How listening to familiar tunes
The Conversation Café is a space for open, candid conversations about what it’s like to live with the condition which causes a loss of cognitive functioning, and to help care for those that have it, explained Alan Rae, a resident of Bearspaw who helped form Dementia Network Calgary.
It’s also somewhere they can all meet and simply talk about the weather, if it pleases them.
“It’s a comfortable environment where we can share ideas, share stories and just be supportive toward one another,” said Rae. “It’s sort of like an informal social support group.”
Rae’s wife, Joan Connor, was diagnosed with dementia over 10 years ago. The two of them first stumbled across the concept of a Conversation Café while travelling through California in 2017 and enjoyed the experience so much that they brought the idea back home with them.
among local individuals and organizations including the Alzheimer’s Society of Calgary, Alberta Health Services, the City of Calgary, and the United Way of Calgary and Area.
BY JESSICA LEE Varsity“We knew there was a need for something like this in our area,” said Rae. “Dementia is real and it can be very difficult to live with. The people that are dealing with it are real people and they need to have socialization and communication.”
“That includes the people who offer care for the person with the condition,” added Rae, “especially after coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“There’s an X amount of people in Calgary who may be struggling with the notion that they can’t get out of their house to socialize with others because they’re too busy caring for that person with dementia,” he said. “But it’s important for us to communicate to that person there this is a place you can go and be social.”
Residents, caregivers and those with dementia are welcome to attend and share their stories and experiences in a relaxed social environment at The Manor Village at Varsity.
Not long after their return, the husband and wife helped launch Dementia Network Calgary, a collaborative effort
He believes the event also serves to destigmatize any false notions that some might have regarding dementia.
“We’re letting people know that, while yes, this is a disease – no, it is not contagious. We’re letting people know that the people with this disease are still human beings that can still live a decent life,” said Rae.
they can, but considers the Cochrane Legion to be their home base.
Alan Rae and Joan Connor, ambassadors for dementia support, pose for a photo during a Memory Café session at the Okotoks & District Seniors Club on July 6. Brent Calver/OkotoksTODAY
Each month, Dementia Network Calgary coordinates over a dozen Memory Cafés throughout the Calgary region, including events in Cochrane and Okotoks.
Rae said he and Connor make a point of attending as many regional events as
“The conversations we have there can be quite interesting and often quite personal, but what it does is it gives everybody the opportunity to say ‘Hey, my journey isn’t so bad, my situation isn’t so unique, this is happening to other people too,’” said Rae.
“The important side of it is being able to share and then from that, understand that we’re not alone.”
Contact Nicole Boucher for more information 403-286-7117 visit or contact Helen Puls
Welcome to the Fall 2022 issue of Dignified Living, the magazine for healthy, active and engaged seniors. From the latest research on aging well and exciting travel tips to inspiring profiles with local seniors and practical money advice, our goal is to offer readers the resources to add life to your years and years to your life.
In this issue, we ask the experts about why listening to the golden oldies can benefit our brains (pg. 08), how to start estate planning today (pg. 09) and what we should know about e-bikes (pg. 06). In our Inspire photo series (pg. 05), we meet Rosella Bjornson, Canada’s first female airline pilot. Lastly, in our feature story, “We Never Stop” (pg. 15), local seniors share how they stay curious, active and excited about life in their post-retirement years. Happy autumn!
Do you have a personal story to share or know of an inspiring senior or expert in the field of healthy aging or wellness we should speak with? We’d love to hear thoughts and ideas on aging well. Email us at dignifiedliving@redpointmedia.ca
BRAIN
BY MICHAELA REAM
Flying has been a part of Rosella Bjornson’s life since she was a baby. Bjornson was born in Lethbridge and raised on her parents’ farm near Champion, Alta. Her first flying memory is sitting on her father’s lap as a toddler in his Aeronca Champion and playing with the controls. Bjornson’s father learned to fly after the Second World War and shared his love of aviation with her. For Bjornson, now 75, becoming a pilot was never a doubt in her mind, despite growing up in a time when women didn’t fly professionally.
