INSPIRED senior living magazine RENOVATE YOUR HOME WITH UPGRADES TO AGE IN PLACE PROLIFIC ARTIST DARLENE MARZARI PAT CARNEYEACH WELCOMES CARVES DAY AS A OUT GIFT A NEW LIFE AS A BESTSELLING FULFILLING A AUTHOR DREAM LATER IN LIFE PADDLING TO THE BEAT OF THEIR BIRDWATCHING OWN DRUMMER HOBBY SOARS
SEPTEMBER 2018
OLYMPIC COACH ELAINE DAGG-JACKSON
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Making the Podium Achievable by Kate Robertson A Safe Harbour by John Thomson Paddling to the Beat of Their Own Drummer by John Kelly Bathroom with Benefits by Diana Wing Letting Go by Angela Junker Not in Arizona Anymore by Donna Janke
FOREVER FIT 19 MAKEOVER 24 REBOOT 25 FAMILY CAREGIVER 26 MARKETPLACE 27 COURAGEOUS & OUTRAGEOUS
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INSPIRED senior living magazine
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ELAINE DAGGJACKSON She started her career as a competitive curler, but Elaine says coaching grabbed hold of her – and never let go. Photo by John Ducker 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 Team Ann Lester 250-616-2906 | 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 Senior Living 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 Senior Living is distributed free throughout British Columbia by Stratis Publishing Ltd. 12 issues per year. ISSN 2370-3881 (Print) ISSN 1911-6403 (Online)
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Elaine Dagg-Jackson, the National Coach for Curling Canada with Canadian Curling Champion Jennifer Jones. Photos: Courtesy of Elaine Dagg-Jackson
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ELAINE DAGG-JACKSON: MAKING THE PODIUM ACHIEVABLE by KATE ROBERTSON If you tuned into the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games, then you already know Canada’s mixed doubles curling team beat out Switzerland to win the gold. Like hockey, curling is a sport Canada consistently excels in. But what goes on behind the scenes for Olympic teams and competitors? One of the answers to that question is a good coach, of course. Enter curling coach Elaine DaggJackson. Elaine started curling recreationally at the Kelowna Curling Club as a young adult. Her interest in the sport came naturally, as her dad was a world curling champion. But for Elaine, the serious competition didn’t start until she moved to Victoria in 1986 with her husband, Glen Jackson, who was also a world junior curling champion. It was then that she was invited by Pat Sanders to join their competitive BC rep women’s curling team as a fifth player. “With curling, there is a monumental fraternity that you become part of that is hard to explain. When Glen and I moved to Victoria,” continues Elaine, “all we had to do was walk into the local curling rink and we were embraced by a community. Curling is special; you always have friends at the curling rink.” Elaine jumped into the competitive realm wholeheartedly. “Coming from a curling family, I always aspired to be the best at whatever I did,” she says. “I was always interested in reaching the highest level of curling; I just wasn’t convinced I could do it. But in Victoria in the late 1980s, there was a lot of winning going on in curling. Whereas previously it seemed unreachable, seeing people around me excel at curling made it seem like it was actually possible.” Elaine’s team went on to win the Scott Tournament of Hearts (known as Scotties, the Canadian Women’s Curling Championship) in Lethbridge and the world title in Chicago. Then, in 1990, Elaine was asked by Julie Sutton’s women’s curling team if she would be their coach. “They wanted to form a competitive curling team that would train to try to be the best in the world. Although I was still curling competitively myself, I was really inspired by the talent and potential of the team and became one of the first team coaches in curling.” During that first year, Elaine found her passion and her
purpose. She became completely infatuated with coaching and found she was better at it than competing. “I didn’t really intend to retire from competitive curling, but coaching took hold of me, and off I went,” she says. In the next two years, the Sutton team won the Scotties, the silver medal in the 1991 world championship, and a bronze medal at the 1992 Olympics in Albertville, France. Elaine had a very demanding job in advertising and communications, making it difficult to spend the time on the road required for competitive curling. So, with her husband’s support and encouragement, she took the risk and made the career switch. “In those days, there were not many (if any) paid curling coaches, so I had to forge a path. First, I spent a few years upgrading my coaching certification and, before long, a few contracts started to come in.” To get her coaching certification, Elaine started with her Level 3; then her Level 4, which is equivalent to 12 university courses, taking her five more years to complete. Finally, she achieved her Level 5, the highest achievable standing, through the Coaching Association of Canada, making her a Chartered Professional Coach. Since 2004, Elaine has been a national-level coach, initially hired by the Japanese and South Korean men’s and women’s curling teams. After that, Elaine moved into her current role as the National Coach for Curling Canada. In this role, her job is leadership of the Canadian National Women’s Team Program. There are usually six teams in the program, and she oversees the training, support and funding to those teams. “My role with each team may vary,” says Elaine. “I lead the team contingency of each women’s team that represents Canada at the World Championships and Olympics. Of course, they have a team coach who coaches them throughout the year. My time and influence vary. Some teams I have been involved with for 20 years (like Jennifer Jones’ team). My job is to ensure that every team that represents Canada is prepared with the skills and support to vie for a podium finish. Along with hockey, curling is ‘Canada’s sport,’ and we expect gold at every international competition. Of course, this doesn’t happen every time, but it is absolutely our goal and we are relentless in our pursuit of that goal. This inspires me every day.” Although Elaine’s current professional position is with the women’s programs, she is also involved in the entire National
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Snapshot with Elaine DaggJackson If you were to meet your 20-year old self, what advice would you give her? “Don’t worry, it will work out!” Who or what has influenced you the most? And why? “My dad inspired me to believe that I could do whatever I could dream I wanted to do. He had high expectations of me and made me believe that I could – and should – aim for extraordinary things. He planted a passion and drive, and that I have spent my whole life trying to realize. Since he passed away at age 45, when I was just 19, I have looked to a few others to help me realize my potential (and tell me when to stop!). For example, Glen helped me figure out how to make a living at what I was passionate about. Gerry Peckham, my mentor, supports and encourages me every day. And Keith Dagg, my uncle, set an example and reinforced a passion to give back to the community, as well as to honour family and be connected.” What are you most grateful for? “I have so much to be grateful for - my family and extended family, great friends, good health, the privilege to work in a job that is challenging and rewarding, and the energy to pursue my passions.” What does success mean to you? “A few things: doing what you said you would do; knowing that you gave it everything; you did your best; you shared with others; you passed something on; and you contributed something outside your immediate world. You made a difference.” | 8
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Team Program, which includes women, men, junior and next generation. Elaine still coaches men’s teams, however, not professionally anymore. Compared to winter sports like highspeed downhill ski racing or the tricks of freestyle snowboarding, you might think curling is less demanding. But according to Elaine, the effort required for competitive curling is misleading. “Most people don’t realize the mental, physical, technical, strategic and decision-making skill required to be a champion. In curling, you need to concentrate and focus for up to three hours, sometimes for two or three games a day. A Canadian or World Championship runs for eight consecutive days, involving a total of around 14 games. It is very demanding, so health, wellness and injury prevention are critical components of the preparation.” As for the attributes that Elaine feels make for a good coach, it’s more than just being motivational. “I think it’s important to honour and recognize your areas of expertise, focus on those and not feel like you need to be an expert at everything,” she says. “It takes empathy, attention to detail, the relentless pursuit of excellence, great communication skills, patience, a genuine interest in understanding human behaviour and in helping athletes achieve their goals. It’s always, always about what’s best for the athlete. I think I have the ability to tell a story that is convincing and motivating and enables athletes to believe.” After going with her first team to the Olympics in Albertville, France, Elaine has coached her teams at the Nagano, Turin, Vancouver and, most recently, the PyeongChang Olympics. But it’s the Vancouver 2010 Olympics that are a highlight of Elaine’s career. “There were so many good stories with that experience,” she says. “I lost my dad when I was 19; he was a member of the Vancouver Curling Club that was the centre of the curling event. So, his world championship banner hangs there to this day. It was so nice to have WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM
my whole family experience the oncein-a-lifetime event of mom being on the coaching team and seeing me in my crazy Olympic environment in my home town.” For Elaine, coaching has become who she is as a person. “It permeates every area of my life, so my friends, family and sometimes complete strangers may find themselves at the mercy of my good intentions. I never achieved the aspirations I had as a curling athlete, but I seem to have this ability to inspire others to achieve theirs. My kids have also grown to understand the value of connection with people beyond their community. They have been able to travel, work alongside me at camps and inherited the sense of responsibility to take care of others.” As well as her Olympic coaching role, Elaine and her husband have run curling camps since 1982, initially for junior curlers in Osoyoos and, more recently, for adult curlers in Kelowna and Parksville. Their camps sell out months in advance to curlers from all over the world. Elaine’s kids and their spouses help organize and coach at the camps – the generational curling baton is being passed. Competitive curling takes a big commitment. The curling year goes year-round, running from May 1 to April 30. Spring is time to debrief the season, do a full analysis on each team, build training plans and set up expert consulting teams. “I join teams for a couple of on-ice training camps in July and August and the competition season starts in September,” says Elaine. “I usually go to around eight competitions between September and Christmas. In January, there are a few more competitions and then the playdowns to the Canadian Championship begin. In February, I go to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and, at the end of that, I meet with the winner who will represent Canada at
TOC PHOTO | Elaine says the the Vancouver 2010 Olympics was a career highlight. Pictured with son Cal, daughter Steph and husband Glen at the Canadian Olympic House on the top floor of the downtown Vancouver HBC store. The whole family soaked the experience up and remembers it fondly.
