Senior Living Magazine Vancouver Edition February 2012 by INSPIRED 55+ Lifestyle Magazine

SPECIAL HOUSING EDITION FEBRUARY 2012

Vancouver’s 50+ Active Lifestyle Magazine

• Air Patrol Reporter Kim Seale Lives Life in the Clouds • B.C. Programs Subsidize Low-Income Seniors • Journalist Allan Fotheringham And much more... www.seniorlivingmag.com

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Out and About

Where do you need to be today? Run an errand with our weekly resident shuttle service. We take you to and from local appointments. Or how about a trip to White Rock for ice cream? The Mulberry residents attend the symphony, have dinner out, and picnic in the park – all in the company of good friends. Let’s go out together. Phone for your personal tour. 7230 Acorn Avenue Burnaby | 604.526.2248 www.themulberry.ca Part of Paciﬁc Arbour Retirement Communities

Voted “Burnaby’s Best Retirement Residence” WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

FEBRUARY 2012

Be Your Best �� At Any Age

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SPECIAL HOUSING EDITION 4 Letters to the Editor

6 Life in the Clouds

Vancouver’s Air Patrol Reporter Kim Seale.

8 When the Time Comes to Relocate

Relocation specialists can help organize everything – from downsizing to cleaning to moving house.

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

28 Travel 31 BBB Scam Alert

COLUMNS 5 The Family Caregiver

12 B.C Programs Subsidize Low-Income Seniors

by Barbara Small

Financial assistance for qualiﬁed seniors moving to residences or requiring services to age in place.

23 Ask Goldie

by Goldie Carlow

14 Stay in Your Home Longer

24 Forever Young

19 Choosing a Senior Residence

32 Reﬂections: Then & Now

Technology and innovation help seniors age in place.

by William Thomas by Gipp Forster

Several resources exist for assisting seniors in their senior residence search.

Cover Photo: Vancouver’s Air Patrol Reporter Kim Seale with the Cessna 172 – her ofﬁce in the sky. Story page 6. Photo: Kevin Statham

20 The Boy from Nowhere

Published author and one of Canada’s most respected journalists Allan Fotheringham.

26 Real Romance

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, local seniors recall their not-so romantic marriage proposals.

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

SENIOR LIVING

Editorial Oct 2011.indd 1

DEPARTMENTS

FEATURES

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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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FEBRUARY 2012

I look forward to Senior Living, and I am excited when a new one comes out. The article from the publisher this time [January 2012] has hit a “touchy feely” comforting goosebumpy feeling for me. Thank you. I have been retired for a year now and although the first few months were trying (all of a sudden not working after about 50 years is different, to say the least), I have been attempting to figure out why I feel so good. “Now” I know, I’m truly enjoying the sweetness of the “now” moment. I, too, lived my whole life focusing on what’s coming next and not savouring what was happening right now; and always thinking “it will get better” when, truly, I’ve been fortunate to enjoy a life where I could have enjoyed every moment rather than waiting, waiting and yearning for better. I now live and please “me,” and learned to say “no” comfortably, rather than attempting to please the rest of the world. Thank goodness, in the autumn/winter of my life, I realize the importance of living the “now” and do it to the fullest! I reach out and enjoy connectedness with other beings, savour the smell and sights of nature and my home is a true refuge I enjoy every second of every 24 hours. I’m not rich. I live in subsidized housing, but the knowledge that I am so fortunate to have my health, family and friends makes me know and understand that life is a gift worth living and sharing at all times. Again, thanks and Happy New Year to all! Julie Anderson Victoria

I have enjoyed receiving Senior Living, and find the articles both interesting and informative. I was particularly impressed with Gipp’s latest article – “Fit body. Fit mind?” [January 2012] His reflections articulate perfectly what has been niggling away at the back of my consciousness for some time now. We are barraged with a ever-increasing flow of information and opinion, a lot of it pretty low class. I really liked his term “cheap and trashy entertainment.” That sums up a lot of TV viewing, for sure. Thanks for the reminder (and therefore call back to the thinking) of earlier days when “common sense and decency” were the norm. Then, we were not subjected to everincreasing in-your-face and boundary pushing programs in which the very young, the hormone-ravaged, the mentally vulnerable, and the money- and power-obsessed are acting out for our “viewing pleasure.” We need to shut out a lot of this white noise! Linda Nelson Pitt Meadows I’ve been picking up copies of Senior Living when I’m at the library and enjoy reading them. I must say Mr. Forster’s “Reflection” was excellent in this January’s edition. I’ve enjoyed his other “reflections,” but this one was top notch. Margie Ravn Vancouver

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THE FAMILY CAREGIVER

Managing the Transition to Facility Placement

t some point in the caregiving journey, many families face the decision of facility placement. This decision is often precipitated by a crisis or a change in health and becomes necessary either because the care recipient is no longer able to safely remain at home or family members can no longer provide the level or type of care required. There comes a time when a move to a care facility may be the best way to provide care and relieve the overwhelming demands on the family. It is natural for family members to feel guilt, grief or anxiety when faced with this decision, and opinions from all parties concerned may be varied. The transition can bring with it new challenges and stress for everyone involved. When this time comes, it is important to acknowledge the reality of the current situation, rather than holding on to the past. It is not a failure on your part as a family that you are no longer able to provide the required level of care. As the care recipient’s health declines, care can become over-

whelming – especially for one person. In addition, the equipment needed to provide the necessary care may only be available in a facility. Caregiving does not end when your family member moves into residential care. You may have more free time and not be solely responsibility for their personal care, but you will still provide emotional support, make legal and financial decisions, visit and participate in care decisions. However, you will now have the opportunity to regain your previous relationship, that is, as a spouse, son or daughter, with your family member because you will not have to focus all your time and energy on caregiver duties. If you’re thinking about residential care for your loved one, plan and do your research. Knowing your options and the steps in the process can help lessen the stress of the transition. Contact the Home and Community Care department of your local health authority. An assessment by a case manager must be completed to access care facilities subsidized by the health

WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

BY BARBARA SMALL

authorities. There are also private care facilities where the resident pays the cost. Check the Senior Living Magazine Housing Guide for information on SL both these options. Next month: Respite options for when the caregiver wants to travel

Barbara Small is the Program Development Coordinator for Family Caregivers’ Network Society located in Victoria, BC. www.familycaregiversnetwork.org

