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SEPTEMBER 2014
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DEPARTMENTS
FEATURES 6 Yoga Molds Minds and Bodies
Yoga may be a 5,000-year-old practice of stretching, breathing and meditation born in India, but today it is a multi-billion-dollar industry in North America.
STEP
9-19 Caregiving Guide
Home renovations are a timely and worthwhile way to remain in the family home for as long as possible. Opportunities for reliable and compassionate seniors entering the home care field are expanding.
26 Sunshine Hikers March On
When these hikers aren’t concentrating on their next footfall, they’re aware of the natural beauty that surrounds them on these weekly outings.
28 Shifting Gears in Retirement
Retirement can mean empty nests, leisure time and travel, but some retirees are enjoying a second career, often different from their first. by
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6 42 47 48 51 52
The Family Caregiver by Barbara Small
Courageous & Outrageous by Pat Nichol
Your Life
by Sue Maitland
Fit for the Adventure by Eve Lees
It’s Just That Easy by Shell Busey
North of 50
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Cover Photo: Victoria runner Ken Bonner in training for this year’s Goodlife Fitness Victoria Marathon. For more details, see their ad on page 25. To read about Ken, visit www.seniorlivingmag.com/articles/2014/07/definitely-not-running-on-empty Photo: Elley Li
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32 Travel 44 Attractions & Entertainment
Resources and articles for family caregivers.
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24 Grandparenting
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Senior Friendly Businesses WHERE TO FIND ALL OF OUR ADVERTISERS
Attractions & Entertainment • Ballet Victoria (pg 47) • Chemainus Theatre Festival (pg 44) • The Butchart Gardens (pg 44) • Theatre in the Country (pg 44) • Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (pg 46) • Victoria Hippo Tours (pg 45) • Victoria Royals Hockey Club (pg 45) • View Royal Casino (pg 45) Insurance | Legal | Real Estate • Kenneth Walton Law Corporation (Inside Back Cover) • Pemberton Holmes/Lisa Redding (pg 5) • Prudential Sussex Realty/Shelley Doby (pg 48) • Rebecca Anderson Law Corporation (Inside Front Cover) • Royal LePage Realty (pg 49) Health | Wellness • Bath Fitter of Vancouver Island (pg 21) • Connect Hearing (pg 42) • Galaxy Medical Alert Systems (pg 15) • Goodlife Victoria Marathon (pg 25) • Health Products Stewardship (pg 36) • Independent Bathing Products (pg 31) • Motion Specialties (pg 11) • Nexgen Hearing/Mainland Hearing (pg 5 & 27)
• Pharmasave (pg 43) • Saanich Recreation (pg 22) • Safe Step Tubs (pg 1) • Scooter City Ltd. (pg 36) Housing • Ahmon Group, The (pg 13) • Alexander Mackie Retirement Community (Inside Back Cover) • Amenida (pg 15) • Amica Mature Lifestyles Inc. (pg 30) • Baptist Housing (pg 37-41) • Beacon Community Services (pg 7) • Berwick Retirement Communities (pg 34) • Chemainus Gardens (pg 7) • Columbus Charities Association (Inside Back Cover) • Concord Retirement Residence (pg 26) • Glenshiel Housing Society, The (pg 29) • Harmony Court Estate (pg 22) • Kiwanis Village Nanaimo (pg 3) • Langley Lodge (pg 3) • Legion Manor (pg 31) • Minton House (pg 48) • Norgarden (Inside Front Cover) • Oak Tree Manor (pg 20) • Origin at Longwood (pg 29) • Parc Retirement Living (pg 8) • Parkwood Place (pg 28)
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• Retirement Concepts (pg 49) • Rose Manor (pg 21) • Royale Peninsula, The (Back Cover) • Sunridge Gardens (pg 25) • Trillium Care Communities (pg 19) • Unicare (pg 14) • Westminster House (pg 18) • Westridge Landing Centre Metropolitan Capital (pg 23) Retail • Kool & Child (pg 26) • New Balance Victoria (pg 2) • ShelfGenie (pg 21) Senior Care • Ace Personnel Domestic Services (pg 11) • Alpha Home Health Care (pg 13) • Saint Elizabeth (pg 4) Services • 1-800 Got Junk (Inside Front Cover) • Casalinga Food Services Inc. (pg 51) • Drive Wise BC Senior Drivers (pg 30) • Everything Organized (pg 17) Travel & Leisure • Collette Vacations (pg 33) • OIS Financial Ltd. (pg 36) • Pitmar Tours (pg 34) • Travel Guardian Insurance Ltd. (pg 32) • Travel Insurance Specialists (pg 35)
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THE FAMILY CAREGIVER
H
New to Caregiving? Now What?
ave circumstances suddenly changed in your family due to an accident or illness? Are you providing increasingly more assistance to a relative or friend who is elderly or in declining health? Family caregiving can start gradually or as a result of a crisis. It is difficult to predict in advance how or when it will start and many caregivers just squeeze these new responsibilities into an already busy life without letting anything else go. More and more of your time and energy can become focused on navigating the healthcare system, finding resources or figuring out how to meet someone else’s personal and medical needs. You don’t have to take this journey alone. In fact, it is essential that you ask for help and support from the beginning, so you don’t burn out. The BC Caregiving Guide in this is-
sue of Senior Living includes resources, support groups and educational sessions for family caregivers. The Guide also has articles that include information on how to be a more effective caregiver for a longer period of time. There are many organizations and services in BC available to help you right from the start, including: Family Caregiver Support Organizations are established solely to provide information, education and support for family caregivers. Visit page 16 for a current list for these services, and read the article in the BC Caregiving Guide on how these organizations can help you as a caregiver. Condition-Specific Organizations, like the Multiple Sclerosis Society or Alzheimer’s Resource Centre, offer services for family caregivers unique to those specific circumstances, such as
BY BARBARA SMALL
information on the progress of the disease and tips for handling challenging situations. Home Support Services are designed to help people remain independent and in their own home as long as possible. These services include assistance with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing and toileting. If the care recipient meets the eligibility criteria of the local health authority’s Home and Community Care department, they can receive subsidized home support. Otherwise, home support is available for a fee through private home support agencies. SL
Next issue: The Healthy Caregiver Barbara Small is the Program Development Coordinator for Family Caregivers’ Network Society located in Victoria, BC. 250-384-0408 www.familycaregiversnetwork.org
The Family Caregiver column is brought to you by the generous sponsorship of Saint Elizabeth
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oming from hearty stock means I’ve had little exposure to family caregiving. In the last couple of years, however, both my parents, each of whom lives alone, suffered from serious illnesses. When the crises hit, my sister TJ and I were called to step up. During that time, I learned some things about myself. It turns out that although I like to deal with things head-on, I prefer to do it at arm’s length. TJ is a natural caregiver who doesn’t give a second thought to climbing down into the trenches. As a result, she was comfortable administering medications, holding hands, making tea, sitting for hours in silence, calming tears and fears, preparing meals, cleaning homes, washing laundry and doing whatever else was necessary in the moment. I, on the other hand, would rather make phone calls, write letters, talk to healthcare providers, discuss options, sign consent forms and handle the administrative side of things. I judged my contribution as cold and detached; my sister’s as warm and compassionate. I initially struggled with this judgment. Finally, I had to come to grips with the fact that we all have strengths and manners in which we can contribute. TJ’s and mine are different, but complementary. The things I am comfortable doing, she is not; the things she is comfortable doing, I am not. It works, and I’m grateful for that – and for her! My parents made it through their individual health challenges, and I learned there is more than one way to help when a family member is in need. In this issue of Senior Living, we offer resources, stories and advice for family caregivers. So, when the call for help comes, remember to play to your strengths, be kind to yourself, and access the support available to you. Good luck! – Bobbie Jo Reid Managing Editor
“Bees gas assault a leper?”
Images courtesy of GN Resound
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
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Yoga Molds Minds and Bodies STORY AND PHOTO BY SHIRLEY BLEVINGS
A beautiful day in Vancouver for some beach yoga! L-R: Jan Maguire, Barbara Downs, Ulrike Mosters, Ron Reid.
I
n a matter of two decades, yoga has grown from a niche market for new agers to a mainstream trend practised by everyone from students and seniors to housewives and industry CEOs. Last year, some 20 million people regularly participated in yoga in the US and more than $10 billion was spent on classes and products. And it is just as popular in Canada – both Toronto and Vancouver claim to be the heart of Canada’s yoga community. The Lower Mainland boasts more than 200 yoga studios and teachers. Between the proliferation of yoga classes, yoga retreats, yoga cruises, yoga kick boxing, aqua yoga, yoga books and the ever-growing popularity of yoga wear – yoga has become big business. Yoga is even being offered in fitness clubs and schools. And can downward-facing dog really benefit those doing hard time? A conference of the Canadian Justice Association held last fall discussed the value of yoga and meditation programs in prison, to help promote mental well-being and reduce violence. Practitioners claim yoga improves one’s physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual well-being. The stated health benefits are legion – ranging from building immunity to reducing stress, blood pressure and risk of heart attack, to alleviating symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, MS, cancer and constipation. Apparently, it can also improve your sex life by exercising and strengthening those erogenous zones, increasing flexibility, decreasing anxiety and increasing the chances of meeting a “partner” at yoga class. Today, more than 20 different kinds of yoga are practised, from Bikram (sweating out toxins); to Phoenix Rising Yoga (releasing emotional blocks); to Kripalu (finding the path of self-discovery). Traditionally, yoga is practised on a mat, but currently students may be strapped into yoga slings (flying yoga); balanced on the back of 68
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a horse (equestrian yoga); or on a surfboard (surfboard yoga). And if you think that’s crazy, what about naked yoga – which conjures up some nasty images – think downward-facing dog and cat poses! Although dominated by women, more and more men are showing up at yoga classes – and not just to increase heart rate by checking out the scantily clad young women surrounding them. Ron Reid, a professor in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UBC, started doing yoga in 2003 at the age of 51, when his daughter recruited him as a student in her instructor’s training course. As a reward, he and the other students were given free yoga sessions at the then Prana Yoga and Meditation Centre in Vancouver, run by Shakti Nhi. “She emphasized the mind/body interaction and was more interested in teaching relaxation under stress than stretching your muscles,” says Ron, who has decided, “Yoga should be a way of life, not just 75 minutes of stretching, although 75 minutes of stretching is far better than nothing at all.” Ron, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2007, was told by doctors to remain active. “I find that yoga is valuable in combating that stiffness that comes with old age and seems to come with fury when you are a ‘Parkie’ on top of it. I also like the mindfulness approach to yoga that guides you through the process of listening to your body and paying attention to what you hear.” The so-called principles of yoga include proper relaxation, exercise, breathing, diet, positive thinking and meditation. Relaxation (lack of stress), proper diet and exercise are no-brainers – the medical and scientific communities have made that clear. So, when I was finally persuaded to attend yoga classes a few years ago, it was not difficult to convince me of the benefits of stretching, twisting, balance and strength exercises that keep the body flexible and fit.
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Yoga exercises are particularly valuable for seniors, who need to maintain some flexibility in their joints, especially if they want to get out of bed every morning without a lot of moaning and groaning, and to maintain balance. And what about the breathing principle of yoga? Practitioners claim various kinds of breathing can energize; generate internal heat and help regulate healing in the body; relieve headaches, sinus pressure and congestion; promote increased immunity, a calm and relaxed mind and a happy state of being. Of course, a good cardio workout that releases endorphins will yield similar benefits. In my limited experience, I find focusing on the breath helps me attend to my yoga practice, and keeps my mind from wandering off to my “to-do” list for the day. It also helps shift attention away from the “discomfort” in my knees, hips and shoulders as I bend, fold and spindle. But that too, has its limits. Concentrating on the breath may help me hold “plank” a little longer, but when I’m left in “pigeon” pose for more than 30 sec, my hip begins to scream louder than that voice inside my head telling me to... “Focus on the breath.” Of course, instructors caution students not to stay in poses that cause pain or discomfort – and I’m sure many students heed their warnings. Yoga instructors run the gamut from those focusing mainly on the physical with the odd “Ohmmm” thrown in, to those who stress the meditative and spiritual side of yoga. Ron recommends attending a number of classes to experience different instructors and find one that suits your needs. Ulrike Mosters, who started attending yoga classes in her early 60s, and tries to go three times a week, likes a variety of instructors. “You learn so much more when you have a variety of yoga instructors because they are all different,” she says. Ulrike says she especially likes the sense of community offered by yoga classes, “It’s the whole experience – it makes me feel good – I always feel calm after class,” she says. The “calm” at the end of class comes from savasana (corpse pose) where students lie on their backs and try to completely relax, without falling asleep – sometimes a SL challenge.
