Newsletter | Fall 2015
Discover Independent Living+, the best in retirement living on the North Shore
Get your moves on during Active Aging Week
Al, spirited tenor Cedar Springs PARC
Move it, shake it, use it… whatever you do: make the most of aging actively, September 28 th – October 3 rd . The ICAA’s * 2015 Annual Active Aging Week encourages adults 50 + to 'Live Your Adventure,' which means to really challenge yourself to break routine and try something new. Challenge your body, mind, spirit or abilities. The week’s special highlight event will feature Dean Smith, renowned physiotherapist as he presents ‘Top Tips for Active Aging with Arthritis’ on Friday, October 2 nd at 2:30 PM. The event itself starts at 2:00 PM. For more information or to RSVP, call 604.986.3633 before Sept. 29 th. *International Council on Active Aging
Dean Smith
Busy bees at Cedar Springs Gardening Group Janice Fletcher, an aspiring Master Gardener who volunteers her time to Cedar Springs, started the Gardening Group in April. For the past few months, the group has been busy learning about mason bees, drying lavender for sachets, and preparing and planting the green house, which is home to strawberries, kale, tomatoes, basil, oregano, beans, cucumbers, squash pumpkin and more, many of which are used by our chefs. Through the group, our residents also enjoy socializing with one another and seeing the results of their hard work come to life. A special thank you to Alan, one of our residents, for watering the plants! Some of the group’s future plans include building a mason bee house and planting some native species.
“Happiness is being part of a singing group.” Singing has been a part of Al’s life since his youth. And now, in a singing group of 40 people he helped launch at Cedar Springs PARC, Al is in his element. The group meets once a week to sing classics like “Danny Boy” from a song book of over 70 tunes, accompanied by a talented director/pianist. A previous choir member and a fan of everything from Bach to boogie, Al explains how the singing group benefits morale. “It relaxes you, you can socialize and it makes you happy!” he says with a broad smile. Although Al is 92, his enthusiasm for life is evident, and it was only several years ago he stopped skippering his sailboat. Al has no problem occupying his time and mind at Cedar Springs PARC, like joining his friends for a chat over a healthy proteinbased breakfast. He also keeps his brain sharp as a self-proclaimed ‘computer bug’ and spends many an hour reading and listening to his CD collection. “The secret is to keep busy…keep the activities going,” he advises on the key to happiness.
3633 Mt. Seymour Parkway North Vancouver, BC V7H 0A9 parcliving.ca/cedarsprings 604.986.3633
PARC Retirement Living facebook.com/parcretirementliving @ParcLiving
PARC Fit Trainer inspires participation
Executive chefs Josef Schefer & Paul Marshall
PARC Retirement Living Chefs voted 'Best of the West' PARC Retirement Living executive chefs, Josef Schefer and Paul Marshall proved to be the top chefs in the west with their win in the 5 th Annual 'Best of the West' 2015 event, held recently on Wednesday August 5 th during the Harmony Arts Festival in West Vancouver. The pair prepared a melt-in-your-mouth Vegan Wild Mushroom Tart with smoked chipotle and a Kraus Farm blackberry reduction, paired with a 2012 Tempranillo wine from Stag’s Hollow. There were over 200 attendees who savoured the delectable dish and by voting, named it the winning food & wine combination. The gastronomic event was held on beautiful Ambleside Pier, and featured 12 competitors in all from some of the finest restaurants in the Lower Mainland.
Take an energetic trainer, custom-made program and a bright open space, and you have the perfect makings to inspire seniors to be physically active. That’s what the PARC FIT program offers at Cedar Springs PARC. Not only are the circuit classes active, but they’re social too, providing another benefit while making the classes more dynamic. Natasha encourages and supports our residents to be physically active. Her personal philosophy centres on movement from a functional and corrective perspective. Her goal is to help each resident overcome any imbalance, thereby enhancing their basic daily movements. Natasha loves her role at Cedar Springs PARC, saying “It’s very rewarding knowing that the success taking place in the fitness room is transforming and improving the lives of PARC’s residents!” She knows that exercise is a crucial influencer towards maintaining optimal health, and when the residents start to experience that personally and directly, the result can soon become a motivator in itself. The one-of-a-kind PARC FIT works to: build muscular strength & power, muscular endurance, cardiovascular health, flexibility and balance. A variety of classes supplement these goals, including: chair yoga, QiGong, pole walking and more. Together, these activities can help our residents measurably and significantly improve their health and brain function.
As the only competitors in the group representing a retirement community, and up against some of the city’s best chefs, it is truly a remarkable feat for PARC Retirement Living to be recognized for the exceptional level of culinary expertise they bring to their residents every day. Some of the competition included The Beach House Restaurant, Mangia E Bevi, Pier7 Restaurant & Bar, Thomas Haas Chocolates & Patisserie, The Observatory and others.
Meet our Active Living Manager Lisa Waterman is Cedar Springs PARC’s Active Living Manager. She is passionate about health and about helping seniors maintain their independence. Lisa’s role is to facilitate and promote programs and activities that encourage a healthy, independent lifestyle. She advocates physical, social and spiritual health and wellness too, encouraging participation and a sense of belonging and community. In her 16 years working with seniors, Lisa has brought her expertise in therapeutic recreation to independent living residences, special care and within a regional recreation role. She also teaches an Activity Assistant diploma course at a local college. According to Lisa, “my vision and philosophy is to offer programs that appeal to residents while respecting their diversity and values.”
PARC trainer Natasha assists Pat, a Cedar Springs resident
UPCOMING EVENTS & TOURS SEPTEMBER
Ferncliffe Gardens Bus Trip
Tea House in Stanley Park
Western Hoedown & BBQ
Parkgate Community Days
Oktoberfest
OCTOBER
Taste of Cedar Springs
Mike’s Critters Presentation
Come one, come all to Active Aging Week
Haunted House Bus tour
Did you know?
Join us October 2 nd at 2:30 PM to hear a presentation by physiotherapy expert, Dean Smith, enjoy healthy appetizers and fresh beverages. The event starts at 2:00 PM. Please RSVP by September 29 th by calling 604.986.3633
2015
92% of residents rate PARC “above average”*
3633 Mt. Seymour Parkway North Vancouver, BC V7H 0A9 parcliving.ca/cedarsprings 604.986.3633 *http://parcliving.ca/survey/