FEBRUARY 2012

Local Personalities

LIFE IN THE CLOUDS

BY NADINE JONES

“D

ynamic” and “effervescent” fall far short of describing Vancouver’s Air Patrol Reporter Kim Seale. Every morning and afternoon, thousands of CKWX listeners count on her advice about traffic tie-ups as she flies l,500 feet (457 metres) above them on her rounds. She tells drivers from the ’burbs how to avoid accidents including fires, overturned semis, vehicles in ditches, cars hitting poles or any other major or minor disaster, and then she gives them alternate routes to follow to avoid delays on their way to and from work. “I wouldn’t think of driving to work without listening to Kim’s reports,” says Paul, a Richmond resident, who crosses three bridges in his daily commute to West Vancouver. “She’s right on.” Kim, 52, who lives in Cloverdale with her son, Troy, and a large ginger rescue cat called Gingin, hops out of bed at 4 a.m. five days a week, breakfasts, and then drives to Boundary Bay Airport (a half-hour away). There, she boards a reliable Cessna 172 and starts her rounds at 6 a.m. The Cessna 172, to which Kim trusts her life six hours a day, is reputed to be the safest general aviation craft ever built. First flown in l955, it is still in production today. Kim isn’t bothered that her pilots are fresh out of aviation school. They are students who want to increase their air miles, so they can move on to bigger commercial aircraft. Weather is important to her job. “Inclement weather isn’t usually a factor with only fog and snowstorms keeping the plane grounded, so we fly in fair weather and foul, and sometimes it can be foul. I have been thrown against the dash with a black eye to prove it. A small plane sideslips in a high wind just as a car hydroplanes in a deep puddle but soon is under control again, it can be rough.” In the 1990s, she worked for the Ministry of Transportation at their emergency office in Burnaby. There, she developed a broad general knowledge of the highway system in B.C. because all changes – flooding, rock slides and accidents – were reported to the emergency room. Kim issued 6

SENIOR LIVING

warnings to travellers, changed the wording on highway signs, and did what she could to help traffic move safely on B.C. roads. That job prepared her for her current career. Reporting for radio station CKWX and sister station Jack FM, Kim is on-air with traffic reports every 10 minutes from

Kim in the cockpit of the Cessna 172 where she spends her days.

6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m. Her knowledge of the highways and byways’ traffic patterns on the Lower Mainland is second nature, as she reports on their immediate condition from her bird’s eye view. Loaded with the latest electronic devices, Kim can take aerial pictures of a mishap on the ground; and e-mail them to her studio, where they are shown on CityTV within seconds. “I love my job because every day is different,” she says. “I have all sorts of equipment to e-mail stories and pictures, and microphones to juggle. I constantly receive on-the-spot reports from commuters for me to investigate. There is always something new going on – the weather, road conditions; I’m never bored.” Her articulate, rapid traffic reporting isn’t haphazard. She monitors a daily route that starts at Boundary Bay Airport and follows Vancouver’s many bridges. “During the huge salmon run a couple of years ago, I saw thousands of salmon trying to swim upstream over the

WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

Lending for Seniors Your Life, Your Way.

Photo: Kevin Statham

Your home is more than just a roof over your head. It contains a lifetime of memories, is a symbol of your independence and adds immensely to your quality of life.

Kim, wearing the boa she dons for public appearances, with her pilot Alex.

Massey Tunnel and, often, I’ve seen grey whales cavorting in the water off the coast – what a treat!” Kim isn’t always “up in the air’ and flying isn’t her only interest; she adores animals “sometimes more than people” and is known by some as the “Bird Blanket Lady” at her Boundary Bay Airport Terminal. “They have even closed a runway to allow me to capture an injured bird,” she says. “Birds and airports don’t mix, and large birds like cranes and herons that live in the marshes adjacent to the airport are sometimes injured in one way or another. I always try to capture them by throwing a blanket over them and then drive them to Critter Care or OWL where they are taken care of. I’ve even had a sick seagull in my son’s bedroom overnight (away from my cat) when care facilities were closed.” After her morning run ends, Kim drives home to Cloverdale for a nap and starts all over again at 2 p.m. for her afternoon shift. Back and forth, twice daily, she drives 100km, so she understands the plight of fellow commuters when there are traffic tie-ups. Kim also loves meeting her listening audience. “I always take the opportunity to attend promotions in which my radio station is involved, so I can meet and enjoy the people who come to say hi to me in person.” Because Kim is so well known, she is often invited to act as MC at celebrity events. She proudly shows off pictures of herself with Dame Edna and Bob Newhart. Kim’s latest recognition was her nomination for the prestigious Jack Webster Award for Excellence in Breaking News for her story of witnessing two small planes colliding. The award, however, went to the story of the slaughtered sled dogs near Whistler. Outspoken by nature, Kim doesn’t pull any punches either in the air or on the ground. So, despite spending much of her SL life in the clouds, Kim Seale is very down to earth.

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FEBRUARY 2012

Housing

When the Time Comes to Relocate

t is estimated that it takes a minimum of 80 combined hours to completely sort and pack an average home. This is an enormous task. When it comes to hiring a mover, or moving yourself, deciding which is better is different for everyone. Usually, the first factor considered is cost. But you also must factor in your time, the difficulty or complexity of the move, your ability, the distance, and who you have in your life to help you. Is time an issue? Do you need to move quickly? Do you have people to help you? Can you organize all the resources (packing materials, utility transfer, moving truck and able-bodied people) you need in the required time frame? How much stuff do you have? If money is not an issue, the headaches of packing and moving everything yourself, can be hugely reduced by hiring a moving company to do it for you. If you and/or members of your family aren’t up to the task, you can call upon the services of a relocation company. This company will not only help you pack and downsize, but can handle all the arrangements with the moving company. And if you do decide you or members of your family can handle some of the tasks, they will often work with you to assist in the areas you can’t or don’t want to undertake. A relocation company can help with downsizing as well as moving. They can often give advice regarding retirement communities, help create a plan of action and co-ordinate the whole or part of the process. Most companies will tailor their services to meet your individual needs. They are usually also skilled in helping people cope with 8

SENIOR LIVING

the emotional side of moving. They can sort and pack without your help or only minimal direction; or they can work alongside you, helping you with the tasks you find difficult. They know how to get items appraised, all the places you can donate items, or where you can auction items. They will deliver items, remove gar-

you can select from, but will create a plan that is unique to your situation. They will take into consideration the ways in which you want or don’t want to be involved in the process. They can: • Assess your current home and your needs • Assess your new location and how to best accommodate you and your possessions in it • Provide advice to assist your decision-making • Create a work plan, short term and long term – with a time frame for every activity • Provide hundreds of helpful suggestions and ideas • Help co-ordinate realtors, appraisers, movers, etc. • Videotape, inventory all your belongings • Help downsize, doing as little or much as you prefer • Sort and organize your belongings • Help disburse all the items you will not be taking with you to friends, family, auctions, sales, storage, etc. • Handle all your utility and address changeovers • Arrange for cleanup, household repairs, and garbage disposal, etc. • Keep you updated on their progress every step of the way • Allow you to be in control of the process to whatever degree you wish

A company that specializes in relocating clients is different from a downsizing company in that it handles downsizing PLUS moving. bage, and even provide meals. They can ensure your utilities are all taken care of, keys are put into the hands of the right people, and pets are taken care of during the move. They will even involve your family members, if that is your desire. A company that specializes in relocating clients is different from a downsizing company in that it handles downsizing PLUS moving. A downsizing company usually helps you organize your current home to make it more functional by clearing out clutter and unnecessary items. A relocation company does all of this while keeping in mind the result is to see you comfortably installed in your new home. The list of what a relocation company can do for you is endless. Whatever needs to be done, they are usually more than willing to tackle it. They will commonly have a list of services WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

For “Tips on Hiring a Relocation Specialist” visit www.seniorlivingmag.com/articles/hiring-a-relocationspecialist For more information on relocating, order Senior Living’s book called To Move or Not to Move? at www.seSL niorlivingmag.com/bookstore

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A truly relaxing lifestyle can start with an informational visit to Berwick. Our independent living residences feature numerous on-site amenities, spacious suites and friendly hospitality. Do something social, or sit back in the theatre facilities. At Berwick you’re in control and truly free.