the World Curling Championship in March.” If it sounds like a hectic schedule, that’s because it is. “The travel and pace can wear on you,” says Elaine. Ttravelling can be lonely and exhausting, so I try to take care of myself by being active, eating well, reading and listening to music. I love what I do, so it’s not too hard.” As a coach, of course, it’s important to keep your own spirits up. For Elaine, family, friends and colleagues keep her grounded, supported and valued. She spends her spare time at Lake Cowichan and, during the summer season, tries to slalom water ski every day, another of her passions. She makes time to travel with her husband and friends and spends as much time with her grown children and grandchildren as possible. “Leisure travel recharges the batteries and is so life enriching.” What’s next for Elaine? Although she always says she has the best job in the world and realizes being involved in a coaching career for 25 years has been incredibly rewarding, she also knows it’s important to pay back the good fortune she has enjoyed. “The next few years, I will focus on passing on the lessons I have learned and supporting the next generations of coaches. Being at the 2018 Olympics, I tried to take it all in,” says Elaine, “knowing that it might be my last. I enjoyed the reward and challenge of using my multi-quadrennial experiences to guide and influence the next generation of Canada’s
The Jackson family. coaching leaders and help them navigate the many challenges of an Olympic Games. The world is getting better at curling. Countries feel that curling is a sport where the medals are more achievable than in some other sports. My most welcome and exciting job is to figure out how to make sure the podium is achievable for Canada, but that is increasingly difficult each year. It is such a challenge to constantly search for ways to be better.” |
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A SAFE HARBOUR by JOHN THOMSON “Just about everything in my life is because I was blown off course. I never intended to sail to Saturna (her Gulf Island home) but I got blown off course. I never intended to leave the newspaper business, but I got blown off that course. I never intended to get into politics, but I was blown off course. Everything I’ve done was unintentional.” And now at 82, Pat Carney, newspaper columnist, businesswoman, MP, Senator and Member of the Order of Canada, has carved out yet another career, this one as a best-selling author. Her book, On Island: Life Among the Coast Dwellers, a collection of short stories about island life topped the BC bestseller list in 2017 and continues to sell well throughout 2018. And yes, she stumbled into this one as well, the result of an innocent request to read at a local book festival. “Chris Tanner of Tanner Books in Sidney phoned me to say they wanted me to read at the Sidney Book Festival, and I said what chapter do you want me to read, thinking she wanted me to read from Trade Secrets (an earlier book) and she said we’d like you to read from your new book. Well, I didn’t have a new book. I had nothing.” Better get busy, she said to herself. No problem. The writing roots go deep in the Carney clan. Her mother was a journalist and her aunt edited Chatelaine magazine for 20 years. Her twin brother, Jim, was a sports stringer for the campus newspaper before he carved out a career for himself writing and producing National Film Board and UNESCO documentaries. “We were brought up with the theory if we couldn’t get a real job we could always write,” she says. And write she did. As a business columnist with the Vancouver Sun, Pat met the movers and shakers that kept the economy going, especially in the energy sector. But when the paper went on strike in 1970, she had to change direction, blown off course as she puts it. “I was a high-profile columnist, a single parent with a mortgage and I had to go to work. I found people would pay me for my knowledge of the Northwest Territories and the Arctic and I could freelance. The idea that someone would pay me to advise them on working in the North; I thought that was a pretty good deal.” So, she and her brother, Jim, formed Gemini North Productions, set up shop in Yellowknife and stick-handled 10 8
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studies on pipelines, satellite communications and labour relations. In 1979, she attracted the attention of the federal Progressive Conservative Party who asked her to run in the riding of Vancouver Centre. She lost but won the seat the second time around and served in three Cabinet portfolios under Prime Minister Brian Mulroney where she helped dismantle the National Energy Plan, engineered the Atlantic Accord (sharing oil revenues with Newfoundland and Labrador) and negotiated the first Canada-US Free Trade Agreement, the precursor to NAFTA. “Curiosity has run my life,” says Pat. “What if? What would it be like to be a business writer? What would it be like to go live in Yellowknife? What would it be like to go into politics? Even writing On Island is a total accident. I’ve always reached a safe harbour, but it’s not where I expected to be.” A circuitous route to be sure. Writing a chapter to read at the Sidney Book Festival led to another chapter and another until Pat had created a cast of memorable characters: the church warden at odds with the newly-installed Rector; the flirtatious harbour girl who pumps gas at the local marina; and two brothers who squabble over water access, among others. Gulf Islanders identify with the book because they assume Pat’s writing about their island, their village and their family. “They sit in the bar and try to figure out who I’m writing about,” she says, adamant that the book is a work of fiction inspired by years of observation.
ABOVE | Author — and Islander — Pat Carney. Photo: Nancy Angermeyer
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“I’ve spent 50 odd years on this coast and all these little stories are pieced together from events or phrases. I observe people. Somebody will say something, a comment, and it will start ticking away. I was sitting in Maui and I saw this girl sitting next to me in the nail salon with fabulous black nails. I said what colour is that and she said Siberian Midnight. I write it down in my notebook, Siberian Midnight, and eventually the harbour girl emerges. Most of these events are disguised, but they’re true,” she says. “People tell me stories.” A proud coast dweller, Pat says she was anxious to dispel the stereotype. “So often we’re considered eco-freak oddballs. I wanted to tell stories that reflected that we’re legitimate, authentic people who live a life of difficulty, but with a lot of ingenuity.” It’s a carryover from her days in government where she fought vigorously for her constituents in her belief that Ottawa habitually dismissed the concerns of the west coast. And there’s another theme that runs throughout the book. “What does it feel like to lose your identity? When I lost my identity as a reporter, I was stumped. Take the church warden and his wife,” she says referring to a passage in the book. “He’s lost his identity and she’s decided she doesn’t like hers. So, what does he do? What does she do and how do they work out their relationship? That’s why it takes so long to write because you have to get into who these characters are and what is it that they do.” It took Pat 10 years to write On Island and another two years to find a publisher. She had written her autobiography, Trade Secrets, 15 years earlier. That one, too, was loaded with
colourful characters, fearless bush pilots and high-rolling entrepreneurs. They were real people doing real things, like the time she and her Northwest Territories pals tried to land their Twin Otter at the North Pole. They didn’t. The weather was awful. But On Island was different; it was a piece of fiction. Thanks to its popularity, Pat is writing a sequel. “It takes all my energy to try to write two hours a day,” she says, hampered by arthritis, which has forced her to cut back on her charitable work. She’s a founding member of the Arthritis Centre of Canada and serves on the advisory board of Equal Voice, an action group dedicated to promoting women to elected office. Nevertheless, she’s happy to be rooted on Saturna Island, where, despite her notoriety, she’s just ordinary folk. “That’s where I’m feeling most comfortable. We have a community,” she says. “You don’t have to like your neighbours, but you have to help them out. You also have to be very non-judgmental. They may do things that would horrify you in another environment. I actually had to take out a chapter called Swing Your Partners Round and Round because it would be just TOO authentic,” she laughs. “I’ve returned to my original harbour of writing,” she says. “I feel more myself writing than when I do anything else. I learned to be a good politician. I learned to be a good business woman. I’m a really good planner, but I am most myself when I go back to the profession where my parents said, if you can’t get a real job you can always write.” A safe harbour indeed. |
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PADDLING TO THE BEAT OF THEIR OWN DRUMMER by JOHN KELLY You’d be forgiven if you questioned your sanity. Out of the mist atop the glass-like water of a cool, blue lake comes the head of a dragon. In its belly more than a dozen silver-haired women are paddling in unison. They are the engine of the great beast churning the water and hurtling the creature past you. Pinch yourself. Give your head a shake. It’s no dream. It’s a dragon boat team from the Fort Langley Canoe Club. They are women. They are mostly in their seventies. And they go by the name D-Fyance. Thirteen years ago, out-of-shape, last-kid-pickedfor-the-ball-team Ruth Bedell got a call from a group of ladies, breast cancer survivors, seeing if she’d like to join their crew of paddlers. With a great amount of encouragement, she went, reluctantly. “[Paddling] has saved my life! My family all live away from me and I suffer from depression, so this has become my other family,” says Ruth. “The friendships I have made are very special to me and we all support and help each other.” Team D-Fyance began when an ad was placed in the Langley Times in March 2017 looking for women over 70 interested in paddling. Ruth received 60 calls and ended up with 40 women who make up two teams, one which paddles twice a week and one that goes out once a week. Crew member Heather Grausdies echoes Ruth’s lifesaving and changing sentiments. “I am now retired, and it had been two years since my husband passed away when I saw the advertisement in the Langley Times last year, asking for paddlers over 70,” 12 10
