SP Quality of Life for Seniors by Postmedia Saskatchewan

M O N D A Y, M A Y 2 9 , 2 0 1 7

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Quality of life for seniors Beyond inspiration: the irreverent and rare Iris Apfel By Hilary Klassen

Seldom has 96 looked as good as it does on Iris Apfel! This fashion icon’s bold sense of style reflects an equally bold persona that has retained a youthful and vibrant individuality. Apfel has been called a ‘geriatric starlet’ and has managed to navigate the later decades without morphing into some universally identifiable and predictable expression of what it means to be a senior citizen. Apfel gained style icon status with the 2005 exhibition, “Rare Bird of Fashion: The Irreverent Iris Apfel” hosted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. It was her personal collection of vintage and designer fashion. She is known for her creativity and open-mindedness, and says getting dressed is a creative act. It was for qualities like these that she was recently honoured at the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards (CAFA) gala in Toronto. Apfel was chosen as the first recipient of the International Style Icon Award, a new CAFA award category that recognizes an individual whose unique personality and style has com-

manded the attention of the global fashion industry. “Iris is one of the most beloved individuals in the fashion industry,” says Vicky Milner, President of CAFA. “In addition to her one-of-a-kind style, it is her emphasis on individuality, work ethic and moving beyond the status quo that makes her a true icon.” She is still actively designing, collaborating on projects, participating in various campaigns and traveling, Milner says. She is celebrated by the fashion industry for her inimitable style, wit and creativity. Apfel recently participated in a documentary film about her life called “Iris,” and you may have seen her striking image in a TV commercial recently. Perhaps one of the keys to her youthfulness is not taking herself too seriously. Her bold signature eye glasses seem to offer a cheeky wink at the world and her wry sense of humour is widely appreciated. Apfel’s “exuberantly idiosyncratic personal chic” as noted in the 2007 book about her, “Rare Bird of Fashion,” is not limited to the fashion world. She has worked at the White House on design restoration projects for nine American presidents. Her

three-bedroom Manhattan apartment was featured in Architectural Digest last fall. “There’s no roadmap to style,” she says. “It’s about expression and above all attitude.” When talking about being the star of her self-titled documentary film, Apfel reflected on the fashion industry. “People can be their own canvas. I don’t know why everybody wants to look the same. I find it exceedingly boring. Maybe they feel safe,” she wonders. She finds that a sense of mystery is absent is today’s world. “Everything is so cut and dry and grey and same.” Apfel’s world is full of colour and lively exuberance. “I think the world is very grey and while I’m not a silly billy, I like to have fun. You can have intelligent fun.” “I don’t expect to find inspiration. It just sort of comes. Sometimes you step on a bug and you get inspired.” We have no difficulty finding inspiration in Apfel, however. She is an inspiration, not specifically to do, but to be – to be alive and resplendent. Apfel jokes that people give her high marks for still being around, but she wears it well. “I don’t see anything so wrong with a wrinkle. It’s kind of like a badge of honour.”

Iris Apfel launched her HSN Collection of accessories this spring. Ph o t o : L Ar s NIkI/ Get t y Im AGes fo r h sN

Apfel is captivating in a world where that’s increasingly hard to do. She has chosen her own path. She’s certainly not made in the mould of anyone else, she’s not a product of some publicity machine. She’s not that ‘regular person.’ She inspires others to follow, to be unafraid of the later years, to live in colour. She has bravely gone ahead to the geriatric frontier. She’s showing the way, and the road ahead looks pretty good. “You have to try it. You only have one trip. You’ve got to remember that.”

