May 2009 Senior Living Magazine Island Edition by INSPIRED 55+ Lifestyle Magazine

MAY 2009 TM

Vancouver Islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 50+ Active Lifestyle Magazine

THE PILATES METHOD l a i c e Sp

Planned Giving Guide

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CELEBRATING SENIORS IN OUR COMMUNITY MAY 2009

Photo: Rod Punnett

FEATURES Wendy Morton is more poet than private eye. Story on page 30.

COVER: Pilates instructor Suzanne Dyck guides participant Lorie Robinson on the Reformer machine. Story on page 6. Cover Photo: Scott Morrish Publisher Barbara Risto Editor Bobbie Jo Reid Sheriff Contributors Norman K. Archer, Goldie Carlow, Judee Fong, Gipp Forster, Judy Gaylord, Margaret Growcott, Carole Hershman, Mike Hershman, Nadine Jones, Sandy McElroy, Scott Morrish, Pat Nichol, Michael Rice, Candice Schultz, Rosalind Scott, Barbara Small, Don Weixl

6 The Pilates Method

Joseph Pilates created a ﬁtness regime 80 years ago that connects mind and body and continues to beneﬁt exercisers today.

8 A Mother’s Day Tribute

Raising children during The Great Depression puts today’s economic picture into perspective.

12-21 PLANNED GIVING GUIDE 12 Donating to Charities 101

Design Bobbie Jo Reid Sheriff, Barbara Risto

14 The Beneﬁts of Planned Giving

Proofreader Allyson Mantle

16 Protect Yourself Against Fraud

Advertising Manager Barry Risto For advertising information, call 479-4705 sales@seniorlivingmag.com

18 Types of Gifts

Ad Sales Staff RaeLeigh Buchanan 250-479-4705 Ann Lester 250-390-1805 Mathieu Powell 250-704-6288 Barry Risto 250-479-4705 Distribution Ron Bannerman, Rhonda Donkersley, Gail Fattore, Jim Gahr, Lorraine Rhode, Barry Risto, Betty Risto, Sheila Rose Richardson Contact Information Senior Living, 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave.,Victoria BC V8T 2C1 Phone 250-479-4705 Toll-free 1-877-479-4705 Fax 250-479-4808 E-mail (General) ofﬁce@seniorlivingmag.com (Editorial) editor@seniorlivingmag.com Web site www.seniorlivingmag.com Subscriptions $32 (includes GST) for 12 issues. Canadian residents only. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. Senior Living is an independent publication and its articles imply no endorsement of any products or services. The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher. Unsolicited articles are welcome and should be e-mailed to editor@seniorlivingmag.com Senior Living Vancouver Island is distributed free throughout Vancouver Island. Stratis Publishing Ltd. publishes Senior Living Vancouver Island (12 issues per year) and Senior Living Vancouver & Lower Mainland (12 issues per year). ISSN 1710-3584 (Print) ISSN 1911-6403 (Online)

SENIOR LIVING

20 Your Will is Your Friend

24 Sing for Health

Columns 4 The Family Caregiver Barbara Small

10 Victoria’s Past Revisited Norman Archer

22 Ask Goldie

Goldie Carlow

33 Scam Alert

Rosalind Scott

36 Courageous & Outrageous Pat Nichol

38 Bygone Treasures Michael Rice

48 Reﬂections: Then and Now

If the breathing exercises don’t cure what ails you, the endorphins are sure to.

26 The Thompson Okanagan Beckons

The Thompson Okanagan gets more sunshine per year than any other part of the province – what more do we need to say?

Gipp Forster

and...

Crossword 40 Resource Directory 41 Classiﬁeds 44

30 P.I. Poet At Large

Private investigator may be her day job, but Wendy Morton’s passion is in poetry.

34 My New Career

A life-long reader decides to tackle a few books from the writer’s chair.

46 Family Caregiver Photo Spread

Recognizing family caregivers for their dedication and commitment to quality of life for their loved ones.

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MAY 2009

Communicating with THE FAMILY Healthcare Providers CAREGIVER

BY BARBARA SMALL

amily caregivers play a major role in ensuring that their loved ones receive the healthcare that they need. This role may include initiating care, accompanying them to appointments, asking necessary questions or co-ordinating the many healthcare practitioners involved. As the primary caregiver, your experience and knowledge is invaluable to healthcare practitioners, many of who will not know the person and his or her needs as well as you do. Therefore, it is important to know how to communicate effectively with the healthcare team. Below are some tips to help you in this role: • Ensure you are familiar with each member of the healthcare team involved in your family member’s care, and their responsibilities. • Be sure they understand your role. If the care recipient is not willing or able to take instruction, ensure they give permission for you to be kept informed. • Before an ofﬁce visit or telephone call or prior to the home support worker arriving, prepare a list of questions to ask or information you want to give them. You will save time and you won’t be distracted trying to remember what you want to ask. Be concise and focus on the issues. • If you need information or have questions, don’t wait for the healthcare provider to contact you. Be proactive and give them a call, then follow-up if you don’t hear back from them. Keep in mind that although the person you are caring for may be your number 1 priority, the case manager, doctor or home support worker has many other clients.

you are satisﬁed. • Some doctors have speciﬁc hours when they take calls. Find out when this is and call during those times or leave a message with the secretary in the morning for the doctor to return your call. • When communicating with healthcare providers, being clear and direct is important. Hinting or hoping they read your mind does not make good use of anybody’s time. • Appoint one family member as the main contact with healthcare professionals when possible. The appointed person can clearly communicate with the rest of the family. • Keep records of your loved one’s behaviours, such as sleeping, eating, emotions, symptoms, medication habits, etc. The more detailed information you have, the easier it is for your doctor or home support worker to give your family member the best treatment. • Separate your anger and sense of frustration about your inability to help your family member from your feelings about the healthcare practitioners. Remember, you are on SL the same side. Next month: Palliative care Barbara Small is Program Development Coordinator for Family Caregivers’ Network Society.

• Clarify instructions. If you are not sure you understand or don’t know the meaning of technical terms, ask again until The Family Caregiver column is brought to you by the generous sponsorship of ElderSafe Support Services

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The Pilates Method

SENIOR LIVING

back and very bad sciatica. I went to physio and he talked to me about strengthening my core. If you’re going to strengthen your core, then the best way is to do Pilates,” she says. “It really helped my posture.” Since taking up Pilates, Lorie hasn’t thrown her back out, and she loves the energetic feeling she has after a workout. “From what I see here... It’s really about the health benefits. Many people are here [because] they’ve had broken bones, car accidents, Multiple Sclerosis, polio, stroke or sports’ injuries; it really makes a difference. It’s really interesting to watch, over time, the before and after.” Gerry Poulton, 66, an avid squash player, has also practised Pilates for years. Gerry credits the exercise regiStanding, Suzanne Dyck. Clockwise, Lorie Robinson, men for balancing the Berit Kvarnstrom and muscular strength in Richard Rice. his body. Athletes who play racquet sports tend to be stronger on one side, and Gerry uses Pilates as a way to correct this. When he was hit on the wrist with a racquet years ago, Gerry turned to Pilates as a means of rehabilitation. “I wanted to try and ensure that both sides of my body were doing things roughly equally, because I play a lot of squash, and that’s very one-sided. In fact, I went to physio a few years ago when I had an injury and he said I was one of the most single-sided sports-specific types he’d seen, and I went, ‘Uh oh. This is not good.’ One side of my body was much stronger,” says Gerry. His main reason for continuing to practise Pilates is to maintain his core strength and flexibility – it’s the perfect way to cross-train. Pilates can be practised using either mats on the floor or reformer equipment. The approach depends on the individual. Those looking for a lighter workout should opt for mat exercises. The need for minimal equipment can allow one to exercise at home after they learn the basics, and is less expensive. For these reasons, mat Pilates has gained increasing popularity over the years, and is the method that most associate with the fitness regimen. For some, it can be uncomfortable transitioning from a standing position to lying on the floor. If this is the case, reformer Photo: Scott Morrish

or those people who have always thought of Pilates as a complicated workout, practised only by women or serious athletes, think again. Pilates is a diverse fitness phenomenon that has recently gained popularity across North America. During the last decade, Pilates studios and programs have emerged all over the Island. Now, it’s possible to practise Pilates at specialized studios, recreation centres or physical therapy clinics. German-born Joseph Pilates is the founder of the fitness regimen. Following a history of childhood illness, Joseph created a system that works both the mind and body. Eighty years later, people still rely on the fluid movements to increase energy levels, while building muscles that improve posture and balance. Heather Munro, fitness programmer at a local recreation centre, says, “Those who are looking for Pilates, are looking for something quieter, more gentle and core-focused.” Most of her clients contact her searching for a way to gain strength and flexibility without impacting their joints. “Most people practise Pilates for the corestrengthening aspect of it. In essence, that’s the entire class – learning where your muscles are in your core, and how to initiate them, how to make them function during all sorts of movements,” says Heather. The Pilates method is recommended for older adults because the low impact exercises strengthen the core abdominal muscles that are responsible for supporting the spine, which reduces back and muscle pain. For this reason, it’s also been said that Pilates can alleviate some of the aches that are associated with aging or injury. Not to be categorized as strictly exercise, Pilates is a holistic wellness regimen that is appropriate for individuals of any age. In Victoria, mature adults are turning to Pilates not only as a means of rehabilitation from injuries, but also as a way of getting and staying fit. Lorie Robinson, 65, is one such person. She travels frequently, but when she’s in town, Lorie attends Pilates classes twice a week. After she goes away, she practises three times a week to make up for lost time. “I started three years ago because I had a chronically bad

BY CANDICE SCHULTZ

Pilates may be a more appropriate option. These machines use a system of springs and straps to encourage smooth, fluid movements. They allow the individual to tailor the ease or difficulty of the workout, depending on their strength and comfort level. The straps and footrests encourage proper alignment, and allow the individual to smoothly complete their exercises while concentrating on breathing. Pilates Program Director Susan VanCadsand says, “Mat Pilates teaches the fundamentals and works on your core because you don’t have resistance... These machines allow the body’s neutral patterning to understand how to move safely without injuring yourself. Mat Pilates has its place as a starting block. It’s cheaper because it’s more generic and you can do it in a larger group, but this becomes more one-on-one programming.” Lorie, Gerry, Berit Kvarnstrom, 71, and her partner, Richard Rice, 75, demonstrate the Pilates Reformers with grace and confidence, and show that the equipment isn’t nearly as daunting as it first looks. The springs on the machines offer resistance to increase strength without adding bulk muscle mass. This results in a smoother, leaner muscle. Each movement naturally leads into the next and the group shifts between sustained stretches and repeated exercises. Repetition of these movements combined with one-on-one attention allows the students to push their limits and make sure that they’re completing the exercises correctly 100 per cent of the time. Susan believes that individualized instructional time is one of the most important aspects of teaching reformer Pilates. For this reason, she schedules her classes appropriately, offering private classes and no more than four clients per instructor. “We have enough eyes to constantly make sure people are not going to do the exercise incorrectly.” Even after six years, Lorie says that Susan still corrects her postures and movements because every action is specific. As the students work through their warm-up and into their exercise, Susan and instructor Suzanne Dyck, make minor adjustments and assist the students in holding and transitioning between postures. Berit and Richard have been practising Pilates at the same studio for seven years. “I have a knee issue, and it was much worse before I started. It actually improved because I have much stronger ligaments now, to hold it together. So it works.” These participants can’t imagine life without their Pilates. The movements build strength, flexibility and balance, while the concentration and breathing circulate the blood. Joseph Pilates believed this helped flush out toxins. Full inhalations and exhalations bring oxygen into the blood, which travels to the muscles and reduces tension. “The breathing part is the energizer,” says Berit. Pilates is a multi-dimensional approach to wellness that is appropriate for individuals of all ages and abilities. Whether looking to increase fitness or rehabilitate an injury, Susan’s advice to those thinking about trying Pilates is to just try it: Book an appointment, watch a class or tour the nearest facility. “We love it,” says Berit. “It just makes you feel good.” SL

