INSPIRED 55+ lifestyle magazine
MARCH 2019
ACTOR CYNTHIA DALE RENOVATE TO MAKE YOUR HOME SMARTER THOUGHTS FROM THE TRENCHES OF ONLINE DATING ADVENTURE AWAITS YOU IN COSTA RICA
Inspiration for people over 55
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Ask our residents:
Life is beautiful here. Connie is a prolific artist who shares her passion by inspiring fellow residents.
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Shot on location in Connie’s studio in Peninsula at Norgarden
Independent and assisted living choices for today’s senior
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Visit us online at www.bcperio.ca INSPIRED | MARCH 2019
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Cynthia Dale: Entertainment’s Triple Threat by John Thomson Now, Adventure! by Lorne Peasland Smart Home at Your Service by Diana Wing A Love of Grandparenting by Kate Robertson Swipe Left by Toni O’Keeffe I Walk Alone by Cal Smith Lessons from a Cat by J. Kathleen Thompson Laughing for Life by Marcel Strigberger Adventure Awaits in Costa Rica by Shannon Nichols
FOREVER FIT 32 REBOOT 33 FAMILY CAREGIVER 34 MARKETPLACE 35 COURAGEOUS & OUTRAGEOUS
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INSPIRED 55+ lifestyle magazine
Cover CYNTHIA DALE Singer, dancer, actor (stage & screen), painter and now producer, but her greatest role of all is mother. Photo Courtesy of CBC (Photo by Matt Barnes Photography) 4 2
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Publisher Barbara Risto Managing Editor Bobbie Jo Reid editor@seniorlivingmag.com Office Assistant Shannon Nichols 250-479-4705 office@seniorlivingmag.com Advertising Sales Kathie Wagner 250-479-4705 x 103 Head Office 3354 Tennyson Ave., Victoria, BC V8Z 3P6 | 250-479-4705 Subscriptions (12 issues): $33.60 includes GST, S&H. Canadian residents only. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. INSPIRED Magazine is an independent publication and its articles imply no endorsement of any products or services. The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher. Advertisers and advertising agencies assume liability for compliance with all copyright laws related to materials they submit for publication. INSPIRED Magazine is distributed free throughout British Columbia by Stratis Publishing Ltd. 12 issues per year. ISSN 2562-1041 (Print) ISSN 2562-105X (Online)
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INSPIRED | MARCH 2019
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Cynthia Dale on the set of the 2019 reboot of CBC’s Street Legal. Photo: Courtesy of CBC (Photo Credit: Matt Barnes Photography)
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CYNTHIA DALE: ENTERTAINMENT’S TRIPLE THREAT by JOHN THOMSON “I’m the lowly producer. That’s what they call me. I’m learning.” Actor Cynthia Dale, well-known for her mastery of stage, screen and television, reflects on her new role. Not only is she the lead in CBC’s reboot of Street Legal, a Canadian classic that ran on the network from 1987 to 1994, but she is also one of the show’s producers. “It means I have a say. I’m allowed to make comments on the script and the tone of the story line. I’m the one of the four producers who was there back in the day, and so, in that sense, I feel that I come to it with my heart full of that experience. And that’s a good thing to have as one of the producers.” It’s satisfying to have some control over such a familiar character, but the actor is not letting power go to her head. “At this age, you know when to defer to other people who know more than you,” she laughs. “The writer and the show runner and the executive producer all know
more than me, and I’m happy to defer to them and so it’s a wonderful, collaborative team effort.” Back in the day, Street Legal was a ratings champion for the network as Sonja Smits, C. David Johnson and Eric Peterson wrestled with the machinations of working in a downtown Toronto law office. Some called it the Canadian version of LA Law. Cynthia joined the cast in season three as Olivia Novak, an opinionated firebrand who quickly became an audience favourite. The idea of a reboot, which debuts later this month, started as a casual luncheon date between Cynthia and CBC’s General Manager of Programming Sally Catto in 2017. “We were just having a professional business lunch together,” says Catto “and during that lunch Cynthia and I got into a conversation about how women past a certain age really don’t see themselves reflected enough on television and how, for an actor, there aren’t many roles for women over 40. That really stuck with me. I thought she was exactly right.” Catto pondered the discussion. “I thought what would Olivia Novak be doing today? INSPIRED | MARCH 2019
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Snapshot with Cynthia Dale If you were to meet your 20-year-old self, what advice would you give her? “I wish I had gone to university. I would like to believe I will eventually go as a very elder student. I would really like to do that in my life, just to sit and learn. I wish that I had done more when I was younger than just thinking [show] business was the be all and end all. I wish, at the time, I’d known that you can do other things in life. It took me a long time to learn that lesson.” Who or what has influenced you the most and why? “I don’t have one. I can’t really say. There are too many. I take full responsibility for what I did and who I am and what I did as a kid. Did my mom push me and was she a Mama Rose in a way? Absolutely, but I allowed it to happen and I was happy it happened and thank God it did.” What are you grateful for? “I’m grateful for what I do have and what I don’t have. I don’t have lots of things that lots of people have to deal with, homelessness or cancer or any of those things. It keeps me mindful.” What does success mean to you? “It’s not about success in the business for me. It just means being able to live with your choices, even if that means not ever performing again. If [Street Legal] doesn’t work, if the audience doesn’t react to the show, I absolutely, 100 per cent, believe that every person who’s worked on it has done it with complete integrity and I will be able to walk away with my head and my heart held high.” | 8
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Who would she be today? What would that series look like today? I spoke to Cynthia about it. Was it something that would interest her? She said, yes, and it went from there.” “It took me about 10 minutes to get my jaw up off the floor,” recalls Cynthia. “Not once in the 25 years since the show ended did I ever, ever, ever think this was a possibility. It wasn’t anything I ever dreamed about. I am so happy to be doing it.” A team was assembled, and scripts prepared. Although the new show places Olivia at another firm, her former boss, Leon Robinovitch played by Eric Peterson, will be joining her in certain episodes. It’s familiar territory for the TV veteran, but it’s scary too. “I could hardly get through the first day,” she says. “It’s all overwhelming. I’m 58 years old and to jump in at this point in my life and show up on set and put my face out there and my talent out there in the role I did that long ago, I have to be brave all the time.” Cynthia’s story begins in the Toronto suburb of Etobicoke. Her father was a car dealer. Her mother, she fondly recalls, was “a bit of a Mama Rose,” referring to the stereotypical stage mother in Gypsy. Her mother prepared Cynthia and her older sister, Jennifer, for a life in showbiz. “Mama” obviously saw something in her offspring. She began performing early, at age five, in the stage production of Finian’s Rainbow at the Royal Alexandria Theatre. Her mom pushed hard, but if Cynthia resents being thrust into the limelight at an early age, she doesn’t show it. “Yes, you have a mother who will facilitate and help you get into auditions, but you’re the one that has to learn the songs or perform or deal with the kids at school who beat you up because you’re different from them,” she says. “You stick with it through your teenage years when everybody’s going off to parties and you’re going off to dance classes. That’s okay. I’m not
complaining. That’s just what life is if you stick with it.” And Cynthia stuck with it. “I think you’re born with it. I think you’re born with talent,” she continues. “You can’t teach talent. You can hone it, you can sharpen it, you can refine it, but you can’t teach it. That’s the spark in the depth of your soul. That spark to be an actor can’t be taught. I think it’s just there.” Persistence paid off. In the 1970s and early ’80s she appeared in a variety of stage and film roles. Her first Stratford Festival appearance was in 1983 as part of the chorus for The Mikado and The Gondoliers. In 1986, she played chorus girl Linda English in the Tarragon Theatre production of Pal Joey for which she received a Dora Mavor Moore Award. She became known as entertainment’s triple threat, proficient in singing, dancing and acting. And then, Street Legal. Her sister, too, was finding success in the entertainment world. While Cynthia was shooting Street Legal, Jennifer was making her own mark, appearing in E.N.G., another Canadian milestone, this one for the rival CTV network. “I think we’re probably role models for each other,” says Cynthia. “I think we’re support systems for each other. We were never competitive. Never. We never went out for the same parts.” When Street Legal ended in 1994, Cynthia returned to the stage, appearing as the lead in numerous Stratford Festival productions. Guinevere in Camelot, Liza in My Fair Lady, Edythe in My One and Only. And dramas too. Annie in The Miracle Worker and Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. After Stratford, a dry spell. And then her fortunes changed again. In 2012, she was invited to appear in the Stratford production of 42nd Street. Today, Cynthia happily gets on with her life between engagements. She and husband, Peter Mansbridge, call Stratford, Ontario home. (She has a star on the Stratford Walk of Fame.) They also maintain a residence in Toronto. Their 19-year-old son, William, attends the University of Toronto. Although Peter
has officially retired as the anchor of CBC’s The National, Cynthia says life at home is pretty much the same as it’s always been. “I don’t understand the concept of retirement. It’s just not a thing in my life,” she says defiantly. “It’s a very archaic concept to retire. It’s something our parents did 40, 50 years ago. People don’t retire anymore. They just do ‘other’ and that’s what Pete’s doing. He’s doing ‘other.’” That means producing documentaries for the CBC. And playing golf. “He’s not around all the time. Things haven’t changed that much,” she says. As for Cynthia, “other” means serving on the Board of the Eclipse Theatre Company, a “site-responsive” musical theatre company based in Toronto. Their 2019 season opener, Kiss of the Spider Woman, will play in Toronto’s Don Jail, a suitable venue for the story of an incarcerated Brazilian and his fantasies. It also means oil painting, primarily landscapes and flowers, which she gives to her friends as gifts. And charity work. “I’m the honorary chair of the new hospice that’s being built in Stratford, which is very close to my heart because I lost my mother recently. I’ve done lots of cancer work and AIDS work.” She has also recorded three albums of show tunes, available online through her website www.cynthiadale.com. She records because she enjoys it. “I will always sing. I love to sing. It’s part of breathing to me.” Cynthia believes in living life to its fullest. “As far as life filling me up, it fills me up by taking a walk on the beach. I’m a huge reader. That fills me up. I play cards with my boy. That fills me up. I dig in my garden. That fills me up. Those things I’m aware of jumping into and getting every single bit of life out of them that I can.” And in frequent moments of self-reflection, she gives thanks for life’s little things, as well as for the professional opportunities that have come her way.