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BERWICK ON THE PARK KAMLOOPS 250.377.7275 FEBRUARY2011 2012 FEBRUARY

Directory of Senior Residences BRITISH COLUMBIA

strength training; housekeeping; linens and towels; dining room; salon

Amenida 

Cavell Gardens 

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 Ave., 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

Berwick On The Park  *

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

Bevan Lodge 

604-850-5416 33386 Bevan Ave, Abbotsford www.bevanlodge.ca; 150 Units Recreational programs; day trips; 10

SENIOR LIVING

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

Concord Retirement Residence 

604-531-6198 15869 Paciﬁc Ave., White Rock www.concordretirementresidence.com 44 Units; 3 home cooked meals; ocean view dining room; social hour; pool table; weekly housekeeping; Wii

Dunwood Place 

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

Harmony Court Estate 

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

Imperial Place 

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

Langley Lodge 

604-532-4216 5451 - 204 St., Langley www.langleylodge.org; 139 Units Activity programs; computers; community kitchen; all meals included; laundry service; entertainment

Magnolia Gardens  

604-514-1210 5840 Glover Road, Langley www.magnoliagardens.net; 195 Units WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

Bria Communities / Century Group Housekeeping; crafts; activity programs; parking; social programs; games room; garden; guest suite

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

Mulberry, The 

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

Paciﬁca, The  

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

Peninsula, The 

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

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 TYPES OF HOUSING SERVICES PROVIDED

 (I) Independent / Supportive Living

 (A) Assisted Living

 (C) Complex Care



(X) Campus of Care

Silver Springs Vernon 

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

Summerhill, The 

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

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

Terraces on Seventh  

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

The Wesbrooke  

604-460-7006 12000 190A St., Pitt Meadows www.thewesbrooke.com; Community outings; movie nights; yoga; ﬂower gardens; spa tub room; gazebo; Senior centre

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 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

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

Get to know your neighbours

Magnolia Gardens Langley

604 514-1210

Three unique retirement residences Sunridge Gardens

The Waterford

Murrayville

Tsawwassen

604 510-5091

604 943-5954

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

FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 2012 2012

Housing

B.C. Programs Subsidize Low Income Seniors

wo key programs designed to financially assist lower income seniors can be accessed through the British Columbia government. The Independent Living BC Program, or ILBC, subsidizes rents so that lower income seniors have access to assisted living options. The Choice in Supports for Independent Living, or CSIL (pronounced see-sill), provides funds directly to seniors for the purchase of home support services. Independent Living BC Program Under ILBC, seniors may now qualify to move into an assisted living residence and pay rent equal to 70 per cent of their after-tax income. Assisted Living is a middle option between home support and residential or complex care. Up until recently, assisted living was out of reach financially for many lower-income seniors and their families. ILBC is a partnership between the province (BC Housing), the federal government (CMHC), the regional health authorities, and the private and non-profit sectors. As a result of the Independent Living BC program, thousands of new apartments for lowincome seniors are being built – new developments that will offer tenants an atmosphere that fosters community and friendships. With this partnership, private operators build and manage the developments, BC Housing subsidizes the rent, and regional health authorities fund personal care services and some of the hospitality costs to help seniors with daily activities like bathing and medications. 12

SENIOR LIVING

To be eligible for subsidized assisted living through the Independent Living BC program, a person needs to: • Require both personal care (e.g. assistance with meals, mobility, medication management, dressing, bathing) and hospitality services (e.g. laundry and housekeeping); • Be able to participate in decisions about activities and needs, and be able to communicate these to others; • Be capable of taking direction in an emergency and be able to use an emergency response system; and, • Not exhibit behaviours that put the safety or well-being of others at risk.

Up until recently, assisted living was out of reach ﬁnancially for many lower-income seniors and their families. Health authorities throughout the province are responsible for Independent Living BC resident selection and health authority case managers assess applicants to determine if assisted living is their best option. For more information about the ILBC program, visit www.bchousing. org/programs/independent A case manager will either come to your home, or interview you in a clinic setting. They will talk with you about your care needs and provide information about the services available. If you are considered a possible candidate for assisted living, the case manager will forward your completed paperwork to a priority access team that will review WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

your application and confirm with your case manager if you are eligible or not. If eligible, you will be contacted when a suite becomes available. You would pay about 70 per cent of your after-tax income for a suite, including all the services (meals, housekeeping, etc.). The subsidy is solely based on one’s income, not financial assets. The value of property, securities, vehicles, etc., unless income producing, are not considered part of your income. Choice in Supports for Independent Living Under the CSIL program, clients receiving funds to help them stay in their own homes, assume full responsibility for the management, co-ordination and financial accountability of the services they purchase, including recruiting, hiring, training, scheduling and supervising home support workers. If the client is unable to direct their own services, a society (or client support group) can be set up, consisting of five people who have registered as a non-profit society for the purpose of managing support services on behalf of a CSIL client. Family members, friends, neighbours, an advocate, family physician or others may be members of the society. Directors of the society take on all the responsibilities of an employer. In order to qualify for payment, family members should not be immediate family members that are a parent, child, or spouse. However, health authorities may grant an exception for an immediate family member under certain circumstances. Application can be made through the Home & Community Care program

where case managers will assess your situation and help with the application process. More information about this program can be found online at www. health.gov.bc.ca/hcc/csil.html Other subsidy programs available include: • BC Palliative Care Benefits Program • Funding for home adaptations • Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) • Property tax grants for seniors • Aboriginal Housing Initiative • Veterans Independence Program • Aids to Independent Living program Details on these programs are available through the provincial government. Information on all these programs has also been compiled by Senior Living in a book called To Move or Not To Move? This 132-page book can be ordered online at www. seniorlivingmag.com/bookstore Cost: SL $9.95 plus tax and S&H.