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A Mother’s Day Tribute W BY NADINE JONES

hen I think of my mum, who died on Mother’s Day in l989, at the age of 91, I equate her memory with courage, honesty, humour and all the other attributes that made her the epitome of what a mum should be. Born in Vernon, B.C. in l898, Mum was raised to be a “little lady” – so I can imagine how she suffered during the Great Depression trying to raise my sister and me as “little ladies” when we lived in smelly West End Vancouver rooming houses and shared a bathroom with strangers. But she tried. Left alone to raise two young daughters, she was advised to quit work because she had been diagnosed with a “spot on her lung” – apparently a precursor to tuberculosis. So, in l935, she was granted a Mother’s Pension of $42 a month for the three of us. But at least we weren’t receiving “Re-

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lief,” which was a step down the ladder of degradation. There was no work, but families were proud and would do anything rather than admit they were on Relief. But even though we were a step above, we had to lift our feet to prove to the once-a-month-visiting Government Social Worker, that the holes in our shoes were genuine before we were given a chit for a new pair. In the meantime, we made cardboard soles, which fell out of the holes when they got wet. Like so many other mothers during The Depression, Mum “made do.” When we couldn’t afford fuel she sat with her winter coat on in front of the toaster to keep warm until my sister and I arrived home from school; then she turned the heat on. She not only had a big dollop of intestinal fortitude, but also was exceptionally honest (a trait she demanded of her children).

One Christmas, even though the streetcar fare was only a nickel, we walked a few kilometres downtown from the West End to look at the Christmas lights and beautiful Christmas displays in Woodwards, Spencers and the Hudson’s Bay Company; the three big department stores in Vancouver in l936. We walked down Hastings Street and mum found a $2 bill on the sidewalk. She immediately looked around to see if anyone had dropped it but no one had, so, with a clear conscience, she marched us into the White Lunch with its clean, shiny, white-tile interior and the three of us had Christmas dinner with all the trimmings for 50 cents each. Those were the days when one or two hungry men knocked daily on the door and offered to do any kind of work for a meal. I don’t think Mum ever turned anyone away. Eventually she was found well enough to work. She had taught herself shorthand and learned typing in high school, and started

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working again as a stenographer with the government. She had to leave us at home alone to fend for ourselves with a list of “don’ts”: don’t let anyone in when I’m not home; don’t talk to strangers; don’t let anyone know you have the front door key; and a million more don’ts I can’t remember, but there was a long list tacked to the wall. She was so terriﬁed of losing her job that she never missed a day. I saw her sick and feverish to the point where she couldn’t ﬁnd the front door handle, yet she went to work. When I was an adult, she told me that some of the jobs were so awful she packed everything up every night and told herself she didn’t have to go back the next day. We didn’t go hungry, but the food was monotonous. I was the eldest, so I had to go to the butcher shop and ask for “dog bones” out of which Mum made healthy soup. Many people with no dog asked for dog bones and the butchers knew it. We ate a lot of rice pudding and oatmeal and as a special treat sometimes, the rice pudding included raisins. She ached to give us everything we wanted, but we learned not to ask. I wanted to be a veterinarian and my sister was dying to take ballet and piano lessons, but those were dreams. I think we lived in every one-room hovel in the West End. The single metal springs on all the beds in the so-called “furnished” dumps were sprung and

sagged into the middle. My sister and I had to sleep together, so we put pillows down the middle so we didn’t touch each other and therein lay the source of many ﬁghts. “You TOUCHED me.” “No I DIDN’T, you touched me!” Today, I look at my daughters and their children. Could they survive in a real depression? I don’t know. Mum staggered out to work sick, yet my girls thought nothing of quitting their jobs because, until recently, there had always been another one waiting. They never worried about leaving their children home alone because they could pay for

sitters. Their children don’t know what it’s like to want and not get. My youngest daughter pays more for my grandson’s hockey gear than Mum made in a month, and his twin sister’s ballet costs double that. None of them has ever been poor and maybe that’s a sad thing. Doing without builds character. You learn the difference between “want” and “need.” But maybe I shouldn’t worry. Their great-grandmother was a strong lady and if it becomes necessary, let’s hope her genes have reached the third generation. Happy Mother’s Day, Mum, wherSL ever you are. And thank you!

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MAY 2009

T S A P S ’ IA R O The Streetcar Named Disaster T C I V

he guns of the warships were preparing to bombard Macaulay Point with salvo after salvo, knowing volleys would answer them from the guns on the shore. Everyone knew the battle would rage for hours, but it was inevitable. Crowds swarmed down to clifftops as far as Clover Point to watch. The attackers were ships, known as “sloops of war” powered mainly by steam, with sails used to eke out the coal. This onslaught was part of Victoria’s annual May 24 celebration, sponsored by the Royal Navy to entertain the locals. Several sloops were always anchored at Esquimalt and the “bluejackets” in their widebrimmed, ribbon-bedecked straw hats, sporting Van Dyke beards, were a common sight on the streets of old Victoria in 1896. But that particular year, Queen Victoria’s Birthday party was postponed for two days, because May 24 fell on a Sunday. The events were never quite the same each year, as the Royal Navy dreamed up new ways to entertain. The sham battle at Macaulay Point between the Army and the Navy was

an innovation, and the people were eagerly anticipating the event, which was to follow the traditional regatta on the Gorge. During the morning, the soldiers were transported by streetcar over the Bridge to take up their positions on the shore and, on the way, one of the ofﬁcers remarked that the Bridge seemed particularly shaky. The Bay Street (or, more correctly, Point Ellice) Bridge was built in 1885 and the streetcars started to use it in 1890. Within a year or two, it became evident that the Bridge was never intended to carry the heavy loads that now crossed it daily. Some repairs were made and large holes drilled to ascertain the condition of the wood, but were not ﬁlled in again, contributing ironically to the ensuing rot. Reports of the Bridge sagging ominously whenever a fully loaded streetcar crossed it were ignored. On that fateful Tuesday afternoon in May 1896, at precisely 1:40 p.m., Streetcar No. 6, one of the older small light cars, crossed the Bridge safely. As soon as it reached the other side, the newer larger Streetcar No. 16, severely overcrowded with 104 merry-making

passengers packed on board, including a bunch of adventurous teenagers on the roof, began to cross. The Bridge swayed sickeningly as everyone heard an odd cracking sound and the car suddenly dropped half a metre. Everything was silent again as Motorman Farr eased the car forward a few more metres. Suddenly, there was a very loud crack as the centre span broke, plunging the car and the victims into the deep water. Moments later, the main superstructure fell on top of the bus. Then the most extraordinary thing happened. People inside the bus were shot out through the broken windows, probably due to bridge wreckage falling on the vehicle with such force that people were propelled out by the sudden pressure. Pleasure boats enjoying the festivities from the vantage point of the sea raced to the submerged car. Bystanders climbed down the embankment and many lives were saved by instant acts of heroism. But soon, there were no more survivors. Bodies were hauled out of the water and laid in rows on the manicured lawns of people who lived on the wa-

LEARN MORE: Look for our article at www.seniorlivingmag.com “Ask A Professional”

SENIOR LIVING

The collapse of the Bay Street Bridge BY NORMAN K. ARCHER

ter’s edge. Curtains were torn down from windows by local residents and used as blankets for the rescued and shrouds for the deceased. The death toll was appalling. Fifty-five men, women and children died that day – over half the number of passengers in Streetcar No. 16. Among the dead was Mrs. Fred Adams, whose husband, the original contractor for the Legislative Buildings, had been drowned in a wreck off Trial Island. It was the worst streetcar disaster in North American history. After 10 days of hearing evidence, the Coroner’s Jury found the Consolidated Electric Railway Company guilty of negligence and the city council guilty of contributing negligence. The Company was severely reprimanded by the Judge for flagrantly ignoring the rules against overloading the vehicle. Until this catastrophe, streetcars in Victoria had earned a reputation for safety, efficiency and economy, providing an effective, inexpensive and well-organized public transit system that the city so sorely needed. The National Electric Tramway and Lighting Company (NET&L) in-

troduced streetcars to Victoria on 22 February 1890. The Daily Colonist heralded the event as one of progress, showing that the city “has advanced and is advancing.” Victoria was the third city in Canada to create a transit system made up of electric-powered streetcars. Initially, the NET&L system consisted of two routes. One route extended from the intersection of Hillside Avenue and Gorge Road, terminating at Ogden Point. The second route started at Store Street and ran out to the Royal Jubilee Hospital. Later that same year, a third route was added out to Esquimalt, crossing Point Ellice Bridge and terminating at the Royal Navy yard. But from the beginning, the Company was plagued with problems, including a major ﬁre at its steam plant on Store Street. It went into receivership and eventually wound up as part of the Consolidated Electric Railway Company. A fourth route was added that ran east from the city as far as Fernwood and Gladstone. Most of the passengers on the fateful Car 16 had been transferred from the “Spring Ridge” Car that day to the Esquimalt

Car to attend the Queen’s Birthday celebrations. Consequently, most of the victims were from the Spring Ridge area. The compensation that the Company was compelled to pay forced it into bankruptcy and its assets came into the hands of the British Columbia Electric Company, which consolidated all gas, electric and transportation systems in Vancouver and Victoria into one large company. Streetcars proliferated in both cities and many lines were double-tracked. By 1912, it was carrying over 10 million passengers annually in Victoria alone. But by the 1940s, streetcar travel was declining and the oil-fueled bus was taking its place. In 1948, the last streetcar was taken out SL of service.

