Senior Living Magazine July 2014 by INSPIRED 55+ Lifestyle Magazine

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Connecting with your

Grandchildren JULY 2014 GRANDPARENTS

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JULY 2014

Wisdom is a dish best shared. The best part of my day? Learning all our residents’ stories.

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FEATURES

28 Langley Ready to Host Province As BC Seniors Games draw closer, local residents prepare to compete – and volunteer.

6 Active Grandparents Stay Connected with their Grandkids

34 Parksville to Host Canadian Nationals

Ingredients for a strong family bond.

10 Hawaii with Grandchildren

STEP

Top players compete in a challenging round robin lawn bowling tournament.

Investing in family fun in a tropical paradise creates memories without breaking the bank.

DEPARTMENTS

13 Travelling Abroad with Grandchildren

30 Travel

Get your ducks in a row before taking ﬂight.

36 Attractions & Entertainment

14 Resources and Programs for Grandparents

42 Classiﬁeds

COLUMNS

Options to aid intentional grandparenting.

INTO

16 Being Grandma

6 The Family Caregiver

A ﬁrst-timer shares her experience.

by Barbara Small

18 Minding McKinley

33 Your Life

20 Integrative Medicine is “Good Medicine”

40 Fit for the Adventure

Children are great teachers and lively comics!

COMFORT

41 Courageous & Outrageous

22 Deﬁnitely Not Running on Empty

44 Forever Young

26 Climb Every Mountain

Training for Haute Route – the world’s toughest and highest bike race.

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Subscriptions: $32 (includes GST, postage and handling) for 12 issues. Canadian residents only. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. Senior Living is an independent publication and its articles imply no endorsement of any products or services. The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher. Unsolicited articles are welcome and should be e-mailed to editor@seniorlivingmag. com Senior Living is distributed free throughout British Columbia. Stratis Publishing Ltd. publishes Senior Living (12 issues per year). ISSN 17103584 (Print) ISSN 1911-6403 (Online)

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THE FAMILY CAREGIVER

Life After Caregiving

hen your caregiving role comes to an end, you may experience mixed feelings. If the person you were caring for has passed away, you will naturally be grieving and experiencing a sense of loss. If they have recovered and can now be independent again, you may be experiencing happiness and satisfaction. Regardless of why or how your role as a caregiver ends, there can be a sense of relief that it is over and, at the same time, you may feel at loose ends and be thinking “What do I do now?” This experience can be similar to the “empty nest syndrome” that occurs when children move out and parents don’t know what to do with their free time. Of course, the degree of your reaction will be dependent on the amount of caregiving you did and for how long. Allow yourself some time, initially, to simply rest and catch your breath

before moving forward. You may find yourself just wanting to sleep. This can be an indication of the level of exhaustion and burn-out you were experiencing while caregiving. Give yourself permission to simply re-energize and build up your reserves again. Now can also be a good time to put some time and energy into focusing on your own health, which you may have neglected while caregiving. Reconnect with friends and family. Spend more time with those you were unable to be with when you were caregiving. Continue to attend your caregiver support group for a period of time – both for yourself and for what you can offer members who are at earlier stages of caregiving. Everyone has different reactions to starting over. Some people find it exciting, while others may be overwhelmed and stuck as to what to do next. Look back at

BY BARBARA SMALL

what you used to do before your time was devoted to caregiving. How did you enjoy spending your time? What did you give up in order to focus on your caregiving? This activity may be more difficult for those who have been marathon caregivers. It may seem impossible to even remember life before caregiving. In addition, continue activities that helped you care for yourself while you were a caregiver, such as yoga, writing in a journal or eating healthy. And now you can also enjoy other activities you weren’t able to while caregiving, such SL as visiting out-of-town friends. Next month: The Sandwich Generation Barbara Small is the Program Development Coordinator for Family Caregivers’ Network Society located in Victoria, BC. 250-384-0408 www.familycaregiversnetwork.org

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FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

y grandma, the matriarch of our family, was tough, loving, cool, spirited and endowed with a sardonic wit. She was the life of every party… and my grandma loved to party! She remained active until her final days at age 88. Two things she taught me – through her example and her words – were: 1) Never leave the house without your makeup (I was drawn to her bright lipstick and couldn’t wait ’til I was old enough to pull it off); and 2) Never miss a workout (she started in mid-life and loved aerobics and swimming, which she did four or five times a week until the end). I can never get it together to wear lipstick when I leave the house to walk my dog each morning, but I am avidly into fitness and have been throughout my adult life. My grandma’s wisdom about aging (or not aging) stays with me – and will carry me through the rest of my days. In this issue of Senior Living, we celebrate Grandparents. And they deserve to be celebrated! The purveyors of family history, they (you) have a wealth of knowledge and experience to enrich the lives of your grandchildren. And for their part, children help you stay vibrant and see the world through new eyes. What a wonderfully symbiotic relationship. It’s one to be cherished! In this issue, read about staying connected to your grandchildren; travelling with little ones; first-time grandparents; resources for grandparents and more. We also take a look at some amazing seniors who are excelling in the realm of active living. From extreme cyclists and runners to BC Seniors Games participants and lawn bowling aficionados, today’s grandparents are making their own health and fitness a priority. There’s a lot of life to be lived. After you read this issue of Senior Living, get out there and live it! – Bobbie Jo Reid Managing Editor

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Grandparenting

Active Grandparents Stay Connected With Their Grandkids BY JAMES ELLSWORTH

Part 1: Being Physically Fit

One in seven Canadians is over 65, almost five million, according to the 2011 Canadian census. It’s true that almost every senior (89%) has at least one chronic ailment, too. Almost half (44%) report suffering from arthritis or rheumatism. There is an old saying that getting old isn’t for sissies. According to the Canadian Community Health Survey (2013) and Health Reports (2012), 80 per cent of seniors frequently participate in at least one activity and one in three (37%) are taking positive steps to improve their health, such as increasing their physical activity (71%), losing weight (21%), or changing their eating habits (13%). Being fit is crucial to have quality time with grandkids. Susan Adcox, a former English and journalism teacher with seven grandchildren, writes advice on grandparenting and subscribes to being fit to get the most out of that role. In her blog, she lists several ways to improve strength and stamina to keep up physically with grandkids, from the toddler to the active pre-teen. 68

SENIOR LIVING

The author’s wife, Barbara, skiing with their grandson.

These range from walking and aqua-fit, to yoga and low-weight training. There are some other different approaches to fitness, too. CrossFit is a relatively new concept (2000), initiated by Greg Glassman, that aims at making us functionally fit through varied exercises conducted with intensity. In a CrossFit Journal article, “A CrossFit Grandma” (October 2004), Mary Conover wrote that when she was 69 she couldn’t pick up her granddaughter who weighed 13 pounds. Her son gave her some CrossFit sessions as a gift and she improved her core strength and flexibility to the point where she was able to lift her granddaughter even at four years old and many pounds heavier. Mary admits she doesn’t have the potential reflexes, balance or strength of a young person, but CrossFit workouts do improve every one of those functions. She can lift groceries and put them away with ease, continue to walk and swim with her grandchild, and receives encouragement and camaraderie from her regular gym participation. Another approach is working out at home along with a personal trainer. For example, one company, Fitness on the Go, sends out a qualified personal trainer to interview and assess you, establish personal goals, and arrange a workout schedule that includes bringing equipment to you for your workouts. In fact, equipment for a personal home gym can be purchased for less than $100, the equivalence of a few months of a gym membership. Kylie Rencher, a Victoria area personal trainer and Vancouver

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Photo: James Ellsworth

t was less than a century and a half ago that grandparents, at least those whose offspring emigrated, faced the prospect of never seeing their children and grandchildren again. Distance and lack of communication technology made connections practically impossible. Photography was in its infancy during the American Civil War in 1865, so there were precious few pictures to trigger memories; there were telegrams, only just, to convey news of significance; and the telephone was still a decade away. Depending on where the grandparents lived and their circumstances, life expectancy varied but was generally short. In 1865, the average age of death was under 50 and it did not start its steady climb until 1890. Statistics Canada shows it did not reach 70 years old until 1970, and now it stands at ages 79 for men and 83 for women in Canada. The median age for becoming a grandparent is 55 years old, according to a 2004 study. Grandparents today, born prior to 1950 mostly and labelled “grandboomers” by marketers, have a multitude of advantages their predecessors didn’t. Grandparents now have approximately a quarter-century to bond and be connected to their grandkids, a veritable gift. So, how can grandparents make those 25 years with their grandchildren quality years? Some call it Intentional Grandparenting (Peggy Edwards & Mary Sterne, 2005), where grandboomers plan ahead and actively consider the kind of grandparents they want to be. Not surprisingly, three elements can make it so: being physically fit; being current and using technology to advantage; and making memorable times together.

Island general manager, finds that onethird of the clients are over 55 years old. For example, Isla Evans is 85, had a knee replacement and suffers from arthritis in her knees. Now she has improved in strength, mobility and balance to the point she finds it easier to bend over to pick items off the ground, and she can even get down to the floor now. Rencher added, “We have seen a vast improvement in her posture. And she has the confidence to take a one month trip to England to visit her family all by herself.” Why not try testing your mettle by arranging a fitness goal with your grandchild? For example, there are two annual road race events in Victoria that include family runs. The annual October GoodLife Fitness Road Races includes the Thrifty Foods Kids race (1.25 km that kids 12 and under can run and grandparents can run alongside); and the 8 km race, if your grandchild is older and you’re more ambitious (and you won’t be alone, 99 women and 61 men, aged 60-64, ran it in 2013). Also every spring, Victoria hosts the TC Road Races where, once again, there is a Thrifty Foods Family 1.5 km Run or the 10 km distance race. Or suggest biking, hiking or swimming with a goal, like getting to a destination that has a reward at the end. These will create landmark memories for both you and your grandchild. “Remember when we swam to the raft, or canoed around the lake, or biked to Sidney, and then had an ice cream to celebrate?” Don’t forget that, although physical fitness may be paramount, there is

also the important corollary that exercise stimulates the brain with increased blood flow. It’s important to keep your mind fit too. Lawrence Katz and Manning Rubin in their 1999 book, Keep Your Brain Alive, said that “Just as cross training helps you maintain overall physical fitness, Neurobics can help you take charge of your overall mental fitness. Neurobics aims to help you maintain a continuing level of mental fitness, strength, and flexibility as you age.” They propose exercises that take the brain out of its comfort zone, so synapses can be strengthened, rather than atrophied. Your grandchild is a sponge for learning; so why not try to be that old dog that learns new tricks?

Part 2: Staying Current with Technology

Grandboomers look and feel younger than previous generations. They bring a different style to the traditional role: wearing jeans, rollerblading and playing street hockey with their grandchildren. But looks can be deceiving and not a reason for complacency. Just because your grandchild may be interested in dinosaurs for a phase in their young life, he/she won’t remain there forever, and it’s no excuse for you to become a dinosaur either. One huge area that can still create a gulf between a grandparent and grandchild is the know-how around technology. It’s important to keep up, and many grandparents are rising to the challenge. For instance, more grandparents are using the Internet and social media. A 2007 Statistics Canada study

found that approximately 50 per cent of grandboomers (aged 45-64) and seniors (65+) are intensive users of the Internet, defined as engaging in more than six activities and more than five hours per week from home. Both groups used email 90 per cent of the time to communicate with family members dispersed around the globe, while only 30 per cent used instant messaging. But a more recent Statistics Canada study showed that the number of Canadians who are 75 years of age and older and who go online grew from five per cent in 2000 to 27 per cent in 2012. Janet Davison said as much in a CBC News article (April 18, 2013), “Seniors and social media: more than keeping up with the grandkids.” One grandmother who was interviewed, Bertha Kronenberg, admitted to logging onto Facebook regularly to know what was going on with her grandchildren. “I want to check up on my grandchildren, to see what they’re doing, their girlfriends, their boyfriends, what nonsense they’re up to. But I’m a silent granny. I don’t

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Grandparenting

make comments, but I know… I keep in touch that way.” Being a grandparent can be demanding, but don’t be a demanding grandparent. As the grandkids get older, they will need their social media space. The personal email or a more family-oriented platform might be more suitable, like MyFamily.com, which is not expensive and lets members know schedules and special events, blogs and family trees. There is still nothing wrong with using the phone, whether land line, cell, or smart phone. In fact, asking directly for your grandchildren on the phone is one way to make them feel special and the focus of a private two-way conversation. Our daughter still chuckles about the look on her fouryear-old son’s face when the phone rang and she said, “It’s for you.” His eyes widened and his face lit up when he heard, “Hi sweetie, your mom sent a video of you on your pedal bike, balancing for the first time. We wanted to congratulate you and say how proud we are.” However that same grandson may well ask, “Can we Face Time, Nana or Skype, Grampie?” One grandmother I spoke to doesn’t like hockey but knows her grandson does. So she keeps up on the scores and stories to talk to him and has even learned to send links. It’s important to stay current. Victoria has two unique venues on the topic of new technology and keeping the brain active. One deals with social media, called Social Media Camp, and podcasts of guest speakers are available; such as Gary Mason, writer for the Globe and Mail, discussing the increasing role of Twitter in his work. Although this conference is primarily used as a business connection, the topics and their possibilities stretch the mind. Another event, IdeaWave, first held in 2010, conveys new ideas occurring in society in 10-minute presentations. Several focus on social media and technology, such as, Paul Holmes outlining “Stuff You Can Only Do Thanks To Twitter” (2011). Anyone can attend and it is brain food, not brain candy.

