Senior Living Magazine Vancouver Editiong November 2011 by INSPIRED 55+ Lifestyle Magazine

NOVEMBER 2011 TM

Vancouverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 50+ Active Lifestyle Magazine

Coach Wally Buono Honour House

PLANNED GIVING www.seniorlivingmag.com

Senior Expo 7th Annual

��

Exhibi�on Space Now Available for Booking!

Businesses

Boost Your Sales and Business Proﬁle ��

Senior Groups & Clubs ��

WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

NOVEMBER 2011

Be Your Best �� At Any Age

www.seniorlivingmag.com

�� 2

FEATURES

4 The Family Caregiver

6 The Coach

by Barbara Small

BC Lions Coach Wally Buono has been involved in a sport he loves for more than 40 years.

24 Forever Young by William Thomas

PLANNED GIVING SECTION

30 BBB Scam Alert

10 Estate Planning Pitfalls

by Lynda Pasacreta

Things to consider when planning your Last Will and Testament.

31 Ask Goldie

by Goldie Carlow

12 Called To Serve

32 Reﬂections: Then & Now

Brigadier Bubsie Hopkinson has dedicated most of her life to working with the Salvation Army.

by Gipp Forster

14 A little PREP work

Planned giving starts by ﬁnding an organization whose values match your own.

16 Charitable Giving Can Be Rewarding Aside from the good works planned giving achieves, it can also help donors save on taxes.

Cover Photo: BC Lions Coach Wally Buono on the ﬁeld with players during practice. Story page 6. Photo: Kevin McKay

18 Honour House

BC’s veterans and ﬁrst responders and their families have a place to call home.

20 Extraordinary Courage

Touched by war, Catherine Schoen’s experiences inspired her to advocate on behalf of others.

26 Osoyoos: Desert of the North

With the highest temperatures and warmest lakes in Canada, Osoyoos is a sun seeker’s paradise. Senior Living (Vancouver & Lower Mainland) is published by Stratis Publishing. Publisher Barbara Risto Editor Bobbie Jo Reid editor@seniorlivingmag.com Ad Coordinator & Designer Steffany Gundling Copy Editor Allyson Mantle Advertising Manager Barry Risto 250-479-4705 ext 101 Toll-free 1-877-479-4705 sales@seniorlivingmag.com Ad Sales Staff Mitch Desrochers 604-910-8100 Ann Lester 250-390-1805 Mathieu Powell 250-479-4705 ext 104 Barry Risto 250-479-4705 ext 101 WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

SENIOR LIVING

Editorial Nov 2011.indd 1

COLUMNS

10/23/2011 11:28:34 AM

Head Ofﬁce Contact Information: Box 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave., Victoria BC V8T 2C1 Phone 250-479-4705 Fax 250-479-4808 Toll-free 1-877-479-4705 E-mail ofﬁce@seniorlivingmag.com Website www.seniorlivingmag.com Subscriptions: $32 (includes HST, postage and handling) for 12 issues. Canadian residents only. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. Senior Living is an independent publication and its articles imply no endorsement of any products or services. The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher. Unsolicited articles are welcome and should be e-mailed to editor@seniorlivingmag. com Senior Living Vancouver Island is distributed free throughout Vancouver Island. Stratis Publishing Ltd. publishes Senior Living Vancouver Island (12 issues per year) and Senior Living Vancouver & Lower Mainland (12 issues per year). ISSN 1710-3584 (Print) ISSN 1911-6403 (Online)

�� seniorlivingmag.com Enjoy the contents of both Vancouver and Vancouver Island magazines... plus much much more! Do you have an event to promote? We can help. Click on our Events page to post your inoformation for Free.

ASK A ��

seniorlivingmag.com

Professional advice and information on a variety of products and services that suit your needs are published on the Senior Living website.

THE ADS OF THESE ASK A PRO CONTRIBUTORS CAN BE FOUND WITHIN THE MAGAZINE.

SENIOR EXPO PAST & FUTURE

LOCAL EVENT LISTINGS

INSPIRING VIDEOS

SENIOR HOUSING DIRECTORY

ONLINE BOOKSTORE

ARTICLES ABOUT ACTIVE SENIORS & RELATED TOPICS

��TO SENIORS

We can help businesses market to seniors throughout the Vancouver Island and Greater Vancouver areas. Whether print, web, or a combination of both, you can place your advertising message with conﬁdence, knowing it will reach your intended audience. Over 120,000 readers per month Up to 75,000 unique visitors per month

COV UPS Store �� 6 Accessibility Solutions �� 10 Allegro 17 Northern Sound Hearing Clinics �� 19 Clear Choice �� 23 Carepanions

��

Contact sales@seniorlivingmag.com or call 1.877.479.4705, ext 101 www.seniorlivingmag.com/advertising

��

�� WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

NOVEMBER 2011

THE FAMILY CAREGIVER

Supporting the Person Who Cares for You

amily caregivers are good at putting others first. As the demands for caregiving increase, their own needs often get pushed aside. Caregivers can quickly become exhausted, overwhelmed and burnt-out. Before this happens, it is important that caregivers take time to relax and rejuvenate. As the person who receives the care, thank your family member and give back by encouraging him or her to take time to replenish. Here are some ideas: 1. Say thank you: A simple recognition of their time and effort is often enough to make family caregivers feel appreciated. You could say to them, “Thank you for doing all that you do for me” or “Thank you for being there for me. I know you have many other demands in your life.” 2. Encourage your caregiver to attend a support group. Although friends and family can be supportive, sharing feelings with strangers can sometimes be easier, especially if those strangers can relate to a situation. There are caregiver support groups available through most caregiver support organizations, as well as through many of the

disease-specific organizations, such as the Alzheimer Society. Many are listed on the FCNS website at www.familycaregiversnetwork.org. 3. Share the care. If you are able to, help co-ordinate with family and friends to take some duties off the caregiver’s hands or ask another family member to do this for you. If everyone takes one task, the impact can be huge. Arrange for someone to relieve your caregiver for extended periods. They may be resistant to sharing the care because they feel responsible or obligated to do it all. Ensure them that you are okay with other people’s help and that you want them to take some time for themselves. 4. Prioritize. Help your caregiver determine what tasks are unnecessary or less important. Family caregivers often want to do it all and may need “permission” to let go of tasks without feeling they are failing you. 5. Arrange for help with errands and chores. Household chores and daily errands can get pushed aside by the more essential requirements of caregiving. Arrange for others to help

Embrace the Journey - A Care Giver’s Story

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

To order, please send cheque for $20.12 ($14.95 plus $3.95 S&H & taxes) payable to Senior Living. MAIL TO: Senior Living 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave., Victoria BC V8T 2C1 Please include your clearly written shipping address and phone number. Allow two weeks for shipping. 4

SENIOR LIVING

WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

BY BARBARA SMALL

with these or, if possible, pay someone to do them. Groceries can be ordered online and delivered. Neighbours or members of your church could bring in meals. 6. Give the gift of relaxation. Treat your caregiver to a manicure, massage or other relaxing pleasure. If finances are a concern, allow others to chip in. Local massage or aesthetic schools often offer services at reduced prices. 7. Take time to have some fun and laugh together. Spend time together that does not revolve around caregiving. Revisit your old relationship. If able, attend a play together or arrange for dinner to be delivered and stay home and watch a movie together. Making the effort to show your appreciation to your caregiver can help them stay strong and healthy, and better able to care for you for as long as is SL needed. Next month: Caregiving During the Holiday Season Barbara Small is the Program Development Coordinator for Family Caregivers’ Network Society located in Victoria, BC. www.familycaregiversnetwork.org

WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

NOVEMBER 2011

The Coach

Our Community

BY KEVIN MCKAY

Photo: Kevin McKay

BC Lions Coach Wally Buono during a practice session. 6

SENIOR LIVING

WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

is record speaks for itself – 10 seasons playing for the Montreal Alouettes as linebacker and punter, winning the Grey Cup twice. Twenty-two seasons as a head coach; 250 regular season wins and counting (the most in Canadian Football League history); three-time winner of the Coach of the Year award; head coach for eight Grey Cup appearances with Calgary and B.C., winning four and hoping for a fifth championship this November. Wally Buono’s record is impressive, but the man is so much more than just the numbers. At 61, Wally is vibrant and full of energy. He feels fortunate to have been able to make a living doing the thing he loves most, and has been involved in football, in one capacity or another, for more than 40 years. The highlight of his playing days was the 1977 Grey Cup in Montreal. “The second Grey Cup win was a highlight for me because the game was in my hometown and the city our team played in, which doesn’t happen often,” says Wally. “It was the staple game, so there is a lot of history with that game as the field was icy and our players found a staple gun on the sidelines and used that to gain traction.” Once he retired from play, Wally found work for four years as an assistant coach with the expansion Montreal Concordes before moving to Calgary in 1987. After working under Lary Kuharich for three seasons, Wally took over as head coach of the Stampeders in 1990, a position he held for 13 seasons before moving to Vancouver to take over running the Lions. Along the way, Wally learned some great lessons starting from his playing days. “We were very fortunate to have Marv Levy as our coach,” he says. “He

“The common perspective is that there is only one winner, only one champion, but you can achieve great things, which lead to your own personal satisfaction. I have done some of my best work in seasons in which my teams were not champions.” He says, “In some ways you almost have to bend to the players but you also never let the tail wag the dog. You can’t be so set in your ways you have no flexibility because it is the players who are out there playing and winning for you. If you can reach them, they will respect you and they will play hard for you.” One of the best aspects of being part of a professional sports team is the gratification that victory brings. Each game, there is a winner and a loser, and it is easy to feel good about yourself when your team is victorious on a given day. But there is more satisfaction to be derived from coaching a team than just wins. “One of the great things about coaching is that you are working together towards a common goal every week and it is great to win,” says Wally. “When you see everything come together and it brings success, you have that immediate satisfaction, but it is also wonderful to see players grow and see a team come together.”

