Senior Living Magazine Vancouver Edition August 2011 by INSPIRED 55+ Lifestyle Magazine

SPECIAL HOUSING EDITION AUGUST 2011

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

AGING IN PLACE Award-winning artist Angela Au Hemphill RVing to the Rockies www.seniorlivingmag.com

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

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

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

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AUGUST 2011

Publisher’s Changing where we live can be stressful at any age. So can renovating your home. Yet, as we get older we are faced with one and sometimes both of these challenges. Our housing editions are designed to offer some suggestions and information to those who are looking for a residential change, be it moving or remodeling. Knowing this to be a topic of interest to our readers, we have tried to find different ways to present the information, so that there is something for everyone. In addition to these twice annual special housing editions, we have a BC Housing Directory for Seniors on our website that has a vast and current database of varying types of accommodation. Recently, we partnered with retirementhomes.com to expand our housing listings across Canada. Our To Move or Not To Move book is another excellent source of information for seniors considering their future housing options. Should they stay in their own home and renovate? Should they move into a better-suited type of housing to accommodate reduced mobility or a decline in health? Or should they co-habitate with family members? All these alternatives are explored and explained in this helpful guide. You can order it from our website, fill out the order form in the magazine, or just call our office. Interestingly, it’s not just seniors who purchase this book. Family members find it useful as well. We’re often told that it helps seniors communicate easier with their adult children, and vice versa. We value your feedback on this edition of Senior Living. Please feel free to drop us a letter, or email us at office@seniorlivingmag.com 2

SENIOR LIVING

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SPECIAL HOUSING EDITION FEATURES

COLUMNS 4 The Family Caregiver

6 Aging in Place

Working with renovation specialists to address the needs of aging British Columbians who wish to age in place.

by Barbara Small

31 BBB Scam Alert

10 Directory of Senior Residences A guide to residences participating in this issue.

by Lynda Pasacreta

32 Reﬂections: Then & Now by Gipp Forster

12 Financing Your Retirement

Things to consider in your retirement budget.

14 Assisted Living

Overseeing assisted-living residences in British Columbia.

16 Planning for the Future

If aging in place is your plan for the future, consider what type of home support you’ll use should the need arise.

Cover Photo: President and CEO of the Vancouver Home Builders Association Peter Simpson. Story page 6. Photo: Philippe Martin-Morice

18 Artist in Residence

Award-winning New Westminster artist Angela Au Hemphill.

24 Hang Johnny

Musician John Watkins plays the unique hang drum.

26 RVing to the Rockies

Roaming Vancouverites drive through majestic mountains in awe.

Senior Living (Vancouver & Lower Mainland) is published by Stratis Publishing. Publisher Barbara Risto Editor Bobbie Jo Reid editor@seniorlivingmag.com Copy Editor Allyson Mantle Ad Designer/Coordinator Steffany Gundling Advertising Manager Barry Risto 250-479-4705 Toll-free 1-877-479-4705 sales@seniorlivingmag.com Ad Sales Staff Mitch Desrochers 604-910-8100 Ann Lester 250-390-1805 Mathieu Powell 250-589-7801 Barry Risto 250-479-4705 WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

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

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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

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

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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

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

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AUGUST 2011

THE FAMILY CAREGIVER

Help at Home

Resources to Assist Family Caregivers

s they age, many people try to stay in their own homes as long as possible. This can put added stress on family caregivers as the health and independence of their aging family member declines. Many products and services in the community exist to help support seniors aging in place, and can aid in reducing the impact on the family caregivers. The types of services will vary dependent on the community and the costs will range from free to a feefor-service. Below is a list of some of these services: Home support (community health workers) Provide assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, hygiene and toileting. Subsidized home support is available through your local health authority and is based on the income of the care recipient. Private home support agencies also provide these services on a fee-forservice basis. Some families have found that hiring live-in help has worked well for them and there are businesses that can assist with this including some that provide eldercare nannies. Medical Equipment and Aids A variety of aids and equipment are available for purchase or loan to help individuals with communication, mobility or specific personal care needs. These include medical equipment, incontinence supplies, specialized clothing, mobility aids, vision aids and hospital beds. Community loan cupboards may exist from which you can borrow medical equipment. Several business4

SENIOR LIVING

BY BARBARA SMALL

es focus solely on selling medical aids and equipment. Occupational and Physiotherapists Rehabilitation professionals are available through the Home and Community Care department of your local health authority. These individuals can do a home safety assessment to ensure that the home is safe and supports optimal functional independence. Home Adaptation Another step toward ensuring safe independence at home is to have the house adapted to be more accessible as mobility and health changes. The Home Adaptations for Seniors’ Independence (HASI) program through CMHC “offers financial assistance for minor home adaptations that will help low-income seniors to perform daily activities in their home independently and safely.” Emergency response and medical alert systems These are 24-hour-a-day monitoring services that connect to a live person in the case of a fall or other emergency. Some systems also provide automatic medication reminders. Volunteer organizations Provide home visitors, walking companions, and volunteers to assist with odd jobs, reading, letter writing and driving to appointments or shopping. Some agencies also provide reassurance calls to check-in with your family member each day to ensure they are okay. WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

House cleaning services This is a useful resource for family caregivers and some will provide additional services, including laundry, moving furniture, taking out garbage and doing garden work. Private home support agencies often offer housekeeping services. Other support services may be available in your community to provide help in the home and improve the quality of life for both the family caregiver and the care recipient. For resources in your local community, check the yellow pages, contact the Home and Community Care division of the health authority, visit a seniors’ centre or look under “Resources” on the Family Caregivers’ Network’s website at www.familycaregiversnetSL work.org Next month: The Importance of Asking for Help Barbara Small is the Program Development Coordinator for Family Caregivers’ Network Society located in Victoria, BC. www.familycaregiversnetwork.org

KINSMEN LODGE

AGE HAPPENS. Rino and Bruna first set eyes on each other at the village Sunday social and have been dancing together for over 60 years. When Rino realized he needed help caring for Bruna as her Parkinson’s condition became more acute, they relocated together to Kinsmen Lodge. This romantic, Italian couple are very happy in their new home and they share their love of stepping-out with friends at Kinsmen Lodge, where dancing and parties are weekly events!