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Part 3: Creating Memories

There is a palpable difference between being a long-distance grandparent and being close by in the same town. Visits and support have to be managed efficiently for both situations though. There are tips galore on the Internet that can make those elements become memorable rather than nightmarish. For instance, grandparents are warned not to drop in, to be sensitive about gift-giving, and to mesh with parental values and strategies, or at least communicate reservations, instead of undermining in the guise of the grandparents’ spoiling rights. The long-distant grandparent gets some suggestions, too. Make sure the timing and length of your visit pass muster. If house space is an issue, book alternate accommodation and make it fun for the grandkids to have a sleepover. Make it as easy as possible on your children and grandchildren by respecting schedules and routines, contributing to a “kitty” for food, and not making extra work. In fact, you can make it less work by volunteering to prepare meals or by offering to babysit, so the parents can have a date or adult time. Robert and Deanna Ross became grandparents at age 60 and have four grandkids, aged two, four, six and nine, who live on two different islands, Bowen and Quadra. It’s difficult to get the entire group together, but the grandparents arrange to see each family separately a few times a year and the whole extended group at least once. For the last two years, they have rented a large house for Christmas week at Mt. Washington and it has helped establish special bonding time for grandparents, parents and cousins alike. Both Robert and Deanna recognize the importance of being available but not intrusive, sliding easily into the parents’ values for child-rearing, and the delicate balance required as grandparents when visiting or babysitting. Also being fit is paramount for being actively involved with the kids. Robert jokingly said that being with the grandkids is like dancing with a gorilla. “The dancing doesn’t stop when you get tired, but when the gorilla gets tired. The most enjoyable moments

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Featured Business for both Deanna and me and our grandchildren has been doing many age-appropriate activities such as playing on the beach, going for bike rides, exploring, playing pretend games in the woods, hide-and-seek, tag, playing soccer, playing ball hockey, beachcombing, hiking, golfing and swimming. Alternatively, quiet moments such as story time can be precious.” Both added, “Being grandparents to four different grandchildren increases the pleasure fourfold. Since all the children have different personalities and different ages, we do different activities with them. For example, our only granddaughter enjoys playing with her dolls and having Nana (Deanna) paint her nails. On the other hand, the boys like sporting activities such as ball hockey, soccer and riding bikes. The oldest likes to play golf and Frisbee golf with me.” Distance away has not interfered with quality time for these grandparents.

Photo: Robert and Deanna Ross

The Ross family on a summer getaway.

Family holidays are great bonding times, if they can be arranged. They can fall under two categories: grandparents taking grandkids on a holiday; or the whole family going away together. Of course, there is the stereotypical one, taking the kids to Disneyworld, but lesser ones abound, from fishing to watching a car race or rodeo. Sun and beach getaways or a ski resort week are appreciated by everyone and allow for grandparent time as well as adult time, a win-win. I heard a diarist once say that you should be able to record something memorable each day and this could include something about the grandkids, too. I keep a diary and remember visiting my early school-age grandson when we would often have a “man-date” by going to the café for coffee and hot chocolate and sit side-by-side writing. “What should I write, Grampie?” “Draw a picture of the best thing you did at school with your friends, or draw a picture of you and your friends on the trampoline,” I would suggest, then I would label them. I can look back fondly at drawings or doodling he did over the years and they are gifts that keep on giving. Long-distance need not be a barrier to quality bonding time with grandkids, as long as you can stay fit and savvy, the definiSL tion of an active person as well as a grandparent.

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ith over 25 years of expertise in the alarm and security industries, Galaxy Medical Alert Systems has become one of the leading providers of medical alert systems for seniors and at-risk individuals across North America. At Galaxy Medical Alert Systems, we firmly believe that all seniors and vulnerable individuals should be able to enjoy the freedom of independent living through the use of a personal emergency response system. We currently offer four medical alert systems: the Home System, the Home & Yard System, the Cellular System, and the Fall Detection System. Each of our systems offers benefits that are geared towards the type of lifestyle and medical monitoring our clients are looking for. We understand seniors and we always recommend the most appropriate system for our clients based on personal lifestyles and needs. We are proud to offer specialized emergency medical support to our clients in over 150 languages. We strive to provide the latest personal medical alert technology and top-rate emergency services to our clients. We understand the importance of staying up-to-date in the digital age and will continually adopt the newest devices to better serve our clients. We value honesty, integrity, respect, and most of all trust. Being entrusted with the safety and care of a loved one We treat every is something we take very customer as if they seriously. For this reason, our Galaxy Medical Alert Systems were part of our Response Center is certified own family. by the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) 5 Diamond Program and is staffed with certified EMTs (emergency medical technicians) who are trained to assess emergency medical situations and who are skilled in taking appropriate action to ensure our clients get the help they need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Once emergency personnel have been alerted, the Galaxy Medical Alert Response Center will also inform loved ones (family, friends, neighbors) or a physician of the emergency. Seniors and their families continue to choose us for our personal emergency response systems because we understand what their needs are and we treat them with the respect and care that they deserve. In fact, we treat every customer as if they were part of our own family.

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11 9

Grandparenting

Hawaii with Grandchildren Investing in Family Fun

BY RICK AND CHRIS MILLIKAN

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SENIOR LIVING

Town, Coral Gardens and Honolua Bay. Big Island visitors cruise to historic Kealakekua Bay. On morning or sunset walks, holidaymakers are typically awestruck by Hawaii’s diverse floral plants, blossoming trees and benign animals. Children particularly appreciate the wee critters. Multicolored birds flutter, chirp and fearlessly gather our scattered crumbs. Emerald geckos fascinate Willa. Said to bestow good luck, these small lizard-like beauties cling vertically on walls and upside down on ceilings. During the evening, we see these insect lovers lurking beside light fixtures. Willa has also spotted happy-face spiders, one praying mantis and mongoose scurrying through tropical gardens. Such encounters spark impromptu critter studies.

Family beach time.

Photos: Rick and Chris Millikan

any retired grandparents like us have time – and money – to invest in family vacations. Friends have taken their grandchildren on elaborate Africa safaris or grand European tours. Others take their families on cruises or to all-inclusive resorts offering activities together and children’s programs to spend time apart. Like them, many of our vacations include our adult children and granddaughter Willa, now four. Our 10-day winter escape to Maui and Hawaii’s Big Island has become a beloved tradition that bestows health, fun and togetherness. Simple and self-directed, our holiday costs less even at high season and most importantly, suits our needs. Long stretches of Maui’s warm sand inspire young and old to sculpt fanciful creations. The azure Pacific invites everyone to refresh, romp and explore. And without getting wet, Maui Ocean Center introduces youngsters to fascinating sea life. Loving what’s seen, aspiring aquanauts try snorkeling, first in the pool, then in calm inlets nearby. Among Maui’s outstanding beaches, Olawalu at milemarker 14 is perfect for young swimmers – and waders! Shallow, crystal waters encourage mini-adventurers to explore. Returning ashore, lacy mesquite trees shade us from the blazing sun. There, papa helps Willa shape fairy sand castles as other adults read. On the Big Island, further beaches beckon us to comb for shell treasures. Rocky shorelines enclose tidal pools, miniature water-worlds overflowing with life. At Kahalu’u Park, a reef embraces shallow waters teeming with turtles and vibrant fish, ideal for young snorkelers. On windless mornings, Waikoloa’s tongue-twisting Anaeho’omalu Bay also enables flippered explorations. Walking with us on a pathway round the bay’s ancient fishpond, Willa points out finny friends, sniffs hibiscus blooms and investigates early dwelling remains. Island catamarans comfortably transport families like ours to spectacular snorkeling spots. During continental breakfasts, enroute entertainment may feature flying fish flapping gossamer ‘wings’; green sea turtles bobbing for air before paddling onward; spinner dolphins corkscrewing upward while riding the wake and breaching humpback whales slapping flippers. On arrival, instructors present safety lessons, snorkel gear, spy-boards and flotation devices. And after exhilarating explorations, the crew serves delicious BBQ lunches. Maui’s catamarans shuttle folks to pristine waters at Molokini, Turtle

Having visited Maui’s upcountry goat farm, we’ll next go to the Iao Valley’s Hawaii Nature Centre. Here, children take simulated flights as dragonflies, investigate this area’s unique creatures, listen to recorded bird songs and undertake interpretive rainforest walks. Adjacent Kepaniwai Heritage Park encloses a collection of replicated homes: a bamboo Filipino house, a Portuguese villa complete with outdoor oven, thatch-roofed Hawaiian hale and a New England saltbox cottage as well as decorative Korean gates, Chinese pagoda, Japanese teahouse and lush gardens. All stimulate curiosity and chats about Hawaii’s multi-culture. And a kilometre beyond, Iao Valley State Park’s walkway loops through tropical gardens, remnants of an early settlement. Illustrated placards identify this site as where King Kamehameha defeated King Kahekili to unite the Ha-

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waiian Islands. The Big Island offers even more extraordinary experiences in nature and history. Willa has already enjoyed visits to two beautiful archeological sites: Place of Refuge and Templeon-the-Hill-of-the-Whale. Next time we’ll go to Greenwell Farm’s century-old general store, now a museum creating a good picture of lifestyles around the 1900s. As a bonus for her, chameleons inhabit several coffee trees; for us, it’s buying local Kona coffee! When Willa’s older, we’ll take a scenic day-trip to Kilauea’s shield volcano. After studying the Volcano’s Park Visitor Center’s large contour map, we’ll loop around Sulfur Banks Trail looking at blooming red ohias, purple cane orchids and craggy rocks coated with yellow crystals. Returning along a ridge, we’ll view steaming volcanic vents and contemplate immense dormant craters sprawling below.

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Willa selects bananas at an honour fruit stand.

