Senior Living Magazine Vancouver Edition November 2010 by INSPIRED 55+ Lifestyle Magazine

PLANNED GIVING ISSUE NOVEMBER 2010

Vancouver’s 50+ Active Lifestyle Magazine

The Memory Project

Local vets share stories

Charitable Giving It’s about more than money

Legal Considerations for Family Caregivers

? E N E C S E M I R C A S I H T IS No one should ever be pressured, forced or tricked into giving money — even to loved ones. If someone you trust is taking advantage of you, help is out there. Learn the signs of ﬁnancial abuse to protect yourself and the people you love.

ELDER ABUSE

IT’S TIME TO FACE THE REALITY

To ﬁnd out more from the Government of Canada about preventing elder abuse, visit www.seniors.gc.ca or call 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232) TTY: 1-800-926-9105

NOVEMBER 2010

www.seniorlivingmag.com

Publisher’s Desk

utumn is barely underway but at Senior Living we’re already planning for Christmas and 2011. Last issue, we struck out in a new direction by offering fashion and beauty as a feature topic. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many of our readers saying it was the best magazine we’ve published yet. After six years of publishing, it’s encouraging to know we can still raise the bar. We also received some other fun news – Senior Living magazine appeared in a cameo on The Comedy Network’s The Colbert Report on October 12. The host took aim at Andy Rooney’s recent plan to lose 20 pounds by Halloween. In jest, the host compared Andy to 78-year-old Mavis Pickett on the cover of our Feb 2009 Vancouver issue of Senior Living. Access this hilarious episode on our website at www.seniorlivingmag.com/tv We continue to grow our web audience – we gained about 600 new unique viewers in September alone. We now have over 5,000 unique visitors visiting our website every month. The issue in your hands contains our Planned Giving feature. We’ve heard much in the news lately about how fundraising via telemarketing has cost many charities as much as they have raised, which has left a bad taste in the mouths of some donors. But the fact remains – many worthy causes need your support to survive – especially during this difficult economic time. I encourage you to look through our Planned Giving feature pages, pick a worthy charity (or two) to support in the coming year, and give generously. These charities do much to support the infrastructure of our communities. Your financial contribution can mean the difference between continuing their work or closing their doors.

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS 28 Classiﬁeds

4 Forever Loyal

Local World War II veterans share their stories as part of The Memory Project.

31 BBB Scam Alert

7 Remembrance Day

COLUMNS

Remembering those who died for our freedom.

8 Difference and Dreams

2 The Family Caregiver

Jaye Edwards’ dream took her to heights most girls then couldn’t imagine.

by Barbara Small

27 Ask Goldie

10 Charitable Giving

New tax regulations and innovative giving platforms have altered the world of charitable giving.

by Goldie Carlow

32 Reﬂections: Then & Now by Gipp Forster

12 Living His Dash

Wildlife Rescue volunteer Dave Stafford is making the best use of his time.

14 The Cost of Dying

Plan now for probate fees and taxation after death.

16 A Life of Giving

Mel Zajac has dedicated the last 30 years to helping society’s most vulnerable people.

Cover Photo: War veteran and proud Canadian Frank Wong. See page 4. Photo: Kevin McKay

20 Inspiring B.C. Historian

Historian, heritage enthusiast, author and community activist Gwen Szychter.

22 A Taste of China

A country this expansive offers something for everyone.

28 Ordinary yet Extraordinary

Volunteer Rosamund Van Leeuwen doesn’t let anything stand in the way of her goals. Senior Living (Vancouver & Lower Mainland) is published by Stratis Publishing. Publisher Barbara Risto Editor Bobbie Jo Reid editor@seniorlivingmag.com Copy Editor Allyson Mantle Advertising Manager Barry Risto 250-479-4705 Toll-free 1-877-479-4705 sales@seniorlivingmag.com Ad Sales Staff Mitch Desrochers 604-910-8100 Ann Lester 250-390-1805 Mathieu Powell 250-589-7801 Barry Risto 250-479-4705 WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

Head Ofﬁce Contact Information: Box 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave., Victoria BC V8T 2C1 Phone 250-479-4705 Fax 250-479-4808 Toll-free 1-877-479-4705 E-mail ofﬁce@seniorlivingmag.com Website www.seniorlivingmag.com Subscriptions: $32 (includes HST, postage and handling) for 12 issues. Canadian residents only. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. 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. Unsolicited articles are welcome and should be e-mailed to editor@seniorlivingmag. com Senior Living Vancouver Island is distributed free throughout Vancouver Island. Stratis Publishing Ltd. publishes Senior Living Vancouver Island (12 issues per year) and Senior Living Vancouver & Lower Mainland (12 issues per year). ISSN 1710-3584 (Print) ISSN 1911-6403 (Online)

NOVEMBER 2010

THE FAMILY CAREGIVER

Legal Considerations for Family Caregivers

ncapacity planning is the major legal consideration that impacts a caregiving relationship. If you are the caregiver, it is important to ensure that the person you are caring for has completed an Enduring Power of Attorney and a Representation Agreement. These documents help ease future decision-making if there comes a time when your loved one is incapacitated due to sickness, mental illness or injury. These decisions can include withdrawing money from the bank, selling a house, signing a contract or providing informed consent for a medical

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procedure. A Power of Attorney (POA) appoints another person, an “attorney,” to make financial and legal decisions for you. An Enduring Power of Attorney is needed to ensure that the appointment endures, even if the person who has made the POA becomes mentally incapacitated. If an Enduring POA is not in place and mental incapacitation occurs, the designation automatically ends and the family may need to apply for a court order of committeeship, which is costly and time consuming. When appointing an attorney, designate someone who is trustworthy, and comfortable and capable of dealing with financial matters. A Representation Agreement authorizes someone to assist or to act on someone’s behalf to manage their health and medical affairs when they are no longer able. It is important that the person communicates his or her preferences and how they want to be cared for to the appointed representative. If no Power of Attorney has been completed, and a person is incapable of managing his or her own financial affairs, the Public Guardian and Trustee’s Office (PGT) or a court-appointed committee may be required. Also, if at the same time, no representative has been appointed to make medical decisions, the attending doctor may appoint a substitute decision maker, if available. Otherwise, the PGT may need to step in. In families, the primary caregiver who provides personal care and support may not be the ideal person to appoint as attorney. Similarly, the person apWWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

BY BARBARA SMALL

pointed as attorney may or may not be best suited to make medical decisions. The family needs to take into consideration each member’s strengths, and discuss who will be appointed in each situation to help the process flow more smoothly. The Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre & Registry provides detailed information on all areas of personal planning. Get more information online at www.nidus.ca or by calling 604-408-7414. The Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia can be reached at www.trustee.bc.ca or by calling 250256-8160 or 604-660-4444. Take the time to complete these documents before a crisis occurs. Consult a lawyer to prepare these documents and for advice on how to best meet the SL needs of your specific situation. Next month: Visiting During the Holidays Barbara Small is the Program Development Coordinator for Family Caregivers’ Network Society located in Victoria, BC. www.familycaregiversnetwork.org

Featured Business

Getting From Point A to Point B Professional Transportation with a Personalized Touch By Jamie Schaab

The wise will say the riches of life are held within the journeys, and that mantra couldn’t be truer than when someone with mobility issues needs to reach a destination. There are many stages to the aging process, and it is important that seniors be accompanied by someone who understands their specific level of assistance required while in transit. Adult children typically take on the role of chauffeur when a parent can no longer drive or comfortably utilize

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public transportation. But finding room in one’s schedule for the sudden onset of reliance can be stressful. And the guilt associated with not being there can cause even greater stress and anxiety for children of an aging parent. Carepanions was established out of a need to get those with limited mobility from point A to point B, and evolved into a full senior support service which reaches

passengers on a level of logistics and companionship. Owner Susan Ward says she became acutely aware of a gap in transportation services when her mother-in-law suddenly required frequent trips to medical appointments. Physical availability on the part of Susan and her husband was limited, and it was inappropriate to rely upon an impersonal transportation service during a deeply personal and vulnerable time for her family. “It’s almost like a rent-a-daughter, but without the family baggage,” Susan says, explaining that the model of Carepanions is built on providing the level of attention and companionship one would give to a loved one, but from the objective standpoint of a professional. And that objective standpoint can go a long way during Holiday shopping outings! It takes someone who is dedicated to working with those with mobility issues to recognize the subtle cues for more assistance while still allowing space for independence and dignity. “The most important attribute in a Carepanion is their attitude toward working with seniors,” Susan points out. A transportation service driver who is not genuinely dedicated to working with the aging population won’t take time to decipher the specific needs of each passenger. Carepanions is sometimes less expensive than a taxi service for transportation, but a Carepanion will go so far as to assist the passenger with baggage all the way to check-in at the airport. Limited mobility exists on a gradient. One day all that might be required is a hand in, while on another day the same passen-

ger could ask the Carepanion to attend an important medical appointment and take notes. The latter is extremely beneficial for seniors with hearing loss (even those without compromised mobility) who risk missing important information at medical appointments. “Sometimes transportation can be secondary,” Susan says, further explaining that the accompaniment component can often take front seat. Health can deteriorate more rapidly in the absence of socialization. Depression sets in when one is isolated, which, in turn, affects overall mental and physical health and the quality of life in general. Seniors visit with their driver as much or as little as desired.