Norman Archer is an historical city tour guide in Victoria and the author of Tales of Old Victoria. Contact him at 250-655-1594 or nka@canada.com

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PLAN GIVI

Donating to Charities 101

egistered charities in Canada perform valuable work in communities, and Canadians support this work in many ways. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) regulates registered charities under the Income Tax Act and is committed to providing donors with relevant information. The following information has been provided by Canada Revenue to assist Canadians with their charitable plans: A registered charity is a charitable organization, public foundation, or private foundation that was established in Canada and is resident in Canada. It is operated exclusively for charitable purposes and must devote its resources to charitable activities. A registered charity has received a registration number from the Canada Revenue Agency and is exempt from paying tax on its revenue. It can issue donation receipts for income tax purposes for gifts that it receives. To verify that a charity is registered, ask the charity for its registration number, and confirm its status by consulting the CRA Charities Listings, at the Canada Revenue Agency (see contact info. below). Registered charities must fit into one of four categories of charitable purposes: the relief of poverty, the advancement of education, the advancement of religion, or other purposes that benefit the community in a way the courts have said are charitable. Non-profit organizations may not fit into one of the four categories of charitable purposes but may have purposes such as social welfare, civic improvement, and pleasure or recreation. Non-profit organizations cannot issue donation receipts for gifts that they receive. Registered charities are not required to issue a donation receipt, but, if they do, the donation receipt can only be issued to the true donor of the gift to a charity. If a donation is made by a cheque in both spousal names, a receipt can be issued in

either name. For a donation to be eligible to reduce income taxes, ownership of property (cash or gifts in kind such as goods, land, or securities) must be transferred to a registered charity or qualified charity and the transfer has to be voluntary. These donations could consist of: money, securities, ecologically sensitive land, certified cultural property, capital property, personal-use property (such as prints, etchings, drawings, paintings, sculptures, jewelry, rare folios, rare manuscripts, rare books, stamps, and coins), and inventory (such as art, antiques, or rare books). Gifts of services are not considered property and do not qualify for a tax receipt. If a registered charity provides the donor with an item of value in return for the donation, the eligible amount for income tax purposes is generally reduced. This amount should be reflected on the receipt. For example: Fred donates $1,000 to the Anytown Ballet Company, which is a registered charity. In gratitude, the company provides him with three ballet tickets worth $50 each, for a total value of $150. These tickets are considered an advantage of $150. The eligible amount of Fred’s donation for calculating his tax credit is therefore $850 ($1,000–$150). Any donations not claimed in the current year can be carried forward and claimed on a return for any of the next five years, but they can only be claimed once. Tax credits for gifts carried forward from a previous year must be claimed before tax credits for gifts in the current year. For those claiming a carry forward, attach a note to the return indicating the year of the return in which the receipt was submitted, the portion of the eligible amount to be claimed this year, and the amount that will be carried forward. The first $200 donated is eligible for a federal tax credit of 15 per cent of the donation amount. After the first $200, the

Leave the gift of hope for your children, your grandchildren, and all children.

Photograph by John Fearnall ©, PhotoSensitive

The Canadian Cancer Society is the best investment in the cancer cause, funding outstanding research, providing caring personal and practical support services and leading cancer prevention initiatives.

SENIOR LIVING

Your bequest will help us turn fear into hope and hope into reality. Contact Mrs. Toni Andreola at (604) 675-7112 or tandreola@bc.cancer.ca.

www.cancer.ca

NNED ING federal tax credit increases to 29 per cent of the amount over $200. Generally, all or part of this amount can be claimed up to a limit of 75 per cent of a person’s net income. Gifts of certified cultural property or ecologically sensitive land might be eligible for claims of up to 100 per cent of a person’s net income. In addition, that person will generally be eligible for a provincial tax credit, which varies between provinces. Three ways to maximize tax credits for donations: • Donate over $200 in order to increase a federal tax credit. Amounts over $200 are eligible for a 29 per cent credit. • It may be advantageous to save donation receipts for up to five years and claim them all together (this is especially beneficial for claims exceeding $200). • Combine receipts with a spouse or common-law partner and claim them all on the return that will allow for the highest tax credit rate. In today’s electronic world, many charities solicit donations online. If they do so, they should be responsible for information protection. Read the charity’s privacy policy before making a donation online. Only give donations through secure Web pages. For those unwilling to donate online, contact the charity and ask them for other ways to contribute. Canada Revenue Agency has a list of all registered charities in Canada. This list contains the name, information about the charity’s activities and financials, and contact info. The SL list can be accessed online at www.cra.arc.gc.ca

Your gift today ensures the

wishes of tomorrow .

Make-A-Wish ® BC & Yukon is dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses, to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

Planned giving enables individuals to make a future gift, lasting far beyond their lifetime.

Contact us at: Make-A-Wish BC &Yukon tel. 604 688 7944 toll-free 1 866 277 9474 bcchapter@makeawish.ca www.makeawishbc.ca

Keep BC Wild at Heart

410 - 698 Seymour Street Vancouver, BC V6B 3K6 www.cpawsbc.org Help protect our natural wonders... include the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society in your will. Designate your gift “for use in BC”. www.cpawsbc.org

Your Gift Brightens Her Future

©AFP Teresita Chavarria

Contact Chloe O’Laughlin, Executive Director for more information at 604 685 7445

Since 1973, the Canadian Section of Amnesty International has promoted and protected human rights at home and abroad, through ongoing campaigning, outreach and education programs. By remembering Amnesty International in your estate planning, you will be helping to build a future where the fundamental dignity of every person is respected worldwide.

Tiah M. Workman Notary Public

HSBC Building #102-6551 Aulds. Rd. Nanaimo, BC V9T 6K2

Tel: (250) 390-7681 Fax: (250) 390-7683 e-mail: tiahw@nanaimonotary.ca

For information and assistance, contact: Heather Warren, Planned Giving Associate (613) 744-7667 ext. 239 hwarren@amnesty.ca www.amnesty.ca/plannedgiving 1-800-AMNESTY

Amnesty International

Evening and Weekend Appointments Available MAY 2009

PLAN GIVI

The Beneﬁts of Planned Giving

here are as many reasons to give as there are givers. But whether your reasons are altruistic or simply tax-related, the beneﬁts of planned giving are powerful.

• Convenience – Putting your investment in the hands of professional managers, so you don’t have to worry about ongoing decisions.

• Satisfaction – Knowing that you are giving back to a cause, program or organization that holds special significance for you.

never. Too many people postpone or never realize their charitable goals.

• Financial – Lowering your current taxes and/or lowering the taxes your estate will be required to pay.

Planned Giving allows you the time Providing for your family is number to make solid, well thought-out decisions one, but creating a bequest to a and it allows you to • Control – Reducing charity will help many people and give now, not just after the risk that your wishes your death. provide a ﬁtting memorial for you. will be hindered by cirPlanning can protect cumstances beyond your you from being a viccontrol. tim of fraud. You can • Peace of mind – Entake time to think about suring that family and ﬁnancial mat• Security – Finalizing your chari- which organizations you would like ters are resolved privately. table choices now instead of later – or to help, how much you can afford to ��

The largest Food Bank on Vancouver Island. Complete �

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SENIOR LIVING

NNED ING give, and when you will give during the year. You have time to research the charities you would like to support, or have someone, like your ﬁnancial planner or lawyer, research them on your behalf. Rather than giving donations on the spot, on the street or at your door, when you are uncertain or feel under pressure, take time to plan your giving. There are many ways that you can plan current gifts that cost you little more than the taxes you’ll save. You can make a difference today and know you’re eventually leaving the world a little better than you found it. If you are in your 70s or older, you represent part of a huge transfer of wealth to the Boomer generation; those in their 50s and 60s. If you are a Boomer, you probably have assets yourself and although you may still feel young and invincible, you’re not. Time catches up on all of us. Providing for your family is number one, but creating a bequest to

Loaves & Fishes Community Food Bank Join the Community of Sharing and Caring In Nanaimo $200 helps 100 volunteers provide 1/2 dozen eggs to 220 families or a can of tuna for 300 “survival bags”

a charity will help many people and provide a fitting memorial for you. If your world is complex and you have all kinds of property and investments, you should definitely work with a financial planner. These professionals will help you plan your financial future and help you develop a plan to provide for charitable gifts - while you are alive - that can benefit the charity and you. That’s what “planned giving” is all about, planning a gift to a charity. Most charities are well managed and have professional fund development staff to assist you with the information you need to leave a legacy in your will, a “planned gift.” Choose a charity whose work and mission have affected or interested you, or people you care about. By going this route, you may actually become involved with the charity, possibly becoming a volunteer as well as a donor. It’s the gift that keeps on SL giving.

Few organizations offer as many compelling reasons to give as the Burns Bog Conservation Society. Ours is dedicated to protecting the only bog of its kind for future generations. Give a one-time gift, become a member or support Burns Bog’s future through a planned gift.

80 cents from every dollar goes directly to food CONTACT:

Loaves & Fishes Community Food Bank 1009 Farquhar Street Nanaimo, BC V9R 2G2

Phone 250-754-8347 email:landf@islandnet.com

Charitable Tax Receipt Provided

BURNS BOG

Conservation Society

#4 7953 120th Street, Delta, BC V4C 6P6 Tel: 604-572-0373 Fax: 604-572-0374

www.burnsbog.org MAY 2009

PLAN GIVI

Protect Yourself Against Fraud Ask Before You Give

• What activities does the charity perform, and where? • What is the charity’s registration number? • Can I get a tax receipt?

• How much of my donation goes directly to helping others? How much goes to administration and fundraising costs? • Can you send me more information before I donate?

Protect Yourself

• Know the charity. Get information about the charity before you donate. • Don’t give in to an emotional appeal or pressure. Take time to think about your decision. A real charity will take your donation anytime.

• Make sure your donation is going to an organization, not a person. Any cheque should be written out in the organization’s name, not an individual’s name, even if you

�� By giving to the North Island College Foundation, you are helping local students reach their goals and promoting positive change in your North Island communities. To learn more about creating a legacy in honour of a loved one, establishing a student award, or including a bequest in your will, please contact us at 250-334-5000 ext. 4267, or visit our website at www.nic.bc.ca for more information.

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SENIOR LIVING

are pledging that individual.

• Never give or send cash. Use cheques payable to the charity’s full name. Read and keep all your receipts.

• Don’t give out your personal information. Your credit card numbers, Social Insurance Number and bank account information should not be needed to make a donation.

• Beware of copycats. Some names sound like wellknown charities to fool you. Make sure you know which organization you’re donating to. • Check the facts.

Refuse to donate if there is inappropriate pressure to give immediately or if there are signs of fraud, such as being offered a receipt for more than you actually donate. You can report suspected fraud to PhoneBusters, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Centre, by calling 1-888-495-8501. For more information from Canada Revenue Agency, visit www.cra.gc.ca/donors or call toll-free 1-800-2672384. SL

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A planned gift to the University of Victoria can create many bright futures. Just ask Nainesh Agarwal, who received a graduate scholarship from a

planned gift. Nainesh now has a PhD and works for the government as a

Technical Leader at the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

Your generosity will help ensure that future generations of talented students like Nainesh receive a quality education. You can establish a fund in your name, or the name of a loved one, to support any university program you wish. Planned gifts

are forever. Receiving this scholarship was surprising and exciting. It allowed me to continue to excel and strive for grand successes. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Nainesh Agarwal

Find out how you can create a lasting legacy in your will or estate plan by contacting Natasha Benn, Planned Giving Development OďŹ&#x192;cer at 250-721-6001 or by e-mail at nbenn@uvic.ca

Leave your mark for future generations. MAY 2009

PLAN GIVI

Types of Gifts

ndowments are sometimes referred to as “everlasting gifts.” Gifts identiﬁed as endowments remain intact and only the earned interest is used by the charity. Bequests are the most common form of planned giving. When your estate is settled, the charitable gift stipulated in your will is forwarded to the charity you had chosen and your estate is issued a charitable credit for the full value of the bequest. Gifts of Securities are gifts of publicly traded stocks, bonds or mutual funds. By purchasing a life insurance policy now and transferring ownership to the charity of your choice, you will receive tax receipts for the premiums you pay each year. A gift annuity enables a donor to make a gift and at the same time, receive guaranteed income for their lifetime. The residue goes to the charity. Charitable Remainder Trust is a

trust fund that establishes an irrevocable gift of the remaining interest for the charity – and retains the interest income for the donor for their lifetime or a set period of years. Only the interest can be used and cannot encroach on the principal. With a Pooled Income Fund, a charity accepts gifts from many donors into a fund and distributes the income of the fund to each donor (or recipient of the donor’s choosing) in proportion to their share of the fund. When an income beneﬁciary passes away, the charity then receives the donor’s portion of the fund. Gifts of property are often given to charities, for the enrichment of surroundings and the pleasure of many. Contribution limitations for gifts-in-kind are the same as for gifts of cash. Real estate is not considered to be tangible property, but similar guidelines apply. For more info, including changes or updates to each option, consult your ﬁSL nancial or legal professional.