HONOURING ELDERS WITH GIFTS OF SAFETY AND COMFORT

At Kinsmen Lodge we know a lot about old people. We know they’re actually young people in old bodies, wondering how life happened so quickly. We know they love to be engaged in life, in whatever way they can. For 35 years we have been providing excellent quality care so they can live their lives to the fullest. When an Elder enters a care home, it is a new phase of life. For some, it may be borrowed time: age illuminates the true value of time, making what is left to spend more precious than ever. We honour this time for our Elders and their families by striving to provide a home with the best safety equipment and comfortable furnishings. As accredited Eden Philosophy™ practitioners, we champion the provision of care with dignity and respect. Visit us online to learn more about accommodation and services at KL and the fundraising campaign for our new home, scheduled to open in Surrey, BC in January, 2012

Donate No4w 5 604-588-0 4 kinsmenlodge.ca WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

AUGUST 2011

Housing

Aging in Place

BY KEVIN MCKAY

any people resist change – the bigger the change, the greater the likelihood of stress. That is why where people choose to live is an important consideration, especially as they age. As a person’s needs change over time, there are steps that can mitigate any potential dangers in the home, and allow individuals to remain where they are comfortable for much longer than ever before. And nobody knows this better than President and Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver Home Builders Association Peter Simpson. The 66 year old, who has the energy of a far younger man, has been concerned for people and their housing needs for much longer than the 18 years he has run the association. After working for the Toronto Sun newspaper for 16 years, many of those as a columnist, Peter took a position with the Toronto Home Builders Association, the largest in the country. Within a year, he ran the association and, after five more years, he made the decision to accept the position in Vancouver. “What was missing for me was a new challenge,” says Peter. “When I came to Vancouver, the association was the sixth largest in Canada, and now it is the second largest in the country. I wanted to go somewhere that needed help with growth.” Even while staying busy running the association, Peter finds the time to serve on eight boards including the Simon Fraser University Urban Studies board, the BCIT construction management committee, the Mayor of Surrey’s board on the economy and job creation and the homelessness and housing society board of directors in Surrey. 6

SENIOR LIVING

Vancouver Home Builders Association President and Chief Executive Ofﬁcer Peter Simpson Photo: Philippe Martin-Morice

The local association Peter runs is comprised of a board, a dedicated staff and over 730 diverse member companies – everything from builders and renovators through trade contractors, manufacturers, inspectors and more. WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

The association is involved in all issues of housing, providing seminars, workshops, education, training and networking opportunities among other services. While they pay close attention to all age groups and demograph-

ics from first-time homebuyers and up, they are definitely aware of senior adults’ needs. One way they do this is provide workshops for renovation specialists called Certified Aging in Place Specialists (CAPS). “Seniors’ housing issues are important and, while working here in Vancouver, I had heard about a certification program called CAPS, which has been going on in the United States,” says Peter. “I wanted to bring it here and so now we are providing comprehensive four-day programs for renovators. Those taking the course become certified to counsel their clients, explaining to them all the things they can do to remain in the same place while aging.” Some of the issues these certified renovators can address include ways to make homes barrier-free and safer to reside in as age has an effect on one’s health and mobility. These experts advise on changes and improvements that

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AUGUST 2011

Housing can be made both inside and outside a home. They can look at ways to have all frequently used rooms on the main floor, or whether it is possible to install a lift to help bring homeowners up the stairs. They can look at using different door handles, installing guard rails and handrails, widening doorways, changing floor surfaces, lowering switches and electrical outlets, lowering mirrors and appliances and can consider many more ways to allow people to remain in their own home longer. While the first baby boomers turn 65 this year, for Peter this holds special significance, as this group will have a huge impact on the housing market. “The baby boomers are a silver wave coming through,” he says. “It is a demographic that everyone involved with rentals and home ownership needs to pay attention to. They are a savvy group and do not want to be pigeonholed. My grandmother lived in a unit identical to everyone else around

her. In her day, you were told you are living here in this building. You can’t do that today without people pushing back very quickly.” While there is little doubt that in some cases assisted living or care facilities become a necessity, there are many more people who, with some careful planning and assistance from a certified renovator, will be able to enjoy untold years aging in place. Many older adults will choose to have their living spaces adapted, rather than be forced to move. “People get used to living in a neighbourhood or a certain area,” says Peter. “This is where they live, it’s where their friends are. They value seeing the same things every day. They become comfortable speaking to the same pharmacist every time they need to get a prescription filled. They find a hairdresser they like or a bakery they really enjoy.” “Where people live is such a big part of their lives, it is really impor-

tant to keep them as comfortable as possible. If we can just do as much as we can to accommodate their needs as they get older, we will all be much better off.” While Peter is driven to excel in all he does, he realizes he will not be doing this forever. He has informed his board that while he has no immediate plans to step away, they should also begin putting together a succession plan for when the day comes. “Right now, I still have the energy and the commitment and the drive to take this association to the next level,” he says. “I will never take my foot off the gas for that. It is one of the best associations around with a great staff, a terrific board and members who see value in what we do. What could be better than housing people? Changes are coming and they are coming fast. It is our responsibility to make sure the changes we make are the appropriate SL and necessary ones.”

Bria Communities are a family of residences designed for seniors who want the freedom to be themselves, to live independently, and to experience fun and enjoyment with their friends and families every day.

Get to know us! Call anytime to book a tour and visit one of our three unique residences. Magnolia Gardens Langley — 604 514-1210

Sunridge Gardens Murrayville — 604 510-5091

The Waterford Tsawwassen — 604 943-5954

www.BriaCommunities.ca 8

SENIOR LIVING

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

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AUGUST2011 2011 FEBRUARY

Directory of Senior Residences BRITISH COLUMBIA Amenida 

604-597-9333 13855 - 68 Avenue www.homecareliving.ca; 146 Units 24-hour security; emergency call system; parking; ﬁreplaces; hair salon; dining room; convenience store

Amica at Arbutus Manor  

604-736-8936;2125 Eddington Drive, Vancouver; www.amica.ca; 40 Units Activity programs; assistance offered; ﬂat laundry; ﬂexible meal choices; housekeeping

Amica at Mayfair  

604-552-5552; 2267 Kelly Avenue Port Coquitlam www.amica.ca; 86 Units Activity programs; cable TV; free laundry facility; community kitchen; ﬁtness centre; some pet restrictions

Amica at Rideau Manor  

604-291-1792 1850 Rosser Ave., Burnaby www.amica.ca; 140 Units Games room; free laundry facilities; 24hr call system; housekeeping; parking; activity programs; insuite full or part kitchens

Amica at West Vancouver  604-921-9181; 659 Clyde Avenue West Vancouver; www.amica.ca Housekeeping; linen & towels supplied; games room; garden; hair salon; library; 24hr call system’ Astoria, The 

604-998-1616 2245 Kelly Ave., Coquitlam www.astorialiving.ca; 135 Units 5-star meals; social activities; wellness programs; ﬁtness centre; games room; lounge

Avalon Gardens 

604-546-3100 22323 - 48 Ave, Langley; www.avalon-gardens.com; 126 Units Close to shopping; meal packages; emergency call system; guess rooms; small pet allowed; crafts;

