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Seniorlife
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www.gplawyers.ca / 587-254-6695
118 Main Street NE
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Keeping in touch
North Rocky View Community Links is helping local seniors remain connected to the world around them during this uncertain and isolating time.
The Keep in Touch volunteer phone call program was started in October 2020 and is modelled after a similar program created by
Volunteer Lethbridge.
“The program was created to address social isolation within the senior demographic,” says Sophie Miko, support services worker at
Community Links.
“Between March 16 and June 16, 2020,
Community Links received 188 requests for support from seniors in our community and on
average, provides support to 500 community members, aged 55 years and older, per year.”
Miko adds that through the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Community Links identified a number of seniors who were feeling increasingly isolated due to the restrictions.
“With seniors still being in a high-risk category, we know that these vulnerable members of our community will continue to experience feelings of isolation,” she says.
“This program is intended to provide an interim support to seniors in our community until they can safely re-engage with their regular social interactions.”
The program is funded through a Community Response Fund grant from the United Way and is a partnership with Volunteer Airdrie.
Airdrie nurse Angel McKay is a volunteer with the program, and she says that the benefits of Keep in Touch work both ways.
“I learn a lot from the senior I am paired with and it enriches my life as well. It’s a win-win and I look forward to the calls,” she says.
“It fulfils my need of being wanted and allows them to check in, and grounds them by talking about what day it is. They can share their stories and reminisce, talk about their family or just chat about the weather.”
The nurse of 37 years adds that it is also easier for the seniors who would normally not want to bother anyone to casually ask for help without feeling like they are imposing.
She says she talks to the man she is paired with once a week for about 20 minutes, but the frequency and duration of the calls is agreed upon between the volunteer and senior to fit their schedules and needs.
She adds that the program includes a handbook with tips and training and provides a ton of support to the volunteers.
Miko says Community Links has currently matched about seven seniors in the community with volunteers who are screened and trained.
“This is an amazing volunteer opportunity because it allows the volunteers to make a huge impact with limited time commitment,” says Miko.
“Previous work with seniors is not a requirement; just a willingness to develop a friendly, supportive relationship with the senior.”
If you are a senior who would like to receive a call each week or if you have a neighbour or family member whose days could be brightened, call Community Links at 403-945-3900. life
Respite stays available in a fully furnished suite.
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CHECK √ YOUR HEARING
YES NO
Do people seem to mumble or speak in softer voices than they used to?
Do you feel tired or irritable after a long conversation?
Do you miss key words or ask people to repeat themselves?
When you are in a group or a crowded restaurant is it hard for you to follow the conversation?
Do you often need to turn the volume up on the tv or radio?
Do you find it difficult to hear the doorbell or the telephone ring?
HOW DID YOU DO?
If you answered YES to any of these questions you might be experiencing some hearing loss and should have your hearing evaluated.
Golden age dreams can come true
BY JENNIFER HARBOUR
Proven Hearing Care from experienced providers. Locally Owned & Operated
403 980 4327
SuperiorHearingSolutions.com 103 – 44 Gateway Drive, Airdrie
Aging is full of many milestones and an array of emotional ups and downs. Some of these include education, first ‘grown-up’ job, marriage, home purchase, children, grandchildren, divorce and death of loved ones. The list of milestones and challenges varies from person to person.
For many seniors, one of the toughest is the transition into the golden age of retirement living. More often than not, the idea of selling a family home and moving into a retirement home represents defeat or loss of independence. Stereotypical retirement living comes with many preconceived notions of grey-haired old people rocking in their chairs watching time go by.
Society should change this perception. Our senior population should look forward to, celebrate and embrace this stage. The golden age of retirement should be a time of carefree dreaming and reflecting on the ups and downs while enjoying the opportunity to be pampered.
Older people want the option to age in place. Having control and choosing where you live; this is the best-case scenario. Those who wait too long and have rapid health decline end up having health care providers step in mandating level of care, and choose the home based on open beds.
‘Independent supportive living’ provides seniors in our community, in favourable health, the ability to age in place. Residents in this style of carefree retirement living are self-directed, manage activities of daily living, maintain their own mobility, exhibit good grooming/bathing habits and seek help as needed. Additional in-home care support, covered by Alberta Health Services, can be added when the time comes, allowing residents to remain in their current retirement community.
Suggestions to consider in preparing for this golden-age milestone:
Make a budget. What can you afford? What can you live with and not live without?
Meet with a lawyer. Is your will up to date; do you need a personal directive?
Simplify your life. Remove the clutter, whether material things or the clutter of the mind. It could be preventing you from making the choice to simplify your living situation.
Do your research. Not all independent living communities are the same. Some offer more supports/amenities than others.
Dream big! What could you do with all your free time? Independent supportive living means no more cooking, cleaning or home maintenance! What hobbies have you always dreamed of? You could have the time to make your dreams come true! life
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Your library!
Online, place holds from a vast selection of fiction and nonfiction titles, and computer games, DVDs, Blu-rays, and much more! From home, engage with literacy through Zoom and pre-recorded programming for children, youth, teens, adults, and
More Than BOOKS
families. imagine ... discover ... connect
Follow us on:
Airdrie Women
in Business
CONNIE LEMOINE GIDDYUPWESTERNWEAR.CA 403.948.3671
KEREN HILL
SOLE TO SOUL FOOTWEAR
KIM PURVIS
AURORA DECOR
AURORADECOR.COM
Big Sky Author Services is proud to present Airdrie Reads, with major media sponsor airdrielife magazine.
This summer, five Airdrie champions will each pitch a book written by an Alberta author to our panelists.
Only one will be crowned this year’s Airdrie Reads winner.
Combining a passion for books with the drama of reality TV, this online broadcast will inspire our city to read along and judge who they believe should win Airdrie Reads 2021.
“We are now accepting synopsis submissions for full-length (45,000-120,000 words) fiction and memoir books published by Alberta authors at airdriereads.ca,” says Tammy Plunkett, founder of Blue Sky Author Services. “The shortlist will be featured on our website and social media. The winning author and their book will be featured in a professionally written and photographed profile in airdrielife magazine and will also be highlighted on the shelves of several local stores.” Submissions close
April 15, 2021.
Plunkett advises everyone to stay tuned as they announce the champions, the panelists, the shortlist and the five competing titles on their social media pages: on Facebook at fb.com/AirdrieReads and @airdriereads on Instagram.
“This is a natural fit for us to promote reading,” says airdrielife publisher Sherry Shaw-Froggatt., “We look forward to helping to promote the program and featuring the winner in an upcoming issue.”
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