�� Carepanions also provides access to special care for cancer patients. A coach who is familiar with the terminology surrounding the disease and knows which questions to ask can be called upon to attend appointments. At the patient’s request, the coach will also be willing to communicate important information to friends or family on behalf of the patient. The Carepanions’ vehicles are designed to allow for ease of entering and exiting – passengers move laterally into a leather seat instead of having to bend down or step up. The interior of the luxury cars are pristine and fragrance free. Each driver is trained in First Aid/CPR and has a clean driver’s abstract. Carepanions vehicles are wheelchair and walker friendly.

Carepanions

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NOVEMBER 2010

Lest We Forget

FOREVER LOYAL

Frank Wong at the war memorial in Chinatown. 4

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Photo: Kevin McKay

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BY KEVIN MCKAY

he Memory Project is an ambitious attempt to capture the living history of those Canadians who served their country during the Second World War. One of the groups of people telling their story is the men and women of Chinese descent who volunteered to fight for Canada during the war. One of the volunteers involved in the project is Peggy Lee, the seventh child of a seventh son. There were 14 children in the family being raised in Prince Rupert during the Depression at a time when people of Chinese descent who were born in Canada had very few rights and even fewer opportunities to succeed and get ahead. Peggy was sent to Vancouver when she turned 15 to find work so she could help her family. “When I moved to Vancouver they opened the Lions Gate Bridge and this was quite a thing for a young girl to see this amazing bridge,” she recalls. “I wanted to be a nurse, but I was not allowed to because I was Chinese. Instead, my father got me into a beauty school. There was plenty of prejudice and I was horrified as I had not experienced this in Prince Rupert.” Unable to follow her heart and become a nurse, Peggy did the next best thing. “I joined the YWCA and that is how I became a member of the St. John Ambulance Corps,” she says. “We were all Chinese girls and we were the only Chinese platoon in North America during the war. I loved it. I loved the marching and the drills. I learned about home medicine, how to deliver a baby, and they had us patrol Chinatown and visit the gambling dens.” Peggy’s corps had 20 women, and she was the youngest member. “I was with the corps throughout the war,” she says. “We gave demonstrations at the armouries and were proud to do it. The people living in Chinatown were so downtrodden, they were afraid to do anything, but I came from out of town and I had all sorts of friends from different races. I got along with everybody. I really felt special about being able to contribute.” Ninety-one-year-old Frank Wong joined up because he had a dream and he believed this would be

the best way to achieve it. “I was born in Canada and was proud to be Canadian, but there was so much discrimination,” he recalls. “We were not allowed to go in a public swimming pool and if we went to the movies, we had to sit in the back row. I guessed that if I joined the forces and showed my loyalty to Canada, they would give me the right to vote one day.” Frank enlisted when he was 22 and, after receiving training, he sailed to England where he served in the Royal Canadian Ordinance Corps of the First Canadian Army. “We were in charge of supply and repair,” he says. “My first night there an air raid alarm went off. I went running for the bomb shelter, but a sergeant stopped me and told not to worry. He said they were going to bomb London and I could go to sleep. The first few times it happened were very exciting, but I soon got used to it. I stayed in England at Epsom Downs until the invasion in 1944.” One of the advantages of serving in the army was that for the first time in his life, Frank was treated as an equal. “I was accepted as one of the members of the corps, same as everyone else,” he recalls. “There was no discrimination whatsoever, I was just one of the boys. There was this Canadian girl who had married an English fellow and lived near our base. They often had me over for dinner, and she would make me a lemon pie. When we landed in Normandy, they called me in and promoted me to lancecorporal and all the men respected my rank, even though I was the only Chinese man out of 200 men.” Over in Europe, Frank and the rest of his corps operated on a mobile base. Everything was on wheels including the office, the machine shop, bunks, and all the spare parts. When the First Army moved, the corps followed, repairing vehicles and weapons as they went. Frank recalls the liberation of France. “It was uplifting all the way through France. It was quite exciting. Every time we would go into a village, the people would come out and wave to us. The children would ask for our autographs and would bring us food and wine. One town even bestowed special honours on our unit, since we were the first soldiers in after the

Featured Business

The Lower Mainland Is Already Singing

And Hearing – The Praises Of Northern Sound’s Newest Clinic Which Opened Its Doors This Spring. By Jamie Schaab

Audiologist Cheryl Blair established the first Northern Sound Hearing Clinic nearly two decades ago in Grande Prairie, Alberta in order to bridge a gap by providing patients with access to highly trained clinicians and personalized care. Her teams rely upon a proven collaborative approach in order to assess and determine the hearing device best suited for each individual. A warm welcome awaits clients at Northern Sound Clinic.

“The Vancouver clinic has the benefit of working off the model that has worked in other areas,” Cheryl says, explaining that it is necessary for a group of specialists to work together in order to think outside of the box and determine the hearing device most appropriate for each patient. “The staff is supported by the larger team – working together as opposed to in isolation.” Cheryl explains that the reason their approach is so successful is because the professionals recognize the most important input comes directly from the patient.

�� And by recognizing that individual perception, Northern Sound clinicians have been successful in matching clients with the hearing device best adaptive to their hearing preference specifications and lifestyle. For example, those who are very elderly and housebound don’t necessarily need a hearing aid when a less expensive assisted listening device will be adequate. Cheryl advises that one make an appointment with a clinician at the onset of hearing loss – usually when others begin commenting on miscommunications – regardless of

age. Compromised hearing can jeopardize the ability to determine speech if not addressed early enough. And miscommunications lead to general irritability and a lower quality of life as one begins to avoid socializing. “People start to get depressed and become isolated,” Cheryl says, adding that people associate hearing loss with aging and not being capable. But that is not the case. “We see loads of children and young adults. Hearing aids developed a bad reputation in the past; but technology has come so far in the last five years that hearing aids, when fitted with knowledge and care, are outperforming previous issues. Thus, Northern Sound clinicians are fulfilling their promise to improve their patients’ quality of life through better hearing. Northern Sound Hearing Clinic is an independent company, so clinicians are not limited to working with franchise-determined manufacturers. Clinicians begin providing care at the initial assessment, but that care does not end when a patient has been matched with their hearing device. Follow-up assessments combined with ongoing support and servicing ensure Northern Sound’s patients consistently experience the full benefits of having a hearing device tailored to meet their individual requirements. Northern Sound’s clinicians have a high level of education, knowledge and expertise, and work directly with each patient to ensure optimal hearing benefits.

Northern Sound Hearing Clinic

northernsoundhearing.com WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM 604.221.4688

NOVEMBER 2010

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Germans left.” Many of the realities of war hit home once they arrived in the Netherlands. “There was this one town, the Dutch citizens were absolutely starving when we got there,” Frank recalls. “We felt so sorry for them, especially the children. Many of us would give half of our rations to the kids until our commanding officer found out and forbade us from doing so. He told us that we needed to keep our strength up for the battles ahead and informed us that supplies were on the way for the citizenry of the town. During the Battle of the Bulge, we were informed German paratroopers may land nearby so we made preparations. We felt fortunate that due to our repair jobs, we had plenty of weapons close to hand, but no one landed.” Before the war ended, Frank would have one close brush with death. “On New Year’s Day, I was going for breakfast, just walking down the road when I heard a plane coming in very low. I thought it was a Canadian plane with a pilot who was showing off when I saw flashes coming off each wing and realized it was shooting! I jumped into the ditch until it flew past and, by the time I got out, it was gone.” When the war ended, Frank was travelling back to his unit from a leave in Paris. “When our train stopped in Brussels, we joined in on the celebrations,” he recalls. “They dragged us into a pub and it was an amazing time. By the time we got back to our unit, we discovered they had been isolated on the base and had celebrated by being allowed one bottle of beer each. It felt great to have it all over.” But not as great as it felt to finally win the right to vote in 1947. Frank says, “Many veterans came back to Canada and were writing letters saying we should have the right to vote. Finally, they agreed and bestowed upon us all the rights enjoyed by every other citizen of Canada. They also rescinded the Exclusion Act, which did not allow Chinese men to bring their wives over. We were quite happy to finally receive the rights and privileges that we SL should have had all along.” Share your story of Second World War service and sacrifice with The Memory Project by calling 1-866-701-1867 or writing to memory@historica-dominion.ca

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FASHION ADDITION 14+ ��

REMEMBRANCE DAY

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BY GEORGE ZADOR

atching the Remembrance Day ceremonies televised from Ottawa, I became increasingly saddened as I looked at those time-worn craggy faces, men and women of conflicts past standing sombrely to honour those who gave their lives for King, Queen, country, liberty and peace. I imagined them young and full of high spirits, fired up at the prospect of fighting the evil of their time: the Hun, the fascists, and the communists. They stood with their chests full of medals, many ramrod straight with the indelible memory of proper military bearing and their eyes misty or wet with tears – fine men and women. I remember my dad, giving his life in 1942 for a cause of hatred: not as a soldier but as a persecuted Jew, good only for conscription into the forced labour battalions of wartime Hungary. Lower than cannon fodder, they were sent to the Eastern front to dig trenches in support of the Germans fighting the evil Bolsheviks. He perished without trace in a huge Russian armoured counter-offensive together with most of his comrades. He died neither for peace nor country, he killed no enemy; he wanted only to survive the madness to see his family again. He died because he was thought to be disposable by the ruthless masters of his time, yet his death was no less heroic than those who fought. I visualized his face standing in a receiving line of the fallen, taking the salutes of the survivors. So I wept. I wondered how God manages conflict within humankind. Friends or foes all pray to a common God for victory, for protection, for salvation. How does God decide whom to favour? Or would He in His infinite wisdom say: “I didn’t create the mess you are in; solve it yourself but, whatever you do, you’ll find forgiveness in me.” Now that would be true impartiality. It has been said that old men make war and send young men to fight it. All the old men I know – including me – felt the horrors of war in some ways and would never want it repeated. Let us remember and cherish the memory of those fallen SL heroes without adding to their numbers in the future.