Iris Apfel is proof that style knows no age! Here, Iris Apfel appears in a documentary about her life – “Iris” – a film by Albert Maysles, a KinoSmith release. Photo: B ruce WeB er

At the age of 96, style icon Iris Apfel continues to inspire the adoration of many with her exuberant fashion sense and vivacious lifestyle. Here, Apfel is interviewed at the 2017 CAFA Awards. fILe P hoto/ Ge orGe PI meN teL

resources available for seniors in fight against online scams by Joseph Wilson

Greg Charyna scored only seven out of 10 on a quiz to spot online scams – and he’s just 52 years old and very adept at technology. “It does give you pause to think that if people who are savvy with computers can get tripped up, how much harder is it for other folks,” said the co-owner of Saskatoon’s Home Instead Senior Care. The quiz is offered on www. protectseniorsonline.com, a website Home Instead designed to help seniors recognize and avoid online dangers. Home Instead Senior Care says its 2016 survey shows three in five seniors in North America have been the target of some sort of online scam. The website has lots of helpful sections like Top 5 Hottest Senior Cyber Scams and 10 Cybersecurity Best Practices for Older Adults. Home Instead promotes the website as public service, and Charyna says families can use it as a great discussion tool if they have concerns about a parent or grandparent who is active online. The company’s survey also

A national survey conducted in 2016 by Home Instead Senior Care reveals that three in five seniors in North America have been the target of an online scam. Get t y Im AGes

shows one in five seniors goes without anti-virus software, which can leave the information in your computer open to those who would use it against you. Scammers are always looking for an edge to scare or confuse a victim, and with the contact lists in an email account, they can get just the tool they need to make a skilful request for money. One of the most eye-opening features of the Protect Seniors Online website is the quiz.

The questions demonstrate just how harmless an online interaction can seem. Whether it involves buying an gift online, or receiving a Facebook message from an old friend, the quiz shows just how easy it is to get tripped up by a scammer if you are not on high-alert and looking for red flags. It also shows how quickly technology is changing, with mobile apps asking for your location now part of the digital landscape. “I think folks are gener-

ally, especially that older generation, very trusting,” says Charyna, adding older Canadians want to be above board and keep up with their accounts. “So if somebody said ‘Hey, your payment didn’t come through… if you just email it to me I’ll take care of it’, it sounds fairly innocuous but, you know, it’s not really the wisest way to go.” “We know from research that about two-thirds of Canadian seniors have been the victim of at least one common scam or hack, and when you break it down, if somebody has actually sent money or done something like that, then there’s a level of embarrassment or even shame that they got caught doing this, and they don’t want to talk about it.” But talking about it is exactly what needs to happen, says Nancy Cahill, call centre and intake unit manager with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. “We can’t stress enough how important it is to talk about a fraud and to report it,” she said.

Cahill says a 2008 study by McMaster University shows less than five per cent of victims will report a fraud. For those that do, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre is ready to offer meaningful help. “We have a senior support unit with more than 50 volunteers, so what they do is take the time to follow up with victims of fraud and are very sensitive to their needs.” Seniors can have special needs due to cognitive impairments or physical health problems, loneliness or lack of family support. The Canadian Antifraud Centre is ready to help them through the incident in the way they need. “We support them and we follow up with them and make certain they are surfing the web in a safe way. We explain about clicking on links, pop-ups or any requests for personal information. We educate them on protecting their identity.” Cahill said romance is a huge area of vulnerability. “We know that some seniors get lonely and they’ll go online to talk with people,”

she said. “We have seen some seniors go as far as sending hundreds of thousand of dollars to a suspect with the hopes that they’ll meet someday.” Another type of scam, and one that has touched her own parents, is the ploy asking for money to be sent to claim a huge prize. It may even result in further, costly steps in the process. If it happens to you, talk about it, says Cahill. She said it’s tragic that people so often don’t report a fraud because they’re ashamed, afraid and embarrassed. But information they could share may help protect others. “We’re a repository of the data and information related to online fraud, so law enforcement will reach out to us if they’re investigating. Our database contains so much information and sometimes that little piece of the puzzle that they’re missing is in our database.” To learn more, go to: www.protectseniorsonline. com http://www.antifraudcentrecentreantifraude.ca

This secTion was creaTed by conTenT works, PosTmedia’s commercial conTenT sTudio.

Isn’t it time your lawnmower retired? When you consider the thousands of times you’ve mowed a lawn in your life, don’t you think it’s time for you to relax on the patio while someone else does the mowing? Life at Stonebridge Crossing Retirement Community means that you can spend your time doing the things you want to do, not the things you have to do. Enjoy great meals, delight in favourite hobbies, host family visits and relax with friends. Isn’t that a better way to spend the summer? Retire your lawnmower! Call Stonebridge Crossing at 306-974-7990 or visit StonebridgeCrossing.ca to arrange your personal visit and join us for lunch.