“It’s not a mental exercise, it’s a heart exercise,” she says. “It’s a spiritual exercise. I couldn’t get through the day without being grateful for the milk I put in my coffee, without being grateful for the roof over my head. I’m grateful for having the parking spot be available exactly where I’m looking for a parking spot. It’s that simple and it’s that constant. It happens at every moment of the day. It’s been that way
evolved person. She’s deeper and richer. Time doesn’t really change anyone. Maybe some of the edges get a little softer, but, at the same time, things get more entrenched. Wrinkles get deeper both inside and out. I think we’re leaning into the edge of what she was before.” Olivia may be as feisty as ever – it makes for compelling drama – but the actor herself has found a balance.
Cynthia Dale as Olivia Novak on the set of Street Legal. Photo: Courtesy of CBC (Photo Credit: Eric Myer)
for most of my life.” Which brings us back to that luncheon meeting and the Street Legal reboot. “The thing that struck me during that conversation was how authentic Cynthia was and how important it was to look her age, to be who she is and to be comfortable in her own skin,” recalls Sally Catto. And if Cynthia is comfortable in her own skin, the result of the wisdom that comes from a rich and productive life, will she play Olivia as a kinder, gentler person? “God no, why would we want to do that?” she laughs. “She’s a more
“I’m an actor. I’m a performer. This is my life, but if I weren’t working, it would be okay. Yes, I love my job. Yes, I’m so happy to be doing this, but those four years I wasn’t at the Stratford Festival were fantastic years. Lots of other things happened. I got to travel to places I would never have been able to visit had I been at the Festival. Those things, those life lessons outweigh any part, any song, any series in the world. The best role of my life is mother. That’s the best part I’ve ever done and will continue to do. I’d give my career up in a friggin’ heartbeat for anything in my life that was more important.” | INSPIRED | MARCH 2019
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NOW, ADVENTURE! by LORNE PEASLAND “Ima Bōken!” Now, adventure! Those words echo everlastingly in my mind every time I think about where I’ve been, what I’ve seen, and the adventures lurking in my next visit to the place I call my second home, Japan. It’s a phrase I use with my Japanese “family,” hotel desk clerks, the people I meet – even roaming television news reporters – every chance I get. It was late October. We were in Zao, a small onsen (hot spring) resort town set in the foothills of Mt. Zao, a 1,759-metre-high dormant volcano, and the famous bluegreen-aquamarine colour-shifting waters of its Crater Lake, less than two hours by bus or car from Sendai, the capital of Miyagi prefecture and hometown of my best friend in Japan. Under sunny 20 degrees skies on the way there, we stopped at a chrysanthemum show in Sibata Town, where I hated to leave after an hour; then a local farmer’s field where the group picked all the daikon they could carry in one bag for ¥1000 (roughly $10); a rose garden to die for on the outskirts of Zao; and Japan’s renowned kokeshi doll museum, where I made one, painted it, and packaged it for the trip home. We’d finished a lavish dinner, soaked in the hot waters of the sex-separated onsens, played our way through the hotel’s games arcade, listened to a jazz band performing in the lobby and returned to one of our rooms to enjoy a few drinks and conversation. But I wasn’t ready to retire when the rest of them were, so I returned to the men’s onsen for a late-night warm and wet meditation. The bath was empty, and after a long and peaceful soak in the lava-rock-edged pool with its bamboo fencing, I headed back to the dressing room. My yukata (robe), towel and hotel-provided surippa (slippers) had disappeared from the woven willow basket in their 10 8
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cubby. There wasn’t another towel in the entire room, not even on or under the massage table. I had only the key to my room on a hotel wristband. It was midnight. Nine metres down the hallway from the dressing-room doorway, the entrance to the hotel’s nightclub threatened exposure of embarrassing proportions if I dashed for the elevators, nine metres beyond. In front of the elevators I was exposed to the front desk. A shrug of the shoulders, several quick steps, and I was past the club’s doorway – thank God for no doorman. A few leaps later, I pressed the elevator button. Dang! It dinged! Alert, as they always are in Japan, the front desk’s night clerk snapped a look my way. Her eyes almost popped out of her head. The elevator’s door opened. Two couples, elegantly dressed for the club, each took a step back. “Gomen nasai,” I said, and bowed. “Watashi yukata, nusuma reta,” or, as closely as I could, “I’m sorry, my robe was stolen.” One of the ladies pressed the “Open Door” button. The others took a step out and I quickly took their place. Before I could push the button for my floor, the lady keeping the door open looked me straight in the eye and quickly said something over her shoulder. Emphatically.
ABOVE LEFT | Attending the wedding of new friends is one of many adventures the author encountered in Japan. ABOVE RIGHT | The author on his favourite ride. TOC PAGE | Visitors and locals pick daikon. Photos: Lorne Peasland
Quick nods and a hurried ‘hai’ from her companions, and without unlocking her eyes from mine said, “Join us when you are dressed. We are sorry.” She released the button, stepped out to join the others, and they all bowed as the elevator door mercifully closed. Twenty minutes later, I walked into the bar. She was watching for me, as the group talked and tapped their fingers on the table in time to the karaoke performer’s rendition of the Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction.” Her hand moved horizontally across the table and her friends stopped what they were doing and turned to me. I bowed. They stood and bowed. And, as one, waved me over. Heads turned to this gaijin (foreigner, to put it politely). Walking past their tables to join my hosts and newfound friends required only a slight bow or nod to those whose eyes met mine. But there’s more to it than that. At my new friends’ table, introductions were made, thanks were given, and we started the alternating rounds (never on me, they insisted) of sake, wine and Nikka whiskey – one of my favourite scotches, created in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru and his Scottish wife, Rita. The company’s original “factory,” as they call it, is in Otaru, about 50 minutes by local express train, west of Sapporo, and has a great tasting room. But I digress, in the name of scotch. Conversations about backgrounds, careers, cultural differences, my favourite things about Japan and where I’d visited, and their own travels (none to Canada) soon turned to suggestions one of us should perform a little karaoke. They all looked at me. My hands went up. “Kekkodesu. Kudasai. No, thanks. Please.” I didn’t miss Naoko, sitting beside me, turning to the table behind us. “Rokatari,” she said, “Canada.” While I laughed in my mind, I still got that sinking-belly feeling. The people at our table politely held out their hands, palms up, as they nodded towards what served as a stage – a raised platform about the size of a door. Then they stood. What to do? Bow? Yeah, that too. I held out my hands, palms up, and within seconds felt them take the tablet computer with which I was helped to scroll down the list of songs from which I might pick my embarrassment. We stopped at W. I’d had enough sake and scotch to make me think this was simply a retreat to a part of my past I love dearly, and I knew the song: Deep Purple’s “Woman From Tokyo.” Call me a ham. Whatever. Half a minute later, with my audience nodding to the punchy five-note bass intro, I surprised myself. I knew the words were on the big-screen television in front of me, but I didn’t care. I knew them. Been there, done that. “Fly into the rising sun, Faces, smiling everyone Yeah, she is a whole new tradition I feel it in my heart My woman from Tokyo….” It was like I’d never left the stage. Almost. I’m getting older. But history doesn’t rest. |
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Maritimes Coastal Wonders; featuring the Cabot Trail Sept 8-19, 2019 | 12 Days Join Bob and Teresa as they host this Collette Vacations tour of the Maritimes. Highlights: Halifax, Peggy’s Cove, Cape Breton Island, Cabot Trail, Prince Edward Island, Anne of Green Gables Museum, Hopewell Rocks, Fundy Trail & Lunenburg. Book before March 8, 2019 to save $100pp. $5,759 Cdn pp dble occ. $7,169 Single. Price includes, Round trip air from Vancouver, Hotel Transfers, taxes and fees. accommodations. Limited seats.
OTHER TRIPS • Alberni Inlet & Pacific Rim Park June 11-13, 2019: 3 Days January 5-24, 2020 • Oregon Coast, June 23-27: 5 Days 20 Days including a 16 night Panama • Olympic Peninsula & Washington Canal Cruise on Holland America’s MS Rotterdam from San Diego to Fort Coastline, July 21-24: 4 Days • Kettle Valley Steam Train and the Lauderdale. This is more than just Okanagan, August 17-19: 3 Days a cruise! Fly into San Diego 2 days • Butchart Gardens & Miracle on ahead of the cruise and stay in Fort 34th St. December 4-6: 3 Days. Lauderdale post the cruise for a city tour and air boat ride in the Everglades. • Leavenworth and Warm Beach Theatre: December 12-15: 4 Days Book early for choice of staterooms.
Panama Canal Cruise
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INSPIRED | MARCH 2019
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SMART HOME AT YOUR SERVICE by DIANA WING “Hey Google, I’m Home” triggers a routine that switches on the lights, your favourite tunes, and starts the tea kettle. Who doesn’t love an intelligent assistant ready to spring into action at the utterance of a command? Smart-home technology has come a long way from the clapper light and first-generation, self-propelled vacuum cleaners. Now, you can control hundreds of home devices through home automation hubs or apps on your smart phone. Designed to make your life easier, smart devices will cost a few (or more) dollars upfront, but the savings and convenience may well be worth it. Which smart home devices are right for you? Consider your needs and priorities. 12 10
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And check out these examples of smart home products – at your service. SMART SECURITY AT YOUR FRONT DOOR Feel safer and more secure with devices like the Ring Video Doorbell. This 180-degree, high-definition camera and powerful microphone feed live video to your phone or tablet, allowing you to communicate with your visitor – whether you are home or not. Even if someone isn’t at the door, the infrared motion sensors pick up activity around your property, allowing you to monitor what’s going on now – or in the past. Pair a smart video doorbell with a smart lock that can
make clunky keys unnecessary. With the popular August Lock, you can control door locking from an app on your phone. It also has a proximity sensor, locking as you gain distance away from your home and conveniently unlocking the door when you’re within about 20 feet of it. Some smart locks have key pads. You customize a master four-digit code for yourself and members of your family. For visitors, such as dog-walkers, cleaners or tradespeople, who you may need to access to your home when you’re not there, you can customize a separate code, which can be deactivated once the job is done to avoid unauthorized re-entry. That way, your master code can remain unchanged. For detailed security monitoring in and around your home, choose from an array of indoor and outdoor security cameras by Arlo, Nest and Hive. With most, via a subscription, you can live-stream video 24/7 with night vision – and you can retrieve historical video clips for ultimate home security and peace of mind.
University hearing study seeks participants.