Lee T. Fisher

Law Corporation

•HONESTY •INTEGRITY •COMMITMENT • WILLS & ESTATE PLANNING • REAL ESTATE SALES & PURCHASES • MORTGAGES & FINANCING • CORPORATE & BUSINESS LAW • POWERS OF ATTORNEY & HEALTH REPRESENTATION AGREEMENTS

250-686-1881 ltjﬁsher@shaw.ca www.windsorlawgroup.com

(250) 753-6911

#114, 285 Prideaux St., Nanaimo, B.C.

Open Mon – Fri 8:30 – 4:30 www.cvims.org

Need to tighten your ﬁnancial belt?

We can help.

At Sterling Financial, we assist people who are unable or just don’t want to handle their ﬁnancial aﬀairs. We teach people how to tackle the issues, and allow them to be involved as much or as little as they would like to be. Call now to get started.

Tanya Sterling, BComm, CA, CSA, FDS Sterling Financial Services 250-857-1857 help@sterlingfinancial.ca

www.sterlingﬁnancial.ca

Give the gift

that lasts a lifetime...

1445 Ocean View Rd. - Victoria, BC V8P 1J8

Your gift will help a neighbour continue to live independently. There are many ways you can contribute - to make a difference in your community

call 250-595-8008 x 21 today. www.saanichvolunteers.org

We are leaders in providing services for immigrants and in promoting inclusion and respect for all peoples in our community. We are committed to the values of equity and diversity. We offer English language classes, direct settlement assistance and employment programs for immigrants. We work with the community to ensure that all those in our diverse community have equitable access to its services and opportunities. 18

SENIOR LIVING

Neighbours Helping Neighbours

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Do you or someone you love have Epilepsy or Parkinson’s?

LEAVE A LEGACY™

��

The Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson’s Centre is here to help.

Join a vibrant and welcoming community committed to helping people manage the physical, psychological and social eﬀects of Parkinson’s and epilepsy and learn powerful ways to take action.

Variety - The Children’s Charity of BC �� V5C �� 4300 Still Creek Drive, Burnaby, BC 6C6 �� tel 604-320-0505 fax 604-320-0535 �� toll free �� in �� BC 1-800-381-2040 web www.variety.bc.ca/legacy �� Director of Planned Giving peter.chipman@variety.bc.ca �� Planned Giving Major Gifts Ofﬁcer paul.spelliscy@variety.bc.ca

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THE

G IFT OF A

L IFETIME The Greater Victoria Eldercare Foundation enhances the care, comfort and dignity of hundreds of elderly people living in long term care facilities and generally supports the care of elderly persons living in Greater Victoria. Your legacy will help us purchase medical equipment & home-like enhancements and fund research & education into the health of older persons for generations to come.

For more information, please contact us: phone: (250)370-5664 or visit : www.gvef.org

We offer: • Information, Referral, Education • Individualized Consultations • Knowledge. Confidence. Life! Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson’s Centre 813 Darwin Avenue 250-475-6677 www.vepc.bc.ca help@vepc.bc.ca “Make Plans . . . Live Life” MAY 2009

GVEF - Planned Giving Senior Living Magazine 4.625”h x 3.42”w - B&W

PLAN GIVI

Your Will Is Your Friend E state planning can be an integral part of everyone’s ﬁnancial plan, but to ensure wishes are carried out as intended, an effective will needs to be created. Many people don’t consider making charitable contributions through their estates because of concerns about NCC1-6givingB2:1_6legacyad

4/21/09

Create a natural legacy future generations can plant their feet on.

depriving their heirs, or the mistaken belief that this is an option only for the wealthy. In fact, people of modest means can actually create a legacy by planning, even if they own little or no estate when they pass away. The reality is that everyone eventually donates a substantial portion of their 11:55 AM Page 1 assets when they die; by not planning gifts, the government automatically becomes an heir. Income taxes on capital gains and RRSPs or RRIFs can send as much as a third of assets to Revenue Canada. Bequests made to charities in a will, can help an estate obtain substantial tax credits and reduce or even eliminate taxes otherwise owing at death. An accurate and properly prepared will can help the testator (the maker of the will) avoid or defer some or all of these taxes. Leaving gifts to a registered

charitable organization, such as the hospital, library or church will reduce taxes upon death. Anything directed to a registered charity through a segregated fund, annuity or life insurance policy could bypass a will, reducing probate costs while still creating a tax credit that can reduce taxes on other assets. In essence, probate fees are another form of taxation. Probate is the fee charged by the government to settle the estate in court. The general practice is to charge a dollar value per $1,000 of estate, for example $14 per $1,000. A skilled advisor specializing in estate planning, working with an experienced lawyer, can help expand a person’s giving opportunities using a variety of tools ranging from trusts to annuities and life insurance. So, not only does planned giving

Cowichan Women against Violence Society

With just a few words in your Will, you can help protect Canada’s natural heritage.

Providing a range of services promoting safety in the Cowichan region.

Contact Marcella Zanella at 1-800-465-0029 ext. 276 or planned.giving@natureconservancy.ca. www.natureconservancy.ca/plannedgiving.

End Violence against Women

Shelter, counseling and victim services, pre-employment, prevention, and community development. www.cwav.org Ph. 250-748-7000

Since 1936, the Victoria Foundation’s permanent endowment has had the power to connect people who care with causes that matter. If you wish to make a difference in your community – one that has lasting impact, start here. Call Sandra Richardson, CEO for information at 250.381.5532. www.victoriafoundation.bc.ca

THINK FAR-SIGHTED AND FAR-RANGING. Co n n e c t i n g p e o p l e w h o c a r e w it h c au s es t h at mat t e r ®

SENIOR LIVING VICFO_5417_VF061_SL.indd 1

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NNED ING benefit the community, but it can even preserve the estate for potential heirs. Nearly five in 10 Canadians have not taken advantage of their right to make a will. Dying “in testate” means assets are distributed according to a rigid formula decided upon by the government. Everybody could lose – spouses, family, relatives and charities; the recipients of services provided by some of the over 80,000 charitable organizations in Canada. Many Canadians assume that a will provided by the government is fair, equitable and no-nonsense. However, they forget that the law was written in a general way, and that legislators could not anticipate the infinite number of circumstances presented by millions of Canadians. Without a will, in essence, the government assumes the role of the deceased and decides how the estate is to be distributed. Making a will is not complicated. Purchase a “will kit,” or hire a lawyer to prepare a will for a reasonable charge and keep a copy in his or her files, just so it’s safely stored and obtainable. Using a lawyer assures the will is properly prepared and there are no grey areas that might be subject to interpretation after the person is deceased.

There are three decisions to make when preparing a will: • Name the executor. The executor will manage and distribute the estate as directed in the will. Remember that without a will the government will appoint an executor, perhaps not someone you would have selected yourself. • The second decision is to select a guardian for any minor children, in the event your spouse does not survive you. The courts take into account the wishes of the deceased as stipulated in the will. Without a will, the courts cannot know your intentions. • Finally, make the decision on how to distribute portions of the estate among family, friends, and favoured charities. This is known as planned giving. A will is a privilege and a right; make SL the most of it. MAY 2009

present surroundings. I am not dependent on my son ﬁnancially. Can he force me to move into a care home? –G.L.

Photo: Jason van der Valk

ASK Goldie BY GOLDIE CARLOW, M.ED

Dear Goldie: I have been troubled by a family situation for some time and decided to get your advice on the matter. I am a widow in my early 70s and live by myself caring for a small home and garden. My life is busy with many friends and social activities. My family consists of one married son and three lovely grandchildren. We are often together and have shared many holidays. So, what could possibly be wrong in such a happy situation? Well, this may seem a petty thing, but it is a sore spot in my life. My daughter-in-law is gradually replacing my life possessions. She says I need to modernize and is busy replacing furniture, dishes, pots and pans, linens, pictures, etc. I hardly recognize my home, anymore. I have spoken to my son about this problem but he insists that she is just being kind and I should appreciate her. What should I do? –R.N. Dear R.N.: Well, obviously you need to act and soon, if you really want to keep your possessions. You spoke to your son, but did not

mention communicating with your daughter-in-law. If you don’t talk to her, I’m afraid things will continue in the same manner. She thinks she is being kind so, please, enlighten her. Speak up for yourself. There is no law that you must suffer in silence. The next time your daughter-in-law arrives, sit down with her and let her know how you feel. Only clear communication can clear up this problem. She has no way of knowing how you feel about your possessions unless you tell her. Act quickly! Dear Goldie: I have been a widow for 15 years and I am managing my life very well in an apartment for seniors. My neighbours are friendly and we keep in touch daily. I go to an exercise class three times weekly and walk daily. My doctor says my health is very good. My son and his wife and children, who are now adults, are my only family. He is urging me to go into a Senior Care Home, I think this is because they travel a lot and they would not have to worry about me when they are away. But I feel so well and do not want to leave my

Dear G.L.: You are living independently and, as long as you remain well physically and mentally, your son cannot force you to do anything. From your letter, it seems like your doctor might be able to help you in this situation. Make an appointment when your son can join you and talk about your condition. If he refuses, then ask your doctor to write a letter stating that you are in good health. It is unfortunate that these situations arise in families as parents age. It usually occurs because a family member is too protective and becomes overly concerned about the parent’s safety. Unless a professional person can intervene, the parent can lose the independence he or she is desperately trying to keep. For your own peace of mind, make an appointment with your doctor as SL soon as possible.

CHEMAINUS THEATRE FESTIVAL 14 Day Mexican Riviera Cruise Sept 27- Oct 10, 2009 ��

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Goldie Carlow is a retired registered nurse, clinical counsellor and senior peer counselling trainer.

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SENIOR LIVING

• $100 per cabin will be donated to Chemainus Theatre Festival in your name • On Board Cocktail Party • Cruise with the Artistic Director of Chemainus Theatre • Exclusive Events On Board! Ships’ Registry: Bermuda

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Shall we retire to the pub? As a resident of Berwick Royal Oak, you will enjoy unprecedented amenities and facilities in the nicest surroundings. The Shield & Dragon, our charming, in-residence pub is sure to be one of your favourite spots. Our version of the quintessential British Pub is a beautiful stained glass and wood grained ‘public house’ with two cozy ﬁreplaces. The Fish & Chips await you and you’re sure to enjoy our special evenings of live music. Make your move to a carefree life at Berwick Royal Oak. We’ll see you here, in your very own pub! Call 250-386-4680 today to arrange your tour or drop in and see us between 10am and 4pm.