“

was a cerebral guy who gave his players ownership and demanded accountability. He built his teams on pride and selfmotivation. Rod Rust and Dick Roach were great assistant coaches for their ability to teach the game and make it fun. I learned a lot from watching how they treated players when things were going well and when they weren’t.” Wally has used this formula to great effect in his career as a head coach because he knows the secret to success is to be far more than just a schemes-and-game-plans coach. Any coach can draw up a play, but winning coaches learn how to utilize their people skills. “Human beings want to be treated a certain way,” he says. “Sometimes, the truth is painful but if it is managed properly it makes everything more palatable. You have to have a level of integrity and honesty and realize that most players want their coach to be upfront and honest with them.” Coaching has changed over the years and so have the players. Today’s athletes are better paid, better conditioned, smarter, more independent, and more likely to speak out if they are unhappy. Wally has adapted along the way but also knows the importance of one set of hands on the steering wheel.

��

Retirement Living in

Grand Style.

Panoramic city and mountain views, elegant dining, and a perfect location in the heart of Vancouver. Call Curtis for a personal tour 604.742.2693 1570 West 7th Avenue

WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

terracesonseventh.com NOVEMBER 2011

“The common perspective is that there is only one winner, only one champion, but you can achieve great things, which lead to your own personal satisfaction. I have done some of my best work in seasons in which my teams were not champions.” Football may be a game and it may be exciting, but it’s not always fun. There are negative aspects to being the man in charge, like in any job. For Wally, the worst part of his job involves making personnel decisions. “The hardest part of the job is to fire a coach or staff member or to cut a player from the team,” he says. “It is part of your responsibility, so you have to learn to deal with it, but any time you take away someone’s dream or his family’s dream is not an easy thing. It is never easy to tell a man you are not good enough for me or this team, yet it has to be done.” Wally cares deeply about the team and the organization in his charge. Football is a team sport involving the entire organization from top to bottom and he is quick to point out that all the credit does not reside with him. “I have learned, over time, the success of one individual is because a lot of people want you to succeed,” says Wally. “One person gets too much of the credit and too much of the blame. I have the wins next to my name not the people who work for me and yet I have never won a game by myself. On the other hand, I have lost a few by myself but that is a different story. You

��

�� 8

SENIOR LIVING

WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

need a lot of good people working for you and with you to get anywhere in this business.” Over the years, Wally has learned to do a balancing act, trying to successfully deal with the players, the front office staff, the press, the owner, the fans, his family and others. “At the end of the day, the fans don’t care [about players’ personal issues] and shouldn’t be expected to. They are coming to the game hoping for the team to win,” he says. “The player must distance themselves from the distractions for the game, and allow the fans to enter into the world of fantasy. You don’t want to cheat them of their joy. You have a responsibility to the ticket holders. As coach, I care about the person, but I can’t let him be bigger than the team. I want them to succeed but if their conduct is not becoming to a BC Lion, I have to sacrifice my own selfishness. The organization will be here after both the player and I are long gone. I want to leave a legacy of an organization that is vibrant and strong.” Wally Buono considers himself fortunate to have been able to involve his family in his work. His wife, four children and three grandchildren are all close and share in the wins and losses of the team with him. “We work long hours but we all share in it together,” he says. “It’s not always easy but because of them I never feel that I have to go to work. Football is always enjoyable and SL fun for me, and it has been a very good career.”

Get to know your neighbours

A Great Gift Idea! Reﬂections, Rejections, and Other Breakfast Foods Reflection��s,��

st Foods

and Other Breakfa

Limited Edition

MAGAZINE

& Unpublished Writings A Collection of Published ist Gipp Forster by Senior Living Column

A collection of Gipp Forster’s published columns in Senior Living magazine, with other unpublished writings thrown in for good measure. A unique blend of humor and nostalgia, Gipp’s writings touch your heart in such an irresistible way, you will want to buy not only a copy for yourself, but as a wonderful gift for friends and family members.

Limited Edition!! 128 pages • Softcover • Published by Senior Living

Price: $10.00 “Reﬂections” MAIL-IN ORDER FORM Name________________________________________________ Address______________________________________________ City____________________________________________ Prov ___________ Postal Code_______________ Phone _________________________________ Email ________________________________________________ BOOKS @ $10.00 each (5% GST on above total)

Magnolia Gardens Langley

604 514-1210

Three unique retirement residences Sunridge Gardens

The Waterford

Murrayville

Tsawwassen

604 510-5091

604 943-5954

SHIPPING (FIRST BOOK $3.95; ADD’L BOOKS $1.95 EACH)

= $____________ = $____________ = $____________

(12% HST on shipping)

= $____________

TOTAL

= $____________

___ CHEQUE (make payable to Senior Living) ___ CREDIT CARD ____VISA ____MC CARD NUMBER ______________________________ EXPIRY DATE ________________

Mail to: Senior Living Box 153, 1581–H Hillside Ave., Victoria BC V8T 2C1

www.BriaCommunities.ca A seniors’ community concept by Century Group WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

Please allow two weeks for shipping. NOVEMBER 2011

Estate Planning Pitfalls BY EMILY L. CLOUGH

ou’ve thought about your estate plan. You know how you want your assets distributed after your death. Maybe you’ve even written a Last Will and Testament. So, what could go wrong? Here are a few key points to remember:

��

�� 10

SENIOR LIVING

1. Formalities. To be valid, your will must be properly executed. It must be signed by you, in the presence of two witnesses, and signed by those two witnesses. You must have sufficient mental capacity to execute a valid will. Professional advice is always recommended in order to assist you in preparing your estate plan and to help ensure the formalities are properly met.

Professional advice is always recommended in order to assist you in preparing your estate plan and to help ensure the formalities are properly met. 2. Joint Tenancies. The wishes you set out in your Last Will and Testament only apply to assets that are included as part of your “estate.” Assets held in joint tenancy generally do not form part of your estate. For example, you may hold your house in joint tenancy with your spouse. Upon your death, your interest in the house will be transferred to your spouse upon filing a document with the Land Title Office. Your house will not be distributed under your will. For another example, you may hold a bank account in joint tenancy with your child. A joint account will not form part of your estate, and your interest in the account will be transferred to the surviving joint tenant. Be sure to con-

WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

sider the impact of joint tenancy on your overall estate plan, to ensure your wishes are implemented. 3. Designated Beneficiaries. If you designate a beneficiary of certain assets, that asset will not form part of your estate, and will not pass under your Last Will and Testament. You can designate a beneficiary on a variety of assets, including TFSAs, RRSPs, RRIFs and some insurance plans. 4. Wills Variation Act. Be sure to consider whether you have made adequate provision for your spouse and children. In British Columbia, a spouse or child can apply to the court to change the distribution you have set out in your Last Will and Testament.

Hope.

��

�� www.elizabethfry.com��

��

�� The test is whether your Last Will and Testament makes adequate provision for the proper maintenance and support of the your spouse or children. If your will does not make such adequate and proper provision, then a court may order the provision that it thinks adequate, just and equitable in the circumstances, to be made out of your estate. 5. Review. Ensure your will is up-to-date and reflects your current situation and intentions. Have you recently married? Have you recently divorced? These life changes have serious impacts upon your Last Will and SL Testament.

��

Remembering Our Veterans ��

��

Leaving a legacy to Covenant House means making a lasting difference in the lives of nearly 2000 young people each year. Your bequest to Covenant House ensures our young people a welcoming smile, a safe place, a support network and a chance for a new life. Please ask about our Principle Funds, a legacy that lasts. 575 Drake Street Vancouver, BC V6B 4K8 Phone: 604-639-8934 www.covenanthousebc.org/ help/planned

Emily L. Clough is a lawyer practising in Vancouver.

BN 89767 5625 RR 0001

WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

NOVEMBER 2011

Giving Hope and Restoring Dignity for people in need since 1882

CALLED TO

SERVE

BY ELIZABETH GODLEY

Please ensure our history of caring continues. Consider a legacy gift to The Salvation Army in your Will.

