Newsletter | Winter 2015
Discover Independent Living+, the best in retirement living on the North Shore
Being ‘PARC FIT’ has its longlasting benefits. Pre-surgery exercise speeds up recovery When resident Peter Boon underwent hip surgery shortly after moving into Cedar Springs PARC in the fall, his recovery was remarkable. Peter credits his quick recovery to the exercises he did through the PARC FIT program. Prior to surgery, Peter enthusiastically began doing Cedar Springs PARC’s twice-weekly chair exercise program. It was not easy and he recalls: “Some of the exercises hurt. But I pushed myself and felt my strength improve.” It seems the hard work paid off. Peter felt no pain post-surgery and mere hours later, the physiotherapist had him up on his feet. He was released the very next day after getting up on his own and going for a walk around the hospital ward. Staff were extremely surprised he was so mobile, so quickly. Peter expects to be back in the PARC FIT program any day now, and can’t wait to continue challenging his body.
You are what you eat. We’ve all heard that before. So presumably, if one eats healthy, one IS healthy. With that in mind, here are some of the long-lasting effects from a variety of healthy foods: > Dark chocolate (made with greater than 70 % cocoa): can help reduce blood pressure through the polyphenols it contains. Studies have even shown that after eight weeks of consuming small amounts of regular dark chocolate, older adults scored much better on memory tests. > Berries, such as blueberries and raspberries, are high in total flavonoids, and when eaten several times a week in small quantities, may slow memory decline, a common occurence in older women. > The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin (which gives curry its yellow colour), and has been shown to prevent the formation of amyloid plaques involved in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. It’s also a natural anti-inflammatory compound, which plays a major role in prevention of disease.
Peter Boon, PARC FIT participant
Receptionists keep everything humming. Often referred to as “command control,” Cedar Springs Reception is a bustling beehive of activity, where anything can happen in any given day or moment. Often at the helm is receptionist extraordinaire Pauline Jaillet, who multi-tasks on her feet, stickhandling a multitude of requests every day. Since joining Cedar Springs in July 2012, Pauline has been an integral part of the team of receptionists, taking care of resident requests, answering/transferring calls on the switchboard and screening visitors. The receptionists also respond to resident and guest inquiries, ensure important messages are communicated, keep the kitchen apprised of guest meals and handle monetary transactions. They also organize
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and schedule services like Maintenance, Car Shuttle, the Hair Salon and Esthetics. Most importantly, receptionists perform daily resident safety checks and respond to emergencies. Before coming to Cedar Springs PARC, Pauline worked for 25 years in medical and administrative positions, so she was a natural fit for the PARC environment. “I feel very fortunate to be part of the team, and as though I am part of a big family. All residents and their families are unique and they all have interesting stories to tell.”
3633 Mt. Seymour Parkway North Vancouver, BC V7H 0A9 parcliving.ca/cedarsprings 604.986.3633
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