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MAY 2009

SING FOR HEALTH BY MARGARET GROWCOTT

he Barkley Sound Community Choir in Port AlberA case in point, I was told at the hospital, while having ni is now in its ninth year, and remarkably, mem- abdominal surgery, that there was a problem with my lungs. bers say emphatically that they feel younger and I was given a breathing exercise device and told to practise healthier than when they first joined. A wild claim, but the deep breaths every day, until I could hold the plastic bobhealth benefits of singing should not be ble for up to a count of eight to 10 secunderestimated. onds. This proved to be impossible for Many well-known singComposed primarily of seniors and me, for as much as I practised, I could boomers, the 50-member choir has never hold beyond four seconds. Leavers have endorsed the some health-challenged participants ing hospital care after five days, nurstheory of endorphins, and most of them find that singing ing my abdominal incision, I was more makes them feel better. concerned with the state of my lungs. saying they reduce But the breathing exercise gadget was Good singing requires controlled stress and relieve pain. boring. It had more appeal to a friend’s breathing, and this comes with help grandchild who wanted to try elevating from conductor Bonnie Wallbank. She the colourful bobble when he blew into runs the choir through a whole gamut of voice contortions as a warm-up to each rehearsal, testimony to the tube. Of course, he was told this was not a toy and it was put to the back of a closet. Shortly after my hospital stay, I the fact that voices, like bodies, need to limber up. Exercising their vocal chords properly has helped people joined the Barclay Sound Choir and, a year later, with the who suffer from various breathing disorders. Singing has def- controlled breathing that is required for singing, my lung coninite physical benefits. dition has vastly improved. A-ha! Doctors thought it was the info@platinum-care.com • www.platinum-care.com

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bobble apparatus they had insisted I use that made the difference. But it’s still at the back of the closet. I know it was the singing and proper breath control that has strengthened my lungs. Choir Founder Sylvia Springer says, “As well as singing, there is a lot of laughter and by the end of the rehearsal I feel more energized than I did at the beginning.” Retired nurse, Mary Booker, agrees. “Yes, there is certainly a feeling of well-being during and after rehearsals. The act of singing releases endorphins.” Tenor Pieter Vliegenthart supports this concept. “Sometimes, on the winter evenings, I find it an effort to get out to rehearsals, but once I am there I am hooked into my singing and, by the end of the evening, I feel rejuvenated. Knowing this, it takes a lot to keep me away.” The Many well-known singers have endorsed theartist’s theorytool. of enLeft, Cold Season. dorphins, saying they reduce stress and relieve pain. Singing is also known to increase oxygen to the blood system and improve posture and balance. Healing and energizing powers of music aside, there is another kind of healing, which is helped along by music. In particular, singing works wonders with bereavement. Choir conductor Bonnie Wallbank will attest to this, as many years ago in Alberta, when her first husband was tragically killed in a trucking accident, Bonnie discovered, “Music was the thing that helped me most through my grief.” She sang in a choir and also spent hours at her piano, playing, and composing songs, instilling in her three young children the power and therapeutic significance of music. The Barkley Sound Community Choir certainly lives up to its name, entertaining regularly around the city of Port Alberni. They sing at two annual choral festivals and for special events like the Peace Walk on New Year’s Day and the opening ceremonies of the B.C. Winter Games. Every year, the choir has a major Christmas concert combined with Phil’s Harmonics String Orchestra as well as their own concert in May. These performances are usually sold out, another reason for members to feel good about their efforts. So, sing in the shower or in the church choir, but don’t forget to breathe deeply and set those endorphins flying. SL

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amous for its lakes, vineyards, deserts and endless activities from golf to festivals and wine touring - the Thompson Okanagan beckons. The Thompson Okanagan gets more sunshine than any other part of BC, creating prime conditions for outdoor recreation. Cycling and hiking trails abound through spectacular parkland, while the many renown golf courses have made this region the golf destination in the province. There are more than 50 courses offering panoramic mountain views, sage-covered desert, backdrops of orchards and vineyards and greens bordered by meandering rivers and the shores of shimmering lakes. The weather is so reliably good in the Thompson Okanagan that even theatrical and musical performances are commonly staged out of doors. Wine festivals occur spring, summer, fall and winter, and vineyards and orchards welcome visitors for tours, tastings and shopping. Harvesting in “Canada’s fruit bowl” begins in June with the sweetest cherries and runs until mid October with the final yields of apples and squash. The history and culture of the Thompson Okanagan region is strongly tied to the land. Aboriginal peoples led a semi-nomadic life moving between hunting and fishing grounds in the summers and settling into pit houses for the winter. The Secwepemc Museum and Heritage Park in Kamloops lets you experience the rich cultural history of the Shuswap People. Europeans came at first to trade for furs and then to establish cattle ranches, farms and mining operations. The region is full of museums and heritage

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sites that bring this colourful past to life for visitors. The people, industries and events that figured largely in the late 19th and early 20th centuries can be experienced at Princeton District Pioneer Museum that also features an extensive fossil and mineral collections. While there are plenty of fascinating collections of artifacts and detailed interpretive displays - the sort you’d expect to find in any museum anywhere - the region’s museums endeavour to create interactive learning opportunities as well. You can, for example, sit in an old stagecoach, hold a 4,000-year-old fossil in your hand or step inside a Shuswap tule mat lodge. There are many authentically restored historic sites in the Thompson Okanagan. Most date from between the gold rush and Depression eras, during a time when the region was rapidly absorbing new people, new technologies and new ideas. In R.J. Haney Heritage Park, you’ll find two rustic log structures of roughly the same size: one is a family homestead and the other a servant’s quarters. That they were built around the same time says much about the contradictions of the day. You can also explore an 1877 flour mill with its original machinery intact, a turn-of-the-century railway station, a gold rush-era roadhouse and Canada’s largest remaining sternwheeler. Today, the Thompson Okanagan region is famous for its golf courses, orchards, ski resorts and vineyards as well as the wildly varied landscape. This landscape includes Mount Robson, located in Valemount which is the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies, a waterfall twice the height

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the region’s courses offer exceptional golf for players of all skill levels and the longest season found anywhere in the country (approximately March through November). A few things to remember for your visit or golf excursion: Tee times should be booked in advance of arrival, especially during July and August. Many courses have a dress code in effect. Check with the course or resort ﬁrst so you know what to bring with you. A round or two of golf can also be followed up with a relaxing spa or an all-inclusive tour at one of the regions wineries and vineyards. With more than 100 wineries, many with excellent restaurants, Thompson Okanagan is British Columbia’s main wine region. Awards and accolades for the region’s wineries keep pouring in. At one of the largest wine competitions in Europe, Mission Hill Family Estate won the 2008 International Icewine Trophy. At the prestigious 2008 Chardonnay du Monde competition in France, Summerhill Pyramid Winery took home a gold medal. As well, 2009 marked the eighth year in a row that an Okanagan winery was awarded the Canadian “Winery of the Year” title from Wine Access magazine. From the Gold Rush to Grapes and from the green parklands to the long green fairways it’s no wonder in the Thompson Okanagan they say, Life is good! For more information on your vacation, please contact the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association at 1-800-567-2275 or visit www.totabc.com

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SENIOR LIVING SENIOR LIVING

News Brief

Standing for the World’s Children

n local communities and around the world on May 10th, people of all generations will bear silent witness to their dream for the children of the world. “We dream of a world where all of our children have safe drinking water, clean air to breathe and enough food to eat, access to a basic education to develop their minds and healthcare to nurture their growing bodies, a warm, safe and loving place to call home, where they don’t live in fear of violence, in their home, in their neighbourhood, in their school or in their world.” This year, in Chemainus, a gathering will take place at Kin Park (at the foot of Maple Street) at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 10th. Join with others, to stand or bring a chair and listen to brief opening and closing statements together with a three-minute silence. Some local congregations will incorporate a minute’s witness for the world’s children into their worship service that week. Some, who cannot join a group, stand for the world’s children in their home, or wherever they are at 1 p.m., to reﬂect and recommit to action on behalf of the coming generations. For more information, contact: lynnmmorrison@shaw.ca or shelaghag@shaw.ca or Shelagh at 250-246-9102 (day or evening after May 6). Where will you stand for the world’s children and future generaSL tions on Sunday, May 10th?

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titles slyly point to her other profession. Believing in the impossible, Wendy says, “My poetry has become a currency for me. It’s OK if someone says ‘no’ to being a sponsor. You never know until you ask.” In her memoirs, Wendy writes about her incredible journey of spreading her poetry in unexpected places across Canada, sponsored by an airline, a luxurious hotel chain, a vitamin company, a camera store and a major car company. In 2003, while promoting her book, Undercover, Wendy happily passed out free poetry books, read a poem to strangers or wrote a short personal poem for a new-found friend. She called this “a random act of poetry.” “Each time I read a poem to a stranger, I felt a connection. I believe a poem is the shortest distance between two hearts.” From this spontaneous experience, Wendy realized how much poetry meant to people and she set about organizing poets from coast to coast, who would do random acts of poetry in their cities. This will be the sixth year for this event. Victoria READ Society, Canada Council and Abebooks supports the October event, which has expanded to a celebration of literacy where poets visit ESL classes, adult literacy and schools. Wendy cheerfully tells the story of Glen Sorestad, Saskatchewan’s Poet Laureate who wrote a poem for his waitress. “After he read it to her, she ran into the kitchen and shouted, ‘I’ve been poemed by the Poet Laureate!’ We now pass out stickers that says, ‘I’ve been poemed!’” Demonstrating poetry is fun; teacher Lynne Lott and Wendy held a two-day workshop with students from Bayview Middle School and Lau Welnew Tribal School. From that ﬁrst enthused workshop, the students’ poems were compiled in a book, We Can Say This, and currently used in schools across Canada. To show the diversity of its students, some of their poems were translated into Filipino, Vietnamese, Italian and Chinese. Since then, a second book has been published with a third in progress. Wendy is quick to agree that poetry may not appeal to everyone. “Poems should be read aloud. It should make you sing or laugh or feel,” she declares. Photo: Judee Fong

hat is a private-eye/poet to do when stopped by a policeman for speeding? “Read him a poem, of course,” smiles Wendy Morton, speaking from experience. “If you’re lucky, he likes it and won’t write you a ticket!” A non-drinking, non-smoking, vegetarian, Wendy seems the unlikeliest-looking detective. She describes herself as an insurance investigator who looks into personal injury claims. “That’s all I do. I don’t skulk around,” she emphasizes. “There’s a paper trail, but there’s a human-trail, too. I basically talk to people – friends, neighbours and the injured party themselves.” Smiling, Wendy adds, “People don’t mind talking to me since I sort of look like Miss Marple. My job is to find out what this person was like before his injury.” “No, I didn’t answer any ads. My ex-husband was an insurance adjuster. I started helping him with his claims and I learned about the business, so I decided to get my provincial private investigator’s licence. Twenty-seven years later, the work has been okay!” Though she can’t talk specifics, Wendy says this is the most interesting job she’s ever had. “Sometimes, it feels like I’m in the middle of a novel!” In her memoirs, Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast, Wendy writes, “I know a lot about dog grooming, diamond drillers, S&M establishments, green chain workers, cruise ship entertainers, the nature of head injuries and soft tissue damage. Sometimes, I call myself a ‘reality checker’ but the realities I have discovered, have gone far beyond anything I could have imagined.” Wendy’s poetry saves her from viewing the world around her with a cynical eye. Her S&M file inspired her cheeky poem “Spanking With Cabbage.” “Being a poet is similar to being an investigator. I try to make sense of things by observing,” says Wendy. A few of Wendy’s books, Private Eye, Gumshoe, Undercover and Shadowcatcher have sold quickly because her descriptive, storytelling short poems paint a perfect vignette of the world she sees around her and the people she meets who inspire her. The

