Newsletter | Winter 2015
Discover Independent Living+, the best in retirement living on the North Shore
Being ‘PARC FIT’ has its longlasting benefits. A woman in her late 80’s, Westerleigh PARC resident Adele*, is proof that with exercise, it is never too late to improve your fitness level, and sometimes with dramatic results. To become healthier than perhaps you have been in decades is quite the accomplishment. Adele decided to participate in Westerleigh’s PARC FIT program six months ago, performing a series of exercises several times a week. Before she started, the staff at Westerleigh PARC measured her abilities, in order to establish a baseline. Then, after six months of participation, she was measured again. In one particular area: the arm curls, Adele saw a 50% improvement in her abilities. At the beginning of her training, she could do 10 arm curls, and after six months of PARC FIT exercises, she could do 15, placing her above average in comparison to her gender and age group. Adele’s results demonstrate that one can see improvement even at this stage of life. *Real name not used to protect privacy.
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.
NEW PARC Retirement Living videos: now live online! Considering 65 percent of the population are visual learners, it’s no wonder the world has fallen in love with video as a way of observing and learning. That’s why PARC Retirement Living is proud to share some “slice of life” videos to give you an insider’s look at daily life and the lifestyle here. Learn all about PARC Independent Living+ and how you can live a healthier, independent lifestyle. You’ll find our videos online: on our YouTube channel, Facebook page and website: www.parcliving.ca/westerleigh
retirement living with a plus
Wellness Nurse, Susan Sollis
725 – 22nd Street, West Vancouver, BC V7V 0B3 parcliving.ca/westerleigh 604.922.9888
PARC Retirement Living facebook.com/parcretirementliving @ParcLiving
Helping seniors become tech-savvy.
PARC SMART soup warms winter right up. PARC SMART recipes are those created by PARC Executive Chefs to meet guidelines that include low sodium, low fat and low sugar. The expanding PARC SMART program will offer a healthy alternative at lunch or dinner, and can be made easily in your own kitchen. Here is an example of a typical PARC SMART recipe. Try it yourself! Curried Apple and Zucchini Soup > 25 mL (2 tbsp.) olive oil > 2 apples, peeled, cored and chopped > 1 large onion, chopped > 5 to 15 mL (1 to 3 tsp) curry powder > 500 mL (2 cups) water > 500 mL (2 cups) sodium-reduced chicken or vegetable broth
Take a group of enthusiastic volunteer high school students who are tech-savvy, put them together with seniors, and you have a wonderful learning experience transpire. The idea came to Albert Cherng when he began teaching his grandparents how to navigate their ipad. After witnessing firsthand the great learning potential, Albert thought there may be other seniors who could use some tech instruction or assistance. “Seniors were being left out of the technology leap,” he says. He gathered some friends, solicited some funding, and created volunteer-based TechEasy. When Albert approached PARC Retirement Living a year ago to see if they were interested in having TechEasy come in to assist their residents, the response was a resounding ‘yes!’ Each Sunday, three TechEasy students come in to Westerleigh PARC for several hours, and make themselves available in the library to answer questions, trouble-shoot or help them to better navigate their iPads or computers. Residents take advantage of the one-onone help and advice about how to use technology or fix a problem they may be having. “We want to break the barrier between seniors and modern technology,” Albert explains. Now, with 150 volunteer students from 25 different schools, the program is continuing to grow. And for Westerleigh PARC residents, TechEasy is taking the mask off technology and creating opportunities to learn and grow.
> 750 mL (3 cups) diced (unpeeled) zucchini (375 g/12 oz) > 50 mL (1⁄4 cup) rice, brown preferred > 2 mL (1⁄2 tsp) salt > 375 mL (1.5 cups) 2% milk Directions In saucepan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat; sauté apples and onion for 5 minutes or until softened. Sprinkle with curry powder; cook, stirring, for a few seconds. Pour in water and broth; bring to boil. Add zucchini, rice and salt. Cover and simmer over low heat until zucchini and rice are very soft and soup is slightly thickened. In batches, pour into blender or food processor; blend until smooth. Return to pan and add milk; heat through.
UPCOMING EVENTS January: Robbie Burns Dinner (Scottish highland dancers and a piper from the SFU Pipeband for entertainment, as well as Westerleigh resident, Bob Black and his friend leading the Address to the Haggis, Immortal Memory, and Toast to the Lassies). February: Chinese New Year Celebration
Attend our Taste of the Tropics event & ENTER TO WIN* a cruise for two! Join us for a Salsa-themed afternoon, featuring entertainment, food, fun and prizes to be won! Plus, enjoy a tour while you’re here, and if you provide a deposit by March 31 st , receive $1,000 off your first month’s rent! February 5, 2015 2 - 4 PM Please RSVP your attendance by calling 604.922.9888 *Chance of winning is based on the total number of entries received by February 20, 2015.
retirement living with a plus
725 – 22nd Street, West Vancouver, BC V7V 0B3 parcliving.ca/westerleigh 604.922.9888