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SEPTEMBER 2014
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Susan Sollis, BSN PARC Wellness Nurse Team
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Caregiving Guide SEPTEMBER 2014
Are You a Healthy Caregiver? It is vital that you maintain your own health and well-being while caring for another. There are a number of things you can do to stay healthy, recharge and avoid becoming burnt out. These actions will help you be an effective caregiver for a longer period of time. Complete the checklist below to recognize what you are already doing to ensure you stay healthy and what small changes you could make to be more resilient. The articles in the following BC Caregiving Guide could help with ideas on how to start making these changes. I ensure I get enough sleep and eat healthily. I have the skills and information I require in order to give the care needed. I maintain regular contact with family and friends and make time to spend with them. I ask others for help and accept help when it is offered. I know I don’t have to, and can’t, do this alone. I am able to communicate effectively with the person I am caring for, as well as with other family members. I am aware of community resources that are available to help support me in my caregiver role. I attend a caregiver support group or have a supportive network with whom I can share my challenges and successes. q I make use of respite options available and take breaks away from my caregiving responsibilities. q I have gathered information about the progression of my care recipient’s disease so I know what to expect and can prepare in advance as best I can. q I know how to navigate the healthcare system and who to ask if, and when, I need help. q q q q q q q
This Guide is presented by Senior Living in partnership with the Family Caregivers’ Network Society.
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Caregiving from a Distance
BY MAUREEN MATTHEW, BSW
M
y parents taught me to love. I am forever grateful to them for that. We have an honest, caring relationship that makes caregiving from a distance easier. Helping from Victoria, with them in Montreal, presents its challenges. I had feared I wouldn’t be able to handle whatever crises would come… wondering if they would need me there full time, while my happy life is here in BC. I was raised in Montreal and returning to my roots has pushed many buttons, over the years, around childhood issues. I have processed and let go of much pain through these journeys. We’re never done with our primary life lessons, which originate early in our lives. But, if we are willing, we get to peel back the layers, bring the power of forgiveness into our hearts and be at peace about our past. Each journey east to be with Mom and Dad has been a personal growth experience for me. I am richer and stronger through caregiving them. Journaling has been an important self-care strategy during these trips to gain greater insight and calm my worried mind. I’ve shed many tears on flights returning to Victoria – sadness of saying goodbye to them, never knowing if it would be the last time. But through each tear, I know my anticipatory grief work is preparing me to handle losing them when the time comes. I’ve also processed resentment and guilt, such difficult companions to caregiving. My dad and I have similar temperaments so, at some point in our time together, I get impatient and judgmental, then regret my approach later. There is no mistaking that he is my father, and my teacher of accepting eccentricities and imperfections with good humour and compassion. I’ve shifted away from my earlier intentions to change my dad, and our relationship has grown stronger and deeper as I’ve softened towards him. I have learned to have more realistic expectations of my dad and to work with him rather than impose changes he’s not ready for. I am learning to accept him for who he is and, in so doing, accept my own flaws as well. His experience of living through the Great Depression led to his compulsion to hang onto things “just in case of need.” After 50 years in the same small bungalow, the accumulation has led to a state of clutter that is generating safety hazards. My dad and I have had major conflicts about this over the past 20 years. But with much encouragement, he is willing to have a clutter management expert intervene enough to keep his living space manageable. I’ve come to realize that his need to collect things is driven by fear of lack, so I understand the
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need for him to have some hoarded space in his home for his own paradoxical peace of mind. The challenge now with his cognitive decline is to ensure that important papers are handled from a distance, and to know there will likely be things falling through the cracks that need to be addressed when they come to the surface… accepting what we can change, letting go of what we can’t and having the wisdom to know the difference. My organizational skills have come in handy to manage their important information. During our visits: • We review and update a written list of their key contacts, so I have a current electronic copy. • We discuss their finances and manage the flow of money that is getting tighter as they approach the end of their modest RRIF. We explore emergency sources of money, so I know what process they would want me to use in a crisis. • We ensure my role as power of attorney is accepted by key financial contacts, so that I am free to act quickly on their behalf when needed. • We update a list of their health issues, medications, physician relationships and care providers. We talk about their health care issues and I assist in navigating the system, so their care needs are met in a fashion they are comfortable with. • We book appointments during our visits to manage whatever needs to be addressed. • I keep a current list of their relatives and social contacts,
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so I can connect with them in the event of a crisis or death. • We update a strong box to ensure important papers are up to date and that I have copies of its contents. • My emergency contact information is kept current on their fridge and their health care providers all know how to reach me. This process is difficult, in some ways, but it frames our discussions to include matters they are dealing with. Rather than control these discussions, I listen and ask questions, so I learn what’s important to them and how to be helpful in ways that honour both their priorities and their approach to life’s challenges. This process is also remarkably therapeutic for all of us as we feel much clearer by the end of our visits, and we have taken action together that we all feel good about. I book short visits with them on a regular basis so we have time to be together, but also so issues don’t accumulate that require my support. I find the visits rich in heart, but also exhausting. For recovery, I honour my need for self-care by booking rest periods on my return home before going back to work. SL Maureen Matthew, BSW has always been a natural caregiver, which led her to her current work as a part-time geriatric social worker. She also does private practice counselling for people she is passionate about serving – family caregivers.
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Surviving Long-term Caregiving BY VERNICE SHOSTAL
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ability and has worthwhile tips for people in the same situation. Because she worked for the government and knew how some of the systems operated, Mary Anna says people have to look for services themselves as the government does not do a “straight forward” and understandable advertisement of services. Getting a Case Manager through your local health authority helps access programs. Going to Family Caregivers’ Network Society’s monthly meetings is another excellent resource for getting information. You can connect with them through their office at 250-384-0408.
Mary Anna lifting Gil and his wheelchair into the van.
Photo: Vernice Shostal
D
espite having taken St. John Ambulance courses, when Mary Anna McKay’s husband had a stroke 17 years ago, she says she didn’t know what was happening. “It was not until the ambulance call responder said, ‘I think he is having a stroke,’ did I go into a surreal world. My body carried out the things I knew should be done until the ambulance arrived and my mind struggled to hang on to a reality.” The trip to emergency room, through emergency, to intensive care, a transfer to the General Hospital later and, finally, to Gorge Road Rehab – a journey that took from November 16 to the end of February – was bewildering, frightening and chaotic for Mary Anna. Her husband, Gil, had worked with the provincial government Welfare Department for over 30 years. He retired on March 31, 1997 and had the stroke seven months later. Mary Anna says she had to start advocating for Gil “right off the bat.” The first intensive advocating was to get the system to allow Gil to go to rehab. “I saw the social worker at the hospital, cried, stamped my feet in anger and may have even said a swear word or two,” she says. After this meeting, the social worker helped put together a family meeting that resulted in a positive collective push to get Gil to the level of functioning he needed to be able to go to the rehab program at the Gorge Road Hospital. Gil had been fit and energetic and was not one to make and keep annual medical assessments. His excuse was the same one many people use, “I don’t have time right now.” When Gil and Mary Anna married in 1976, she felt she would no doubt one day become his caregiver. “I was just shocked that it was to be so soon and so devastating.” Gil was 63; Mary Anna only 54. At first, Mary Anna felt she could handle Gil at home alone. “That sure changed in a hurry,” she says. In the beginning, she needed help to learn how to care for him and how to watch for changes that meant he may be headed for another stroke or a heart attack. The biggest challenge was getting Gil to learn to transfer from wheelchair to toilet and to transfer from wheelchair to bed. Because of her arthritis, Mary Anna was unable to help him. As someone who has managed to stay healthy and sane for over 17 years of caregiving, one of Mary Anna’s beliefs is that some people are born with traits that form the basis for what they may be able to do when challenged. In addition, both patient and caregiver have to make many changes, she says. Although the McKays now have a live-in caregiver, Mary Anna looked after Gil’s needs for the first 15 years of her husband’s dis-
She also suggests joining a condition-specific support group. Caregiver support groups are a great avenue to find a friend or two who will become an enormous support between meetings and during day-to-day life. Some things are difficult to discuss with people who do not understand the situation. “From the time I discovered I couldn’t do all on my own,” says Mary Anna, “I have used all supports available to Gil.” In the beginning, the McKays had a homecare worker come to bath Gil but, later, he became a user of the Community Bathing program. Because Gil improved so much at home, the system said he didn’t qualify for homemaker services, at all, and was given a spot in the Oak Bay Lodge Adult Day Care, where he now goes twice a week. Mary Anna gets him there and Handydart brings him home. “This gives me some free time,” she says. Mary Anna admits it has taken her many years to start looking after herself. Usually things that needed to be done “sucked
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up” her free time. The McKays also use the respite program where Gil goes into the Respite Hotel for seven or eight days, at a time, four or five times a year. Respite gives Mary Anna real freedom. Some of that time is for her, and the rest is for catching up under the many hats she now wears. “I find that getting out of town is the best break of all,” says Mary Anna. She and a caregiver friend like to go to Yellow Point Lodge for four days. “It puts us in another world and we savour every minute.” When she stays home, she books herself into craft classes and likes to go out for lunch or coffee with her friends. Also, “listening to music I like is an uplifting feeling,” she says. Mary Anna has learned that sitting in doctors’ or therapy offices can be a mini respite. She takes along small embroidery projects, or magazines she wouldn’t otherwise have time to read. Communication with Gil takes much patience on both their parts, she says. They use humour and all their senses – body gestures and pointing. Games they play are mostly ones using cards for memory. Despite the frustration and exhaustion, for 17 years, Mary Anna McKay has found a positive way to cope with her husband’s disability while doing the best to maintain a somewhat SL balanced and stable life for herself. For more information, call Family Caregivers’ Network Society at 1-877-520-3287. For other caregiver support organizations in BC with support groups, see Resource page 16 in this issue.
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How Family Caregiver Support Organizations Can Help BY GLENDORA SCARFONE
F
amily caregiver support organizations throughout BC are available to provide caregivers with a wide range of support and services. The reason for reaching out to these organizations is only limited by what you, as the individual family caregiver, needs at that moment. You may simply need to be heard and to talk to someone who isn’t involved in your situation. You may feel overwhelmed, at times, isolated and lonely, burnt out with the responsibilities of caregiving, and looking for tips on how to manage and thrive in your caregiving role. Many of the staff and volunteers at these organizations have either been caregivers or have worked closely with family caregivers for extended periods of time. As a result, they care about and understand some of what you are facing. They can provide you with an empathetic ear and thoughtful encouragement when you need it the most. Or perhaps you are looking for information and strategies to cope with family dynamics and conflict that can arise between family members, as well as with the person you are caring for. These situations are common among family caregivers, and staff can share with you effective approaches and strategies you may wish to try within your own circumstance.
You may be exploring respite, home support or facility care options for your family member or friend and are unsure of where to start or feel lost navigating the healthcare system. At other times, you may want information on access and referral to community resources or material on legal and financial considerations. While staff are not experts in these fields, the organizations in your area strive to stay up-to-date with local and provincial resources and legislation, as well as changes in legal areas, and can be a great source of information. Family caregiver support groups may be offered in your area. A caregiver support group is comprised of people who share the common experience of caring for an adult family member or friend. Caregivers get together to share information and offer each other emotional support and practical information based on experience. One caregiver told us, “Knowing that others had experienced similar situations with loved ones, or were still in the thick of it, made me feel not so alone. The group offered great ideas and support as well. What a wonderful resource! I felt I had somewhere to turn, if I did start to feel overwhelmed.” Another caregiver learned through her attendance at a support group that it is okay to practice better self-care. “I used
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to feel guilty if I had spare time and didn’t do something with it – now I allow myself to sit and read and relax or even have a nap,” she says. If you are caring for a loved one with a specific disease or condition, such as Alzheimer’s disease or cancer, staff can refer to you to disease/condition specific organizations that can help you understand and cope with issues unique to that disease. Many of these organizations also offer family support groups, giving you the chance to meet directly with caregivers experiencing similar situations. Knowing you can contact these organizations and find a supportive and empathic listener can be comforting. Take a look at the list of family caregiver support organizations listed in this Guide for services in your area. See page 16. The Family Caregivers’ Network Society also offers supports BC-wide. We offer one-on-one support via our toll-free number, email or Skype. When you contact us, we will do our best to help connect you with appropriate resources in your community. We hope that after connecting with a caregiver support organization you feel stronger, more knowledgeable, more connected and better able to meet the demands of caring for your SL family member or friend. Glendora Scarfone works in Caregiver Support for the Family Caregiver Support Network.