Giving Hope Today ... and Always

SENIOR LIVING

Seniors AD REVISED.indd 1

For further information, please contact Planned Giving Officers, Kathy or Janet. Kathy_Mannas@can.salvationarmy.org Janet_Antonio@can.salvationarmy.org Phone: 604.299.3908

www.SalvationArmy.ca

ow 98, Brigadier Bubsie Hopkinson has worked with the Salvation Army for most of her life. So, it seemed natural for her to make the church the beneficiary of her estate. In addition, a Salvation Army lawyer drew up her will free of charge, and the organization will act as her executor. She now lives in a comfortable assisted-living complex, also run by the Salvation Army. “You could say the Salvation Army has been very good to me,” she says. In return, she is pleased to pay back some of what she’s gained by leaving the SA a bequest, through planned giving. Bubsie admits she is not a wealthy woman. But that shouldn’t stop anyone from following her lead, says Janet Antonio, planned giving officer at the Salvation Army’s Vancouver headquarters. “Often people say, ‘Oh, I don’t have enough to give,’” says Antonio. “But they might be surprised at what they have – an estate of any size can make a difference.” The SA, on occasion, will also act as executor of the estate, which is “very unusual. We might be the only charity in Canada that does this.” In addition, people who know the SA have confidence in the organization, says Antonio. “Being a church, we have taken people in from the cradle to the grave, so to speak – so they trust us.” After living through the Great Depression, Bubsie’s generation knows the value of a dollar; and those raised on farms realize that “you either all pulled together or you don’t get through the winter. They are a generous generation,” Antonio adds. Bubsie Alice Mary Milsted – yes, Bubsie is on her birth certificate – grew up in Abbotsford, B.C. in a pioneering farm family. After her beloved grandmother passed away, Bubsie was introduced to the Salvation Army by a family she went to work for as a live-in nanny and all-around helper. At 25, she left B.C. to attend the Army’s theological school in Toronto for two years – “called by God” to serve – and graduated as a lieutenant. One of her postings was Flin Flon, Manitoba, a place she remembers fondly. She gradually rose through the ranks to become a brigadier.

WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM 20/04/2011 11:11:07 AM

In 1943, she married Arthur Hopkinson, another Salvation Army officer, and both enjoyed postings in various parts of Canada, as well as two years in Germany at Armed Forces bases at Hanover and Soest. There, Bubsie was known as “Mom” by the young soldiers she encountered while running a canteen. She retired in 1973, after several years as a “home officer” at the same theological college she had attended herself – a job she thoroughly enjoyed. She returned to the Vancouver area, where her four brothers lived (only one is still alive). In assisted living since 2000, Bubsie enjoys tai chi and other activities. Once a keen birdwatcher, she also collects red glass objects. Beginning with a tiny bottle probably used Brigadier Bubsie Hopkinson with her red glass collection.

One in three Canadian deaths is caused by Heart Disease and Stroke Your Gift Will Save Lives Call or email for a free Legacy Planning Kit: Melanie Brooks

Coordinator, Planned Giving plannedgiving@hsf.bc.ca 1.888.473.4636

www.heartandstroke.bc.ca/givingbywill

Your Legacy

Photo: Elizabeth Godley

Is Her Future.

Since 1973, the Canadian Section of Amnesty International has promoted and protected human rights at home and abroad, through ongoing campaigning, outreach and education programs.

for smelling salts that belonged to her grandmother, the collection has expanded considerably. “At Christmas, everyone says, ‘Oh, Bubsie collects red glass,’” she says. Before she married Arthur, a doctor had advised Bubsie that she would be unable to have children, and “it wasn’t a grief to us,” she says. Without children and grandchildren to leave her estate to, the Salvation Army seemed a good choice. SL

By remembering Amnesty International in your will and estate planning, you will be helping to build a future where the fundamental dignity of every person is respected worldwide. For information and assistance, contact: Heather Warren, Gift Planning Associate (613) 744-7667 ext. 239 hwarren@amnesty.ca www.amnesty.ca/plannedgiving 1-800-AMNESTY

For more information about planned giving, contact a favourite charity or go to Leave a Legacy Canada’s website at www.leavealegacy.ca WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

Charitable Reg. No. 11878 5914 RR 0001

NOVEMBER 2011

A little PREP work

BY LEANNE MCCONNACHIE, M.SC.

hen it comes to charitable giving, the best advice is this: Choose the issues that have personal meaning and then look for focused, outcome-based organizations whose philosophies and position statements align with these values, who collaborate with or are supported by their peers, and whose financials are generally sound. For a large gift or bequest, split it amongst several groups who use different strategies to achieve similar outcomes. The reason is simple: no single organization working alone is as effective as several groups working together or in parallel to reach a desired outcome. To determine what questions donors should ask in order to choose the most effective charities, there are four key areas for evaluation, known as the PREP Framework:

Choose the issues that have personal meaning and then look for focused, outcome-based organizations whose philosophies and position statements align with these values. • Philosophy – the organization’s mission, objectives, position statements and values • Red Flags – operational indicators that are not the norm for the sector • Efficiencies - the financial and operational conduct of the organization • People – the abilities and diversity of those who work in and support the organization

Philosophy:

Donors should ensure the organization’s overall philosophy and mission aligns with their own values. Position

SENIOR LIVING

WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

statements should disclose what the organization supports, and what it is against. Ask the organization about their past achievements, what outcomes they hope to realize in the future, and what strategies and tactics they will use to resolve a problem. An example of how an organization’s goals and a donor’s values can become misaligned is with wildlife protection groups. Both the charity and donor may share a goal of conserving wildlife, but if the organization’s population management strategy includes culling and hunting, and the donor is opposed to such methods, the donor’s values will be compromised.

Red Flags:

Red flags are financial or operational indicators that are unreasonable or fall outside the norm for the sector. Common red flags include the inability to produce financial statements, salaries that are disproportionate for the size and scope of the organization and a lack of demonstrable achievements. One red flag that most people overlook, and is the easiest and perhaps most important to validate, is a lack of support from or collaboration with peers in their sector.

Efﬁciency:

Efficiency refers to how the financial conduct of an organization measures up against pre-determined benchmarks, such as administrative or fundraising costs and program expenses. Review their strategic plan and see how well their objectives align with their budget. Confirm that they have a diversity of funding sources and finances in reserve to sustain an economic downturn. Although much importance is placed on efficiency, it is not the best reflection of effectiveness. After all, if an organization achieves its mission and objectives, does it really matter how they allocate their operational funds? Isn’t the achievement more important than how they achieved it?

People:

As in the corporate world, the people employed by an organization are the key to its success. View the backgrounds of the management team, assess the turnover rate and, again, see what their peers and supporters have to say about the organization. The PREP Framework is by no means a perfect tool, but donors should garner enough information to ensure they focus their charitable dollars on capable, fiscally responsible, effective organizations with philosophies that align with their values. An honest and effective charity will be willing to answer questions about what they have accomplished, SL where they are going, and how gifts will be used. WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

NOVEMBER 2011

Charitable Giving Can Be Rewarding In More Ways Than One Your Legacy Is Their Future Ensure insightful, inspiring, commercial-free programming continues for generations to come. Please remember Knowledge Network in your will and trusts. For more information contact: Donna Robinson 604.431.3136 Toll Free 1.877.456.6988 plannedgiving@knowledge.ca

Remember Together

135 West 15th Street North Vancouver 604.980.6525 the summerhill.ca

7230 Acorn Avenue Burnaby 604.526.2248 themulberry.ca

Part of Paciﬁc Arbour Retirement Communities

We Salute Your Courage 16

SENIOR LIVING

BY CHRISTINE BENNETT, CA

haritable giving can be a personally rewarding experience and it can help Canadians save money on their income taxes. In fact, several strategies exist to help save taxes during a person’s lifetime, and estate taxes on death. One such strategy that earns special tax benefits involves donating publicly traded securities that have appreciated in value. A donation of publicly traded securities in lieu of cash allows a person to claim a donation credit for the full value of the securities. The capital gain on the disposition is 100 per cent non-taxable. The result is that more funds are given to the charity than if the shares were sold and the after tax cash was donated. Donations made in the year of death, as well as bequests made in a will, serve to reduce taxes paid by an estate. Those not needed may be carried back to recover taxes paid in the year prior to death. For those who intend to leave a specific bequest or include a charity as a beneficiary in their will, they should ensure that the name of the charity is clearly identified. In addition, they should state if the funds are to be used for a specific purpose. A donation of publicly traded securities enables a person to specify which securities are to be donated; or the will may be written in such a way to allow an executor to make this decision. This preserves the value of an estate by reducing taxes owing. It is important for a person to work with a tax advisor and lawyer if they intend to make substantial donations in their will. These professionals will help clients understand their options and the gifting strategies that are the most beneficial to each specific situation. For example, this could include an ongoing gifting strategy during a person’s lifetime. This method allows a person to receive the tax benefit from the donation each year while they are alive. The value of their estate will also be reduced, which may save income taxes and estate administration fees on death. Other planned giving strategies are also available using insurance, RRSPs or RRIFs, a private foundation or charitable remainder trust. Contact a tax advisor today to discuss the best path to ensuring charitable wishes are met while providing tax savings both during life and upon death. SL

WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

School janitor Lester Holmes died in 1992.

After school today, he’ll help an 8 year old understand math. Lester never ﬁnished school, but he learned a lot mopping classroom ﬂoors. “You kids can be anything you want,” he’d say. Lester wasn’t rich, but because he included a gi� to support the school’s tutoring program in his Will, things will add up

for a few more students. Make a diﬀerence in the lives that follow and contact a charitable organization, lawyer, financial advisor or visit our website at www.leavealegacyvancouver.com to learn more.

