Summerhill PARC - 2015 Fall Newsletter

Newsletter | Fall 2015

Discover Independent Living+, the best retirement living in North Vancouver

Get your moves on during Active Aging Week 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. Join other Summerhill PARC residents in activities to challenge your body, mind, spirit or abilities.

Bill, Enthusiastic participant Summerhill PARC

The week’s special highlight event will feature Dean Smith, renowned physiotherapist as he presents ‘Top Tips for Active Aging with Arthritis’ on Tuesday, October 1 st at 2:30 PM. The actual event starts at 2:00 PM. For more information or to RSVP, call 604.980.6525 before Sept. 28 th . *International Council on Active Aging

Dean Smith

Preventing a fall Falls are the leading cause of senior injuries. More often than not, it can also cost seniors their physical independence. “Happily there are many preventative measures you can take around the home to safeguard against a fall,” says Susan Sollis, Wellness Nurse, Summerhill PARC. She suggests a few easy measures: > install brighter lights

> add grab bars

> unclutter floors

> put in night lights

Susan suggests regular activity too. “Being active and exercising helps to maintain the balance and strength you need,” says Susan.

And don’t skip meals. Eating poorly or missing meals can cause weakness, increasing the potential of a fall.

Maintaining your independence and living actively is a cornerstone at Summerhill PARC. Through programs like PARC FIT exercise classes and PARC SMART menu options, residents are effectively reducing the likelihood of injury.

“There’s always something going on.”

“The social engagement is huge here,” says Summerhill PARC resident Bill, with his contagious laugh. Bill’s schedule keeps him busy inside and outside the residence attending PARC FIT exercise class three times weekly, a Chamber Music series at the Academy of Music, and volunteering at Lions Gate Hospital. He’s also a voracious reader, uses the computer daily and plays music from his ever-growing CD collection.

“My kids say I seem very happy… well, I am!!” he grins. “I feel at home here. And there’s always something going on.”

To keep his mind nimble, Bill has taken up SCRABBLE and attends the PARC GREY MATTERS brain fitness classes. Not surprising, considering he attained his Bachelor of Arts degree in history at age 80.

Bill says he liked the feel of Summerhill PARC from the moment he arrived. “It hasn’t got the feel of a retirement home at all.” Now, Bill wonders why he didn’t move in sooner. He has convenient access to two things he loves dearly: stunning views to the North Shore mountains and his loving daughters.

135 West 15th Street, North Vancouver, BC V7M 1R7 parcliving.ca/summerhill 604.980.6525

PARC Retirement Living facebook.com/parcretirementliving @ParcLiving

Traditional healing alive at Summerhill PARC 5,000 Year Old Healing Alive at Summerhill!

Independent Living+ is all about “active” aging, and providing

Every week residents are gathering to experience the ancient healing practice from China residents with resources to further their wellness. One way called Qigong. Qigong (pronounced `chee –gong`) teaches simple, easy-to-learn body Summerhill residents are achieving this is through weekly Qigong movements coupled with gentle, rhythmical breathing. All the exercises can be done (Chee-gong) classes, where an instructor guides them through simple while seated or standing and are for all ages and abilities. Each move is meant to movements coupled with gentle, rhythmic breathing. Qigong, encourage your body body to move and feel in a way that is comfortable and suitable to your which originated in China, has been used for centuries to achieve individual needs.

physical, mental and emotional benefits.

All the Qigong? exercisesAsk canthe beresidents done while seatedsome or standing So why are people enjoying coming... say they and like are how appropriate for all ages and abilities.

Each move is meant to encourage the exercises are suited to how they can move. Others have aches and pains felt at the to move feelAnother in a waywoman that is comfortable suitable beginning of practice your settlebody by the end ofand class. shared withand a smile that to your needs. she was sitting straighter and individual it felt great!

And one enthusiastic resident simply added `` I Residents just feel good after Qigong. `` say that they like how the exercises are suited to each person’s comfort level. Others have aches and pains, which subside and settle by that the end of class.

Another Here are few of the many benefits Qigong can offer you:woman shared, with a smile, that she was sitting straighter and it felt great. And one enthusiastic simply added “I just feel good after Qigong!” o! Decrease highresident blood pressure o! Increase energy levels Here are a few of the many benefits that Qigong can offer you:

o! Decrease feelings of stress &in increase relaxation > Decrease high blood pressure o! Improve flexibility and coordination > Increase in energy levels o! Relieve insomnia

> Decreased feelings of stress and increased relaxation

This is your invitation to come join Elisa

Improved flexibility and coordination Keep your brain youngPeterson, our Certified> > Qigong Instructor and Relief insomnia our welcoming class for Qigongofeach through meditation Wednesday morning. The weekly classes aretotaught by certified Whether you’re new

Qigong or experienced, bring instructor your questions, Qigong Elisa Peterson. Whether enthusiasm and to experience If you can find a small chunk of time to meditate daily, you may bewillingness residents are new to Qigong or if they are another wayfound to improve your health the and classes will inspire a keeping your brain young. UCLA researchers have recently experienced, your (the body anddesire soul with the one’s health and nourish that meditation appears to help preserve the brain’snourish gray matter to improve Summerhill tissue that contains neurons). The study compared 50 people community. who body and soul. had meditated for years and 50 who didn’t. Both groups showed a loss of gray matter as they aged, but among those who meditated, the researchers observed that the volume of gray matter did not decline as much as in those who didn’t. And the difference was quite significant. Of course, there are other factors that come into play like lifestyle choices, personality traits and genetic differences, but the results are promising.

Meet our Active Living Manager

UPCOMING RESIDENT EVENTS SEPTEMBER

Beers & Brats BBQ dinner

Ferncliff Dahlia Gardens & lunch

Capilano Fish Hatchery

BC Balance & Dizziness Meeting

OCTOBER

Elegant Dining with Bob York

Becky Sullivan is Summerhill PARC’s Active Living Manager. And active, she is! Becky has shared her upbeat personality and positive enthusiasm with residents ever since she joined the PARC family in 2006. Her 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. “I love enriching residents’ lives by providing fulfilling programs. The residents inspire me so much!” says Becky.

Hastings Horse Races

Active Aging Open House

BUS TRIPS

Fraser River Eagle Safari

FUN FACT According to Executive Chef Robert at Summerhill PARC, the residence goes through more than 1,500 bananas every month.

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Come one, come all to Active Aging Week Join us Thursday, October 1 st at 2:30 PM to hear physiotherapy expert, Dean Smith, speak about aging actively with arthritis. Plus, enjoy healthy appetizers and fresh beverages! The actual event starts at 2:00 PM. Please RSVP by September 28 th by calling us at Summerhill PARC: 604.980.6525

Did you know?

92% of residents rate PARC “above average”*

135 West 15th Street, North Vancouver, BC V7M 1R7 parcliving.ca/summerhill 604.980.6525 *http://parcliving.ca/survey/