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says Heather. “What great timing! I knew the time had come for me to try this new venture. I have been delighted with my decision to join the team.” It’s the camaraderie that binds these women who not only have age in common, but some of the aches and pains that come with it. A genuine sense of sisterhood has developed amongst the paddlers. “I’m amazed learning of the bad hips, knees that don’t work, a heart monitor going off during practice (no problem!), breathing problems and even one of our group being in her early eighties. There is admiration for all the wonderful ladies who don’t let anything stop them,” says Heather. But these ladies aren’t in this only for the all the warm fuzzies their bond gives them. They have become honest to goodness athletes and competitors. The D-Fyance team went to four regattas this year – often competing against much younger crews – and garnered a bronze medal. They are now hoping to represent Fort Langley at the Club Crew Pan American games in Trinidad in March 2019. Thelma Bell is the elder stateswoman of the team. In her early eighties, Thelma had been living one day at a time with CML (Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia). The side effects of the trial drug that had kept her alive for 15 years included fluid-filled lungs and a failing heart. Believing her life was going downhill with each month that passed, she stopped taking the drug. “I started to feel almost normal quickly and had more energy. When I read about the team Ruth was recruiting, I called her and asked if I could join,” says Thelma. “I feared I was too old at eighty-one and having bad knees. She encouraged me to
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come out and there was always someone to help me into the boat and out. As soon as I was on the water, I knew this was something I could do. Having friends to look forward to seeing and chatting with every week got me out of my apartment and back into a social life.” “These women love what they have done for themselves and have grown physically and emotionally,” says Ruth. “They say they have made 20-plus new friends.” Few of the women consider themselves sporty in the conventional sense. Heather admits, “I have always tried to stay active but never thought of myself as competitive, even though I have done a few competitive activities in the past. I always got too nervous at these events to want to pursue them further. However, I was walking on air after our team won a bronze medal within our first year of competitive paddling. I think I want more of that!” Hilda Buvyer, 70, agrees. Considered by some as the “princess type” from her high school days, she says those same people are shocked when they discover her new endeavour. “I didn’t know that I would ever feel such passion for a hobby again in my life, so this is wonderful! I’ve recently (in the past 10 years) had a lot of bone surgeries related to a motorcycle accident that happened many years ago, so my power walking days are over, but I’ve found a new exercise that I can actually do,” says Hilda. After the Pan American Games in Trinidad and Tobago, Ruth plans to keep in touch with Dragon Boat Canada to establish a Senior D 70+ division at the world championship level. For the time being, there are only divisions for A 40+, B 50+, and C 60+. The sport is growing; dragons are known to be prolific breeders. Ruth encourages any woman of any age and ability to dip a paddle in the water. “In the meantime, this team will keep working on our paddling and enter as many races/regattas as we can,” she says. “We will show the world that no matter your age, if you can get into a boat, you can do it!” |
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BATHROOM WITH BENEFITS by DIANA WING Start and end your day with calm efficiency – and a little splash of luxury. Next to kitchens, bathrooms top the list for home renovations that add maximum value to your home. A modern, well laid out, efficient bathroom also adds loads of value and comfort to your day-to-day life. This year, bathroom design continues to trend towards streamlined modern elegance. And for good reason – with the help of smart design and technology, the contemporary bathroom is bursting with benefits! Check out the innovations and trends for these bathroom elements. FLOATING VANITY If you’d like more space in your bathroom without expanding its footprint, opt for a wall-mounted vanity. These units are often smaller than furniture-like vanities as they do not rest on the floor, thereby saving space. They install onto the wall, floating above the floor, giving the bathroom an overall feeling of spaciousness. And don’t think for a moment that you have to sacrifice any storage space. While traditional vanities are cavernous cupboards with maybe one or two small drawers, many floating vanities offer medium to large drawers with clever compartments for your necessities and grooming items. Pair a floating vanity with the perfect companion – a recessed mirror cabinet to house things like toothbrushes, toothpaste, cotton swabs and razors. The vanity and cabinet 14 12
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work together to keep items off the counter and floor. So, wiping up after every use is natural, and with no obstructions, deep cleaning is a breeze. Have a large bathroom? Get your own zone with matching floating vanities. SPA-LIKE SHOWER Nowhere do fixtures matter more than in the shower – and the rain shower head continues to be a popular pick. The benefit of a rain system is the steady, light-pressure flow of water – like rain. It’s relaxing, not punishing, like the standard shower head that can make you feel like you’re either being pressurewashed, or entirely missed by the spray. Most rain shower heads include a shower neck extension, which helps ensure you’ll fit under the shower without having to constantly adjust your position to get a good soak. Or if you want the shower head in a fixed position, your plumber could install it on the ceiling for you. Some wall-mounted rain shower heads come with convenient handheld attachments that let you hand shower off when you don’t want overhead spray. Aching muscles? Add body sprays or jets to your shower. These systems include three or more wall-mounted spray
ABOVE | Modern styling provides a clean, functional and spa-like space.
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nozzles that are each designed to produce a different type of massaging spray. They are usually crafted to feel like they are spraying a lot of water without actually using that much. To complete your spa-like shower, go door-less. Whether they swing or slide, glass shower doors can be cumbersome – and difficult to keep streak-free. So, skip the task. Create a shower space that you can walk right into. Make it “curb-less” without even a ledge on the floor, and you’ve created a shower with ultimate convenience and flexibility, no matter what your future needs may be.
letting you spend most of your time enjoying the relaxing benefits of the bath itself. Plus, with a walk-in tub you can save space! A standard tub is 60” long. Though some walk-in tubs have similar dimensions, many models are less than 55” in length, and some are small enough at 38” to still provide a bathing experience and only take up the space of a shower stall. Imagine what you can do with the extra space! Chris Kehler from Coast Bathing Solutions says, “We work hard to find durable, quick-to-install units, but also visually pleasing products, accessories and building materials for our clients.” So, one thing’s for sure - progressive walk-in tub builders aim for quality, function and good-looking design.
THE WOW FACTOR OF WALK-IN TUBS Does your re-model include a new bath tub? Think past an ordinary one and consider the benefits of a walk-in tub. Sure, it has all the safety features: an easy access door and skid-proof bottom. The best part? It’s perfect for a hydro therapy soak after The Camelot, Victoria | Wedgwood House, Duncan a vigorous day of sports or if you have Hawthorne Place, Qualicum Beach | Stevenson Place, Comox chronic muscle pain. With a walk-in tub Independent Retirement Living with supportive services you easily get in and out of it without Delicious chef prepared meals, 24 hour emergency response, additional strain. And since you’re Weekly housekeeping & your linens refreshed, seated chair height with proper posture, Each Home centrally located in charming neighbourhoods you can gain the maximum benefits from whirlpool jets that gently soothe Managed by a Licensed Strata Property Manager and massage muscles and joints. Many Visit our homes at www.novapacific.ca come with upgraded supply and drain Rental Inquiries: 250-737-1435 or at each Residence lines so your tub fills and drains fast,
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Making changes to your bathroom to live comfortably and safely isn’t difficult if you hire the right company.
“I want to thank you for wonderful service you provide to the to the senior population.” "I had the great pleasure of having Jeff and Ross come to my home and transform my bathroom. They did wonderful work and kept me appraised in a timely manner. They were polite, courteous, very tidy and cleaned up very well, hard working and know their craft.” “Thank you for a lovely safe bathroom.” Maura Bout
BEAUTIFUL BATHROOMS FOR ACTIVE & SAFE SENIOR LIVING… (in less than a week) For personalized service in your area, please call: Head OfÞce Vancouver: 604-484-0379 Lower Mainland- Linda: 604-312-4070 South Surrey/White Rock- Dave: 778-874-4253
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RENEW THE JOY OF BATHING ™
TECHIE TOILETS Of course, no bathroom renovation discussion would be complete without an honourable mention about toilets - hightech toilets, that is. With elongated style, antimicrobial seat, remote-control flush and soft-close lid, Smart toilets tick the boxes on dignified convenience. The typical smart toilet also comes with bidet and dryer. With all these fancy functions, yes, it does need to connect to a power source. But the electronics are efficient, and since Smart toilets use less water than standard toilets (some are even tankless), they don’t consume much power or water. So, although a high-tech toilet is an investment upfront, you can have the benefits without breaking the bank in the long run. Cleaning is a snap too with its streamlined outer design. Despite technology, one of the best things about it is its soft-closing lid. If that is the most important wish, you can accomplish this by buying a manual, soft-closing toilet seat for under $50 at your local home centre.