Berwick On The Park  *

250-377-7275 60 Whiteshield Cres, Kamloops www.berwickrc.com Activity programs; housekeeping; internet; cable; lounge; games room; ﬁtness centre

SENIOR LIVING

Bevan Lodge 

604-850-5416 33386 Bevan Ave, Abbotsford www.bevanlodge.ca; 150 Units Recreational programs; day trips; strength training; housekeeping; linens and towels; dining room; salon

Cavell Gardens 

Magnolia Gardens  

604-514-1210 5840 Glover Road, Langley www.magnoliagardens.net; 195 Units Bria Communities / Century Group Housekeeping; crafts; activity programs; parking; social programs; games room; garden; guest suite

Maple Ridge Srs Village   *

604-637-1207 2835 Sophia Street, Vancouver www.cavellgardens.com Library; computer; ﬁreside lounge; exercise room; 24hr emergency response system; weekly housekeeping; underground parking

604-466-3053 22141 - 119 Ave, Maple Ridge www.retirementconcepts.com Activity programs; housekeeping; all meals; 24hr call system; dining room; garden

Crescent Gardens

Mulberry, The 

604-541-8861 1222 King George Highway, Surrey www.chartwellreit.ca; 110 Units Kitchenettes; emergency response system; pets allowed; wheelchair accessibility; game room; hair salon

604-526-2248 7230 Acorn Avenue, Burnaby www.themulberry.ca In-house chef; weekly housekeeping; heat; hydro; cable TV; 24hr video security; laundry

Dunwood Place 

Paciﬁca, The  

604-521-8636 901 Colborne St., New Westminster; dunwoodplace@telus.net; 193 Units Full or part kitchen insuite; hair salon; lounge; near public transit; wheelchair access; woodworking room

604-484-0588 2525 King George, Surrey www.paciﬁcaliving.ca; 115 Units Activity programs; housekeeping; linen & towels supplied; parking; social programs; beauty salon; library; resistance pool

Harmony Court Estate 

Peninsula, The 

604-527-3300 7197 Canada Way, Burnaby www.harmonycourtestate.ca Activity programs; housekeeping; pet restrictions; ﬁtness centre; 24hr call system

604-635-1774 2088 152 Street, Surrey www.peninsulaliving.ca; 127 Units Restaurant; ﬂat linen laundry service; concierce services; social events & activities; therapeutic pool; computer room

Imperial Place 

Poppy Residences, The 

604-581-1555 13853 102 Avenue, Surrey www.allegroresidences.com Full-service dining room; laundry service; kitchenette; social activities; Tai Chi; ﬁtness classes; bus outings

Langley Gardens 

604-888-0228 8888 - 202 Street, Langley www.chartwellreit.ca; 208 Units Full service dining room; libraries; hair salon; wellness room; laundry

L.J. Christmas Manor 

604-936-8122 560 Austin Ave, Coquitlam www.ljchristmasmanor.com Cafeteria; parking facilities; pool tables; shufﬂe board; library; housekeeping; pub night; home cooked meals; bus WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

604-568-5563 5291 Grimmer Street, Burnaby; 70 Units www.thepoppyresidences.com Library; lounge; bar; coffee/tea service; housekeeping; social programs; activity coordinator; craft rooms; computer station; pets allowed

TYPES OF HOUSING SERVICES PROVIDED

 (I) Independent / Supportive Living

 (A) Assisted Living

 (C) Complex Care



(X) Campus of Care

Renaissance, The 

604-539-0571 6676 203 Street, Langley www.allegroresidences.com Concierge services; laundry service; in-suite storage; movie nights; Tai Chi; bingo; crib; painting club; bus outings; billiards;

Shannon Oaks 

604-324-6257; 2526 Waverly Avenue, Vancouver www.shannonoaks.com; 144 Units Cable TV; housekeeping; free laundry facility; all meals; hair salon; 24hr call system

Silver Springs Vernon 

Sunridge 

604-510-5091 22301 Fraser Highway, Murrayville www.SunridgeGardens.net; 145 Units Bria Communities / Century Group; activity programs; chapel; ﬁtness centre; lounge; some pet restrictions; country setting; crafts

Sunwood (Purchasable) *

604-463-5527 12241 - 224 Street, Maple Ridge www.sunwoodliving.com; 93 Units Activity programs; games room; lounge; spa; theatre; housekeeping

Waterford  

604-943-5954; 200 Units 1345 - 56 Street, Tsawwassen www.waterfordforseniors.net Bria Communities / Century Group; activity programs; laundry; social programs; crafts and games; dietician on site; garden; guest suite

SASKATCHEWAN

Terraces on Seventh  

250-545-3351 3309 - 39 Avenue, Vernon; 122 Units www.silverspringsvernon.ca Fireside lounge; courtyards and gardens; 24-hr emergency response; library; exercise room; parking

604-738-8380 1570 West 7 Avenue, Vancouver www.terracesonseventh.com Private balconies; full kitchens; weekly buffet dinner; housekeeping; daily excursions; ﬁtness classes; Tai Chi; Wii; movies; billiards

Summerhill, The 

Thornebridge Gardens  

604-980-6525 135 W 15 St, North Vancouver www.thesummerhill.ca; 108 Units Activity programs; 24hr call system; free laundry facilities; garden; insuite kitchens

www.thornebridge.ca; 144 Units 24-hr staff on site; ﬁreside lounge; grand dining room; laundry; games room; country kitchen; corner store

Parkville Manor 

306-933-9394 625 - 25th Street East, Saskatoon www.parkvillemanor.com; 138 Units Library; computer centre; general store; heated swimming pool; sauna; billiards; sundeck; greenhouse; restaurant; guest suite

604-524-6100 649 - 8 Avenue, New Westminster

*** More information on these residences can be found at: www.seniorlivingmag.com/housingdirectory

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AUGUST 2011

FINANCING YOUR RETIREMENT ome back to the place you call home.

Saskatoon’s Premiere Retirement Community

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.