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Family Caregiver Support Resources in BC Vancouver Island
Lower Mainland
Family Caregivers’ Network Society #6 – 3318 Oak Street, Victoria, BC V8X 1R1 250-384-0408, 1-877-520-3267 Email: caregiversupport@fcns.ca www.familycaregiversnetwork.org Victoria Support Group: 1st Monday, 7:00 - 9:00 PM #6 – 3318 Oak Street, Victoria Sidney Support Group: 3rd Tuesday, 10:00 AM – Noon Shoal Centre, 10030 Resthaven Drive, Sidney Salt Spring Island Support Group: Wed, 11:00 AM – Noon Seniors for Seniors Centre, Ganges
Burnaby Family Caregivers Project Burnaby Seniors Outreach Services Society #106 - 2101 Holdom Avenue, Burnaby, BC V5B 0A4 604-291-2258 Email: bsoss@telus.net www.bsoss.org Caregiver Support Group: Altern. Saturdays, 10AM - Noon
Cowichan Family Caregivers Support Society PO Box 13, Shawnigan Lake, BC V0R 2W0 250-743-7621. Call for locations and times of support groups. Email: info@familycaregiverssupport.org www.familycaregiverssupport.org Duncan: 1st, 3rd & 4th Tuesdays, 2nd & 4th Mondays Ladysmith: 2nd Tuesday Chemainus: Last Thursday Lake Cowichan: As needed Youth Carers: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays Mid-Vancouver Island Caregiver Support Line Tel: 1-866-865-2221 (M – F) Mid-Vancouver Island Caregiver Support Groups Isobel Gemmell, 250-468-5687, Email: relationships123@shaw.ca Parksville: 2nd Tuesday, 1:30 PM, Serious Coffee Qualicum: 3rd Thursday, 2:30 PM, The Gardens Nanaimo – Day: 2nd Wed, 3:30 PM, Woodgrove Save-on Foods Nanaimo – Night: 1st Mon, 7:00 PM, Woodgrove Save-on Foods
Delta Caregivers’ Education and Support Network Space provided at Delta Hospice Society 4631 Clarence Taylor Cres, Ladner, BC V4K 4L8 604-943-3921 (Laurie) Call for information on services. Email: info@deltahospice.org Langley Caregiver Support Group Langley Senior Resources Society 20605 - 51B Avenue, Langley, BC V3A 9H1 778 328-2302, ext. 2 Email: info@lsrs.ca www.lsrs.ca Every Thursday, 1:15 - 2:30 PM Lion’s Den Caregiver Support Group Encourage Lion’s Den Adult Day Centre 770 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC 604-718-5848 http://seniors.vcn.bc.ca/caregiver_support 3rd Thursday, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Gabriola Island Caregiver Support Group Angela Nutter, 250-247−9732, www.phcgabriola.org 1st Wednesday, 2:00 PM, PHC Community Resource Centre
North Shore Community Resources, Caregiver Support Program #201 - 935 Marine Drive, North Vancouver, BC V7P 1S3 604-982-3320 Email: Karyn.davies@nscr.bc.ca www.nscr.bc.ca/information/caregivers.html Caregiver Network Group: 1st Thursday, 7:00 - 9:00 PM and 2nd Wednesday, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, North Shore Community Resources Room, #203 - 935 Marine Drive, North Vancouver
Comox Valley Senior Peer Counselling Society #491A – 4th Street, Courtenay, BC V9N 1P6 250-871-5940 http://comoxvalleyseniorpeercounselling.com/our-programs/caregivers/ Women’s groups: 1st Tuesday and 3rd Monday, 1 – 3 PM Men’s group: 3rd Tuesday, 1 – 3 PM
Richmond Caregivers’ Education and Support Program Volunteer Richmond Information Services 604-279-7020 (Carol Dickson) Email: cdickson@volunteerrichmond.ca www.volunteerrichmond.ca Support group for Cantonese family caregivers every two months. Call for details.
For a complete list of provincial resources, visit the FCNS website: http://www.fcns-caregiving.org/resources/provincial-resources/. Many of the disease-specific organizations in your community, such as the MS Society and the Alzheimer’s Society, will also offer support for family caregivers caring for someone living with that particular condition. 18 16 16
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Seniors Come Share Society, Caregiver Support Program 15008 26th Ave., Surrey, BC V4P 3H5 604-531-9400 ext. 202 Call for times and locations of support groups. Email: staylor@comeshare.ca www.comeshare.ca Java Caregiver Support Groups Parkinson Caregiver Support Group Please call for times and locations. Tri-Cities Caregiver Support Program (Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody) 778-789-1496 Email: SeniorCaregiverProgram@gmail.com Central Coquitlam: 2nd & 4th Fridays, 10:00 - 11:30 AM Dogwood Pavilion North Coquitlam: 4th Thursday, 10:00 - 11:30 AM Glen Pine Pavilion Maillardville: 2nd Thursday, 6:30 – 8:00 PM Maillardville Community Centre Port Coquitlam: 2nd Thursday, 10:00 – 11:30 AM Shaughnessy Care Centre Vancouver Coastal Health, Caregiver Support Program 2450 Ontario Street, Vancouver, BC V5T 4T7 604-709-6437 Email: caregiversupport@vch.ca www.vch.ca/caregivers East Side Support Group: 1st Wednesday, 1:00 – 3:00 PM, Renfrew Park Community Ctr. Central Vancouver Support Group: 2nd Wednesday, 6:30 – 8:00 PM, Raven Song Community Health Ctr. West Side Support Group: 3rd Tuesday, 1:00 – 3:00 PM, Pacific Spirit Community Health Ctr.
Upcoming Events for Family Caregivers Many Caregiver Support Organizations offer workshops, tele-workshops and webinars for family caregivers. Some of these events are free and others have a minimal fee. Please call the organization in your area or visit their website for details about upcoming events and programs. The Family Caregivers’ Network Society offers free BC-wide webinars. (www.familycaregiversnetwork.org) Upcoming topics include: • Empathy: A Key Skill for Family Caregivers • Rules, Roles and Responsibilities: Working Effectively with Your Case Manager • The Reluctant Caregiver: Are You One? • Cultivating Balance: Self-Nurturing for Family Caregivers • How to Have Those Difficult Conversations: Tips for Family Caregivers • Managing the Ongoing Losses of Caregiving Full descriptions and information about many of these events can be found at: www.seniorlivingmag.com/caregiving-events
BC Interior Caregiver Network for East Kootenay Seniors’ Society 1-877-489-0803 or 250-489-0802 (Liz Duchscherer) Email: lizd@shaw.ca Cranbrook 2nd & 4th Mondays, 1:00 – 3:00 PM Joseph Creek Care Village Board Room Kimberley 1st Thursday, 1:00 – 2:45 PM “The Pines” Day Program Room Creston 1st & 3rd Fridays, 1:00 – 3:00 PM Community Room – Public Library Golden 2nd Wednesday, 6:30 – 8:30 PM Hospital conference room Invermere 3rd Tuesday, 3:00 – 5:00 PM Columbia Garden Village Fernie 1st Tuesday, 1:00 – 3:00 PM Board room – Public library
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Respite Care and Caregiver Support Across BC BY SUSAN EVANS, ISLAND HEALTH
R
espite is a short period of rest or relief from something tivities. Programming may include activities, a meal and in difficult. Caregivers supporting loved ones need to make some Adult Day programs, transportation is offered. Clients sure they also take care of themselves. As much as they may be eligible to attend up to three days a week dependent on want to be there for the person they are caring for, caregivers health and care needs. There may be a small fee to attend. must recharge their own batteries. What is Residential Respite Care? Island Health, along with BC’s other health authorities, ofWhere offered, residential respite care offers short-term fers options for respite care to allow caregivers time for them- stays in a licensed care facility. Stays can be booked for a miniselves. Various services are available both at home and in the mum of one week, and up to five weeks per year can be booked. community. These services could be provided through home Residential respite does charge a daily fee that includes meals, support, Community Adult Day Services or Residential respite along with some recreational activities. care. Where are these programs available? In order to access these services, the person requiring care Home support is available in communities across BC. Adult must become a client of their respective health authority and be Day Services and Residential respite care are offered in various eligible for Home and Community Care Services. To find out locations around the province. about eligibility, access and costs for these programs, contact Are there wait lists for these programs? your local Home and Community Care office for more inforWaiting times vary for each program; your case manager can provide detailed information on eligibility, wait times, mation. Following are some frequently asked questions about Care- costs and application procedures. What if I don’t have a case manager? giver Support programs: If you think you or a loved one would benefit from one What is home support? Home support is care provided in your home by Commu- of these programs, contact your health authority’s Home and nity Health Workers who are directed by a nurse. Community RRCommunity O O T E D I NCare L O office V E ~ to G determine R O W I N Geligibility I N C O Mand M Uapplication NITY OOTED IN LOVE ~ GROWING IN COMMUNITY Health Workers help with things like medications, bathing and procedures. How do I get in touch with Home and Community Care? dressing for eligible clients. different toN connect. To Home Support does not replace a client’s efforts to care for R OEach O T E Dhealth I N L authority O V E ~ G offers ROWIN G I N C ways OMMU ITY themselves with help from family, friends and their community. find out how to contact the Home and Community care office Home support does not include services like cooking, cleaning in your region, visit their website. Vancouver Coastal Health www.vch.ca or grocery shopping. Fraser Health www.fraserhealth.ca What are Adult Day Services? Island Health www.viha.ca Adult Day Services offer day-long programs in the commuInterior Health www.interiorhealth.ca nity to provide respite for caregivers while seniors and people LONG TERM TERMHealth Northern www.northernhealth.ca with disabilities participate in therapeutic and recreational ac- LONG
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Aging in Place
Renovating Your Home to Age With You BY JOHN THOMSON
W
e all want to remain in our homes as we age but the safety statistics are staggering. One in every three seniors over the age of 65 will fall. In BC, that translates into 250,000 falls a year, more than 10,000 hospitalizations and more than 800 direct and indirect deaths. Half of those falls will occur in the family home, primarily in the bathroom, getting on or off the toilet seat or climbing in and out of the bathtub. Purchasing a raised toilet seat or installing grab bars is often the first step in slip-proofing the home. Another option is to put a chair in the tub, a simple solution, to be sure, but that doesn’t solve the problem of getting into the tub by climbing over its edge. The average bathtub is 21 inches high, a stretch for the frail and arthritic. Step-in tubs, in which the user steps into the tub through a door, appeared in North America 13 years ago. Numerous manufacturers make the product. They’re available with water or air jets, aromatherapy release, non-slip flooring, in-line water heaters to keep the water at an even temperature and quick drainage. Some even come with ozone filters and heated seats. “By the time we’re called in to give a quote, we usually see a chair and some grab rails,” says Cindy Leonard, Director of Sales and Marketing at Safe Step Tubs in Burnaby. Leonard sells and installs over 1,500 units per month throughout Canada and the United States. “I’m the original sales person in this industry in all of North America. They call me the tub lady,” she says proudly. “I’ve never seen anyone install a walk-in tub that didn’t need one,” she continues. “It’s really about safety.” Prices range from $10,000 to $16,000 depending upon ease of installation. “If I have a home that needs updated plumbing then we address it or if we come in to take out their existing tub and they have a rotting subfloor then we replace that,” says Leonard. The bathroom is an ideal place to start, but it’s by no means the only place that needs attention. Going up and down stairs
is the next most dangerous activity. Stairs lifts, which carry the occupant upstairs and down on a motorized chair, are a popular alternative. Like walk-in tubs, they come in an assortment of styles and prices. “It’s really a progression,” says Todd Linski, District Manager for Motion Specialties, a Victoria outlet that specializes in mobility devices for the elderly. “It’s generally not the first step in their quest for independence; it’s usually mid-step. A lot of times a $4,000 stair lift allows them to stay in their home for a longer period of time.” Linski says stair lifts are so popular that the company has created a separate division just to handle the demand. “We work with [customers] on funding; we work with health care professionals to ensure that it’s a one-package deal. We handle all the installation and all the servicing.” Other upgrades to the home include installing railings inside and out, lowering the kitchen cabinets so they’re within reach and widening doorways. Jim Wigglesworth, Project Consultant with Vancouver’s TQ Construction, says graspable railings is the most popular request among his senior clients. Wigglesworth is a certified aging-in-place (CAPS) specialist, trained to recognize the needs of seniors. The program originated in the United States in 2002 and is offered to BC builders either online from the USbased National Home Builders Association or through the Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association. “A CAPS specialist learns the senior’s current living situation, what special challenges need to be met and to suggest how those needs may be met through changes to the home,” says Wigglesworth. “Very often we work with an occupational therapist who is assigned to the case and the immediate challenge is usually pressing.” Low income seniors and seniors with disabilities can get financial help for major renovations through the Home Adaptations for Independence, or HAFI program, administered by BC
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Before and After – Left photo shows the existing corner tub before the rip out. Right photo shows the walk-in tub that replaced it. Photos: Safe Step Tubs
Housing. Applicants must submit to a means test and payouts are capped at $20,000 per household. “Depending on the amount, HAFI gets the homeowner to get two or three quotes,” says Cindy Leonard of Safe Step Tubs. “The customer gets an approval, we take that approval number, we install, HAFI sends out an inspector to make sure the work was done and done properly. HAFI then pays the customer and the customer pays us.” Log onto http://www.bchousing.org/Options/Home_Renovations for details and an application form. Home renovations are a timely and worthwhile way to remain in the family home for as long as possible. The goal is to age-inSL place casually, comfortably and above all, safely.