Safety, comfort & luxury.
TILE AND FIXTURES With plumbing fixtures in place, turn your attention to tile. What else could you ask for? This sets the design tone for your bathroom. With various colours, patterns and materials to choose from, it’s a matter Family Owned & Trusted Since 1971 of preference. Remember though, the tile size you choose can affect how spacious your room feels. Larger tiles generFenwickBath.ca 250-479-3166 ally make a room feel bigger. With fewer grout lines, large tiles read as one clean, unified expanse. Interestingly, you SHOWROOM AT 506 ALPHA STREET can have nearly the same effect using small, penny-sized or mosaic-like tiles with grout in a similar colour. And you can’t beat the added benefit of texture and sparkle with those smaller tiles. Classic colours for bathrooms such as light blues, soft grey, and shades of white give the bathroom a clean, airy SENIORS LIVING COMMUNITY look. If you’re fond of a strong tile colour or pattern, try using it on just one wall, like an accent wall in your living room. And, for the illusion of an area rug in your bathroom The Freedom & Security You Deserve that will never slip out of place, use tile to create borders and outlines to frame in your space. Or for subtle but striking Independent Living... pattern, arrange plain tiles in a Herringbone pattern to add ALL INCLUSIVE RENTAL ACCOMMODATIONS: JUNIOR STUDIO, STUDIO, 1 & 2 BEDROOM SUITES interest and texture without being too visually over-powering. • Nutritious meals by certified chef When you have your flooring figured out, retire your old • A Life Enhancement Program of activities • Home of Pitt Meadows Senior Rec. Centre electric baseboard heater, and add an electric heat mat under • Spacious comfortable suites with full kitchens & floor tiles for a little luxury and loads of comfort. appliances Assisted Living... The “jewellery” in a bathroom is the faucets. And goldThe Care & Comfort You Deserve tones are back! Not so long ago we would have shuttered Our Manor experience has... at the thought of putting brass fixture handles in our bath• A registered 30 suite assisted living residence room – now it’s in style – even more high-end looking than • Certified nurse on staff • 24 hr. staffing for security & comfort chrome or brushed nickel. Let light sconces glimmer in gold • Private Manor dining room & lounges tones. Black or bronze faucets also give your bathroom a • Specialized wellness programs craftsman custom look. • Services available for your individual needs • Jr. studio, studios & 1 bedroom suite For your next bathroom renovation or re-design, find fixtures with a bounty of benefits to help you feel refreshed and CALL TODAY OR REGISTER ONLINE FOR YOUR PRIVATE SHOWING Newly Opened ininin full operation Newly Openedand and full operation Newly and full operation rejuvenated. With so many choices available at home stores NewlyOpened Opened and in full operation THE WESBROOKE and specialty bath boutiques, you don’t have to sacrifice form 12000 190A Street, Pitt Meadows BC for function. You can have it all: a blissful at-home spa and a www.thewesbrooke.com | 604.460.7006 Open 9am - 4pm Daily showpiece of your clean and clever design. | Developed by ALLEGRO PROPERTIES INC.
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Managed & Operated by CASA GROUP
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100-1550 West 49th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6M 0B3
604-563-3540
649 - 8th Avenue, New Westminster, BC V3M 2R2
604 524 6100
7051 Moffatt Rd, Richmond, BC V6Y 3W2
604 273 1225
LIVE WITH PURPOSE Sharing experiences, interests, and talents through unexpected and inclusive activities with our residents is a cornerstone in the Verve way of life. It allows us to create a robust and vital give-and-take of positive energy which feeds the spirit. At Verve we believe that inspiring our residents and supporting their mind, body and spirit opens the door to achieving better health and well-being.
4088 Blundell Road, Richmond, BC V7C 5V1
604 271 7222
Every day, we create opportunities for our residents to discover new things about themselves, the people around them and the world we live in, helping redefine what it means to be aging, together. 867 K.L.O. Road,
To learn more about the Verve difference and find a residence near you, visit verveseniorliving.com
Kelowna, BC V1Y 9G5
250 861 6636
3630 Brown Road, West Kelowna, BC V4T 7Y9
250 768 9926
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LETTING GO by ANGELA JUNKER Remember the feeling of being newly married and setting up your first home, excited and eager to begin building a lifetime of precious memories? The thought of growing old seemed so far away. But time is fleeting, and without realizing how quickly it truly passes, we live our lives by counting milestones: school, birthdays, graduation, careers, promotions, travel, marriages, children, grandchildren and then finally, eventually, retirement. It is in retirement that we truly begin to see how much we have acquired materially throughout the course of a lifetime. That vase bought in Venice on your honeymoon. The lavender sachets still in the drawer that came from Provence. The pottery collection from every trip to Mexico. The large plastic bins stacked in the basement containing finger paintings and first drawings from your middle-aged children’s early school days. Each memory precious, and each memory taking up space in the house until the day eventually arrives when living in a home with so much stuff becomes untenable. The mere idea of where to begin decluttering a lifetime of accumulated memories is simply too intimidating for many. Judy Borsato is one of those people. Divorced, with two adult children living on their own with their significant others, Judy made the difficult decision to sell the marital home and downsize to a condo. She hasn’t found her new home yet, but in the meantime, her house has sold, and she has been forced to quickly decide what she will move, and what she will let go of. The decision to sell was easy; what to do with her beloved possessions, however, has been anything but. “I’ve lived in my home for 20 years,” she says. “The thought of going through all of this stuff was hugely daunting. I just didn’t know where to start. I walked into my basement to see all this stuff in there; it was too much. Then I walked into the garage to see everything in there. I looked in my closet to see where I could eliminate things and thought ‘oh no, I’m not ready to part with this or that yet.’” Judy decided to try a to-do list, prioritizing everything that needed to be accomplished right up to moving out day. When that turned out to be too overwhelming, she tried another tactic. 18 16
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She’d pick up an item and ask herself is it meaningful, is it beautiful, does it serve a purpose? That approached seemed to work. “I’d go through the kitchen asking myself these questions, and then it got easier to say ‘okay, I don’t need this,’” she says. As her pile of things to get rid of grew, she asked her kids if there was anything they wanted. Whatever they didn’t take, she gave to charity or recycled. Gradually, that scary pile of “stuff” in every room grew smaller and smaller until she was left with the essentials she would take to her next home. “I realized that just because something had sentimental value didn’t mean I should keep it. Some things will just be memories, and that’s okay. It was my past and now I’m ready to move on.” Judy’s realization – and how she reached it – is not something that comes easy to many others facing similar circumstances. To help people make the decision to declutter or downsize – and guide them through the feelings of being overwhelmed and daunted – are professionals who are in the process with their clients from beginning to end. Anne Delaney, from Delaney Relocation Services, is a certified Senior Move Manager who has been in the business of helping seniors for the past 16 years. In that time, she has seen demand for her services grow significantly. “Many are waiting longer to make that later-life move to a senior residence,” she says. “Many seniors will make a
ABOVE | Downsizer Judy Borsato had to go through the overwhelming task of deciding what will stay and what will go. Photo: Angela Junker
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decision to downsize and move when a health issue comes up.” Delaney says the average age of someone deciding to make a move is between 87 and 95. “People are living longer, and they want to stay in their own home as long as they can.” Connect Hearing, with hearing researcher Delaney Relocation Services, like othProfessor Kathy Pichora-Fuller at the er downsizing companies, will come and University of Toronto, seeks participants who do an in-home assessment to see if the are over 50 years of age and have never worn hearing aids for a hearing study investigating decision to move is right for the client. factors that can influence better hearing. “As a certified Senior Move manager, All participants will have a hearing test I can help the client look at the options provided at no charge and if appropriate, the available based on health needs and what clinician may discuss hearing rehabilitation options including hearing aids. Qualifying will work for them. If they can move participants may also receive a demo of It is estimated that 46% of people aged around the home safely, feel safe and the latest hearing technology. The data 45 to 87 have some degree of hearing take care of their basic needs then maybe collected from this study will be used to loss1, but most do not seek treatment a move is not that urgent for them. We further our understanding of hearing right away. In fact, the average person loss and improve life-changing hearing with hearing loss will wait ten years can look at making the home a safe place healthcare across Canada. for them to get around and set up home before seeking help2. This is because at the beginning stages of hearing loss people Why participate in the hearing study? care if that is needed.” often find they can “get by” without help, Hearing problems typically result from If the decision to move to a smaller damage to the ear and researchers have spent however as the problem worsens this home or a senior residence is the way to decades trying to understand the biology becomes increasingly harder to do. For go, Delaney will help with everything in behind hearing loss. More importantly, some people this loss of clarity is only a researchers now realize the need to better problem at noisy restaurants or in the that area as well. understand how hearing loss affects your car, but for others it makes listening a “We can help the client and the family everyday life*. In this new hearing study, struggle throughout the entire day. By look at the different facilities and help Professor Pichora-Fuller and her team are studying people who have difficulty them see what is offered in the way of trying to find out how people learn to live hearing in noise or with television, we with hearing loss and how new solutions hope to identify key factors impacting services that will meet their needs now could help these people take action sooner these difficulties and further understand and in the future. Where do they want to their influence on the treatment process. and live life more fully. live, do they want to be close to family?” Whether it’s moving to a senior resiIf you are over 50 years of age and have never worn hearing aids, you can register dence, or to a smaller home like a condo, to