To receive your free copy of the LEAVE A LEGACY TM Executor’s Guide, please visit:

WWW.LEAVEALEGACYVANCOUVER.COM/GUIDE or call - 604-777-1129

A program of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP-ACPDP™), LEAVE A LEGACYTM in Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley is promoted through volunteer efforts and with the support of charities, not-for-pro�its and professional advisors. LEAVE A LEGACY™ is a nationally recognized program to raise awareness of the importance of thoughtful, well-planned, taxreduced gifts and their impact on the quality of life for everyone in our communities. WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

NOVEMBER 2011

Lest We Forget

HONOUR HOUSE BY DEE WALMSLEY

SENIOR LIVING

Honour House

A similar situation is faced by families of first responders – fire, law enforcement and ambulance personnel – who are injured in the line of duty or suffer from psychological issues like post-traumatic stress disorder. Senior vet Arthur Hughes takes comfort in knowing that today’s wounded have better conditions for healing physical injures, however, he says, “While the war may be over, conditions like PTSD without medical intervention, family support, and places like Honour House, may last a lifetime.” In April 2009, Don Vandervoort, a retired Seaforth Highlander and current chairman of the Life Members of the Vancouver Construction Association was approached and asked if he and other Life members would be interested in working with the society. “After assuring then-President Keith Sashaw that I would head up the project, it was presented to the Life members WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

Photos: Dee Walmsley

hey serve with honour. Some die in the line of duty. Some return home broken in body and spirit. Some, who never leave these shores witness society’s tragedies and suffer unseen wounds. Honour House was built to help these worthy Canadians heal, along with their families, in their time of need. Retired army reservist and one of the founding directors, John Appleby says, “The need became apparent when Capt. Trevor Greene, an officer in the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, a Vancouver reserve infantry unit, was seriously wounded in Afghanistan. In the process of a long recovery where he was moved from hospital to hospital across the country, there was no support available for his family. That deficiency was first recognized in mid2006 by Lt. Col (ret) Victor Coroy, the president of the Royal United Services Institute of Vancouver. The institute sponsored a benefit concert, in support of the BC Mainland Military Family Resource Centre, titled, “Salute to Our Troops in Afghanistan.” “This event focused attention on the needs of our troops – both those serving overseas, and those returning home. In particular, it helped raise awareness about injured or wounded Canadian Forces members receiving care or rehabilitation in the Metro-Vancouver area medical facilities; and the difficulty they and their families have in finding temporary housing during such times of need.” Canadian troops have served in Afghanistan since 2002, with more than 35,000 completing at least one tour of duty. More than 150 Canadians have been killed and over 4,500 have been injured.

and board of directors, who unanimously approved it as a way to put something back into the community,” says Don. “We estimated the cost of construction at approximately $1,800,000. My job was to try and have as much of the work donated by in-kind donations of materials and or labour. To date, we have been successful in collecting $1.25 million of the total cost. I donated my time for 28 months of attending weekly site progress meetings, various promotion meetings and social functions.” Over the years, a society was formed, funds raised, a building purchased and a major reconstruction project undertaken. Community support for the project was massive. Among those supporters were the provincial government, through BC Housing, a major supporter of the construction phase, the Telecommunications Workers Union (TWU) Local 60 (Shaw Cablesystems), and the BC/Yukon Command Royal Cana-

dian Legion, who generously presented Honour House Society with a cheque for $17,666.95. Unfortunately, Veterans Affairs Canada and the federal government have yet to contribute any funding, even though the board of directors and many of the volunteers are vets.

Port Coquitlam Amica at Mayfair 604.552.5552 Kerrisdale Amica at Arbutus Manor 604.736.8936

Since its 2010 opening, 53 members have used the facilities provided at Honour House. Guests are referred by support organizations, which include the Military Family Support Centres, Legion Service Officers, Regimental Associations, First Responder Employers or Unions. SL Donations or volunteer opportunities may be arranged through the Honour House website: www.honourhouse.ca

West Vancouver Amica at West Vancouver 604.921.9181

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

Remembering Our Veterans

Burnaby Amica at Rideau Manor 604.291.1792 Victoria Amica at Douglas House 250.383.6258 Victoria Amica at Somerset House 250.380.9121 Sidney Amica at Beechwood Village 250.655.0849

Canadian Owned and Operated.

11-1486

Photo: Courtesy Honour House

Vet and Honour House ﬂag designer Arthur Hughes.

Creating the Flag Arthur Hughes followed four principles for creating the Honour House flag: 1. It must be recognizable from a distance. 2. It must look the same on both sides. 3. It must be easy to draw. 4. It must not have any writing on it. With these principles in mind, Arthur took up the challenge. His design is classic in its simplicity and is heraldically correct. The white background speaks to the role of medical personnel in times of emergency. The red maple leaf symbolizes Canada and the white letter H superimposed on the maple leaf identifies Honour House. The dark blue horizontal bar represents the navy, the red in the middle the army and the light blue the air force. The gold lines symbolize all first responders – fire, ambulance and SL law enforcement. WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

NOVEMBER 2011

Extraordinary Courage Lest We Forget

BY BEV YAWORSKI

“S

ometimes people say there is a good war,” says Catherine Schoen. “But there is no good war, because every war has death. When people are buried in one grave, sometimes 50 at a time, and most die young, is this a good war? Never!” Catherine, now in her 90s, retired and living in Surrey Kinsmen Lodge, has intimate, personal experience of an active war zone. During the Second World War, she lived in Greece – a country under threat from Nazi Germany and eventually occupied by the Nazis from 1940-44. Historians report that the combined Greek and British Commonwealth forces fought bravely to save the country, but were eventually defeated. As a result, there were many prisoners of war (PoWs) in her beloved Greece. Catherine recalls wartime as a period of danger, hunger, uncertainty and death. On the other hand, as a war resistance leader, she is not one to shy away from fearless acts of bravery. Her rescue of four British PoWs during the Second World War showed her extraordinary courage. Three, she smuggled out of occupied Greece with the support of a group of sympathetic women who helped pay for their passage. For the

Don’t let hearing loss slow you down. O ur

ST BIGGreEbate cash e year! h of tt our website for Visi

details

fourth soldier, a military intelligence officer, she arranged a gardener’s job in an Italian cemetery; he managed to stay under Nazi radar for the rest of the war. What’s even more remarkable is that she was still a teenager at the time. Subsequently, Catherine was given a prestigious award that reads: “As a token of gratitude for and appreciation of the help given to the Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen of the British Commonwealth of Nations, which enabled them to escape from, or evade capture by the enemy.” The Supreme Allied Commander, Field Marshal, Harold Alexander, who became Canada’s governor general, presented the award. “After the war, while visiting Cairo,” says Catherine, “I was sitting in a street café with a friend. A man suddenly came over and gave me a big hug. He was one of the soldiers I had helped smuggle to safety. He recognized me and came over to thank me for saving his life.” But Catherine is not one to boast about awards, she’d rather turn the conversation from herself – preferring to emphasize how many young men and women still in their teens, including civilians, lose their lives because of war.

Book a complimentary hearing screening today with your nearest Connect Hearing clinic. Should you benefit from hearing aids, you’ll be offered a pair to try for two weeks at no cost, and no obligation.* We’re certain you’ll notice the difference better hearing makes. Call 1 800.563.HEAR or visit our website at connecthearing.ca to arrange your complimentary hearing screening and, for a limited time, save up to $1,000.

HEARING AIDS

2 WEEK

FREETRIAL*

+ SAVE UP TO $1,000 Registered under the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC.

DVA, WCB accepted

LIMITED TIME OFFER! ��

With 14 convenient locations in the Lower Mainland to serve you: ��

1 800.563.HEAR connecthearing.ca

SENIOR LIVING

WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

Photo: Barbara Coates

“War is terrible,” she emphasizes. “You really find out who tify fish according to their scales, tell what river they came your friends are in difficult times.” Catherine vividly remembers from and follow their life cycle. the hunger that also came with the war. People were forced, at Catherine’s war experiences inspired her advocacy on behalf times, to live on small rations of only bread. She recalls a neigh- of others. She contributed over 40 years of volunteer work helpbour family died of starvation – even while Catherine and her ing improve educational and recreational opportunities in B.C. family tried to share their own meagre rations. The Boy Scouts Association, the YM-YWCA, a Parent Teachers “These were also different times for women,” she says. Association and more – all benefited from her extensive volun“Women, at that time, kept the house and had to forget teer board contributions. In 1970, she was also Chief Commissioner for a report on The Public’s about a profession. We take it for Catherine catches up Role in Education. granted today.” on current events at Today, at Surrey Kinsmen Lodge, After the war, Catherine marher home in Surrey Catherine is an avid reader,Hoodoos who enried and her war story became a Kinsmen Lodge. joys staying up-to-date on current love story: the PoW intelligence world events. “I like to know what’s office working as an “underground happening in the world,” she says. gardener” became her husband. Hockey is also one of her passions. Together, they immigrated to She still follows the Vancouver CaCanada in 1949. nucks with great dedication. Rattling “Travelling across Canada, we off the names of the players – her fatried to spend a week in each provvourites being the Sedin twins – she ince. When I went to Labrador and admits, “Some of the hockey players Newfoundland, I loved their lobster and even tried screech,” she says, smiling. “I thought the people are overrated for the money they get!” When the conversation turns to Remembrance Day, tears there seemed the happiest of any province.” Catherine had an active professional life in Canada. With come to Catherine’s eyes. Of all her life experiences, she never her technical degree in biology from Greece, she was hired wants to forget what others went through and continue to go by the BC Fisheries Commission to work with the salmon re- through on a global level, to make life safe and free for everyone SL search group. One of her intriguing work duties was to iden- else. “Many people died so that we could live today.”

WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

NOVEMBER 2011

Senior Living Vancouver & Lower Mainland DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS ABBOTSFORD

CLEARBROOK LIBRARY FRASER VALLEY LIBRARY MSA CENTENNIAL LIBRARY MT. LEHMAN LIBRARY ZELLERS

ALDERGROVE

ALDERGROVE KINSMEN COMMUNITY CENTER ALDERGROVE LIBRARY ALDERGROVE MALL

BURNABY

ABC RESTAURANT ADVANCED MOBILITY AMICA AT RIDEAU MANOR BOB PRITTIE PUBLIC LIBRARY BONSOR COMMUNITY CENTRE BURNABY GENERAL HOSPITAL CAMERON RECREATION CENTRE CHOICES MARKET IN THE PARK CONFEDERATION COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR 55+ EDMONDS COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR 55+ EILEEN DAILEY LEISURE POOL & FITNESS CENTRE GUARDIAN PHARMACY HARMONY COURT HILTON HOTEL IGA INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL HEALTH & VACCINATION CLINIC LANCASTER MEDICAL LIFELABS MCGILL PUBLIC LIBRARY MEDICHAIR OLD ORCHARD MEDICAL CLINIC REGENCY MEDICAL SUPPLIES SETON VILLA STATION SQUARE MEDICAL CLINIC THE POPPY RESIDENCES THE MULBERRY RETIREMENT RESIDENCE TIM HORTON’S TOMMY DOUGLAS LIBRARY WILLINGDON COMMUNITY CNTR ZELLERS PHARMACY

COQUITLAM

BELVEDERE CARE CENTRE BREAD GARDEN COQUITLAM CITY CENTRE LIBRARY COQUITLAM LIBRARY DOGWOOD PAVILION DUFFERIN SENIORS CENTRE GLEN PINE PAVILLION PARKWOOD MANOR PINETREE COMMUNITY CENTRE RESIDENCES AT BELVEDERE SHOPPERS DRUG MART

DELTA

FRASER VALLEY LIBRARY AT GEORGE MACKIE GEORGE MACKIE LIBRARY KENNEDY SENIORS RECREATION CENTRE MARK’S PHARMACY NORTH DELTA REC CENTRE NURSE NEXT DOOR SUN GOD RECREATION CENTRE

FORT LANGLEY

FORT LANGLEY LIBRARY

LANGLEY

A & W - 22259 48 AVE A & W - 8790 204 ST A & W - 6241 200 ST A1 WHEELCHAIR UNLIMITED SUPPLY LTD BROOKSWOOD LIBRARY BUY-LOW FOODS CITY OF LANGLEY LIBRARY DOUGLAS REC CENTRE HARRISON POINTE LANGLEY GARDENS RETIREMENT COMMUNITY LANGLEY LAWN BOWLING LANGLEY LIBRARY LANGLEY LODGE LANGLEY SENIORS CENTRE LANGLEY SENIORS VILLAGE LIFEMARK HEALTH CENTRE MAGNOLIA GARDENS MURIEL ARNASON LIBRARY MURRAYVILLE LIBRARY PERSONAL MOBILITY SIMPSON MANOR SUNRIDGE GARDENS RENAISSANCE RETIREMENT RESORT TIMMS COMMUNITY CENTRE WALNUT GROVE COMMUNITY CENTRE WALNUT GROVE LIBRARY WILLOWBROOK LIBRARY Zellers

MAPLE RIDGE

MAPLE RIDGE LEISURE CENTRE MAPLE RIDGE LIBRARY

NEW WESTMINSTER

CARE POINT MEDICAL CENTRE CENTENNIAL COMMUNITY CENTRE CENTURY HOUSE DUNWOOD PLACE RETIREMENT RESIDENCE EDWARD JONES HYACK HOUSE KIWANIS CARE CENTRE LEGION MANOR NEW WESTMINISTER QUAY NEW WESTMINSTER LIBRARY QUEENSBOROUGH COMM CNTR SENIOR SERVICES SOCIETY

SUNQUEST MOBILITY THORNEBRIDGE GARDENS WAFFLE HOUSE

NORTH VANCOUVER

BOOK WAREHOUSE CAPILANO COLLEGE LIBRARY CAPILANO LIBRARY CHURCHILL HOUSE EVERGREEN HOUSING ADMIN KIWANIS LYNN MANOR KIWANIS TOWERS LONSDALE QUAY LYNN VALLEY MAIN LIBRARY MEDICAL CLINIC MOUNT SEYMOUR MEDICAL CLINIC NORTH SHORE COMMUNITY RESOURCES NORTH SHORE NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE NORTH VANCOUVER CITY LIBRARY NUTRITION HOUSE PARKGATE LIBRARY PEMBERTON & MARINE MEDICAL CLINIC QUEENSDALE MARKET SILVER HARBOUR MANOR SUPER-VALU THE SUMMERHILL VILLAGE GREENWAY, THE WESTVIEW MEDICAL CLINIC

PITT MEADOWS

IGA PITT MEADOWS LIBRARY PITT MEADOWS REC CENTRE SHOPPERS DRUG MART

PORT COQUITLAM

AMICA AT MAYFAIR ASTORIA RESORT SUPERVALU TERRY FOX LIBRARY WILSON REC CENTRE

PORT MOODY

KYLE CENTRE PORT MOODY LIBRARY PORT MOODY RECREATION COMPLEX

RICHMOND

BRIGHOUSE LIBRARY CAMBIE COMMUNITY CENTRE CAMBIE PUBLIC LIBRARY GILMORE GARDENS RETIREMENT COMMUNITY HAMILTON COMMUNITY CENTRE IRONWOOD LIBRARY KIWANIS COURT MINORU AQUATIC CENTRE MINORU ARENA MINORU SENIOR’S CENTRE PRECISION HEARING RICHMOND CENTRE FOR DISABILITY RICHMOND CENTRE INFO BOOTH ROSEWOOD MANOR S.U.C.C.E.S.S. AUSTIN HARRIS RESIDENCE

SEAFAIR MEDICAL CLINIC SHOPPERS DRUG MART SOUTH ARM COMMUNITY CENTRE STEVESTON COMMUNITY CENTRE STEVESTON LIBRARY THOMPSON COMMUNITY CENTRE O’KEEFE SENIOR LIVING APARTMENTS WEST RICHMOND COMMUNITY CENTRE

SOUTH DELTA

DELTA HOSPITAL KINSMEN ASSISTED LIVING KINVILLAGE COMMUNITY CENTRE LADNER COMMUNITY CENTRE LADNER PIONEER LIBRARY LADNER PUBLIC HEALTH UNIT MCKEE SENIORS RECREATION CENTRE SOUTH DELTA LIBRARY SOUTH DELTA RECREATION CENTRE THE WATERFORD TSAWWASSEN LIBRARY WINSKILL AQUATIC CENTRE

SURREY

ABC RESTAURANT 158TH ABC RESTAURANT KING GEORGE ARBOURSIDE COURT CHAPTERS - STRAWBERRY HILL CHOICES MARKET CLOVERDALE LIBRARY CLOVERDALE RECREATION CENTRE CROSSROADS MOBILITY SOLUTIONS DON CHRISTIAN REC CENTRE ELIM VILLAGE FLEETWOOD COMMUNITY CNTR FLEETWOOD LIBRARY GUILDFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY GUILDFORD SENIORS SERVICES LOUNGE GUILDFORD SENIORS VILLAGE IMPERIAL PLACE KENT SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTRE KIDNEY CARE CENTRE KINSMEN PLACE LODGE KIWANIS PARK PLACE LIFEMARK PHYSIOTHERAPY MEDICHAIR NEWTON LIBRARY NEWTON SENIOR CENTRE NEWTON WAVE POOL NORTH SURREY REC CENTRE OCEAN PARK LIBRARY PACIFICA RESORT RETIREMENT LIVING PEACE ARCH MEMORIAL HOSPITAL PERSONAL MOBILITY ROSEMARY HEIGHTS SENIORS VILLAGE SEMIAHMOO PUBLIC LIBRARY CONTINUED NEXT PAGE

SENIOR LIVING

WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

MAINLAND DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS - CONTINUED SHOPPERS DRUG MART SHOPPERS HOME HEALTH SOUTH SURREY ARENA SOUTH SURREY INDOOR POOL SOUTH SURREY REC CENTRE STRAWBERRY HILL LIBRARY SUNRISE PAVILLION SURREY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL SURREY SPORTS AND LEISURE COMPLEX THE CHEMISTS PHARMACY VANCITY - NEWTON WESTMINSTER HOUSE WHITE ROCK/SOUTH SURREY PUBLIC HEALTH UNIT