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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) 12

SENIOR LIVING

BY GEORGE ZADOR

ne of the “funnies” my friend forwarded to me the other day by email was a website that can forecast my life expectancy if I plug in the relevant details. I figured why not? I uploaded the requested data and the answer was 101.5 years! Well, I am in my early seventies in pretty good shape and look after myself, my mom died at 96, statistics claim centenarians are becoming one of the fastest growing demographics and medicines are keeping us alive even longer. My demise at the age of 101.5 may not be a joke. There is only one problem: I will have far outlived my retirement funds! When I retired 10 years ago, like most people, I calculated the cost of living on the basis of 60-70 per cent pre-retirement income, a foundation still used today. I did all my due diligence with a budget and with the mortgage paid off, and no other debts, I thought that my wife and I were well within the comfort zone of income coming in from investments and pensions. It wasn’t too long before reality surfaced – nothing drastic, just “things” that were never given a heading in the old budget. More to the point, it was the realization that while our income was more or less fixed (forget the pathetic indexing of government pensions) our needs were increasing. What are your missing items? If you are about to retire, and counting your chickens, listen up! If you are well into retirement, you can just nod and say, “Yup, he’s got that right!” BIG TICKET ITEMS If you’ve decided to stay in your house, budget for that new roof or other major maintenance. If you’ve downsized and moved to a townhouse or condo, strata fees will increase regularly and there are regular assessments. For those who haven’t switched to riding a bike or a scooter, you’ll eventually need to replace WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

your car. Allocate funds for these items unless future depletion of capital is not a problem. FAMILY God bless kids and grandkids – the more the merrier. With their significant others, how many birthday and Christmas gifts need to be purchased? What about grads and weddings or other occasions? Put aside a chunk of money for these expenses. Oh, and let’s not even talk about the potential cost of helping out children coming home after a marriage break up, job loss or other financial disaster – the kind of events that could trash any budget. HEALTH If you were lucky to keep your extended health insurance from employment, great! If not, you pay the premiums, which increase with age and health problems. If you pay the freight as you go along, just some simple blood pressure meds, vitamins and supplements, eyeglasses and perhaps a hearing aid, physio and dental may run into thousands. As you age, these costs keep going up! And have you considered critical illness insurance? TRAVEL That was on the top of the list for your retirement activities, right? Before you go anywhere, you had better have travel insurance and hope to be healthy, because on top of the age-based increases in premiums, the extras for various health problems are significant. Then you need to allow for the ever-increasing cost of all travel-related functions and hope that in 10 years’ time you can afford to travel further than Calgary! INVESTMENTS Even with the best financial advisor managing your funds, another trashing by the markets may put a major damper on your financial future. You’ll need all the help you can get unless you are a financial wizard or independently wealthy, in which case, none of the above would bother you. Happy retirement!

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10 Years Together

Oh My Gosh!

We are celebrating our 10th Anniversary! The Summerhill Retirement Residence has been growing with the North Shore community, seniors, and families since we opened our doors in the summer of 2001. Thank you to all those who have, and continue to call us home. 135 West 15th Street (off Lonsdale) North Vancouver | 604.980.6525 www.the summerhill.ca Part of Paciﬁc Arbour Retirement Communities

Where good things come together. WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

AUGUST 2011

Assisted Living BY ELIZABETH GODLEY

“E

veryone deserves to live in comfort, with dignity and a little enjoyment thrown in as well. This is what assisted-living residences provide,” says Susan Adams. As the Registrar of Assisted Living in B.C., Susan oversees the province’s 6,684 assisted-living units under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act, which came into effect in 2004. As well as providing advice to developers and builders, Susan and her staff of three are involved in registering assisted-living developments and administering provincial health and safety standards. The office also investigates complaints from residents. “Since opening in 2004, we have investigated 513 complaints about issues ranging from housekeeping to management,” says Susan, who is a lawyer by training. “When we investigate, we work with the registrant to ensure compliance with the provincial legislation. We also investigate possible unregistered assisted-living residences.” Susan, 50, has had no personal experience with assisted living. Her mother still lives in her own home. However, she is proud that her work supports the province’s larger aim of helping seniors remain independent as long as possible. “The fact that I can contribute to this invaluable service by ensuring it is provided in a manner that protects the health and safety of residents is enormously satisfying,” she says. Under the legislation, assisted-living complexes with a minimum of three units must be registered with the government. Costs for assisted-living units vary widely, depending on location and amenities. Some are for sale, while others are rental. Sixty-four per cent of B.C.’s assisted-living units are publicly subsidized, based on the occupant’s after-tax income. A health authority case manager determines eligibility for publicly subsidized assisted living. People qualify if they are eligible for home and community care services; require hospitality services and personal assistance (help with bathing or medications); can make decisions that will allow them to function safely in an assisted-living residence (or if they have a spouse that can make decisions on their behalf); and are at significant risk in their current living environSL ment (falls, isolation, poor nutrition). For more information, go to www.health.gov.bc.ca/assisted, or call 604-676-1414 or 1-866-714-3378. 14

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AUGUST 2011

Housing

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

BY NADINE JONES

ccording to statistics published in 2006 by the Public Health Agency of Canada, seniors numbered over four million – which meant that one in every seven Canadians was aged 65 or older. With seniors living longer than ever before, that 2006 statistic is projected to rise to one senior in every four Canadians by the year 2036. Aging in place – or remaining in their own homes for as long as possible – is the preference of most people as time marches on. Unfortunately, this desire is not always possible for a variety of reasons; the main one is a lack of home support. “There are far fewer government-provided services now than there were 10 years ago,” says Dr. Reva Adler, MD MPH FRCPC, who has worked for 20 years as clinical professor of geriatric medicine at the University of British Columbia. “And the cost of services formerly covered by government funding has been shifted back on the shoulders of seniors.” The numbers of seniors wanting to remain in their own homes is going to increase, not decrease, Adler points out. So, what provisions are being made to help seniors remain in their own homes for longer, which, in the long run, is more cost-effective than subsidizing them in a care facility? Apparently not enough, though seniors trying to cope at home alone is not a new problem. Over the years,

attempts have been made to alleviate the situation, but most strategies have failed. An accident involving a senior alone often results in the victim being rushed to occupy a much-needed acute-care hospital bed – sometimes for a lengthy stay because there is no-

didn’t mesh well with that of the senior – or middle-aged transient women, who often had drug, alcohol or mental problems. A few lasting matches were made, but Homesharers folded after a couple of disappointing years. In the absence of solutions, the problem hasn’t gone away. As people age, their physical capabilities diminish. It becomes more and more difficult to bathe, shop, walk, visit or drive to a volunteer job, which means ongoing help becomes necessary. At one end of the scale is private home support, but the average cost of such a service provided in the Lower Mainland runs between $25 and $40 an hour, which can be prohibitive for some people. At the other end of the scale, for disabled veterans who qualify, Canada’s Department of Veteran’s Affairs (DVA), provides meals, light housekeeping and often helpful furniture – such as lift chairs that tip forward to assist in moving from a seated to standing position. For the majority of seniors who are somewhere in the middle, the best advice is to plan for the future before a move becomes a necessity because of a medical emergency. Gerontology experts counsel that seniors should put plans in place for the time they can no longer live alone – or for emergencies – while they are mentally capable of making independent decisions. While it may seem like

Aging in place – or remaining in their own homes for as long as possible – is the preference of most people as time marches on. Unfortunately, this desire is not always possible for a variety of reasons; the main one is a lack of home support.