BY JUDEE FONG

Wendy launches into her “Rosie” story: “I met Rosie when she called me from CBC to discuss doing some podcasts. When she said, ‘My name is Rosie Fernandez,’ I immediately said to her, ‘If I had a name like Rosie Fernandez, my life would have been entirely different.’ I wrote this fun poem for her and we became good friends.” Last December, Wendy received a phone call that made her poet’s heart sing. A small winery in Ontario requested the use of “If I Had A Name Like Rosie Fernandez” for one of their Poet’s Series labels. Laughing with delight, Wendy says, “That was one of the highlights of my poet career. Of course, I said ‘yes!’ Now, Rosie’s famous on bottles of Cabernet Merlot!” In July 2009, Wendy’s latest book, What Were Their Dreams will be launched at Port Alberni’s Forest Fest. “I think this is a pretty important book about the First Nations and the early pioneer families. There’s a lot of history in the archival photographs and journals from the Alberni Valley Museum,” Wendy says. She is also rewriting an updated version of her out-of-print Earth Market Cookbook, published over 20 years ago. With book tours, private investigations, Planet Earth Poetry nights, school tours, random acts of poetry and organizing the November Patrick Lane’s Poets’ Retreat, Wendy’s smile says it all. “I wouldn’t be doing this if I wasn’t having fun and enjoying myself. You see, you have to believe in impossible SL things and work to make them happen.”

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SCAM ALERT BY ROSALIND SCOTT

Refresh Your Knowledge of Springtime Scams

pring is the time when many people decide to give their homes a thorough cleaning. It’s also the perfect time for scam artists to offer spring-cleaning services that take advantage of overwhelmed homeowners. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns consumers to be aware of the following “spring cleaning” scams: Air Quality Survey BBB is receiving consumer calls daily about telemarketers conducting an “air quality survey.” A confusing and unclear phone call typically leads to a scheduled appointment for a salesperson to come to your home to perform an air quality test. In reality, the salesperson is coming to do a vacuum demonstration with the intention of selling you an expensive vacuum they claim will purify the air in your home. Carpet Cleaning If you plan to clean your carpet this season, you may want to carefully consider who’ll do the job. Is it a do-it-yourself project or is it best left to a professional? Many reputable carpet-cleaning services exist, but it’s also an industry where scammers prevail. Unscrupulous carpet cleaners are known for using bait and switch tactics. A company advertises carpet cleaning services at a low price. Once the workers arrive, they quickly suggest a more expensive treatment for cleaning your carpets or mid-way through cleaning (while you carpets are wet and soapy) they inform you it will cost much more than anticipated to ﬁnish.

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My New Career BY MIKE HERSHMAN

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pile up, by saying something like “Keep reading, Pops – I like it.” Come to think of it, I can’t really say I was an avid reader myself between the ages of, say, 12 and 17. There’s a whole lot of fun and not so fun stuff going on at that age. In my day, there was surfing and girls, cars and girls, sports and – you get the idea. Nowadays, you can add in Xbox, Guitar Hero, YouTube, iPods, cellphones and X-rated websites. Kids can now watch, in the comfort of their family room, what we used to watch, when the projector worked, on a bedsheet tacked to the back of some guys garage door. Given all that action, who is going to sit down and read 200 pages written by some dude born 64 years ago? Looking back, I remember late nights reading books like The Happy Hollisters and Bennett Cerf’s terrific Landmark Series of non-fiction history books. That lasted from around age nine or so ‘til 12. After that, aside from reading The Catcher in the Rye, and peeking at now tame chapters of Peyton Place, I don’t think I read much at all until I picked up Nordhoff and Hall’s Bounty trilogy at age 18. I remember following that up with Leo Uris’s Battle Cry and Mila 18 and I’ve read non-stop ever since. I guess, if I’d ever like to be published, I should switch my writing to either younger boys or adults. People who write for young kids have a certain magical quality that, try as I might, I just can’t seem to pull off. As for adults, well, never having felt that I really attained true adulthood, whatever that is, I just don’t feel qualified. So, I guess I’ll just plug along for my uncaring clients. I wonder if J.K. Rowling had these same issues when she started out with what’s his name? SL Photo: Carole Hershman

ince I retired at age 62, three years ago, I’ve tried to become a writer. It’s fun ‘cause family and friends seem to agree that I’ve finally flipped my lid. Comments like, “Well, how’s the novel coming?” are quickly followed by a sidelong glance at Aunt Agnes. I enjoyed myself at the start, parading around in mock turtlenecks and sandals, with a tattered Updike or McEwan tucked under The author reading with his grandson John. my arm. Well, the McEwan wasn’t too tattered. trade, Middle Grade and Young Adult I really didn’t care much for the boys. There’s only one problem with turtlenecks and prefer my well-worn my target audience – as I’m frequently sneakers. I now have a bookshelf filled reminded at reunions of former workwith eight of my novellas bound in Of- mates or family – “Why write those? fice Depot three-ring binders. Most Boys don’t read.” are historical mysteries set in the early I was becoming a little ticked off 20th century. The books were great fun – first at the mindless nits for making to write and research. I learned every- such comments, and later, at the litthing from the duties of an Iceman in tle ingrates for proving them right. I the 1920s to the attendance at base- even had to bribe Ryan, my 15-yearball games in the Japanese Internment old grandson with a learner’s permit, camps. The Icemen often weighed new- into letting me read him a book while borns on their scales, and gave slivers of he lead footed around town in my car. ice to neighbourhood kids. Since there I felt a little safer somehow as I conwas little else to do at the internment centrated on my reading. Ryan would camps, ball games were extremely pop- encourage me every now and again, ular. The books target, as we say in the after avoiding yet another three-car

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Intergenerational Adventure

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have known Donna Curtis for a number of years. We belong to the same Breakfast Club and have shared the excitement – and the dread – of appearing mostly nude on a calendar a few years ago. This story began the year Donna turned 60. She made a decision to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, and raise funds for one of her favourite charities. Donna, who had never climbed a mountain before, attacked the task the way she has worked all of her life; with heart, soul and the sole of her shoes, she trained and she DID IT! She reached the top of the mountain. During the days that followed, Donna realized she had no one close with whom to celebrate this amazing achievement. She thought about her family and realized she had seven grandchildren nicely spread out in age – each one year apart. With this in mind, Donna decided that in the year each grandchild turned 13, he or she would choose a destination; then he or she would plan, research and create a detailed travel plan. Donna would cover the costs

SENIOR LIVING

and they would travel together. As I write this, Donna and Aldyn, her sixth grandchild are canoeing up the Amazon and trekking through the jungle in Peru, where they will spend several days working in one of the villages. With one grandchild to go (the ﬁrst grandchild is turning 20), soon they will all embark on adventures of their own. Donna has seen and experienced sights and adventures that most adults would not think of attempting. She has been to Costa Rica, zip lining with Curtis; parts of China with Cameron; then England, France and Italy with Nick; Australia with Brianna; Scotland with Marcus; and Spain with Jeff. Laurel, the youngest, is not sure where in the world she wants to go yet. What a wonderful way to stay young! I am not suggesting that you have to travel the world to ﬁnd adventure. But, spend some time with people of another generation. Ask your teenage grandchildren to think up an adventure for the two of you to share. If you don’t have any grandchildren, borrow some from a SL friend and take the friend along as well.

Pat Nichol is a speaker and published author. She makes her home in Victoria, but travels the world. She can be reached at www.patnichol.com

JANUARY 2009 VANCOUVER ISLAND

Housing Guide for Seniors Up-to-date listings of senior housing facilities throughout Vancouver Island, including Independent/Supportive Living, Assisted Living and Complex Care. This guide is an indispensable resource to: • seniors looking for alternative housing • seniors moving to Vancouver Island from other parts of BC or out of province • children of seniors who are assisting their parent to select a housing option • professionals who work with seniors or their families • businesses that provide services to seniors

NEW RELEASE

Embrace the Journey - A Care Giver’s Story

by Valerie Green The very personal story of her own journey as a care giver to her elderly parents. This is a story which will touch many hearts and be relevant for numerous adult children who, in mid-life, are faced with a similar challenge and must make agonizing decisions and choices. It painfully addresses the problems encountered of ‘aging in place’ and the desire for loving couples to stay together in their home until the end of their lives. 96 pages. Softcover. 5.5” x 8.5” Published by Senior Living. Price $14.95

To order, please send cheque for $19.84 ($14.95 plus $3.95 S&H & GST) payable to Senior Living. MAIL TO: Embrace Book Offer c/o Senior Living 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave., Victoria BC V8T 2C1 Please include your clearly written shipping address and phone number. Allow two weeks for shipping.

TO ORDER a copy...

Please mail a cheque for $5.25 ($5 plus GST), along with your name, phone number and address, to Senior Living, 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave., Victoria BC V8T 2C1. We will mail you a copy of this resourceful housing guide upon receipt of payment.

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MAY 2009

BYGONE Treasures View of Roatan from Valor

So, Who’ll You Vote For?

ow that the election’s over, did you ever wonder where the campaign stuff goes after the last balloon’s popped, the banners are taken down and the lights are turned out? Our southern neighbours have traditionally celebrated election campaigns in a grander fashion than Canadians, though I do believe we’re catching up. Down there, wearing the fancy hats and waving the fancy flags go back to the 1840 campaign of William Henry Harrison, who promoted his image of one with the common people on a slogan of “Log cabins and hard cider.” He won, though his share of the suffragette vote likely tanked in the polls. Mr. Lincoln used his then beardless image on badges to drum up votes, and this idea caught fire on both sides of the border. We’ve come a long way in electoral history from when voters were plied with drink on election day, and the fair sex, aboriginals and Chinese immigrants were denied the vote. Around the turn of the previous century, a candidate could call his opponents pretty much what he liked, such as “traitor” or “bantam chicken” (used in the 1908 federal election), without fear of legal recourse; though “pistols at dawn” was one possible outcome. Over the years, from Mr. Laurier (the chap on the five dollar bill) on, there has been a tremendous outpouring of campaign memorabilia. Most of this material was paper, including postcards and pamphlets bulk mailed to property owners (sound familiar?), posters and cardboard badges, all worn proudly around the polling booths; there were no restrictions in those days. Pinback buttons continue to be a popular promotional choice. Mr. MacKenzie King (the chap on the $50 bill) issued a great pinback in 1927, with his portrait alongside Mr. MacDonald (the chap on the $10 bill, not the hamburger clown). Here in B.C., our own W.A.C. Bennett had his face on a button during the 1956 campaign. From a collector’s perspective, campaign buttons with pictures on them are more popular (and correspondingly more expensive) than those with just a name. Even more desirable is a button with two or more portraits overlapping (usually the party leader and the local candidate) called a jugate. Remember those large pink buttons with “Kim” on them some years ago? Few people under 30 would recall Ms. Campbell’s short primeministership! 38