The Jagger Museum’s exhibits illustrate volcanic activity. Courtyard telescopes zero in on Halema’uma’u craters, the fiery pits of Hell that Mark Twain described over a century ago. Another easy-peasy walk for little legs weaves through a luxuriant Jurassic Park-like rainforest to Thurston Lava Tube, tunnelling under the 500-year-old lava field. In nearby Puna district, we’ll head to Ahalanui Park, passing wild roadside orchids. There, stately palms surround a natural rock-lined thermal pool. Our family will relax in the warm, soothing waters and commune with darting fish or speckled eels, sometimes wriggling among lava rock at the ocean inlet. Just beyond in Hilo, ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center offers 100plus learning activities. In a simulated astronomy lab, Willa can explore the solar system and time travel to the beginning of the universe. In the main hall, youngsters see a scale model

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Grandparenting

of an ocean outrigger and hear stories of distant voyages. In surrounding kiosks, kids hone wayfaring skills using observations of stars, currents, cloud formations and birdlife to navigate like early Polynesians. To make our Hawaiian vacations affordable, we rent threebedroom condos rather than a series of one-bedrooms or hotel suites. Everyone has privacy; the shared family space increases time with Willa. Watching and joining our granddaughter’s joyful games and crafts, we rejuvenate and relive parenting! Meanwhile, our son and daughter-in-law benefit from a restful break. Built-in sitters, grandparents like us encourage grown-up kids to slip away, reconnecting on adult ventures. Some condo resorts offer free onsite activities. At one complex, we help ourselves to icy lemonade and fresh pineapple tidbits, then sit together among other families listening to speakers explain canoe building, traditional fishing and palm weaving. For athletes large and small, there are putting greens, shuffleboard areas and volleyball courts. Well-equipped kitchens and barbeques prompt wholesome home-cooked meals. Family chefs can even cater to particular appetites and requirements. Avoiding sometimes pricey – and stressful – restaurant experiences, mealtimes become intimate family celebrations outdoors on lanais or picnics at beaches. Shopping, food prep and cleanup becomes jolly team efforts that involve Willa. Smart shopping further reduces costs. Near main air-

ports, familiar warehouse outlets provide membership savings on basic supplies and gasoline. Local supermarkets sell groceries at lower prices than big-name stores. They also feature island-grown produce and delis offering wonderful Hawaiian specialties and plate lunches, on-the-go meals first served during plantation days. For additional bargains, outings can include stops at roadside “honour” stands or Farmer’s Markets to stock up on Hawaii’s tasty apple-bananas, Nishikawa avocados, strawberry-papayas, succulent pineapples and more. Coupon booklets tempt newcomers with bargains. DO consider discounted luaus! These traditional get-togethers encourage laid-back fun: sample island cuisine, watch exciting island Polynesian dances and see your grandchildren playing Hawaiian games and getting tattooed – with watercolour pens! Always a worthwhile investment, carefree family holidays offer us an escape from dark, cold winters plus needed rest and recreation. Arriving on Maui and the Big Island, we adopt an easy-going, outdoor lifestyle. The natural splendor of these idyllic isles soon inspires, educates and invigorates… creating a sense of wellbeing and making marvelSL ous memories for all. For IF YOU GO information, visit www.seniorlivingmag. com/articles/hawaii-with-grandkids

What’s your reason? Staying connected to the people who make us laugh is an important part of enjoying a full and healthy life. At Connect Hearing we understand this and are here to help. Call or visit us today. There’s no better time to book a complimentary hearing evaluation and try hearing aids for two weeks at no cost, and no obligation.*

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Travelling Abroad with Grandchildren f you plan to travel abroad with your grandchildren, prepare documents and parental permission in advance or you may have to cancel your travel plans, which can be expensive and disappointing. Due to the rising number of child abductions and custody disputes, customs and immigration officials have increased security measures. Contact the embassy or consulate nearest to your destination to inquire about their entrance requirements. If a child is under the age of 18 and is travelling abroad, you may be required to have the following documentation: 1. A valid passport for each child. 2. A consent letter confirming that the child has permission to travel outside of Canada with you. The letter must be signed by each parent or guardian, if that person is not accompanying the child on the trip (even if one of the child’s parents is with you). Sample travel consent letters are provided by Passport Canada at www.travel.gc.ca. If a parent is deceased, you may need to show a death certificate. 3. A copy of each child’s birth certificate, and if the child was not born in Canada, the child’s citizenship card. 4. If the child’s parents are separated or divorced, copies of any court orders that affect the guardianship, custody or parenting of the child. Court orders can specify requirements

that must be met in order to travel with the child. 5. Take along each child’s BC Care Card, and any cards or documents for extended health insurance, in the event of a medical emergency while travelling. Once you have all of your grandchildren’s documents in order, relax and have fun making memories together!

Photo: James Ellsworth

BY REBECCA ANDERSON, BA, LLB

Rebecca Anderson is a family lawyer practising in Vancouver, BC. This information is not to be used as legal advice and does not create a lawyer-client relationship. We do not accept any liability for your use of this information. If you need legal help, contact a lawyer.

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Resources and Programs for Grandparents

Grandparenting

Volunteer Grandparent Carol and kids picking strawberries.

randfather Doug Reynolds enjoys spending time with his grandsons, aged 7 and 1 1/2 years. Swimming at their local swimming pool, testing new science experiments, reading a fascinating book together or eating a meal at their favourite restaurant are all part of their shared activities. Family life experts say the role of grandparent is more important than ever for the stability of families – and society. It’s a role that requires openness and a willingness to change. And what do children value most from their grandparents? Unconditional love and spending time together, report authors Peggy Edwards and Mary Jane Sterne, in Intentional Grandparenting: A Boomer’s Guide. At the heart of this book’s approach is the notion of intentional grandparenting, a process for planning ahead and taking deliberate action to be the kind of grandparent you want to be. Through interviews and research, the writers suggest 10 principles for effective grandparenting. The tips they offer highlight the importance of showing consideration and encouragement to the parents, while also accepting your grandchildren for who they are – not for whom we may wish them to be.

Grandparent Resources

According to the BC Council for Families: “Grandparents are family resources. They are babysitters, they transmit family history, traditions, and social values; they are confidants and role models.” 16 14

SENIOR LIVING

Photo: Liesel Gilson

BY BEV YAWORSKI

Life today with grandchildren can be more complicated, although exciting! Grandparents may encounter: lack of time, blended families, distance issues, family break-ups, working grandparents and contemporary child-raising methods. Fortunately, there are many resources to guide and support grandparents along this meaningful path of discovery. Countless opportunities for grandparents and grandchildren to share time together exist: Social service agencies, community centres, playgrounds, pools, parks, hiking trails and much more.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

One helpful program is Grandparents Raising Grandchildren organized by Parent Support Services of BC. They offer a tollfree line to assist grandparents raising a family member’s child to find the answers, assistance and resources they need to resolve problems. Professor Barbara Whittington, School of Social Work, University of Victoria says: “This accessible support line with real people answering the questions is a solid step toward truly supporting extended family caregivers. That care often means endless appointments, court dates, emotional turmoil, financial stress and juggling other family needs, as well as love and good fun. Grandparents can also participate in Support Circles to learn positive parenting skills, receive emotional support and discover useful services and resources. Participants comment how the Sup-

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port Circles are “an informative lifeline and help them feel less isolated.” Legal seminars are also available outlining Kinship Care facts, relevant legislation, government and community resources, benefits and services for grandparents. More details are available at: 1-855-4749777, Email: GRGline@parentsupportbc. ca and www.parentsupportbc.ca/grandparents_raising_grandchildren

Grandparent Connections

Grandparent Connections is a support group for grandparents who share in the care of their grandchildren. It could be full time, part time or grandparents who just want to connect with other grandparents. They meet at the John Braithwaite Community Centre, North Vancouver. “We meet once a week with a facilitator in one room and we have childminding staff in another room for the grandchildren,” says Group Facilitator Carol Lundrigan. “Grandparents who attend tell us they feel supported by being able to share confidentially with other grandparents. It’s uplifting to come and learn and share with others. They learn from others’ experiences. It’s like a little respite/retreat for grandparents that also is so much fun!” Consider contacting your local health department or community centre about similar groups in your area. The North Vancouver group is coordinated by the North Shore Neighbourhood House www.nsnh.bc.ca

Road Scholar Intergenerational Programs: Travel together

The Road Scholar Intergenerational programs created by Elder Hostel, a leader in lifelong learning, is a special grandparent/ grandchild travel initiative. These programs offer opportunities for grandchildren and grandparents to share an adventure together on their own. Each program is structured to fit with the age range of young learners and offers unique curriculum for adults and children, as well as combined educational experiences. John and Kay Nelson, in their 70s, raised four children, and are now the proud grandparents to nine grandchildren. Upon turning 10 years old, each grandchild is the recipient of their first Road Scholar Intergenerational

program, giving them the opportunity to spend quality time with their grandparents without their siblings or parents. Like many families, some of the Nelson’s grandchildren live nearby, while others live several hours away. In efforts to get to know their grandchildren better, John came up with the idea of taking them on Road Scholar Intergenerational programs. “We babysat for our grandchildren from time to time but we really wanted the opportunity to spend some quality time with them, individually, to get to know them and give them a chance to get to know us better,” says Kay. “We thought Road Scholar would be ideal for us and our grandchildren.” When their first granddaughter turned 10, they selected a program on Prince Edward Island that centered on the book Anne of Green Gables. Kay says both her granddaughter and her daughter-in-law were nervous before the trip; however, after some initial homesickness, their granddaughter loved the program. “We ask each grandchild to keep a journal and we do the same,” says Kay. “At the end of the program, I make a scrapbook for them that they can share with their family and keep as a treasured memento of our time spent together. It’s such a special time for all of us.” To learn more about Road Scholar’s Intergenerational programs, visit: www. roadscholar.org/intergenerational

Volunteer Grandparents

Grandparenting can be one of the most rich life experiences. “The grandparentgrandchild relationship promotes the de-

velopment of strong and healthy families by supporting intergenerational connections,” says Veronica Grossi, Program Coordinator for Volunteer Grandparents. “Children who have a relationship with an older adult develop socially and emotionally in many positive ways. This emotional bond promotes self-esteem and breaks social isolation for everyone involved in the relationship.” Volunteer Grandparents is a non-profit organization based in Burnaby with a mission to “bridge and enrich the generations.” They accomplish their goals by connecting caring individuals over the age of 50 to children (from ages 3 to 14) who lack the immediate presence of grandparents or older adults in their everyday lives. The intention is to create a mutually beneficial relationship that resembles a true extended family, leading to more healthy and connected lives for all involved. “Volunteer Grandparents provides seniors with the opportunity to share their wealth of knowledge and experience with the receptive, enquiring minds of children,” says Veronica. The organization offers programs in the Metro Vancouver Lower Mainland including: the Family Match Program that matches volunteers with families who have children between the ages of 3 to 14 years old and who do not have accessible grandparents. They also organize a School Grandparent Program to provide volunteers in elementary schools. Contact them by phone: 604-736-8271 or online: www.volunteergrandparents.ca SL

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Being Grandma

Grandparenting

BY KATHY LYNN

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SENIOR LIVING

according to their father, waiting to meet their grandparents. We were in the car heading toward the hospital before I hung up the phone. When we arrived, I walked into the room and was still Mom. My eyes went directly to my daughter. Although I knew this was about me becoming a grandmother I was still emotionally a mom and totally focused on my daughter. Was she okay? She was glowing. It was only after I greeted The author her and assured myself of her plays with her health that I noticed the basgrandchildren. sinette containing two swaddled bundles. Or as my son was wont to say, two little wrapped burritos. I looked down in awe and my daughter said, “It’s okay, Mom, you can pick her up.” And I did and that is the moment I truly became grandma. That was the moment my sister had predicted. And when my daughter gave me permission to pick up her baby, our roles shifted. She was now the mom, and I was now the grandmother. Sixteen days later, my daughter-in-law delivered a little boy, to complete what we were calling the grandparent hat trick. The three babies are now two years old, and it has been a few years of learning and growing, and not only for the children. Grandparenting has been an enjoyable voyage of discovery for me. Our children did not have grandparents. My husband’s and my parents had died before we met. So we don’t have a role model for grandparenting. When the women were pregnant, we had some worthwhile conversations. The upshot of that was first to resolve that I was not physically or emotionally prepared to offer full-time daycare. I wanted to be their grandmother, not their caregiver. Fortunately for all of us, it had never occurred to my children that I would take on that role. I would grandparent. My husband and I love to take over when the parents are going out. We offer “date