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where else for him or her to go. What seemed to be a motherhoodand-apple-pie solution was launched in the 1980s when the non-profit organization Vancouver Homesharers opened. Their mission was to pair up home-owning seniors with individuals who needed low-cost housing – and were prepared, in return, to provide a degree of live-in help. In theory, the idea was good, but in practice, homesharing was not viable for several reasons. First, by the time the senior decided they needed live-in support, it was often more help with cooking, washing and cleaning than most live-ins were prepared to give in return for a free room. Also, most of the prospective live-in applicants were either students – whose lifestyles WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

offer up on consignment (there is always the trauma of what to keep and what to dispose of when downsizing). The service’s employees measure the new accommodation and report what items of furniture will fit and how much space there is for hanging pictures. They pack, hire the moving van, and unpack – even to the point of hanging those pictures on the walls. The service can run around $3,000 to

move a senior from an average-sized two-bedroom home, but that figure could fluctuate widely depending on the distance and timing of a move. In a recent interview, Jack Layton, new Leader of the Opposition noted that Canada needs a national plan to ensure “high-quality, non-profit, longterm care for all seniors.” You can bet there are many seniors who would secSL ond that motion.

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a step in the right direction, seniors cannot put themselves on a government-subsidized facility’s waiting list – admission is only granted to those who meet certain criteria. To be eligible for permanent accommodation in any government-run care home, seniors must first be assessed by a public health nurse who decides if they are capable of living alone or not. If the situation becomes critical and a senior must be moved, he or she is sent to the first support home with an available bed – whether that facility is close to family and friends or not. But there are other solutions. If finances are not a problem, seniors can add their name to a waiting list in a private facility of their choice. A small down payment of a few hundred dollars secures a place on a list and that payment is deducted from the first month’s charges. If the senior’s name comes to the top of the list and he/ she is not ready to move, their name doesn’t plunge to the bottom of the list but instead hovers near the top. “The most important thing to do while you are still mentally capable of making decisions for yourself,” says Monica Webb, marketing manager of a private care facility in Richmond, “is to have a good plan. Today you might be a healthy, independent and capable person but tomorrow could be a different story and somebody else takes control of your life.” The average cost of a private care facility is between $3,000 and $5,000 monthly, which often includes dinner. Extra services like laundry or personal care are available for a fee. In today’s entrepreneurial world, many senior-focused services have sprung up to provide help – with as little trauma as possible – for an eventual move to a support facility or to stay with family. One such service provides support to seniors through the moving process, helping them decide what possessions to keep, which to donate, and what to

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AUGUST 2011

Artist in Residence

Arts & Entertainment

BY KEVIN MCKAY

ne could say Angela Au Hemphill was born to be an artist, and they wouldn’t be far off. The 56-year-old New Westminster resident and full-time artist got an early start drawing on the walls of her family’s Hong Kong apartment before she could read or write. Though many children engage in this behaviour, not many take it to the extent that young Angela did. “When my mother caught me drawing on the walls she tried to stop me, but I just kept drawing my illustrations lower and lower towards the floor, where she could not find them so easily,” recalls Angela. “To get it out of me, she sent me to a master named Lo Ku Chune, who taught me perspective and basic drawing skills. He knew watercolours really well, so he also taught me to paint in that medium.” Angela immigrated to Canada in 1973, following four of her brothers. “I was really excited to see another part of the

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world,” she says. “I landed in Vancouver and thought Canada was beautiful. In Jasper, I saw my first wild animal. It was a moose, and I thought it was so big!” High school in Edmonton was a big adjustment and not just because of the climate. There was only one other Chinese student in Angela’s school, and that girl had been born in Canada and did not speak Cantonese. Unable to be an active student leader, as she had been in Hong Kong, Angela sought refuge with her family – and her art. “In Grades 11 and 12, I took regular subjects in the morning and a graphic art program each afternoon. My art teacher told me I needed to further my education in art, and he recommended a four-year program at the Alberta College of Art in Calgary. I really enjoyed it. I learned to meet deadlines and received lots of practical information. They let us interpret our projects how we wanted, which allowed us to show who we were through our art.” After graduation, only Angela and one other student had jobs waiting for them. Soon after, she married Ian Hemphill, whom she had met while in college. Within a year, the couple moved to Vancouver and settled in the False Creek area until the SkyTrain was built for Expo ’86. Then they bought a place in New Westminster. The couple was blessed with two daughters and, when the second one was born, Angela found it difficult to juggle child care and full-time work, so she worked part time in downtown Vancouver as a graphic artist while raising her young family. This worked well for years until the day came to make the big decision. “When the girls were both in high school, I finally decided to go for it and just paint for a living. I started to build up my collection and my website and started sending my work out to local galleries. I now work with two galleries and do commissioned work.” One memory Angela treasures is that of a painting of a chick sitting on a bucket on a farm, which she did while in high school. She was one of six students chosen by her art teacher to participate in a painting demonstration with proceeds to go to Children’s Hospital. She says, “The painting was two feet by three feet and after we painted for one week, they auctioned off all the paintings. The highest bid on any of the other works was $350, but on mine, the bidding went up to $500! That was a lot of money in the 1970s, and it was a great feeling to have the highest bid in the auction.” Over the years, Angela has become accomplished with watercolours, oils and acrylics and has won awards and sold her work in all three mediums. These days, her preferred medium is acrylics due to the advances made in it over time. “I find acrylics very versatile and they do not smell like oils do,” says Angela. “It dries much faster than oils and is healthier for the painter. With acrylics, you can really build up the texture in the painting.” Though she sometimes tries different techniques, various styles or plays with movement when painting for pleasure, she is now focusing primarily on completing works of art done in the Angela Au Hemphill style. “I am an impressionist painter. I just love the style but, even though my style is impressionist, the way I apply my brushstrokes

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AUGUST 2011

Artist Angela Au Hemphill (left) assists students at Centennial Lodge, Queen’s Park, New Westminster.

�� Angela’s gold-medal winning painting “Christchurch Oxford.”