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FEBRUARY 2012

Housing

Stay in Your Home Longer A

s one ages, staying in your own private home can become more difficult. Maintaining oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s independence while balancing the need for safety can present some challenges. Today, technology and innovation can help seniors age in place longer. A bevy of products and services now exist that provide greater safety, more independence, convenience and, most of all, peace of mind. Medical Security Medical alarms, or medical alert devices, are small personal emergency alarms worn as pendants, watches, key chains or medic alert bracelets that are monitored 24-hours per day. Medical alarms are wireless and small enough to be conve-

niently carried on your person. These devices allow seniors to live independently, while offering security and quick emergency response at the press of a button. Medical alarms allow you to go about your daily activities without fear that you may be unable to summon help should you need it. Not only can a medical alarm provide you with a feeling of security, but it gives loved ones peace of mind knowing that you can get help even if no one else is around. The press of the button activates your base unit, installed in your home, which, in many units, automatically calls a response centre. Responding personnel usually call your home first to see what kind of help you need. If they are unable to reach you, they will call an ambulance as

well as the people you have chosen to be called in an emergency â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this is usually a neighbour, friend or relative living nearby who has access to your home. Medical alert devices usually have the capacity to function outside your home, like in the front yard, backyard, and even down the street a short way. The danger of a fall is probably one of the biggest reasons why seniors purchase medical alarms. Statistics show that more than one-third of adults 65 years or older fall each year. About 25 per cent of those end up being hospitalized with fractures to the vertebrae, hip, forearm, leg, ankle, pelvis, upper arm or hand. Getting help immediately reduces the trauma and often results in shorter recovery times. A medical alarm is a proactive

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measure that should be given careful consideration, especially if you are the sole occupant of the residence, or are alone for periods. Aids to Daily Living “Aids to Daily Living” (ADLs) are devices that help people with disabilities function at their highest possible level and enjoy the best possible quality of life. ADLs are also referred to as “assistive devices,” or “adaptive technology.” Both government and non-profit organizations provide funding to people with disabilities for ADLs. Whether or not you’re eligible for funding can be based on a number of factors, such as the type and cost of the device you need, your household income, the province (and in some cases, city) of residence, and the nature of your disability. The provincially funded Aids to Independent Living program in British Columbia loans medical equipment, free of charge. Many seniors coping with longterm illness and injury do not have the

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financial resources required to purchase or rent medical equipment. Clients must be referred by an occupational therapist, home care nurse, physiotherapist, or other health unit staff and must undergo a financial eligibility test. For those who do not qualify for funding or need devices not funded by the program, a variety of ADL products can be purchased through medical supply companies – in stores and online. These stores carry hundreds of products such as

canes, walkers, scooters, special chairs, grab bars and poles, stairlifts, health monitors, transfer devices, bathing apparatus, grooming and eating utensils, therapeutic beds and pillows, exercise equipment, ramps, and more. You may also wish to contact the Red Cross Medical Loans Program. They offer a variety of equipment on loan – often cheaper than purchasing the item, especially if it’s expensive, or needed only temporarily.

Enjoy Life to the Fullest. WHEN YOU LIVE AT SHANNON OAKS YOU’LL HAVE MORE TIME TO ENJOY LIFE. An independent seniors living community, experience the freedom and independence to do exactly what you want, when you want. Stay active and live well. Life at Shannon Oaks includes a great selection of daily activities to choose from, delicious home-cooked meals, and weeklyhousekeeping of your private suite. Visit us today for a personal tour and come see why you’ll want to make Shannon Oaks your home. VANC OUV E R 6 04 . 32 4 . 62 57

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FEBRUARY 2012

Housing Home Lifts A variety of home lifts are available to aid mobility around one’s home, specifically in homes that have two or more levels. From basic stairlifts to metal and glass elevator lifts (both interior and exterior) – there’s an application for every need and décor requirement. Stairlifts are the most economical and easiest to install, but elevator lifts can actually be the showpiece of your home. If you require only temporary use of a stairlift, (e.g. while recovering from surgery), some companies can even provide rentals that they will install and remove when it is no longer needed. Home Care Services If you see a consistent leaning toward the need for additional help, it may be time to consider acquiring some kind of home support service to assist in the areas of greatest concern. Often people avoid asking for help until they are in crisis. Be proactive about getting the help you need to relieve anxiety and possibly prolong the amount of time you can remain

SENIOR LIVING

independent. No doubt about it, growing old demands courage, which includes the courage to ask for help when you need it. Home care services cover a broad spectrum. The services you can purchase range from hiring a single care worker to do light housekeeping, prepare meals, or take you to appointments, to 24-hour livein care, to hiring a team of care workers that can provide extensive palliative nursing care. You can get almost any type of help you want. Home care services can be purchased privately or through an agency. Some home care services you must pay for yourself, while in other cases, funding may be available to cover some or all of the home care expenses. If your care is paid for with government funding, the type of services and number of hours allowed is assessed by the provincial Health Authority. Request an assessment by contacting the Home & Community Care office in your area. A case manager will arrange a visit to discuss your particular situation, assess your health-care needs, the support

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you are receiving from family and friends, and determine your eligibility for service. Some services they will not cover - those you may need to purchase privately (yard maintenance, for example). The Home & Community Care office toll-free number is 1-888-533-2273. Ask to be connected to the office in your municipality. For a list of the types of home care services, as well as contact information for the Aids to Independent Living program and the Red Cross Medical Equipment Loans Program, visit the Senior Living website at www.seniorlivingmag.com/articles/stay-in-your-home-longer Also, see “How to Choose a Home Care Agency” at www.seniorlivingmag. com/articles/choosing-a-home-careagency To order Senior Living’s 132-page book To Move Or Not To Move? which includes a questionnaire “Do You Need Home Care Service?” go to www.seniorlivingmag.com/bookstore Cost: $9.95 SL plus tax and S&H.

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FEBRUARY 2012

SENIOR LIVING

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Choosing a Senior Residence F

inding a new home takes time and planning. Assisted Living residences come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from as few as three units, to over 60. Complete a thorough personal assessment, to help compile a list of what services you need and what you are looking for in a residence. Contact and make an appointment for a tour at those residences that seem to fit your criteria in your area; keep in mind that it may be advantageous to choose a residence in close proximity to family and friends so they can visit. Your tour guide will usually take you on a tour of the building, show you any vacant suites or a “demo” suite, show you the plan of the building, and give you general information about the services and amenities. Often they will invite you to stay for a meal or even overnight to sample the services and atmosphere. Be sure to ask questions that address your particular needs if they haven’t covered it in the presentation. Quite often, they will have marketing materials you can take away with you to study in greater depth. Ask the tour guide if you can wander around on your own to get a better feel for the place. Use all the information you’ve gathered to rate the residence. Senior Living magazine offers several resources to help you in your senior residence research: • To Move or Not to Move? is a 132-page book, published by Senior Living, designed as a helpful guide for seniors considering their residential options. It offers more information about the various types of senior residences available and tips on how to choose the residence that is right for you. You can order this book from the Senior Living website: www.seniorlivingmag.com/bookstore • The Senior Living website contains an extensive database of senior residences throughout B.C. Visit www.seniorlivingmag.com/housingdirectory • “The Ultimate Retirement Tour Checklist” is an extensive list you can take with you to each residence and use it to compare residences and record notes. It is published by an annual Toronto publication called Comfort Life that can be downloaded from their website for free at www.comSL fortlife.ca WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