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Photo: Foley Lynn

“I

can hardly wait to hear about the time you experience the moment.” I was talking to my sister and sharing the exciting news that I was going to be a grandmother. She was thrilled for me and her comment came from the fact that she was already a grandmother. She assured me that I would recognize the moment. To this point, my husband and I had accepted the fact that we were not going to become grandparents. Our two children were now in their 40s and it clearly was not in the cards for us. I was astonished at the number of my friends who assumed I would have been bugging my daughter and daughter-in-law about the seeming lack of children in their lives. My favourite comment was from one friend who said to me, “Do those women know how old they are?” I was stymied, but pretty certain these two university-educated women knew their own age and the implications. What I knew for sure was that whether they decided to have children or not was none of my business. It was at my daughter’s 41st birthday celebration that everything changed. My daughter and son-in-law informed me that they were expecting. I was thrilled! Then the other shoe dropped, when they added that they were actually expecting twins. Wow! When I calmed down, my son and daughter-in-law informed me that there was more news: Yes, they were also expecting. My goodness. The day I became a grandma is one that I will never forget. We got the word from our son-in-law when he phoned from the hospital and said, “Hi, Grandma.” My daughter had delivered twins, and a little boy and a little girl entered our lives. The babies were healthy and alert and,

nights” and I’m not sure who is more pleased when the parents get to spend an evening together without babies. They love the break, and we love to be with the kids. Everyone wins! We have worked hard to keep the lines of communication open. It’s important that the new parents let me know what I can do to help and when they want me out of the picture. And the clearer they are, the easier it is for all of us. The biggest difference between parenting and grandparenting is the ability to totally focus on time with the grandchildren. For example, when I am about to change a diaper, it can be my total preoccupation. I do not need to wonder if there are enough diapers, if the sheet on the changing table is clean or whether a change of clothes is available. When I was the parent, all of these considerations came into play but now none of that is my problem. It’s just my grandchild and me in that moment, and it’s fantastic. Grandparents need to recognize that their child is the parent and will make the parenting decisions. We sometimes need to bite our tongue and accept the choices these new parents are making. On the other hand, worrying about what you see happening in your child’s family is not the most conducive way to maintain a healthy family relationship. It’s important to put the judgment and criticism aside and be curious. “I notice you are giving your children the same food as you eat. Tell me about that.” Your children are keen to tell you about the parenting decisions they are making and where they are getting their information, as long as you will listen respectfully and understand they will not raise their children exactly as you raised them. Times change. Let’s face it, you didn’t raise your kids exactly the way your parents raised you. Grandparents are the keepers of the family stories. As your grandchildren grow they will love to hear the stories about their family history, about their parents and even about your childhood. Grandparents can show up and offer not only support but also concrete help. When the kids were newborns, we not only showed up to help with the babies, we brought food for the freezer and I am assured that this was extremely helpful. I also found that there was almost always a load of laundry that needed to be done. As a grandparent, you will soon learn that you need to lean on the parents to stay up-to-date on your grandchildren’s schedules. Last time you were with the kids they needed to be fed, but this time they are ready to feed themselves. Nothing changes faster than babies and toddlers, so have their parents brief you on the new realities. Grandparenting is a wonderful experience. We not only get to watch our grandchildren grow and develop, we get to watch our children parent these kids. Your success as a grandparent comes when you successfully navigate the switch from being the parent in the relationship to being the grandparent, which is a job nobody else SL but you can fill.

Live Well. Age Well.

Carefree Activities, Outings & Great Meals Call for a Lunch & Tour Today!

ALEXANDER MACKIE Retirement Community

Call 250-478-4888 753 Station Avenue, Victoria www.hayworth.ca

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Minding McKinley Grandparenting

BY COLIN CAMPBELL

“On the seventh day God rested. His grandchildren must have been out of town.” –Gene Peret

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The author and his grandson McKinley.

Photo: Heather Campbell

y baptism as a granddad began the day, almost five years ago, when my daughter announced she would like to complete a master’s program at UBC, and asked if my wife and I would be interested in looking after her two boys, aged one and four years. Such a move would require placing our own plans on hold for a couple of years, and leaving our lovely roomy lakeside home in the Interior for on-campus student/family housing. I believe it took us all of 10 minutes to decide that the opportunity to share in our grandchildren’s little lives on a daily basis far outweighed any relatively minor inconveniences posed by heading south. In the fall of 2009, we made the move. The strategy called for my wife, Carol, to look after the baby and cook the meals. My role was to look after the four-year old. Clearly I got the best of the deal. I just had to get McKinley ready for pre-school in the morning, take him there, pick him up in the afternoon, feed him a snack and take him to the nearby playground where there were lots of children to play with. Between times, I would park myself in a coffee shop, read the papers and scribble away happily. What could be easier? The two of us would have a great old time of it. It turned out to be much more of a challenge than that. McKinley, as I quickly found out, had very definite likes and dislikes. Our first day together was a disaster. It began with breakfast and went downhill from there. I was told he started his day with hot chocolate, so I prepared it, tested it, declared it gourmet and served it up. He took one sip and howled: “Waaahhh.” “What’s up? Don’t you like it? “No. Waaahhh.” “Is it too hot?” “No. Waaahhh.” “Too cold?” “Waaahhh.” “Then what?” “It’s too medium!” Next, the food. Toast with peanut butter and some fruit slices. A snap. “Here you go young man. Toast, apple, banana and strawberry pieces.”

“Waaahhh.” “Oh, no. Something wrong?” “Waaahhh. Everything’s wrong.” “Everything?” “Yes. Waaahhh. It’s all wrong.” “Okay. Let’s start with the toast. What’s wrong with that?” “Waaahhh. It’s not supposed to have the crust, and it’s too big.” “Okay, I’ll cut the crust off, then what?” “Then you have to make it smaller.” “Alright. I’ll cut it in squares.” “Waaahhh. Not just squares. Round ones too, and diamonds.” “Done. Now what about the fruit?” “The pieces are touching. They’re not supposed to touch.” “Okay. Let’s move them apart.” “Waaahhh. You can’t do that. You have to start again.” “Sorry, but we don’t have time. You’ll be late for preschool.” “Waaahhh. I don’t want to go anyway. Waaahhh.”

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So much for getting off on the right foot. This was not the start of the loving grandpa-grandson relationship I had envisaged. Over the next few months, I learned to walk on eggshells, endure blow-ups and buy the right brand of ice cream because the ones I bought were either “too runny,” too hard,” or “too wrinkly.” I endured tantrums over clothing: “too scratchy,” “too bunchy.” But gradually, thankfully, things began to improve. The fusses became fewer and in the intervals between we had fun. We played spacemen together at the playground with Captain McKinley at the helm of the International Space Station and Engineer Grandpa running, well toddling, back and forth working up a sweat fixing things and clearing the landing pad of “moonboogers” and “worbles.” We played tag, hide and seek, soccer – under McKinley rules of course. Apparently, I lost one game by 10 million to four. There were humorous as well as anxious moments. We had conversations such as this: “Grandpa, do you want to know my three favourite hockey teams?” “Sure. What are they?” “Vancouver and Toronto.” “That’s only two. What’s the third?” “Vancouver.” “Still only two teams. What’s your third favourite?”

“Toronto.” There was the time in the restaurant when he needed to poo. Off we went to the washroom. My plan was to leave him and wait outside. He insisted that I come in. Twenty minutes later, we were still there. He just sat, swinging his legs and babbling away at me about everything from black holes to brontosauri, the occasional red-faced grunt interjecting the stream of chatter. I could just imagine the whispered conversations among the diners: “Brenda, did you see that old guy with the kid? They’ve been in the washroom for ages. D’you think I should call the manager?” “Well, I did notice he had tattoos?” “Those were bite marks, Brenda.” “Ye gods! Bite marks! He’s probably a member of some awful cult.” Today, five years later, McKinley is a happy, well-adjusted nine year-old. We get along wonderfully together. I don’t know how much he remembers of our university days. I asked him about it the other day as I was planning this article. His reply: “Grandpa, would you like to see how I can sleep like a duck? It’s nice to know I’ve had such an impact on his young life. SL

We’ve got the Recipe for Fun Saturday, July 26th, 2 pm – 4 pm

Call to RSVP by July 24th!

Savour a meal with a twist that’s simply not to be missed. You’re invited to step out of the ordinary for an afternoon of fun with a 50’s theme menu, entertainment and a 1956 truck showcased at our 50’s Style BBQ. Bring along your appetite!

Parkwood Place

Prize draw and personal tours available.

reveraliving.com

3051 Shelbourne St Victoria

250-598-1565

14484 06.14

Join us for our 50’s Style BBQ hosted by Revera – Parkwood Place.

Working together to overcome ageism. Visit AgeIsMore.com

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Healthy Aging

Integrative Medicine is “Good Medicine” A

steps to better support their health and well-being. In addition to the physical, nutritional and emotional benefits, membership provides an unparalleled opportunity to connect with others who are going through similar experiences and understand the cancer journey. Memberships are available for patients, as well as people in their support network. At the heart of our programs is the recognition that personal autonomy, choice and self-care play an essential role in the healing process. Those choices and the path taken will be different for everyone. Personal empowerment is encouraged, supported and honoured at InspireHealth. Patients have the opportunity to work with one of our doctors, to help them decide on a wellness plan that is specifically tailored to their unique needs and interests. We offer a comprehensive whole-person approach to care. Although integrative medicine covers many aspects of health, there are some common elements: 1. Aims to treat the whole person – mind, body and spirit. 2. Encourages practitioners to engage compassionately with their patients, and to treat the patient, not just the disease. 3. Encourages patients to take responsibility for their own health, to acquire knowledge to make informed choices, and to be skilled and confident about managing their day-to-day health. Research shows patients with these qualities have lower health-care costs than patients without. 4. Recognizes the body’s natural ability to heal and aims to strengthen the body’s immune system. Focuses on preventative steps, as well as treatment. 5. Takes the patient’s lifestyle into account, including nutrition, supplements, adequate hydration, sufficient good quality sleep, ample exercise and avoidance of toxins. 6. Recognizes the impact of stress on health and the immune system, recommends reducing stress, and encourages the practice of mind/body techniques like yoga or meditation. 7. Acknowledges the importance of patients’ emotional and Saint-Seine-l’A bbaye, France. WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

bundant media coverage about the many ways in which you can support your health through nutrition, exercise, yoga, meditation and supplements is engaging more and more people to recognize the essential role they can play in preventing illness and treating disease. Integrative medicine – the incorporation of health and wellness into treatment – is simply “good medicine.” Treating the whole person, including the mind, body and spirit – and giving consideration to the importance of the support of family and friends – is common sense, and is as critical in chronic disease management as the medications available. Research into integrative medicine is growing, and has emerged as a potential solution to the health-care crisis, which is good news for all of us. InspireHealth is a non-profit organization that provides the best integrative cancer care possible for people living with a diagnosis of cancer in a safe, caring and informative environment, supervised by medical doctors and respected professional health practitioners. Growing evidence suggests that supporting your health through healthful nutrition, exercise and stress reduction – in addition to other ways – is as vital as the cancer treatments administered. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation can play a very important role in cancer treatment, and British Columbia has one of the best standard cancer treatment programs in the world. However, these standard treatments do not address the underlying factors that predispose or prevent cancer development, or the broader aspects of emotional and spiritual support that can be central to optimally support health. The human body has a remarkable ability to heal. As we engage in our own health by making the choices that best serve us mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually, we greatly support the healing process. InspireHealth provides members with simple and practical 22 20

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BY HAL GUNN, MD

spiritual health. Encourages harmony and quality of life such as spending time outdoors, with friends and family and on passionate engagement in life, whatever that may involve. In 17 years of service to people living with cancer, we have found that meditation, nutrition, exercise, emotional and spiritual support can help transform the anxiety and fear of a cancer diagnosis into inspired action and healing. An introduction to integrative medicine can help change one’s outlook and shift the focus on the positive, reducing the risk of depression and side-effects of cancer treatment along with supporting health and wellbeing. InspireHealth also provides support to family and friends, who can also be deeply impacted and who are a critical part of care and healing. InspireHealth’s clinical staff includes physicians, nurses, nutritionists, exercise therapists and counsellors. Our clinical staff acts as health guides to support the health and wellbeing of

Fast facts about InspireHealth Integrative Cancer Care • Started in 1997 by Dr. Hal Gunn and Dr. Roger Rogers. • Funded by BC Ministry of Health. • Three locations in BC, including Vancouver, Kelowna and Victoria. • Additional online program: InspireLife BC. • Clinical staff include: physicians, nutritionists, exercise therapists and counsellors. • Classes include: yoga, meditation, exercise, relaxation, laughter yoga, and cooking classes. • Two-day Life Program. • Centre membership fee: $450 for the ﬁrst year; $95 for each subsequent year: unlimited classes, programs and visits with clinical staff. • Online membership fee: $225. • Currently seeking people for clinical trial to study the safety and the therapeutic effect of high-dose vitamin D supplementation in stage 4 (metastatic) colorectal cancer patients.