be a part of this new hearing study† by calling: 1.888.242.4892 or visiting connecthearing.ca/hearing-study. Delaney acknowledges that every move is a difficult one and can take its toll on a client. “The process of downsizing is always hard for most people when they * Pichora-Fuller, M. K. (2016). How social psychological factors may modulate auditory and cognitive functioning during listening. Ear and Hearing, have lived in a family home for 40/50 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. K., Klein, R, years; we spend a lot of time walking 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). people through this process. We work very closely with all family members,” she says. DATE: 10/20/17 MODIFICATION DATE: June 20, 2018 12:30 PM OUTPUT DATE: 06/20/18 PROOF # serving Our 65th Anniversary the needs Elinor Warkentin,CREATION of Goodbye Clutter, 1 APPROVALS Prod Mgr.: KK DOCKET #: 111150561-23 CHCA DESCRIPTION: Hearing Study Ad March is another professional who helpsCLIENT: seniors of physically disabled throughout B.C. Producer: with the task of FILE decluttering their home, NAME: 111150561-23_CHCA_Study_Ad_July_4.75x7.25_4C.indd Acct Exec.: AB Our Mission is to help fund & support Accounts: Help us to help others! either for downsizing purposes, or0"beTRIM: 4.75" x 7.25" BLEED: -organizations and individuals facing Art Director: Copywriter: cause the lifetime ofRES: accumulations has IMAGE 300 dpi challenges, and improve quality of Our Accomplishments include: Copywriter: -Senior Copywriter: life and independence. simply become too NOTES:much. •Technology for independent living Assoc. Creative Dir.: -Art Director: Software:call InDesign “Generally, seniors me when they •Noble House C M Y K SPOT Creative Dir: -Version: CC ACD/CD: have decided it’s time to downsize for a •Education programs #600 – 1085 Homer Street, Vancouver BC, V6B 1J4 | p: 604 647 2727 | f: 604 647 6299 | www.cossette.com Operator: RP PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK FOR ACCURACY. home sale and move,” she explains. “But PLEASE•Support NOTE: Colour lasersof do not accurately represent the colours in the House Ronald McDonald finished product. This proof is strictly for layout purposes only. some call me when they reach ‘overwhelm’ and can’t take it anymore. For Please support our programs! www.kinsmenfoundationofbc.ca Thank you for 65 years of support!! We have a variety of ways that you can help!! others, not wanting to leave their ‘mess’ For more info, Email: kinsmenfoundationofbc@shaw.ca for their children is the motivation.”
University hearing study seeks participants.
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Warkentin says her clients know they need to make changes, but have no idea where to begin. “‘I don’t know where to start’ is a common phrase I hear,” she says. She’ll arrive at a client’s home, do an assessment, but at the same time, reassure them that they are the ones in the driver’s seat. She can ask the questions whether the client wants to keep an item or not, but ultimately it is their choice. “The more hemmed in they feel, the harder the situation is,” she acknowledges. “Swedish Death Decluttering” is a new trend catching on in Europe and is slowly making its way to North America. In its basic form, the idea behind the philosophy is to mindfully clean out the home of possessions before death, so it saves other people the hassle of doing it once someone has passed on. It’s deeper meaning though is to get rid of “things” that no longer serve a purpose, and in decluttering the home, there is simultaneously a decluttering of mind and spirit. “The Swedes do it when they retire,” says Warkentin. “The idea is that in retirement, you prepare for the next thing, you prepare for a different kind of life. It’s just not calming, not relaxing, when your floors and tables are covered with things.” Having said that, she acknowledges too that sometimes letting things go can be a difficult process and therefore it is never a good idea to force an issue with the client. However, she does try to make the client understand that there is value in the land and in the home – but not in the contents of the home. It is a delicate process to get people to part with material accumula-
tions they have grown to love over time. Her first session with a client usually lasts three hours, in which she tries to determine the goals and the motivations of her clients and then she explains to them the process of going through decluttering. “As we go on, it gets faster and easier,” she says. “By the end of it, people have a real sense of accomplishment.” The most difficult part of decluttering has already been addressed by the time the client makes a call to her, says Warkentin. “It’s a tough decision to decide that decluttering and downsizing needs to happen, so that greatest difficulty is already addressed before the client has even called me. Calling and talking is hard.” Warkentin enjoys her work and the satisfaction it brings her clients at the end of the process. “I love my work. Clients are happier, less stressed, they feel lighter, relieved,” she says. “What started as daunting has ended in smiles and hugs.” If you think you need to start decluttering your home, there is help – and hope. Not everyone manages to do it on their own, as Judy Borsato did. She knows first hand just how hard it is to wade through a lifetime of memories. In the end though, she’s so glad she did. “It’s very freeing to declutter. It’s less important to keep stuff. This feeling of freedom is fantastic, and something I want,” she says. The Swedes are definitely on to something. |
At Amica you can spend quality time with family. Expect first-class amenities,
I didn’t expect to feel so comfortable here.
with a range of personalized services and care to always meet your needs.
Join us for a complimentary lunch to learn more about Amica!
Mature Lifestyles
Amica at the Gorge (Now Open) 994 Gorge Road West 778-403-5606 amica.ca/thegorge
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Forever Fit
ANY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IS GOOD FOR THE HEART by EVE LEES There’s good news for those who hate to exercise or can’t find the time: any kind of activity – housework included – can offer health benefits. But there’s a catch: you must move as often as you can! Simon Fraser University teamed with several other international institutes to collect “activity” data from 17 countries. This was one of few studies tracking results of total daily activities – including non-leisure time activities, says lead researcher Dr. Scott Lear, professor of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University. The study collected data from over 130,000 low-tohigh income people, aged 35–70. Researchers gathered the total amount of recreational and non-recreational physical activity and, 6.9 years later, assessed mortality and cardiovascular disease rates. Lear says the study confirms any physical activity – at home, work or the gym – contributes to reducing the risk of early death or heart disease and stroke. “It didn’t matter if that activity came from being active during leisure time or at work,” explains Lear, who also conducts research at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. Whether they followed an exercise program, walked to work, or vacuumed, participants showed improvement in important health factors like cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar control and mental well-being. Even at lower intensities and low duration, there was risk reduction – although lower activity levels aren’t as effective at increasing fitness levels, cautions Lear. Nick Lapointe, Exercise Physiologist with University of Calgary’s Kinesiology Department, agrees we can receive some benefits by simply moving regularly. “There’s no question it’s important to get up and move often throughout the day. Household chores, walking the dog and most activities of daily living do increase caloric expenditure and can certainly help with weight loss.” However, Lapointe advises taking the claim “everyday activity is as good as going to the gym” with a grain of salt. “I think jumping to that conclusion is very misleading. To see any significant change in body composition, we need to stress the body. Without stressing the body, it has no reason to adapt. These activities of daily living simply
do not provide enough stress to stimulate any significant changes in the long term.” He adds you still need to hit the gym on a regular basis, especially if trying to achieve a particular health or fitness goal. “More activity does offer greater benefits,” confirms Lear. However, if you can’t get to the gym regularly, Lear and Lapointe suggest to simply keep moving whenever you can throughout the day. Whether you work out in the gym or sweep its floors, it’s increased activity throughout the day that offers health benefits and protects your heart. | Eve Lees is a Certified Nutrition Coach, a Health Writer & Speaker, and a former Personal Trainer with over 30 years experience in the health/fitness industry. www.artnews-healthnews.com
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SEPTEMBER 2018
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PANAMA SNOWBIRD: NOT IN ARIZONA ANYMORE by DONNA JANKE From under the shade of the front porch roof, we watched a woman pick a starfruit from a tree in the churchyard across the street. A chicken crossed the road. Latin music sang out from a nearby house. A man on a motorbike rode by, steering with one arm and holding a live chicken in the other. We weren’t in Arizona anymore. When my husband and I retired, we became snowbirds. We escaped cold Canadian winters by spending four months in Mesa, Arizona the first winter, and five months in subsequent years. Our two aging dogs travelled with us, but by the third winter, both had passed on. We missed them, but their absence gave us new freedom. We could travel further afield. And go somewhere hot. Although Mesa in January is considerably warmer than Manitoba, it can be cool enough to warrant long pants and jackets. Frost is not unheard of. Pedasi, Panama became the destination for the next winter. Pedasi is a quaint, laid-back fishing town at the southern end of the Azuero Peninsula, along the Pacific Coast. Locals, expats and tourists intermingle amicably. A four-and-a-half-hour bus ride from Panama City to Las Tablas followed by a 35-minute cab ride brought us to the town’s main store, where we were to meet the owners of the house we’d rented. After nearly an hour wait and rising fears of an internet scam, they arrived, unconcerned about 22 20
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the time. Time moved differently here. We settled into our house with a tin roof. Air-conditioning units graced the two bedrooms. Hot water only in the bathroom, supplied by a small electric heater attached to the shower. Washing machine and propane-powered dryer on the back patio. Life took on an easy, unstructured rhythm. We read the stack of used English paperbacks we’d brought with us and discovered the book-sharing shelf at Smiley’s, a restaurant and bar popular with expats. I wrote. We walked, early in the morning before it became too hot or in the evening as the sun started to set, and local families strolled to the town square. Other walkers greeted us with a smile and a friendly “Hola” or “Buena.” As did families on their front porches. Heat and cramped living spaces led to much of life unfolding outdoors. We saw no cacti or golf carts. Instead, we passed mango trees, wild orchids, and horses tethered in small fields.