FEBRUARY 2012

Author Proﬁle

The Boy from Nowhere BY ELIZABETH GODLEY

Photo: Anne Fotheringham

our years ago, Allan Fotheringham survived a brush with death. A routine colonoscopy at a Toronto hospital went awry and the self-styled Dr. Foth – one of Canada’s most respected journalists – developed a serious infection. “Somebody pushed the wrong button” during the operation, says Allan. After four months in hospital and a month in a rehab centre, he had shed 60 pounds (27.2 kg) and almost lost his life. He spent another year in rehab before a knee replacement lead to still more rehab. It took him more than a year to return to the tennis court. “A long haul,” says Allan, “I could not have done it without my wife.” But the man who made the back page of Maclean’s magazine a mustread for 27 years is back, as opinionated and feisty as ever. Not only is he playing tennis again, he has been travelling the country touting his ninth book, The Boy from Nowhere, the memoir of a small-town boy who grew up to hobnob with Canada’s political elite. ��

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Born in 1932 in Hearne, Saskatchewan – population 26 – Allan came west with his parents at age 10. His father died when Allan was two, leaving his mother with four children in the middle of the Great Depression. She took in washing to make ends meet and later taught the violin for 50 cents a lesson. When Allan was still in elementary school, she remarried an army man who brought the family to Chilliwack where he had been posted. At Chilliwack High School, Allan played basketball and was a star half-mile runner with a scholarship to a university in Washington State and a future in the Olympics. But a knee injury put paid to those plans. He recalls that as captain of the school’s championship basketball team, he wanted to go to Trail to play an Alberta team. The principal forbade this. Never one to bow to authority, Allan and his buddies commandeered a hearse and drove to Trail anyway. Unfortunately, Allan’s knee paid the price. After graduating from UBC, where he worked on The Ubyssey, he was hired by The Vancouver Sun. He grew famous fulminating about the death throes of W.A.C. Bennett’s Social Credit party (Allan named Phil Gaglardi, Bennett’s minister of highways from 1955-68, “Flying Phil”) and the early days of Pierre Trudeau’s reign in Ottawa. Trudeau, he recalls, was “a strange person, but the most interesting politician I have ever met.” On the way out of each press conference, Allan says, the P.M. would punch him in the chest. “It didn’t mean he liked my column, but it did mean he had read it.” As for Brian Mulroney, Allan takes credit for his rise to prime minister. “I invented Mulroney,” he says, with just a touch of regret. Robert Stanfield had resigned as the Conservative Party’s leader as Allan

was writing his second column for Maclean’s. “I looked over the field and thought Mulroney would be the man – a bright young lawyer, handsome, fluently bilingual.” He nailed it, of course, but in later years would taunt the Tory P.M. as “the jaw that walks and talks like a man.” That sobriquet is known among fans as a “Fothism.” There are many more: “Lotusland” for B.C. and especially

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FEBRUARY 2012

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Victoria; “the Natural Governing Party” for the federal Liberals; “Coma City” for Ottawa; “the Excited States of America” for the U.S. and “the Holy Mother Corporation” for the CBC. Before he retired, Allan wrote a column for The Globe and Mail. Previously, he’d been posted in the U.K. and Washington, D.C. for Southam newspapers. In 1998, Allan married his second wife, Anne Libby, an art dealer, and quickly persuaded her to sell her share of the business to her brother, so she could travel with him. Allan loves to travel, and has visited every country in the world except New Zealand: “From the top to the bottom of Africa, the top to the bottom of South America,”

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Allan and Anne Fotheringham at a costume party.

as well as all over Europe, Asia, Australia and everywhere in between. “Why? Because it’s interesting.” Besides, he says, on the lecture circuit, he travels on someone else’s dime. The experience has made him a patriot. “Everywhere you travel, you compare what you’ve seen with your own country,” says Allan. “And that’s why I know this SL is the best country in the world.”

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ASK

Goldie

BY GOLDIE CARLOW, M.ED

Dear Goldie: At one of the Christmas parties I attended, I met a lovely lady and we hit it off immediately. We discovered we both lost our former partners 20 years ago and have many common interests. My children and grandchildren are very close to me, and they feel they should give approval to any friends I associate with. I resent this. I am 80 years old, of sound mind and body and quite able to make decisions and choices. They are quite negative about my relationship with this new lady. What should I do? –L.W. Dear L.W.: I am sorry to hear you are having family problems. You are in good health, so you need to stand firm if you wish to enjoy life ahead. Your family may well be concerned about your welfare, but you are still in charge of your own lifestyle. If they continue to disapprove, ask your medical doctor to give you a statement regarding your sound mental health. This should convince them. Meanwhile, enjoy your relationship with your new lady friend. Dear Goldie: I became a widow two years ago at 65. I have two children and three grandchildren, all living in England. Recently, at church, I met a widower whose life circumstances are similar to mine. We have become close friends but now he wants to marry me. I enjoy his company but want to keep my freedom in caring for myself. Am I being selfish? He has rather poor health with some heart problems. I feel reluctant to get too involved. –C.N. Dear C.N.: I think you are a wise lady. Friendship is wonderful, but marriage is a very different situation with much greater responsibility. You sound doubtful, so my advice is to maintain and enjoy the friendship for now. SL Senior Peer Counselling Centres Richmond 604-279-7034 Burnaby 604-291-2258 Coquitlam – Tri-Cities 604-945-4480 New Westminster 604-519-1064 Vancouver West End 604-669-7339 Vancouver Westside 604-736-3588 North Vancouver 604-987-8138

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. WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

FEBRUARY 2012

FOREVER BY WILLIAM THOMAS

Margaret And Me Revisited

his fall marks the 13th year since the publication of Margaret And Me, a book about my wee Irish mother that I am proud to have written. Anytime you can bestow a little immortality to a loving and deserving parent, it makes your own life a tad more meaningful. If Margaret, who passed away in 1999, were reading this column, she’d say: “Immorality! Bill, you’re so ungrateful.” She had that kind of sense of humour. Page 1: I dedicate this book to my mother, Margaret Mary McLean Thomas, the source of whatever goodness and humour I possess. Margaret is and always has been the kindest, sweetest, gentlest soul on the face of the earth. A saint, really. So much so, that I’ve often offered to send a letter off to the Vatican to get her name on that list for beatification. And every time I mention this, she says the same thing: “That’s nice, dear but they charge so dang much. I’ll just get your sister to give me a perm.” Okay. So, this woman is not quite grasping the concept of beatification. This doesn’t make her a bad person, does it? To Margaret’s great amazement the book not only became a bestseller in hardback, but the rights were purchased by McArthur and Company and republished with an additional section that included stories of Margaret’s last few years in Northland Manor titled “Where There’s Humour, There’s Always Hope.” A chapter in the book that tells you more about our medical world than you want to know is “How I Helped My Mother Flunk Her Short-Term Memory Test.” It began when I received an urgent, last-minute message to get my mother to the geriatrics clinic in Welland by 1 p.m. sharp “or else we’ll never get another appointment.” My sister Gail and I were trying to get approval for a government home care program in which a trained healthcare technician would come to the apartment several times a week, spend time with my mother, and then leave with a 24