“There seemed to be an unwritten rule somewhere that they didn’t feel women were
pilot,” says Bjornson. She went on to become the first female member of the Canadian Air Line Pilots Association and, in 1990, the first female captain with a major Canadian air carrier (Canadian Airlines International). In 1997, she was inducted as a member of Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame.
capable of flying complicated aircrafts,” recalls Bjornson. “They came up with all kinds of crazy excuses like women were not emotionally strong enough, but it’s really all a matter of training and your aptitude.”
Bjornson never faltered in her goal to become a pilot and her family supported her. On her 17th birthday, Bjornson’s parents surprised her with private flying lessons to obtain her private pilot’s licence. Bjornson continued flying and training until, in 1973, Transair hired her as the first female first officer in North America to fly an F-28, a twin-engine passenger jet.
“[Transair] gave me the opportunity to prove myself as a
Bjornson eventually married a fellow pilot, and, when she became pregnant in 1979, her pregnancy led to another first. Back then, women weren’t allowed to fly while pregnant and, without any maternity leave available for female pilots, Bjornson took an unpaid leave instead. During her second pregnancy, Bjornson worked with Transport Canada to revise the regulations around flying while pregnant. Now, thanks to her efforts, pregnant women can fly up until 36 weeks gestation and female pilots get maternity leave.
Bjornson retired in 2004 with 18,000 flying hours logged and, in 2018, was inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence.
Today, Bjornson continues to share her story as a motivational speaker and advocate for women in aviation.
“Aviation is so exciting and there are so many possibilities,” Bjornson says. “I really enjoyed every minute of my career, and I managed to do everything I wanted.”
IN OUR ONGOING PHOTO SERIES, WE FEATURE INSPIRING SENIORS WHO ARE LIVING WITH PURPOSE, GRACE AND DIGNITY
Take in all autumn has to offer with these must-do Alberta events and activities
BY JENNIFER FRIESENThe annual Hush Gala, Cerebral Palsy Alberta’s largest fundraiser, features a different theme every year that’s slowly revealed through clues leading up to the event. The fundraiser helps support the organization's programs and services for people living with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Featuring a champagne reception, a gourmet meal, entertainment, live and silent auctions, the gala will be held in a secret location Oct. 1. hushgala.com
For more than 30 years, the Alzheimer Walk & Run has been an October tradition for many families touched by dementia. This year, the event will be held on Oct. 9
Biking the pathways under a canopy of Alberta’s golden larch trees is a staple prairie pastime, and it’s even easier with an e-bike. Through pedal-assist capabilities, longer paths and bigger hills become a breeze. Beginner e-bikes start at around $1,900, but rentals are also available throughout the city, including at Bow Cycle E-bikes, which will soon be offering guided tours. Andy Lau, sales manager of eBikes Calgary, says many of his customers choose e-bikes because the motor assist is less straining on their joints. He recommends saddling up and taking a brisk ride through Bowmont Park to Dale Hodges Park for a ride around the wetlands — with its flat open pathways, you’re sure to enjoy the autumn leaves. Learn more at calgaryebikes.ca
at the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre. Participants can choose from one-km walks to 10-km runs. Money raised helps people and families living with dementia to continue to live life well. igalzheimerwalkrun.ca
In support of the Alberta Diabetes Foundation, participants raise money for diabetes research by dressing up in costumes and hitting the streets for a three- or five-km walk or run. It’s a great opportunity to dress up the grandkids and stroll (or dash) through the city for a good cause. Race day in Calgary is Oct. 29 and Oct. 22 in Edmonton. albertadiabetesfoundation.com/halloween-howl
As winter draws closer, it’s the perfect time to safeguard all your fresh produce while it’s still in season. Wanda Grisak started preserving the fall harvest from her garden with her mom when she was 15, and she hasn’t stopped since. As the owner of Calgarybased Canning Culture, she shares her tips, recipes and
Visitors flock to the village of Jasper every October to stargaze under the mountain sky. As the second-largest Dark Sky Preserve on Earth, Jasper National Park features more than 11,000 km2 of low light-pollution land that’s ideal for visitors to peek into the cosmos. The annual Jasper Dark Sky Festival runs from Oct. 14-23 with nightly events including a helicopter viewing of the Big Dipper constellation, music under the moonlight and expert astronomers bound to keep you up past your bedtime. Learn more at jasperdarksky.travel
passion for canning through classes and online tutorials.