Connect Hearing, with hearing researcher Professor Kathy Pichora-Fuller at the University of Toronto, seeks participants who are over 50 years of age and have never worn hearing aids for a hearing study investigating factors that can influence better hearing. All participants will have a hearing test provided at no charge and if appropriate, the clinician may discuss hearing rehabilitation options including hearing aids. Qualifying participants may also receive a demo of the latest hearing technology. The data collected from this study will be used to further our understanding of hearing loss and improve life-changing hearing healthcare across Canada. Why participate in the hearing study? Hearing problems typically result from damage to the ear and researchers have spent decades trying to understand the biology behind hearing loss. More importantly, researchers now realize the need to better understand how hearing loss affects your everyday life*. In this new hearing study,
Professor Pichora-Fuller and her team are trying to find out how people learn to live with hearing loss and how new solutions could help these people take action sooner and live life more fully. It is estimated that 46% of people aged 45 to 87 have some degree of hearing loss1, but most do not seek treatment right away. In fact, the average person with hearing loss will wait ten years before seeking help2. This is because at the beginning stages of hearing loss people often find they can “get by” without help, however as the problem worsens this becomes increasingly harder to do. For some people this loss of clarity is only a problem at noisy restaurants or in the car, but for others it makes listening a struggle throughout the entire day. By studying people who have difficulty hearing in noise or with television, we hope to identify key factors impacting these difficulties and further understand their influence on the treatment process.
LIGHT, HEAT AND COOL WHILE HOME OR AWAY Whether summer or winter, it’s If you are over 50 years of age and have never worn hearing aids, you can register to be a part of this new hearing study† by calling: 1.888.242.4892 or visiting connecthearing.ca/hearing-study. wise to have control over the lighting and temperature in your home. Smart thermostats by Nest or Honeywell allow you to adjust optimal tem* Pichora-Fuller, M. K. (2016). How social psychological factors may modulate auditory and cognitive functioning during listening. Ear and Hearing, peratures using an app on your smart 37, 92S-100S. † Study participants must be over 50 years of age and have never worn hearing aids. No fees and no purchase necessary. Registered under the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC. VAC, WCB accepted. 1. Cruickshanks, K. L., Wiley, T. L., Tweed, T. S., Klein, B. E. phone. Good for the environment K., Klein, R, Mares-Perlman, J. A., & Nondahl, D. M. (1998). Prevalence of Hearing Loss in Older Adults in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin: The Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study. Am. J. Epidemiol. 148 (9), 879-886. 2. National Institutes of Health. (2010). and great for your wallet since you’ll see energy savings almost instantly. The Nest Learning Thermostat is so named as it literally CREATION learnsDATE: your temheart17, 2018 2:54 PM OUTPUT DATE: 08/20/18 10/20/17 MODIFICATION the August PROOF # 1 In DATE: k St perature preferences throughout the of Coo Hearing APPROVALS Prod Mgr.: CG e DOCKET #: 111150561-23 CLIENT: CHCA DESCRIPTION: Study Ad September Delicious Meals Villag Producer: day and programs itself, so you don’t Served each evening FILE NAME: 111150561-23_CHCA_Study_Ad_September_4.75 x 7.25_COL 2.indd Acct Exec.: CK have to do it. Accounts: Convenience TRIM: 4.75” x 7.25” BLEED: 0" Art Director: -Invite or keep out natural light Cook Street Village & Community Centre Copywriter: IMAGE RES: 300 dpi Copywriter: right around -the corner at the click of a button with smart Senior Copywriter: NOTES: Support Assoc. Creative Dir.: -blinds or shades. Software: The clear benefit of Art Director: & heavy laundry Weekly housekeeping InDesign C M Y K SPOT Creative Dir:done for--you motorized blindsVersion: is theCCconvenience ACD/CD: – control them remotely, whether #600 or – 1085 Homer Street, Vancouver BC, V6B 1J4 | p: 604 647 2727 | f: 604 647 6299 | www.cossette.com Operator: Security SK PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK FOR ACCURACY. 24 hour CPR trained support staff & in not you are home. Some motorized PLEASE NOTE: Colour lasers do not accurately represent the colours in the First Responder monitoring finished product.suite This proof is strictly for layout purposes only. Condominiums blinds are getting even smarter as are available to they can respond not only to your 1070 Southgate St Victoria BC • www.mintonhouse.ca own or rent Inquiries: 250 380-4977 mintonhouse@shaw.ca inputs, but also to changes in weather
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and the amount of sun your home receives. If there’s direct sunlight, the blinds will automatically close, keeping your home cooler, giving you more energy savings – and a more comfortable home to return to. Smart blinds also make your home safer by eliminating the need for long pull cords that can be a danger to pets and young children. What if you’d like automation, but you’re happy with the blinds or shades you already have? Simply automate them with a kit such as My Smart Blinds and you can have the best of both worlds. You can also take control of artificial lighting in your home. To help you get a good night’s rest, try a self-dimming light bulb such as Drift. With two flicks of the switch, this light gradually dims like a sunset to create ideal lighting conditions to drift off to sleep. Then, wake up to a gentler alternative to a screaming alarm clock or radio. The Phillips Wake Up light slowly brightens your room, offering a variety of pleasant accompanying sounds to gently wake you.
KEEPING YOU AND YOUR HOME SAFE Smart cameras and doorbells may be the “eyes and ears” of your home, but the items that can keep you and your family safe inside are smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. And you guessed it – they’ve gotten a lot smarter, too. A popular one is the Nest Protect, which is a self-monitoring smoke and carbon monoxide detector and alarm. One of the best features is that when it detects some smoke from broiling, indoor grilling or burnt toast, it will not automatically sound that eardrum-piercing alarm. Instead, you will hear a voice alert and, if everything is okay, you can wave your hand at the alarm and it will shut off. However, if it detects carbon monoxide or thick smoke, the alarm will immediately sound, alerting you to imminent danger. So, what about electrical devices that aren’t smart – can they be made safer and more convenient? Absolutely! You never have to wonder or worry about whether you turned off that flat iron again. Just use a smart plug like the Belkin Wemo Mini and you can turn small appliances on and off
Choose a system based on ease of use and compatibility to smart devices you already have, or wish to integrate into your smart home.
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using an app on your tablet or phone. Plus, this ultra smart plug works with most automation hubs like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Home kit. And if you’re a frequent traveller, most smart plugs have an “Away” mode that you can program to automatically turn lights and appliances on and off to mimic the look and feel of someone being home. Smart technology can safeguard your health as well. If you or a loved one takes several medications, a smart medication dispenser can literally be a life saver. These devices dispense the exact prescribed dose on schedule. At the same time, it will provide an audio alert to prompt you to take the medication. The schedule and doses taken are monitored through an app on your smart phone. In addition to dispensing medication, The HelloIamSpencer device is also a hub, connecting pharmacist to caregiver and family members, creating an informative and supportive health network. BETTER TOGETHER: HOME AUTOMATION HUBS Bridge all smart devices together into a central home automation system – for ultimate convenience. With so many options, selecting one system that works best for you is an important decision. WinkHub 2 and Samsung SmartThings are hubs that manage multiple smart products with one app. Apple HomeKit connects your smart home devices and enables you to control them with commands to Siri or through the Home app on
your iOS tablet or smart phone. Smart speakers like Amazon Echo and Google Home are popular hubs since they wake and activate on voice commands such as “Alexa” or “Hey Google.” In addition to controlling your devices, Amazon Alexa excels at helping you build shopping lists, and Google Home finds information instantly for you through Google Assistant. These are also wireless speakers that will stream music or podcasts on command. Since smart speakers have a microphone, some people are concerned about privacy fearing the device is “always listening.” However, the companies emphasize that the devices are designed to activate only when the wake commands are spoken. For added privacy, mute buttons are also available. Since no system is perfect, choose based on ease of use and compatibility to smart devices you already have, or wish to integrate into your smart home. For making your home smarter, there’s no shortage of choices. Smart products and systems are widely available in big box stores and online in various price ranges. Research your options and pick the devices that suit your needs and priorities. In the long run, you’ll save money and enjoy the convenience and peace of mind from monitoring your devices remotely. Best of all, wherever you are, your smart home will be ready to transform your wishes into its commands. |
INSPIRED | MARCH 2019
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A LOVE OF GRANDPARENTING by KATE ROBERTSON The bond between grandparents and grandchildren can often be a special one. No one knows that better than Pauline Daniel, author of Tuesdays with Jack, a compilation of memoirs and reflections of her time spent with her grandson, Jack. Pauline, a life coach who lives in BC’S Kootenay Mountains, hadn’t intended to publish a book, but when she started making regular posts on her Facebook page about her weekly dates with Jack, her friends and followers enjoyed them so much they encouraged her to write it. The seed was planted. “I am a ‘follow your heart’ woman,” Pauline says. “It’s how I live and work. It was a desire that wouldn’t go away when I started thinking about it, even though I knew nothing about writing a book. I had written articles for my coaching column in our local newspaper, but nothing more. I believe a desire to do something fuels us, and it is so important, it is tied to life force and purpose. This can happen at any age and it is meant to be trusted, even though it feels scary and out of our depth.” Pauline went on to find a coach and an editor that helped her develop the perfect formula for her book. In Tuesdays with Jack, Pauline writes about their Tuesday activities, the day she babysits Jack when his parents are at work, and some lovely snippets of conversations exude the naïve wisdom only children possess. On a deeper level, Pauline shares what their interactions have taught her about the world, life and herself. “For one thing, hanging out with Jack makes me realize how important the present moment is,” says Pauline. “‘Now’ is all there is – don’t take it for granted. I 16 14
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know this message is overstated these days, but that is the gift of this boy for me. I’ve read the longer we stay in the present moment, the slower we age. When my son was a baby and a toddler, I was always focused on the next step: crawling, walking, I couldn’t wait to hear the sound of his voice when he started to talk, what outfit he’d grow into next.” The book covers Pauline’s adventures with Jack from the time he was born to the age of five. But time stands still for no one, and now that Jack is seven, he spends Tuesdays in school. Their Tuesday date stands, however, and Pauline picks him up after school with his favourite treat in hand. “Now Jack tells me about his day,” Pauline says, “and he still starts every sentence with ‘Buba’ (the Russian word for grandmother), which I never tire of hearing. I take advantage of every moment, because I know all too soon his other activities and friends will be more important. We aim for monthly sleepovers too. He is my very special guest and he knows it. Our relationship is deeper now – Jack knows me in ways that surprise me – he knows how important laughter is to me and it’s a sign of my love. He will often say things to see the expression on my face. There’s no reading on my lap anymore, and we have less cuddle time, but I still manage to get in a squeeze or two on Buba Day. Jack knows our home is his second home, and I hope that safe and warm truth continues into our relationship in the coming years.”