SENIOR LIVING

really bad headache. So, at 1:05 p.m., my mother and I sit down with the local geriatrics specialist. It’s the first time I’ve ever not spent an hour waiting to see a doctor, so I’m already a little suspicious. The doctor has no medical information on Margaret because the family doctor who did the referral hasn’t yet forwarded the paperwork. “So what’s wrong with her?” the specialist asks in a matter-of-fact manner, and then he begins scribbling in an open file. The doctor is middle-aged, meticulous, and humourless. “Well,” I begin, “my mother will be 90 years old in a couple of months. She has arthritis in both hands, and one knee gives out now and then. She’s been in two car accidents, which have left a bump on her head, a lump on her throat, and pain across her shoulders. She has an artificial hip and cataracts on both eyes, completely covering one eye.” I swear to God he looked directly at me and in a very professional voice said: “Has this caused her any problems?” I instinctively turned around to look behind me to make sure he wasn’t talking to someone else, like the evil phantom son who would whisper, “C’mon, Doc, it’s only a hangnail. She’s a chronic complainer!” I thought he was kidding. So I said: “Well, she’s thinking of quitting playing hockey in the Welland Industrial League.” Not originally from Canada and unfamiliar with our national sport he made a check mark on my mother’s chart, looked directly at her and said, “You know, at your age, Mrs. Thomas, you shouldn’t be on the ice.” I stared at him in silence. My brain froze. I was speechless. If I could find words – what I should have said was: “Oh, no, Doc, it’s okay. She’s a goaltender. She hardly ever leaves her crease!” Of course, my mother is oblivious to all this, because like most seniors, she still prefers to keep her $400 hearing aid in a secret compartment of her purse, for safe keeping. “Sorry,” I said, “but I’ll wait outside.” And I left her alone

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with the specialist. I’d heard about this test – date of birth, today’s date, phone number, names of children. By the time the geriatrics specialist asks my mother to name the seven dwarfs I can just see myself doing my Richard Nixon impersonation in order to get her to say “Grumpy.” I knew she would not do well on the test. A week later, we got word Margaret’s home care application had been approved. “I guess I did pretty good on that test, huh Bill?” She gave me an elbow in the ribs and a big boastful smile. I said, “You aced it, Marg. You really aced it.” There was just no way I was going to tell her the truth, that you have to fail the geriatrics test in order to qualify for the home care program. First, I’d get the rolling of the eyes and then the look, the look that says, “I can’t believe you ever got through university.” My mother flunked her short-term memory test and I, for SL one, could not be prouder of her.

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FEBRUARY 2012

Real Romance Valentine’s Day

alentine’s Day conjures up images of Hollywood-style romance. But when it came to the marriage proposals of these local seniors, asking the father’s permission, getting down-on-one-knee and saying those four little words “will you marry me?” were seldom the reality. I had the unique experience of knowing and liking my future in-laws for some time before I met their daughter, who was away at college. Her father had had a serious car accident and was in the hospital. So, when Eleanor was returning home from college for the summer her mother asked me if I would pick her up at the bus stop in a larger town about 25 miles away. Many young men may have viewed this as a parental plot right away, but being a naive, small-town boy, that thought never dawned on me. In just the hour or so of the leisurely drive from the bus stop to her parent’s home, I was smitten. I wasted no time in finding excuses for outings – swimming, sightseeing, picnics etc. In those days, however, it was proper to have a chaperone along, and her young-

SENIOR LIVING

BY DEE WALMSLEY

er sister filled the bill, even conveniently turning her head when we stole a kiss. As the end of summer approached and time arrived for Eleanor to return to college, we managed to find a bucolic spot alone in the country, where all the forces of nature seemed to conspire for the event. I think it was the moment of decision for me, and I feel it was for her, too. My wife isn’t sure there was any special time when I formally proposed, but over that summer we had bonded, and we knew we wanted to be together for life. It took me at least another year before I could arrange to move to where my fiancé was, but we finally worked it out. After I was settled into a new job, we decided it was time to get married. Fortunately, her father was a minister and he gladly performed the ceremony. That was 54 years ago, and we still laugh at our first “date” on the way home from the bus stop. Jack and Eleanor, Maryland, 1956. Picture it: Halloween, 1959, driving through Chinatown in Vancouver, fire-

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The author and her groom, Jack, at their wedding in 1962.

crackers exploding everywhere, even under the cars. I thought we’d better get out of there, fast. We took a leisurely drive through Stanley Park and stopped to watch the submarine races near the Lion’s Gate Bridge. He asked me to remove my friendship ring, and then replaced it with a diamond engagement ring. It was understood that we would one day marry, we just hadn’t

set the date; and I knew there would be an engagement ring someday as we had already chosen a set from Shores Jewellers at Cambie and Hastings Streets. I was so happy that I could have floated through Chinatown and never noticed the firecrackers! Bob and Carolyn, Vancouver, 1959. I had been transferred from Ottawa to Toronto. My future fiancé stayed behind. For a few months, we kept in touch by mail and the occasional phone call. On Halloween night, I took a couple of dollars in change and headed for a phone booth in the Golden Mile Plaza, called and proposed. She accepted. We chatted. I presumed that the operator would tell me when my time was up. She didn’t. When we finally hung up, I thought Bell had given me a bargain. They hadn’t. The phone rang and the operator asked me to deposit another $8, which, of course, I didn’t have. I went and got a roll of quarters and paid up. After the shock of becoming engaged and spending over half-a-day’s pay in the process wore off, I realized what a great bargain it was for a capable, hardworking and quite lovely bride. Bill and Ann, Toronto, 1958. My dear wife is slightly older than I am and when I professed my undying love and wish to marry her, she told me, “Don’t be silly.” She couldn’t believe I was serious. It took a bit a convincing, but it worked over 30 years ago and is still working today. James and Mary, Vancouver, 1980. I knew my future husband had gone to a Winnipeg Wholesaler (he was in the RCAF and had a trip out west) to purchase a set of rings for our upcoming nuptials. I waited anxiously for the big proposal. He called to say he’d made reservations at a posh restaurant (probably to get me out of my jeans and into a dress) and that he’d pick me up at 7 p.m. I was all gussied up in anticipation that this may be my lucky night, and wondered how he was going to propose. I knew he didn’t ask my father for my hand in marriage as

we were in Montreal and my father was in Nanaimo. Would he get down on one knee in the restaurant? Not likely. Would he have the waiter pop the ring into a glass of wine? Hmm, a possibility. Promptly at 7, Jack pulled up outside my barracks and I jumped in beside him, leaned over for a quick kiss and sat back grinning like that old proverbial cat. The next thing I know, he throws a brown paper bag onto my lap and says, “This is for you.” Inside was a beautiful silver Birks crown containing the set of rings. No “will you marry me?” No wine? That’s it? I think I said “Thanks” and off we drove. Some folks just aren’t romantic, but we married and had 47 years together, and I did get a diamond band on our 35th anniversary – once again with little or no fanfare. Jack and Dee, Montreal, 1962. Margaret was a first-year teacher in the small town of Armstrong, B.C. I believe the year was 1957. I was a handsome young banker just transferred there on my first job. I was a real city boy from North Burnaby, and missed all the action of the “big smoke.” What was I to do? So, I went through the bank accounts of all the single girls in town, and I think there were three, and went to introduce myself. And here we are today. Margaret says, this, of course, is not what I did, but I love to tell a yarn. We are now in our 52nd year of marriage. Dudley and Margaret, Armstrong, 1958. I was painting all day in 95-degree weather and became dehydrated. I passed out, and couldn’t get up. Crystal called the ambulance, and as they loaded me in, I asked her if she would marry me. She said, yes, and the emergency people said “OOOO!! You’ve done it now and we’re all witnesses!” I kept my word. That was on Sadie Hawkins Day and I made her wait until February 29th, a leap year. It saved me lots of money over the years having to only buy anniversary gifts every four years. Doug and Crystal, Tennessee, 1995. SL WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

