Community News
Benefits of Walking Poles

Nordic pole walking, developed in Finland in the 1990s, is now one of the most popular types of exercise for seniors. Walking poles used in pairs, help maintain the right balance and rhythm while walking. They are useful in reducing the risk of tripping, sliding and stumbling over small hazards and on uneven terrain. The benefits of urban pole walking, especially for seniors includes improved endurance, heart health, blood flow, strength, and resting metabolic rate. For people recovering from surgery or anyone with balance issues, pole walking can help you get moving again. Want to learn more about Walking Poles? Come for a free Walking Pole Seminar.

The Law of Attraction

Do you attract negative emotions, people, and events into your life? The Law of Attraction (LOA) states that the vibe you give out is the vibe you get back. If you are having negative feelings, you attract negative emotions, people and events. When you have positive feelings, then you attract positive emotions, people and events into your life. A Certified Body/Emotion Code Practitioner can help you release your negative feelings or unprocessed negative (trapped) emotions. This will help you attract positive vibrations and live a more joyful life. Complimentary consultations are available. Contact for details.

S.O.S – Christmas Program 2020

Christmas will look different this year for many families. The SOS Caring for Community at Christmas program will continue to help local families and individuals as it has done for more than 50 years, with community support. “We want to make sure that all local children and youth find a special gift under the tree, and we know many families and individuals will need help putting food in the cupboard over the holidays,” says SOS Christmas program coordinator, April Deleau. Please visit the SOS website to make a financial donation and to find gift drop-off times for the SOS Toy Shop.

Tips for Fall Prevention

November is Falls Prevention month. Falls are a real concern for older adults. The following tips can reduce your risk:*Get regular exercise and physical activity. *Have your medications reviewed by a physician or pharmacist as some medication combinations can cause dizziness that leads to falling. *Have your vision and hearing checked regularly. Poor vision and hearing are linked to increased risk of falls. *Make your home safer – remove tripping hazards, improve lighting and keep important items within reach. In the event that a fall happens, getting help quickly is important. Lifeline’s Auto Alert button provides help 24/7 and automatically detects falls.

Gambling Support Available 24/7

Covid 19 continues to disrupt our routines. BC casinos and gaming centres remain closed as per public health order closures. Consequently, online gambling platforms have experienced an increase in play. This shift may worsen risk factors including social isolation and increased substance use as well as an increase in use of credit to gamble. The Responsible & Problem Gambling Program remains committed to serving the people of BC 24/7. Our support services include outreach, education, and counselling services by phone, text, web chat, or in person, all of which are FREE of charge. We’re here for you, should gambling take a harmful turn.

Protect Against Hearing Loss

Are you protecting yourself from hearing loss? There are “Three Pillars” of hearing loss prevention. #1: Proactive Health Management – Diabetes and high blood pressure if not appropriately managed, may pose a risk to your hearing health. #2: Smart Buying Decisions -Products such as lawn mowers, leaf blowers and hair dryers can generate dangerous noise levels. #3: Protection from Noise -Protecting your hearing from noise is one of the easiest things you can do, and it doesn’t have to cost a lot. Inexpensive foam earplugs provide adequate protection in many noisy situations. These steps can go a long way to maintaining the quality of your hearing.

Let’s Celebrate Aging!

We often hear the negative about seniors in our society, rather than celebrating them. Seniors offer wisdom and life experience integral to the fabric of a vibrant community. They contribute by shopping, using services (keeping people employed), and paying taxes. Seniors volunteer and make more charitable donations than any other age groups do. Many organizations could not function without them. Additionally, they help with babysitting and caregiving for spouses and friends, ultimately helping others to successfully “age in place”. Take the time to acknowledge the contributions made by seniors. By making our community more age-friendly, we can all play a role in inspiring more intergenerational understanding and connection.

Renewing your Prescriptions

At the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, we offer FOUR Ways to renew your Medication, saving you time and ensuring that you never miss a dose. Our Medicine Shoppe Mobile App is simple, fast, and efficient for regular medication renewals. *Online Renewals – Ideal for long-term drug therapies and regular medication. Renew your medication, set automatic renewals and create reminders. *Medication Synchronization – Synchronize all multiple prescriptions at once. We will contact you once your prescriptions are due to renew. *Phone – call us to renew your prescription. We also offer curbside pick-up and home delivery, making access to your prescriptions easier than ever.

Shoulder Pain Relief

To eliminate the pain of frozen shoulder or rotator cuff injuries and to regenerate the joint, especially with osteo-arthritic elements; acupuncture and Prolozone injection therapy are my treatment protocols. Hypoxia or the inadequacy of cellular oxygen reaching the body’s tissues causes degeneration in the ligaments. Prolozone is excellent for all forms of musculo-skeletal and joint pain including chronic neck & back pain, rotator cuff injuries, degenerative, arthritic hips, knees, degenerated discs, shoulder and elbow pain. Because in many cases Prolozone actually corrects the pathology of the disorder, there is a 75% chance for the chronic pain sufferer to becoming permanently pain free.

Local Health and Wellness Resource

The internet is full of information. Did you know that there are two billion websites online? No wonder it can be difficult to find what you are looking for. We can help. The Wellness Hub powered by WellnessNews Choices for Healthy Living® is the go-to source for local health and wellness information on Central Vancouver Island. Find local business and health care practitioners, read health tips and find out what is happening in the community. Check us out online at www.CentralislandWellnessHub.ca.

Why Wear Compression Socks?

How much do you move during the day? If you spend a lot of time sitting, your calf muscles that usually help pump blood through your veins do very little. This can cause swelling and blood to pool in the lower legs. Standing all day can have the same effect. Walking is a great exercise to help the calf muscles do their job. Socks with compression squeeze your legs to move blood up your leg whether you are sitting or standing. Voxx Knee Highs offer gentle compression, are comfortable to wear and have HPT to help with pain, balance and stability.