ABOVE AND TOC | Author Pauline Daniel shares her joy of grandparenting in her first book, Tuesdays with Jack. Photos: James Fenning
Pauline still regularly posts on her “Tuesdays with Jack” Facebook page. The substance of those posts has shifted though, and she now talks more about their adventures and her feelings, rather than including direct quotes from Jack. “It feels like a loss, and I think it might be for readers as well. However, now that Jack is older and kids in school are more aware of social media, it is important I honour his privacy around what we share.” Being a baby boomer has also affected how Pauline grandparents. “Grandparenting seems bigger for my generation. It’s the biggest, purest love and when grandparents talk, we instantly relate (and weren’t we all just listening to Led Zeppelin?). Ours is the generation that brought natural childbirth and breastfeeding back, introduced prenatal classes and insisted on dads in the delivery room.” Although Pauline knows grandfathers and men read her posts on Facebook, it’s the mothers and grandmothers who comment and share posts about their children and grandchildren. “I hope I don’t get into hot water here,” says Pauline, “but what I notice is how big the love for grandparenting is for grandmothers of my generation. I don’t remember my grandmother and her friends talking about it and sharing it the way my women friends and I do. I know my grandmother felt it, because she laughed a lot, and I understand that now. I love how my husband loves Jack and talks about him proudly. But I think women hold love in ways men don’t.” Pauline clarifies she’s not sure she has any grandparenting advice to give – Tuesdays with Jack is not an advice book. And she admits she made mistakes and has “grandmother guilt” now. “I wasn’t prepared – in the same way nine months of pregnancy doesn’t prepare you for motherhood – for that allencompassing, unconditional flesh-of-my-flesh love I felt for Jack. I was driven and came on too strong wanting to be with the baby. I could have been more helpful, and I should have asked more often what my son and daughter-in-law wanted or needed instead of asking to be with the baby. I think mothers of sons have a different role, and it feels like a fine line to walk sometimes. A bit lonely.” Will there be more books about Jack in the future? If it were up to Jack, there would be. Jack thinks Pauline should write about him every 10 years. “He likes that his drawings are in the book, and he took signing the book very seriously at my launch in May,” says Pauline. “I hope he will always see this book as a tribute to him, to our relationship and part of my legacy.” Even though the idea has crossed her mind, so far Pauline doesn’t have any definitive plans for more books. “I find writing a challenging process,” she says, “it took six months to write Tuesdays with Jack, and I was so depleted, you’d think I wrote War and Peace!” | Tuesdays with Jack is available at Chapters/Indigo, amazon. ca and http://tuesdayswithjack.com
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SWIPE LEFT by TONI O’KEEFFE My online dating days have come to an end… well, until the next Saturday night I’m home alone with a bag of Cheetos, a bottle of wine, leftover holiday chocolate and decide to sign up for the latest, new and improved dating site for the over-50 crowd. After 30 months, 52 first dates, hundreds of messages, winks, flirts, favourites, pokes and likes, I am hanging up my online dating profile. I did have some positive experiences along the way, but most of my matches were, as they say, “no cigar” – a lot of smoke and no flame. Each potential match starts off fun. With a wink or a “like,” potential matches designate you as a “favourite” or send you an online emoji gift, and then you start to communicate online. In the beginning, there are lots of flirty messages, texts and even phone calls. You find all sorts of commonality and talk yourself into believing this person could be the “one.” You may even go out and buy a new bra in anticipation of something magical about to unfold. Then you meet and, there it is, the big letdown. Wow, talk about fake news! Dating profiles abound with it. For me, all the pre-meeting communication creates an expectation that ultimately, most often, leads to disappointment. I’m sure my dates felt the same way. My good friend and online dating guru, Ken, al18 16
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ways told me to “keep the initial communications to a minimum. Once you connect online, get out there and meet.” He’s right. The longer you delay having a face-to-face, the more time you have to build up false expectations. Then, you meet and wham, you and your expectations crash, leaving you wondering if you saved the tags so you can return the top you bought for your date. Most, more than 75 per cent, of the men I met were not exactly what or who they said they were. Let me explain. I met a 72-year-old man posing as a 52-year-old “active” male. We met for a lunch date. I got up to use the restroom and while I was gone, he fell asleep at the table. I paid the bill, quietly woke him and put him in a cab. One gentleman I went on a walking date with was looking for someone to go halfsies on a double-wide. Another wanted a date he could introduce as his fiancée at his mother’s 80th birthday the following weekend. On our first (and only) date, one guy toured me through three job sites he was working on. Perhaps he wanted to demonstrate that he was good with tools? A couple of men uttered those three little words no woman wants to hear on their first date (or ever) – “I’m still married.” To be clear, there were no second dates with these fellas. One guy had obviously set up an “exit strategy” with a friend. As soon as he learned I was not going home with him, he received the “you’ve got an emergency” call – we were both
relieved to bring that date to an end. A few were still hurt by and angry at their exes and apparently needed to talk about it. Many – despite what their profiles said – were not looking for a relationship, but rather seeking short-term hook-ups. A couple fellas had done impressive investigative research on me. Especially the one that told me he had found out where I lived and liked what I had done with the garden and patio in my front yard. I have since moved. One even admitted to stalking me while I was hiking around a lake. Not cool! Then there was the guy who punched the wall because I had a different political viewpoint than he did. TAXI! One just drank a lot. Maybe he thought I’d get better looking after nine double scotches. When he tried to kiss me goodnight, I turned away, and he poked me in the eye with his keys (sure, all fun and games until someone loses an eye!). And then, there was the man I thought was, well, an excellent match. I felt a spark with him immediately. I thought we were likeminded; he had not lied about anything (that I knew of); he was attractive, and I loved his presence. From my perspective, there were a lot of positives, but I guess the feeling wasn’t mutual. I connected with several really nice, attractive, decent people, but when we met face-to-face, the chemistry just wasn’t there. And, that’s where online dating fails (for me). Without the body language and other important social cues, I could not get a true sense of who these people were through pictures, texts or even phone calls. I need to look into somebody’s eyes, into their soul, touch their hand and, most importantly, I need to feel something when I first meet someone. A few confessed they had not written their own profiles. They had their mother, sister or a friend help write them AND had them craft responses during our online communications. I fall in love with words. So, for me, using a “Cyrano de Bergerac” approach is
disappointing. I’ve come to believe online dating services may not want us to find love. If we did, they’d be out of business. They rely on our desire to find “the one” to keep us signed up and scrolling. Many of these companies are subsidiaries of other dating sites and hook you with the idea their “new” site is unique or will offer you only “elite” (yes, I joined that one too) prospects. But, once I got on a new site, I was met by mostly all the same people, who, like me, jumped from site to site. To be fair, I know people that have met the loves of their lives online. These success stories are the inspiration for the rest of us to dive into the online dating world. I also have male friends that had similar experiences with less-than-honest dates. So, men are not the only ones that post outdated photos and fabricated profiles. Women do it too. I am grateful I grew up in a time when we had the opportunity to experi-
ence dating the old-fashioned way. A time when my heart raced, my hands sweated, and butterflies went rogue in my stomach when I saw my crush for the first time. These responses to human connection are absent when we first make contact online. While the online environment exposes us to thousands of potential matches, it’s not the same. Not for me. I’m not giving up on love. But, if it happens for me, it will have to be in real life. Or, I’ll get another dog, maybe add a cat to the mix, baby goats are popular pets right now. Regardless, I will not die with my love still in me. I plan to leave it all out on the field. Right now, I’m just going to love all the beautiful, amazing people already in my life. For those still in the online dating game, good luck, I hope you find the one that will ignite your heart and soul and fill your life with love, laughter and precious memories. It could happen. In fact, it has. |
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I WALK ALONE by CAL SMITH When asked how he felt about growing old, a 50-year-old acquaintance said, “I didn’t think I was going to live past 18… so every day is just one big miserable surprise. I doubt if it will be much different in the future.” Another, pushing a four-wheel walker, says life is beautiful now that he doesn’t have to milk cows and shovel cow shit. My father couldn’t stand old people. When he was 80, he moved into a delightful senior apartment building with an elaborate exercise and games room, a hairdresser, library and a full-service restaurant. But he wouldn’t leave his room. “I can’t stand those old fogies. They’re a bunch of know-nothings,” he said. “I’m a man of the world.” Like my father, very few residents cared to associate with the other seniors that lived there. It’s pretty common for us to think we’re much younger than our age surveys tell us. Fully 60 per cent of adults over 65 say they feel younger than their years. “In my mind, I am still the 19-year-old girl who married your grandfather. It’s only when I look in the mirror that I realize I’m not,” one woman tells her grandchildren. My father-in-law once remarked that he didn’t mind being a grandfather, it was being married to a grandmother that bothered him. Even I have trouble believing I’m old. A short time ago, while visiting my new doctor to review my medical history, she paused and looked at me questioningly for a moment, then looked back at my medical history. “I see here that you had a brain scan last July,” she said, glancing up again. “Yes,” I said suspiciously, wondering what might be wrong. Dr. Cox had informed me that everything looked normal. “What are you seeing?” 20 18
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“Well,” she dragged the word out, making it sound ominous. “it seems you have the brain of an 88-year old.” I was shocked. How could that be? I spend every day writing creative poetry and short stories and doing research for a book I’m about to publish. My brain is more active than ever. Yes, my memory’s bad, but Google is a very good substitute. My brain is fine. “What do you mean?” I asked defensively. “I admit my IQ has dropped from 153 to 127 but my thinking is quite clear.” Her embarrassment was evident as she asked, “You are 88, aren’t you Mr. Smith?” “Yes,” I admitted to the number reluctantly, still not realizing she was joking. Of course I have the brain of an 88-year old. I also have an 88-year-old heart, liver and big toe. But I didn’t get the joke until later that evening. One thing that bothers me is how clearly and frequently my memory recalls my past mistakes, wasted opportunities, and hurts I inflicted on others I loved. I have always been empathetic to anyone less fortunate than I; a fanatical animal lover; and a loving husband and father, but my memory now insists on reminding me of the exceptions, including the huge mistakes I made in business and love. Why did it wait until it’s too late to make me aware of my faults and foibles? I could have made amends, instead believing all this time they were either the fault of someone else, or just the fickle finger of fate. Other seniors, however, enjoy their memories. “My memories seem much clearer now,” a lady friend says. “I was just telling my daughter I am happier now than I’ve ever been in my life, as I recall all the great experiences I had as a food bank volunteer.”
