Profile – New Sundrops Centre

There will soon be a new location for the SUNDROPS CENTRE for Child Development at 5814 Banks Road in Duncan. The new location will allow us to better assist children with developmental delays and provide support to families and caregivers in the Cowichan region. Our goal is to provide optimal services as we teach, learn and grow with our children, whether in our gym or therapy rooms, in preschool or at the playground . The new location will house a larger child development team, child care resource and referral program. It will also provide space for meetings and group interaction and offer services for healthy infant and child development.

Complex Health Issues need Complex Care

Complex Care that provides medically complex and specialized services is much needed in the community. This type of care is essential for individuals suffering from many chronic health issues and functional limitations. If you or your loved one is physically dependant with medical needs that require professional nursing care, it is time to look for a planned program that will retain or improve functional ability. When choosing complex care for a loved one, it is important to maintain their quality of life. Look for one with comfortable living space and an individual care plan with 24 hour support in place.

Are you Gambling Literate?

Being Gambling Literate goes beyond setting an entertainment budget to play games of chance such as lotteries, bingo, slots, cards or online poker. Gambling literacy, in the big picture, includes the ability to see its impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, communities and societies. On a personal level, gambling literacy invites us to develop personal and social skills to manage our behaviour and choices related to gambling. Gambling literacy involves more than winning or losing on a game of chance: It speaks to our complex relationships with money, skill and chance. Gambling is not a problem; it is our relationship to it that might be.

Air is Best When It’s Truly Free

We all have odors we could do without but masking pet odors with fake scents is not how nature intended us to breathe. Household air is already being inundated with unhealthy chemicals off-gassing from glues and building materials in your home. Fortunately there are healthier alternatives to freshen air. The use of naturally derived charcoals is one solution that will absorb pre-existing chemicals and eliminate odors to leave your space scent-free. The most absorbent charcoals come from sustainable bamboo or coconut shells. After use, they can be mixed into your garden soil to benefit your plant life. Charcoal is the natural choice to free your air of odors.