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2014-07-31 12:19 PM
Volunteering
Seniors Helping Seniors BY JOHN THOMSON
A
s the demand for in-home caregivers increases, so too does the number of seniors answering the call. According to a recent CBC news report, approximately 30 per cent of Canada’s working caregivers are aged 55 and over. I came up with a similar statistic for Vancouver and Victoria while researching this article. “They’re winding down their careers and they have a little bit of time on their hands,” says HR Manager Marina Taylor of Home Instead in Vancouver. “They’re empty nesters, they have a car and they want to take a senior out for a drive.” Home Instead provides a range of in-home services from companionship to dementia care. Taylor, like other managers, primarily employs seniors in companionship and home support roles. Since they often have hospital training, either as a nurse or a nurse’s aide, they are able to handle unexpected emergencies like administering CPR. And besides, seniors are conscientious and reliable. “We have a very strong preference for people over 55,” says Murray Tough, co-owner of Serenity Home Care in Victoria.
“They’ve been the most reliable, our most compassionate workers and the seniors relate to them very well.” Tough says 80 per cent of his work force are seniors. Twyla Johnson, Director of Operations at We Care in Victoria agrees. “They [clients] want someone who can relate to them, not someone who is a total generation gap away. They want someone they can talk to, someone they feel a bond with and whom they can share some common experiences.” Seventy-seven-year-old Betty Morrow is an RN with two years of palliative care training at Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver. She retired 14 years ago. She enjoyed it, at first, but eventually grew restive. Friends told her about in-home work; she thought she’d give it a try and she’s been working for Home Instead ever since. “The people I see no longer drive,” says Betty. “I take them shopping, I take them to eye appointments, I take them to doctors, whatever is required.” She agrees her age works in her favour. “We have more empathy. We can relate. I had a 103-year-old lady I used to take
Harmony Court Estate, Burnaby BC
ELVIS & PATSY with OPEN HOUSE live music
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Back by popular demand! You’d be ‘crazy’ to miss it! Join our staff and residents as we have a fabulous time with tribute artists Elvis and Patsy Cline. Hope to see you there! Date/Time: Saturday September 20th at 2PM Location: Harmony Court Estate 7197 Canada Way, Burnaby BC SPACE IS VERY LIMITED!
RSVP BY MONDAY SEPTEMBER 15 TH 604.527.3323
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Harmony Court Estate
Affordable Retirement Living 7197 Canada Way, Burnaby BC www.harmonycourtestate.ca
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SENIOR LIVING
Introduction to...
COMMUNITY KITCHENS FOR SENIORS Are you interested in joining a community kitchen with likeminded seniors? This program will give you the skills and contacts to get started. Program includes: guest speakers, cooking & meals, shopping tours & more. The kitchen is available to seniors following the completion of the program.
Begins September 23rd - 2:30-5:00pm $25/8 weeks Call 250-475-5412 for details.
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to church,” she says, suggesting her client would have been uncomfortable with a much younger person. Female workers, like Betty, are the norm, but the industry is changing says Tammy Watson of Home Care West and there’s a growing demand for older males “especially if companionship is a contributing factor. Hockey games are big,” she says. So, too, are pub nights. Betty works part-time. She has four clients she sees three hours a week in various locations throughout the city. “Some of my best workers are people that have retired,” says Chris Clark, the General Manager of Bayshore Home Care in Vancouver. “They travel, they go to Mexico for four months and then they come back. It’s their snowbird money,” he says. He does have a few reservations though. “One of the concerns we have as an employer is risk mitigation,” says Clark. “It’s different if you’re 20 years old and you pull your back than if you’re 65 and pull your back. And so the return to work times are much longer. We focus very heavily on health and safety. It’s a real factor.” More importantly, Clark stresses the need to be technologically savvy. “Workers are getting hand-held devices and mobile text support. Everything’s on computers and Blackberrys and they need to check in with their assignments. We’re becoming much more technologically focussed as an industry, so they [older caregivers] have to be comfortable with technology and open to it. They have to be current and up to date.” Having said that, the opportunities for seniors entering the home care field are expanding. “For personal care, you would have to have certification, but for companionship, what we try to hire is compassion,” says Murray Tough of Serenity Home Care in Victoria. “If you can show us that you spent nine months looking after your grandmother who had Alzheimer’s, that’s a good indication for us.” Concern for the client is paramount says Alyshia Vogt of Nurse Next Door Home Care Services. She tells the story of an older staff member and her bedridden charge. “This client wanted to travel to Egypt, it was one of her dreams, but obviously that
was going to be very difficult, so she [the caregiver] went to the library and got out books on Egypt. They watched movies together about Egypt. She basically brought Egypt to her home for her. It’s the kind of creative thing you find when people are doing it for the passion and not the money. That’s the key thing with hiring older care workers. They’re doing it because they love it and want to help people because they don’t necessarily have to be working anymore.” WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM
“It’s almost like a calling,” adds Home Instead’s Marina Taylor. “You know you’re good with people, you’re patient, you’re compassionate, you’re understanding and you have a true desire to help seniors stay in their own home as long as they can.” As an older caregiver who has answered the call, Betty Morrow sums up her experience: “You get to be good friends... and with the family too. I get a lot of positive feedback.” SL SEPTEMBER 2014
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Grandparenting
What is Your Grandparenting Role? BY KATHY LYNN
F
or grandparents who live in the same city as their children, they can play two different and equally important roles. Caregiving involves being the childcare provider when the parents return to work. It is often a full-time job. Caregivers work with parents to set the rules and expectations and develop systems for the day-to-day childcare. They prepare meals for the children, may do their laundry and may even take on some of the housework, if they are caring for the children in their home. Babysitters, on the other hand, are visitors to the family who follow the rules and expectations developed by the parents. Visits from babysitting grandparents are special, they sometimes mean a special outing or activity and most often provide the parents with a break. My husband and I fall into the latter category and refer to our visits as date nights for the parents. We also drop in to let the parents go out and run errands or get some housework done while we take the kids out for a walk. There is no right or wrong way to grandparent, just the way that works best for you. The trick is to honestly assess what is right for you. My friend Barb has a grandchild whose mom recently returned to work. Barb is 67 years old, healthy but frail with limited energy and her husband still works full-time. Her daughter’s mother-in-law announced at the end of the maternity leave that the two grandmothers would share the child-care when mom returned to work. My friend felt she had to agree. The plan was to alternate three days one week and two the following week. The child arrived at Barb’s home
at 6 a.m. and was there for 12 hours. Barb and her husband were also pressed into service babysitting their grandchild when the parents were going out on a Saturday night. The baby received quality care but there were no extra outings to the park, story-time at the library or drop-ins because, for Barb, the basic care was a stretch. At one point, Barb’s husband said, “You know, I love my grandson but I also really resent him.” He went on the say,
Looking for Senior Housing? BC Housing Directory 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. www.seniorlivingmag.com/housingdirectory Over
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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.
To Move or Not to Move? A Helpful Guide for Seniors Considering Their Residen�al Op�ons Advice from professionals who are experts in the area of assisting seniors with their relocation questions and concerns. 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. For more information or to order, visit our website at www.seniorlivingmag.com/bookstore or call toll free 1-877-479-4705.
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“My wife is either looking after him or recovering from caring for him and there is nothing left for me. All her energy has to go to the baby.” The only real winner in this case was the grandchild’s mother. On the other hand, my neighbour had twins and when they were nine months old her mother and father came to live with them when she returned to work. They built a suite in the basement and Grandma became very involved in childcare. Because she lived with them, she was not only available during the day but for supper, baths and bedtime. And the whole family thrived. Grandma was an energetic and healthy woman who was looking for a role in her life. Helping raise the twins and the third child who arrived two years later was exactly what she wanted. All the adults were able to work together to set the rules and expectations and it was a harmonious relationship. My cousin Carol tells me that when her oldest daughter, Lindsay, became pregnant they had an important conversation. Carol explained to Lindsay that she had raised her children and now wanted to revel in the role of Grandmother. She wanted to spend lots of time with her grandchildren, be available for help and support, fill in when there was an emergency like sudden illness, but she wasn’t going to take on the full-time role of childcare. Today, she is pleased she made that decision and was clear
Run Victoria
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10-12-14
with her daughter. With four children and eight grandchildren, Carol enjoys them all in a way that works for their families. Grandparents must do some serious thinking about their needs, their health and their energy levels. What do you want your role to be in the lives of your grandchildren? It’s particularly important to be honest with yourself about your capabilities. Couples are older when they start having babies now, which means new grandparents are older, too. One of my friends, who became a grandmother when she was in her mid-sixties, finds that four hours is her limit. After that, she is no longer effective. Clearly, she is a babysitting grandmother and an honest and capable one at that. Problems arise when there is undue pressure on Grandparents to become caregivers when they simply aren’t able. They also may not want to take on the role. As my cousin noted, she had already raised kids and now she wanted to Grandparent. Grandparenting is a special and wonderful relationship. You see the next generation of your family grow and develop. You watch the children you raised now raise their children. You learn from them and they learn from you. When we are honest with ourselves and our children about the relationship we want with our grandchildren, it can be a special and magical time. Whether you want to be a caregiver, babysitter or something in between, the challenge is to develop a connection with your growing family that enhances SL your life and the life of all your family members.
RetiRement. Living!
l Annua
Photo: Simon DesRochers
Have a chef make your dinner. Every day! Marathon • Half Marathon 8K Road Race • Thrifty Foods Kids Run
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Our Red Seal chef prepares great meals every day at Sunridge Gardens, a place for seniors to be independent, enjoy new friendships and spend special times with family.
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22301 Fraser Highway Murrayville, Langley www.SunridgeGardens.net A Bria Community® by Century Group
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604 510-5091 “Ask about our Bria Short Stay Suite.”
sunridge gardens senior Living Magazine 3.5 X 4.75 SEPTEMBER 2014 WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM
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Sunshine Hikers March On BY ANITA FOWNES IT’S HOME BY THE SEA
Where everything we do makes life easier for you.