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NOVEMBER 2010

Lest We Forget

DIFFERENCE AND DREAMS BY MARYLEE STEPHENSON

SENIOR LIVING

Photo: Marylee Stephenson

eing “different” paid off for Jaye Edwards. As a young girl in England, at age 11, she suddenly shot up to five feet eleven inches (180.3 cm). This set her apart from the other girls in her school. She didn’t fit into the games; she felt awkward in class and eventually was home-schooled, as it is known today. Jaye became somewhat of a loner, always struggling to distinguish herself from an older and a younger sister, each seeming to take up more space than she could, in schools and at home. Born in 1918, in southern England, she lived a life of bicycling, intermittent school, and trying to create her own “niche,” her own pursuits, her own identity. So, at age 11, the tall, awkward girl found a dream that would lead to experiences very few girls envisioned, much less lived on a daily basis. The mid-1930s were the days of airplane “barnstorming.” Both men and women would fly the tiny, canvas-covered biplanes from town to town. They’d dance and whirl in the sky, showing their daring skills and sometimes taking passengers up for a ride. As she was bicycling home one day, in the summer of 1936, Jaye “realized suddenly there was a plane there.” She was so mesmerized by it, as she stared into the sky, she ran her bicycle into a parked car. Arriving home, she told her parents she wanted to fly. They took this to mean she wanted a ride in a plane, but Jaye meant much more. Her parents did think girls could have careers – her mother graduated from Oxford in 1907. But careers were limited largely to nursing, by now a family tradition. Jaye kept her eyes open for chances to learn to fly, and the first opportunity to be connected with flying came about in 1939. This was the foundation of the National Women’s Air Reserve. It was structured along the lines of a military unit – uniforms that were more like boiler suits, roll call, numbered I.D. Weekly meetings took place

on Sundays when most of the girls weren’t working. A woman pilot, who later became Jaye’s first instructor, founded the organization. Since Jaye was not working, and the other girls were, the founder of the NWAR arranged for her to begin flying lessons. The government subsidized lessons, if a person could train during weekdays. The lessons were with a private school, where Jaye earned her solo licence. The training started out with doing “circuits and bumps” with the instructor a few times, and then going up alone. For today’s pilots, that would be the equivalent of “touch and go” exercises. Jaye describes the progression of learning: “Then they say, ‘you’re on your own.’ And you think, ‘My God, I’m on my way now!’ And then you sort of collect yourself and say, ‘You can do it.’ You climb to 2,000 feet (610 metres) and do two figure eights and land. You’re expected to land pretty close to a certain spot on the field, where you’d taken off.” WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

Jaye still beams when she recalls the first time she thought to herself, “I’ve been solo!” The training escalated – more circuits and bumps, and then going up alone for half an hour, keeping the airfield in sight. Then more figure eights to solidify the turning skills that were needed. Finally, after three hours solo, her licence was granted. So, when Jaye was able to enrol in the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) in 1943, she went directly into training for flying the various fighters and transport planes, those with one or two engines. The training was like an expanded version of what she had experienced before, only this time they would go across country, “bumping” down at three locations. They had to prove they could go out and get themselves back. Once trained, the pilots were assigned to a “pool” with 40 pilots each. There were 1,600 pilots in all, 150 of them women. Planes, in those days, were much simpler. Though there were eight kinds of planes Jaye flew, they had enough in common that knowing how to pilot one served as a foundation

10-1496 WR Veterans Ad-SeniorLiving.qxp:SL

for flying the others. She started with Barracudas and then moved on to the Spitfires, Hurricanes, Swordfish, Mustangs and Defiants, as the need arose. There wasn’t formal training beyond learning how to fly the first type. A pilot would get up, go get a “chit” that said what plane they would use, where they were to go, and a slip for being signed off when the job was completed. The need for their services was so great, that if an ATA pilot was assigned to a plane that was new to her, she just dashed for the 150-page manual (“the Bible”) that had instructions on the special characteristics of the plane and how to work with them. The next step would be to go to Maps and Signals to get the lay of the land – there were no names on any maps, so they had to be shown their destination by the map staff. Then came a visit to the Met (meteorological) Centre to study the weather. Then, she was off to do the day’s job of flying. Jaye never knew, from one day to the next, what plane, destination or reason for the flight would be – delivery of a new plane, taxiing pilots to bases or carrying other passengers who needed to be at another airbase. There was an added challenge in that neither the single nor twin-engine planes had radio communications. The pilots did not fly blind, but they did fly speechless and hearing nothing but the sound of the engines. (American planes could communicate with each other, but they did not have radio contact with the ground.) There were accidents. Jaye had two. One was beginner’s bad luck. During training, she was landing, coming in very low, looking to one side only and her opposite wing hit a tree. She pitched into the crash pad on the instrument panel, and lost her front teeth. She felt stunned at the time, tried to cut off the gas, but it was already broken. “You’re just sitting there, can’t go anywhere. I didn’t feel terrible, I don’t think I realized I’d hurt my mouth.” She was rescued quickly, since she was virtually at the airport. The rescue team was there in two minutes, and they said they were glad so little damage had been done to the plane. Jaye did not share their enthusiasm for her narrow escape. Her other accident occurred when the

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It is not without a price, that we live in a land that is free. In honour of our brave veterans – for your service, endurance, sacrifice and wisdom that we all too often take for granted. We are humbled by your bravery and inspired by your love of country. With deep appreciation and respect, we thank you. ~ Remembering Our Veterans ~

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landing gear collapsed as she touched down. This was not due to inexperience, but she was noted in the records as “responsible, but not to blame.” She was uninjured and still has the documents recording the crash. Jaye was discharged at the end of the war. Restless, she began to travel, worked as a childcare worker for friends in Singapore, stayed for a while with relatives in Australia and, eventually, arrived in West Vancouver in 1948. She took teacher WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

training and taught for many years. She married and has two sons. Her love of planes remains, but she did not fly again. After the war, there was no need for an ATA. She looks back with pride and wistfulness about her experiences flying. “To take off, especially a bright day, to take off and then be at 2,000 feet, the sun shining, no clouds, just you. It was fabulous! The war didn’t exist, it was SL just ‘Wow!’” NOVEMBER 2010

Planned Giving

Charitable Giving: It’s about more than money BY HARP SANDHU

s the richest generation in Canadian history becomes wealthier, people are expressing their generosity through contributions to charities and philanthropic organizations in record numbers. Today, many families can designate a portion of their wealth to bettering the world. Changes in tax regulations and innovative new giving platforms have also made charitable giving more attainable for a larger percentage of people. The process of deciding on what causes to support and how to support them can be a powerful life-affirming experience under the guidance of an experienced advisor. Another major shift has taken place in the world of charitable giving. Traditionally, people who gave to charity most often did so at the time of their death. Today, the majority of giving takes place while the donors are still alive, allowing people to witness the results of their gifts. Making your mark Begin by asking yourself questions like, “What do I want my money to accomplish?” and, “What do I want my life to have been about?” Supporting a charity in a focused and strategic way gives our lives lasting purpose, enabling us to thank and pay tribute to institutions or people who have been important in our lives, inspiring our children and our peers, supporting important causes, and connecting us with the world at large. Make sure you have an Investment Advisor who focuses on philanthropy to help you identify one or two causes you value most, educate you about the various modes of giving, help you choose the best option for your circumstances, and work proactively to maximize the impact of your dollars. Guidance and planning Most Canadians underestimate their wealth and can donate far more to charity than they ever thought possible. However, it is wise to make planned gifts within the con10