people living with cancer and their family members, through our programs and classes, as follows: • Individual or group visits with our physicians, nurses, exercise therapists, nutritionists and counsellors; • Classes, including: meditation, yoga, exercise, healthful cooking, support groups, exercise and fitness; • Fireside Chat: one-hour introduction to InspireHealth for the general public or healthcare providers interested in learning more about InspireHealth. Everyone welcome. • LIFE program: two-day (12-hour) group program – introduction to optimally supporting health and wellbeing before, during and after cancer treatment; • LEAP (Life Enhancing Advanced Program) program: four sessions (mind, body, spirit, passion) each two hours – further exploration of supporting health and wellbeing during and after cancer treatment; • LIFE online interactive webinar se��

ries: introduction to optimally supporting health and wellbeing before during and after cancer treatment; • Evening talks: open to patients and the general public on a range of topics with respect to optimally supporting health, including nutrition, exercise, spirituality, sleep and healthful cooking. InspireHealth’s clinical team is all funded through the Ministry of Health and available to come to speak, for free, to your church or community group in Vancouver, Victoria or Kelowna about healthful nutrition, supplements, cancer prevention or any other health-related topic that may support the health of our SL community. Hal Gunn, MD is co-founder and CEO of InspireHealth, a non-proﬁt integrative cancer care organization helping Canadians since 1997. InspireHealth’s physicians, nurses, nutritionists, exercise therapists and counsellors are funded by the BC Ministry of Health. www.inspirehealth.ca

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Healthy Aging

Deﬁnitely Not

Running on Empty BY JAMES ELLSWORTH

Photos: Elley Li

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Ultra-athlete Ken Bonner. SENIOR LIVING

ncreasingly, grandparents are proving that aging does not necessarily mean slowing down. Recently, Senior Living was able to reach three extraordinary BC seniors, who take advantage of the many opportunities in British Columbia to be active. And when they can share their avocations with their grandchildren, it’s just money in the bank, as they say. Unfortunately, not all seniors are active. According to a 2008 Statistics Canada study, 25 per cent of seniors 65 years or older report having difficulties with activities they choose. This may go part way in explaining why overall, 50 per cent of senior men and 64 per cent of senior women were deemed inactive. That means a good number of Canadian grandparents are possibly not active enough to engage in physical activity with their grandchildren. That may be the “tails” side of the coin for those who are too sedentary in their ways. But the other, more positive side, let’s call it “heads,” indicates that the other seniors are being smart about activity and more of them are doing it on the West Coast. British Columbia has the most active population (age-standardized) among Canadian provinces, 60 per cent in 2011. And Victoria, among Canadian cities, stood No. 2 in family expenditure on sports and recreation, with Vancouver ranked No. 11. Perhaps the modelling done by some seniors in BC is rubbing off. Grandparents are engaging in several very physical and demanding events in British Columbia, including 10 marathon races in 2014, from Abbotsford to Tofino and from Haida Gwaii to Texada Island. There are approximately another 50 opportunities for seniors to test their running mettle in races measuring 10 kilometres or more. Victoria and Vancouver host three marathons but there are also 18 other races this summer and fall in the Greater Vancouver area alone, from 10-kilometre races and half-marathons, to 50-kilometre ultra-races. There is no dearth of chances to be active. Here is what three veteran senior participants have to say about the physical challenges they enjoy. Evan Fagan is 77 years old and grandfather of two, a 13-yearold girl and 10-year-old boy. He started running in races when he was 49 and now has completed 143 full marathons and 86 triathlons (running, swimming and cycling) including four Ironman Triathlons, his first when he was 67 and the last one when he was 73. Amazingly, he finished 3rd in his age class. He is most proud of being in four Boston Marathons, which require a time qualification to enter, (4 hours and 10-55 minutes for

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Run Victoria 10-12-14

l Annua

Photo: Simon DesRochers

ages 65-80) and the four Ironman events. The Ironman Triathlon is gruelling and includes a 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.25 km) bicycle ride and the 26.2 mile (42.2 km) marathon, raced in that order and without a break. Needless to say, the training regimen can be time-consuming and exacting on the body. By the way, Evan’s best marathon time was 3 hours, 37 minutes in his late 60s. But he has been fortunate so far, no serious injuries, although he was treated for prostate cancer a couple of years ago, which is not related to the cycling at all. He tries to maintain a healthy balanced lifestyle, which includes exercise every day – even through his cancer treatments. His grandkids have never seen him compete he says, but he loves watching them play field hockey, baseball and soccer. And his training regimen never interferes with grandparenting and family life; he works around it because family comes first. Nowadays, Evan runs about 50 kilometres per week, swims twice and cycles once or twice. He is currently training for an August triathlon in Edmonton where he has been named to his 4th Triathlon Canada National Age Group team. His advice is to take up a sport or activity you like, meet like-minded folks, and enjoy your participation. I caught Ken Bonner, 71, as he was about to embark on a 200-kilometre cycling ride, which would take him eight hours. Ken is an ultra-athlete. His feats are enormous. He began running in his 20s and found that the long-distance events were his comfort zone. One might say Ken is uniquely active and his accomplishments are legendary. Strictly speaking, Bonner is a randonneur ultra-cyclist. It is a world unto itself with its own terms like brevet, populaire, and fleche; and its own iconic races like the Rocky Mountain 1200 or the Paris-Brest-Paris 1200, which must be completed in under 90 hours. Ken has ridden them all, some in record times, and sometimes running a marathon mere hours after a 500km-long ride. He described one of his most “exotic” experiences. “I was running the Jungfrau Marathon in Switzerland about a week after riding the classic 1200km Paris-BrestParis brevet. The Jungfrau was about 25km in a valley… then we started climbing, climbing and climbing (to about 1,800 metres), at one point we crested and looked across an alpine pasture – there ahead of us was a single file of runners climbing the final bit of the marathon – it looked like the gold miners climbing the pass in the Klondike in the late 1800s. Interestingly, I ended up speaking English with a German female runner. Turned out she had lived several years on Vancouver Island… small world.” Indeed, his is a rarefied world. When he was 65, he set the record for the Rocky Mountain 1200 in just over 50 hours. He has run 172 marathons and is one of two runners to have completed all 35 Victoria Marathons. He has been accredited with saying, “If you run enough marathons, you don’t have to train for them.” At one time, his program was almost one marathon

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a month but now he does one or two a year. His training and competing numbers are unbelievable: “I used to run about 3,000 kilometres per year, including races themselves. Now, I mostly cycle, so I only run about 500 kilometers per year. Running is a very enjoyable side-line to my life on the bike… I ride about 25,000km a year, it is very smooth.” His accomplishments do not interfere with his role as a grandfather either. He has a grandson, aged three and a granddaughter, six, and they live only a mile away. He said there are no conflicts with his activities; in fact “I never see enough of them. We have several visits/excursions per week. My granddaughter ran in the kids’ run as part of the TC 10k and we ran together, she hopping and skipping along leaving both her mother and myself working hard to keep up.” Ken offers sage advice: “Be active, do what interests you. It’s not about the ‘race,’ it’s about the people you meet.” Footnote: Ken and Evan started the Wednesday Morning Coffee Ride when they retired about the same time. “First it was just the two of us, but Evan knows ‘everyone,’ so it was not long before we had a much larger group. We now have up to 30 riders who converge on the Red Brick Café in Sidney every Wednesday morning,” says Ken.

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Betty Jean McHugh is the fastest senior marathoner on earth, proclaims her Facebook biography. Now 86, BJ, as she prefers to be called, has set dozens of age-based world records and continues to run. In her younger life, she was always active in tennis and skiing, but discovered a talent at running when she turned 50. Since then, BJ has won age category victories at the Boston, Chicago, London, New York, Big Sur, Honolulu, Vancouver and Victoria Marathons. The only major marathon missing on her résumé is in Berlin. After her first victory in Honolulu, BJ received an invitation to be a guest runner at the Rome Marathon – all expenses paid – on the condition that she start with the Kenyans on the starting line. She remembers it was a hot day and her time was not that good, but her three kids went with her and it became a special family holiday. Rome was significant also because the idea to co-write a book with Bob Nixon about her life and her running flowed from the experience. BJ is always interested in motivation and on Dec 30, 2011 she wrote on Facebook about noticing someone reading her book, My Road to Rome. “If my story helped to inspire any of you to get more active, then that’s a pretty nice Christmas present for me.” She added, “Just remember you have to have a goal.” She maintains a regular routine, an early morning onehour run with a group of women three times a week, a fourth, longer run on Saturday mornings, anywhere from 90 minutes to three-and-a-half hours, depending on her goal or upcoming event. She also cross-trains with cycling, weight lifting in the gym, and yoga. BJ says that if she inspires,

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to contend with and BJ, at 85, had her doubts about competing. Ava, 58-yearold son, Brent, and Grandma started off together, but it was BJ who finished behind them. They were waiting for her at the finish line, where she had just set a new world record in the 85-89 age category in a time of 5:12:03. It shouldn’t have been a surprise because BJ has broken more than 30 age-group records at various distances and ages since she began running. She admits aging and slowing down catches us all, but she is giving that proSL cess a good run for its money.

it also works the other way. She has a group of younger friends who support and inspire her. Having younger friends is important as one ages, she feels, as they keep her active. “It’s hard to stay in bed when you have friends waiting – even if it is raining outside,” she says. They also provide a source of energy, optimism and humour. BJ recounted recently that a white truck stopped near her after a training run and a 60-something man got out, asking if she was Betty Jean the runner. It turned out that 20 years ago that guy, who was a smoker and alcoholic then, found inspiration from BJ, started running himself and turned his life around. He eventually qualified for a Boston Marathon and convinced his nephew to start running too. That kind of story is more important to her than all the records. For December 2012, her 21-year-old granddaughter Ava, who is not a runner per se, suggested doing a three-generation run in Honolulu. The marathon has the challenging hill of Diamond Head

Marathoner and triathlete Evan Fagan.

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Climb Every Mountain BY JOHN THOMSON

Photo: Detlef Klahm

“C

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ycling is all about suffering. I get a lot of enjoyment out of it but there’s also a lot of pain.” Sixty-year-old Bob Landy, athlete, entrepreneur, husband and father of two is training for the Haute Route, a gruelling seven-day bicycle race through 19 alpine passes between France and Switzerland. It is considered the world’s highest and toughest, right up there with the Tour de France, and the 2014 version kicks off this August. Bob will be there. Bob runs his own business as a freelance video editor on TV shows, industrials and documentaries. He loves his job and the people he meets. Best of all, he has a lot of free time on his hands in between gigs. Always an athletic guy, as one of five children growing up in Winnipeg, he remembers riding his bike along the banks of the Red River. As a university student in Toronto, he rode his bike to class. A job posting took him to Yellowknife, no cycling there, but when he moved to Vancouver in 1986, he took up downhill skiing and went to the gym. Sure, he was getting on in years but he thought of himself as pretty fit. “I’ve always seen myself as a 23 year old,” he says proudly. Then in 2009, a reality check. “When I was 55, my son came home from university and I said, ‘I’ll go for a ride with you.’ I got out my bike, which hadn’t seen air in the tires for numerous years and, of course, I’m not doing that well. I remember having to stop twice to get to the top of the Lions Gate Bridge. Holy cow! So I started riding my bike a little more and I started commuting to work. I’d drive the car three or four kilometres to work and then I’d ride in.” He started buying the clothes – the jerseys and the chamois shorts – and joined the Glotman Simpson Cycling Club. The club hosts skill sessions, group rides and the annual Cypress Challenge, a race to the top of Cypress Mountain to raise money for pancreatic cancer research. So far, the Club has raised $800,000. “Bob’s on a mission,” says Club President Michael Daerendinger. “And he’s certainly picked it up a notch this year.” Bob’s hired a personal trainer to help him prepare for the Alps. He doesn’t do anything in half measures. “I’m a pretty competitive guy,” he admits, conceding that his first Whistler Gran Fondo, a 120-kilometre