SENIOR LIVING

BY MICHAEL RICE

I love sorting through shoeboxes of assorted pinback buttons in thrift shops, pulling out slogan classics like “Joe Clark for Sensible Government” and “Kiss Me Pee-Air.” In the course of crawling around dusty attics or shifting boxes in basements, I’m delighted when I discover a Diefenbaker campaign pamphlet or a Tommy Douglas bumper sticker. When I found a Louis St. Laurent postcard recently, I asked several 20 year olds who they though he was. Most had no idea, but one suggested a boxer, and another thought he played defense for the Montreal Canadiens. An image forms of long departed politicians sitting outside their celestial condos, brushing cream cheese and cracker crumbs off their (left or right) wings, contemplating how their legacy has been reduced to having the backs of their heads licked on postage stamps. So much of this material is “point in time”; there’s little thought to preserving it. Slogans lose their meaning, and few recall why they should “Vote No” or “Vote Yes,” but might still relate to “Free the Whales” or “Free Porridge for Seniors” (Okay, I made that one up, but you get the idea). Over the years, I’ve had coffee and donuts in Tommy D’s Nanaimo campaign office, eaten finger sandwiches at a Bill Vander Zalm rally in Revelstoke and worked through a light dinner with Preston Manning in Saanichton. You might think I had no principles and was just there for the food. Actually, I had no principles and was just there for the souvenirs! A Tommy D. poster, a signed note from Bill and an autographed menu from Preston now grace my collection. Is any of this stuff worth anything? It adds up, particularly with older and bigger items. As with many collectibles, local items have a local market and Canada-wide items have a national market. A 1956 Bennett button is worth $10, a 1969 Tommy D. poster runs $40, and some Laurier items run into the hundreds. Decades from now, I can flex my wings (both left and right), stroll by the celestial political gabfest and say, “Thanks for the neat stuff, guys. Can I get you some cream SL cheese and crackers?” Comments and suggestions for future columns are welcome and can be sent to Michael Rice, Box 86, Saanichton, B.C. V8M 2C3, or via e-mail fenian@shaw.ca

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Stage 1 - Water Conservation Bylaw

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Lawn watering is permitted two days per week as follows: Even numbered addresses may water Wednesday & Saturday from 4-10 am & 7-10 pm Odd numbered addresses

may water Thursday & Sunday from 4-10 am & 7-10 pm Newly installed lawns (sod or seed) may be watered outside the permitted days above www.legionmanorvictoria.comby special permit only.

Watering of trees, ﬂowers, shrubs & vegetables is permitted as follows: May be watered by hand any day and any time if watering is done by a hand-held container, a hose equiped with a shutoff nozzle, or a micro/drip irrigation system. Established trees, ﬂowers, shrubs and vegetables may be watered with a sprinkler any day from 4-10 am & 7-10 pm.

For more information call 250.474.9684 or visit www.crd.bc.ca/water

MAY 2009

Mind GAMES

Crossword PUZZLE Across 1. Conceal 7. Leaf extracts 11. Ninth planet 12. Free form musical composition 14. Old Testament Israelite army commander 15. Departed 16. Surface-to-air missiles 17. Inspected 18. Reply 19. Horse tooth 20. Mexican currency 22. Overhanging lower edge of a roof 23. Supplements 26. Whirl 28. Infant 31. Excavate 32. Religious recluses 33. Governs 34. Canadian ice-hockey player

Down

37. Domesticated canid 38. Perspire 39. Gastropod mollusk 41. Pinch 43. Felines 44. Flat circular plates 45. Optical device 46. Constituent 47. Titaness 49. Ofﬁcial language of Pakistan 52. Car 54. Relating to covering of the brain 57. Perfectly 58. Principal 59. Fairy tale writer 60. Approximate 61. Assistants 62. Faculty head 63. Leading female journalist

1. Napoleonic exile island 2. Sisters 3. Sits in liquid 4. Multitude 5. Unidentiﬁed ﬂying objects 6. Town in NE Massachusetts 7. Sensory organ 8. Son of Isaac and Rebekah 9. Intentions 10. Walks with a lofty proud gait 11. Filled to capacity 13. Monarchy in the Himalayas 15. Adult 21. Cease 24. Tanoan people living in the SW US 25. Heron 27. Images venerated in the Eastern Church 29. Isolated 30. Start 35. Russian mystic 36. Aquatic vertebrate 38. Reconnoitered 39. Locate 40. Follow up on 42. Religious lyrical poems 44. Stage play 45. Female name 48. Male name 50. Flower 51. Individual facts 53. Bound 55. Frees 56. Central Iowa city ANSWERS

SENIOR LIVING

R R R R R R R

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• Service all makes and models • Sales of new and used scooters, powerchairs and walkers • Free in-home demonstration • Road-side assistance • Free service loaners • Financing • Processing secondary insurance claims • Safety orientation seminars

Contact the program nearest you. Victoria Lifeline 1-888-832-6073 Eldersafe Support Services 1-866-457-8987

South Vancouver Island and Ladysmith

Nanaimo Lifeline Program (250)739-5770 or (250)947-8213 Mid Island, Cassidy to Bowser

Comox Valley Lifeline Society 1-866-205-6160 North Island, Cowichan Valley and Chemainus/Crofton

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• ECONOMICAL • 12-MONTH EXPOSURE • TO LIST YOUR BUSINESS IN THIS DIRECTORY, CALL 250-479-4705

Beauty, dignity and the best value in Victoria. The Oak Bay Kiwanis Rose Manor Society invites you to join us at Rose Manor, a comfortable, warm and friendly home in downtown Victoria. 3 meals and 3 tea times Weekly laundry & housekeeping Activies & much more Suites Available Now Call today for a viewing appointment (250) 383–0414

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For the Health of it! www.bcseniorsgames.org 42

SENIOR LIVING

News Brief

Senior Peer Counselling

ew people go through life without the need for a sympathetic listener to help during troubled times. Seniors have their share of problems too. Loss of a loved one or change in lifestyle may be an issue. Professionals and clergy may be available to offer encouragement, however, there are times when it’s good to talk to someone from the same age group. Seniors Serving Seniors offers free one-on-one personal counselling by non-professional volunteer counsellors. Senior Peer Counsellors help those from their generation get more in touch with their own feelings and gain a clearer understanding of their situations. Peer counselling has been a community resource in Victoria since 1986. Seniors in Victoria experiencing loss, depression, social isolation, family issues or declining health, may be eligible for free counselling services provided by Seniors Serving Seniors (SSS). The cornerstone of Peer Counselling is empathetic listening. The empathic listener makes no judgments, and offers no answers or advice, but listens with full attention. The counsellor reflects, in their own words, both the feelings of the speaker and an understanding of the circumstances from which those feelings arise. Through this simple but effective process, the peer counsellor can help a person to focus on real issues. Often the understanding of feelings and situations gained in this way is the first step towards making the concrete decisions, which can change things for the better. Senior Peer Counsellors complete over 40 hours of training in listening skills and aging issues and must successfully clear a criminal record search prior to seeing a client. They will visit a client once a week until the issue is resolved. Seniors who use the service have stated that the understanding and support of the counsellor has greatly assisted them in difficult situations. To request a visit by a counsellor or to apply for volunteer training, call Jane at SL 250-382-4331.

LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO ACT FOR YOU IN YOUR SENIOR YEARS?

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F. Kenneth Walton, Q.C. Barrister & Solicitor Victoria BC (250)595-5368 Fax. (250)595-5378 • 35 years a lawyer • Compassion & integrity • Preparation of wills, representation agreements, power of attorney and health care agreements • Probate and estate processing including sale of estate goods • Will look after provision for your present healthcare needs or property management • Willing to accept appointment as executor of your will or as an attorney under a power of attorney or representation agreement • Will attend at your home • Will do estate court cases

Call me for a free consultation (250)595-5368

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A Helpful Guide for Seniors Considering Their Residential Options

To Move or Not to Move?

Published by Senior Living January 2009 128 pages

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9.95

If you are a senior who has been wondering lately whether you should consider moving - either because you find the maintenance of your current home more difficult due to diminishing ability or energy, or you simply want a lifestyle that allows you more freedom and less responsibility - then this is the book that can help you ask the right questions and find the solution that is right for you. A handy reference guide for seniors and their families wrestling with the issues around whether relocation is the best option. This 128-page book provides helpful, easy to read information and suggestions to help seniors and their families understand the decisions they need to make.

• What residential options are available? • How to research and assess Independent and Assisted Living residences. • How much does it cost to live in an Assisted Living residence? What subsidies are available? • Are there any other residential options besides Independent, Assisted Living and Complex Care facilities? • If you choose to stay in your own home, what are your opORDER FORM - “To Move” tions and what should you plan for? Name______________________________Address _______________________________ • Funding sources available to seniors - tax deductions, housCity______________ Prov ___ Postal Code____________Phone ____________________ ing subsidies, home care subsidies, equipment loan programs, renovation grants, etc. ___ BOOKS @ $14.60 each (includes $3.95 S&H plus 5% GST) = TOTAL $____________ • Selling your home - how to ﬁnd the right realtor or relocation ___ Cheque (payable to Senior Living) services to assist your move. ___ CREDIT CARD # _________________________________ Expiry ___________ • Downsizing - Where do you start? How do you proceed? Name on Card ____________________________________ • Hiring home care services; do it yourself or hire an agency? • AND MUCH MORE Mail to: Senior Living 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave., Victoria BC V8T 2C1 MAY 2009

Family Caregiver Week Caregiving: A Shared Journey May 9–15 is the provincially proclaimed Family Caregiver Week that salutes family caregivers as vital components of the health care system. The role of the family caregiver has become even more important with the growing complexity of care needs, an aging population and the shift to community based care. Family caregivers deserve recognition for their dedication and commitment to improving the quality of life for their friends and family members, often under conditions that impede their own physical, emotional and ﬁnancial health and wellness. For the ﬁrst time in British Columbia, a province-wide awareness campaign will take place along with an online educational opportunity for family caregivers. The Family Caregivers’ Network Society leads this initiative, with funding from the Ministry of Health.