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text of a complete financial or estate plan. Your trusted professional advisor should accept the responsibility of ensuring you receive full disclosure and understand all the facts and rules regarding your gifts. For example, you may not be aware that a gift annuity is irrevocable, or that insurance premiums may increase over time. The beneﬁts of donating securities In the spring of 2006, the federal government eliminated the capital gains tax on donated securities. This provides a significant financial incentive to donate appreciated securities directly to your favourite charity or philanthropic organization. Gifts of securities tend to be larger donations and are often part of a philanthropic strategy or legacy. Here’s how it works: When you donate stock, you receive a charitable tax receipt: • The value of your donation is based on the stock’s closing price the day it is received by the charity. • A percentage of the donation becomes a non-refundable tax credit, which lowers your taxes that year. • Charitable tax credits can also be used in the future. If you wish, you can spread out your tax savings over five years. • You pay no capital gains tax on the appreciation of the stocks; capital gains taxes are no longer charged on shares donated to registered charities. Which modes of giving best suit your needs? Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) Donor Advised Funds are a cost-effective alternative to creating a private foundation. They are ideal for people who want to be actively involved, or strategic, in their philanthropy. DAFs allow you to enjoy all the benefits of forming a private foundation while leaving the administraWWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

tion and investment management duties to the charity or institution. Donor advised funds can involve a person, a couple, a family or a corporation. Often, a family will use a DAF to decide together, on an annual basis, which charities they will donate to each year. DAFs are typically funded with periodic lump sum contributions. Endowment funds These are essential to any charity as they ensure a predictable income stream and the long-term success of the organization. An endowment fund is like a receptacle for gifts given in perpetuity. The capital remains untouched, while the income generated is used to finance ongoing programs and services. Endowments are an ideal gift to keep donors’ visions alive long after they have passed away, and pay lasting tribute to their passions or beliefs. They are often the best vehicle to satisfy certain donors’ strategic philanthropic objectives, as naming privileges often recognize the donor or family associated with the endowment. Insurance A gift of insurance provides donors with an opportunity to make a large gift to a charity while enjoying tax savings today and in the future. For example, you could pay a low monthly premium and designate your charity as the owner and beneficiary, claiming the cost of the premiums as a tax deduction. You can donate through an existing life insurance policy or create a new policy for giving. Note there are many details to consider before putting this option into place. Testamentary trusts and bequests These are included in the donor’s will and are dealt with upon death. A commitment is made now, but the donor retains the funds through his or her lifetime. At the time of death, the donor’s estate distributes the funds to the designated charity. Donors can make restricted bequests that specify what can be done with their money, or unre-

Planned Giving stricted bequests that can be used for any purpose. Your Investment Advisor can help you establish a trust or bequest with the guidance of a lawyer. Gift annuities The gift annuity or charitable gift annuity is a planned gift that benefits both the donor and the charity. The charity receives a minimum of 20 per cent of the annuity capital, while the donor receives lifelong tax benefits. A contract is established between the charity and the donor in which the donor agrees to give an irrevocable gift. In exchange, the charity agrees to pay a lifetime annuity to the donor or surviving beneficiary. Gifts of residual interest If you possess property you would like to deed to charity, you can make a gift of residual interest. You make an irrevocable gift of the property but retain your right to use it for the rest of your life or for a certain term. For example, you could donate a residual interest in a principal residence and continue living there, or give a residual interest in a painting but continue to display it over a lifetime. When you make a residual interest gift, you are entitled to a gift receipt that reduces your taxable income. SL This material is for general information only and is not to be construed as an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of securities mentioned herein.

Your willingness builds for the future. Through the giving of World Vision friends like you, we can improve the well being of children for generations to come. Planning your will can be practical and emotionally gratifying through your giving of:

Bequests, Gifts of securities Gift of Life insurance For more information, please contact Denise Fernandes 1-800-714-3280 ext 3837 Email plannedgiving@worldvision.ca or visit us online at www.worldvision.ca/plannedgiving

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NOVEMBER 2010

Planned Giving

LIVING HIS DASH BY YOLANDA BROOKS

SENIOR LIVING

Photo: Yolanda Brooks

ave Stafford once beat track and field legend Harry Jerome in a 100-yard sprint. He also competed for Canada in long jump at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1954 when they were held in Vancouver. While Dave may have slowed down a little since his heyday, he still lives life at a speedy pace. Since the former Trans-Canada Air Lines/Air Canada employee retired in 1989, he has carved out a new career as a volunteer. At the Wildlife Rescue Association (WRA) in Burnaby, Dave, 76, is the No. 1 animal transport driver. To the kids who go to Disneyland through the Air Canada Dreams Take Flight charity, he is Captain Dreams. And to the Second World War veterans from Brock Fahrni Pavilion in Shaughnessy, he is a friendly face who escorts them around town to attend the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Vancouver Cenotaph. “For me, the number one thing is people,” says Dave. “I love meeting people and getting out there and helping out where I can. I don’t mind approaching people and just talking to them because you get to meet and know a lot of different folks that you wouldn’t otherwise meet.” After he retired from the airlines, Dave had a number of parttime jobs that ranged from cook to painter. And when provincial and federal elections rolled around, he’d pull on his supervisor hat to set up election stations in schools and hospitals. A role he continues today. His volunteering career took off in 2004 when he answered a newspaper ad calling for weed pullers around Burnaby Lake. “I was raised during the war, and we all had Victory Gardens. I picked up a love of gardening back then and that flows naturally into some of the things I do now.” From weed busting, Dave got involved in bird banding and building nest boxes with the Burnaby Lake Park Association. When he went to donate some Canadian Tire money to the WRA Care Centre at Burnaby Lake, he was quickly signed up as a pick-up and release driver for the organization, which rescues and rehabilitates injured, sick, orphaned and oil-polluted wildlife. Since 2008, Dave has clocked more than 9,000 km for the charity. He carries out a rescue roughly once every three days and he travels all across the Lower Mainland in his much-loved antique VW van to pick up animals in distress. Once rehabilitated, he often returns the animals to their natural habitat. He manages to catch most animals using just a cage, a towel and his cunning. But he has occasionally had to resort to using other implements. When a family of 10 ducklings fell down a

storm drain, Dave came to the rescue with a plastic sieve. He has also rescued skunks from soccer nets, released marmots at Hope Slide, saved a gull dangling from razor wire in a Vancouver back alley and found a new home for a beaver on a remote Harrison Hot Springs lake. So keen is Dave to fulfill his duties, he once took a date on a skunk release in Stanley Park. “My date didn’t know what I was doing but, luckily, the skunk got out of the cage and disappeared real quick,” he laughs. Dave spent 32 years in the airline industry working in sales and ticketing and his contact with the industry continues as a volunteer for Air Canada’s Dreams Take Flight charity that flies 125 physically, socially and mentally challenged kids to Disneyland for the day. As well as helping to organize the logistics, and chaperoning three trips, Dave dons a cape and winged Captain Dreams helmet to spread a little magic during the meet and greet at the start of the trip. “I don’t particularly like the rides because they are not designed to make you feel good, but the kids are so excited,” says Dave, a widower, who has three grown children of his own. “It’s

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Planned Giving something that stays with them and we’ve had kids who’ve come back years later as adults to volunteer. That’s really gratifying.” Another of Dave’s favourite volunteer activities is as a helper to the veterans at Brock Fahrni Pavilion, who have a whirl of events on Remembrance Day. “It is a very emotional day and I look forward to doing it every year,” says Dave. “They don’t get out often, and it is a really awesome thing to see the reception they get wherever they go.” Dave comes from a family of joiners and doers, and volunteering is a family tradition. “My dad was a school superintendent, he was a Rotarian, a Mason, and he belonged to the Chamber of Commerce, while my mother was a member of Eastern Star.” H.D. Stafford Middle School in Langley is named in honour of Dave’s father, who later initiated the H.D. Stafford Laurels Award for exceptional students at the school. Since his father died in 1978, Dave has regularly presented the award at the school’s annual graduation ceremony. His favourite speech “How do you live your dash?” is based on The Dash, an inspirational poem written by Linda Ellis. “You go to the cemetery and what do you see? There’s the date you were born and then your dash and then there’s your final resting date. The question is: What does the dash represent? How do you fill in your time because all you’ve got between your birth and your death is a dash? I try to live my life by makSL ing the best use of the time that I have.”

WRA Wildlife Rescue Association of BC provides leadership in rehabilitating wildlife and in promoting the welfare of wild animals in the urban environment.

Your planned gift will support our vision of improving the welfare of local wildlife through rehabilitation and education. Please contact us for more information: 604.526.2747 INFO@WILDLIFERESCUE.CA WWW.WILDLIFERESCUE.CA

�� © AFP Teresita Chavarria

Your Legacy Is Her Future.

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Since 1973, the Canadian Section of Amnesty International has promoted and protected human rights at home and abroad, through ongoing campaigning, outreach and education programs. By remembering Amnesty International in your will and estate planning, you will be helping to build a future where the fundamental dignity of every person is respected worldwide. For information and assistance, contact: Heather Warren, Gift Planning Associate (613) 744-7667 ext. 239 hwarren@amnesty.ca www.amnesty.ca/plannedgiving 1-800-AMNESTY

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Charitable Reg. No. 11878 5914 RR 0001

NOVEMBER 2010

Planned Giving

The Cost of Dying BY WILLIAM R. WALTERS

n life, there is no free lunch. Unfortunately, this principle applies to death as well. The most immediate and obvious cost of dying is the funeral or other arrangements relating to the disposal of the deceased’s body. While this can run to many thousands of dollars, it pales by comparison with the two main financial burdens of dying: probate fees and taxation. And while these two sets of fees can only rarely be avoided entirely, they can be minimized.