��

�� 20

SENIOR LIVING

is different from other artists. My style includes square brush strokes, some solid, some transparent. I use layers of paint to merge into one colour. My paintings are well thought out. I need to have been there and seen what I am painting in order to paint it.” Angela is a supporter of the New Westminster Heritage Preservation Society. In addition to painting heritage homes for their owners, Angela is also commissioned by Westminster Savings to paint the winning homes each year for the Royal City Heritage Builders Award. Among the many awards she has won, Angela is proud of the accolades she received for her painting titled “Christchurch Oxford” (above) at the prestigious Spilsbury Medal Show at the Federation of Canadian Artists in Vancouver last December. This juried exhibition, which takes place each year, is open only to signature members of the federation and Angela was one of only three artists from the West Coast to receive medals for their paintings. Hers was gold. “It is a tremendous honour to receive an award like this one because it comes from artists I respect and admire,” she says. Another project Angela spearheaded is a unique artistic collabora-

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tion done to support the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. A young Royal City woman named Eva Markvoort passed away in March 2010, after a lifelong battle with the disease, which she had called “65 roses” since it is difficult for a child to pronounce. Inspired by Markvoort’s courage and spirit, Angela presented an idea to the Federation of Canadian Artists, which was looking for a project to support. The concept was to have 65 different artists contribute a painting of a single red rose and then to combine all the paintings into one large composite piece of art. “We ended up with 65 world-class artists contributing paintings,” says Angela. “There are some real players on the list, making this quite an historic event.” In addition to Angela, some of the other artists included Robert Bateman, Alan Wylie and Robert Genn. Angela believes the project is a great way to pay homage to Eva’s spirit, as well as to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis and raise awareness of organ donations. To date, they have raised over $200,000 and the painting is on display in the lobby of B.C. Children’s Hospital. “This is a great example of how art can be used as a healing tool.” Angela’s next solo show, “Landscapes from Streetside to Countryside,” focusing on the West Coast and scenes from Europe, will be on exhibition in August at the Arts Council of New Westminster’s Queen’s Park Gallery. The opening reception is August 7, from 2-4 p.m. The Gallery is open daily 1-5 p.m., SL closed Mondays.

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AUGUST 2011

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AUGUST 2011

Hang Johnny

Arts & Entertainment

BY DEE WALMSLEY

SENIOR LIVING

Musician Hang Johnny Watkins performs on White Rock Pier.

Photo: Dee Walmsley

ohn Watkins lives in two worlds; by day he paints, not portraits but interior landscapes. He is a house painter plying his trade since 1978. He’ll paint anything on his client’s walls but his specialty is faux finishing. In 1991, he was featured in three different booths at the BC Place Home and Garden Show and in the Street of Dreams in Coquitlam. “I consider myself fortunate to have been taught my trade by a very precise German painter, who was quick to point out when I wasn’t doing things correctly,” says John. “He was the master painter, and I the apprentice, and, luckily, I was a quick study.” In 1970, at age 15, when most boys were eyeing the girls, John’s impressive musical abilities blossomed. “My first professional gig as a drummer was one year later! I toured much of Canada performing in pop/rock bands for 15 years.” Needless to say, the girls followed along making John the envy of his high school mates. But John needed a second income to support his young family. Painting kept the creative juices flowing and allowed the artist time to play local gigs supplementing his meagre painter’s salary. Today, at dusk when the last rays of sun filter through his backyard paradise, he can be found off in his other world. A Panama hat replaces his traditional painter’s cap and with his Swiss-made hang drum slung over his shoulder, John heads off to the water’s edge to immerse his soul in Pacific waves. The Swiss inventors refer to their invention not as a drum but a sound sculpture. This instrument was built to stroke, like dampened fingers over rims of crystal, it sings. John’s fingers flick the metal like butterfly wings striking melodically interesting themes. It’s a spiritual awakening. “When I’m playing this drum it is akin to self-hypnosis, allowing my conscious brain to reach the child within to come out and dream.” John has always had a spiritual nature, but it wasn’t until age 22 that he met his natural father’s parents for the first time; John’s father, David Plaskett, passed away when John was very young. It was then he discovered that his grandfather, Eli Plaskett, was a drummer in dance bands in the ’30s and ’40s. John also learned that his grandfather’s cousin Joseph Plaskett, a world-renowned artist who lived in Paris much of his life, received the Order of Canada in 2001.

John’s mother, Evelyn Dillabough, grew up on the Kamloops Shuswap Nation Reserve. She was half native, and her mother (John’s grandmother) was full blood native. “I believe that my drumming talent comes from my native roots. My mother’s uncle was a Native Drummer, who dressed in full headdress and performed in parades in the ’50s and ’60s. Love is lovelier the second time around, so says the song, and it certainly works for John and Jan, a musical booking agent, whom he met in 1996. “I was getting my name known in the music industry and threw a big industry party! John was invited to come along by some musicians that I had invited,” says Jan. John says it was love at first sight. And so began John’s drumming transition; shortly after meeting, Jan presented him with an African hand drum called

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a djembe. This led to a 12-year love affair with the African drum and a new interest in the instrument. Over the years, John collected several djembes and performed weekly in an African Drum Circle with other hand-drum devotees. While his wife was instrumental in introducing John to the djembes, it was their daughter, Morgan, who through YouTube got John hooked on the hang drum. Jan’s connections helped John acquire his hang. “There is only one place in the world where you can get a hang and that is from a small operation in Bern, Switzerland,” says Jan. “Using the letterhead for my music booking agency, we wrote to the Hang Bauhaus and requested that John be considered for the instrument. (We had learned through our research that it could take a year to get one, and that you had to be ‘chosen’). Four and a half months later, John’s hang arrived. John’s djembes are all end tables now, as his passion for the hang supersedes all else!” Well, not quite. Five years ago John and Jan tied the knot in a unique beach wedding. “Our theme for the wedding was ‘multicultural’ and we invited our friends to wear costumes reflecting their ancestry, if they desired,” recalls Jan. “As John was so heavily involved in African drumming at the time, we decided to wear African ceremonial Mud Cloth outfits from Nigeria. We danced down the aisle together to about 10-12 djembe drummers at our wedding. Even our minister wore an African shirt and participated in the drumming!” “We had musicians from all walks of life performing at the wedding – a steel drum band, a Django Rinehart style Gypsy band, a contemporary jazz band, a Beatles tribute band, and about 14 classical players – violinists, cellists, harpists, flutists, classical guitarists and even a Scottish bagpiper! It was truly a musical occasion!” Today, the couple shares their White Rock home with two furballs, Ollie and Murray, and an array of friends and family. “I am turned on by people with passion,” says John. “I have few regrets but, if I had my life to live over, I’d certainly get that post-secondary education.” Honoured to have played for thousands during the 2010 Olympics, John sold hundreds of his new CDs. He was one of the lucky few that received a coveted TransLink Busking Licence. When not painting, John continues to busk at White Rock Beach and for TransLink. John loves his family, music, all forms of art, trees, spiders, birds – especially eagles, cats, chopping wood and making fires at the beach, good wine, the occasional martini and travelling the world with the love of his life. In John’s music world, he is known as Hang Johnny. In his painting world, he is known as Mother Nature’s Son. To everyone SL else, he is just John.