SENIOR LIVING

Family Caregiver Photo Exhibit This year marks 20 years of serving family caregivers for the Victoria-based Family Caregivers’ Network Society (FCNS). As part of this celebration, FCNS is launching a Family Caregiver Photo Exhibit to kick off Family Caregiver Week. The exhibit will ﬁrst appear at a special workshop and luncheon called Family Caregiving: An Emotional Journey – Strategies for Coping with the Feelings of Caregiving, on Friday, May 8. The compelling images by photographer and FCNS board member Sandy McElroy will be displayed to highlight the varied roles between caregivers and their loved ones. The photo exhibit is sponsored by ElderSafe Support Services, MediChair, St. Elizabeth’s Healthcare Foundation, Procura and Senior Living magazine. Special recognition goes to the generous families who shared their stories through pictures. To register for the special May 8 workshop, sponsored by Parkwood Place Retirement Residence, or to learn more, call the Family Caregivers’ Network Society at 250-384-0408 or visit www.fcns-caregiving.org

Photos by Sandy McElroy

MAY 2009

Classifieds SAANICH VOLUNTEER SERVICES SOCIETY seeks volunteers to drive clients to medical appointments. We pay 30 cents/km. Call Heather at 250-595-8008. 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 RUTH M.P HAIRSTYLING for Seniors in Greater Victoria. In the convenience of your own home! Certified Hairdresser. Call 250-893-7082. HEDGES AND EDGES. Reliable garden help regular maintenance, or occasional heavy work. Pruning and rejuvenation of hedges and shrubs. Seniors references. 250-893-5285. BUSINESS / VIRTUAL ASSISTANT Correspondence; general bookkeeping; faxes; document editing/finishing; office organizing. Business services for small businesses and individuals. 100% Confidential. CHW Inc. sparebrain1@gmail.com 250-886-3975. MATULA SUPPORT SERVICES 250-382-7286. Professional social worker assists seniors/families with management of tasks, companionship, accompaniment, errands, light meals, counselling, navigating seniors’ care system, assessing provincial/federal pension entitlements.

Jim Smallwood Ensign Chrysler

1061 Yates St., Victoria BC

Senior Focused Service Consultant

Phone (250)896-9330 for a free coffee and to book a test drive.

PLAY-FOR-PLEASURE Piano Lessons. Beginners Package. It’s never too late! Exp. Teacher. Cordova Bay 250-658-0246. FOR RENT: SENIORS ASSISTED LIVING #408 - 455 Kingston St. Large top ﬂoor 2 BR, 2 bath. Price includes main meal each day, weekly housekeeping, change of linens, 24 hour security, life line phone, secured parking. Available immediately. Asking $2,400 for one person, $2,900 for two. L Hillmer 250-360-6436. FURNISHED 1 BDRM SUITE for mature person in quiet home in View Royal. Private entrance, parking, waterview. S/pet okay. $950/ month incl all utilities except phone. Laundry, evening meals extra if desired. 250-818-6680 or e-mail lewb@mail.com MATURE LADY WITH REFERENCES, experience and positive attitude to help you with errands, outings and companionship. Call Joan 250-655-8832. CLARE’S CREATIVE CUISINE. Gourmet meals delivered to your home. Low sodium. Nutritious and delicious. Since 1999. Phone 250-388-0154 www.clares.ca. PERSONALS WANTED: NICE HEALTHY CHRISTIAN SENIOR GENTLEMAN for nice christian senior widow with many interests. For companionship and true friend. 250-665-6422.

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

$30 for 20 words or less. $1.25 per extra word. BW only. Boxed Ad - Small (2.2 x 1.2) $110. Boxed Ad - Large (2.2 x 2.4) $210. Add BW Logo - $25. Red spot color 10% extra. Plus 5% GST. All Classiﬁed ads must be paid at time of booking. Cheque or Credit Card accepted. Ph. (250)479-4705 or toll-free 1-877-479-4705. Deadline: 15th of the month. Make cheque payable to: Senior Living, 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave.,Victoria BC V8T 2C1

250-418-0584

RE/MAX CAMOSUN

Unique opportunity for Senior Living Own your own lovely 1 or 2 bedroom seniors condo in Cook St Village for only $110,000 to $145,000 plus a monthly fee ($1598 for 1, $2252 for 2) including strata fees, daily 3 course meal, house cleaning, laundry, 24 hr staff, and Lifeline. Only a few short steps to Seniors Center, shops and services plus a wonderful community. Close to downtown, the ocean and Beacon Hill Park. Call Mette for details.

SEEKING GENTLEMAN NS who would like to have the friendship of a sincere lady to enjoy being together, having fun! Living life. Send responses c/o Senior Living Magazine.

Looking for the events section?

This month Senior Living launches a new Events Section on its website. Available 24/7, this new web feature will allow you to access information at the click of a button. You don’t have to wait for the next issue, or miss an event because you couldn’t locate a copy of the magazine. It will also allow you to post events direct to our website without having to email or phone our ofﬁce. Unfortunately, this does mean that our 46

SENIOR LIVING

usual list of events won’t be appearing in the magazine each month. The reason for this change was two-fold. It helps us free up more space for editorial and it helps move us technologically toward making fuller use of the Internet, a trend toward which we ﬁnd more and more of our readers are leaning. Of course, if you have an event that you feel MUST appear in the magazine, you can contact our ofﬁce for pricing on either a clas-

siﬁed ad, or a display ad, whichever best meets your needs and budget. You will be able to still post events to our website at no charge. We realize that this change won’t suit everyone, but with the growing web opportunities, it is our intent to make best use of today’s technology to help reduce our time and costs while giving us wider exposure and easier access to our readership. So, give it a try! You will ﬁnd us at www.seniorlivingmag.com/events

Vote Twice on May 12th!

BY JUDY GAYLORD

n May 12 we will be electing a government for British Columbia, but also voting in a referendum to replace our present voting system, known as “First Past the Post” (FPTP), with a new system called B.C. Single Transferable Vote (STV). Mature voters will be crucial to the outcome of this referendum. We are the generation who take our citizenship duties seriously and turn out in large numbers to vote. We need to understand what we are being asked to support and why. Why is change needed? FPTP has been around a long time and we’ve always used it. But most of the developed world has moved on to better systems. Of the G20 top economic producers, only three (Canada, the US, and the UK) still use FPTP. The rest use a variety of systems, all of which provide much more equitable and proportional voting results. We don’t have to look very far to see what the proportionality issue is. In 1996, the NDP got the majority of seats and formed government in B.C. with only 38 per cent of the province-wide vote. In 2001, the Liberals got 58 per cent of the vote but 77 out of 79 seats. In both cases, many voters felt justiﬁably disenfranchised. The situation is even worse at the federal level. The FPTP system goes back a long way, to when only well-to-do male landowners could vote and there were only two competing parties. Eligibility to vote has improved, but still does not accommodated the range of political views that need to be represented. STV makes it possible for voters to not just vote for one candidate representing their preferred party, but to express preferences within a range of candidates offered by that party. They might even decide to include candidates from other parties. It is likely that a Green candidate would have been elected in the Victoria area if STV had been in place in the last election. How does STV work? Depending on where you live, urban areas may elect as many as seven MLAs in amalgamated constituencies compared with as few as two in rural northern areas. The average number of voters per MLA will be similar to the present. In the new voting area, including roughly the Capital Region, suppose that a dozen candidates run for the seven seats. All you do is put a “1” by the name of your favourite candidate, and then numbers in order of preference by as many as you like of the others. It’s quite permissible to only vote for one candidate, but if she/he isn’t elected then your vote can’t be transferred. The fact that many people feel their point of view isn’t represented may be one reason why our young people are staying away from the polling booth. We owe it to them (and ourselves!) to come up with something better. SL Visit www.stv.ca to ﬁnd out more.

Peace of mind, comfort and security are just part of daily life at Lakeside Gardens – your private apartment, nutritious meals, weekly housekeeping and caring staff available 24 hours a day.

Our services include recreational activities, social outings and Assisted Living care to meet your needs.

Come for a personal tour, and have lunch on us.

Call 250.756.0799 4088 Wellesley Avenue Nanaimo, BC V9T 6M2 www.Lakeside-Gardens.com

Retirement Community

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Proof 2 Seniors Living Magazine RaeLeigh Buchanan 1-877-479-4705 toll free rbuchanan@seniorlivingmagcom

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PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL

PRO When you see this logo on an advertisement in Senior Living, you will ﬁnd additional information provided by this advertiser on our Website. Go to www.seniorlivingmag.com and click on the ASK A PROFESSIONAL tab on the Home Page. This will take you to a table of contents of articles written by professionals who advertise in Senior Living. Is there information you would like posted in this section in the future? Let us know - we will pass the request along to the appropriate businesses and professionals with the expertise to address the subject you propose. Check back frequently for new additions as we continue to expand this new section of our website. CURRENT INDUSTRIES REPRESENTED ON ASK A PRO

• Real Estate • Dentistry • Home Security • Financial Investing • Tourism More subjects added monthly MAY 2009

Reﬂections THEN & NOW

BY GIPP FORSTER

have noticed, over the past few years, that I seem to have fallen through the cracks, and I’m no longer in touch with what is called “reality.” Especially with children! I grew up in the children-are-seenand-not-heard generation and ﬁnd it difﬁcult to understand and accept much of children’s behaviour today, and the petulant attitude shown toward adults. My younger friends and my grown children tell me that times have changed and to get into the boat or be swallowed by the waves. The more I see and the more I think about it, as a youngster, I too was rude and petulant. The only difference was I did it in secret because, if I didn’t, I knew I’d get my ears boxed – and my rear end tanned! I guess you could say I, and others, grew up with a healthy dose of fear. We didn’t have television to champion us and dare us to rebel. We did that in secret and out of sight of our parents. We weren’t an “in your face” group like kids are today! Now that I’m a grandparent, I not only think back to when I was a child, but also to when I was a parent to my young children. They weren’t as cowed as I was at their age. Times

were “a-changing.” I think back to one time, in particular, when my daughter was 16, going on 17, going on 60! It was 1982 and she was insistent that she be allowed to stay out past midnight. I had given her a curfew and she wasn’t pleased. Shaking her head at me, she gave a great grievous sigh, looked at me like I was a leftover from the 19th century and then sighed again. She seemed to epitomize the wisdom of the ages when faced with the ignorance of middle age. She blew a large bubble from a wad of gum that would have choked an elephant, allowed it to explode over half her face, then she said to me in a placating sort of way: “Dad, life is more than a clock!” I thought that very deep for one of her vast experience. I admired how expertly she peeled the gum off her face and deftly pushed it back into her mouth. “You’re right!” I said, “Life is not a clock.” She smiled in triumph, silently congratulating herself on how clever she was. “But life stops for you at midnight,” I said. Another sigh, another bubble, another shaking of the head. Now, she was ready for her topper. “Dad, I’m not a child.”

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CURFEW

Another good point, but I thought my answer far better than her statement. “Neither are you Methuselah!” Another deep sigh that almost became a moan: “Dad, if Methuselah’s dad let’s her stay out ‘til after midnight, it doesn’t have anything to do with the present situation. “How late do you want to stay out?” I asked. “’Til one,” she sighed. “Okay,” I said, “you can stay out ‘til one as long as you are home by midnight.” “Gee, thanks, Dad!” She said peeling more gum off her face. “You handled that very maturely.” I thought I had too. Then, I looked through the TV Guide to see what was on ‘til 1 a.m. in the morning. I don’t think parents, as a rule, grow with the times – or grandparents either. Children do, and I guess that’s what becomes scary to those who want to practise what our parents did, only to ﬁnd it antiquated. Parents reason with their children today. They talk to them. They listen to their opinions. The kids in turn, many times, stretch the rope to a breaking point. But still, it’s nice to see that conﬁdence, which many of us never had, within our grandchildren (and children) – the lack of fear and the tenacity to believe in themselves at such a young age. I wouldn’t mind seeing a little bit of the discipline return though – just to let me know my childhood wasn’t in vain. I mentioned boxed ears to a 10 year old a while ago, and he went to check the mailbox. I think I’ll see if I still remember how to chew bubble gum. SL

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