ABOVE | Beaches in Pedasi are a 30-minute walk or a short taxi ride away. RIGHT | Carnaval parade in Pedasi – Queen amid feathers. PAGE 22 | Horses, chickens and dogs, oh my! Snowbirding in Panama is a far cry from Arizona. Photos: Donna Janke
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Rooster crowing replaced the urban sounds of freeway traffic, airplanes and police helicopters. They began their symphony around two-thirty in the morning and continued throughout the day, becoming less frequent after mid-morning. Sometimes dogs joined the chorus. In Mesa, we drove everywhere, long distances on wellmaintained highways. In Pedasi, we walked. When we wanted to explore further afield, we hopped local buses. These extended vans sat 11 to 16 people, air-conditioning provided by open windows. The buses operated on a schedule, more or less, between neighbouring towns, stopping along the way to drop off or pick up passengers. People greeted others as they boarded. There always seemed to be room for one more, even when that person was accompanied by a fishing rod. The buses took us to the Spanish-colonial architecture of Parita, the pottery studios in La Arena and a festival in Las Tablas, featuring colourful traditional Panamanian dress. We ate out a few times a week at Pedasi’s many excellent restaurants. We bought food to prepare at home, using my phone’s Spanish translation app to read labels at Pueblo Centro. Cuts of meat at the on-site butcher looked unfamiliar. The stewing beef I used in a curry was tough. Chicken and fish were better choices, not surprising given all the chickens we saw running free and the area’s fishing reputation. In Mesa, cheap prices and abundant supply tempted me to purchase more produce than we could consume before it spoiled. In Pedasi, the choice of fresh vegetables was limited. Greens are not a big part of the Panamanian diet. Tomatoes, potatoes and yams sat in bins in front of the meat counter where selections were weighed. Others were stored in the cooler, wrapped in plastic and already priced – a handful of carrots, three wilted stalks of celery. Farm trucks selling fresh fruit and sometimes vegetables drove through town a few times a week on no apparent schedule. Loudspeakers announced their presence. Their sweet and juicy pineapple was the best I’d ever tasted.
Beauty, dignity and the best value in Victoria. The Oak Bay Kiwanis Rose Manor Society invites you to join us at Rose Manor, a comfortable, warm and friendly home in downtown Victoria. 3 meals and 3 tea times Weekly laundry & housekeeping Activities & much more Call today for a viewing appointment (250) 383–0414
857 RupeRt teRRace, VictoRia (250) 383–0414 www.rosemanor.ca
Join Bob and Teresa Marshall
with Pitmar Tours as they guide these fun and adventurous tours
Fall Foliage of the Cascades: October 15th-18th
4 days 6 meals. WOW! What an explosion of colour you will experience on this tour as well as relaxing in your luxurious waterfront accommodations at Lake Chelan. Enjoy a private cruise tour , tour and taste the uniquely handcrafted wines of Lake Chelan Winery. Leavenworth is a great town to discover treasures in the European shops and Octoberfest. $995 Cdn pp dble occ. NO GST. $1275 Cdn Single.
Chemainus Theatre and Butchart Gardens
December 4th - 6th: 3 Days A great way to start your Christmas Season. Join us on Vancouver Island as we experience the spectacular Butchart Gardens Christmas lights and a Christmas production, at the Chemainus Theatre, lunch buffet and the Christmas lights of Ladysmith. $745 Cdn. pp dble occ. plus GST. $885 Single plus GST
Leavenworth and Warm Beach Christmas lighting Festivals
Dec 13-16th. 4 Days Highlights: Dinner theatre at Warm Beach Camp in Stanwood, WA. which is covered in dazzling light displays and the holiday sounds of Victorian Carolers. A horse drawn sleigh ride, the lighting Festival in the Bavarian town of Leavenworth, WA and a traditional Bavarian dinner. $875 Cdn pp dble occ. No GST. Book 60 days in advance and save $50 pp.
www.pitmartours.com info@pitmartours.com
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Discover Your Travel by Publisher BARBARA RISTO
Unforgettable Croatia Come join Pat Nichol and the team of travel professionals from Collette and Vision Travel on Sept 12th and find out why Croatia is trending as a top travel destination. With places to discover like Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic” and Opatija, “Croatia’s Riviera,” you will see why this area was the playground of Europe’s monarchs for hundreds of years. This special presentation will outline the highlights of the trip, complete with visuals and a keynote speaker from Collette who has firsthand knowledge of the tour. Trip host, Pat Nichol, will be delighted to meet her future travel buddies. Come join us for an insformative, inspiring and fun evening. Please RSVP so we know how many seats to reserve.
As in Mesa, we took water and electricity in Pedasi for granted. Until Carnaval, when hordes of visitors and family members descended on the town, tripling the population. Power was out for six hours one day. Except for short bursts when one of us grabbed a quick shower, we were without running water for the last two days of Carnaval, and thankful we had a five-gallon jug of drinking water. We used thawed bags of ice to flush the toilet. Unlike being in Mesa, we could not take internet access for granted. The router in the house had a SIM card, which we loaded with minutes at the local store, but speed was reminiscent of dial-up days. I was unable to publish blog posts. Cellular speed was faster. For the first time ever, I reached my cell phone data plan maximum. Half-way into our stay, we discovered the town’s free wi-fi, thanks to an American university student we met at the bakery. Reception varied beyond the main street, but it sometimes reached areas of our house. Speed was faster than what we’d paid for. Access to sites with video was blocked. In Mesa, I streamed Canadian news shows. In Pedasi, I watched BBC World News on television. Other programs available in English were mostly
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Croatia, Slovenia & the Adriatic Coast Special Presentation Sept 12th, 6:30 pm Comfort Inn, Victoria RSVP
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Trip Departure May 2, 2019 12 Days • 16 Meals Medieval architecture, tranquil lakes, local villages and Croatian charm. Visit Dubrovnik, Lake Bled, Ljubljana, and the pearls of the stunning Dalmatian coast. Features include the Diocletian’s Palace, a Pletna boat ride on Lake Bled, farm to table cuisine, Opatija (Croatia’s Riviera, a retreat for Habsburg Monarchs) and the 16 cascading lakes at Plitvice Lakes National Park.
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INSPIRED SENIOR LIVING
reruns of old American series. The heat brought us to Pedasi. My husband basked in it. There were times I found it oppressive. Air-conditioning made sleeping possible. Mornings we chased shade on the back patio. Afternoons were cooler on the front porch. We opened front and back doors, hoping any wisp of a breeze would cool the house. On hot Mesa days, we cooled off in the community pool. In Pedasi, beaches were a 30-minute walk or a short taxi ride away. The nearest beaches had few amenities and little shade. A 45-minute bus ride took us to the popular Playa Venao beach resort area or the quirky, private Playa Playita. Sand, sun, surf and a traditional lunch of ceviche, pescado frito (whole fried fish), and patacones (twice-fried plantain) made the bus ride worthwhile.