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Coach & Cruise Arizona, California

April 22-May 12th: 21 Days This relaxed paced tour is just what you need after a wet and cold winter. Head South to relax in Palm Springs, Tucson, Phoenix, and Yuma. Return on a 4 day cruise with Holland America on the Zuiderdam from San Diego to Vancouver.

Australia and New Zealand by Land and Sea: Oct 10th: 28 Days hosted by Bob and Teresa Marshall

Bob and Teresa invite you to join them on this trip of a life time! Experience the wonders of Australia on a 13 day coach tour with Goway Travel, Australia specialists, then discover New Zealand on a 13 night cruise on the Dawn Princess.

Las Vegas: 30 years later

BY JANET MCMASTER

e recently celebrated my husbandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 60th birthday in Las Vegas. Our previous and only other visit was in the early 1980s. For many people, Las Vegas has always been synonymous with casinos and shows (in and out of the theatres) on Las Vegas Boulevard, or The Strip, as it is more commonly known. This has not

Vdara Hotel, a non-smoking, non-gaming hotel in the CityCenter complex with 57 floors and luxurious suites. From our beautifully-furnished suite on the 29th floor, we had a terrific view of the Las Vegas skyline and the fountains at the Bellagio. We appreciated having a quiet place to sleep, while at the same time, having the Aria Hotel and Casino on one side and

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View of the Bellagio Hotel fountains from the Vdara Hotel.

changed, although the number and size of hotels and casinos have grown astronomically. We had a wonderful time exploring the new and discovering the familiar on this fantastic trip. On our first visit to Las Vegas, we stayed at the Dunes. Centrally located and across the street from Caesars Palace, the Dunes was a basic, three-story motel with a casino attached. (Sadly, the Dunes was blown up several years ago.) On our recent visit, we stayed at the 28

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Photo: Janet McMaster

Door to door pick up and return

the Bellagio on the other, so that casinos, shows and a variety of restaurants were close by. Las Vegas used to be known for cheap and plentiful food, most of which was served at large buffets. While there are still a few buffets at a variety of price ranges, Las Vegas has mostly gone upscale with dining establishments. Well-known chefs like Wolfgang Puck, Emeril Lagasse, and Alain Ducasse (to name only a few) have high-end restaurants in Las Vegas now. A

good variety of mid-range restaurants are also available, many of which are located in the major hotels. We had a particularly memorable dinner at the Sinatra restaurant in the Encore Las Vegas. We were given a cozy table for two overlooking a small courtyard and enjoyed delicious Italian food, including the creamiest, most delicious tiramisu I have ever tasted. Italian opera and contemporary music played in the background while we dined, and we were also entertained by a group of male singers. Despite the full restaurant – the majority of patrons attending the Sinatra show that evening – the service was outstanding. Four different serving staff looked after us; they were very attentive and made sure that our water and wine glasses were never empty. The Peppermill, centrally located between the Stardust and the Riviera, has been serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to Las Vegas residents and visitors for over 30 years. They have a lounge as well as a casual restaurant, and on our first trip, we went to the lounge one afternoon and ordered a Scorpion on the recommendation of a friend from Calgary. The Scorpion turned out to be a massive, boozy, fruity drink served in a fishbowl with two straws. Thirty years later, I can still remember the startled look on the waitress’s face when my husband ordered it! On this visit, we were driving up Las Vegas Boulevard one evening on the way back from Freemont Street, looking for a place to have dinner. Much to our surprise, we saw that The Peppermill was still there, so of course we had to stop and check it out. This time around, we did not order a Scorpion, but we did have a delicious dinner. The décor in the lounge is the same red we hazily remember, but the restaurant has a bright pink and turquoise theme, with lots of neon lights, mirrors and pink flamingos on the hanging lamps. The food was fresh, well-prepared and plentiful, and the tasty barbecued rib dinner I enjoyed could easily have fed two people. Many folks go to Las Vegas to gamble. Thirty years ago, I remember watching people playing the slot machines, and when they won, there would be loud noise and change would come pouring out of the machine. Now, it is all done with chits, and when you win, you take your chit or voucher to a cash machine to receive your winnings. Most of the major hotels now have affinity programs. Visitors can get free affinity cards for Caesars, MGM, and the other major chains and collect points for money they spend on gambling, hotel accommodation, etc. When affinity members sit at a slot machine and put in their affinity card, a welcome message appears across the screen with their name. As driver’s licenses are used as ID for most of these programs, if it happens to be your birthday, you may also receive a “Happy Birthday” message on the screen, as my husband discovered. Unfortunately, the smoking policy hasn’t changed in the casinos, but our tolerance of smoking (especially as Canadians) has certainly changed. Thirty years ago, people smoked openly in casinos and, in many places, they still do. We found in the older casinos on Freemont Street that the second-hand smoke was especially noticeable; however, in the newer casinos, the ventilation is better and there are some smoke-free corridors.

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FEBRUARY 2012

The author plays a round of golf at a course beyond the Strip.

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

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recent visit (five days vs. two), and a rental car, so we had a chance to see other parts of Las Vegas. In our case, this mainly consisted of checking out some of the golf courses. We especially enjoyed golfing at the Siena Golf Club near Summerlin and the Tuscany Golf Club in Henderson. Both of these courses are well-maintained, have friendly staff and reasonable rates. Getting off The Strip also gives visitors the opportunity to explore some different shopping options (including the outlet malls), or nearby natural areas like the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Many tourists also go to the Hoover Dam or the Grand Canyon, both of which can be visited on day trips from Las Vegas. As we discovered, Las Vegas has grown and expanded dramatically in the last 30 years. If you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been there for a while, it is definitely worth considering for a future vacation. There was an effort in the 1990s to make Las Vegas more family-oriented, but the focus is still largely aimed at the adult market. Some people feel three to four days in Las Vegas is plenty, which may be the case, if you are staying on The Strip. However, if you book tours or have a vehicle and can explore other aspects of Las Vegas and the surrounding area, you can easily extend your stay to a SL week or more and have a wonderful vacation. WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