VANCOUVER

411 SENIOR’S CNTR SOCIETY AIM MEDICAL IMAGING AMICA AT ARBUTUS MANOR ARBUTUS LONG TERM CARE ARBUTUS MALL BARCLAY MANOR BC WOMEN’S HOSPITAL BRITANNIA 55+ CENTRE BRITANNIA LIBRARY BROADWAY BURRARD WALK-IN BROCK HOUSE SOCIETY CARE MEDICAL CENTRE CAVELL GARDENS CENTRAL MARKET CHAMPLAIN HEIGHTS COMMUNITY CENTRE CHAMPLAIN HEIGHTS LIBRARY CHOICES MARKET CITY SQUARE FAMILY PRACTICE City SQUARE SHOPPING CNTR COAL HARBOUR COMM CNTR COLLINGWOOD HOUSE COLLINGWOOD LIBRARY

CROFTON MANOR DENMAN COMMUNITY CENTRE DENMAN MALL DIAMOND HEALTH CARE CNTR DOCTORS OFFICE DOUGLAS PARK COMM CNTR DUNBAR COMMUNITY CENTRE DUNBAR PUBLIC LIBRARY S.U.C.C.E.S.S \ SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE FALSE CREEK COMM CNTR FIREHALL LIBRARY FRASERVIEW LIBRARY FROG HOLLOW NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE GF STRONG REHABILITATION CENTRE GRANDVIEW TOWERS GRANVILLE ISLAND MARKET GRANVILLE MEDICAL CLINIC GROUND FLOOR MAILROOM HARO PARK CENTRE HASTINGS COMMUNITY CENTRE HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTRE JOE FORTES LIBRARY KENSINGTON COMM CNTR KENSINGTON LIBRARY KERRISDALE LIBRARY KERRISDALE SENIORS CENTRE KHATSAHLANO MEDICAL CLINIC KILLARNEY COMMUNITY CENTRE KILLARNEY MARKET KITSILANO NBRHD HOUSE KITSILANO PUBLIC LIBRARY KIWASSA NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE LANCASTER MEDICAL SUPPLIES LANGARA FAMILY YMCA LIFEMARK HEALTH CENTRE LIFEMARK PHYSIOTHERAPY LITTLE MOUNTAIN NBRHD HOUSE

MACDONALDS PRESCRIPTION AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES MAPLE MEDICAL CLINIC MARPOLE COMMUNITY CENTRE MARPOLE LIBRARY MEDICAL CLINIC MERCATO MALL MID-MAIN COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT CO-OP MT PLEASANT NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE NORTHERN SOUND HEARING O’KEEFE SENIOR LIVING APRTM OAKRIDGE CENTRE OAKRIDGE LIBRARY OAKRIDGE SENIOR’S CENTRE PERSONAL MOBILITY PLATINUM CARE RAYCAM COMMUNITY CENTRE RENFREW COMMUNITY CENTRE RENFREW PUBLIC LIBRARY RICHMOND/VANCOUVER HEALTH UNIT RILEY PARK COMMUNITY CENTRE ROUNDHOUSE COMM CNTR ROYAL CENTRE MEDICAL SHANNON OAKS SHOPPERS DRUG MART SHOPPERS DRUG MART HOME HEALTH CARE SIDNEY MANOR SINCLAIR CENTRE SOUTH GRANVILLE PARK LODGE SOUTH GRANVILLE SENIORS CNTR SOUTH HILL LIBRARY SOUTHVIEW HEIGHTS & TERRACE ST PAUL HOSPITAL STRATHCONA COMMUNITY CENTRE STRATHCONA LIBRARY SUNRISE SENIOR LIVING

TERRACES ON SEVENTH THUNDERBIRD COMM CNTR UBC HOSPITAL VANCITY - FAIRVIEW VANCITY - KERRISDALE VANCITY - POINT GREY VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY VGH EMERGENCY VANCOUVER AQUATIC CENTRE WEST POINT GREY COMM CNTR WEST POINT GREY PUBLIC LIBRARY WESTEND SENIORS NETWORK WHOLE FOODS

WEST VANCOUVER

AMICA AT WEST VANCOUVER CLEAR CHOICES HEARING GLENEAGLES COMM CNTR HOLLYBURN HOUSE INGLEWOOD CARE CENTRE PARK ROYAL SHOPPING CNTR S SUPER-VALU WEST VAN MEMORIAL LIBRARY

WHITE ROCK

ABC RESTAURANT PACIFIC CARLTON SAFE BATHING CENTRE SAVE ON SCOOTERS SENIOR SUPPORT SERVICES SUNNYSIDE MANOR PENINSULA RESORT RETIREMENT LIVING WHITE ROCK COMM CNTR WHITE ROCK LAWN BOWLING WHITE ROCK LIBRARY WHITECLIFF RETIREMENT LIVING HEALTH EXPRESS

RECOMMEND A DISTRIBUTION LOCATION NEAR YOU! Senior Living is looking for convenient, high trafﬁc distribution locations throughout the Greater Vancouver region. If you know of a place of business or activity centre that would be a convenient location for interested readers to pick up our magazine, let us know.

Email: ofﬁce@seniorlivingmag.com Phone: 1-877-479-4705 NOW DISTRIBUTED AT ALL PHARMASAVE STORES THROUGHOUT BC.

VANCOUVER ISLAND EDITION DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE ISLAND VANCOUVER EDITION DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE MAINLAND

WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

NOVEMBER 2011

FOREVER BY WILLIAM THOMAS

Wistfully He Asked: “Ja ‘Member When?”

n a world that’s moving way too fast and mostly in the wrong direction, there seems to be a pervasive yearning for the good ol’ days, at least among those of us old enough to remember them. It seems the older you get, the stronger this sentiment is for a return to simpler times. If you’ve ever started a sentence with “Nowadays,” or “Why, when I was your age,” this stroll down memory lane is for you. Do you remember when we used to communicate with words or RU2OLD2NO that? LOL Do you remember when the most violence on TV was in Westerns, and not The Weather Channel? Do you remember when knockers were made of bronze, and not silicone? Do you remember when a cell phone was shared by your Uncle Jack and 12 other guys as a reward for good behaviour? Do you remember when you slept well on a plane believing the air traffic controllers were awake? Do you remember when a bypass referred to a highway, and not your heart? Do you remember when it was only handicapped people who used handicapped parking? Do you remember when Sunday was a day of rest, and not just Monday with less traffic? Do you remember when “getting lucky” involved sex, and not locating your car in 24

SENIOR LIVING

the mall parking lot? Do you remember when special effects in a movie made you either cry or laugh, not put your hands over your ears? Do you remember when a cougar was a wild animal, and not your oversexed aunt? Do you remember when massive flooding was mainly in the Bible, and not the Bible Belt? Do you remember when “snap, crackle and pop” was the sound of breakfast cereal, and not your neck? Do you remember when a keyboard was a typewriter, and was used by a secretary, not an administrative assistant? Do you remember when the F-word was a bad word, and not in the title of a bestselling children’s book? (Go The F**k To Sleep – Honest!) Do you remember when a joint was something that connected two bones, not something that was passed around in a parking lot at a bar? Do you remember when an ATV was a tank, and an ATM was a loan shark? Do you remember when a screw was a grooved nail, and not the mandate of Revenue Canada? Do you remember when you took a blanket to the beach, and not a metal detector? Do you remember when you wore beads around your neck, and not reading glasses? Do you remember when moles were WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

to be exterminated, and not biopsied? Do you remember when the dating game was when girls were pinned, and not nailed? Do you remember when Happy Hour involved beer and peanuts, and not a newspaper and a nap? Do you remember when feminists fought for the dignity of women, not the right to do “the slut walk?” Do you remember when it was a traffic cop who warned you to slow down, and not your family doctor? Do you remember when you were a teenager and you wore your pants over your ass? Do you remember when you paid 50 bucks for a week’s worth of groceries, and not a tank full of gas? Do you remember when you couldn’t wait to buy the latest “thing,” and now all those things are on display at your local historical museum? Do you remember when you used to ogle that babe at the back of the class, and now you can Google her on Senior Facebook? Do you remember when you could bring a jackknife to school, but not a bag of marbles? Do you remember when stores were open around the clock, and not 24/7? Do you remember when kids used their thumbs to get a ride instead of text-messaging while driving? Do you remember when E-readers were kids who failed English class?

Do you remember when “New Kids On The Block” was a band, and not the NDP MPs? Do you remember when nuclear weapons were supposed to bring the world to an end, and not Mother Nature? Do you remember when you had miles to go before you slept, and now it’s kilometres and you don’t sleep anyway? Do you remember when you use to get your oil checked and your filter cleaned, and now it’s your prostate and colon? Do you remember when your spouse told you where to go, and not the GPS? Do you remember when personal feminine hygiene was never talked about let alone graphically advertised during the dinner hour? (Sorry, I hope that didn’t sound bitter.) Do you remember when Jehovah Witnesses use to walk up your driveway and knock on the door to talk about God? Oh, wait. They still do that. Do you remember when the Toronto Maple Leafs was a winning hockey team? Oh please, even I’m not that old. Here’s to the good ol’ days. It helps to have a bad SL memory. William Thomas is the author of nine books of humour including The True Story of Wainﬂeet and Margaret and Me and The Cat Rules. For comments or ideas, visit his website at www.williamthomas.ca

WE HELP SENIORS Giving you conﬁdence and peace of mind

WE CAN HELP YOU Prepare an overall move plan Organize, sort, downsize Pack, unpack, settle you in Ship items to family members Oversee and coordinate move day Get your home ready for resale and much more...