What are some tips for canning safely? “Always use jars and lids that are specifically for canning and don't reuse your lids. You have to know your elevation, because water boils at a particular temperature at sea level. Here in Calgary, we’re at about 4,000 feet in altitude, so I have to add 10 minutes of boiling time.”
Do you have any recommendations for what to can in the fall? “Salsa is great because those kinds of products are in season, like peppers, onions, tomatoes and corn. If you wanted to start with something like a jam, you could just use crabapples. Crabapple jelly is amazing, and you can find crab apples in almost any neighbourhood.”
What are the benefits of canning at home? “When I know I can grab anything I want from the pantry, that’s the most satisfying feeling — I know exactly what I put in it, I know where it came from, I put my own labour into it — and I saved money doing it.” Find more recipes and tips at canningculture.com
BY ELIZABETH CHORNEY-BOOTH
A new scientific study shows that, not only can listening to long-familiar music trigger memories, it can potentially improve dementia-related memory loss.
A group of researchers from the University of Toronto and Unity Health Toronto recently completed a study, published in November 2021 in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, looking at what happens to the brain when a subject listens to music they’ve known and loved for 25 years or more.
In their first study conducted two years ago, the group examined how familiar music affects the brain function of people with Alzheimer’s. The researchers documented that listening to old favourites stimulates regions of the brain involved in cognition and memory. These areas did not react in the same way when participants listened to lessfamiliar music.
In their latest study, the team took their hypothesis a step further by using familiar music as therapy.
Fourteen participants with early stage cognitive decline took the standardized Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test, which is commonly used to measure the progression of dementia. The participants then listened to specially curated playlists of familiar music for an hour a day for three weeks. Participants' brains were scanned by an MRI before and after the listening periods to determine changes to brain function and structure.
When listening to familiar music, researchers saw activation in the pre-frontal cortex, which clearly indicated engaged executive cognitive function. At the end of the trial, scientists found substantial improvement in both MoCA scores and overall brain functionality.
“Our data clearly indicates that something very positive is happening,” says Dr. Michael Thaut, director of U of T’s Music and Health Science Research Collaboratory. Thaut was the coprimary author on the first study
M4d Radio is part of the Music for Dementia campaign based in the U.K., which is working to make music an integral part of dementia care. M4d Radio streams four free era-specific stations that can be listened to live from its website 24 hours a day, including the 1950s, 1960s and more. Tune in at m4dradio.com.
and the senior author on the most recent one. “We cannot cure Alzheimer's, but, from our data, we can certainly make a claim there is a very clear potential to create cognitive boosts.”
Thaut says researchers have long known music affects brain function, and he’s pleased to see that it’s never too late to start a music listening practice, even after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
“You don't have to be a lifelong musician to do this,” he says. “The most encouraging thing for me is that, no matter what your history is in music or where you are in the stage of your dementia, you can benefit right away.” COURTESY
Whether you have a modest nest egg or millions of dollars in assets, proper estate planning can reduce stress and provide peace of mind. Rick Green, president, partner and wealth strategist at Sagium, has some tips for starting the process. BY ELIZABETH CHORNEY-BOOTH
Most financial advisors are now telling clients to plan on having enough money to keep them going until age 95, including plans for expenses like long-term care. Prioritizing how to live out your later years as well as charitable gifts and inheritances will guide how to manage and reallocate investments.
“The process starts with a total financial review,” Green says. “We like to show people they have enough for financial independence and then ask the estate-planning questions around what they want to leave for family and community.”
The year, after Canadians turn 71, RSP accounts must be transferred into RIFs, with money coming out
of savings rather than going in. This also means finally paying the taxes that were delayed when the money was deposited. While many people are inclined to only take the minimum amount required out of their RIFs, that can result in large tax bills when inheritances are paid out. Green recommends working with a professional advisor
to potentially move money from RIFs to other investments to make the most of tax rates. Insurance can also be useful in managing tax rates. A life insurance policy can be gifted to a descendent or charity tax-free, making them a good option for estate planning investment.