Photo: Tom Byttynen

A highlight for many Las Vegas visitors is attending world-class shows. We went to two shows on our first trip to Las Vegas: a musical show at the MGM Grand and a comedy show at the Dunes. In both cases, we purchased the tickets in advance, but when we arrived, we tipped the host in order to get good seats. These days, the number of shows is truly mind-boggling. Cirque du Soleil alone often has as many as nine shows in Las Vegas, and there are many other entertainment and musical extravaganzas on at any given time. We saw three excellent shows on this trip: Elvis Cirque du Soleil show at the Aria; the Jersey Boys show at the Palazzo; and the Dance with Sinatra show at the Wynn. The Elvis show was the most spectacular from a staging perspective, and as one of our waiters pointed out, the Cirque du Soleil shows are generally better in Las Vegas because they are able to create more spectacular sets when they arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t taking the show on the road. One gets a completely different view of Las Vegas by leaving The Strip and exploring the rest of the city. We had more time on our

SCAM ALERT

BY LYNDA PASACRETA

Beware of Reverse Mortgage Frauds

unding retirement can be tricky for some seniors. Instability in the stock market and poor returns on many investments means some seniors are looking to other avenues for financial support. A growing trend has emerged as more and more seniors are converting the equity in their homes into a new source of credit. One such loan product, the Reverse Mortgage, has become a popular source of consumer credit. But, as in virtually every industry, scam artists and fraudsters have begun to take advantage of uninformed seniors in financial need. What is a Reverse Mortgage? A Reverse Mortgage is a special, legal type of loan that allows homeowners to convert the equity in their home into cash, without incurring monthly penalties (The opposite of a traditional mortgage). Reverse Mortgages are neither available to, nor ideal for everyone. To acquire a Reverse Mortgage you must be 62 or older, have a small mortgage balance and the property must be your primary residence. A Reverse Mortgage loan itself does not have to be repaid, as long as the senior homeowner is alive and living in the property. When the home is sold or the homeowner passes away, the equity left on the property is paid out. Reverse Mortgage Controversy A Reverse Mortgage is a legal, legitimate loan option; however, there is some controversy around this type of financial product. The major advantages of a Reverse Mortgage: they provide some financial relief to senior homeowners that already have substantial equity in their home, but now find it difficult to make mortgage payments. They also allow homeowners to use the equity in the home without having to sell their property. The major disadvantages of a Reverse Mortgage: interest rates are typically higher than traditional mortgages, fees associated with obtaining a Reverse Mortgage can

be high, and you could quickly use up the equity in your home. There are often alternative solutions that can fulfill a senior’s financial needs. To discuss alternative solutions, contact your professional financial advisor. Reverse Mortgage Scams Here are three common scams related to Reverse Mortgages that specifically target vulnerable seniors: 1) Information fees – Potential Reverse Mortgage borrowers are often duped into paying fees (which are normally free) to fraudsters for information and assessments related to this mortgage/loan product. 2) Inflated value and transfer of title – Fraudsters often work with an extensive team of con artists to artificially inflate the value of a home, assist a senior in acquiring a reverse mortgage, then dupe them into transferring away the title of the property. 3) Document Fraud – Scam artists posing as representatives of financial institutions send letters to seniors asking them to submit fees and copies of documents that need to be filed to continue the Reverse Mortgage loan. With legitimate Reverse Mortgages, all documents and fees will be dealt upon approval of the loan. If you or anyone you know is a victim of mortgage or real estate fraud, contact the Financial Institutions Commission (604-953-5200 or fic.gov.bc.ca). To avoid becoming a victim of scams related to Reverse Mortgages, be sure to carefully research and understand how such a loan product works. Seek out your own reverse mortgage specialist and be sure you speak to SL qualified professionals. 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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FEBRUARY 2012

THE NICKEL

nickel could go a long way in what my kids always refer to as the “Olden Days.” It could buy a small bag of candy or popcorn at a movie matinee or five black licorice whips or an ice-cream cone or a bottle of pop; soft drinks were a treasure if you had that coveted nickel. The bottles were smaller than today’s bottles. Pepsi cola had a catchy jingle. “Pepsi cola hits the spot. Twelve full ounces – that’s a lot! Twice as much for your money too. Pepsi cola is the drink for you!” I’m pretty sure that’s how it went. I remember the old chest coolers with the bottles sitting in ice water; their paper labels rinsing off and floating in the murky water, and the cloth attached to the side of the cooler to dry off the bottle and your wet hands. The chest had a door at each end, and the bottle opener riveted on the side with a metal cup to catch the caps. The soft drink was a nickel if you drank it in the store and left the empty bottle behind. It was seven cents if you took it away, but you got your two cents back when you returned the bottle. Finding a discarded bottle was a thrill – two unexpected cents. Wow! I’m told that the old victory nickels, common back then, are collector items today. It’s said they are worth quite a few dollars. Who would have ever guessed that a kid with a coin burning a hole in his pocket 60 or so years ago was carrying what one day would be coveted by coin collectors. Go figure! Summer was always a special time: 32

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a season of drippy ice-cream cones and chilled soft drinks with names like Wishing Well, Stubby, Orange Crush, Lemon Lime, Coke and Pepsi. Cream soda was exotic and grape a prize. To latch on to two nickels at the same time could cause quite a dilemma in a young person’s mind. What would it be? An ice-cream cone and a soft drink? A bag of candy and a soft drink? Such decisions were mindboggling. Candy and ice cream?

Who would have ever guessed that a kid with a coin burning a hole in his pocket 60 or so years ago was carrying what one day would be coveted by coin collectors. But there was another choice too. You could get a comic book: Superman or Batman or Captain Marvel or Crime Doesn’t Pay or Joe Palooka or The Pig and The Seal. You could get Daredevil too and the Torch and the Sub-Mariner (that guy with the pointy ears). A nickel was a wonderful thing! My grandson dropped a coin recently. When I asked him if he was going to pick it up, he said, “It’s okay, Poppa, it’s only a nickel.” Only a nickel! In the olden days, there was no such thing as “only a nickel.” That little silver coin could open up worlds to little people just learning WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

Photo: Krystle Wiseman

Reﬂections THEN & NOW

BY GIPP FORSTER

to discover adventure. It could entice, tease, and promise wonderful things. In the olden days, a nickel was the reward for two or three hours of work, like cutting the grass with the old manual lawn mower that went clickity clack or for cleaning out the shed or for running errands. No! We wouldn’t ever believe then that a nickel would one day be “only a nickel” or that a penny would be a nuisance. Or that one day lawn mowers would be motorized or that a comic book would cost two or more dollars or that a soft drink would cost better than a dollar from a machine and not a water-filled cooler. How can the ordinary like a dollar bill with a portrait of King George on it or even a two-dollar bill and, of course, the silver dollar, be taken for granted, and then in a journey of years, suddenly be quaint, rare and collectible? We still have the nickel, but it is no longer held in high regard. It no longer promises or entices. They may be the olden days in the minds of our children and grandchildren, but to we who walked the hallowed halls of simplicity and appreciation, they are “golden days” when a nickel was king and could lift a child to incredible heights. Golden days – when we were young. SL

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