Advice, like anything else freely given, has little value, but I can attest to the importance of remaining, or becoming, active in body and mind. Success as a senior is easier to achieve and the rewards are greater. In my younger days, I always placed higher than most people in whatever endeavour I chose, but I could never achieve “hero” status in anything. I was a regular at a local gym and worked hard to build muscle and look like some of the men in the posters that plastered the walls. But my 13” biceps and 250-lb max bench presses weren’t enough to get much notice. Most gym rats could lift more. When I was 80, however, and benched only 225 I was the gym hero! Everybody paused to watch the old man lifting weights the average member couldn’t budge. Life as a senior can be good. The only problem was the loneliness that greeted me the moment I stepped outside. It isn’t as enjoyable eating lobster tail and pheasant if you’re sitting at a table for one; and walking on the beach is rather dull, if there’s no one there to share the moon. It is difficult to find a single senior that fits with the image you have of yourself. So, at age 88, I am fated to stroll the beach with my loving chihuahua, unless I petition the court to legally change my age to something younger as Emile Ratelband is doing in Amsterdam, or until I can finally accept myself as I really am. |
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55+ Lifestyle Show
Tuesday, March 12, 2019 • 9am - 3pm • Pearkes Recreation Centre Over 100 Exhibits • Makeovers • Fashion Show • All Day Entertainment
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Witness the transformation of three INSPIRED Magazine readers as our stylists work their magic to turn these women into gorgeous goddesses. Catch the BEFORE and AFTER reveal at our show.
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Enjoy the rockin’ sounds of Flashback Freddy... and the Two Among Friends Duo as they “bring happy to the room!” From 60s rockabilly to waltzes, polkas and other favs! For more info, call 250-479-4705 ext 103 vicshow@seniorlivingmag.com www.55pluslifestyle.com
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VOLUNTEERS Can you help us for a couple hours? Fun & Free Admission
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Flashback Freddy This blast from the past includes hits from Elvis, The Beatles, Chuck Berry, The Beach Boys, Roy Orbison, Ricky Nelson, Johnny Cash and many more. Fred Wortley of Gabriola Island returns to kick off a day of lively entertainment. Get out your dancing shoes!
10:30 • “CHOOSE HOW YOU AGE” Meet two women passionate about helping others find wellness in body, mind and spirit. Through her books, talks, workshops and mentoring, Cori Ellingson inspires you to get healthier as you age, and create a joyful life that makes a difference. Author and trained counsellor Rebekah Demirel teaches self-care and specializes in trauma and healing family relationships. Learn how to be healthier and age successfully.
10:45 & 1:00 • SING, DANCE OR TAP ALONG Two Among Friends Duo Lorraine DeMan and Rowan Metcalfe are passionate about music and play from the heart. Familiar tunes, including polkas, waltzes and love songs will uplift your spirits and show you why this duo has become a Victoria music favorite!
will get a chance to win a free gift from one of our attending exhibitors. While quantities last. Look for our Draw Table at Centre Hall.
2:45PM | PRIZE DRAWS
Chance to WIN a Trip to Whistler BC Fairmont Chateau Whistler A getaway for two to the 55+ Spring Celebration on April 15-18, 2019 includes 3 nights accommodation, all meals, scheduled activities and more. Roundtrip escorted motorcoach from Victoria.
11:15 • “CHANGING RELATIONSHIPS” Living Apart Together (LAT) Relationships Linda Ann Breault co-authored a book about the growing number of couples who have made lives together while living in separate residences. Now these partners are making adaptations to their LAT lifestyles in this second chapter of their lives.
11:30 & 1:30 • FASHION SHOW Blue Sky Clothing Co “Sized for real people XS - 4X” - Blue Sky Clothing aims to help women of all sizes and body types find beautiful, wearable fashions they feel comfortable in. You can find this BC based company in 9 locations including Vancouver, Tsawwassen and Victoria. Blue Sky Clothing prides itself on being fair trade and eco-friendly.
MANY OTHER PRIZES including: A delightful Gift Basket from Butchart Gardens. Enter for your chance to win at the INSPIRED Magazine booth.
12:45 • “FOLLOW YOUR PASSION” Scott Armstrong has been seeking a life driven by passion since the early 1990s. He joins us at the show to talk about how people over 55 can create and achieve their most cherished aspirations. It’s never too late. Scott owns Passion Pivots, a company designed to provide structure and community for people wanting to take the next step in creating their best, most fulfilling life.
2:00 • “STYLE AFTER 55” & MAKE-OVER REVEAL Hair, makeup and clothing stylists join us to talk about how women over 55 can make themselves look and feel great. They will be joined by three lucky INSPIRED Magazine readers selected to undergo a styling update of their hair, make-up and wardrobe. See these stylists turn drab to fab as they transform these ladies into magazine-spread worthy models. REFRESH CAFE A tasty selection of hot entrees, sandwiches, beverages and other treats. Catered by the Daughters of the Nile in support of the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES Meet Pat Nichol, INSPIRED Magazine columnist, author and motivational speaker. BOOK A TRIP TO COSTA RICA WITH PAT NICHOL - Pick up details at the Show. 55+ TRAVEL CLUB Sign up at the INSPIRED Magazine booth and get ready to join us in April for our first event in Victoria. Meet fellow travellers. Discover new destinations. Share expertise and experiences. Find inspiration and maybe a new travel buddy! INSPIRED | MARCH 2019
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LESSONS FROM A CAT by J. KATHLEEN THOMPSON Pets are becoming increasingly common in Canadian households (about 68 per cent of homes have either a cat or a dog), often replacing a human cohabitant. Clearly, former reasons for not having a pet – the cost, the cleaning, the allergies, the responsibility while away – are yielding to the reasons for having a pet. These could include their value as companions, their utilitarian value (mice-catchers, guard dogs, seeing-eye dogs, etc.), and their financial value (as pure-bred breeders or show animals). But as the benefits of having a human cohabitant normally exceeds those extolled for having a pet, there must be more to it. Perhaps it’s because where human relationships are complicated, establishing a loving reciprocal relationship with a pet is simple, or, at least, simpler. Feed it, water it, help it with its hygiene and medical issues, take it for walks, give it a warm mat at night and frequent bouts of attention (more depending on the species), and you will be rewarded by cheerful dispositions and ready affection. At the core of a pet’s joie-de-vivre appears to be their self-acceptance. They are happy with who they are, and quite unconflicted about their role. A cat is a cat, a dog is a dog, and remain unflinchingly so no matter how much we shamelessly stereotype their behaviour. “Yes, we are compulsive groomers and sleepers,” yawns the cat, and, “Yes, I’ll be either drooling or bringing you my leash,” wags the dog. There’s nothing else they would rather be or feel they should be doing. Joining the rat race would be antithetical to who they are. They’re not rats. A pet’s uncomplicated disposition precludes the usual psychological barriers to happiness. Post chow, it’s all just a matter of leaping headlong into the adventure. 24 22
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When there are birds or balls to chase, lakes to swim, new spring grass to chew, fireplaces to warm up beside and loving massages to stretch into, what exactly is there not to like? Our pets guilelessly embody santosha (the Sanskrit word for the acceptance of oneself and one’s environment or circumstances as they are), a state of being that takes their humans years of yogic practice to attain. Optimizing their conditions is an enviable talent of our feline and canine companions. Spend a day with them and observe their delight with family gatherings, an open window in a moving car, the mystery of a fluttering sound or an unknown scent. Let them lead you to places that nurture; where the water is freshest, the views the most catching, the light and warmth the most natural, the nook in the kitchen the most congenial.
ABOVE AND RIGHT | From the serenity of a cat (Willow) to the boundless exuberance of a dog (Mac), our pets have much to teach us. Photos: J. Kathleen Thompson
And when life throws them a curveball, your pet meets setbacks with a stoicism that is Ghandi-esque in quality. Life’s trials, for an animal, are meant to be borne heroically. They will endure hunger, thirst and discomfort unblinkingly with a patience that gives us human sufferers of LFT (low frustration tolerance) pause. Their tendency to seek out quiet places, to retreat, and either heal themselves through rest or quietly accept “que sera, sera” makes you want to rethink what truly constitutes “frustration” and situations that rile. And, lest we forget, our pets make known that a happy animal is a loving animal. That their gilded life is inextricably tied to the human in the centre of it. An animal knows its feeder, its rescuer from the rain, its warm-blooded companion and protector at night, its patient decipherer of animal-speak. And it is inclined to become singularly attached to that person, loving them without the usual list of conditions other than expecting they will be a reliable source of food and kindness. We are never left wondering “where the relationship is at” with our pets. It’s good, it’s 100 per cent, and, given that the animal is also quick to forgive, it’s hallowed as well. In caring for cats over the years, I have become ever more mindful of the dictum “time spent with a cat is never wasted” due to the wisdom and lessons they impart. Go ahead and uncomplicate your life. Befriend a cat. Love your dog. | Enjoyed a little quality time with your country this year! Magical Maritimes 10 Days: June 1—10
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INSPIRED | MARCH 2019
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Eldercare Foundation presents
March 2019
March is Embrace Aging Month!
For details, visit gvef.org or call the Eldercare Foundation at 250-370-5664. Thanks to our Media Sponsors:
The Eldercare Foundation invites you to explore the possibilities, make connections and discover the wealth of resources available year-round to help you embrace the journey of aging. There are free workshops, activities and events island-wide and all ages are welcome.
www.gvef.org 26 24
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Eldercare Foundation • Embrace Aging 2019 - Left Page Inspired Magazine
Try Something New. It’s Embrace Aging Month! • Physical • Mental
Health Health
• Personal
Security
(Fraud, Elder Abuse, Housing, Food)
• Financial
Security
• Personal & Social Networks • Community & Social Environments
• Arts
& Culture
• Spirituality • Education
The 14th annual Embrace Aging Month celebration is here featuring dozens of senior-focused events, activities and resources to discover throughout Greater Victoria and across Vancouver Island. Check out this year’s Embrace Aging Month offerings at www.gvef.org or call the Eldercare Foundation at 250-370-5664 for details.
“Aging is not lost youth, but a new stage of opportunity and strength” - Betty Friedan
Every March the Eldercare Foundation invites seniors, their families and caregivers to join us for Embrace Aging month and discover the many senior-focused resources, activities and services available in their community. Most Embrace Aging offerings are free or nominal cost so explore the possibilities and get connected!