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Life in Mesa included social gatherings and regular activities. We knew no one in Pedasi. We chatted with tourists and expats in restaurants or on the beach. Our limited Spanish hampered interactions with locals, but less so than we’d expected. Communication occurred via gesture, body language, smiles and a commonly understood word or two. We developed a connection with the multi-generational family next door through nods and greetings. The connection deepened one afternoon when their chicken escaped and raced through the gutter in front of our porch, chased by their 11-year-old daughter. The chicken bolted through the open door into our house. My husband and the girl exchanged astonished looks and ran after the chicken, closing doors behind them. The girl recaptured her chicken and took him home. She returned a few minutes later with fresh oranges for us. The strange became familiar. We recognized people and they recognized us. Pedasi began to feel like part of us. We left town the day after Carnaval. As we waited at the taxi stand outside Pueblo Centro, the out-of-town relative who’d spent
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Carnaval with our next-door neighbours joined the bus stop queue. She gave me a big hug to wish me well. When a taxi finally arrived, two young men waved us down, wanting to share our taxi. We knew them. One was the American student who’d told us about the town wi-fi; the other was a Swiss tourist who’d ridden the bus with us. Returning to Mesa winter after winter felt like coming home. Different as it is, I expect to feel a similar sense of coming home when I return to Pedasi. The snowbird life takes many forms. | For IF YOU GO information, visit www.seniorlivingmag.com/ pedasi-snowbird
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SEPTEMBER 2018
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MAKEOVER BEFORE & AFTER
Despite juggling multiple activities, interests, volunteering and travel, semi-retired Victoria resident Tasma Lee Lacroix is always up for something new. When INSPIRED columnist Pat Nichol gave her a copy of the magazine, and Tasma read a notice about the makeover contest, she thought, why not? “It seemed like a fun thing,” says Tasma. “Just don’t shave my head” was her only stipulation. A self-described nature nut, Tasma shares her property with a host of wildlife, including racoons, deer and fowl. She calls her garden a working hobby and regularly gifts flowers to friends and acquaintances in her community. When she’s not busy with her strata president or landlady duties, Tasma enjoys kayaking on Gonzales Bay either solo or with friends. She attends aquafit classes three times per week with a group of women she considers friends. “Sometimes, the social contact is most important.” Tasma found the entire makeover process – from the hair appointments to the fashion show – “a hoot. I’ve never spent so much time on myself,” she says. “I enjoyed looking at people in the audience; it was almost like acting.” Up next for Tasma is a trip to San Francisco in November to spend time with her sister; a solo vacation to Cuba in February; and Ireland on the horizon. Active is an understatement; Tasma’s life is an inspiration.
WHAT THE STYLIST DID Hair: Tasma was a pleasure to work with. She came to me with beautiful white hair. Since it was quite grown out and hadn’t been coloured, the ends were starting to turn yellow. My goal was to find a low-maintenance option, so Tasma wouldn’t need to constantly keep up a colouring regime. To accomplish this, I decided to enhance her white hair. To start, I chose a Redken Pre Art Treatment, which not only takes out the yellow, but also removes any build up of minerals in the hair. I then proceeded with a Chemistry Treatment by Redken, which is a salon treatment of deep-conditioning to strengthen the hair. To make Tasman’s natural white hair gleam, I added thick highlights with a pearl and a platinum colour by Shades EQ Redken to give the hair beautiful shine and a slight bit of dimension. For the haircut, I decided to go a bit more classic. Tasma is a beautiful, elegant woman, so a graduated bob was a complementary choice for her personality. While still creating height on the top, links cut just below her jawline make for an easy style to deal with between haircuts. It’s a classy-looking shape with not a lot of work. 26 24
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Photo: Sean Doe
by INSPIRED STAFF
Makeup: For Tasma’s makeup, I started by applying a primer on her clean skin, which smooths the surface and fills pours and fine lines. Primer creates an ideal canvas on which to apply your makeup. We then went with an agedefying foundation in two different colours: a lighter one, and a slightly darker one to add contour to her face. I used a cream blush on her cheeks and kept the eye makeup simple. With a charcoal liner on the top of her eyelid, I only went half way to create a slightly more open look. I filled in her eyebrows using a lovely brow kit from Elf cosmetics. Defining the brow doesn’t need to be dark, but it adds definition and creates an arch to frame the eyes. A soft mauve shadow brought out her beautiful eye colour. I finished off Tasma’s look with a soft pink lip gloss. I would like to thank Icon Beauty Supply and Redken for sponsoring the colour and hair products, and also London Drugs on Quadra and McKenzie for supplying all the INSPIRED models with makeup. | Special thanks to the entire INSPIRED Makeover team: Hair Stylist – Hana Akai of Akai Hair Design 2559 Quadra St. Call Hana for details about hair and makeup 250-383-3227. Visit online at www. akaihairdesign.com Hana is an educator for Redken; all the hair products were sponsored by Redken 5th Ave. and Icon Salon Systems. Makeup provided by London Drugs, Quadra and McKenzie. Clothing was provided by Olsen Europe, stores in Vancouver (Oakridge Centre & Park Royal) and Victoria (The Bay). For more info, visit www.seniorlivingmag.com/makeover-sep18
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REBOOT by VERENA FOXX
Jamie Ann Mauro in her outdoor kitchen.
of tomato sauce and mounds of pesto that will nourish her and musician husband Eric Kalaidzis and their friends through the fall and winter. RED HATS SOCIETY Ladies just want to have fun! The Marquis Marauders (also known as MnM’s) is the Surrey Chapter of the international social organization that was founded in California 20 years ago and now has 70,000+ members in over 30 countries. These ladies love dressing up in their signature Red Hats and purple accessories when they venture out. They get together regularly to sightsee, have picnics and Strawberry Teas, do lunch at various venues, cruise, take train trips, attend live plays and music concerts. Occasionally, they even organize overnight pyjama parties! “It’s a great way for women to reconnect after big life changes, to just have fun participating in many different activities, and to make new friends while doing that,” they echo. To be a Red Hats participant, you must be 50 or over. Younger women can join and wear pink hats. “We are one big happy family,” says Nori MacDonald of the MnM’s with a radiant smile on her face. | BELOW | Red Hats Society members (left to right): Mary Harrison, Nori MacDonald, Barb Forjanic, Faye MacLellan, Ruth Cridland, Dianne Menard
JAMIE ANN MAURO returned to Vancouver and took up urban farming in her backyard after more than 20 successful years as a jazz performer in Germany and Spain’s luxury hotels. The vivacious musician says she is just as happy now – digging in the dirt and producing a wide array of organic vegetables for her family and friends – as she was then, performing and living in Berlin and Hamburg’s 5-star properties such as the Kempinski Hotels, and in the Schloss Hotel Kronberg near Frankfurt, which was originally built for the dowager German Empress Victoria. “It’s music and it’s food,” says Thunder Bay born Jamie, who first moved to the west coast in her 20s. “Singing makes you healthy, and so does fresh garden food.” She got her start in the 1980s at Nat Bosa’s New Westminster Fin’s Waterfront Restaurant, where she was the house musician for five years. When her personal life took her to Deluxe guided tours designed for the London, she ran into Vancouver’s jazz residents of Vancouver Island. great, Hugh Fraser, who was teachTofino Escape Winter Mountain Train ing at the Royal Academy of Music, 7 Days: December 6– 12th 4 days: October 25-28th $3199 per person $1049 per person and who connected Jamie to the music (based on double) (based on double) agent responsible for launching her European career. Save $25 Early booking! She says she is grateful that as a pianist and vocalist she was able to see and Immerse yourself in true West Coast wilderness or experience much of the world. treat yourself to a spectacular getaway in the Rockies. “Now I’m following my Italian roots *ALL TAXES & FEES INCLUDED. ALL PRICES PER PERSON, BASED ON DBL OCCUPANCY, SINGLE PRICES AVAILABLE and growing and harvesting food,” she *Complimentary home pickup/return in Greater Victoria - travel starts at your door! says, mentioning 35 kale pies, 20 cans 250.590.0811 www.MileZeroTours.com BC Reg #67275 WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM
SEPTEMBER 2018
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ACCESSING COMMUNITY RESOURCES By Wendy Johnstone If you are unsure about what kind of help you can access in the community when caring for someone, you are among the many British Columbians who find navigating the healthcare system overwhelming and confusing. Many caregivers find the co-ordination role (like that of a case manager) the most stressful part of caregiving, even though it takes less time than providing personal care or helping with other caregiving tasks. Let’s say you think the person you are caring for is showing signs of memory loss, but you aren’t sure if it is serious. Or you aren’t sure what to do to receive a diagnosis and understand possible treatments. Although the answers to these questions are very important, they only help with one part of the issue. If it is memory loss, the person you are caring for may be affected in other parts of their life. Caring for someone with memory loss causes additional stress and this also needs to be a top concern; where does the caregiver get support and respite? Before you dive straight into researching, start by answering the following questions: • What does the person you are caring for think they need to stay independent in daily life? • What are their current health problems, in addition to the perceived memory loss?