Probate fees

Probate is the process by which a court confirms that a deceased’s will is in fact that person’s last, valid will. Probate has the practical value of providing reassurance to banks and others holding assets of the deceased that they may deal with the executor named in the probated will according to the instructions set out in the will. Probate is not always required. For example, probate may not be required

if a deceased owned all of his or her assets jointly with another person, or the deceased’s assets are held by institutions that do not require probate. Where probate is required, probate fees are not paid if the value of the estate is below $25,000. Between $25,000 and $50,000, probate fees are $6 for every $1,000, and above $50,000, the rate is 1.4 per cent. Having assets pass outside the will can minimize probate fees. This result can be accomplished by numerous methods, including gifting assets during one’s lifetime, holding assets in joint tenancy with another person, or creating inter vivos trusts. Great caution and thoughtful planning are required, however, to ensure that the benefit of minimizing probate is not acquired at too great a cost. For example, transferring property into joint names may trigger capital gains taxes or require the payment of property transfer taxes that offset the savings on probate. One

also surrenders control by putting assets into joint tenancy: the joint owner’s co-operation likely will be required to deal with the asset, and the actions of the joint owner may jeopardize the asset.

Taxation – A Simpliﬁed Overview

Canada has no estate tax. However, the Income Tax Act brings into income for the deceased’s final year many kinds of accrued capital gains, accrued income and recapture of capital cost allowance. Accrued capital gains are one of the most significant issues for an estate. A capital gain is the difference between the cost of an asset to its owner when it is bought and the price at which the owner disposes of it. If the asset is sold for less than it was bought, a capital loss results. When a person dies, the Income Tax Act deems that a deceased sold for fair market value all of their assets

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Planned Giving just before death. Of course, the asset may not actually have been sold. Nonetheless, the deceased’s estate is responsible to pay the capital gains tax that results from this deemed disposition of the asset. In order to minimize the effect of taxes on death, an individual can plan to defer the payment of taxes for as long as possible and can try to achieve tax savings.

thus will be taxed at the appropriate rate and resulting capital could be distributed tax free to beneficiaries. This arrangement is particularly useful where the beneficiary is earning income from other sources outside of the trust as well. As with plans to save probate fees, individuals should carefully assess the benefits, costs and risks of any plan to save or defer taxes arising on

death. These issues must be looked at in the total context of an individual’s estate plan and not simply in isolation. Experienced, professional advice, although perhaps costly in the short-term, may be the best investSL ment of all. This article is informational only. For personal advice, contact your legal professional.

Common deferral techniques include:

Spousal or common-law partner rollovers: property is transferred to one’s spouse or partner during lifetime or after death in order to defer the payment of the tax arising on death until the spouse or partner dies. Eligible property such as capital property can be rolled over on death to a spouse, common-law partner, spouse trust, or common-law partner trust. While alive, an individual can only rollover capital property to this same set of individuals and trusts. Rollover of certain kinds of farm and fishing property to a child resident in Canada: noteworthy is that a child here may, in appropriate circumstances, include grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Estate freezes: business or investment assets are transferred to a corporation or the capital of an existing corporation is reorganized so that future growth occurs in the hands of children or grandchildren. Tax savings can be achieved by taking advantage of certain provisions in the Income Tax Act including: The $750,000 lifetime capital gain exemptions: for example, shares in a small business corporation owned directly by an individual may qualify for this exemption if the necessary criteria are satisfied. Testamentary trusts: trusts created in a will are taxed at the same graduated rates as the income of an individual. Income generated in such trusts

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One in three Canadian deaths is caused by Heart Disease and Stroke Your Gift Will Save Lives Call or email for a free Legacy Planning Kit: Melanie Brooks Coordinator Planned Giving plannedgiving@hsf.bc.ca 1.888.473.4636 www.heartandstroke.bc.ca/givingbywill

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NOVEMBER 2010

Planned Giving

A Life of Giving

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SENIOR LIVING

rious and chronic disabilities. Thanks to the work of volunteer doctors and nurses, as well as a 24-hour medical centre, the ranch allows children to participate in activities like canoeing, kayaking, archery and horseback riding; activities that often leave a life-changing impact. “One of the kids at our camp never spoke a word until he was nine years old,” recalls Mel. The boy, who rode a horse for the first time in his life at Zajac Ranch, uttered the words “cowboy hat,” after riding with a hat placed over his helmet. “Their parents came to pick him up from our camp, and when they heard him, they cried. I cried too – it was so emotional.” Raised in a family with limited – often dire – financial means, Mel believes in sharing his time and resources with those less fortunate. Born in Winnipeg as the second youngest of eight children, Mel went into the workforce early, as his father had died when he was just six years old. “In those days, there was no such thing as pensions,” he says. “The older kids went to work, and I started selling papers when I was 11. At 13, I got a job in a bowling alley and worked there until I was 16. Because of the fact that I was born in a very poor neighbourhood, I was always anxious to get up the ladder.” As a teenager, Mel harboured a passion for music and dreamed of performing onstage for a living. “I played trumpet,” he says. “I bought my first trumpet from my savings. It cost $100 and I paid it all off, making only $2 a day.” After finishing school, Mel came to Vancouver to visit his sister. He ended up spending four years on the West Coast, and got a job working at a lumber supply house. There, he learned the basics about home-building and spent his weekends building houses for people in the VancouWWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

Photo: Courtesy of the Zajac Foundation

orking at his office in the quiet Kitsilano area of Vancouver, Mel Zajac Sr. is a fit, handsome man with striking blue eyes that rarely betray the sadness of a father who lost two sons, when they were still in the prime of their youth. Over the last 30 years, he has devoted his life to improving the lives of society’s most vulnerable people. Mel is the driving force behind the Zajac Foundation, a local charity that raises funds for children and seniors. They are perhaps best known for the unique Zajac Ranch, a Western-themed camp in rural Mission that provides the complete outdoor experience for children with se-

BY JENNY UECHI

ver area. This part-time project soon became his living. In the late sixties, he constructed many distinct buildings that are a part of Vancouver’s cityscape, including the magnificent Pacific Palisades Apartments and the recently closed Pacific Palisades Hotel, covered in sea-green glass. Even as he was meeting celebrities at his expensive hotel and building a comfortable life for his family, Mel never forgot about helping people in need. Since 1968, Mel and his wife, Irene, have raised funds through the Mel Zajac Classic Golf Tournament, along with private donations from family and friends. The couple’s efforts became more concentrated, however, after their two sons, Mel Jr. and Marty, passed away in two separate sporting accidents that took place just eight months apart. Mel Jr., their eldest, was an Olympic swimmer and threetime gold medalist in the Canada Games, while Marty, an avid golfer and skier, frequently volunteered to help children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Planned Giving “My sons were the chip off the old block,” Mel says. “I wanted to teach them to give back to the community.” Setting up the Mel Jr. and Marty Zajac Foundation in 1987, the surviving family poured their time and energy into their non-profit organization, with daughters Corrine, Carmen and Karen becoming strong supporters of their parents’ work (Carmen is currently the Foundation’s president). Although Mel had always wanted to set up a camp for underprivileged children, he got his inspiration through actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, whose brother was Mel’s neighbour in Palm Springs, Florida, where he owned a second house. “Paul came up to Vancouver and showed me the idea of a medical camp, and said maybe he could endorse something like this.” Within three years, however, Mel realized he wouldn’t need a celebrity endorsement to make his camp work. The only camp of its kind in Canada, children from across the country and even parts of the U.S. sign up for the activities. Mel says that some parents are so nervous when they drop off their kids at camp that they actually drive back to check if everything is okay. “We have some kids who cry because they don’t

Experience the power of giving.

Your gift ensures that we can continue to provide compassionate support to those facing the end of life experience. Your options include: • • • • •

Donations In Memory Monthly Giving Wills and Bequests Gifts of Securities Gifts of Life Insurance

For more information: 604-945-0606 info@crossroadshospice.bc.ca www.crossroadshospice.bc.ca

Help us help others. Give generously.