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lows his trainer’s advice. “I’ve got one shot at it. It’s like a project,” he says. “If I’m going to put out all this effort, I want to make sure I can do it as well as I can.” He’s already committed his wallet, spending over $15,000 to date on registration, accommodation and a new bike. Afterwards, he and his wife will take their first European vacation, “the honeymoon we never had,” he says. But first he has to race. It will be a tough slog and if he’s worried about his advancing years, he doesn’t admit it. He recounts the story of a fellow cyclist he met on the circuit. “He rides up those hills, one arm, one leg. There’s no rest for him. An unbelievable guy. The age thing? If a guy with one arm and one leg can do that,” Bob continues, “age isn’t a big deal. Sure it knocks you back but it doesn’t stop you from doing things. You can’t even think about your age in terms Photo: Allan Prazsky

road race from downtown Vancouver to Whistler Village, almost did him in. “I maxed my heart rate out before I even hit the [Lions Gate] bridge. My heart rate was 185. I was huffing and puffing. You’re still pedalling at a good pace, but that hill is coming and it’s going to hurt. I hit the wall in Squamish and struggled to finish.” But finish he did. And three more Gran Fondos after that. “I’m always pushing the envelope. I will crawl to make it,” he says proudly. Why does he push himself to the point of almost blacking out? He says it’s partly a concern for the environment, partly a way to keep fit and largely the thrill of setting a goal for himself and beating it. Landy is a driven individual. Nothing deters him, not even his own cancer scare. “I had a biopsy,” he says matter-offactly. A routine check-up revealed stage 3 prostate cancer. The doctor wanted to operate right away. Bob said no. He had another GranFondo to prepare for. “I wait the year. I do the Fondo. I do the surgery. How long until I can get back on the bike? Six to eight weeks.” Now, three years later, his cancer has been removed and he’s training for the biggest ride of his life, the Haute Route. “He is an incredible cyclist,” says his personal trainer Allan Prazsky. “We throw him through a whole number of workouts and he’s always looking to push himself. I think that’s the indicator right there. He’s definitely not scared of going into the hurt locker.” Prazsky’s also helping nine younger athletes prepare for the Haute Route but he takes a different tack with Bob. Exertion builds up lactic acid and the older a person gets, the harder it is for the body to flush it away. Lactic acid inhibits performance. Older athletes need a longer recovery period, so Prazsky has Bob riding hard followed by a week of rest. “Most of the guys I train with are driven individuals and the hardest part is telling them to stay away from the bike,” he says. “That’s a critical component of success but it’s often overlooked.” Bob isn’t happy about resting – he’d ride every day if he could – but he fol-

of what you want to do.” Bob’s goal is to place in the top 20 in his age group. It sounds like an uphill battle, but if a gent with one arm and one leg can climb every mountain, Bob SL reckons he can climb his too.

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Healthy Aging

Langley Ready to Proudly Host the Province BY KEVIN MCKAY

or the past 26 summers communities across the province have taken turns hosting thousands of seniors to compete in the BC Seniors Games and this year it is Langley’s turn to have the honour. With just over two months to go, the organizing committee feels they are in great shape to welcome the province. Society President Milt Kruger says, “Our full team of Directors and Chairs are in place and working well, we forecast a very successful event in September.” The one area they are working diligently on is recruiting volunteers to help ensure the success of the games. Volunteers are the lifeblood of an organization such as the Seniors Games and without them it is difficult to imagine the chaos that could ensue. “We have about 400 volunteers as of the start of June and are looking to recruit a total of about 1,800,” says Milt. “We are now kicking into full volunteer recruitment mode for the next three months to achieve our goal. We had a very successful torch lighting ceremony in Fort Langley at the start of June signifying the countdown to the Games and hope that will spur some interest in volunteering.” One person who needs no help to spur her interest in the Games is Langley resident Pat Simpson, who is an active

member of the table tennis community. She has competed at the Seniors Games for more than 10 years, representing Zone Three and her home community with pride. Pat’s love for the game of table tennis started when she was a student playing in school. She was born in England and grew up in Lancashire, which is where she developed a real affinity for the game. When she was 17 years old her family packed up and moved to Canada, settling in the Lower Mainland in North Vancouver. Pat worked for many years as a paralegal while raising her family before joining them in Langley following her retirement. Once they settled in, Pat searched around for a place to play table tennis and was disappointed to find there weren’t any. She approached the Langley Seniors Resource Centre and asked if they could start a club there.

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“They told me I was welcome to start a club but that I needed to find a table,” recalls Pat. “I checked out the Buy and Sell paper each week for used tables, but every time I found one, it was sold by the time I could get there to check it out. Other members of the centre who wanted to play joined me in putting together a petition, so, finally, the centre bought a table for us.” From that humble beginning in 2000, the group has grown into the thriving club it is today. “My husband Jim and I now run the club,” says Pat. “We now have five tables we use every time we play. The club has grown to the point that we now have 72 members who play table tennis, though they don’t all show up every time. We are a fun club and the people really enjoy the laughs and the friendship and they miss it when it is closed for a session. We wear yellow and call ourselves the Mellow Yellows with a Happy Face on the front of our shirts.” Once the club had been established, Pat heard about the BC Seniors Games and decided to try out to see if she could compete. She claims not to remember the first games she attended, but has attended nearly every Games since. “I’ve gone for about 12 years to all sorts of places,” she says. “It is always nice to meet so many of the same people year after year at the Games. There is a real camaraderie, a real bond that is formed. The days of competition are long and there can be a lot of time waiting for your next game, so there is a lot of socialization that goes on. One time, I was playing on Vancouver Island and I played against a woman, who I discovered came from the same town as me. We had attended school together at the same time.” In table tennis, there are both competitive and recreational divisions at the Games, as well as many different age groupings and events for singles, doubles and mixed doubles. All this means there can be well in excess of 300 table tennis players at a single Games. Pat plays mostly in the recreational division, though in last year’s Games she competed in the mixed doubles as a competitive player. This year, she plans to do the same and is going to be doing so as part of a large home town team. “Last year we had 16 members of our club compete and they won 32 medals,” she says. “This year, we have 25 competitors going and we are so excited to be hosting the Games. I am really looking forward to playing for my hometown, so I can have lots of family and friends come out to watch. I have a lot of pressure on me because my daughter is taking the week off of work so she can watch me play.” Pat believes table tennis is a wonderful activity. “In addition to keeping you active and fit I really believe the game keeps you healthy,” she says. “It is a social game and it brings people together. We all become friends and socialize together. One of our members was an avid golfer but once she tried our game she SL gave up golf to become a full-time table tennis player.”

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The Three R’s Travel

RVing, Recreating & Relaxing

Stopping to take in the scenery on the lakeshore trail.

BY JANE CASSIE

t this stage of our lives, my husband Brent and I seem to be re-living a piece of our childhood by learning the three R’s. Although reading, writing and arithmetic are certainly a part of being new grandparents, these aren’t the rudimentary skills I’m referring to here. With our roving home in tow, this lesson is more about RVing, Recreating and Relaxing. BC is home to over 1,500 campgrounds and during this trip we discover the arid Okanagan is the perfect place to buff up on these basics. Dozens of sites dot the sagebrush hills and tranquil lakeshores and, at Camping and RVing BC Coalition, we have a list of choices, photos and campground information at our fingertips – ranging from sites in National and Provincial parks to recreation sites and properties that are privately owned. “Let’s take a camping trip down memory lane,” Brent suggests, when panning the options. “Lake Okanagan Provincial Park was a family favourite when I was growing up.” After checking out the link, I can see why. The 98-hectare oasis is rimmed by a swim-safe beach and canopied by lush deciduous growth. It’s divided into two campgrounds. The sites in the South section snuggle together on a lake-shore jetty and would be perfect for families with little ones. Images of castles, spires and moats immediately pop into my mind and I envision our wee grandson, Keegan, sculpting his first beach scene. Then I realize we’ll be kid-less on this trip – no buckets, no shovels and no pint-size entertainment. The North campground is a better fit for our retiree lifestyle this time. The lake-viewing spots that terrace this tree-riddled hillside are far from the squeals of happy little tots – perfect 32 30

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for our RV retreat. Though we’ll have no electrical or water hook-ups, there are hot showers and flush toilets. And the sites are spacious enough for our 28-foot fifth wheel. With a quick click to www.discovercamping.ca our reservation is made ($15.00 per senior party/night from after Labour Day to June 14th) and three months later we’re living our Lake Okanagan dream! “This is the life,” says Brent, from a lazy lounger with his book in hand. Although seeking solace is certainly part of our goal this trip, there’s an abundance of outdoor activity just steps from our RV door. Water-skiers and wakeboarders join boaters and fishing folk. And there’s plenty of activity for us land-lovers too. The two campgrounds are linked together by an interpretive lakeshore trail and, as we saunter the kilometre-long picturesque route, I think about a recent local hike we did with Keegan – and how he loved getting a bird’s eye view while being toted in our backpack. Along the way, we check out the regional flora and fauna. Columbia and Chocolate lily flourish next to wildflowers and are canopied by stately Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. Chipmunks and ground squirrels scurry beneath the prolific groundcover and meadowlarks, flickers and quail take flight above. And then there are the squigglers; as I read about the harmless gopher snakes, my feet go into prancing mode. I immediately wish I was the one being carried in somebody’s backpack. “Don’t fret,” Brent reassures. “They’re more afraid of you than you are of them.” Even though I find that hard to believe, it doesn’t stop me from trekking on.

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Photos: Brent Cassie

The nearby city of Summerland offers a network of recreational pathways, some that also lure those on bicycles and horseback. You can step back in time while checking out Centennial Trail, a 4.5km loop that follows the shore, intersects with the original township, and snakes through desert grasses. There’s that ‘S’ word again. Yes, watch out for the rattlers too! Bird watchers may prefer the 6km Rotary Route, where they can detour to the Adams Bird Sanctuary. And hikers may gravitate upward to the summit of Giant’s Head Mountain, so they can take in the 360degree panorama. Fear not all you wine connoisseurs; there’s plenty of vino production in these Okanagan hills. Leave your hiking boots behind and cruise along Bottleneck Drive. This well-signed winery tour offers vineyard vistas and sips around every bend.

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The author, her husband, Brent, and their dog, Kalli, enjoy cuddles around the campﬁre.

On our second day, we stroll through Summerland’s Ornamental Gardens, a horticulturist’s delight that’s located high above Highway 97. Spanning its bordering gorge is Trout Creek Railway Bridge, a trestle of metal that hangs 73 metres above the canyon floor. And on this remaining section of preserved track, the Kettle Valley Steam Railway, a 1912 fully-restored locomotive, shares the scenic sites of today with rail travel from a bygone era. “I’ve heard that it’s entertaining for all ages,” says Brent, as we stop to take a photo moment of this heritage highlight. “Even wee babes.” Clearly, our sweet Keegs is on Brent’s mind too. There are plenty of other pastimes in this Okanagan playground that’ll boost up your grandparent rating. Browse with them through Peachland’s eight-sided museum and Parrot Island Sanctuary, drift together seven kilometres down the river channel to Skaha Lake on a Coyote Cruise inner tube ride, or kick your adrenaline into their gear with one of the exhilarating options at Penticton’s LocoLanding: bumper boats, ropes course, climbing wall, and that funloving mini-golf. Although our clubs are ready for action, we bypass this

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family favourite and head to Summerland Golf and Country Club, an 18hole beauty on Paradise Flats where manicured fairways are backed by valley and canyon vistas. And mixed in with the scenic greenery are challenging sand traps, strategically-placed bunkers and craggy outcroppings. I lose my first ball in a grove of pine that fringes tee three, the second drowns in the pond on hole five and the third finds habitation beyond the dog leg on hole 18. I’ll never be a pro, but it’s all good! “Maybe I should stick to mini golf with the little tykes,” I say to Brent, when we cuddle later next to the campfire. I think about the past three days in this Okanagan oasis – and realize we’ve truly mastered the three R’s: RVing, Recreating and Relaxing. Then I recognize that there’s one more R to add. Reflecting – and just how great it will be next time when Keegan comes SL along!

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The author and Kalli view Trout Creek Railway Bridge.