Here is just a taste of what we have planned this month: The 55+ Lifestyle Show - Victoria Join us on March 12 from 9am to 3pm at Pearkes Recreation Centre for the premiere event of Embrace Aging month. Presented by Inspired Magazine, this day of inspiration and renewal is packed with special presentations, entertainment and 100+ exhibitors. Be
sure to visit the Eldercare Foundation booth to get all the information on all other Embrace Aging events.
Other Offerings - Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island
Our Embrace Aging Senior-Focused Workshops offerings this year include at the Yakimovich Wellness over 60 events, activities and workshops throughout Centre - Victoria Greater Victoria and across Expand your horizons, learn Vancouver Island. At SHOAL a new skill and make friends Centre in Sidney, you at the Yakimovich Wellness can attend the Peninsula Centre Senior-Focused Seniors Summit at the end Workshop series. There are of March or try a different over 20 offerings including free drop-in activity every estate and financial planning, day from March 11 – 15. assistive technologies, There are also offerings brain health, MAiD, and from Sooke, Duncan, protecting your digital Nanaimo, Courtenay, Comox, footprint to name a few. All Campbell River, Port Alberni, workshops are free, but preOceanside and Saltspring registration is required as Island so have a look and try space is limited. something new! Embrace Aging Through Complete list of Embrace the Arts & Community Aging Month offerings Art Exhibition - Saanich at www.gvef.org or call Come meet the talented Eldercare at 250-370-5664. artists from Aberdeen Hospital on March 7 from Program Booklets are also 1pm to 4pm at the opening available at the Hillside reception of their art Seniors Health Centre, exhibition. The show takes 1454 Hillside Ave, Victoria place at the CACG Gallery in the Cedar Hill Recreation and at SHOAL Centre Center (3220 Cedar Hill 10030 Resthaven Dr, Sidney. Road, Victoria) and runs from March 6 to March 24. INSPIRED | MARCH 2019
Eldercare Foundation • Embrace Aging 2019 - Right Page Inspired Magazine
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LAUGHING FOR LIFE by MARCEL STRIGBERGER Why are we eating for health? Let’s laugh. I wish to discuss the very serious business of humour. Is humour the best medicine? Let’s have a look at how it can enhance wellness. Wise King Solomon said, “A merry heart doeth good like medicine.” I am not sure he used words like “doeth,” but his message was clear. Fast forward about 2,500 years to the 1960s. You may have heard of Dr. Norman Cousins, author of the bestseller, Anatomy of an Illness, who had a nasty debilitating neuro-muscular disease. He credits his recovery to ingesting large doses of vitamin C and daily doses of laughter, watching Marx Brothers and Three Stooges films in his hospital room. You see, in addition to relieving stress, laughter releases endorphins, a natural pain killer, related to morphine. It also lowers blood pressure. The consensus that humour is helpful to your health is widespread. The indigenous Dakotas and Lakotas had heyokas who were comedians that were believed to have the power of healing by making people laugh. They would do this by telling funny stories, gently teasing their subjects or doing tricks, such as performing a task backwards. Their antics were meant to heal people. Many hospitals today have humour carts, in addition to crash carts, where volunteers or staff or clowns cruise the hospital wards with funny material such as puppets, comics and cartoons, videos and other paraphernalia. While I practiced law for over 40 years, I had a puppet of cartoon character Foghorn Leghorn on my desk. I would ask clients who could use a smile to squeeze his belly, and he would utter in his Texas drawl, ‘Ah say son, go away. You bother me.” 28 26
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This experience I shall admit did not necessarily help me win a case (though it should have), but it made the clients see me as more human and it made them more relaxed. You may also have heard of laughter yoga, which originated in India. Today, there are thousands of clubs around the globe. The leader starts to laugh for no reason at all. For example, he might say, “I just finished dining at an expensive restaurant. You are the server and you are handing me the bill.” As the subject pretends to hand the leader the bill, the leader then pulls the flaps out of his pockets, showing they are empty, and then starts laughing uncontrollably. It does not take long for the laughter yoga group to join the giggles. Laughter is contagious. The group then practices similar scenarios in pairs. The interesting thing is that the brain cannot distinguish spontaneous laughter from self-induced, so if you fake a laugh, you still get the benefits. I have tried it and it works. (When I say I tried it, I don’t mean I tried to stiff a restaurant. I don’t recommend doing that at all. Your laughter may be short lived after the manager arrives on the scene). As I mentioned, a major benefit of humour is relief of stress. I had to undergo a cardiac stress test and I was concerned once the speed got cranked up on the treadmill that my heart rate would rise too high and I might suffer an event. I told this to the cardiologist, and Dr. X (his real name) who had a good sense of humour, said to me, “If you drop dead on my treadmill, that will piss me off royally.” To this point, I was totally in knots, but his comment broke me up. My stress evaporated instantly. (I need not add that I survived the test).
ABOVE | Maybe laughter is the best medicine! Photo: Bobbie Jo Reid
With stress managed properly, you can think clearer and act more effectively. Humour allows you to detach yourself from a situation for long enough to interrupt the negative pattern, and this will enable you to think clearly and recover the situation. Dr. Viktor Frankl, noted psychiatrist and author of Man’s Search for Meaning, who spent time in concentration camps during WWII, credits a sense of humour with saving not only himself but others who regularly deployed it. He discussed a favourite device of his, logotherapy. If, for example, you are afraid of sweating while public speaking, he suggests that instead of telling yourself, “I won’t sweat,” do the opposite. Tell yourself, “This time in front of that wedding crowd, I’ll sweat 10 litres worth.” This had worked for many of his patients who were afraid of screwing up one way or another. And the beauty of humour is that humour begets humour. If you use it, others in your presence will respond in kind. Legendary comedian Victor Borge said, “A smile is the shortest distance between two people.” At my nearby supermarket, there is a cashier who I had never seen smile. This disturbed me and I tried to avoid lining up at her register, even if the line was shorter. I recently tried an experiment. I bought a bag of potatoes and while plopping it on the belt, together with a chicken, I said, “There is a special this week. Buy five pounds of potatoes and the chicken is free.” Without hesitation, she smiled and said, “That was last week’s special, sir.” I was stunned. It worked. I will add, since then, she smiles whenever she sees me. I will not push my luck when she rings up my order and announces the amount due, by turning out the flaps of my empty pockets. Or, then again, maybe I will. After all, she does have a sense of humour. | Marcel Strigberger, retired from his Greater Toronto Area litigation practice, continues the more serious practice of humorous author and speaker. Marcel is the author of two books, which can be found on Amazon, iBooks and through Indigo and other retailers. www.marcelshumour.com
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Baby Boomers, I’ve Been Expecting You. Whether moving closer to family, downsizing or closer to care, as a SENIOR REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST, I will personally help you find your dream location. Patient * Understanding * Respectful Gina Wakeham PREC gina@ginawakeham.com www.dfh.ca 250-477 - 7291 Mention this ad and receive up to 8 hours MOVE OUT CLEANING services when you successfully sell your home with me. INSPIRED | MARCH 2019
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ADVENTURE AWAITS IN COSTA RICA by SHANNON NICHOLS “Costa Rica is different from any place I’ve ever visited,” says INSPIRED Magazine columnist Pat Nichol. Along with Collette and a group of fellow adventurers, Pat will travel to the Central American country for nine days of cultural immersion amidst breathtaking landscapes, as host of one of INSPIRED Magazine’s sponsored tours. “As a solo traveller, I often join a group and find kindred spirits all around me,” she says. “Most of my travels over the past years have been to large cities; this will be something completely different.” Beginning on October 26, 2019, this guided tour opens in the heart of the Central Valley and, over the next several days, takes travellers to the country’s most interesting locales. With activities including a riverboat excursion, a coffee plantation tour, sightseeing at the famous Arenal Volcano, ziplining through the rainforest, a culinary 30 28
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demonstration and much more, there’s bound to be something for everyone! Between each adventure, travellers will relax in comfortable hotels and take advantage of their amenities. The first stop on the tour will be an introduction to one of the most important aspects of the Costa Rican economy: coffee! Pat
ABOVE | Tamarindo Beach. PAGE 30 | (top) For those who prefer not to “zip” through this Costa Rican forest, there are hanging bridges. (Bottom) Exotic birds and animals abound in Costa Rica, including spider monkeys and toucans. Photos: Collette TOC PAGE | Scarlet macaws. Photo: Wald Zoller
Costa Rica
Departure Oct 26, 2019 9 Days • 14 Meals Oberammergau & Imperial Cities Tour
Hosted by INSPIRED Columnist Pat Nichol*.
Book Now & Save
$100
Discover the magic of this natural tropical paradise. Highlights: San Jose, Coffee Plantation, Guanacaste, Monteverde Cloud Forest, Arenal Volcano & Cruise, Cano Negro Refuge, Zarcero and more.
Per Person
Visit the Collette / Vision Travel Booth at the 55+ Lifestyle Show on March 12th (9am-3pm) at Pearkes Rec Centre to find out more.
*with minimum 15 passengers travelling
For Pricing and Reservations, call Vision Travel Victoria 250-412-1888 • Vancouver 604-687-8836 Richmond 604-273-1811 • Vernon 250-542-5371 Kamloops 250-851-0211 SPONSORED BY
INSPIRED magazine
Join our Victoria
INSPIRED 55+ Travel Club • Meet other 55+ travellers in the Victoria area • Exchange travel experiences and her travel mates will tour a historic coffee plantation outside the capital of San José, learning about how the production of this crop has helped the country flourish in international commerce. Costa Rica continues to produce some of the world’s favourite finest coffee. Armed with samples and new knowledge, the group will depart with an increased understanding and appreciation of Costa Rica’s gentle people and rich history. Guanacaste’s sunny beaches and mesmerising ocean views are an iconic example of Costa Rica and a perfect way to enjoy the coast’s tropical weather. With temperatures averaging between 22–25°C, the palm-lined, white-sand beaches in Guanacaste are as picturesque as they are relaxing. Pat and her travel companions will be free to explore the beaches or take in the resort’s delightful features before winding down at the beach town of Samara, one of the top sunset spots in Costa Rica.