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Quality of life for seniors

Ixtapa Travel’s Women with Passports program offers social networking for women so they don’t have to travel alone.

Get t y ImAGe s

expand your horizons: exciting travel opportunities for older adults by Ashleigh MAt tern

Ron and Arla Delver are passionate about travelling, and they share that passion as the hosts of Ixtapa Travel’s Women with Passports program, and as the owners of Medicine Horse Tours. Women with Passports is a social networking program that helps people connect so they don’t have to travel alone, while Medicine Horse Tours offers getaways in Saskatchewan with a historical focus. With most of their clients 50 years of age and older, Ron and Arla are offering opportunities for older adults to travel in whatever way makes them feel most comfortable. Arla describes the Women With Passports program as a gathering of women interested in travel. The group meets once a month for dinner and a presentation about different travel destinations. But it’s more than just a lecture from the hosts, Ron says. “People who have gone on trips are sharing their experiences and talk about what was good, what was not so good, what was absolutely marvelous, so in that way there’s an interactive learning experience for the other members right at the meeting.” “We have some very well travelled gals who attend,” Arla adds. Some of the women in the Passports program are widowed or divorced, but others have partners who simply aren’t interested in travelling with them. The goals of the group are to help women feel more comfortable travelling, and to help women find people to travel with. “Many times they don’t have someone else who either has the financial wherewithal or who has the time or who has the interest in the same areas or activities that they do,” Arla says, “and so this gives them a venue where they can get to know other women interested in travel.” Generally the trips are chosen through group consensus, but the Delvers will also plan trips for people individually. Women in the group have become friends, and started organizing their own trips as well. Usually about 15 to 30 people come out to the meetings, but the total number of members is in the hundreds. There’s no fee to attend – the Delvers work on commission. The meetings are held the third week of the month on Tuesdays or Wednesday, and anyone can attend, male or female. While Women with Passports sets its sights on the whole world, focusing on international travel, Medicine Horse Tours focuses on Saskatchewan. For some older adults, the cost of insurance for international travel can be prohibitive. But that doesn’t

mean travelling has to stop. Exploring your own backyard, right here in Saskatchewan, can be as mind-expanding and enriching as travelling the world. “Many people have been to the places where we go to, but they don’t know the stories, and they don’t get to interact with the ambassadors and guides that we contract with,” Arla says. An essential part of the program is that it gives the Aboriginal view of events that occurred. The Delvers point out that most of us know the military, church, political, and settler history, but fewer people have

heard history from a First Nations perspective. “It gives you a better understanding of all cultures in the province,” Arla says. The Medicine Horse Tours are also able to cater to people with limited mobility. On a tour to the Athabasca Sand Dunes, one of the travellers couldn’t walk well, but that didn’t stop her from enjoying the adventure. “She couldn’t walk really well, but she could sure sit on a float plane and fly around and do some limited walking on the sand dunes and fish and eat a shore lunch!” Ron says.

They carefully plan the Medicine Horse tours so that they’re not taking the tourism industry away from the First Nations they work with, but instead partnering with them, and aiming to foster and grow the industry in their area. “The more we can learn about each other’s cultures, the better we can live in harmony,” Arla says. “I think that’s important in this day and age, particularly in this province

Saskatoon

today.” The Delvers’ passion for travel and history is apparent in everything they say about the programs, and their enthusiasm is infectious. To learn more about Ixtapa’s Women with Passports program contact Arla at arla@ixtapatravel.ca or 306-220-5085; and to learn about Medicine Horse Tours, contact Ron at rdelver@yourlink.ca or 306-2228337.