TALK TO YOUR FAMILY Estate planning can result in some uncomfortable discussions, but Green encourages his clients to ensure loved ones aren’t left with any financial surprises. Regular discussions give adult children the peace of mind that older parents are securely financially independent. It also helps retirees identify their families’ expectations and which of their physical assets, such as vacation homes or valuable collections, are worth holding onto. Making sure everyone is on the same page enables you to move on and enjoy those retirement years.
“Talk about plans with family ahead of time, as early as possible,” Green says. “You don't have to disclose every dollar, but the sooner families talk about their wealth and what their intent is, the better.”
Top destinations in the U.S. for those looking to escape frigid Canadian winters
BY DEREK CLOUTHIERSaying goodbye to winter in favour of warmer climates is a yearly custom for Canadian snowbirds. If you’re considering joining the snowbird community, here is a look at three of the top U.S. locations to escape winter:
Before you go: Dana Young, president and CEO of Visit Florida, says one of the most important things any traveller should check off their to-do list is confirming accommodations for their stay. “Whether visitors plan to stay in a hotel, campsite, resort, bed and breakfast, or rent a vacation home, there are many long-term stay options to explore.”
Where to stay: From “the Vacation Home Capital of the World” in Kissimmee to “The Seashell Capital of the World” on Sanibel Island, “there are a number of destinations popular with our Canadian friends,” says Young. The Florida Keys are also a favourite destination, as are historic and cultural locations like Sarasota, Hollywood Beach and Hallandale, which welcomes FrenchCanadian travellers every year. Hidden gems: Head to the northwest area of the state, stretching from Pensacola to Apalachicola, which offers outdoor adventure, white-sand beaches and much more. “Given how much our Canadian friends love the outdoors, history and
Florida’s stunning beaches are a big draw for snowbirds.
culture, this is definitely a region Canadian snowbirds would enjoy experiencing,” says Young.
Before you go: Rosalyn Hunter, director of communications for the Travel Texas Canada Office, says visitors should do their homework before heading south. “Texas is big and bold. Each of its seven varied regions offers its own dramatic landscape, storied history and opportunities for exploration and adventure,” says Hunter. Check out TravelTexas.com for essential information on accommodations, offers, planning resources and more.
Where to stay: Texas has three distinct locations that are popular for Canadian snowbirds — the Gulf Coast, 563 km of sand dunes, charming coastal towns and seaside adventure; Hill Country, nestled in the hills of Central Texas, offering adventure, city life and historic experiences; and the South Texas Plains, a cultural hotspot that runs from the San Antonio River to the Rio Grande Valley.
Hidden gems: The Panhandle Plains, particularly Amarillo and Lubbock, and Big Bend Country,
with its wide-open spaces and outdoor adventure, are great places for active Canadian seniors looking for somewhere a bit different. Visitors can also explore the historic 285-km stretch of Route 66 or discover the region's wine scene. Texas is one of the 10 best wine travel destinations in the world and is home to skillfully crafted wines that regularly
win top awards in competitions around the globe.
Before you go: For the best and most up-to-date information on travel advisories, insider travel tips and RV and camping locations, check out websites like VisitArizona. com and RediscoverAZ.com. “With
Travel insurance: “You should consider going to someone who specializes in assisting seniors and snowbirds because of the unique health and travel patterns of snowbirds.”
Accommodation: “For renters, there’s a new trend happening now where there is a shortage of vacation rental properties for snowbirds, as well as a large increase in rental rates in a lot of popular destinations. You want to book your vacation rental as early as possible.”
Length of stay: “You can run into trouble on both the immigration and tax fronts, and there are different rules for tax and for immigration on how long you can stay in the U.S.”
Canadian house-sitter: “You’re going to need to prepare in terms of cleaning up the house and the fridge, taking care of the mail and adjusting heating to appropriate levels. You’re also going to need someone to frequently check in on your home to meet insurance requirements.”
“What’s good about [Florida, Arizona and Texas] is that they have well-established snowbird communities, so you’re going to be able to socialize, meet other people and be part of a snowbird community in many different areas of those states.” – Stephen Fine
such a diverse state, it’s definitely worth a look for visitors to discover new places and to find different ways to explore our iconic vistas,” says Becky Blaine, deputy director of the Arizona Office of Tourism.