• Sample foods from around the world • Win prizes • Find travel buddies • Be first to know about planned trips and special travel discounts Look for our booth at the 55+ Lifestyle Show Pearkes Rec Centre March 12 (9-3)
RSVP travel@seniorlivingmag.com to let us know you are interested. We will notify you when we have a date and location for our first event. www.seniorlivingmag.com/travelclub INSPIRED | MARCH 2019
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Next, the group will travel back inland to the incredible Monteverde Cloud Forest. This rainforest is home to trees that tower over 30 metres, as well as a host of unique and colourful flora and fauna. Some lucky travellers may even spy the resplendent quetzal, a rare bird eagerly sought by birdwatchers and associated with the serpent god Quetzalcoatl in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican legends. More commonly spotted creatures include sloths, pumas, howler and capuchin monkeys, deer and over 1,000 species of amphibians and reptiles. Monteverde is also home to some 400 species of orchids, only a fraction of the 2,500 species of plants that call the forest home. While the first day in Monteverde Cloud Forest will be spent on a leisurely nature walk, the second offers the opportunity for something more adventurous. Pat already knows her choice: “One of the things I am most looking forward to is the zipline!” At over 770 metres long and 130 metres above the forest floor, Monteverde Cloud Forest’s zipline is one of the longest in Costa Rica and offers an amazing aerial view of the lush forest below as visitors soar above the treetops. For those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, Collette will guide the rest of the group on a tour of the world’s largest butterfly gardens and the Monteverde Hummingbird Gallery, which contains more than 100 dazzling hummingbirds. After an informative experience, travellers will set out on a leisurely Hanging Bridges tour to gain a unique perspective of the forest and to see which creatures they can spot in their natural environment. That evening, the group will convene for an expert-led discussion about the migratory birds that flock to Costa Rica during winter. This session will allow travellers to find out more
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about conservation, as well as the birds they may see during their trip – migratory birds tend to arrive around the same time, during October and November. A visit to a tree nursery continues the theme of conservation, allowing Pat and the group to learn about Costa Rica’s indigenous trees and the reforestation efforts being made in Monteverde. Though lush and beautiful, the forest has been damaged by years of human activity, and conservationists are helping to ensure this magnificent natural resource is not lost. The monumental Arenal Volcano looms above the surrounding valley at over 1,600 metres and is one of Costa Rica’s most renowned tourist sites. Having fallen dormant in the summer of 2010, lush greenery has begun to reclaim the area for a beautiful juxtaposition of the towering volcano over a verdant field filled with colourful flowers. Adventurers will admire the volcano from the observation area before enjoying a delightful cruise on Lake Arenal, the country’s largest lake. Not only beautiful and an excellent place for a variety of water activities, the lake is also used for a hydroelectric dam, which provides nearly 12 per cent of Costa Rica’s electricity. Later that evening, Pat and the group will taste their way through a cooking demonstration given by a professional chef. Using fresh, local ingredients, they will learn how to create the meal before spending the evening dining on Costa Rican cuisine to a guitarist’s serenade. A relaxing evening to rejuvenate before another exciting day of adventure! At the westernmost edge of the country lies the beautiful Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, where Pat and her new friends will board a special covered canoe known as a panga for an unforgettable riverboat cruise. Home to the largest viewable collection of indigenous wildlife in the country, Cano Negro offers the opportunity to spot caimans, monkeys, river turtles, otters, bull sharks and exotic birds. Don’t forget your raincoat and camera! En route back to San José, the tour makes a stop at the charming town of Zarcero to visit its famous topiary gardens. Created in a church yard in the 1960s by Evangelisto Blanco, they feature a wide variety of silhouettes, from arches to dinosaurs to flowers. The gardens have helped bring more attention to the beauty of this calm mountain city. Finally, back in San José, the group will attend one final panoramic tour of the city and share dinner together. Bidding adiós to their hospitable hosts, Pat and her kindred spirits will head home, eager to share their memories of an experience of a lifetime. | For more details, visit: www.seniorlivingmag.com/tours Contact your travel agent to book. Booking deadline is April 26, 2019. Tour departure on October 26, 2019. Tour spans nine days and includes 14 meals. Collette rates this tour’s activity level at 3 out of 5. The tour includes moderate physical activity and blends some longer days with shorter days and leisure time. Walking tours, including some longer distances, up stairs, and uneven surfaces should be expected.
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JUMP START Jumping rope is an excellent cardiovascular (heart/lung) workout. It’s comparable in benefits to jogging. However, there’s less impact and it’s easier on the joints than running since you can do it by jumping only a few inches off the ground. Rope jumping has many other benefits too. It can improve coordination, speed and agility, which can help improve your performance in other sports that require those attributes. It requires concentration to keep the rhythm and coordination going, which provides exercise for the brain. You’ll be working several muscles in the legs, shoulders, chest and forearms, and you’ll burn lots of food energy (calories) – about 12 calories per minute for a 150-lb person who jumps 120 times in a minute. Skipping is also a handy alternative to jogging, walking or other activities when the weather drives you indoors. Ropes are inexpensive and easy to pack wherever you travel. Any type of skipping rope is suitable, but the length of the rope should be right for your height. Stand (feet together) on the centre of the rope and lift the handles upward. Where the handles meet the rope should reach your armpits.
It’s Not Just a Haircut. It’s an Experience! Makeover Expert Hana Akai has completed ER over E-OV15 makeovers for MAK INSPIRED Magazine.
INSPIRED * senior living magazine
Trained by celebrity stylist Nick Arrojo and an educator Wefor are looking for adventuresome women, over the age of 55, Redken products, Hana willing to undergo a makeover including hair, makeup and provides the latest in styling fashion. To qualify: advice and products, a has something - hair length needs to be long enough soand our stylist toprecision work with — close to shoulder lengthworks or longer hair cut that - must attend hair and clothes fitting appointments in Vancouver for your lifestyle. Call Hana 1-2 weeks prior to the show - absolutely willing to cooperate with our stylists and show staff to book Colour Specialist You will complete your makeover transformation at our upcoming your styling 55+ Lifestyle Show in Vancouver on Sept 23 (9am-3pm) where you Precision Haircutting appointment. will be presented on stage. Your photos and story will be featured Make-up Application in upcoming issues of INSPIRED Senior Living.
Before
After
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Before
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* Stylist of INSPIRED 55+ Lifestyle Magazine makeovers. Enter BEFORE JULY 30, 2017 for AKAI HAIR DESIGN your chance to be chosen. EMAIL your photo andQuadra story to Street, Victoria BC 2559 fashion@seniorlivingmag.com
250-383-3227 | www.akaihairdesign.com
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by EVE LEES
FOREVER FIT Wear shoes with good shock absorbency or jump on softer surfaces. Concrete is too hard, especially if your shoes lack support. Cross trainers or aerobic shoes are the most suitable for rope jumping. Progress slowly if you are new to rope jumping. Jump for a minute or two, then rest and stretch your calves. Sixty to 70 turns per minute is a good starting pace. You need only jump about an inch or two from the ground, to allow the rope to pass under you. You can choose to jump with both feet simultaneously or alternate from one foot to the other. Raising your knees higher is more suited to those who are fitter, but it also places more impact on the joints, so be careful if you have problems with knees, hips or ankles. Stay upright: avoid flexing (bending forward) at the waist. Your elbows remain close to the sides of your body. The rope should be turned using the wrists and forearms only, not the shoulders. Even when jumping only a few inches from the floor, rope jumping can increase the heart rate very quickly. For those less fit, slow your jumping speed if you lose your breath. Jump for shorter periods and alternate with marching on the spot or pacing briskly back and forth. Eventually, your coordination and fitness level will improve, and you’ll be able to jump for longer periods. Both novice and veteran jumpers should start with a threeto five-minute warm-up, and end with a cool down of walking, then stretching. |
After
Eve Lees has been active in the health & fitness industry since 1979. Currently, she is a Freelance Health Writer for several publications and speaks to business and private groups on various health topics. www.artnews-healthnews.com
OT O B RE by VERENA FOXX
Lorraine and Dory. Photo: George Klima
Dr. Fiorenza Albert-Howard
part-time on-call teacher’s assistant. “I’m a writer but I’m becoming more dedicated by writing every day,” she says. She prefers the coffee shop ambience. “Coffee gets my brain whizzing and I like the din of others. Writing can be a lonely business.” Her first book, available at Munro’s in Victoria and in Maine’s oldest bookstore, Sherman’s, is set in London, UK, and aims to inspire the innocence of young readers. Lorraine has tapped into her own imagination by conjuring up Humboldt’s adventures. “To start writing,” she says, “you just need to begin. It’s like coming home to yourself; it brings great joy.” Then, she packs up her coffee-shop office and she’s off to walk her Newfoundland dog, Dory. |
DR. FIORENZA ALBERT-HOWARD, a native of Rome who is descended from a long line of prominent Italian architects and engineers, was a pioneer in her fields of civic and computer engineering. “I was the only female in a class of 750 engineering students at the University of Rome,” she laughs. Affordable Living for Independent Seniors THE GLENSHIEL Fiorenza, a recipient of numerous international awards forLiving Affordable for Independent Seniors Friendly, All-Inclusive & Downtown her work, built an illustrious career with, first, Italian IBM and Friendly, All-Inclusive & Downtown Olivetti, and, later, BC Tel and the University of BC. A health issue more than a decade ago caused her to take a pause. She now applies her many skills and interests to “giving back” to the West Vancouver community, where she has lived since 1986. Currently, Fiorenza is a member of the Advisory Committee of the West Vancouver Art Museum, which is exhibiting Jim Breukelman’s Altered States photographs later this month. “Art has always been a big part of my life,” she says. “When we were growing up, our parents took us ‘camping’ all over Europe for several months each summer to look at Come and toJoin Us... experience Europe’s classic and modern art and architecture.” Come Join Us... “This is a great place to be spoiled” The family cultural travel mantra became, “Give “I loveus all this the activities they offer here” day our daily church,” she says, with the enthusiasm andto worry about what to cook” “I don’t have “This is a great place to be spoiled” humour she brings to her life and to her projects. 250.383.4164
THE GLENSHIEL
606 Douglas Street
LORRAINE MURRAY is writing a sequel to The Adventures of theglenshiel.bc.ca Humboldt, her first children’s book, in her favourite coffee shop in Quadra Village in Victoria. The former ESL teacher with Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Settlement Centre, previously from Winnipeg and Montreal, now focuses mainly on her writing in Maine, US and Victoria, where she is also a
“I love all the activities they offer here”
“I don’t have to worry about what to cook”
250.383.4164
606 Douglas Street www.theglenshiel.bc.ca INSPIRED | MARCH 2019
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Strategies to Build Resiliency By Wendy Johnstone Marilyn is 55 years old, works part-time in retail and Stay connected: a primary factor in resiliency is having has two teens at home. She currently cares for her partstrong connections with family and friends who are ner who has chronic pain and supportive and caring. a brain injury from a motor Nurture your inner superhero: seeing ourselves in a vehicle accident. She feels positive light, believing in our abilities and knowing like the “linchpin” in her our strengths helps us bounce back from stress and family and is the case challenging situations. manager for her partner Make friends with reality: change is a part of caregivand for her two chiling. Caregivers often reflect on the fact that being a dren. She’ll be the first caregiver wasn’t in their life plan and with that came a to tell you her life isn’t shift in perspective and expectations. Resilient careeasy or what she imaggivers often provide the advice, “accept circumstances ined it to be. In the next that can’t be changed. Then turn your breath, Marattention to what circumstances can be ilyn will tell you changed and focus on them.” how thankful she is to be able to care for “a twig with a fresh, her partner and to see her children step Take off the rose-coloured glasses… but green living core. up with pitching in and being caring and When twisted out of not permanently: be mindful of your feelcompassionate towards their father. ings, especially the painful and negatives shape, such a twig Marilyn doesn’t see caregiving as a trap; she sees it as an opportunity.
bends, but it does not break; instead, it springs back and continues growing.”