Our residents have something to smile about! Call for a personal tour and complimentary lunch 15869 Pacific Avenue, White Rock, BC
604-531-6198 Email: concordretirementresidence@shaw.ca www.concordretirementresidence.com
Making Meaningful Memories
Toys Games and Puzzles For All Ages 102-2517 Bowen Road, Nanaimo 1.888.390.1775 www.koolandchild.com 28 26
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Sunshine Hikers at Stewart Mountain. Photo:Mary Andrews
I
t is Thursday. Every Thursday morning throughout the year, somewhere in the Victoria area, a single file lineup of rainbow coloured jackets move gingerly from a trailhead to a view spot. The pace or the length of time the Sunshine Hikers are on the trail varies depending on the difficulty of the hike. Nevertheless a hiking they will go – no matter the weather. The hikers could find themselves scaling rock bluffs, puffing up a steep incline, descending a rubble path slowly and attentively or quickly taking advantage of a flat segment on the woodland floor. When these hikers aren’t concentrating on where their next foot step may fall, they are aware of the natural beauty that surrounds them on these weekly outings. From the lookouts and summit of Mount Work (446 metres) overlooking Central Saanich, to Pickles Bluff in John Dean Park, to East Sooke Park, to Jocelyn Hill (434 metres) the views are dazzling. From Mount Work, they see the San Juan Islands, Finlayson Arm and the Malahat. From Horth Hill in the fall, the panorama of Hallowe’en pumpkins on the farmlands is eye-catching. From Babbington Hill or Cabin Point in East Sooke Park, the vista of the Olympic Mountains over the Strait of Juan de Fuca are stunning. From Jocelyn Hill the views of Finlayson Arm are striking. For sights like WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM
these, the hikers happily climb. Not all excursions lead to an elevated summit. Other trek destinations include Witty’s Lagoon, Royal Roads, Glendale Lands, Layritz Park, Panama Hill, Mystic Vale and Mt Douglas (213 metres); with still others featuring Swan Lake, Elk/Beaver Lake, Gorge Waterway, Rithet’s Bog and Cordova Bay Ridge. The hiking routes last from two to four hours and are graded 1 (easy), 2 (paths narrow and ground uneven), 3 (obstacles to mount), 4 (steep insecure footing, top conditioning required). A mid-morning snack and sometimes “gasp stops” occur by 11 a.m. Lunch, typically, is at a prominent viewpoint with hikers comfortably seated on moss-covered logs or bedrock. Chat lines ensue about the weather, the land marks that can be identified in the panorama or where a future hike may lead. Other topics for discussion ease into news of recent travels outside of Victoria, recommendations on eateries in town, information about “good reads” and tips for movie goers. With the Sunshiners trudging along or at a rest stop, the woods and walkways are seldom silent. This local hiking group, officially named the Sunshine Hikers, marked their anniversary in 2013. Venturing out on a week day means most of the hikers are retired with an average age of 70. Longevity is evidenced by the number of
Featured Business long-time hikers who joined as charter members; some are still members and participate in the weekly hikes. Others no longer hike with the group but enjoy the social activities. In 2014, three of the members celebrated their 90th birthdays. Page Hall, a hiker with the Thetis Lake Nature Sanctuary, is credited with starting the fledgling Sunshine Hikers in 1983. This new hiking group attracted many hikers who migrated from the Outdoor Club of Victoria when the pace in that club became less manageable. Between 1983 and 1990, the hikers numbered 46. Word of mouth was, and still is, the chief source of attracting participants to the group. By 1994, membership had grown to 73; by 1998, it was up to 82 and a waiting list was established to limit the impact of walkers on the trails. Then, the average number of hikers per week was 30; nowadays, membership is about 50 and on most Thursdays the average number of hikers is 12. Destinations include trails all over Victoria, including the Capital Regional District and municipal parks, local greenways and neighbourhood walkways, as well as Sooke, Sidney, Gulf Islands and other locations. More ambitious short stay-over trips have been organized over the years to destinations such as Manning Park, Mt. Washington, Powell River and Hornby/Denman islands. Participants come up with hiking ideas, which are then scheduled and coordinated by an Outings Coordinator. In 2001 and 2005, a few hikers made arrangements amongst themselves and travelled even farther afield: to Scotland, the Channel Islands, Portugal/Madeira and England/Wales/Ireland. Many people join the Sunshiners as singles and find comfort in the “safety in numbers” aspect of group hiking. Aside from the healthy exercise and exposure to new trails, there is a camaraderie. Social functions include several annual events; a picnic, banquet and an informal fall general meeting. What attracts hikers to the Sunshiners is the fellowship as they explore together the weekly varied hike routes. Several hikers offer their expertise in identifying song birds, mushrooms, lichens, fungi, ferns, plants, trees, shrubs and wild flowers. There is always opportunity to stop and learn about what grows in the forest and on hillsides during these hikes. In every season there is unique flora and fauna to notice — old man’s beard hanging from trees, Oregon grape with their showy red leaves and dark berries, common camas, shooting stars, fairy slippers and chocolate lilies. A long-time hiker with the group Mary Andrews says, “You get to see great places with great people.” “We started hiking with this group in September 1988 and have always enjoyed the camaraderie of the Sunshine Hikers,” say Helga and Percy Koethe, who are now in their 80s. “The benefits of the physical and social activities cannot be understated. Hopefully, our health will allow us to continue hiking for years to come.” Throughout the year, sunny Thursdays prevail and the Sunshine Hikers hit the trails to ramble and explore the neighbourSL hoods and pathways throughout the Victoria region.
Presbycusis: The Trouble with Treble By far the most common hearing loss is called Presbycusis. It sounds a bit like “Presbyterian,” doesn’t it? Presbyterian means “church of the elders.” “Presby” is Greek for the word “elders.” At about age 40, one has difficulty seeing close up. This is called Presbyopia, which means “vision of the elders.” Presbycusis means “hearing of the elders.” At around 65 years of age, many people say they can hear, but just have trouble with clarity of speech. The complaint will be “People are mumbling. I can hear, but just cannot always understand what’s being said.” Conversations one on one, and in quiet, won’t be too difficult. Hearing problems will occur however, when someone is speaking from another room, or when the face of the talker cannot be seen, or when there is competing background noise. Why is this? With Presbycusis, hearing for low-pitched (bass) sounds is typically better than hearing for high-pitched (treble) sounds. The degree or amount of treble hearing loss does not have to be very much to cause difficulty. In fact, the treble hearing loss is usually moderate in degree. Treble hearing loss causes difficulty distinguishing words that sound alike. People with Presbycusis have difficulty hearing highpitched treble speech sounds and so they have trouble hearing which words were said. They’ll rely on their eyes and on the context surrounding the words in question, to help along in conversation. This can be rather tiring. Is it any wonder that they feel out of it, and want to simply be left alone? This is not living the quality of life that they deserve. We should do something about it. The good thing here is that with good, treble-emphasis hearing aids, we can!
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Dr. Ted Venema, PhD, RAUD, RHIP is a Registered Audiologist for NexGen Hearing Listen to Dr.Ted Venema on ‘Boomer Life’ AM650 radio
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SEPTEMBER 2014
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Retirement
Shifting Gears in Retirement
BY JUDEE FONG
R
etirement can mean empty nests, leisure time and travel, but some retirees are enjoying a second career, often different from their first. Bob and Verna Duncan purchased their small 0.3 hectare Deep Cove property in 1983, happily raising their four children. Working as an entomologist and botanist at the Pacific Forestry Centre, Bob worried the substantial downsizing in the federal government may make him the next unemployed casualty. “I took advantage of the training offered to start a business,” he recalls. “Verna and I started Fruit Trees and More Nursery (http://fruittreesandmore.com) because I was already growing citrus fruits and apples. Meanwhile, my old job survived and there we were – running a business while I was still working.” Using his entomology/botany background, as well as decades of farming experience, Bob has made Fruit Trees and More Nursery a well-known source of hardy fruit trees and unique fruit. “Our climate here is similar to the Mediterranean and sub-
Bob Duncan with his olive tree.
Tropical, so fruits grown there will survive here,” explains Bob. “What’s common about all my fruit trees is that they’re not heated through normal winter weather.” Over the years, Bob devised a method where the only heat source was Christmas lights, regulated by a thermostat that
Put the Living in Retirement Living. Thursday, September 25th, 2 pm – 4 pm Discover the benefits and debunk the myths of retirement living. Learn more about the retirement options available and our continuum of care with our sister community Parkwood Court at our Autumn Open House. Stay to enjoy a tour and mingle with new friends in your community.
Call to RSVP by September 23rd!
Parkwood Place 3051 Shelbourne St Victoria
250-598-1565 reveraliving.com
Personal tours available. Working together to overcome ageism. Visit AgeIsMore.com
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Join us for our Autumn Open House at Revera – Parkwood Place.
turns on when the temperature dips below freezing. In an average winter, the lights come on between five and 10 nights, which translates to minimal electricity usage. Hardworking, efficient Mason bees pollinate his fruit-bearing trees and bushes. Today, Bob’s harvest includes purple-black olives, kiwis, grapes, figs, pomegranates, jujubes or Chinese dates, several types of loquats, over 30 varieties of citrus, pears and plums, numerous varieties of apples, peaches, cherries and apricots, pineapple guavas and strawberry guavas. “We tried growing tropical guavas, but it was just too chilly to survive,” he says. The many fruits of his labour, including Verna’s famous jams, jellies and pure citrus marmalades, are sold at the Deep Cove Farmers’ Market. Bob’s advice to any retiree is, “If you have a passion for something that keeps your mind sharp, keeps you active and lets you meet remarkable people, don’t be afraid of trying – just go for it.”
THE GLENSHIEL Affordable Living for Independent Seniors
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“This is a great place to be spoiled” 1580 Gallery artist Richard Pawley.
“I love having my bed made every day”
“This is a great place to be spoiled”
“I don’t have to worry about what to cook”
“I love having my bed made everyday”
“I don’t have to worry about what to cook” Call Laurie to arrange a tour
250.383.4164 250.383.4164 606 Douglas Street www.theglenshiel.bc.ca
606 Douglas Street
theglenshiel.bc.ca
Photos: Judee Fong
Central Vancouver Island’s Premier Active Lifestyle Community
From businessman and former vocational rehabilitation counsellor to art gallery manager, Richard Pawley is also one of the original artists at Gallery 1580. This distinctive Cook Street building, with its exterior covered in art painted by invited street artists, is where other professional artists rent creative space and exhibit their works, either collectively or exclusively (http://gallery1580.com/artists). Gallery 1580 is where art happens. “I just went from ‘retired’ to gallery manager and artist,” recalls Richard. “We were looking for a building for an art show WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM
ACTIVE LIFESTYLE COMMUNITY
6205 Oliver Road, Nanaimo (At Uplands)
250-751-7755 www.originlongwood.ca
SEPTEMBER 2014
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and this building was newly vacant. I had my own business before I retired, so I knew what was needed to manage a gallery.” While painting, Richard developed tendonitis and had to change his focus. “I switched to an art-form, using ‘found’ objects such as different sizes of springs and Slinkies, metal shavings, old parachutes or stretched bicycle tires that are normally thrown out,” he says. “I like finding things and transforming them into free-flowing sculptures. I want to create the effects of movement, action, volume and space. I find inspiration choosing things that have potential to be formed into art.” Richard confesses that any self-doubts about his sculptures “keeps me on my toes and makes me stretch my abilities to the limits.” To retirees thinking about following their dreams, Richard advises, “Do what you love and stay connected to people.” Lynda McKewan was a public health nurse and nurse practitioner for 33 years before she decided to retire early to pursue her passion. She is also one of the original members of Gallery 1580. “I always liked to draw and paint, so when I retired I went to Vancouver Island of Art and took all the painting courses I could,” she says. “When that was finished, I told myself I’ve got what I need to start painting on my own. I had the opportunity to join Bill Porteous’ mentorship group of 12 artists and they encouraged and supported me.”
Let us do the cooking. Food nurtures the body and soul, especially when it’s made fresh by an Amica chef. That’s something residents of Amica retirement communities enjoy every day. Selection, service with a smile, and no clean up afterward. Bon appetit!
OPEN HOUSE
A Taste of Amica Wednesday, September 17th 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm.
All-Inclusive Retirement Living
www.amica.ca
Amica at Rideau Manor 1850 Rosser Avenue Burnaby, BC 604.291.1792
Amica at Beechwood Village 2315 Mills Road Sidney, BC 250.655.0849
Amica at Douglas House 50 Douglas Street Victoria, BC 250.383.6258
Amica at Mayfair 2267 Kelly Avenue Port Coquitlam, BC 604.552.5552
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We’ve helped seniors stay safe and on the road for over 39 years. Our refresher programs, test evaluations and roadtest preparations are custom tailored for your success.
CALL US TOLL FREE 1-888-540-9473
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Amica at Somerset House Amica at Arbutus Manor 540 Dallas Road 2125 Eddington Drive Victoria, BC Vancouver, BC 250.380.9121 604.736.8936 Amica at West Vancouver 659 Clyde Avenue, West Vancouver, BC 604.921.9181
We can help you stay on the road.
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One of her early highpoints was a visit to her son, who works on high-rise buildings in Toronto. Lynda recalls, “I was inspired by the large scale he worked on and the expanse of architecture was fascinating. I could see textures, colour variations and patterns.” Calling herself a “pattern profiler,” Lynda explains, “When you profile somebody, you’re looking at the intricacies of that person and I think for me, when I look at a pattern, I’m looking at the intricacies and variations that could happen in a pattern. There are so many variations and permutations, it’s endless.” Lynda’s impressive abstract, “Red Flip, Green Flip” demonstrates deceptive simplicity with the placement of angles and colours, giving the appearance of three-dimensional art (http://abstractcolourpix.com). To others seeking the courage to pursue their dreams, Lynda advises, “Most people already have an idea if they’ve been doing it in their spare time, so go ahead and follow your dream.” Brock Clayards was in the RCMP for 27 years. “I worked four years in Ottawa for the Counterterrorism, Middle Eastern division chasing down Saddem Hussein’s Iraqi secret police.” Brock’s decision to remain a policeman, instead of accepting the invitation to join the newly formed Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), got him stationed back on the West Coast. While still a regular member of the RCMP, Brock would occasionally imagine himself as a writer, but never pursued this. Then one day, he decided to write up an incident that happened when he was a junior constable. “It was kind of fun writing it down as a story,” says Brock. “Each day, I would return to it, modify it a bit, add a bit and pretty soon I was writing a book!” Brock’s first book, Pacific Flyways was released a year ago and is available on Amazon.com. Pacific Flyways is a believable tale of eco-terrorism affecting thousands of migrating birds infected with a deadly strain of avian flu. Brock’s latest novel, Chasing the Dragon’s Tail, is a historical thriller set in Victoria’s 1914 Chinatown along with the onset of WWI. (http://brockclayards.com) “There are incidents mentioned in the book that actually happened,” he says. One of the pieces of information he was seeking was on 1914 submarine technology. Fortunately, Brock stumbled on the website of a person who provided him with valuable information including photos of a 1914 submarine’s interior. “I was able to visualize what actual living conditions were like and to write this into my book.” Content with life after retirement, Brock’s advice to others wanting to write, “You don’t have to write for other people – write for yourself. And if other people happen to like it, that’s a bonus.” SL
LEGION MANOR VICTORIA
Your comfort is our goal.
