Nanaimo Seniors Services Network 

2024 Health Talks

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11am Health Talk

Helping Others Through Life's Greatest Challenges

 

Dying, caregiving and grieving are three of life's greatest challenges. Everyone struggling with these challenges - regardless of age, means or culture - deserves support. Nanaimo Community Hospice Society offers compassionate support, education and advocacy for individuals and families living with advanced illness, dying and bereavement. Learn about the many Hospice programs and services available at no cost, how to help people live their best lives until they die, and how to help friends and loved ones cope with grief and bereavement. Become a source of light and hope for those around you.

 

Presenter:

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Sharon Welch, Executive Director,

Nanaimo Community Hospice

Society

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Sharon Welch has served as the

Executive Director of Nanaimo

Community Hospice Society

since October 2023. She holds a

Master of Leadership Degree and

the Chartered Professional in

Human Resources designation. Sharon's passion for inspiring community collaboration and enriching lives has been a theme in her career in the business, public, and not-for-profit sectors. Her work with Hospice is especially meaningful after the deaths of her father in 2011 and her mother in 2021. She believes that individuals should die with dignity, love and support from those around them, and she is honored to represent Nanaimo Community Hospice Society at this event.

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12 Noon Health Talk

Nutrition and Healthy Aging

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During this presentation, Laura will provide an overview of the importance of nutrition for healthy aging, common nutrition issues for seniors and strategies to support seniors in achieving their nutrition and healthy aging goals. Laura will also share reliable nutrition and health resources to support seniors in Nanaimo. Participants are encouraged to participate in the session, answering and/or asking questions.

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Presenter:

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Laura Dias, Public Health Dietitian,

Island Health - Population and

Public Health

Laura Dias is a Public Health

Dietitian with Island Health. She

is an experienced Registered

Dietitian who has been working in

public health nutrition for the last

8 years. In past roles, Laura’s

work has included a focus on

seniors, collaborating with peers on Falls Prevention projects. Laura is knowledgeable about the nutrition challenges seniors can face and about strategies to promote healthy aging.
 

 

1pm Health Talk

Doing your Taxes has its Benefits!
 

​An overview of Income tax, Benefits and Credits for those 65+. The information may appeal to those younger than 65 as well.

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​Presenter:

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Lance Vaillancourt, Outreach Officer, Canada Revenue Agency

 

Lance has been with the Canada Revenue Agency for 19 years. Prior to being with Outreach, he spent time a significant amount of his career in the Collections and Verification Branch. He has worked in T1 accounts, GST and payroll, as well as having personal experience with the Disability Tax Credit and other benefits available to Canadians.

 

2pm Health Talk

Overcome Loneliness and Isolation with Activities and Volunteering

 

Being active and volunteering has many health benefits. Learn about the benefits and how you can get involved with senior activities and volunteer opportunities.
 

Sendial Program, Thrifty Foods

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Sendial volunteers do the order taking and shopping for customers who, because of injury, frailty or other physical reason, can't easily get to our stores or shop independently.

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Labieux Senior Centre

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Learn about the many activities that are offered to members every day all year long.

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Silver Adventure Cafe, Volunteer Nanaimo

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The Silver Adventures Cafe engages seniors in a variety of free programs. Seniors socialize, meet new friends, try new things and have fun! Events include games days, guest speakers on relevant topics for seniors, bingo, craft days, teas, line dancing, service projects, a monthly cultural experience with a different country each month and music. 

 

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Elderdog Nanaimo

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Learn about Elderdog Canada and how you can help them to preserve the essential bond between dogs and their senior families. Elderdog Canada believes that we cannot call ourselves an age-friendly community unless we are able to “keep love in the home”.

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