Zajac Ranch Summer Camp, climbing wall.

want to be left at the camp, at first, but when it’s time to go, they’re crying because they’ve had too much fun and they don’t want to leave,” he laughs. Now, Mel wants to make more efforts to connect seniors from his foundation’s seniors home with children. “I always wanted to do an intergenerational thing, children with seniors,” he says. “A lot of kids here don’t have grandparents, and vice versa. A lot of people have grandchildren, but they’re on the other side of the world, on the East Coast, or maybe in the U.K. So, it benefits both ways.” Even though Mel speaks with an air of genuine humility, as though he has not done enough, his foundation’s work has been noted. In 2007, Mel Zajac was appointed to the Order of Canada for his years of philanthropist work. “A lot of people who get these awards are doctors, and I’m just a layman, so it was a real honour,” he says. SL A legacy that would make his two sons proud. WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

NOVEMBER 2010

Senior Living Vancouver & Lower Mainland Distribution Locations

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Inspiring B.C. Historian BY BEV YAWORSKI

earching for one’s family history often comes from a sense of responsibility to preserve the past for future generations. Gwen Szychter of Delta is a B.C. historian, heritage enthusiast, author of seven books, and community activist who has taken historical research to a whole other level. Gwen’s fascination with community history and heritage preservation began about 30 years ago through a series of unexpected discoveries. “It’s actually serendipAuthor Gwen Szychter recently launched ity,” says Gwen. “I was her book Sarah of Ladner’s Landing. a mature adult student at Simon Fraser University and needed something to keep the brain farmwomen in the Fraser Delta.” going – so I took a couple of courses Gwen soon felt a compelling need and ended up in history. After a chance to do something with all the informameeting with an instructor from the tion she had collected. She discovered Women’s Studies program, I ended up that many people were interested in the taking her course.” history of their homes and properties, “One of the projects she had us do yet, at that time, there was no one lowas research a community to come up cation to find the information without with a biography or something along families spending considerable time that line. What I got into was a three- doing the research for themselves. This generation tracing of the life of farm- inspired Gwen to write seven history women. This particular family was the books about Delta to provide a source Reynolds family of Ladner. I got very for information on the most obvious interested in local history to the point Delta historical buildings. where my thesis centred on the lives of “My life as a historian seems to have WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

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fallen into projects where I have met a lot of interesting people in the process,” says Gwen, “and I did a lot of oral history interviews with many people who had never been interviewed by anyone. My books about Delta were a natural following from my thesis research and heritage committee work. And most Delta heritage buildings are located in Ladner.” Subsequently, Gwen became chair of Delta’s Heritage Advisory Committee, almost by accident. A housing development was being constructed near the Tsawwassen Golf Course that needed new street names. Gwen was alarmed when uninspiring names like Golf Club Drive were being considered. She spoke up suggesting that heritage street names would be a better option, and soon found herself on Delta’s Heritage Advisory Committee. Gwen’s involvement with the Delta Museum included leading walking tours of Ladner’s heritage neighbourhoods. She is a recipient of the Heritage Conservation Award of Honour by the Heritage Society of B.C. and one of the first recipients of the Corporation of Delta’s Friends of Heritage Award. It wasn’t long before the community of Tsawwassen caught Gwen’s researching eye. “No one had ever written a history of Tsawwassen. People were saying, there’s no history in Tsawwassen, which obviously is not true. It was probably the most needed book, because no one had done the research, and I thought it was necessary for the community. It took about five years to complete.” Recently, Gwen switched to a different writing style – from straight history documentation to historical fiction – for a young adult/children’s readership. A change she believes that was also a result of serendipity. At a Delta Museum dinner, one of the volunteers asked her if she had ever considered writing children’s books. “No I never had,” Gwen replied. “But later I did some reading up on the subject and now I’m working on the second in a series of books that started with my

book Sarah of Ladner’s Landing.” The lead character in this book is Sarah Turner, who is a girl just ninegoing-on-ten when she arrives in Ladner’s Landing, British Columbia, with her family in 1877. The book traces the ups and the downs, the pleasures and disappointments of pioneer life. “In the second book, which I am now working on, Sarah is going to move to New Westminster,” says Gwen. “She’s going to go to high school and will gradWWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

uate and get a job. The story is based in the community again, relying on my historical background and expertise, while trying to be as accurate as possible. This series has certainly revived my interest in writing. It’s really opened my eyes. The point of writing for me now is to SL learn and get pleasure.” For more information about Gwen’s historical publications, visit www.ladnerslanding.com NOVEMBER 2010

Travel & Adventure

A TASTE OF CHINA M

STORY AND PHOTOS BY DEE WALMSLEY

ost westerners were given a glimpse of Beijing’s unique architecture during the Olympics; the bird’s nest and water cube are the most architecturally stunning and technically engineered permanent structures that remain. However, those images failed to convey the cleanliness and floral beauty of the host country. Today the straw-wrapped trees (a trick to conserve moisture), flower-filled baskets, and ornamented medians dress the entire landscape. The Chinese love the colour red. They believe it brings them luck and prosperity and it is everywhere: red and gold shine throughout Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City’s palace. Built between 1750-1764, during the Qing Dynasty, the Summer Palace boasts the largest imperial garden in China. Situated on a lake, its use of rocks, plants, pavilions, ponds and covered walkways provide a taste of history

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and a photographer’s delight. The brilliant blue Temple of Heaven, constructed from 1406 to 1420, is where the Emperor prayed each winter for good weather and crops: if they failed, so could his reign. The entire structure uses numbers. For example, the number nine, considered the most powerful digit: nine slabs are used to form the temple’s circular altar. Pillars and columns represent days and months. In order to appreciate these structures fully, study their history prior to visiting the site. Beijing, “Old China”, was once called Peking. It is China’s capital and its second largest city. Highlights include a trek along the grey-stoned Great Wall and sitting back in a red rickshaw while a smiling guide peddles you through a Hutong (lanes and alleys).This tour gives visitors a taste of old Beijing and Chinese architecture including a visit inside a dwelling compound or quadrangle (Siheyuan). Shoppers and souvenir hunters will want to visit a cloi-

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Travel & Adventure The Great Wall

sonné workshop to watch this ancient art form in action. Cloisonné refers to a decorative or ornamental enamelwork where delicate thin wires of gold, silver, brass or copper are fused to a metal plate in the form of a design. The cells in the design or cloisonnés are filled with vitreous enamel. Thin metal wire or metal strips separate each compartment or coloured area. A paste form of enamel is heated to join the enamel to the surface resulting in high gloss products from glowing jewelry to magnificent vases. Before departing the city, restaurant connoisseurs must feast on Peking duck, a true delicacy especially the crispy skin, Beijing dumplings and the ever-popular dim sum serves up a treasure trove of steamed surprises. A two-hour flight to Wuhan with its 60 universities makes this city the “educational centre” of China. A highlight is exploring the Provincial Museum, where 200,000 cultural relics from intricately painted pottery, jade carvings and bronze vessels are on display. Also featured are the Bianzhong bells, which were unearthed in 1978 from the 2,400-year-old tomb of “Marquis” Yi along with a 125piece orchestra and 25 musicians. Costumed musicians play a replica of the chimes daily. The Yangtze River, which originates in Tibet, is the longest river in China and the third longest in the world; enjoy a tour of the Yangtze Three Gorges from YiChang to Chongqing or Shanghai. The riverboats are comfortable

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NOVEMBER 2010

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Enjoy the contents of both the Vancouver and Vancouver Island magazines plus much, much more

navigating down the long gorge guarded by stone cliffs, and the food is fantastic. In 1994, the gorge was flooded to begin work on the Three Gorges Dam, which resulted in controversy and concern for inhabitants who lived along the river. Today, over 80,000 have been relocated either higher up the cliffs or on farmland. One of the cliff walls supports a lone Ba hanging coffin – an ancient ethnic Chinese custom of placing the dead body in a coffin and hanging it over a precipice.

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The Bianzhong bells Changing to a sampan, a small flat-bottomed Chinese boat crewed by five glistening oarsmen, we traverse the Shennong Stream where we are delighted to see goldenhaired monkeys bathing in the clear water. All along the riverbanks, next to forgotten tombs, caves and foliage, cliff

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swallows build their nests. Stone steps and crumbling walls disappear into cobalt waters. The sound of a flute fills the air; perched at the entrance to a cave sits a man in blue joyfully serenading nature. When the water becomes shallow, the oarsmen hop onto the riverbank and with bamboo ropes pull the vessel through the narrows. Back aboard the cruise ship Sunshine, we make our way to foreboding Fengdu, “the Ghost City” land of spirits. There are 75 Buddha and Tao temples in the town of Fengdu, most of them gathered on a famous hill named Ming Mountain, the legendary Taoist spirit world. Grotesque statues border temple entrances where displays of hideous tortures keep flash bulbs popping and children hiding in their mother’s skirts. Travellers disembark in Chongqing and fly to Xian for a quick walk through the most famous Buddhist pagoda built in 589 AD – the Wild Goose Temple. It is a land of red and gold. The sweet aroma of incense permeates the air as worshippers bow and pray before temple gates. Big Buddha, an 18-metre-high statue carved from one magnificent sandalwood tree, is stunning, as are an array of Buddhist sculptures throughout the pagodas. Next stop, the incredible Terra-Cotta Museum: touted as the biggest on-site museum in China. In 1974, farmers drilling wells in search of water came upon pottery fragments and bronze weapons. The find was immediately reported to government officials and an archaeological team deployed to unearth an army of 7,000 plus soldiers, horses and chariots, birds and even some construction workers who were buried alive while guarding Emperor Qin’s tomb since 210 BC. Today, a work in progress, the excavation and reconstruction continues. Visitors are encouraged to purchase the book The Qin Dynasty Terra-cotta Army of Dreams in the museum gift shop, where the farmer who discovered it all sits waiting to autograph each copy. The contents of this publication are not only enlightening but also contain a fascinating history. On to Suzhou and the silk market where the life cycle of the silkworm is explained as we listen to the worms crunching mulberry leaves. We learn the intricacies of removing

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Travel & Adventure worms from cocoons, spinning and Sorting cocoons weaving hair-thin threads and lastly a shoppers delight browsing silk products from clothing to lighterthan-air duvets. The stretching of silk fibres for the duvets is an experience unto itself and definitely not for the feeble. The Master of Nets garden is breathtaking, as are the residential buildings within. Imagine sitting overlooking a pond of lotus blossoms listening to each raindrop’s song on the lush green leaves while a curtain of pearls cascades from a nearby roof and you, sipping green tea, compose one poem after another. Words cannot describe the artisanship at the Embroidery Institute, where one piece of cloth with two very different designs on opposite sides is pure magic. Visit the Zhujiajiao Watertown, China’s Venice, complete with boat cruises and local shops. This tour gives one a real insight into everyday living as we peek inside shops and cafés.