Come join us for a cup of tea and a tour.
A Great Place to Call Home Legion Membership not required
Independent and Supported Living Suites for seniors located in a rural setting in Central Saanich. Call us today for information or to book a tour 250-652-3261 legionmanor@shaw.ca | www.legionmanorvictoria.com
7601 East Saanich Road, Saanichton
Full Line of Walk-In Tubs
Tub Liners..., Tub Replacement..., Seamless One Piece Walls..., Shower Conversions
Bob and Verna Duncan can be reached by email at bvduncan@fruittreesandmore.com or at 250-656-4269. Brock Clayards is reachable at brockwb@gmail.com Gallery 1580 is located at 1580 Cook Street, Victoria. WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM
FREE CONSULTATIONS
1-877-709-2806 Victoria: 778-433-6337
Proudly Serving all of Vancouver Island www.ibpvanisland.com SEPTEMBER 2014
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Where Gringos Roost
BY IRENE BUTLER
View from a home for sale in Vilcabamba.
P
osing behind a 100-year-old giant tortoise in the Galapagos and knocking knees with a Shaman at a ritualistic ceremony deep in the Amazon Basin were thrills that entranced us during our first two weeks in Ecuador. Back in the lofty capital of Quito, we sit in a lively Plaza Foch café sipping cappuccinos and formulating plans to visit Ecuador’s southern havens where fellow countrymen have chosen to live, and “snowbirds” arrive in flocks to escape Canadian winters. How serendipitous that English spoken at the next table draws us to Frank and Alf, retirees from Vancouver who have made their home in Ecuador – Frank for 20 years, and Alf for 10. They look to be in fine shape for mid-70s, saying they walk 5km to meet with cronies every day.
My probe of “Why Ecuador?” is met with a tag-team response led by Frank. “Safe, low cost of living, good weather year round, ease of country’s currency being the US dollar….” Al pipes in, “and no jet lag after visits to BC with almost the same time zone…the bottom line – we’re here to stay.” To our southbound plans Frank says, “Although Cuenca with its spring-like climate continues to be popular, many sun seekers are looking still further south to the lower elevations of Loja (Loha) and Vilcabamba (Beel-ka-bamba) for yet balmier temperatures.” …and both gentlemen have lived in or visited all three locales. We decide to target the latter two. On our 30-minute taxi ride from the Loja airport, the area’s spectacular scenery unfolds – vivid green grasslands and forested hills morph into distant Andean peaks of muted blues,
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the equatorial sun centering the azure sky. The highway is sided by adobe buildings with an industrial look, until we enter the old city through a stone archway of turreted castle-like walls, beyond where a vibrant city of 250,000 is ours to explore. After settling into the modern Zamorano Real Hotel, it is off to visit several squares sharing shady benches with locals and admiring the colonial churches. Noting a statue of the Virgin of Loja hovering over the city from atop a hill, we climb to her base for a stellar view of the city. On our daily wanderings, we stop for lunch at small restaurants, all serving $3 specials, which include a bowl of delicious soup, an entrée, and just-squeezed fruit juice. We usually choose pollo (chicken) or pascada (fish) for our main course – words we recognize with the waiter’s rapid rambling in Spanish. It’s even more of a surprise that our suppers at white tablecloth restaurants are under $10 – love that elastic dollar! Sunday is Grande Market Day. All the way up the wide hilly street from San Sebastian Square vendors line the sides
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The author and her husband Rick in the main square in Vilcabamba.
and centre, selling (I’d wager) every vegetable and fruit known to man. We move past mountains of vine-fresh tomatoes, carrots the girth of my arm, bananas still on a stalk, watermelon the size of Grandma’s soup pot. Most items are familiar, but some are strange, indeed. One fellow with a poster showing various body organs is promoting blackish stems piled at his feet – “respiratory” and “stomach” are words I can translate. Shoppers fill jumbo shopping bags with their week’s supply of produce for between $5 and $10 (according to a lady who spoke English). Other vendors sell snacks to the jostling crowds. Pork rind sizzles on grills, whole guy (guinea pigs) roast on charcoal, thick pancakes soar with each flip, a nun stirs a vat of rica crema (creamy rice custard). I load up on a pineapple, six ruby-red apples and a plate-sized mango – all for $1. Across from our hotel, we are drawn to The Canadian House Center, where English is taught. The owner Diego, a native Ecuadorian who, with his Toronto-born wife, had lived in Canada for several years, is a great source for particulars on the costs of living in Loja. “Rents for apartments range from $300 to $500 per month. A house will be around $700. Averages for WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM
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Veggies galore – Loja market.
adequate units are truly $49,500 for one bedroom, and up to $89,000 for three bedrooms. At the opposite side of town, we view spacious apartments in a new hillside development with a great view of the city (and a few cows grazing on a hill behind) selling for $95,000. It is time to check out Vilcabamba. This once Inca royalty retreat is nestled in what is known as the “Sacred Valley” and “Valley of Longevity.” We hop a bus (cost $1.30) for the 45km one-anda-half hour drive through more spectacular scenery. The long entrance to Vilcabamba (population 2,000) is filled with shanty-type dwellings, but the heart of the village around central park is mucho
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touristy with plenty of good restaurants, quaint cafés, small food stores, and hand-crafted souvenir shops. We join a cluster of North American folk chatting over lunch, coffee or cervasa. Most fit the “retired here” category, with a few “wintering here,” and also some young hippy-types hanging out in this wonderful laid-back setting. Out front of our restaurant, the village’s new and only set of street-lights seem hardly necessary – two cars in an hour stop on a red, and a horse and rider once crossed on a green. All the folks we speak to, including real estate agent Marco who was born and raised in Vilcabamba, concur its popularity with foreigners has driven up prices – large ranch-style homes spread
Photos: Rick and Irene Butler
utilities for a month – electricity/water, cable TV, high-speed internet, will run you another hundred.” Seeing a sign on a nearby real estate office advertising homes for $49,500, I am compelled to get the skinny on this. With our minimal Espanol, we go out with an agent to see these apartments (condos) near completion; the plain but
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Calling all
Snowbirds, Cruisers, Frequent Flyers & Vacationers! Whether your travel is short or long term, we have many plans to satisfy your insurance needs. Including tailor made plans for applicants 55+ We are local in BC and provide: • Expert advice on selecting the plan that is right for you. • Personal attentive care in answering all of your questions before and after your purchase.
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throughout the valley rent for $800 and up a month, although one 20-year-old fellow rents an apartment in town for a third of that. Houses to purchase range from $180,000 to $300,000; the grand house we go to see on the outskirts of town had an asking price of $285,000. Who better than Marco to address the longevity claim of people in the valley? “I personally know some centenarians,” he says, “and have heard stories from my father of even longer life-spans.” Past studies have claimed rich anti-oxidants in the mostly organic fruit and veggies. Combined with the hard work and low-calorie/low-animal fat diet, it likely keeps people healthy and vigorous into old age, which probably doesn’t hold with the relaxed expats in Vilcabamba, who say how handy Loja is for all the conveniences and foods they are used to from home. Sitting one last time in the square, the tranquility, pure air and glorious 29-degree Celsius sunshine is overpowering. It’s back by taxi to the appealing bustle of friendly Loja. If checking out these Gringo hot-spots, be fair-warned! Like us, you may be struck by a stirring compulsion to purchase a home on the spot and never leave – but as with any foreign country it is best to first spend a winter or two in the area – just as a long engagement before marriage is wise to ensure SL a new love fits. For IF YOU GO information, visit www.seniorlivingmag. com/articles/where-gringos-roost
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“Each of the residents in our senior living communities brings with him or her a wealth of experience and skill. We encourage our residents to use those skills whenever possible, including in the garden.”
Baptist Housing Celebrates 50 Years of Care
T
his year, Baptist Housing celebrates 50 years of commitment to seniors, providing exceptional, holistic care as we enable them to live well in supportive communities. Seniors who choose to live in a Baptist Housing community experience the truest sense of home. Residents find themselves cared for by committed and faithful Team Members, surrounded by welcoming environments with engaging opportunities for activity, and enabled to live life to the fullest. Baptist Housing was born in 1964 with Dr. Jack Pickford’s vision to provide safe, affordable housing and care for seniors. We are privileged to carry on his vision, and
today Baptist Housing serves over 2,000 Residents in 16 communities spanning Victoria, Vancouver, Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Armstrong. Our communities provide a great diversity of options including affordable seniors housing, independent living with support services, assisted living and residential care. Dr. Pickford’s vision was accomplished through countless milestones and achievements, none of which would be possible without the people who make up Baptist Housing: our residents, our team members, our volunteers and our partners. As we look to our future, we continue to seek new opportunities and innovative ways to care and provide for seniors. The Heights at Mt.
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View will be completed this fall - a brand new residential care community in Saanich which represents the best practice in senior living today, featuring home-like environments, non-intrusive design which supports visits from family members as well as large outdoor courtyards.
We are grateful for all that has been achieved in the past 50 years and we are excited with all that is before us. We invite you to come experience home today! Enjoy the sprawling outdoor community gardens at Grandview Towers
in Vancouver, or settle into resort-like retirement living at Shannon Oaks in Vancouver or Victoria. Please visit www.baptisthousing.org for more information.
Achieving great things together
WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE WORKED WITH BAPTIST HOUSING ON MANY SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS.
Miller ThoMson congraTulaTes BapTisT housing on iTs achieveMenTs Miller Thomson is a leading provider of legal services to the real estate industry. Our lawyers have extensive experience in: • Land acquisition and project financing • Land use planning and subdivision • Mixed use projects
• Public Private Partnerships, joint ventures and limited partnerships
For more information, please contact Lynn Ramsay, Q.C. at 604.643.1208 or Mike Walker at 604.643.1288.
Weiler Smith Bowers Consulting Structural Engineers 118- 3855 Henning Drive Burnaby, B.C. V5C 6N3 Tel 604.294.3753 Fax 604.294.3754 Email wsb@wsb-eng.com www.wsb-eng.com
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“We believe true health and wellness means caring for the whole person. Our desire is for the personal wellness of every resident in every level of our senior living communities.�
Silver Group Purchasing would like to wish Baptist Housing a happy anniversary and thank them for their continued services to the community. Their commitment to their residents has remained steadfast throughout the years. We take great pride in being their purchasing partner. CONGRATULATIONS
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“The Heights at Mt. View is a 7-storey, 260-unit residential care residence located in Saanich, BC and will replace two previous Baptist Housing locations in Victoria.”
“Whatever your retirement and senior living needs are, we have the solution. Choose from one of our 16 senior living communities that offer affordable housing, independent living, Congratulations Baptist Housing assisted living, on your 50th Anniversary and residential care.” “Our residents are encouraged and enabled to live life to the full.”
Robert Bogress - Principal 604.714.4439 • www.trggroup.com Trusted Relevant Guidance from Industry Experts
Congratulations to Baptist Housing on 50 Years
GVCSS is one of BC’s oldest and largest accredited community care service providers. 604.737.4900 • www.gvcss.bc.ca 42 40
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Celebrating over
40
years of Excellence
Since 1972, the Lark Group has developed, built and managed substantial industrial, commercial, hospitality and institutional real estate. A local institutional market leader, the Lark Group owns and manages multiple care facilities and has successfully completed a substantial number of Public Private Partnership (P3) projects. Our diverse portfolio includes institutional, medical, industrial and ICI construction. This long-standing family business is built on the tenets of trust, respect, integrity and honesty .
Welcome Home Providing Independent Living, Assisted Living and Residential Care: Village at Mill Creek 1450 Sutherland Ave. Call for a tour B a p t i s t
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Time Travel
hen you think of time travel, what comes to mind? Depending on your age, it could be H.G. Wells or it could be Dr. Who. Have you ever thought about what it would be like to time travel in your own capsule? If you did, where would you go? Would you travel back to a previous era, or would you go ahead to some distant time? If it seems like the kind of thing only science fiction writers ponder, you would be surprised to know that we are all time travellers almost every day. Lately, I have been seeing “Throwback Thursday” posts on Facebook: someone will post a picture of an event that took place in the ’70s or earlier. My daughter recently posted a picture taken when she was about two curled up on a couch next to her father. She is now 42. Ian had a full head of dark hair and was wearing polyester checkered pants. When I saw that picture, I travelled back – back to the room, the house and many of the memories the photograph evoked. How about the sound of the most popular rock ‘n’ roll tune
BY PAT NICHOL
Photo: Frances Litman
COURAGEOUS and OUTRAGEOUS
that was playing when you were 15, 16 or 17? No matter how stiff you feel physically now, your kinesthetic body puts on its poodle skirt and gets prepared to twist and bop. Recently, during the Moss Street Paint In, I was walking back to my car when I heard a young girl gloriously singing “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess. This was the lullaby I sang to my daughters when they were babies. A great lump developed in my throat as I listened and, once again, I was transported back to the rocking chair where I sat with daughters in my arms. So, time travellers, why not share some of the travelling you have been doing the last little while? We don’t need exotic machines, all we need is that wonderful universe we carry in our minds. SL Happy travelling! Pat Nichol is a speaker and published author. Reach her at mpatnichol@gmail.com or visit www.patnichol.com
What’s your reason? Staying connected to those who can benefit most from your experience is an important reason to get your hearing checked. Call or visit us today. There’s no better time to book a complimentary hearing evaluation and try hearing aids for two weeks at no cost, and no obligation.*
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With 45 convenient locations throughout British Columbia, call 1 800.563.4327(HEAR) or visit us online at connecthearing.ca to book an appointment at the clinic closest to you.