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For more information, visit www.hangjohnny.com or to view a video of Hang Johnny on Senior Living’s website, visit www.seniorlivingmag.com/tv/hang-johnny WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

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AUGUST 2011

Travel & Adventure

RVing to The Rockies BY JANE CASSIE

owering peaks, rushing rivers, shimmering lakes – this Rockies RV trip is steeped in splendour. As co-pilot for my husband Brent, I’m constantly reminded of how small we are in the big universal picture.

Day 2 – We slice through Idaho’s northwest section and within an hour drive through Montana’s interchangeable landscapes: lush forests, barren fields, and big sky. The highway eventually follows Little Blackwood River and, in the distance, we see the tall stack of once-thriving Anaconda Mines. In its glory days, the nearby city of Butte was thought to be the richest copper hill on earth. Today, while surrounded by Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, it offers allure of a different kind. At Belgrade, we take Highway 191, eventually veer onto Highway 291 and mosey into Big Sky country where campgrounds abound. Beneath a canopy of evergreens, we cozy up for our second night. Drive time: 7.5 hours. Distance: 640 km Day 3-8 – Yellowstone National 26

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Old Faithful lives up to its name. A short drive away is the border of Wyoming and Yellowstone’s west gate ($25 fee also covers Grand Teton National). We’re soon blown away by the magnitude of this 2.2 million-acre adventure playground that’s also home WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

Photos: Brent Cassie

Day 1 – From Vancouver, we cross the Peace Arch Border, head down I-5 to Lynwood and get onto I-90 at Bellevue. For the next two days, this scenic byway takes us all the way to Belgrade, Montana. Like a roving picture show, the terrain entertains. Golden flatlands, rolling hills and sprawling farmland are broken up by townships – from two-bit drivebys like Ritzville and Sprague to the major hubs of Ellensburg and Spokane. Although Cour d’Alene is our goal for the first night, plenty of campground options pepper this route. Drive time: 8 hours. Distance: 700 km

to over 10,000 thermal features, 300 geysers, 290 waterfalls and 60 different mammal species. The park is divided into five sections, each offer lodging, dining and shops. There are 12 campgrounds ($20/night):

seven are “first come, first serve” and five accept reservations (up to a year in advance). We pull into Norris, a popular 116siter, and even before we set up, Mother Nature puts on her show. Billowy grasslands, scored by the S-shaped Gibbon River, sprawl out beyond our fire pit. Hawks swoop above the golden maze, ducks waddle in the reedy shorelines, and a big, hairy bison grazes peacefully in the distance. At the turn of the 20th century, these buffalo-like creatures

were nearly extinct. Today, at Yellowstone, they’re a dime a dozen. We pass more the next day while heading to Mammoth Hot Springs and, thanks to the ample pull outs, can snap and shoot from the safety of our vehicle. Our roadway does a full circle, past the basalt columns of Sheep Eater Cliff, a 50 million year-old petrified tree, the lava-carved Calcite Canyon and the renowned springs, where spewing calcium and travertine beautifies the terraced stone.

Over the next three Yellowstone days, we move twice, first to Bridge Bay Campground that overlooks Yellowstone Lake, then to Grant Village where we’re enshrouded by pines. From each park-like setting, we’re able to take in more that this recreation king has to offer: Hayden Valley’s wildlife, some of the 1,770 km of hiking trails, and countless hydrothermal features. A visit wouldn’t be complete without seeing the main attraction – the geyser that’s been active every 90 minutes for

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AUGUST 2011

DUNWOOD PLACE

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Our ﬁrst night stay is at Cour d’Alene’s Beauty Creek Campground.

Waterfall stop between Yellowstone and Grand Teton National.

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604.521.8636 dunwoodplace@telus.net

The bison are bountiful at Yellowstone. 28

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more than 120 years. And just like clockwork, as we wait with cameras focused, it doesn’t let us down. Old Faithful lives up to its name and erupts again. IF YOU GO: Yellowstone National Park – www.yellowstonenationalpark.com Rocky Mountain National Park – www.rockymountainnationalpark.com

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Hiking trail with a breathtaking Rocky Mountain backdrop.

Day 9 – A short scenic drive links Yellowstone to Grand Teton National, and though we hope to also check out this park’s natural wonders, by the time we get to its south entrance, clouds blanket the towering peaks. Disappointed, we motor east in search of clearer conditions. On Highway 287, we bisect Turpin Meadow recreation area, ascend Togwotee Pass, and cleave through Shoshone National Forest. Dubois, once a rendezvous point for French and Indian trappers, is now a welcoming town that serves up a great cappuccino. Beyond, its red rock embrace, the land dramatically opens to an inland plain. In spite of all the photos we take, it’s impossible to capture the magnitude – a landscape made for westerns. The turnoff to Bull Lake becomes Highway 287 and we gradually climb out of the flatlands en route to Lander. Fort Washakie, the gravesite of Sacajawea, who, in the 1860s, was instrumental in the Lewis and Clark expedition, is worth another stop. Lander is big enough for McDonalds, and Twin Pines RV Park boasts manicured pull-ins. But we keep on trucking – past Muddy Gap, through the Great Divide Basin, and the city of Rawlins. Finally, we reach our destination for the night – Saratoga Lakeshore Campground. And for $7/night, ($10 for

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AUGUST 2011

hook up) we have a lakefront site, where the waterfowl entertain and the Medicine Bow Range provides a stunning backdrop. Drive Time: 6 hours. Distance: 400 km Day 10 – Sleepy Saratoga has lots of character and all is dressed in a western facade. After a short browse and buy, we hit the road again and, within an hour, we pass into colourful Colorado! A string of campgrounds dot the way from Willow Creek to Granby – Denver Creek, Buffalo Creek, Cabin Creek. No matter which creek we choose, the view from our RV door will be gorgeous. But instead, we motor onward. Junction 34 leads to Grand Lake, a sapphire beauty, steeped with history and tourist schlock. We stroll along the boardwalks, pick up souvenirs and meander through the museum. Although this lakeshore jewel has lots to offer, just a short drive away is Rocky Mountain National, where more treasures await! Drive time: 3 hours Distance: 180 km Day 11-14 – If Yellowstone is all about geysers, Rocky Mountain is all about altitude. 768 kilometres of hiking trails scroll its 265,770 acres; a quarter of which snake above the treeline. All five campgrounds and visitors centres sit above the 2,438-metre mark and are linked together by heaven-bound roads, making accessibility possible for everyone. Trail Ridge Road is the main artery that bridges the east to the west. It ascends quickly from the valley and cleaves through the alpine tundra, where we’re given sweeping panoramas. On our final day, we pull into the Tundra Communities; a trailhead that’s aptly coined “Rooftop of the Rockies.” Although only a kilometre, round trip, I feel colder and weaker with each plodding step. But, like the rest of this holiday, after toughing it out, there’s soon a reward. Even before we summit, there is a 360-degree vista of the forever-unfolding peaks. Many are topped with snow, some are pocketed with lakes and all rise majestically from lush valleys below. It’s breathtaking (both literally and figuratively) and without a doubt, is anSL other Rocky Mountain high!