Where to stay: Arizona’s central and southern desert communities are popular spots for Canadian snowbirds. “Some favourite activities include renting a houseboat and touring the miniature lighthouses on Lake Havasu, guided Field-to-Feast Tours in Yuma and, of course, relaxing poolside after a round of golf in the greater Phoenix area,” says Blaine.
Hidden gems: In addition to the Grand Canyon, Arizona boasts more than 50 state and national parks. Tumacacori National Historic Park south of Tucson and Chiricahua National Monument in southeast Arizona are two can’t-miss spots. And the newly launched Arizona Parks Passport is your guide to exploring the state.
Palo Duro Canyon lies in the heart of the Texas Panhandle and is part of the Caprock Escarpment. Sunset on Lake Havasu in Arizona.Running to the gate is my cardio.
Until recently, many people considered wellness a fad, just like exercise was in the 1980s. Because of COVID-19, people now realize that both are staples for achieving a better life. This has been confirmed by the International Council on Active Aging, where a survey
during COVID revealed 81 per cent of respondents viewed wellness as a high priority for a quality life. (Compared to 55 per cent when polled in 2019.)
The return on investment of a more active and healthy senior population would have a ripple effect through society, as people would no longer rely on the health-care system for their wellness. Imagine the cost savings if we could preserve the universal
health system, so our doctors are not burdened with patients suffering from preventable chronic diseases?
Not only has wellness arrived, but it is now the key to the palace Our wellness is impacted by the decisions we make, including diet, sleep, mobility and stressresistant socialization. By focusing on these four pillars daily, we embrace the potential for improvements to our physical, mental, emotional, environmental and intellectual well-being
With people's priorities changing during the pandemic, the level
of focus given to wellness in the workplace shifted dramatically. Businesses should consider daily mobility classes if they want to appeal to their future employees. This approach to wellness creates a positive mindset, enabling staff to be more responsive to their inner and outer worlds. It allows staff to create their own wellness model based on their own self-discovery.
ReJuv Health at Advanced Medical Group in London, Ont., is coaching wellness as a way to bolster, implement and evolve its business model. No longer is management pushing people for an artificial buy-in that is probably meaningless to many. Instead, ReJuv Health encourages management to embrace and participate to create a wellness culture in its business, which helps staff see the role they play in the implementation of corporate strategy.
So, let us Canadians stand back and consider the issues that are important in our lives. We must motivate governments to rethink their mandates and blueprint for our sacred universal health care. You will be surprised by the difference we can make in our society when there is a clearly defined vision and a comprehensive plan for a real universal health-care system.
The following is a consensus on Canadian health care as it pertains to the most important aspect of being Canadian. This topic is long overdue to be openly discussed by our politicians.
Events continually impact our lives. Plunging financial markets followed the pandemic. Concerns are growing about a major recession because of monthly escalating interest rates as well as a perplexing war in Europe. These are just a few of the many events that obscure and confuse our future. Too many Canadians are worried, looking at their future and wondering how they can afford to live a reasonably happy life in this troubled environment.
With the rapid aging of the population, governments must pause and retrain their political brain to understand the nuances that need to be addressed with more intelligent planning.
Let's examine the health-care system in the provinces of Canada as we struggle with extremely long waitlists for elective and nonelective surgical procedures.
Let's also examine governmentfunded care facilities for appropriate requirements for aging, including end-of-life compassion and care.
01 The economic consensus recognizes that Canada's universal health care, which dates back to the 1970s, realized that a nominal co-pay was necessary for the sustainability of the medical system.
02 The practical consensus is to recognize that 75 per cent of surgical procedures should be scheduled out of hospital and performed as day procedures at provincial chartered surgical
centres that would be licensed and regulated through the College of Physicians and Surgeons in each province.
03 The ethical consensus is recognizing that the extreme wait times for elective and non-elective surgeries are destroying confidence in universal health care.
04 The realist consensus is recognizing that Canadians who can afford to go out of province or country are paying excessive costs for surgeries to relieve their ongoing pain, discomfort and health risks.