She admits caregiving is rarely static or easy; nor is it black and white. Some days are easier and better than others. Yet over time, she’s finding ways to add to her toolbox of caregiving strategies – one of which is becoming more resilient.
According to George Vaillant, resilient caregivers resemble “a twig with a fresh, green living core. When twisted out of shape, such a twig bends, but it does not break; instead, it springs back and continues growing.” Resilience is a process. It isn’t a trait. You aren’t born with it. Resiliency is a skill, and can be developed through behaviour, thoughts and actions. Similar to caregiving being unique to the individual, so is building resiliency. We all react differently to stress, and strategies that work for one person may not work for another. Research shows the following strategies for building resilience or as “caregiver heartiness”:
ones. It’s important to acknowledge that life is imperfect and to hold space and comfort for ourselves in the face of difficult times. It’s a fine balance. Research also shows the importance of not staying too long with negative thoughts and working towards a long-term perspective.
Create meaning in your caregiving role: Finding positive meaning (even if it seems small) in your role adds to positive overall health. Having and holding a sense of purpose in caregiving is also associated with resiliency. For some, it’s knowing they are strengthening the relationship between themselves and the care recipient or giving back to a loved one. For others, their caregiving role can fulfill a sense of greater purpose in life, taking pride in their skills or a desire for a better outcome for the person needing care.| Wendy Johnstone is a Gerontologist and a consultant with Family Caregivers of British Columbia in Victoria, BC.
Overwhelmed in your role as a caregiver? Unsure of what to do next or where to go for help? Our Caregiver Support Line is free and designed to give you the support and information you need. Call us at 1-877-520-3267 www.familycaregiversbc.ca Caregiver Support Line 1-877-520-3267 Office: 250-384-0408 Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm 36 26 34
MARCH 2019 | WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM
Marketplace COLLECTOR SEEKING vintage/col-
lectable cameras, binoculars and microscopes. Nikon, Leica, Contax, Rolleiflex, Zeiss, Canon, etc. Mike 250-383-6456 or e-mail: msymons6456@telus.net Victoria
ALWAYS GREAT FEET. Nanaimo’s professional mobile foot care nurses. Debbie Mason LPN and John Patterson LPN. Home, facility, and hospital visits. Experienced, qualified nursing foot care for toenails, corns, calluses and ingrown nails. Direct billing for DVA clients. Call 250-390-9266. ARE YOU A SENIOR who wants a companion or someone to run errands for you? Call 250-216-3039 for a free assessment! WANTED: Old stereo/audio equipment.
Any condition. Amplifiers, turntables, speakers, receivers etc. Honest/friendly. Victoria and V.I. Call Bob, 250-896-2268, northtowns26@gmail.com
INCOME TAX PREPARATION & BOOKKEEPING services by CPA. 10
years experience. Accepting a few new clients. Reasonable rates. 778-269-5778
CORNERSTONE SENIORS ADVOCACY
Assisting Seniors through life’s changes. Specializing in Transitional Moves, Downsizing, Estate Clear Out & Sale of Assets. Licensed, Bonded & Insured. 250.858.8560 www.cornerstoneadvocacy.com
Single Seniors Meet & Greet • Victoria Wednesdays • 9:30-11am Location varies. Join our weekly newsletter to get current info.
Our weekly gathering has 20 -30 people. Come see if it’s a fit for you!
WANTED: OLD POSTCARDS, old photographs, and pre-1950 stamped envelopes. Also buying old coins, medals and badges. Please call Michael 250-6529412 or email fenian@shaw.ca WANTED Danish Mid-Century Furniture from the 50’s & 60’s. Teak & rosewood, pieces any condition. Wanted records & LPs - jazz, blues, classic rock. 250-3807022. lacknerwayne@gmail.com
UPCOMING EVENTS March 6 - Quality Foods March 13 - Quality Foods March 20 - The Kensington March 27 - Amica Somerset House
EVER CONSIDER MOVING TO AFFORDABLE SOUTHERN ONTARIO?
We request participants to get to know each other by attending our group meet-ings prior to signing up for a trip.
Please contact Robert Tatomir, Broker: Future Homes & Real Estate. 1-800677-5810; robert@future-homes.com; www.future-homes.com.
DOWNSIZING?
OVERWHELMED?
Dream Downsizing can take the stress out of a move. Sorting, packing, unpacking, advising, and more. Free estimate call Lucy 250-634-3207. Or visit us online at DreamDownsizing.com BBB
FOOTCARE: Happy, Healthy Feet make
Stay informed. Join our weekly email newsletter. Email singleseniors17@gmail.com. SPONSORED BY
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Happy, Healthy People. The more the merrier. Call FootNurse Marcia R.N.,B.Sc.N. 250-686-3081.
CHANGING PLACES Downsizing and relocation specialists SINCE 1991. Moving? Aging in place? Need help? Don’t know where to start? Let us take care of all the details from start to finish. Call Jane 250-721-4490 Victoria and the Island for a free estimate www.changingplaces.ca
Hidden Maui Paradise 2 Bed, 2 Bath Condo for rent Central Kihei • 250-882-1963 www.hiddenmauiparadise.com Basic: $49 for 20 words + 5% GST $2.25/extra word. Red color 10% Ads must be paid at time of booking Phone: 250-479-4705 ext 100 office@seniorlivingmag.com
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12 issues for $33.60 | 24 issues for $44.20 (includes tax & Canada ONLY S&H) Name _________________________ Address ________________________ _______________________________ City ___________________________ Prov _____ Postal Code ___________ Make cheque payable to: Senior Living 3354 Tennyson Avenue Victoria BC V8Z 3P6 INSPIRED | MARCH 2019
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FROM “HIP CHICK” TO “HIP” CHICK Shortly before Christmas, I was happily going along, caring for a dog and a house, when my life became extremely complicated. After helping a neighbour, I was heading back to my car to run some errands and I tripped. I caught the toe of my shoe or perhaps a rock, who knows? I flew about 10 feet and landed rather ungracefully on my right hip. My first thought after I finished whimpering was “I better just be bruised” as I not only had many things to do and places to be, but also, I didn’t want to be a cliché – woman in her 70s breaks a hip. My brother – as brothers are wont to do – accused me of trying to get out of cooking Christmas dinner. Long story shorter, it was broken. I spent 10 days in hospital, and still use a walker to get around this many weeks later. But not for much longer. Through the experience, I discovered how important it is to have a network of friends. Friends, who not only came to see me in hospital and brought chocolates (the nurses loved that!) but also offered their homes for me to recuperate in. I could no longer live in my aerie with 14 steps; I needed something that was easily navigable and on one level. No sooner had I voiced my concern than first one, then another and a third place was offered to me. So many friends were travelling and had no need of their small sanctuaries. I received not only sanctuary offers, but also offers to chauffeur me to ap-
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MARCH 2019 | WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM
by PAT NICHOL pointments, medical, physio and grocery shopping. The lesson in all of this is that even though we are used to helping others, there may come a time when we must humbly ask for help. Tough, yes, but if you find yourself in that position, be prepared to tell your pride and your ego that they are no longer in charge. Allow others an opportunity to share their strengths and gifts. Now that I am out and about, my ego and my pride are taking a back seat. It is still difficult to ask for help, but it is getting easier. In the future, I will be able to ask, but I will also be more aware of others’ needs. I am starting a group called Hip Chicks. If you are over 60 and have had a hip event, you are welcome to join. Soon, I’ll be fully healed and ready for ziplining in Costa Rica in October (see page 26). But before then, please join me on March 12 at Pearkes Recreation Centre in Victoria, where I will MC the annual 55+ Lifestyle Show (see Page 20). I look forward to seeing you there! |
&
COURAGEOUS OUTRAGEOUS
Pat Nichol is a speaker and published author. Reach her by email at mpatnichol@gmail.com
Senior Living... The Berwick Way At Berwick Retirement Communities, you will enjoy an unparalleled standard of living at a superior value. Berwick offers all the comforts of home with the amenities and hospitality you come to expect from resort style living. Find out more about The Berwick Way™ – Ask one of our Senior Living Experts Today!
www.BerwickRetirement.com V I C TO R I A | N A N A I M O | C O M OX | K A M LO O P S | C A M P B E L L R I V E R | Q U A L I C U M B E A C H P R O U D TO B E B C OW N E D & O P E R AT E D
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604-717-6200 info@pollockclinics.com | www.pollockclinics.com
INSPIRED | MARCH 2019
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The Harrisons, Langley’s Premier Retirement Living Communities
Independent & Assisted Living
Come & Join The Fun at The Harrisons! Here is to living in a wonderful retirement community that embraces holidays, inclusion & fun! Now that’s
A Better Way of Life!
People don’t just move into a Harrison Residence because of What We Do. They move in because of Why We Do It!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
The Harrisons Offer: Complete Condo-style Suites, Chef Prepared Meals, Active Lifestyle Options, Assistance 24/7 if needed, Outstanding Essentials, Amazing Amenities, Wonderful Optional Services and so much more!
Come for a TOUR & COMPLIMENTARY CHEF PREPARED LUNCH anytime and see Why The Harrisons Really Do Offer A Better Way of Life! Harrison Landing 20899 Douglas Crescent Langley, BC V3A 9L3 604.530.7075 www.harrisonlanding.com 40 MARCH 2019 | WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM
Harrison Pointe 21616 -52 Avenue Langley, BC V2Y 1L7 604.530.1101 www.harrisonpointe.ca
The Harrisons