Many caregivers find the co-ordination role the most stressful part of caregiving, even though it takes less time than other caregiving tasks.
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INSPIRED SENIOR LIVING
•
Would they give permission to a trusted friend or family member to accompany them to a doctor’s appointment to be an extra set of ears? • What kind of support do they already receive and who is doing it? • For the family caregiver, what support would help them? Do they want more time to get out of the house? Do they want a group support? Counselling? • What financial resources are available for support and care? Once you have a better sense of what the person you are caring for needs, your next step is to understand how to get what they – and you – need through the community. Services are provided both publicly and privately. In this case, sharing your concern with the family physician is the first step in getting an assessment for memory loss. A family physician can make a referral to a specialty team within the local health authority. The person you are caring for would be visited by a team that would provide an assessment and recommend treatment and care plans. If concerns are about physical challenges and being able to do personal care or having difficulty remembering to take medications, a direct referral could be made to Community Health Services to determine eligibility (based on a standard assessment) to receive community-based health service. Caregiver support is also available through respite options, Adult Day programs and caregiver support groups. Services provided through the public stream may be subsidized depending on income. Other services are available privately or through non-profit organizations. It doesn’t end there. In fact, this is just the beginning. Call us at 1-877-520-3267 to speak to a knowledgeable and caring professional or join our September webinar on Accessing Community Resources to learn more | Wendy Johnstone is a Gerontologist and a consultant with Family Caregivers of British Columbia in Victoria, BC.
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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
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 Need homecare for your loved one? Choose a company with HEART! CAREGiversSM with HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE are thoroughly trained in dementia care, bonded and insured to provide customized homecare for your family’s needs. Book a complimentary care consultation: 250-382-6565 or visit www.HomeInstead.com/victoriabc
SENSUAL MASSAGE. Are you miss-
ing touch? I’m a Certified Sexological Bodyworker, I work with Couples and Individuals. Sher 250-889-4166 or email sexeducator@telus.net
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
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in the comfort of your home for everyone in your family. Serving the Victoria area. Please call Debi at 250-477-7505.
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.
We take care of everything for your stress-free move.
From downsizing, packing & unpacking, to full set up of new home including hanging pictures. We hire the moving company to load and deliver to your new home. Moving to Nanaimo Seniors Village, Comox Valley Seniors Village or Casa Loma? Call us to see if the cost of your move is covered.
Delaney Relocation & Home Support Services 250-339-1188
THINKING OF DOWNSIZING YOUR CURRENT HOME? OVERWHELMED?
We can help! Sell your home with us and we will assist with professional downsizing & move management services. Norm de Wit ReMax Camosun - Oak Bay C. 250.858.8560 O. 250.370.7788
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
WANTED Scandinavian Mid Century Furniture from the 50’s & 60’s. Teak, rosewood, leather, and chrome pieces any condition. 250-380-7022. Send an email to lacknerwayne@gmail.com MOTIVATION MEDICS, professional care planners and advocates assure your rights and dignity are upheld as you age. Ph: 778-761-0485, info@motivationmedics.com. www.motivationmedics.com. 60+
SINGLES
SOCIAL
GROUP,
Vancouver, Burnaby, North Shore. New members welcome, volunteer-run. $70/yr. Monthly newsletter, house parties, theatre, dining, dancing, hikes, golf. info@northshoregroup.ca, 604-430-0551.
KIM’S PROFESSIONAL FOOTCARE, experienced certified mobile foot
care nurse serving Nanaimo and surrounding area. www.kimsfootcare.ca. Direct billing for DVA. Call Kim @ 778-674-0475.
DOWNSIZING & ESTATE ORGANIZING: Less clutter = more serenity,
Single Seniors Meet & Greet • Victoria Wednesdays • 9:30-11am
UPCOMING EVENTS Sept 5 - Beacon Hill Drive-In Sept 12 - Uptown Bistro Sept 19 - The Kensington Sept 26 - Silver Threads
Join our weekly email newsletter. Email singleseniors17@gmail.com SPONSORED BY
INSPIRED senior living FOOTCARE: Happy, Healthy Feet make Happy, Healthy People. The more the merrier. Call FootNurse Marcia R.N.,B. Sc.N. 250-686-3081. 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
REDUCE YOUR PAIN classes. Improve breathing, posture & parasympathetic response to effectively reduce musculoskeletal pain. Info & testimonials: whatsyourstrength.com. Call Meghan 604-376-6655. WANTED: OLD POSTCARDS, old photographs, and pre-1950 stamped envelopes. Also buying old coins, medals and badges. Call Michael 250-652-9412 or email fenian@shaw.ca
clarity, freedom! www.GoodbyeClutter.ca. Providing peace of mind for 17+ years. 604-683-0898.
RETIRED: BUT BORED, UNFULFILLED AND DISSATISFIED? The
Retirement Doc can help you identify and fix what’s limiting the contentment you expected. Free e-book at parallel49@ shaw.ca 250-884-4589.
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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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Courageous
&
Outrageous by PAT NICHOL
WHEN STRANGERS BECOME FRIENDS I love not knowing who I’m going to meet when I venture out – even in my own city. If you live in Victoria, you may have wandered around the annual TD Art Gallery Paint-In (formerly the Moss Street Paint-In) in July as I did. Here, over 190 artists take their studios to the streets and delight in sharing their work with visitors. I always make sure I am in Victoria – and take the time to attend – during the biggest art event of the year. I find it delightful to banter with the artists, appreciate their work and say thank you to as many as I can. This year, I had the joy of meeting someone new; a woman who, we decided later, was a kindred spirit. Gail Wainman is the current president of Friendship Force of Victoria and Vancouver Island. Gail and I spent a fun time discussing travel and all of her and her husband Glen’s adventures. I am so envious. It’s no secret I love to travel and discover new places, people and things. Friendship Force is an international cultural exchange organization focused on promoting peace and understanding through homestay travel and personal friendships. There are 350 clubs in more than 60 countries with 15,000 members; both travellers and hosts who participate every year. Travelling to a wonderful new place and being met by a friendly host willing to share their home and their city with you sounds like a great way to travel. Stay with locals and learn about their culture from people who live it. Experience ideas and places that are not available to the beaten-path tourists. If you don’t wish to leave home, you can still participate by showing people from other parts of the world what it is like to live in this paradise we call home. Think of it as an opportunity to turn strangers into friends from around the world, while staying comfortably at home. The website is friendshipforce.org I am going to join Friendship Force, so I can share what I learn with you in the future. Speaking of the future, travel lovers should mark their calendars on September 12 for an information evening at the Comfort Inn on Blanshard Street in Victoria. We will be talking about the upcoming trip I will host to Croatia, May 2 to 12, 2019. I hope to see you there to share ideas. |
Pat Nichol is a speaker and published author. Reach her by email at mpatnichol@gmail.com or visit Pat’s website at patnichol.ca 30 28
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Senior Living... The Berwick Way™ At Berwick Retirement Communities, you will enjoy an unparalleled standard of living at a superior value. Creating a wonderful environment where residents enjoy exceptional services from friendly staff is The Berwick Way. 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 Proud to be BC owned and operated JOB BRC-17779 CLIENT: BERWICK RETIREMENT COMMUNITY PUBLICATION: SENIOR LIVING MAGAZINE INSERTION DATE: TBD TRIM: 7.25X4.75 PREPARED BY: ECLIPSE CREATIVE INC. @ 250-382-1103
You deserve financial confidence INVESTMENT AND SAVING SPECIALS ON NOW
Jeanie Shih Retirement Advisor 604-549-5383 604-419-8888 • gffg.com
Runners & Walkers Welcome!
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Independent & The Harrisons, Langley’s Premier Assisted Living Retirement Living Communities People don’t move into a Harrison Residence because of What We Do. They move in because of Why We Do It!
“
Since mom has embraced Retirement Living and has moved into a Harrison Residence, everyone is sleeping better. Now that she doesn’t have to cook and enjoys delicious chef prepared meals, has assistance when needed, loves the activity programs and has a social life that we can’t keep up with, she finally feels like she’s living her best life and truly loving her Golden Years. Thank You Harrison Pointe
Harrison Landing 20899 Douglas Crescent Langley, BC V3A 9L3 604.530.7075 www.harrisonlanding.com 32
INSPIRED SENIOR LIVING
”
Harrison Pointe 21616 -52 Avenue Langley, BC V2Y 1L7 604.530.1101 www.harrisonpointe.ca
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Welcome Home The Harrisons