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Quality of life for seniors remembering when

by DArlene polAchic

At age 65, older adults are twice as likely to be killed or injured by fires than the population at large. By 75, the risk increases to three times that of the general population, and to four times at age 85. These statistics are the impetus behind the Remembering When program that centres around 16 key fire and fall prevention messages for older adults. In Saskatoon, the program is being taught and promoted by the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) and the Saskatoon Council on Aging (SCOA). “We’re being proactive instead of reactive,” says Janet Barnes, a SCOA volunteer who has been serving on the SCOA board for the past six months. “This all came about because of the Age Friendly Consultations that SCOA initiated about six years ago with older adults and various community-based organizations. One result of the consultations was a partnership with the Saskatoon Fire Department.” Dori Krahn, the SFD’s community relations coordinator, approached SCOA about the feasibility of implementing the Remembering

When program put out by the National Fire Protection Association, and last fall, Barnes and Krahn travelled to San Antonio, Texas to take the training. Remembering When is a comprehensive fire and falls prevention program that targets older adults with the goal of keeping them independent and safely able to live in their own homes for as long as possible. “Our mission at SCOA is to support positive aging, and equip older adults in ways that allow them to live healthy, independent lives,” says Barnes who previously worked with the Saskatoon Health Region in health promotion for older adults in the areas of physical activity and falls prevention. “This program,” she says, “was a natural fit for me.” Together, Barnes and Krahn are committed to creating fire and falls prevention awareness by developing critical partnerships and doing Remembering When presentations and home visits. The presentations are given to older adults in established groups like SCOA Hub Clubs or in seniors’ condos. The presentation consists of demonstrations (with props)

of eight fire prevention and eight falls prevention messages. “We can also do home visits where a trained volunteer does a specialized evaluation of the older adult’s home,” Krahn says. “We’ll look at what they’re doing well in both fire safety and falls prevention and offer suggestions about where they need to make changes or adjustments.” Another large part of the program is appropriately referring people to services they might need such as health support, repairs to make their home safer, or installations that might benefit them. “We may suggest a pharmacy review or a family doctor visit,” says Barnes, “or safe storage of oxygen tanks, or care of electrical cords. We’ve even helped people get mobility aids. One person needed shoe lifts after hip surgery.” The one-hour Remembering When presentation is engaging, fun, and interactive, filled with good information, and presented in a way that is not easily forgotten. Krahn says it fits very nicely with the Saskatoon Fire Department’s mandate. “Fire safety is a big thing.

Dori Krahn holds a coffee can filled with sand, a prop to emphasize the first rule in fire prevention for older adults: If you smoke, smoke outside and dispose of cigarette butts safely. P h o t o : DAr Le Ne Po LAchIc

I’ve spent my entire career in safety for older adults,” she says. “One of the things the SFD does is lift assistance. In 2016, we picked up 732 people who had fallen and

couldn’t get up. Falls prevention education means less people falling and less calls for our services.” In keeping with the Remembering When program,

a Safety Style Down the Aisle Fashion Show is being held on June 13 at McClure United Church beginning at 2 p.m. It’s a fashion show with a difference. Models from the Meri Misfits (Saskatoon Senior Players) will present Remembering When’s 16 safety messages in a fun and memorable way. Barnes and Krahn will commentate the show. “The fashions are entirely education,” Krahn says. “For instance, to illustrate the first point of falls prevention, exercise regularly, models will parade the catwalk in exercise gear and sensible footwear – except for one model who will be wearing high heels. We will go through the safety messages in a fun way.” Safety Style Down the Aisle is a free event and everyone is welcome. The fashion show will be repeated on October 4 at Spotlight on Seniors which takes place at TCU Place. To learn more about the Remembering When program, visit the National Fire Prevention Association website: www.nfpa.org. To book a free fire and falls prevention demonstration, email Dori Krahn at dori.krahn@ saskatoon.ca or call her at 306-975-7715.

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Quality of life for seniors Discover Pickleball!

By Ryan Hall

If you are looking for fastpaced excitement, then you need to check out the new international sensation that is the sport of pickleball. With simple rules and easy-to-learn skills, people across the globe are picking up their paddles and getting into the game. Originally invented in Se att le, Was hingt on in 1965, the sport has caught on for the compe titive outlet and ease of accessibility that it offers. The game itself has several similarities to tennis and

badminton, with teams of one to two participants trying to be the first to reach 11 points. Play progresses by hitting a whiffle ball over a badminton type net, while using special paddles. While the basics are easy to learn, the depth and strategy of the game is deep enough to keep players coming back. “In fact, after a couple games we find that people get addicted to Pickleball,” says Carol Martens-Clappison, president of Pickleball Saskatchewan. Pickleball can be enjoyed by people of all ages,