Lighthouse Services

(604) 202 9234 Visit our sites at: www.lighthouseservices.ca www.helpseniors.ca

email: info@lighthouseservices.ca

Locally owned and operated

WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

NOVEMBER 2011

Travel & Adventure

OSOYOOS: DESERT OF THE NORTH O

BY JOAN W. WINTER

SENIOR LIVING

rows of bright, lush vegetation, acre after acre of vineyards and orchards, which surround the town and lakeshore at lower levels, rises a mountainous landscape of dry semi-desert. Clumps of sagebrush, greasewood, bunch grass, and rabbit and antelope bush dot the rocky, grey-green hillsides. Known as the Osoyoos Arid Bi-

scorpions and the black widow spider. Deer and bighorn sheep roam the hills. Along the lakeshore, grasses, reeds and willows provide habitat to many varieties of wildlife and a large variety of bird species. Day two promises to be hot, but our lakeside campsite on the east side of town at the Nk’Mip RV Resort is Lunch at the Burrowing Owl Estate Winery.

Photos: Joan and Bruce Winter

n a cloudy mid-September day, we load up our motorhome, leave Vancouver and hope for one last week of summer sunshine before winter sets in. Osoyoos, desert of the north – lowest rainfall, highest temperatures and warmest lakes in Canada – is our destination. Three hundred and ninety-six kilometres from home, an easy fivehour, scenic and sunlit drive through the mountains to the lush South Okanagan Valley and we arrive. Osoyoos, we discover, is a friendly little town, with a resident population of just over 5,000 and many additional visitors during the summer months. It sprawls comfortably on the narrowest part of Osoyoos Lake, close to the Canadian/U.S. border at Oroville, Washington. Originally named Suisus (pronounced Soo-Ewss), translated from the local Okanagan Salish First Nation’s dialect, means where the water narrows or sand bar across. The “O” was likely added by early settlers, perhaps to lend more dignity or to blend with the other “O” names in the region – Oliver, Okanagan, Oroville and Omak. Arriving in late afternoon and needing to stretch our legs, we meander around downtown and admire the quiet, well-groomed streets and vibrant, profusely flowering hanging baskets. On a downhill slope, the main street curves to the right, then loops east on a wide causeway past a variety of lakeshore hotels, motels, parks and beaches. Behind the town, shaded light and dark by sun and cloud, Osoyoos Lake stretches as far as the eye can see. Beyond the lake, contrasting sharply with

otic Zone, or Pocket Desert, the area is part of the Great Basin Desert and part of the network of deserts that extend southward to the Sonoran Desert in Mexico. It is Canada’s only “arid” desert environment, one of the most unique and endangered ecologically regions in North America, and home to over 100 rare plants and 300 rare invertebrates. Rattlesnakes make their home here, as do toads and turtles, beavers and bats, muskrats and mice, salamanders, WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

tree-shaded and cool. Rising early, wanting to explore before the heat of the day and keeping a wary eye open for rattlesnakes, we follow the scrubdotted shoreline to a small, deserted cove and white sandy beach. Sand dunes make walking difficult, so we remove our shoes and enjoy the feel of warm sand squishing between our toes. A clutch of canoes and a rowboat appear around the point, but after a cheery wave and “Hullo, there!” the occupants keep going.

The Nk’Mip, or “bottom-land” native people, who have inhabited the area for thousands of years, own the land. The Nk’Mip (pronounced Ink-ameep), in a highly successful eco-tourism project started in the early 1990s, have resourcefully developed the area into a popular year-round resort. Large swaths of eco-sensitive land are left untouched to protect endangered plant and animal life. Through educational and protective programs to support them, the Nk’Mip have succeeded in creating an ecologically and culturally responsible tourism business venture that not only not only generates annual revenues in excess of $40 million, but creates hundreds of jobs for Aboriginal people. Economically successful, the project allows the band to administer its own health, education, social and municipal services. At lakeside level, there is a huge RV park, complete with bistro, general store, laundry and shower facilities, swimming pool and recreational cen-

tre. Higher up the hill is a riding stable, and beyond that, hugging the side of the canyon, rows of grape-laden vines lead to a state-of-the-art winery. A five-star vacation resort and spa, restaurants, a golf course, conference facilities and Aboriginal cultural centre complete the hilltop complex. Leaving our quiet, sunny beach, we return to our campsite to freshen up before hiking up the hill to enjoy lunch at the Nk’Mip Cellars’ award-win-

ning winery. Seated on a wide, flower-bedecked plateau overlooking the vineyard, lake and town beyond, we sample wines and a delicious meal of venison and cherry meatballs, served with quinoa walnut salad. It is our first taste experience of quinoa, an ancient, highly nutritious protein-rich grain, and we love it. After lunch, we head over to the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre to take in the “Snakes Alive” educational

My goal is to help you reach yours. I’ll work one-on-one with you to develop a comprehensive investment strategy – one that’s right for you and your family’s unique needs and goals. And, I’ll maintain ongoing contact to ensure it remains flexible enough to move with you through each stage of your life. You can be confident I share your goal of enhancing your financial success over the long term. Call me, Peter Tsiandoulas, Branch Manager, Investment Advisor, at 604-654-5414.

PRIVATE INVESTMENT ADVICE

520 17th Street, Ste 200, West Vancouver, BC

tdwaterhouse.ca

TD Waterhouse Private Investment Advice is a division of TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. (Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund), a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. TD Waterhouse is a trade-mark of The Toronto-Dominion Bank, used under license. M01932 (0110) WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

NOVEMBER 2011

SNOWBIRDS OUT-OF-COUNTRY MEDICAL INSURANCE

—

ALSO —

Trip Cancellation Insurance 16 Different Insurance Companies

program. Gopher snakes, garter snakes, racers and rattlers – we watch, mesmerized, as handler Russell, a Cree Indian presenter, shows with videos and live “models” the seven snake species native to B.C. We are encouraged to touch some of the smaller ones and are surprised to learn they are not slimy and cold, but smooth and dry. We learn about their habits and habitat, and what to do if a rattler, the only venomous snake in B.C., bites us. Fortunately, rattlers, now on the endangered species list, are shy creatures that normally depart or seek cover when people approach. They strike only after a warning rattle, Joan and Bruce enjoy a morning beach walk.

CALL 1-888-831-9338 OR 1-877-482-7381 Please call Mon - Fri between 8am and 5pm or visit our website at www.travelguardian.ca

giving an intruder time to walk around or away. They do not follow; they don’t want to bite an animal too big to swallow. Bites, if they do occur, are seldom fatal, but medical help should be sought immediately. After another early morning beach walk, a circle tour the following day brings us to the neighbouring town of Oliver. Vineyard after vineyard, large estate wineries and orchards growing almost every kind of fruit imaginable – cherries, apricots, peaches, plums, grapes and apples – line the route. Roadside market stalls display mouth-watering displays of fresh fruit and veggies. Year-round tours, wine tasting, excellent food and even lodging are offered by some of the estate wineries in the area. We tour Oliver and then circle back towards Osoyoos, visiting wineries on the way. A delicious lunch on the patio of the Sonora Room, Burrowing Owl Estate Winery, is followed by an informative self-guided tour. We learn about 28

SENIOR LIVING

WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

wine production, and the significance of terroir: a combination of factors that give wine its distinctive flavour. Climate, soil and sunlight topography (geographical exposure to the sun) create the terroir that produces the unique taste and aromatic characteristics of each winery’s grapes. Armed with brochures about the area and its history from Oliver Information Centre, we follow back roads to the historic homestead of the Haynes family. Built in 1860 during the pioneer cattle ranching era for John Carmichael Haynes, a highly respected and prominent judge, customs officer and landowner, the house, now derelict, commands a breathtaking view of the valley and surrounding hills. Later, Judge Haynes became a cattle rancher. After increasing his cattle herd to 4,000 head, he acquired the title Cattle-King of the South Okanagan. Along with other Irish landed proprietors, he established cattle ranching as the first industry of the Okanagan.

“Hey, pull over, what was that?” Heading home on Highway 3, nine kilometres out of town, I spy what appears to be a lake, but one that’s dotted with large green, white, and yellow spots. Walking back up the highway to investigate, we find a rare natural phenomenon. The spotted lake (situated on privately owned land, but visible from the road), covering 15.2 hectares (38 acres), contains one of the world’s

highest concentrations of minerals. Fed by run-off from the surrounding hills, the lake dries out as the summer progresses, its mud forming into white, yellow, green and blue circles, depending on its mineral composition. Known to First Nations people as Klikuk, the lake is of cultural significance and revered as a sacred place of healing. Reluctantly leaving warm and wonderful Osoyoos, we already make plans SL to return.

Do you get the Senior Living Readers Newsle�er?