05 Finally, the consensus recognizes that hospitals are necessary and are managed through government health care. However, hospitals must be limited to emergency care and major extended surgeries that are not practical in provincial chartered surgical centres.
06 The practical consensus recognizes that the aging population is going to place a significant demand on healthcare budgets over the next 30 years; particularly for meeting the supportive care requirements that pass the COVID-resistance recommendations of no more than one senior per suite, except for couples.
07 The economic consensus recognizes that it is functionally impractical for seniors to live their lives in expensive hospital rooms that can’t meet their needs for mobility, activities and socialization.
End-of-life is much more functional and respectful in palliative care centres than in hospitals.
08 Innovation consensus for supportive care can provide a more desirable living environment for seniors’ enjoyment because of the skills of staff and the advantages of new technology. Governments must reconsider encouraging seniors to remain in their homes when there are proven physical and mental risks to the senior resident.
09 The process and procedures consensus to improve programs for senior supportive care (longterm care) are not difficult, even though the solution is being measured in years.
It is time Canadians recognize that provincial governments should not be operating and managing most of our health and wellness needs. Simply stated, the private sector is more capable of delivering superior medical and surgical services with stateof-the-art facilities designed to enhance standards and minimize
wait-lists. Regulations would be overseen by the provincial College of Physicians and Surgeons.
This should also include senior supportive care (long-term care), where competition creates value, usually as a cost reduction, with more superior services than we receive today.
It is important to note that the solutions to these challenges must not sacrifice universal health care for Canadians, even though my consensus is promoting a nominal co-pay.
For example, the chartered health-care program is a provincially sponsored system developed and constructed at the sole expense of the private sector. The approved service fee is paid through provincial budgets, which has been shown to be
same surgical costs performed in hospital.
Leadership comes from the necessity of meeting the demands of society. Now is the time for governments not to monitor, but to step aside from their politics and legislate the private sector to meet the needs of society through licensing and regulations provided by the College of Physicians and Surgeons in each province.
Guaranteed that, when in place, the quality of care will improve, long wait-lists will diminish and the costs to the taxpayer will be reduced.
Most of all, the majority of physicians and surgeons will enjoy their new freedoms to provide excellence in health care.
Canadians should then expect a reciprocal reduction through our
ALEXANDERFORD, BOTH COURTESY i STOCKChoosing to be actively engaged in life is an essential part of healthy aging. So, regardless of your age, never stop creating, exploring, sharing, learning and discovering ways to live your best life. We ask some active, engaged seniors how they live life to the fullest.
Results from more than 3,000 studies have shown that creativity and the arts positively impact mental and physical health. One study by Drexel University found just 45 minutes of creative engagement can help lower cortisol levels and stress.
Creativity is essential to self-expression, growth and well-being. Incorporating creativity in daily life is something that Hanna Hess, vicepresident of the Silver Stars Musical Revue Society, has maintained her whole life.
—ALBERT EINSTEIN
“I never stop creating because the creative process provides me with purpose and motivation that brings me much joy and fulfilment and contributes greatly to my overall wellness, both physical and mental,” says Hess, who
joined Silver Stars in 2016.
The Silver Stars Musical Revue Society was founded more than 20 years ago by Joyce van Gelder, a lifelong dancer and choreographer. The troupe consists of mature performers who are 50 or older, but is open to all age groups. The organization’s mandate is to produce glamorous shows, provide a fun atmosphere and offer the chance to get up and dance. Every show features choreographed singing and dancing and elegantly tailored costumes. Moving forward, the Revue plans to host workshops and opportunities to learn musical theatre to welcome both amateurs and professionals, alike.
For more information or to become a member, visit silverstarsrevue.com.
“Creativity is intelligence having fun.”
The desire to explore is an integral part of who we are. For those keen on exploring the great outdoors, Calgary has several seniors’ groups dedicated to hiking, biking and more, such as the Calgary Seniors Outdoor Club and FLC Seniors Club. Exploring is always
A 2014 study by Cornell University found that people are significantly happier when planning a trip, even if they don’t end up taking it. The anticipation of taking a vacation and exploring a new place contributes more to their direct happiness compared to purchasing a material good.