Finally, Shanghai, China’s city of the future: 20 years ago, much of the land was a rice paddy. Today, construction cranes work endlessly building futuristic high-rise homes, hotels, restaurants and work places for the city’s nearly 19 million people. The construction crane is now the official bird of Shanghai. Ride the elevator in the 88stories JinMao Tower at 30 feet per second and not feel a thing. See the Oriental Pearl Tower lit at night as you stroll the Bund and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of Shanghai. Plan to return, as this city is a tourist’s dream well worth exploring. This taste of China’s engineering, technology and natural beauty is only a chopstick’s view of a vast evolving country. A little pre-tour net surfing into one’s itinerary is highly recommended as this country’s history and culture is far beyond the retention of any tourSL ist’s mind.

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Goldie

BY GOLDIE CARLOW, M.ED

Dear Goldie: I am a retired woman in my early 70s needing some incentive to get on with life. I led a very active social and working life until my early 60s, but seem to be in a slump right now. Any suggestions on how I can turn things around? I am healthy, well-educated and travelled extensively before becoming a widow two years ago. –L.D. Dear L.D.: Losing a partner changes your life in many ways. The circumstances of the loss and the strength of the relationship affect the outcome for the survivor. The tone of your letter seems to imply that you have dealt with your initial grief and loss, and you are now prepared to get on with your life. Begin the process by inviting a group of close friends to your home. The conversation will lead to your present situation and intentions. You should start getting social invitations immediately. Good Luck!

Dear S.W.: Well, I guess the simple reply is that women outnumber men and particularly as we age. This situation can lead to reckless decisions and, as I have said before, dangerous outcomes. There are plenty of ways to instigate safe social interaction where women and men can meet. I mentioned in a much earlier column that anyone could start a coffee meeting group. I see many women’s groups as well as men doing so, but someone has to start a mixed group. Anyone can do this. Just set a time and place using this column! SL Goldie Carlow is a retired registered nurse, clinical counsellor and senior peer counselling trainer. Send letters to Senior Living, Box 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave., Victoria, BC V8T 2C1.

Are you a Care Giver or expect to be one?

You are not alone! Embrace the Journey

Dear Goldie: Something bothers me about the “Dear Goldie” letters. I have discussed this with friends and their advice was to write to you. So here goes! I just can’t believe the number of women who are prepared, at the drop of a hat, to take off with a stranger and travel halfway around the world with him. Are they crazy? They know nothing about him and, as you warned, their lives are in danger. I’m sure men would never be so foolish. Why are women so desperate? –S.W.

Senior Peer Counselling Centres (Lower Mainland) New Westminster 604-519-1064 North Vancouver 604-987-8138 Burnaby 604-291-2258 Richmond 604-279-7034 Vancouver West End 604-669-7339 Coquitlam – Tri-Cities 604-945-4480 Vancouver Westside 604-736-3588

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Valerie Green’s personal story as a care giver to her elderly parents is the most relevant book on “aging in place” I have read to date. It provides a powerful insight into the challenges faced by every care giver. It unveils the challenges, heartaches, struggles and agonizing decisions that often need to be made along the way. If you are currently a care giver, or anticipate being one in the near future, this book is a must-read. - Publisher Barbara Risto, Senior Living magazine

To order, please send cheque for $20.12 ($14.95 plus $3.95 S&H & taxes) payable to Senior Living. Please include your clearly written shipping address, phone number, and name of book you are ordering. MAIL TO: Senior Living 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave., Victoria BC V8T 2C1

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NOVEMBER 2010

Volunteer Proﬁle

Ordinary yet Extraordinary

he can’t read or write print or drive a car. She has never seen her children or a glorious sunset. She is a retired physiotherapist, an adventurous cook and addicted traveller, a skier, and a lifelong volunteer. Rosamund Van Leeuwen is blind – she lost her sight in three days at the age of two. At special boarding schools in England from age four to 17, Ros was naughty, a bit of a rebel, and adored drama and sports. “I was so lucky these schools existed for me. There, I was never different,” she recalls. “I had so many more opportunities than are possible today.” As a child, she climbed trees and ran like the wind; she loved her scooter and zoomed about on roller skates. Her parents cut her no slack at home – Ros did the same chores as her siblings and en-

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joyed the same boisterous games. When sighted students of five and six were learning to read and write print, she was learning Braille. Throughout her school career, Ros’s academic progress matched that of her sighted peers. “My personality helped me a lot,” she says. “But mostly, because I never remembered having vision, I never missed it. I never had to adjust.” Most people recall that moment when they realize they can manage their lives and pursue most of their dreams. Ros reached this turning point much earlier than most. Bored and constrained by school when she was 17, she quit and set out alone halfway around the world. “I was the first blind person to apply to Britain’s Voluntary Service Overseas, and when I met their criteria, they didn’t know what to do with me,” she laughs. VSO sought guidance from of the Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind. John Wilson, a director, had lost his sight as an undergrad and had just visited a new school for visually impaired children in Singapore. He said the school needed a liaison between the sighted staff and blind students, and thought Ros was perfect. VSO offered her the assignment and instructed her to serve as an example of outstanding independence. She accept-

Ros at her computer.

ed and proceeded to stretch the staff’s expectations of what the students could and should do. She recruited volunteers and augmented the curriculum with field trips that had the students experiencing many activities for the first time, both practical for daily living, as well as recreational. “This was the most fascinating year of my life; I was so stimulated,” says Ros. “I proved to myself I could live like my sighted friends and have loads of fun too!” This turning point began

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her lifelong service to others. Physiotherapy training followed Ros’s year in Singapore, again at a special facility in London, U.K., for students with visual impairments. The profession opened the door for her to travel the world again and she worked in Australia, Scotland, South Africa and Canada. Once in Canada, she married Richard and they had a son and a daughter. “Bringing them up took some innovation,” Ros chuckles. “I tied bells to their shoes so I knew where they were. When they got older and wiser, they untied them!” Helping others, becoming engaged in her community, and using her talents are embedded in Ros’s genes. “They’re part of life, aren’t they?” she says, making light of it. “It started at school where I joined everything. Then, after VSO, I began to speak on their behalf and discovered I was good at promotion and fundraising. I’ve been volunteering ever since.” Wherever Ros lived, she has mentored parents of blind kids individually or in groups; now she is a resource for people in West Vancouver who are losing their sight. She teaches the blind component of the Special Education Assistant course at Capilano University. Her sessions at the Canadian Tourism College guide flight attendants and hospitality staff in how to assist those with all kinds of disabilities, not just visual impairment. Ros is or has served as a director of the CNIB B.C. and Yukon division and the Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind. Today, she chairs the CNIB Board Development Committee, which liaises with the federal and provincial governments. Ros’s frustration shows when she explains, “British Columbia has 90,000 known visually impaired citizens, most of whom lose their sight later in life. Their rehab is not covered by our medical plan. Why, I don’t know, given that rehab for stroke, MS, and most other conditions are. Not only that, B.C.’s government contribution to the B.C. and Yukon division of CNIB is only 10 per cent, the lowest in Canada.”

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Ros takes on a determined look, which means she is out to make a difference. She’s an ideal person to achieve it. Her work for Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind and the B.C. Guide Dog Services is ongoing. Now, she is on a team rewriting the old B.C. Guide Dog Act into the Guide and Assistance Dog Act, a cause close to her heart. Ros has had five guide dogs. Janey, her current dog, will soon retire and become a pet, and Ros will welcome No. 6. “I also derive immense satisfaction from serving on the North Shore Advisory Committee on Disability Issues. I use both my physiotherapy skills and my personal experience with blindness to make life easier for others,” Ros explains. This group advises architects and developers on accessibility for all public buildings and spaces. “We go out to test them during construction and on completion. You won’t believe how valuable our suggestions can be,” she says. When asked what ranks as her top achievement in life, Ros pauses then says, “Everything and nothing. I lead a life like everyone else.” When pushed, she struggles to choose. Her current favourite is carrying the Olympic Flame and, though words are inadequate to describe the event, she responds, “I was very proud. I got this incredible feeling – so many wantSL ed to touch the torch, be a part of it all.” Ros carrying the Olympic Flame accompanied by her guide dog, Janey. West Vancouver, 2010.