IF YOU GO The Camping and RVing British Columbia Coalition was formed with the support of Destination British Columbia to better position the provincial camping and RVing experience and to capitalize on the growth of naturebased tourism. www.campingrvbc.com www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/ parkpgs/okana_lk/ www.travelthompsonokanagan.com www.hellobc.com/tota Golﬁng: www.summerlandgolf.com If you don’t have an RV but want to experience the great outdoors, go “glamping” by renting out a yurt at: www.barefootresort.ca Grandparent must-dos: Bliss Bakery www.blissbakery.ca Summerland Sweets www.summerlandsweets.com LocoLanding Adventure Park www.locolanding.com Coyote Cruises www.coyotecruises.ca

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Have More Fun with Your Grandchildren

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Photo: Eric Maitland

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Your Life

BY SUE MAITLAND

s a Life Transitions Coach, I’m passionate about supporting mid-lifers and up to live their best life and not settle for anything less. Each month, in this column, I’ll ask questions to get you thinking about this issue’s theme. Everyone who reads this will have their own unique answers to these questions. The key to creating your best life at any age is taking action once you discover your answers.

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What fun and maybe even silly things can I choose to do with my grandchildren that I didn’t do with my own children because I was too busy working and being a parent? What are the personalities and strengths of each of my grandchildren and which activities will appeal most to each of them? What are some different ways I could share some of my happy memories with my grandchildren in a way that would be fun and interesting? What new things that I’ve never done before might I enjoy experiencing with my grandchildren? How could I use technology to stay connected to my grandchildren and how could they help me understand how best to do this? TAKE ACTION: Share your ideas with your grandchildren and ask for their input about fun things you could do together and then design a calendar of future events you can all look forward to. SL

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JULY 2014

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Healthy Aging

PARKSVILLE TO HOST CANADIAN NATIONALS... and you’re invited, too!

he Parksville Lawn Bowling Club will be welcoming Canada’s best when it hosts the 2014 Canadian National Mixed Pairs Championship from September 7–13. Top players will be in town, competing for honours and prize money during the challenging round robin tournament. The tournament will welcome players from as far away as P.E.I and Quebec to the beautiful mid-Island community of 12,000. Opening ceremonies will take place on Sunday night with dignitaries in attendance. A piper will pipe competitors

BY CAROL BUCYK

onto the green, songs will be sung, flags raised, and the games officially opened. On Monday morning, the serious work begins. Umpires will make sure everyone is aware of the rules and conditions of play. After that, it’s game on! Friday night’s festivities will include a catered banquet, silent auction, dance and other activities. Come Saturday morning, they’ll have the bronze medal game and around 1 p.m. the gold medal game begins. “We hosted this same tournament in 2005 and the club did

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such a fine job with the planning and organizing of it,” says Club President Alan Brunskill. “When the opportunity came up to bid for the games again, we jumped on it.” Even if you don’t play, but have a working understanding of curling, the club invites spectators to come take in these games. Plus, there will be plenty of volunteers willing to explain it all to you. Just remember, it’s not bocce or five pin bowling on grass. It really is curling’s summer cousin. The Parksville Lawn Bowling Club (P.L.B.C.) has been in existence since 1996. Today, it has grown to 230 members, of which 190 play regularly, while the other 40 are social members. It is the largest club north of Victoria.

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Seven locations in BC, including 3 on Vancouver Island.

Retirement Redefined •

Amica at Rideau Manor 1850 Rosser Avenue Burnaby, BC 604.291.1792

Amica at Beechwood Village 2315 Mills Road Sidney, BC 250.655.0849

Amica at Douglas House 50 Douglas Street Victoria, BC 250.383.6258

Amica at Mayfair 2267 Kelly Avenue Port Coquitlam, BC 604.552.5552

Amica at Somerset House Amica at Arbutus Manor 540 Dallas Road 2125 Eddington Drive Victoria, BC Vancouver, BC 250.380.9121 604.736.8936 Amica at West Vancouver 659 Clyde Avenue, West Vancouver, BC 604.921.9181

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P.L.B.C. runs for the full year with outside play from midApril ’til September 30. After that, it’s indoor activities, such as short mat, crib, bridge, darts, and special event dinners. The club operates entirely on volunteers who take care of the plumbing, landscaping, greens maintenance, and a full kitchen for tournament events. It is also an active part of the Parksville community, involved in charitable work with the War Amps, Canadian Cancer Society, Oceanside Hospice Society, Salvation Army Food Bank and the Stanford Place Lawn Bowling Buddies Group. If you’d like to be a part of the action and take in this very special event, check out the club’s website at www.parksvillelawnbowlingclub.com or call 250-954-3930. The club is located at 149 E. Stanford, in the heart of Parksville. Ample, SL free parking is available on site.

www.amica.ca

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�� Invite you to our ��

Buy A Flight with the Flying

OPEN HOUSE �� Kids Corner; BBQ on displays: Link Trainer; Hands �� July 26, 2014 Radial Engine Display; Aircraft �� Carrier and much more! Club

10 a.m.—4 p.m.

Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Pat Bay Airport ��

Vintage Military, Commercial & Civilian

�� Aircraft on display �� 1910 Norseman Road,

�� Sidney, B.C. V8L 5V5 �� (250) 655-3300 www.bcam.net

�� Coordinates: 48° 38’ 26” N 123° 25’ 13”

Next to Victoria International Airport

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Admission by Donation

British Columbia Aviation Museum Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Pat Bay Airport. Open House July 26, 10am–4pm. Vintage military, commercial and civilian aircraft on display. Buy a flight with the Flying Club. Kids’ Corner. BBQ. Hands-on displays. Engine displays. Visit our museum offering interesting aircraft, engines, pictures, models and artifacts from the wars that Canadians fought as members of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Flying Corps or Royal Air Force. Historical display of the Pat Bay Airport during its time as a Commonwealth Air Training Centre, with models of all the aircraft that were stationed here. Next to the Victoria International Airport. See ad page 36 Burnaby Village Museum At Burnaby Village Museum History Comes to Life. Stroll the streets of our 1920s village exploring at your own pace. Watch demonstrations, ride the carousel, rediscover the elegance of the Interurban and indulge in a treat from the Ice Cream Parlour. Special event information at www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca See ad page 37

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Butchart Gardens Enjoy Butchart Gardens’ daytime floral displays, and plays of light and shadows in the evening with ‘Night Illuminations’ through September 15th. From Canada Day through Labour Day, enjoy concerts and Saturday night Firework Shows! Savour the sights and scents, plus the festival of daily concerts and events. (The performances are free with admission.) The open-air performances take place on the Concert Lawn stage. You’ll enjoy the on-stage performances and special events such as Colin James, six-time Juno award winner, Friday, July 11th and Pink Martini, Aug 18th. For all the events, visit www.butchartgardens.com See ad page 37 Chemainus Theatre presents Les Misérables Winner of over 100 international awards and seen by over 65 million people worldwide, Les Misérables sweeps its audience through an epic tale of broken dreams, passion and redemption, against the backdrop of a nation in the grip of revolution. June 20–Sept 7, 2014. More info at www.chemainustheatrefestival.ca See ad, page 39

Where History Comes to Life

Free Gate Admission! Thanks to our partners:

6501 Deer Lake Ave | burnabyvillagemuseum.ca WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

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�� Attractions & Entertainment Chemainus Theatre presents Munsch-ercise Don’t stop believing that girls just wanna have fun as the Paper Bag Princess and other favourite Robert Munsch stories offer a straight-up fusion of fun for all ages. Play along, sing along and enjoy this wacky world where we will celebrate good times. July 19–Aug 16, 2014.

See the sights by land and sea. �� Come take a splash on �� The Bus that Floats! ��

More info at www.chemainustheatrefestival.ca See ad, page 36

cruises, go to www.getwest.ca See ad, page 39

Cumberland Motorcycle Roundup A weekend of motorcycle fun for bikers and spectators. Come see the exciting Vancouver Free Style Sport Bike Stunt Team. Saturday Show & Shine, and Dance. Sunday Tom Carpenter Poker Run. Two days of fun served up by the friendly town of Cumberland, August 9 & 10. Find out more at www.cumberlandmotrocycleroundup.com See ad page 38

Mattick’s Farm Mini Golf Spacious 18-hole miniature golf putting course, both tranquil and beautiful as it winds through the forest floor. Be wary of the resident dragon and mind the pixies who frequent the Hobbit House and hide behind the toadstools. After the

Get West Vancouver Island Adventure Cruises Departing from Gold River, BC, the MV Uchuck III navigates Nootka Sound, Esperanza Inlet and Kyuquot Sound. Along the route watch supplies and kayakers being off-loaded at remote villages, fish farms, logging camps and lodges. Marvel at the wildlife, seabirds and stunning remote coastal scenery. To learn more about 1-, 2- and 3-day

��

www. ��VictoriaHippoTours ��.com ��

250-590-5290 May 1 to Sept 30 �� Get 10% off regular price tickets* ��

*�� Excludes family and toddler tickets. This ad must be presented at time of purchase; Not available on online �� purchases; Can not be combined with another offer. �� Senior Living Magazine 2014; expires Sept 30, 2014 ��

RED SKELTON TRIBUTE SHOW! RAVE REVIEWS CANADA & USA

��

‘Reflections of Red’

��

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Celebrating Canadian Military History ��

��

Sixth Annual

Cumberland Motorcycle Roundup Vancouver Island

www.cumberlandmotorcycleroundup.com

August 9 & 10, 2014 Spectators Free!

Vancouver Free Style Sport Bike Stunt Team

��

�� WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

Friday Night All Star Wrestling Saturday Night Dance Saturday Show & Shine Sunday Poker Run ��

�

For info: Jean 250-336-8746

game, enjoy a hot dog with the works or some local Island Farms ice cream on the patio overlooking the natural setting. Near shops and Cordova Bay Golf Course on beautiful Vancouver Island, just minutes from Victoria. See ad page 38 Oceanside Hospice Charity Golf Tournament 13-Hole Scramble Tournament, just $99 per player includes golf, cart and dinner. Saturday August 9, 11:30 am sign up, 1:30 pm shotgun start at Eaglecrest Golf Club, Qualicum Beach. All proceeds help to fund hospice programs and services. Hole-in-One Prizes include $10,000 cash, a golf cart, and a 2014 Toyota Corolla. Great Prizes. Silent Auction. Prime Rib Buffet Dinner. See ad page 36 Red Skelton Tribute Show Join Alan Greenwood as he performs the much loved skits of Red Skelton in a one-man show called Reflections of Red. Comedy skits and bits from Red’s brilliant career unfold before your eyes. Since April 2005, Al has captivated audiences large and small. Red Skelton had one of the longest running TV programs in the ’50s and ’60s and was truly one of North America’s favourite clowns. Remember characters like The Two Seagulls, Clem Kadiddlehopper and Freddie the Freeloader? Come join Al for his three weekly shows in Victoria, throughout July and August. See ad page 38 Vancouver Island Military Museum Browse through more than 25 exhibits and displays showcasing Canada’s proud Military History and Traditions. A truly impressive collection of military memorabilia and artifacts from the War of 1812 through to Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan. Examine life on the home front and the important work of the Red Cross, St. John’s Ambulance, the Salvation Army, RCMP and the critical role played by the Merchant Navy in war time. Follow the evolution of Women in the Armed Forces. Located in downtown Nanaimo’s waterfront area. See ad page 38 Victoria Hippo Tours Hippo Tours are unique tours that take you around the city, travelling both on land and water. We have specially designed amphibious vehicles that carry 40 passengers and function as both bus and boat. During your continuous 90-minute trip onboard the Hippo, you will see many of Victoria’s best attractions, while also getting a glimpse of local life. You will enjoy a relaxing tour around the city before splashing into the Pacific Ocean for the second half of your journey. Join us on one of our three buses: Harry, Happy, and Henrietta. With our knowledgeable staff and tour guides, you will experience a trip like never before on the Bus That floats! More info at www.victoriahippotours. com See ad page 38 SL

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Fit for the Adventure

BY EVE LEES

Slow the Aging Process

uman growth hormone (HGH) is released by the pituitary gland. This peptide hormone plays a role in several functions that keep us looking and feeling young. After about age 20, HGH production begins to decrease. The injectable hormone is banned in Canada. If abused, it can create severe side effects such as distortion and enlargement of organs and bones, as well as cause diabetes, heart disease and impotence. However, there are several products available that claim to safely stimulate the body’s production of HGH. These products contain herbs, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. There is no evidence they really work and no longterm studies to support their claims, but they are safe when used properly. If you currently use prescription drugs, talk to your pharmacist or doctor about possible drug interactions. Several lifestyle practices can naturally boost your HGH production:

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1. Get adequate sleep. Most HGH is released during deep sleep. 2. Exercise. HGH is also released during physical activity. Try to be moderately active on a regular basis. 3. Avoid sugar and other highly refined and processed foods (also called simple carbohydrates). These can make the pancreas release large amounts of insulin. Insulin and HGH are antagonists, so when insulin levels rise, HGH levels fall. Especially avoid poor carbohydrate choices near bedtime, as it will interfere with your body’s release of HGH during sleep. Cut back on simple carbohydrates or foods altered by humans. Choose complex carbohydrates (fruit, vegetables, root vegetables, legumes and grains) in the form Mother Nature created them. 4. Other inhibitors of HGH include stress, being overweight, a diet high in “unhealthy fats,” like saturated and trans fats, and alcohol (which is another highly processed, simple sugar). A poor

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diet, in general, affects HGH production because nutrient deficiencies reduce the release of HGH. More good advice to aging healthfully: • Exercise your body and your mind. • Eat sensibly and nutritionally. • Maintain a healthy weight. • Avoid trendy quick-weight-loss diets. • Use sunscreen and avoid getting too much sun. • Don’t smoke and avoid second-hand smoke. • Learn to control your reaction to stressful situations. • Take time to relax and smell the roses: Slow the pace of your life and you’ll slow the aging process. SL Eve Lees was a Personal Trainer and Nutrition Counsellor for 30 years. Currently she is a Freelance Health Writer and Speaker. www.artnews-healthnews.com

BY PAT NICHOL

Gliding Through Our Senior Years

ow do your clothes fit? Does your body move easily when you walk? How are you going up and down stairs? After travelling in Europe for the past month, I seriously considered writing a book titled: And Then There Were Stairs. Everywhere I went – stairs! From the 200 to get to the top of Rocamador to the 12 down to the washroom (no space on the main floor), then, of course, the 12 back up. I am grateful my body is as flexible as it is, however, there were days when 12 steps may as well have been 200. So, I made a decision when I got home. Now that the travel bug has bitten me, I

want to be more flexible the next time I travel. I also don’t want to dress as though I have never opened a fashion magazine. Everywhere I go now, I look at women and how they adorn themselves, how they move, and how they carry their bodies. So, last week, I joined a yoga class for 55 plus at One Yoga. My purpose for joining was so I can move smoothly for the next 10 or more years. And to feel beautiful, no matter my age. Kailie, our gentle instructor has a wonderful philosophy and she shared the concept of beauty from the inside out: “Exploring the layers of our bodies, our breath, our strengths, struggles, past

Photo: Frances Litman

COURAGEOUS and OUTRAGEOUS

experiences and fears is all part of the practice of yoga – to unite body, mind and spirit.” “When we dive into the layers of our unique self, out glides the beautiful goddess we carry within. Beauty is whatever our true, amazing self wants it to be. We are divine. Don’t forget it.” Divine or not, I do know that I feel taller and I move more smoothly when I walk out of yoga class. Try it for yourself. We deserve to be the best we can SL be. Stairs or not. Pat Nichol is a speaker and published author. Reach her at mpatnichol@gmail.com or visit www.patnichol.com

Providing Independent Living for Seniors Across North America Mention This Ad and Get One Month of Free Monitoring Service!

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CLASSIFIEDS COLLECTOR SEEKING vintage/collectable cameras, binoculars and microscopes. Nikon, Leica, Contax, Rolleiflex, Zeiss, Canon, etc. Mike 250-383-6456 or e-mail: msymons6456@telus.net (Victoria) RUTH M.P HAIRSTYLING for Seniors in Greater Victoria. In the convenience of your own home! Certified Hairdresser. Call - 250-893-7082. ALWAYS GREAT FEET. Nanaimo’s professional mobile foot care nurses. Debbie Mason LPN and John Patterson LPN. Home, facility, and hospital visits. Experienced, qualified nursing foot care for toenails, corns, calluses and ingrown nails. Direct billing for DVA clients. 250-390-9266. WANTED: OLD POSTCARDS, old photographs, and pre1950 stamped envelopes. Also buying old coins, medals and badges. Please call Michael 250-652-9412 or email fenian@shaw.ca HEALING CONSULTANT Marcia Goodwin R.N.,B.Sc.N. Assessing, troubleshooting, problem-solving your health concerns in the comfort of your home. • Professional • Thorough • Confidential. 250-686-3081. (Greater Victoria Area) PROFESSIONAL MALE CARE AID. Gentle calm demeanor. Personal care, companionship etc. Reliable and of excellent character. Victoria area markjohnston70@yahoo. com Please call 250-686-3390.

$45 for 20 words, $1.75/extra word 250-479-4705 | 1-877-479-4705 ofﬁce@seniorlivingmag.com

FAMILY CAREGIVER WORKSHOPS Developed by dementia care experts. Caring for a loved one with dementia? Techniques to manage behaviours and activities to encourage engagement. Call for dates and to register for July courses. Cost: Free. Location: Home Instead Senior Care Resource Centre. Phone 250-382-6565. SENSUAL MASSAGE. Are you missing touch? I’m a Certiﬁed Sexological Bodyworker, I work with Couples and Individuals. Sher 250-889-4166 or sexeducator@telus.net THE JAMES BAY COMMUNITY PROJECT seeks volunteers to drive clients to medical appointments or to visit seniors. Call Lisa Gleinzer at 250-388-7844 Ext.308. DEBI’S MOBILE HAIR SERVICES in the comfort of your home for everyone in your family. Serving the Victoria area. Please call Debi at 250-477-7505. FALLS ACCOUNT FOR 85% OF ALL INJURIES TO SENIORS in-home, multi-factorial fall risk assessment includes: balance training, strength training, environmental pitfalls, visual acuity etc. Contact Bruce J. Pinard Certiﬁed Exercise & Home Care Therapist 250-388-3002 or admin@protectfall.com NATURAL INSTINCTS MASSAGE Sensual, nurturing, pampering and professional. This magical touch caters to your needs and comfort…Rejuvenating. 250-744-0705. Victoria Area.

HAVEN HOME CARE LTD. In home care providers. Helping our clients lead digniﬁed independent lifestyles. Greater Victoria.250-213-3684 www.havenhomecare.ca

CONDO FOR SALE: Spacious, South Facing 1 Bedroom. Walking distance to Downtown Duncan on beautiful Vancouver Island. New windows and deck. Well maintained building. $129,000. 250-510-8556.

NEEDING A PERSON TO DRIVE YOU to appointments, shopping, or outings? Call Margo-BSW, mature, reliable. References. $20 / hr. 250-598-1810.

YOUR LIFE STORY in a Book! I will help you tell your story. A peaceful, reﬂective process – may be life changing. Janice 250-893-4587. www.thelifestorywriter.com

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FOREVER BY WILLIAM THOMAS

The Birds and the Bees Story

he allegorical story of the birds and the bees has been handed down from generation to generation for almost 200 years. It has been attributed to lines from a poem by Samuel Coleridge: “All nature seems to work… the bees are stirring… birds are on the wing… and I the while, the sole unbusy thing, not honey make, nor pair, nor build, nor sing.” Sounding a little sorry for himself, Coleridge could well have titled the poem: “Ode to a Horny Old Man Alone in a Hut.” (Making honey? So that’s what they called it back in 1823.) In order to avoid an open and technical explanation of the mechanics of sex and pregnancy, we use the birds-and-bees stories as metaphors to better explain to children the facts of life. Bees deposit pollen into flowers, the male bird fertilizes the eggs, Mommy has eggs and on and on. Let’s face it, we do need something warm and fuzzy to tell kids at approximately seven years of age. The hard truth that children are the high price adults pay for having unprotected sex is just too much for them to process at that tender age. Perhaps no one has articulated the process more succinctly or eloquently than Bart Simpson when he rhapsodized: “What a day! The sun is out, birds are singing and bees are trying to have sex with them, as is my understanding.” I wonder who the first parent was to improvise an analogy of insects and feathered friends to soften the story of human sexuality. It must have been Adam in the Garden of Eden. I mean, any guy who bought the snake-and-the-apple story would probably believe babies come from some cockamamie tale about cross-pollination. I’m not saying the original birds-and-bees story had anything to do with Abel’s murder, but Cain must have been one confused kid. Mothers are the best at delivering the birds-and-bees talk to children because when the question “Where did I come from” comes up, quite often fathers don’t know. “Let’s see, I know we left the bar together and I remember the taxi driver making us get out of his car because he said the steam was streaking his tinted windows and, so yeah, I guess you came from the gazebo in the park downtown.” Confronted with “Where is my new baby brother coming from?” men generally resort to the story of the stork. It usually ends with: “Quit crying, I told you, they’re not allowed to shoot storks!” There are likely millions of versions of the birds-and-bees talk in every language known to man and they all serve one purpose – delaying the inevitable. Kids almost always know more than the parent gives them credit 46 44

SENIOR LIVING

for when they sit down for “the talk.” Like when Dad sat little Jimmy down to homeschool him in sex education, the kid just burst out crying. He told his father flat out he would not listen to a word he had to say. But why? “Because when I was six, I got the “there’s no Santa Claus” speech and then when I was seven I got the “there’s no Easter Bunny” speech and then when I was eight you hit me with the “there’s no tooth fairy” speech. So if you’re going to tell me that grown-ups don’t have sex, what do I have to live for?” You know you’re behind a curve ball when you think it’s time you told your child about the birds and the bees, and he thinks it’s time you told him about Snooky. Also, when the older one says to the younger one: “You gotta get Dad to tell you about the birds and the bees. It’s just too damn funny!” you know you’re a little late in addressing the question. I tell you all this because last month Monica was babysitting her niece and nephew in London, Ontario and narrowly avoided being dragged into this tricky but time-honoured story of the birds and the bees. As the three of them were driving down a quiet suburban street, little Sophia says: “Oh look at those two birds over there Auntie Monica.” They were clearly mating. Smart woman that she is, Monica said nothing. Gripping the steering wheel a little tighter, she was about to point out that the birds were in fact robins and that they were fighting. Friendly fighting. But before she could break the awkward silence, Sophia did. “And the one on the top,” said the eight-year-old, “is giving the one on the bottom CPR.” Apparently, at her grade school, life-saving skills are taught before sex education. Because I like to confuse children whenever I get a chance, I’d have gone with the Bart Simpson explanation and called it cross-pollination. From the back she heard her nephew repeat in a high, skeptical voice: “CPR?” “Yup,” said Sophia, “he’s just peck, peck, pecking away.” Steering the car and the discussion away from the two flapping birds, Monica asked Michael when his next martial arts class was. He didn’t answer. We think he was too busy trying to figure out how robins learned CPR. And for the record, that’s what kids call it in London, Ontario SL – CPR! For comments, ideas and copies of The True Story of Wainﬂeet, visit www.williamthomas.ca

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Life. Life. Life.

Live it everyday fully every day Live it fully at The Live it fully everyday at The Royale Royale 604.239.3345 604.239.3345 604.239.3345 2245 Kelly Ave. Port Coquitlam, BC 604.239.3345 2245 604.239.3345 2245 Kelly Kelly Ave. Ave. Port Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, BC BC 2245 2245 Kelly Kelly Ave. Ave. Port Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, BC BC

604.239.3366 604.239.3366 604.239.3366 2525 King King GeorgeBlvd. Blvd. Surrey,BC BC 604.239.3366 2525 604.239.3366 2525 King George George Blvd. Surrey, Surrey, BC 2525 2525 King King George George Blvd. Blvd. Surrey, Surrey, BC BC

604.200.5715 604.200.5715 604.200.5715 2088 152nd St. St. Surrey,BC BC 604.200.5715 2088 604.200.5715 2088 152nd 152nd St. Surrey, Surrey, BC 2088 2088 152nd 152nd St. St. Surrey, Surrey, BC BC

Experience our vibrant retirement communities today! Experience our vibrant communities today! Experience our vibrant communities today! Experience Experience our our vibrant vibrant communities communities today! today! 48 42 46

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