Each month, we email subscribers our newsle�er containing informa�on you won’t ﬁnd in our magazine. Sign up today by visi�ng our website at

www.seniorlivingmag.com No charge. WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

NOVEMBER 2011

BBB Better Better Better Better

Business Business Business Business

Bureau Bureau Bureau Bureau

SCAM ALERT

BY LYNDA PASACRETA

Tips for Giving Wisely

any of us are filled with a desire to help others Check out a charity’s claims. Despite what an orgaduring the holiday season. Whether it’s volun- nization might claim, charities have fundraising and adminteering at a soup kitchen or donating money to a istrative costs. Even a credit card donation will involve, at a cause, this time of year is thought of as a time for giving. minimum, a processing fee. If charities claim 100 per cent Unfortunately, fraudulent charities often emerge to try of collected funds will be assisting, for instance, earthquake to scam donations from well-meaning Canadians. To avoid victims, the truth is that the organization is still probably inscams or having donation dollars misdirected, donors would curring fundraising and administrative expenses. They may do well to plan their giving and demand accountability of use some of their other funds to pay this, but the expenses the organizations soliciting their support. will still be incurred. If you plan to donate money, whether it’s for those in Watch out for cases need during the holiday seaof mistaken identity. With To avoid scams or having donation son or for another cause close about 9,000 registered charito your heart, BBB would like ties in B.C. alone, it’s not dollars misdirected, donors would do to offer the following advice: surprising that some charity well to plan their giving and demand names sound alike. Be careful Think before you give. that the one soliciting you is accountability of the organizations Door-to-door solicitations for the one you have in mind. soliciting their support. donations are common, but when an unfamiliar organizaWatch out for charity tion comes knocking, don’t fraud. Legitimate charities give without gathering details. Ask for the charity’s name do not demand donations; they willingly provide written and address, get full identification from the solicitor and information about their programs, finances or how donareview it carefully. Ask to see written information on the tions are used; and they never insist you provide your credit charity’s programs and finances; then visit the Canadian card number, bank account number or any other personal Revenue Agency for a list of registered charities in Canada information. to confirm they’re legitimate. Tax receipts. If you want to make a tax-deductible doGiving later might be better. Never feel pressured nation, only a registered charity has a Registration Number to give on the spot. Legitimate charities will welcome your from the Canada Revenue Agency and can issue donation money tomorrow. If the solicitor pressures you with intimi- receipts for gifts. SL dation or harassing phone calls, don’t hesitate to file a complaint with BBB. Learn more about giving to charities by visiting www. mbc.bbb.org Be cautious when giving online. Be cautious about online giving, especially in response to messages and emails that claim to link to a charitable organization, in particular with those linked to disaster relief. In the days following Lynda Pasacreta is President of the Better Business Bureau the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, several phoney chari- of Mainland B.C. www.mbc.bbb.org To contact Lynda Pasacreta, table websites popped up alleging to help victims. e-mail president@mbc.bbb.org 30

SENIOR LIVING

WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

Photo: Jason van der Valk

ASK

Goldie

BY GOLDIE CARLOW, M.ED

Dear Goldie: Now that I’m retired and in my senior years, I would like to spend time on hobbies, grandchildren and long-neglected interests. My problem is that my wife still sees me as that same person who should put in a full day working. She has a million things lined up for me to do. This is not my idea of a happy retirement. What can you suggest? –L.B. Dear L.B.: Sometimes people reach their retirement years without recognition of aging and life changes. The only way to alter your wife’s perspective is good communication. You mention grandchildren, so maybe you could get your children involved. Call a family meeting and encourage everyone to speak freely. I assure you there will be some surprises, but also greater comprehension of the existing problems. Possibly a change of scenery – a little holiday for both of you would help your relationship too. Dear Goldie: My husband and I had a busy life at work, as well as raising four children. We both looked forward to retirement, free of family cares and time to travel. Well, here we are at that time of anticipation and now my husband refuses to go anywhere. He is glued to the TV plus an occasional coffee break with his past working buddies. What can I do? He refuses to go anywhere for a holiday with me. –R.S. Dear R.S.: Be sure your husband is in good health by speaking to his doctor about his attitude. If all is well, then you may have to change your personal retirement plans. There are senior travel companies you can contact for future holidays on your own. You may have a friend who could accompany you. If not, be assured you will meet other seniors on trips who travel on their own as well. SL Goldie Carlow is a retired registered nurse, clinical counsellor and senior peer counselling trainer. Send letters to Senior Living, Box 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave., Victoria, BC V8T 2C1. Senior Peer Counselling Centres (Lower Mainland) New Westminster 604-519-1064 North Vancouver 604-987-8138 Burnaby 604-291-2258 Richmond 604-279-7034 Vancouver West End 604-669-7339 Coquitlam – Tri-Cities 604-945-4480 Vancouver Westside 604-736-3588 WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

NOVEMBER 2011

DAPPER MINDS

’m old-fashioned. I’m a leftover relic from the “olden days.” I’m kind of like an old Victor-Victrola that can still be wound up, but doesn’t move as fast as it once did. Or an eighttrack tape that is still lying around but is no longer taken seriously. I’m not alone! I’m part of a fraternity. If you’re reading this, then maybe you’re part of this fraternity as well. It isn’t easy being an antique. Young people, at times, poke and prod me to see if I still work. Grocery clerks ask me if I need help out of my car. I hear: “Out of the way, old man!” on busy downtown streets. I’m a senior, to be sure, but that doesn’t mean that my mind is as slow as my body has become. I can still admire a pretty girl. Go to an action-packed movie and not fall out of my seat. Chew gum, and tap my foot to an upbeat tune. Maybe I can no longer race, compete in the workforce, or walk home from the Empress. That does not stop me from still having plenty to offer. Some time ago, I helped a blind woman find her destination. I also went to Future Shop to purchase a new television for a shut-in whose old television had suddenly decided to retire. I can still put dirty dishes in the dishwasher, and spill soup down the front of my shirt. I can write this column, and find my way around Thrifty’s. There are still a few miles left on this overweight, overtired body. And no one’s going to tell me differently! This old tiger may not have all its teeth, but it can sure work up a roar when a roar is needed. 32

SENIOR LIVING

My wife just told me to be careful not to mistake a yawn for a roar. I was going to roar at her for making light of what I’m saying, but I think I’ll wait until after my nap. I guess I am old-fashioned in certain ways. I still believe a gentleman should give up his seat for a lady, and he should always be on the outside of her when walking down the street. I believe in saying “please” and “thank you,” and not dropping my “g”s in conversation. I believe in manners and morals, and reverence where reverence is due; all those things from yesteryear that we learned at home, as well as in school. If all of this makes me “old-fashioned” then so be it! After all, I’m old – at least in the eyes of a teenager or young adult. When it comes to fashion, my dress is relaxed. My evening clothes consist of pyjamas, bathrobe and slippers. If I go for a drink, it’s usually into the kitchen for a glass of water. Birthdays are tolerated and no longer celebrated. Age has its downside, but it also has its upside. I pay less now to get into a movie. The only problem with that is there aren’t any decent movies. I can save a buck or two by ordering from a seniors’ menu in a restaurant. And because I don’t walk too well anymore, I get to board an airplane first. It’s too bad I no longer travel. I guess the problem with being older is that the young, for some reason, think our brains are as grey as our hair. And because some of us need certain aids to assist us to walk, they think we need extra assistance to help us think. WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

Photo: Krystle Wiseman

Reﬂections THEN & NOW

BY GIPP FORSTER

My brain isn’t disabled or limited, even though my body may be flirting with different dilemmas. Maybe my body can no longer run, but my mind still can. The only problem is it doesn’t always remember where it’s running. But other than that, my mind is still as sharp as a tack. It’s true I don’t move around too much anymore, but my wife doesn’t complain when she has to dust me. So, I guess she still wants me to stay. Once my kids respected me and obeyed me, but now kids consider me “cute” when I voice an opinion. They don’t consider me a threat. That rather upsets me. My wife thinks I’m cute when I’m upset, so there’s no reinforcement for my dignity in that arena. I guess I’ll just have to pout and bear it. Nevertheless, I don’t consider myself old in the final analysis. Old-fashioned? Oh, yes, indeed! I am. I am. I mean, there has to be some of us who still believe in proper diction, in manners, and in opening the door for ladies. We might be getting fewer and fewer and older and older (not old!), but our memory still holds fast to what our parents taught us when we were young. So, here’s to dapper minds hiding in tired bodies, and to the time when morality was SL a way of life – and not an option.

��

�� Make a move to enjoy the carefree lifestyle of Resort Retirement Living. Avenir communities offer both Independent and Assisted Living suites along with unmatched affordability and flexibility. Amenities abound, including first class service, 5-star meals prepared by award winning Red Seal Chefs, enriching social activities, wellness programs and much more. Our luxury communities and spacious deluxe suites are unrivaled anywhere in the retirement industry. Come discover the Diamond Standard of resort retirement living.

All-inclusive from $2,300.

2525 King George Blvd, South Surrey

2245 Kelly Ave., Port Coquitlam

2088 152nd Street, White Rock

www.PaciﬁcaLiving.ca

www.AstoriaLiving.ca

www.PeninsulaLiving.ca

604.636.3967

604.998.1605

604.635.1775