from the very young to the elderly. Originally designed for senior citizens, it offers a great opportunity to stay in shape, have fun, and compete. As mentioned p r e v i o u s l y, P i c k l e b a l l bears similarities to tennis but has the added benefit of being less physically taxing, which makes it an attractive option for many. Additionally, since it can be played inside, there is no offseason, which means people can par ticipate all year-round. “We have some association members that play every day of the week,”

says Martens- Clappison, “they just can’t get enough of it!” The addicting nature of the game has helped contribute to it becoming the fastest growing sport in the world, with huge n u m b e r s o f p l ay e r s i n Europe and burgeoning support here in Canada. L o c a l l y, P i c k l e b a l l S a skat ch e wa n i n cor po rated in 2013, and currently boasts 200 members in Regina alone. Plans are in the works to launch a club in Saskatoon, but

Pickleball is all the rage. Easy to learn, this new sport is a fun, addictive way to stay active for all ages. Photos: s uPPlieD

S e e p i c k l e b a l l o n B5

LutherCare Communities most elegant senior’s residence, LutherCare Village at Stonebridge is now open. LutherCare Village provides service and care from an accredited, faith-based organization, and offers elegant, active senior’s housing in a vibrant community. The rental development offers 159 suites in one-bedroom, one-bedroom with den, and two bedroom configurations, ranging in size from 700 – 1,216 sq. ft. Each unit features a full kitchen and its own laundry facilities for today’s independenceconscious senior citizens.

Congratulations. We are proud to be a part of this project.

LutherCare Village also has a 27-bed Intermediate Care Home within the facility, to accommodate those residents that are unable to live independently. Each room in the home is large enough to easily accommodate couples, and feature a private 3-piece bath. LutherCare Village is part of LutherCare Communities’ “Continuum of Living” model. Services include wellness clinics, meal programs, foot care, recreational activities as well as transportation and ecumenical worship service. LutherCare’s caring and supportive programs help residents lead active, healthy and independent lives. LutherCare Communities has been providing excellence in care, shelter and support for over 60 years, and serves more than 1,200 residents throughout the province. LutherCare Village at Stonebridge is located at 250 Hunter Road in Saskatoon. Call 306.664.0501 to book a personal tour.

Congratulations Congratulations on a superior project! LutherCare Village! It was a pleasure being such an instrumental part of this project.

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Quality of life for seniors p i c k l e b a l l F r o m B4

attention to the sport is also growing outside of the cities as well. “There has been a lot of interest in pickleball from small towns across the province,” says Martens-Clappison, “and many are expressing interest in starting their own clubs and getting involved in the game.” A ny c o m m u n i ty t h at wants to know more about joining Pickleball Saskatchewan is invited to contact the them for more information. Pickleball has also benefited from the support of local community associations and centres, who help promote the game. Nearly every centre in Regina offers pickleball, which means

there are ample opportunities for interested parties to come and discover what all the fuss is about. Even better, all anyone needs to play is a good pair of running shoes, as the remainder of equipment is provided by the community centres themselves. The result is a sport that is accessible to everyone, and an inexpensive way to exercise and have some fun. However, for those who want to see the game in action, Pickleball Saskatchewan is hosting their first tournament on the weekend of June 17 and 18 at Douglas Park. This event will feature top competitors from the several skill levels, who will all be vying for the Saskatchewan title. The whole weekend prom-

ises lots to see and do, for people of all ages and skill levels, as there will be people on hand to explain the rules, and nuances, of the game. “ We’re anticipating a weekend full of action and fun,” says Martens-Clappison, “and we’d love everyone to come out and experience all that pickleball has to offer.” To learn more about pickleball, local clubs, or the upcoming tournament visit https://sites.google. com/site/pickleballsask/ or email saskatchewanpickleball@gmail.com. Additionally, to find out where pickleball is played in your area you can get in touch with Pickleball Saskatchewan or contact your local community centre.

Congratulations on the grand opening of LutherCare Village! We are truly proud to be your partners on this one of a kind project.