The reasons to come see us deserve to be shared. *Registered under the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC. No fees and no purchase necessary. Complimentary Hearing Evaluations are only applicable for customers over 50 years of age. See clinic for details.®CAA and CAA logo trademarks owned by, and use is granted by, the Canadian Automobile Association. ™CAA Rewards is used by the Canadian Automobile Association. VAC, WCB accepted.
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Health
Don’t Let Arthritis Keep You Down
Here to help you
Live Well with an
L
iving with arthritis means learning how to manage the symptoms and maximize mobility and, for some types of arthritis, slowing down the progression of the disease with medications. First, visit your doctor, if you haven’t already. Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications can make it easier for you to move around, and can relieve joint stiffness. It’s important not to get discouraged if the medications don’t seem to be working right away since some medications can take several weeks to reach their full effect. What helps one person may not help another; you may need to try different medications at various dosages before you find adequate relief. It’s understandable to feel frustrated or down when you can’t do things you once could – whether it’s taking long hikes in the woods or doing fine needlework. But to stay healthy in body, mind and spirit, we need to adapt. Take shorter routes, if you used to enjoy long walks, or take part in a “mall walk” sponsored by your local shopping centre. If it’s getting too difficult to do your favourite hobby, maybe you can learn a similar one that puts less stress on your joints, or use adaptive aids to help you continue doing the one you love. Occupational therapists are a great resource for handy devices that may make it easier for you to continue enjoying your activities. Exercise is important! It helps arthritis by improving joint movement and strengthening the muscles that sur-
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round the joints. Swimming and walking are great low impact options when done in moderation. This will keep your muscles active without increasing inflammation or joint pain. Swimming is particularly good since the water helps support the weight of your body, taking the strain off of the joints. Call your local community centre to see what special exercise activities they have to offer. But remember to check with your doctor or physiotherapist beWWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM
fore starting any new exercise program. Staying active, physically and mentally, is important to maintain good health. For example, participating regularly in swimming and exercise programs can help you get out of the house and maintain social contacts. Ask your doctor or physiotherapist for ideas. SL This health information is brought to you by Pharmasave. Visit your Live Well Pharmacist for more information. SEPTEMBER 2014
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Dinner Theatre in Maple Ridge Dinner Theatre in Maple Ridge
AGATHA CHRISTIE’S
the
Mousetrap st October 6thto - 3131st October 6th Coming Dec 2-20 A Christmas Carol: The Musical To book your tickets
call 604-259-9737
Ballet Victoria Season 2014-15 kicks off with Dracula, the vampire that started it all. Be prepared to be seduced and bitten by this eerily beautiful new ballet. Show dates October 24, 25 and 26. The Gift follows on Dec 27, 28 and 29. This is the original magical Christmas story set to the music of The Nutcracker. Check out our website at www.balletvictoria.ca for all the events of our new season. See ad, page 47
or visit us online at
www.theatreinthecountry.com 9975 272 Street, Maple Ridge BC
To book your tickets
604-259-9737 or visit us online at
www.theatreinthecountry.com 9975 272 Street, Maple Ridge, BC
Chemainus Theatre presents Les Misérables Winner of over 100 international awards and seen by over 65 million people worldwide, Les Misérables sweeps its audience through an epic tale of broken dreams, passion and redemption, against the backdrop of a nation in the grip of revo-
A Great Place For A Stroll, Or A Roll, Year Round
Be Sure To Check Out The Benefits Of A 12 Month Pass Tel: 250.652.5256 Toll Free: 866.652.4422 butchartgardens.com/passes
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lution. June 20–Sept 7, 2014. More info at www.chemainustheatrefestival.ca See ad, page 44 Hippo Tours, Victoria Hippo Tours take you around the city, travelling both on land and water. We have specially designed amphibious vehicles that carry 40 passengers and function as both bus and boat. During your continuous 90-minute trip onboard the Hippo, see many of Victoria’s best attractions, while also getting a glimpse of local life. Enjoy a relaxing tour around the city before splashing into the Pacific Ocean for the second half of your journey. With our knowledgeable staff and tour guides, you will experience a trip like never before on the Bus That Floats! More info at www. victoriahippotours.com See ad, page 45
publish for 6 months, April May June July Aug and Sept 2014 expires sept 30, 2014 includes coupon for 10% off regular price individualtickets 2.3 "w x 2.6" h View Royal Casino on Sept. 28, 10am–
The Butchart Gardens Breathtakingly beautiful, any season of the year. Immerse yourself in the sights and scents of a multitude of flowers. Enjoy unlimited visits with a year-long pass. This pass means you can attend 50+ evenings of entertainment at no extra charge, plus other benefits. Visit us online at www. butchartgardens.com See ad, page 44
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s 2014/2015 season offers two series of matinee concerts: Tea & Trumpets takes place on Thursday afternoons and features light classical music; for more serious repertoire, check out Symphony Sundays. For more information: vancouversymphony.ca See ad, page 46
Theatre in the Country The Mousetrap is a murder mystery by Agatha Christie. A group of people head to a new rooming house, a remote country home in the middle of a winter. Trapped by a storm, they start being knocked off one by one. Come join the suspense and figure out who is killing them off before the cast members do. Runs Oct 2–31. Upcoming event: December 2–20, A Christmas Carol: The Musical. See ad, page 44
Victoria Royals Hockey Club Join the excitement of cheering on Victoria’s junior hockey team! Part of the Western Hockey League (WHL), players aged 16-20 have been or are striving to be drafted by the NHL. Check out www.victoriaroyals.com See ad, page 45 UNLOCK the Treasure Want to get your antiques and collectables appraised? Bring your valuables to the
5pm for an on-the-spot appraisal. If the Mad Picker wants to buy it, he will pay you cash instantly! Plus 10% of all sales will be donated to Our Place Society. Join the Mad Picker at the View Royal Casino for a day full of finds, facts and fun! Proudly supported by CHEK. Enter to win the “UNLOCK the Treasure Draw” for a $5,000 Chest Full of Treasures! See ad, page 45
See the sights by land and sea. Come take a splash on The Bus that Floats!
www.VictoriaHippoTours.com
250-590-5290
May 1 to Sept 30
Get 10% off regular price tickets* * Excludes family and toddler tickets. This ad must be presented at time of purchase; Not available on online purchases; Can not be combined with another offer. Senior Living Magazine 2014; expires Sept 30, 2014
UNLOCK THE
TREASURE Sept 28, 10am – 5pm Ever wanted to get your antiques and collectables appraised like on “Antiques Roadshow”? Here’s your chance! Bring your valuables to the View Royal Casino on Sept 28 and get an on the spot appraisal. Enter to Win a $5,000 Chest full of Treasures! 10 Keys will be Awarded, 1 Lucky Key will UNLOCK THE TREASURE!
UNLOCK THE TREASURE! Sept 28, 10am – 5pm Redeem only at View Royal Casino Guest Services from Sept 1–28. One voucher per person only. No copies or facsimiles accepted; non-transferrable. 1708 Island Highway, Victoria • 250.391.0311 • www.viewroyalcasino.com
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SLM
SEPTEMBER 2014
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MATINEES WITH THE VANCOUVER SYMPHONY VSO TEA & TRUMPETS
A 6-CONCERT SERIES ON THURSDAY AFTERNOONS AT 2PM, AT THE ORPHEUM
A charming matinee series of popular, lighter classics, in themed concerts hosted and narrated by the ever popular Christopher Gaze. This season, the Tea & Trumpets series features the story of Faust, the World of Shakespeare, Sibelius at 150, French Classics, and more.
Christopher Gaze
Bramwell Tovey
Tea & Trumpets comes complete with COMPLIMENTARY TEA AND COOKIES served in the lobby before each concert! 6-concert series from just $24 per concert!
UBC Opera Ensemble
Gordon Gerrard
ROGERS GROUP FINANCIAL
SYMPHONY SUNDAYS A 5-CONCERT SERIES ON SUNDAY AFTERNOONS AT 2PM, AT THE ORPHEUM
The Symphony Sundays series features great Classical music and renowned guest artists at the beautiful, historic Orpheum Theatre. The 2014/2015 Symphony Sundays series includes Maestro Bramwell Tovey, pianists Katherine Chi and Angela Hewitt, violinist Tasmin Little, the music of Gershwin, Bernstein, Elgar, Prokofiev, Ravel, and much more.
Bramwell Tovey
Angela Hewitt
James Feddeck
Katherine Chi
5-concert series from just $20 per concert!
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A
Photo: Eric Maitland
What’s Your Plan for the Future?
Your Life
s a Life Transitions Coach, I’m passionate about supporting people of any age, to live their best life and not settle for anything less. Many seniors express a desire to live in their own home for as long as possible. If your home is well suited for your needs, or can be adapted to meet your needs as you age, this can be a viable option. You also need to ask yourself “Who is going to support me when I need assistance with some of the basics of daily living?” Many seniors have assumed this responsibility for their own parents and expect that their children or another close relative will do the same for them. Others simply prefer not to think about it. The reality is that people live longer these days, although not always in optimal health. Questions to ask yourself if you expect a family member to support you as your needs increase:
If they are not open to doing this, what is my Plan B?
Have I discussed this with them and are they in agreement with what I’m proposing?
Sue Maitland is a speaker and ICF Certified Life Transitions Coach. Reach her at suemaitland@shaw.ca or www.suemaitland.com
BY SUE MAITLAND
If they agree to support me, what impact will this have on their life and their family? What could I do to make supporting me less of a burden for them? What services are be available through my local Health Authority or private agencies, if I need them? Make a plan for your future support needs now and, if family support is part of your plan, talk to those involved to enSL sure this is workable for them too.
Reserve your seats now
250-380-6063 | attendance@balletvictoria.ca WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM
www.balletvictoria.ca SEPTEMBER 2014
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Rarely available cottage style home in a 55+ Seniors community located in downtown Squamish. Immaculate inside and out! 2 large bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, open floor plan, gas fireplace, separate laundry room with access to large storage space. Fenced front patio with small garden & shed. Amenities include social facilities - located in condo building & outdoor community garden. Walking distance to shopping, walk-in clinic, pharmacy, marina, senior centre & walking trails. Shelley Doby Squamish Residential Market Specialist
Cell: 604-815-3047 Office: 604-984-9711 Email: shelley@shelleydoby.com
“Live It Up”
SENIORS EXPO Playing! Living! Eating! Aging! delta.ca/seniors
FREE ADMISSION – 10:00am – 4:00pm
Fit for the Adventure BY EVE LEES
Free Weights or Machines?
W
orking out at the fitness centre can be a technical nightmare. Some of those gadgets in the gym are pretty intimidating to a first-time visitor. Although machines are a great tool to achieving overall fitness, traditional equipment like barbells and dumbbells continue to be just as effective. Standard weight sets and machines both have their advantages and disadvantages. The type you choose to use – or to use more often – depends on your individual goals and needs. Machine Advantages • Effectively isolates a single muscle or muscle group. • Generally safer, and is recommended for beginners, younger weight trainers, the elderly or those recovering from injury. • Less time is wasted changing resistance and preparing equipment.
McKee Seniors Recreation Centre
5155 47 Avenue – Saturday, September 20, 2014
Kennedy Seniors Recreation Centre 11760 88 Avenue – Saturday, October 4, 2014
The Corporation of Delta, in partnership with the Government of Canada, Fraser Health, the McKee House Seniors Society and the Kennedy House Seniors Society, is pleased to host two Seniors Expos.
heart In the ok St o C f o Village
In Partnership With
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Free Weights Advantages • Unlike machines, they also develop supporting muscles around the muscle being exercised. • Improve balance and co-ordination. • The exercises more closely imitate natural movements and the motions of
Come HOME . . . to Minton House Delicious Meals
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These active living Seniors Expos are free to attend and will showcase information on health, resources, services and lifestyle options. Highlights of the Expo include guest speakers, screening tests for hearing, medication reviews and an interactive scooter obstacle course hosted by the Delta Police Department. For more information please contact Diane Doyle, Seniors Expo Coordinator, at ddoyle@delta.ca or 604-679-8736.
