Victoria Seniors Archives - Page 24 of 49

New Short-Term Respite Care

Respite care is part of the long-term care continuum, yet publicly funded respite care beds are limited in their availability and demand for them is growing. For this reason, Providence Living is exploring how to provide short-term, private-pay respite services at The Views at St. Joseph’s in Comox. This service will address the care gap for families who need respite for a loved one but don’t qualify for a publicly funded bed. The short-term respite program launched on June 05, 2023. This private room has its own sink and toilet, and the daily fee includes all meals, 24-hour nursing care, activities, outings, and much more.

Quick, Easy Relief from Fear and Anxiety

When in fear and anxiety our physical, emotional and mental experiences are uncomfortable and sometimes scary. These include a pounding heart accompanied with increased blood pressure, tightness in the chest and perhaps feeling trapped when in a panic attack. A simple and effective technique for relief is Straw Breathing. Position your lips as if you have a straw in your mouth. Take a deep breath through your nose. Very slowly exhale through your mouth maintaining the straw position. Repeat a comforting thought, simply, ‘I am safe’, to enhance the therapeutic effect. Repeat 5-6 times.

Senior Summer Safety Tips

Skin cancer is one of the most common and preventable forms of cancer. Apply SPF of at least 30 to 50—every two to four hours you are outdoors or riding in a car. Routinely wearing a quality pair of sunglasses protects the eyes from cataracts, a condition common among older adults. Look for a pair with a label showing they block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. As we grow older, the body doesn’t adjust to changes in temperature and humidity as quickly as in younger days. This puts seniors at higher risk for dehydration and sun-related illnesses, like heat stroke – so make sure to keep hydrated!

Cardio Testing at Home

Island Mobile Cardiology Testing offers 12-lead ECGs and Holter Monitoring in your residence, office or clinic on Southern Vancouver Island. When ordered by a physician, their services are covered by MSP. All test results are interpreted by a cardiologist. Their mission is to make cardiac testing accessible and convenient for all patients by eliminating barriers such as transportation, mobility and time. At Island Mobile Cardiology Testing, they strive to reduce stress and increase comfort for patients and caregivers.

Community Health Centres in Victoria

The Victoria Community Health Co-operative is currently offering Nursing services based on a
Community Health Centre model. Services are available at no cost with a BC MSP card.
We are located in Cook Street Village at #200-1075 Pendergast Street. In keeping with the
principle of community well-being, we are offering two wellness sessions in July;
to be held at the Cook Street Activity Centre located at #1 – 380 Cook Street.
*July 4: Bone Health from 1-2:30 pm and *July 19: Anxiety 101 from 10 to 11 am.
Please contact the centre with any questions or to book an appointment with a nurse.

Welcome to Summer

The summer heat has arrived! This is a great time to enjoy the outdoors and to explore our island. Check out the WellnessHub, your local, online Health and Wellness resource for information that can help you make the most out of summer. It features hundreds of health tips and articles along with a directory of local businesses and practitioners offering services and products. While you are checking out the WellnessHub, don’t forget to subscribe to receive a monthly email letting you know about events and our monthly contest. Enter our July contest for a chance to win a mobility walker.

Fresh Air & Exercise

One of the best things about living on Vancouver Island is having nature right in our backyard. Summer is a great time to take advantage of everything our island has to offer. Whether it is just a walk around the block or a hike up a mountain, the fresh air and exercise boost our well-being. So lace up your shoes and wear VoxxLife socks with HPT for enhanced balance and stability. Additional benefits include; enhanced pain relief and management, especially PDN pain and improved mobility.

Book Club: The Longevity Paradox

How to Die Young at a Ripe Old Age. by Dr. Steven R Gundry. In The Longevity Paradox, he maps out a new approach to aging well—one that is based on supporting the health of the “oldest” parts of us: the microorganisms that live within our bodies. Our gut bugs—the bacteria that make up the microbiome—largely determine our health over the years. From diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s to common ailments like arthritis and the appearance of our skin, these bugs are in the driver’s seat, controlling our quality of life as we age.