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BY LYNDA PASACRETA

Smart Estate Planning

state planning isn’t only for the wealthy, nor is it a topic people enjoy thinking about. But if you own something of value you would like to pass on to loved ones or charity, start thinking about creating an estate plan today. An estate plan, which includes items like a will, living trust and living will, helps organize and distribute your money and belongings to the people and organizations you want them to go to. Take the time while you are healthy to think through some of the difficult decisions that come with estate planning and therefore help reduce the chances that your family will be taken advantage of when it comes time to deal with your estate. BBB offers the following guidance on the basic components of an estate plan: Will At the very least, anyone who has assets to pass on to specific individuals should create a will. A will can allocate assets as well as establish guardianship of children. Most wills have to go through probate

after the individual’s death. In probate, a court oversees the payment of any debts and distributes inheritances – the process can last several months. Living Trust While a trust might sound like a tool for the wealthy, it’s for anyone who would like to set conditions on how and when his or her assets are distributed. A trust can also help reduce the amount of taxes paid on the inheritance and, unlike a will, does not have to go through probate. A trust may be necessary if you want to give your child or grandchild their inheritance over time, rather than in a lump sum, and restrict how the money can be spent. Living Will A living will provides a way for an individual to communicate his or her desire for life-saving measures in case of incapacitation. In addition to a living will, individuals can also assign medical power of attorney to someone they trust who can further ensure that their wishes are fulfilled.

For simple estates, many websites offer an inexpensive, do-it-yourself approach to creating a will. However, it’s best to enlist the help of a lawyer for more complicated estates. Keep in mind that a great deal of personal and financial information will be needed to set up your plan. You really need to have complete confidence and trust in the lawyers, estate planners, accountants or others who will be involved in organizing your needs, so be sure to research any estate planning companies or lawyers with BBB first before paying for their assistance. While no one enjoys thinking about death, those who don’t take the time to create an estate plan are leaving it up to someone else to decide where their assets SL should go when they pass away.

Lynda Pasacreta is President of the Better Business Bureau of Mainland B.C. www.mbc.bbb.org To contact Lynda Pasacreta, e-mail president@mbc.bbb.org

Senior Living Vancouver is available at most Recreation Centres and Libraries in the following municipalities: • VANCOUVER • BURNABY • NEW WESTMINSTER • WHITE ROCK • NORTH VANCOUVER • LADNER / TSAWWASSEN • PORT MOODY • COQUITLAM • PORT COQUITLAM • SURREY • RICHMOND • WEST VANCOUVER • LANGLEY • ABBOTSFORD • PHARMASAVE STORES THROUGHOUT BC

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NOVEMBER 2010

THE FUNNY PAPERS

Photo: Krystle Wiseman

Reﬂections THEN & NOW

BY GIPP FORSTER

he very first daily comic strip to appear in a news- in that. If Calvin had grown up, he probably would have paper, I am told, was in the San Francisco Chron- ended up in prison. And Hobbes would have been sold in icle in 1907. It was called, “Mr. Mutt” and would a garage sale. eventually become “Mutt and Jeff.” But I miss Calvin and Hobbes the most. Watterson yanked Those of us seasoned with years will remember Mutt and the strip because newspapers were shrinking the space alJeff. Jeff was the little guy in the striped pants and top hat lotted to comics. Even my wife read and enjoyed Calvin and who carried a cane, while Mutt was the tall skinny guy with Hobbes. She said that Calvin reminded her of one of our the bushy moustache and no upper lip. grandsons, although I won’t say which one. I miss Mutt and Jeff. I wish they were still around. I’m It follows the story of a little boy who has one misadvenstill mad at Al Capp for retiring and taking Li’l Abner, ture after another. A mischievous child to his parents and Mammy, Pappy Yokum, Daisy May and Marryin’ Sam with teachers, he carries a stuffed toy he calls Hobbes clutched him. The Yokums were family. It isn’t fair! One day you to him wherever he goes. A toy to others, but to Calvin a have family, the next they are real and living buddy who is all wiped out. How are we mostly always there for him. If Calvin had grown up, he probably supposed to get along without They say that Charles Sadie Hawkins Day? Shultz, the creator of Peanuts, would have ended up in prison. I miss Joe Palooka too. and Bill Watterson based their And Hobbes would have been sold Joe was a bit of an enigma: a main characters on their own gentle, kind man who had imchildren. Mr. Shultz must in a garage sale. peccable manners and spoke have winced a little when it of patriotism and peace and came time to pencil in Lucy goodwill to men – while earning his living nurturing vio- pulling the football away when Charlie Brown tried to kick lence in a boxing ring. I wish Ham Fisher were still around. it. Then hearing people laugh or snicker and say, “Good old If he were, Joe Palooka probably would be too. Charlie Brown.” Poor ol’ Charles Shultz harboured such What we call comics now used to be referred to as “the sad and embarrassing memories from his past and coined funny papers.” That, too, was an enigma. Dick Tracy wasn’t the term “security blanket,” perhaps because such a blanket funny. Nor were Terry and the Pirates. Some of today’s con- was a long-ago friend. It seems Charles Shultz was secure tributions leave me a little cold. Some are a bit rude – others in his insecurity! seemingly uninspired. Whether we call them comics or funny papers or funMarmaduke has been around forever. I find this strip bor- nies or whatever, be they juvenile or sophisticated, rude or ing. You’d think it was being drawn for kids! Most adults, endearing, I hope they will always be with us to tickle our from what I can see, don’t take the funny papers very seri- imagination. The far away ones have rolled up on the shores ously. My wife seldom glances at them. She says she is sur- of the past. And still, I miss them. rounded by comedy and doesn’t need more. So, rest well Li’l Abner, Joe Palooka, Andy Panda, Dick But I’ve always loved the funny papers. In fact, that’s Tracy and all those who were and are no more. how I begin my day. That and the word puzzle, which is As I peruse the comics in this morning’s newspaper, I simple, but so am I. would rather go with Hagar on his Viking adventures to Not that long ago, Bill Watterson retired his creation England than go with Dilbert to his cubbyhole office. SL Oh indeed, I would. I would! of Calvin and Hobbes. I guess there’s a strange justice 32

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To Move or Not to Move?

BC EDITION

A Helpful Guide for Seniors Considering Their Residential Options

Published by Senior Living

JANUARY 2009

14.95 Buy it now! �

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If you are a senior who has been wondering lately whether you should consider moving - either because you find the maintenance of your current home more difficult due to diminishing ability or energy, or you simply want a lifestyle that allows you more freedom and less responsibility - then this is the book that can help you ask the right questions and find the solution that is right for you. • What residential options are available? • Define your current situation - What residential option is right for you? • How to research and assess Independent and Assisted Living residences. • What do Independent, Assisted Living and Complex Care facilities have to offer? • How much does it cost to live in an Assisted Living residence? What subsidies are available? • Thinking of moving in with family members? Questions to consider before making your decision. • Are there any other residential options besides Independent, Assisted Living and Complex Care facilities? • If you choose to stay in your own home, what are your options and what should you plan for? • Who can help you decide what you can or cannot afford? • Funding sources available to seniors - tax deductions, housing subsidies, home care subsidies, equipment loan programs, renovation grants, etc. • Selling your home - how to find the right realtor or relocation services to assist your move. • Downsizing - Where do you start? How do you proceed? • Adapting your home to meet your mobility needs - tips and suggestions • Hiring home care services; do it yourself or hire an agency? • Legal matters - how to make sure you receive the care you desire should you not be able to communicate due to some incapacitating condition • AND MUCH MORE Advice from professionals who are experts in the area of assisting seniors with their relocation

questions and concerns. A handy reference guide for seniors and their families wrestling with the issues around whether relocation is the best option. This 128-page book provides helpful, easy to read information and suggestions to help seniors and their families understand the decisions they need to make.

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�� Senior Living Housing Directory is a valuable online resource for seniors and family members looking for alternative housing to match their desired lifestyle, or medical/mobility needs. Over 500 senior residences and housing communities throughout BC are listed in this comprehensive directory. Compare services, amenities, and prices. Sort your selection by region, or type of care. This directory is published by Senior Living, a monthly magazine distributed to approximately 850 locations across BC.

�� Coming soon: residential listings for Alberta and Saskatchewan.

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Senior Living’s online searchable senior housing directory is a perfect complement to its semi-annual senior housing special editions in February and August. Senior Living also publishes a 128 page book called “To Move or Not to Move? A Helpful Guide for Seniors Considering Their Residential Options.” We have sold over 3,000 copies of this book. No other magazine we know of has such a comprehensive, interconnected group of housing resources. For more information about any of these products or services, call (250)479-4705 or toll-free 1-877-479-4705. Or email ofﬁce@seniorlivingmag.com

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