Machine Disadvantages • Supporting muscles are not used, because balance is not necessary when using machines. Therefore, it’s not effective for a more holistic, full-body workout. • Some machines control the speed of movement or vary the resistance through the range of motion. This is not a natural imitation of daily movements or most sports motions. • Machine adjustments may be limited, so some machines may not accommodate very short or very tall people. • Limited variety of exercises. • Machines are costly, use more space, and may need maintenance.
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most sports. • Inexpensive and use little space. • A wide variety of exercises can be done.
Oak Bay Avenue Condo Top Floor Corner Unit
Free Weights Disadvantages • Training alone, without a partner (spotter), may be dangerous if heavy weights are used. • Proper exercise technique is critical to avoid injury. • Weight plates can fall off the bars, if not properly secured, causing injury. • Changing resistance is time consuming and inconvenient. • Because many muscles are used to help you keep your balance, it’s difficult to isolate a specific muscle with free weights. Ask a fitness instructor at your neighbourhood fitness centre to show you which machines or traditional free weights would be the most beneficial, based on your goals and ability, and how to correctly use them. If you are looking to purchase equipment for home use (like a weight set, treadmill or exercise bike), try it at the gym first to be sure you will enjoy using it on a regular basis. SL
Eve Lees was a Personal Trainer and Nutrition Counsellor for 30 years. Currently she is a Freelance Health Writer and Speaker. www.artnews-healthnews.com
• 1 bdrm / 1 bath • 634 sq. feet • 1 block from Oak Bay Village • Under $200,000 • Brand new paint • Brand new carpet • 1 cat allowed (no dogs) • Lovely balcony amid oaks
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CLASSIFIEDS COLLECTOR SEEKING vintage/collectable cameras, binoculars and microscopes. Nikon, Leica, Contax, Rolleiflex, Zeiss, Canon, etc. Mike 250-383-6456 or e-mail: msymons6456@telus.net (Greater Victoria Area). NORTH NANAIMO: WATERFRONT ENGLISH HOME, apartment to rent, clean and quiet. Furniture optional. Suitable for active senior. Close to amenities, Woodgrove Mall. No smoking. Laundry available. References required. $1000/ month or $250/week inclusive. 250-3901805 mobile 250-616-2906. HEALING CONSULTANT Marcia Goodwin R.N.,B.Sc.N. Assessing, troubleshooting, problem-solving your health concerns in the comfort of your home. • Professional • Thorough • Confidential. 250-686-3081. (Victoria Area) PIANO LESSONS (in the convenience of your home), all ages and levels, serving greater Victoria to Sidney. FREE consultation. 250-384-1229, cell 250-888-1229 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. Please call 250-390-9266. HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE can help with compassionate, personalized home care services in your own home, once a week, or every day. Our CAREGiversSM are extensively trained, insured, bonded, professional and reliable. We take pride in matching our CAREGivers to your preferences. Please call us today for your complimentary care consult. We would love to help! Call 250.382.6565.
Refresh Your Property before Listing! Attract more Buyers for a better Price with Anew Décor’s expertise
WANTED: OLD POSTCARDS, old photographs, and pre-1950 stamped envelopes. Also buying old coins, medals and badges. Please call Michael 250-652-9412 or send an email to fenian@shaw.ca CHANGING PLACES IS SEEKING seniors North of Victoria who need to Downsize or Move. We help you pack, move, unpack and organize. Call for your free estimate 250-721-4490, email: changing@ islandnet.com www.victoriamoves.com RHONDA’S REFLEXOLOGY VICTORIA services offered from your home. Certified in first aid and CPR . Extensive knowledge in Diabetes. 250-818.-0899
SENSUAL MASSAGE. Are you missing touch? I’m a Certified Sexological Bodyworker, I work with Couples and Individuals. Sher 250-889-4166 or send an email to sexeducator@telus.net
FALLS ACCOUNT FOR 85% OF ALL INJURIES TO SENIORS in-home, multi-factorial fall risk assessment includes: balance training, strength training, environmental pitfalls, visual acuity etc. contact Bruce J. Pinard Certified Exercise & Home Care Therapist 250-388-3002 or admin@ protectfall.com
YOUR LIFE STORY IN A BOOK! I will help you tell your story. A peaceful, reflective process – may be life changing. thelifestorywriter.com Janice 250-893-4587.
When Accessability matters…
WE specialize in your Special Needs! Personalized Packages and slow walking tours to all destinations! - ALL INCLUSIVE COST $5200 PER PERSON
Call Jay Nanji 778-233-7234
www.anewdecor.ca
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SPANISH FOR TRAVELLERS COURSE: Veronica Webster, professional Spanish tutor, native speaker. Private & small group classes also available, lower Mainland. 604-809-7202 For more info visit www.spanishwithveronica.com
DEBI’S MOBILE HAIR SERVICES in the comfort of your home for everyone in your family. Serving the Victoria area. Please call Debi at 250-477-7505.
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Clean • Honest • Reliable Call Charles www.cmrenovations.ca • 778-999-8072
DEMENTIA DESTROYS. Craigdarroch Care Home Offers Loving Care 250-5953813. www.craigdarrochcarehome.ca
SANDY FOR SENIORS Transportation to appointments, shopping, cooking, cleaning and odd jobs. Caring, reliable, honest. Bonded and insured. 250-216-0253.
250-818-2502
Serving the Lower Mainland
HAVEN HOME CARE LTD. In home care providers. Helping our clients lead dignified independent lifestyles. Greater Victoria. 250-213-3684 Visit www.havenhomecare.ca
THE JAMES BAY COMMUNITY PROJECT seeks volunteers to drive clients to medical appointments or to visit seniors. Call Lisa Gleinzer at 250-388-7844 Ext.308.
BEST OF BRITAIN TRIP 2 weeks - Nov 2014
All types of home renovations
FORGET-ME-NOT SUPPORT SERVICES. Kindly helping Seniors live independently longer. I want to help you with all your needs. Always with love. Can provide pet companion. Katherine 778-2650227. Greater Victoria.
CUBA – ‘SPANISH STUDIES IN CUBA’ (Havana), $2,500.00 CAD for 4 wks. Hotel with breakfast and dinner, tuition fee. (Air fare not included). 250-478-0494 ssic@ telus.net http://spanishstudiesincuba.ca
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$45 for 20 words, $1.75/extra word 250-479-4705 | 1-877-479-4705 office@seniorlivingmag.com
Luxcare Quality Senior Home Care We promise caring relationships and consistent one-on-one care.
250-590-1689 | luxcarelifestyle.com WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM
Hidden Maui Paradise Just steps from the beach. 2 Bed, 2 Bath Condo for rent. Check our online calendar for available dates. Central Kihei • 250-882-1963 www.hiddenmauiparadise.com OCTOBER 2009 39
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It’s Just That Easy!
Caution and Safety for Elderly Family Members
P
eople are living longer in our society. Perhaps you are a family with elderly parents or grandparents. If so, I am sure you are concerned with their safety when it comes to falls – a common issue among senior folks. Your family members may live in their own home and be independent and healthy enough to want to stay. Or perhaps you are considering having them move into your home with you or maybe in a separate suite. Regardless of the location, there are some safety issues you should address. Here are some recommendations: The bathroom is definitely an area of concern when it comes to protection from falls. Install safety rails and a grab bar in the tub area. Install a second grab bar near the ����������������������������������������������������������������� toilet. Without these bars, Mom or Dad may end up using the towel bars or toilet paper holders for support. These ����������������������������������������������������������������� can pull away from the wall, cause a serious fall and require you to do drywall repairs. Be sure to have non-slip protection in the tub or shower, a rubber bath mat or, better yet, add some permanent non-slip strips as they may forget to use the mat. Loose throw rugs can be a potential danger, best to remove anything that could slip or cause one to catch their toe and trip. Try to arrange furniture for easy access to the usable areas. Any cords or electrical wires should be taped �������������������������������������������
to the walls, if possible. It may be worthwhile to have an electrician add some more electrical outlets to lessen the number of possible trip points from wires or extension cords. Check the lighting in stairways, hallways and the entrance areas of the home, particularly if there are steps that have to be navigated at the front entrance or from the garage to the house. Check railings on any and all staircases. In some areas, especially, if the steps are steep, a second railing providing handholds on both sides would be beneficial. Carefully check all outdoor sidewalks, steps, patios and so on; such items as uneven areas and loose pavers can cause nasty falls. Try to keep all traffic areas; sidewalks and patios level and free of debris. Exercise caution during the winter when these same areas can become slippery from snow, rain and/or ice. These jobs, big or small, may well save the pain and discomfort of a nasty fall and, of course, we want to keep SL our seniors healthy and comfortable. Shell Busey’s HouseSmart Home Service Referral Network provides qualified trades (vetted by Shell) to homeowners. For more information, go to www.askshell.com and join Shell Busey’s HouseSmart Club. Phone: 604-542-2236.
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Watch for our Dragon`s Den episode airing this fall!
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������������������������������������������������ Call now at 604-435-1994 and let us cook for you. Toll free 1-855-768-1994 ������������������������������������������������ WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM
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50 Tote That Barge I
BY COLIN CAMPBELL
t may not always seem that way, but there are some advantages to growing older, and I’m not just talking about getting 10% off during Polident Awareness Week at your local pharmacy. For me, the freedom to lounge around home in mismatched socks and Don Cherry hand-me-downs is a bonus, but the best thing about being a senior is that I no longer get phone calls from friends asking if I’d be willing to give them a hand on moving day. In the old days, when I could boast dandruff and nimble knees, I gave generously of my time, appreciating how difficult it was for the movee to find willing labour. So many excuses… “This Sunday, eh? Um...well... le’me just check with Barb.” (Turns to address wall. Barb is currently in Monrovia visiting her sister.) “Sorry, Harry. Barb tells me we have a dinner date with the Rhys-Crizpe’s Sunday. Some other time, perhaps.” And again... “Gee, Har, I’d love to help… and you have a piano too. Darn. But I did promise the wife and kids I’d stay home and help them pick speargrass out of the cat’s fur. Why don’t you call Campbell? He’s as puny as a garden rake, but feed him and he’s good for a box of pillows and maybe a lamp or two.” Those few who did turn up usually managed to time it so they’d miss the heavier items: “What! You mean to tell me you’ve loaded the buffet and
Reflections, Rejections, and Other Breakfast Foods by Gipp Forster A collection of Gipp’s humorous and nostalgic columns. A wonderful read for yourself, and Reflections, ���������� a thoughtful gift and Other Breakfast Foods for friends and family members. Limited Edition
$10
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Make cheque payable to Senior Living MAIL TO:
128 pages
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freezer already? Rats! How did it go anyway? Nothing that a good plasterer couldn’t put right, eh? Well, let’s get on with it. Want me to pack out those towels?” And so I would frequently find myself together with the movee’s mother and her skinny 12-year-old on one end of a particularly lively mattress, bumping and tugging the thing from the bedroom, through the kitchen, along a hallway and down a miserable flight of stairs to the moving truck. A few more staggering trips on the business end of overstuffed chairs and settees the size of boxcars, and I needed therapy just to operate the TV remote. Mind you, I may be missing out. I’ve heard that it has become so difficult to recruit helpers that departing homeowners and renters are outbidding one another. The negotiating currency: food. Gone is the old brew and crackers break, replaced by Chinese take-out, sushi, or Indian food and craft beers. I heard of one East Coast couple who served chowder and smoked Atlantic salmon and had attempted to hire Ashley MacIssac. Who knows where it will end? But I won’t be surprised if conversations like this are becoming the norm: “Any of you guys at the Stilettos’ last week? What a spread! So many margaritas, we had to have a siesta before tackling the glassware. And you should have heard that mariachi band! Wow!” “That’s nothing. I heard the Filberts are offering sautéed iguana fritters and water buffalo in wine sauce, plus a takehome puffer fish for the wife. They told us not to worry about the piano or “Reflections” MAIL-IN ORDER FORM the freezer – they’ll load those themName_____________________________________ selves and get Grandma to help with Address___________________________________ the armoire.” City______________________________ Prov ____ It all sounds quite lovely, but I’ll pass. At this stage of life, I’m not Postal Code____________ Ph _________________ willing to risk injury reaching for the ____ BOOKS @ $14.65 each = $_________ (incl. $3.95 shipping & GST) SL caviar.
A Collection of Published & Unpublished Writings by Senior Living Columnist Gipp Forster
Senior Living 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave., Victoria BC V8T 2C1
Please allow two weeks for shipping. WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM
Colin Campbell, a retired teacher-librarian, is the author of two books and was a columnist for many years. He lives in Vancouver with his wife, Carol.
* 31 private units * Safe and secure * Independent living * Chef prepared lunch and dinner * Close to all amenities *Transportation available
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Life. Life. Life.
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