Unlock your potential with the expertise of a kinesiologist—your movement specialist. Kinesiologists combine knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, and exercise science to assess and enhance your physical function, including strength, flexibility, posture, and balance. They go beyond the physical, addressing mental and emotional factors to support injury prevention, rehabilitation, and improved overall wellness. Whether recovering from a chronic injury or striving to move more efficiently, a kinesiologist provides personalized guidance and tools to help you live actively and pain-free. Take control of your health and performance with a kinesiologist by your side. Contact me for more information.
Community News
Profile: Ian Thompson, Senior Housing Professional
If you are considering downsizing, the first person you want to talk to is Ian Thompson, a Certified Senior Housing Professional. He is that rare combination of a professional REALTOR® who is a top-notch negotiator and a sales representative. His focus is on people who want to downsize. No matter the reason, Ian is focused on what is best for his clients. Many people who have spent years in their family home find the prospect of a move daunting. Ian understands how overwhelming such a move can be—and he knows exactly how to help people eat that proverbial elephant: one bite at a time.
Alzheimer’s and Isolation
Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease. It causes short- and long-term memory loss, difficulties with thinking and problem-solving, and changes in personality and mood. It’s usually progressive. Because of fear and lack of understanding of the personality changes, people with dementia can sometimes become isolated. There’s no cure, but Nanaimo Lifeline can help. We offer a daily check-in phone call service to help provide comfort to those who have lost social connections. It’s a small thing that means the world to many of our clients.
Hearing Loss and Balance
Hearing loss is one of several factors that can cause falls. Individuals who have even a mild degree of hearing loss are three times as likely to experience accidental falls. Studies have shown that wearing hearing aids improves balance compared to an individual who does not wear hearing aids but who has hearing loss. There are three major ideas for why hearing loss can affect our balance: 1) Hearing loss causes less awareness of our environment, which means less awareness of people or activities around us; 2) hearing loss decreases spatial awareness, which makes it harder to know where you are compared to your surroundings; and 3) hearing loss uses more brain energy, which means there is less energy for balance.
Quality Time All Year Long
Now that the holidays are over, many of us go back to our busy lives, so there is less time to spend with family. We have a compassionate challenge for you to keep an element of the “Holiday Quality Time” going throughout January and the rest of the year. We encourage you to see someone close to you with a bit more frequency than you did in 2024. A previous director of the Harvard Grant Study, a 75-year comprehensive study of adult development and happiness, said, “The only thing that matters in life is your relationship to other people.” (George Vaillant)
Interesting Ear Facts
Ears, beyond hearing, are remarkable for several reasons: *They aid balance, *get bigger throughout life due to natural aging and gravity, *are self-cleaning, *remain alert even during sleep, and *house delicate non-regenerating hair cells crucial for hearing. The ears also regulate pressure changes via the Eustachian tube and are connected to the nose and throat as part of an intricate system. Having two ears helps us figure out which direction sounds are coming from. If you or a family member are concerned about hearing loss, book a free consultation today.
Time to Reflect
Happy New Year! Another year has come, and, as always, the start of a new year brings about some reflection. Do you need some changes? Are you contemplating a move? Maybe you’re tired of the day-to-day chores of meal prep, cleaning and yard maintenance or you’re feeling somewhat lonely. If so, there are great options available. For independent living and assisted living, many retirement communities can cater to your interests, wants and needs. Book your tours to see what is available as far as retirement lifestyles go; it is never too soon to start exploring.
Keeping Busy in the Winter
Winter can be chilly and uninviting. As the days grow short and cold, excursions become tricky in the ice and cold. If there is nothing to do, evenings become long. Take this time to explore new things: read a new author and stretch your mind with a brain game; perhaps you prefer a puzzle, or you can learn an instrument! A home-care service can help you or your loved one stay home safely. They will get you to errands, help cook a lovely meal, or engage in some good old conversation—whatever is needed. We are happy to help.
Floss your Teeth for a Cleaner Mouth
Do you floss your teeth? Flossing is an activity that you should not neglect. It is as important to floss every day as it is to brush your teeth. Brushing alone can’t reach the bacteria in the tight spaces between your teeth and under the gum line. Proper flossing helps remove the plaque and debris that adhere to your teeth and gums. It also helps to control bad breath by removing the decaying food that may be stuck between your teeth. Make it a habit to floss at the end of the day. Your mouth will be cleaner, and your dental hygienist will praise you.
Yaga at Western Edge Theatre
She’s more than just a wicked old witch. Baba Yaga is a legend, usually known as that elderly woman who lives alone in the woods and grinds the bones of the wicked. But what if she was a sexy, smart, modern woman operating off of morally ambiguous motives? This genre-bending, comedic fairy tale meets a thrilling whodunit and gives voice to an antihero of epic proportions while interrogating how her story has historically been told by men. From now on, you’ll remember the name Baba Yaga for the right reasons.
Volunteer Opportunities
Are you looking for fulfilling volunteer opportunities? Nanaimo Lifeline has three volunteer positions open! We are part of the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation, and our volunteers give back to healthcare in Nanaimo and Oceanside. 1) Home Service Representative: You provide hands-on service to our Lifeline clients, performing installations and work orders. 2) Check-In Caller: social phone calls to clients from the comfort of your home! This program alleviates social isolation in seniors. 3) Office Volunteer: Help us in the office with filing and inventory processing. Please contact Nanaimo Lifeline to find out more or to volunteer.