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Quality of life for seniors Memory Writers’ Club

by Darlene Polachic

Maureen Cline feels like a newbie when it comes to the Memory Writers’ Club, even though she’s been a member for many years. The club started more than 30 years ago, and grew out of the Seniors’ Continuing Learning Program at the University of Saskatchewan. Kathlyn Szalasznyj taught a class on writing and documenting memories, and when the class was done, several students wanted to continue meeting. The Memory Writers’ Club was established with Szalasznyj as their guide. The mostly older adult group meets monthly to share stories they’ve written about memories and recollections from their life. The goal of the club is to share those stories, jog listeners’ memories, and perhaps create a record for future generations. The club is well-organized, with a membership of up to 60 at one time, though fewer are involved today. Cline is currently the club’s secretary. Meetings begin with a short business section, then anyone who wishes to can read a story they’ve written. “A very big thing for me is that in hearing peoples’ stories we get to know one another quite well,” Cline says. “That creates a close knit group and an accepting atmosphere with enjoyable social interaction.” The Memor y Writers’ Club is not a critique group, she stresses. “We just listen to each other’s stories, and often what one person has

Memory writer Maureen Cline sees writing one’s memories as affirming the worth of things that have happened in the person’s life. P h ot o: Dar l en e P ol aC h i C

written will trigger someone else’s memories. That’s always interesting because it’s frequently a memory of something long forgotten. “For instance, one person wrote about ‘frost leaves on the windows.’ With today’s insulated and double-paned windows, we don’t see frost patterns on our windows anymore. I had forgotten how fascinating I always found those designs.” Cline says everyone in the club does their writing differently. Some write their stories chronologically, treating them like an autobiography. One member is a former teacher who spent much of her career in the NWT and has many fascinating stories to tell. Another woman edited a family newsletter every month for several years and has done a detailed family history with copious documentation. “Another is a poet with a delightful sense of humour. That’s part of the appeal of

the group: it’s made up of so many interesting people.” Cline says she writes whatever story comes to mind. While it isn’t a requirement to bring something to every meeting to read, she finds doing so gives her the impetus and discipline to write. The Memory Writers’ Club is also serving as a research resource for counselling psychology student Kelly Mills’ masters thesis. “Kelly’s thesis topic is how story telling enriches seniors’ lives,” Cline says, “and she’s basing it on interviews with members of our group.” Cline sees many benefits to writing one’s memories. “I see it as affirming the worth of things that have happened in our lives,” she says. “Many people think our life has been insignificant, but that is never true. There are always people interested in hearing about it.” She also finds that writing one’s memories is a good mental exercise because the writer is constantly challenged to remember details and then find the appropriate words to express and describe them. Written memories can also have significance for families and younger generations. One of Cline’s own experiences confirms that. “I wrote a story called ‘Lizards in the Ice House.’ A young woman in the class was astounded and intrigued when I read it. She’d never thought about refrigeration before the advent of electrical power.” In 1993 the Memory Writers’ Club compiled a book of

members’ written memories. Titled ‘For All Seasons,’ it contains life stories from the group, along with a guide on how to write memory stories. Cline says the club is open to anyone who wishes to join. Membership is $10.

“Just come with a listening ear and a desire to recollect some of your memories.” Meetings are held the second Saturday of every month at the Edwards Family Centre (across the street from Saskatoon Funeral Home)

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from 10 a.m. to noon. No meetings will be held in July and August. The group holds two socials each year – lunch out together in June and at Christmas, and is organizing a mini workshop for fall.

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ENRICHED LIVING

Services Include:

• Nutritious Meal Program • Housekeeping and Linen Service • Wellness Clinic and Foot Care • Emergency Response System • Heating, Water • Chapel Service • Activities • Live In Caretaker SAS00373861_1_1

Diamond House o

P ers on a l C a r e Hom e • Wa r m a n , S K A care by design environment with 6 homes in 1 house.

Residents are the center of a collaborative care team that includes physicians, nurses, care staff and home care. With this support system, residents will be cared for in the comfort of the place they call home.

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“Aging in the Right Place” Located at 700 Ballesteros Cres in Warman • www.diamondhouse.ca

For more information please call 306-955-1300 or email hauph@sasktel.net SAS00373829_1_1