Think you’d notice if you have impaired hearing? Think again.

Those with hearing loss are often the last ones to recognize it. Unless the impairment occurs through sudden physical or medical-related trauma, hearing loss generally occurs slowly over time. This gradual change presents itself as people mumbling, unclear voices, or difficulty hearing through background noise. Friends and family are usually the first to notice when they aren’t being heard, or when they are consistently asked to repeat themselves. You may be tempted to brush it off as selective hearing. But if those close to you have said they suspect you have a hearing loss, it’s time to get your hearing checked.

Do you lack energy? Do you become anxious or tense easily? Suffer from depression? Never before have our bodies been exposed to so many chemicals. Our psychological environment is changing. There is more traffic and less nature to balance our needs. Many people are struggling just to survive; with very few thriving well into their elder years. Nutritional and lifestyle changes can help decrease the effects on our brain and other areas of our body that accumulate oxidative stress and age us prematurely. We need to ensure our blood sugars are balanced, eat complex carbohydrates like legumes, lentils and healthy grains and smart fats like olive oils, free range eggs, salmon and coconut oil.

The feeling of safety and security in your home is now available wherever you might be! Whether in your home, walking to your mailbox or going on vacation, there are devices available that give you 24/7 access to help. These on-the-go devices, can send an alert when you press a button, sense when you fall and send an automatic alert, and provide direct, two-way communication with a 24/7 Response Center. They are designed to help locate the user in a variety of situations – home or away, indoors and out. It really is possible to get out there and enjoy life with peace of mind.

With the New Year upon us, this is the time we reflect on the past year and look forward to what we hope for the new year. Amidst the cliché resolutions to ‘stop procrastinating’, ‘eat healthy’ and ‘wake up early’ many of our hopes boil down to three simple things; health, family and happiness. This may mean looking for help to keep your elderly family members healthy and happy. Keeping loved ones comfortably in their own homes as long as possible alleviates some of the stress off the family’s primary caregivers allowing for more quality family time.

As a graduated BC Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) at Naturally Healthy Clinic, Cari is excited to offer therapeutic treatments to her patients. A thorough assessment and specific individual treatment plan will create the road to recovery. Modalities include myofascial release, trigger point pressure release, active stretching techniques, as well as Swedish massage. Cari aims to create a calm and relaxing environment to allow patients to rebalance and restore both body and mind. Direct billing to insurance companies will be available soon! Call Naturally Healthy Clinic (250) 755-4051 to book your appointment with Cari today.

The GAM Info Rep is a new service offered by the BC Responsible & Problem Gambling Program. GAM Info Reps are part of your Gaming & Gambling support services. Like any advisor, the GAM Info Rep is there to support you with your distinct needs every step of the way. Whether you need to inquire about counselling services, legal services, housing, community health, debt management or any other support service, the GAM Info Rep is there to help. Your GAM Info Rep on Central Vancouver island is Tracy Tsui. 778-386-9955 or toll free 1-888-558-2857.

The holiday season often brings about the feeling of “home” and family traditions. Your loved ones can still be part of the celebration even when they may not cognitively be able to take part in the festivities. The holiday season provides an opportunity to reminisce about special ornaments or decorations that have been set out for the special occasion. These items can help you share holiday memories with your loved one. This is also the time to bring out old photo albums so that you may re-live holidays past through pictures.

Prolozone and Inhalation Ozonide Therapies are excellent for any acute upper respiratory infection, such as sinus infections, bronchitis, flu, colds, and viral pneumonias. Both asthmatics and patients with chronic lung disease can use inhalation ozonide therapy. It is completely safe and ozonides can last for weeks in the human body. They stimulate your immune systems use to control and eliminate infections. They also increase the delivery of oxygen to the cells, which is critical for lung conditions. Then they stimulate the cells to generate more energy and that is the key to the vitality we all want to feel, in each breath.