COVID-19 has impacted everyone’s life, including people who gamble. Although in-person gambling venues such as casinos and bingo halls have been closed, online gambling remains available 24/7, not only on the sanctioned BCLC site, but also internationally. Concerns about increased time and money spent online gambling have been top of mind in the helping community here at the BC Responsible and Problem Gambling Program. Our FREE services continue, including virtual options (telephone and videoconferencing) for counselling, outreach support as well as prevention and education. The Gambling Support Line (1-888-795-6111) remains available 24/7. Any other inquiries can be made at [email protected].
Your Choice of Skin Care Matters
Our skin is an organ that absorbs everything on it, passing it along through the bloodstream. This includes any skincare products we apply to our skin. Mainstream skincare and beauty products have a long shelf life and look and smell nice. However, most of them contain chemicals such as parabens, phthalates, synthetic colors, formaldehyde, fragrances and propylene glycol. These can trigger or exacerbate an array of problems including allergies, hormone disruption and can even act as irritants and carcinogens. When looking for skin care products, look for brands that are truly transparent and list ingredients you understand.
Keep Moving!
Daily movement is essential for physical and mental wellness especially during COVID-19 restrictions and isolation. Healthy movement can be as easy as a bike ride with your family, a walk on the beach, playing tag with the kids or doing your stretch routine. At minimum, keeping up a gentle movement routine such as stretching or prescribed stretches and exercises from your Physiotherapist is beneficial. Whatever movement you do, do what you love because that is what makes it worth doing!
Explore Parks and Trails in Nanaimo
The City of Nanaimo’s “Find the Golden Bucket Contest” is a great opportunity to explore our parks and trails and a chance to win some cool prizes. Each Wednesday, check our website, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (@nanaimoparksandrec) for a clue that will take you to a local park. Find the Golden Bucket Sticker in the park for a question about that park. Submit your answer for a chance to win weekly prizes and the grand prize of a Kayak Tour for you and four of your friends courtesy of Coastal Expression Adventure Centre. Contact us for more information.
Funerals During COVID-19
A funeral can be extremely difficult under the best of circumstances. Losing a loved one during a global pandemic adds another layer of challenge to loss that we couldn’t have previously imagined. With strict physical distancing mandates that limit the number of people who can gather, many wonder if you can even still have a funeral. The answer is yes, but by finding different ways to say goodbye. Funerals during COVID-19 are more personal and intimate. Many families view this funeral as the first act of memorialization and have postponed a more fulsome service until it is safe for a larger group to gather for a celebration of life.
Time to Clean Out the Medicine Cabinet?
Here are a few tip to clean up your Medicine Cabinet and other places where medication and vitamins are stored: *Gather all medications in one place. *Check the expiry date of each item. *Set aside any medications that you no longer take or has expired. *Set aside any medication that is not in its original container or whose appearance, consistency or odour has changed. Take all discarded mediations and vitamins to your pharmacist for safe and ecological disposal. Do not throw them into the waste basket, sink or toilet. The Medicine Shoppe can help with the cleanup process and disposal.
Profile: Wandering Pearl Dental Hygiene
At Wandering Pearl, we are operating and providing care under the directive received from The College of Dental Hygienists of British Columbia. We welcome clients of ALL ages into our super comfortable, friendly, modern clinic on wheels. It is a safe environment with no waiting room or shared spaces. We provide dental hygiene care including teeth cleaning, polishing, cavity prevention, oral hygiene education, whitening and so much more… all when and where it is convenient for you. We come to you.
Help at the Push of a Button
Falls are a real concern for older adults. The good news is that most falls are preventable. Seniors can lower their risks by changing risky behaviour, proactively managing their health, and safety proofing their homes. Talk to your primary care provider about a fall-risk evaluation. Ask yourself, if I were to fall tonight, how would I get help if I couldn’t reach the phone? A medical alert service ensures that you can access help 24/7 at the push of a button. Some services also offer automatic fall detection. It’s never too early to protect yourself before a fall. Take these precautions today to live more independently and confidently.
Community Profile: CBI Home Health
At CBI Home Health Care, the health and safety of our clients and staff is always our top priority. We are dedicated to reducing risk and following best practices while continuing to serve the clients who rely on us for treatment and support. Throughout the pandemic, our frontline teams in Home Health and Specialized Community Services have continued to provide in-person care to the clients who need us. We know how to do this, and do it safely. As we shift into a new phase in the pandemic, we are committed to providing the services our clients need in a way that is safe for them, for our staff and for our communities.
We Are Here For You
The BC Responsible and Problem Gambling Program continues to provide free services to citizens of British Columbia through this period. We are working to provide virtual options (telephone and videoconferencing) for the delivery of our services, including counselling and outreach support. For more information, please contact the Gambling Support Line at 1.888.795.6111 or email [email protected]. If you need to renew your VSE agreement, please contact BCLC’s Customer Support Centre at 1-866-815-0222. A BCLC Investigator will set new ‘temporary’ agreement renewal and contact you when venues are set to open to obtain your documentation.
Ingredients are Important!
Healthy-looking skin starts with products that are formulated with clean, effective, organic ingredients that hydrate, refresh & rejuvenate. The ingredients in organic beauty products set them apart from cheaper drugstore counterparts. *High concentrations of quality active ingredients vs inactive cheap fillers or harmful chemicals. *Quality active ingredients are listed first as ingredients are always listed in descending order, starting with the largest amount. *Higher concentration of active ingredients means less product is needed for each use. *Organic, clean products without chemical preservatives have an earlier expiration date. A long shelf life usually indicates fillers and harsh chemical preservatives.