Next Month in Senior Living...

Health & Wellness Maintaining physical, mental and emotional health through an active lifestyle. 30

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BBB Better Better Better Better

Business Business Business Business

Bureau Bureau Bureau Bureau

SCAM ALERT

BY LYNDA PASACRETA

Protecting Your Home

he summer months are the perfect time for a vacation getaway. Unfortunately, it’s also the perfect time for a home robbery. Homeowners, who want to secure their property this summer, need to use caution and carefully do their research before they choose and install a home security system. Although no system makes your home completely burglar-proof, a home security system can reduce your chances of being broken into and give you some peace of mind. In 2010, BBB received nearly 25,000 inquiries from customers asking about burglar alarm systems. But like any industry, the home security system industry is often the target of scam artists, fraudsters and unscrupulous salespeople. It’s important to investigate the purchase of a home security system with the same care you would any other major purchase. There are too many door-to-door salespeople selling home security systems that don’t always have your best interest at heart. When looking to invest in a home security system consider the following: Choose a professional installer. The best home security system will accommodate your lifestyle and specific valuables you want protected. Carefully consider your security requirements and budget. You may also get recommendations from the insurance company that covers your home. Deal only with reputable firms and check out the company with BBB first. Contact at least three companies before selecting an installer. Get quotes or estimates, detailed information about installation and service, and ask for references. Find out if the company is properly licensed, and if they screen employees before hiring. Ask about all charges up front. Prices for home security systems will vary, based on the level of protection and type

of technology used, so be sure to compare apples-to-apples bids on similar systems. Do not forget to factor in the initial installation charge, as well as monthly monitoring charges. Also, talk to your insurance agent; some systems may qualify you for a discount on homeowner’s premiums. Know the ins and outs of your contract. If your alarm system will be monitored, either by your installing company or by a third-party monitoring centre, find out the length of the contract. Typically, monitoring contracts are between two to five years in length. What is your recourse if you are not satisfied with the services provided? Can you cancel the contract? What are your rights if your monitoring company is purchased or acquired by another alarm company? These types of questions need to be considered before you’re obligated to a long-term contract. Insist that the installer “walk” you through your system until you fully understand how it works. This will prevent the most common problem: false alarms. False alarms are an indicator of the quality of the alarm installation and user education. Ask for a complete inspection of your property and an itemized written estimate. Review the sales contract closely to ensure you understand exactly what equipment and protection will be provided. Most importantly, don’t fall victim to high-pressure sales tactics and too-good-to-be-true promises. To find a reputable home security system provider or to check out any other company’s BBB Business Review visit SL mbc.bbb.org

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

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AUGUST 2011

THOSE GOOD OL’ DAYS

remember when everything shut down on Sundays – pubs, theatres, department stores, banks. Some called it the Sabbath, but it wasn’t and isn’t. Saturday is the Sabbath. Sunday is the “Lord’s” Day. You remember the Lord; the one the Bible is all about. Certain things were revered in those days. Not like today when the public only seems to revere irreverence. There were limits then. Not like now when everything and anything goes. Some used to whisper about smut, while now it is advertised and recognized as an art form. I guess I’m old fashioned. I still believe in morality, honour, respect and integrity. At one time, these values were real. They were honoured and not laughed at. Now, like many things of old, they have become antiquated and put in mental museums. Some of the young, I am told, don’t even believe that such values once held dominance. Much the pity! I miss those days when the guys warned all to stay off their blue suede shoes, Al Capp presented Sadie Hawkins Day once a year and, in the summer, staying out until near dark playing “May I?” and “Hide ‘n’ Go Seek.” I remember when girls wore crinolines under their skirt or dress when they dolled up and their hair in those huge pin curlers with a kerchief over their heads in preparation for Saturday night. I remember pedal pushers and pegged pants. I remember fender skirts on cars and root beer floats and the Shadow 32

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claiming he knew everything. I remember the Hit Parade and flypaper, clotheslines, Howdy Doody, Clarabell and Jim Anderson. Going “steady” was almost like being engaged. And I remember kids’ lemonade stands on the corner with a jug of lemonade made with real lemons (five cents a glass!). I remember strutting around all week, but being quiet on Sunday because we didn’t want to offend God. Chip wagons and Saturday afternoon cowboys on the silver screen. I still buy the odd box of Cracker Jacks and dig for the prize because I dare to remember. I remember the bogeyman that caused me to hide under the covers when night got darker than night. Twelve-cent movies, five-cent icecream cones and I remember yo-yos, bollo bats and double-winner marbles. I remember getting the strap in the principal’s office. What I see and hear around me now almost dares me to remember “then” and realize the treasures I took for granted and will never have again. But I guess each generation, when the twilight comes, say similar things about their present and their past. I remember our cottage in Central Canada. We used coal oil lamps, candles and a flashlight to guide us out to the outhouse on a coal black night. How excited Mom was when the hand pump was put in the cottage kitchen and she (or we) didn’t have to haul buckets of water from the lake – a lake that could be a playground or a bathtub, depending on the circumstances. WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

BY GIPP FORSTER

Photo: Krystle Wiseman

Reﬂections THEN & NOW

My friends say I remember too much. But I don’t think a person can have too much of a good thing. Especially when it dared you to believe and now dares you to remember. I remember when a penny was a giant, a nickel a treasure and a quarter a fortune! We went out to play seeking adventure. Using our imagination to capture “pretend” and make it work for us. I watch pale-faced kids today locked into violent video games for 99 per cent of their free time. Their heroes wear makeup and pound on guitars. I remember Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, Mel Torme and Vic Damone, Nat King Cole and Frankie Lain, big bands like The Dorseys, Glen Miller, Guy Lombardo and Benny Goodman. I could understand the lyrics and the beat then. Not so much now. But I guess today’s generation will, one day, look back on now and realize it has turned into “then.” Somehow, I just can’t imagine an old couple covered in tattoos sitting in their rockers saying, “Oh listen, they’re playing an oldie! It’s Lady Gaga shouting out our song. Oh, SL those good ol’ days.”

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