The term “lifelong learning” reminds us that learning can take place in all walks of life and is not confined to childhood or even a classroom. That same sentiment is what the Calgary Association of Lifelong Learners (CALL), a non-profit organization,
*Last name not included at source’s request
more fun with others, and carya, a socialprofit agency in Calgary, helps make this connection happen through its Elder Friendly Communities program.
“Connecting with people around these things, like trying new recipes and getting to know my local walking paths with others, has helped me find friends and a connection to this community like I have not experienced before. The world is opening up before me!” says Elvia*, who joined Elder Friendly Communities after retiring.
Founded in 1910, carya originally supported new Calgarians with food, clothing, shelter, employment and counselling and has supported seniors with inhome services since 1967. Today, carya’s older-adult services have expanded to provide a full range of community-based services, including the opportunity to continue exploring. Elder Friendly Communities brings older adults together to enjoy wellness activities, hobbies, discover new walks and never stop exploring.
For more information or to join Elder Friendly Communities, visit caryacalgary.ca/efc.
has followed for more than 10 years as it facilitates lifelong learning opportunities for adults in the Calgary area.
PHOTOGRAPHS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP) VORDA, COURTESY STOCK; COURTESY CALL; COURTESY CALLI need vitamin SEA.
Sharing a story, whether fantastical or real, has a positive impact on our health. Studies have found that people living with dementia who engage in storytelling have a boost in cognitive function, happiness and mood.
Stories have been shared and passed down for centuries, from songs and chants to epic poetry and fables. Today, both virtually and in-person, Storytelling Alberta continues to share and teach the ancient art. Storytelling Alberta began in 1982, known then as The Alberta League Encouraging Storytelling (TALES). In 1989, two TALES members became resident storytellers at Fort Edmonton and founded the TALES Storytelling Festival that same year, which ran annually until it celebrated its final event in 2017. Since then, the not-for-profit has grown to more than 100 members with chapters in Edmonton, Calgary, Strathcona County and Red Deer.
“[I’ll never stop sharing because] there are still
many interesting adventures to keep one occupied,” says Elaine Montgomery, a volunteer with Storytelling Alberta who joined in mid-2020. Shortly after joining, Montgomery shared a story (via video) called The Elephant’s Farewell, retelling her experience on a tent safari trip in Botswana where she filmed a herd of elephants and their babies playing and drinking around a watering hole.
In 2022, the society will celebrate 40 years of storytelling by celebrating the storytellers who have been part of the journey since the beginning.
For more information or to become a member, visit storytellingalberta.com.
in so many ways,” says Pierce, who joined CALL in 2020. “The best learning takes place in conversation with others. Joining CALL was an easy and obvious choice.”
In a 2018 study published by the Cambridge University Press, older adults enrolled in informal general-interest courses saw an improvement in their well-being and mental health and more effective coping capacity.
For retired university professor Barbara Decker Pierce, program chair and member of CALL, the idea of not continuing to learn even after retirement never crossed her mind. “I never stop learning because the act of learning and the knowledge I gain enriches my life
CALL offers a rich variety of programming and activities for its more than 800 members, focusing on arts and culture, society and politics, and health and science. Members who share common interests are brought together to learn and connect through interest groups, study programs, public speaker series, individual speaker events and special programs, including bus trips and conferences.
For more information or to become a member, visit calgarylifelonglearners.ca.
DEAN MITCHELL; (RIGHT) BLUE_CUTLER, BOTH COURTESY STOCKDon’t be afraid of silly ideas.
1. Which movie premiered on May 25, 1977, and popularized the sci-fi movie genre?
2. What was the first company to manufacture a handheld mobile phone?
3. Who was the American chess player that beat the Russian master, Boris Spassky, for the championship title at the World Chess Championship on July 11, 1972?
4. Boxing legend Rocky Marciano invented this important office communication device.
5 What two letters do not appear on the periodic table?
6. What planet in our solar system has more volcanoes than any other?
7 What is the most widely spoken native language in Europe?
8. What is 1/100th of a second called?
9 How many rings are in the Olympic emblem?
10. At 36,000 feet, what is the name of the deepest-recorded point on the ocean floor?
Discover this accessible alternative to the traditional funeral.
TriviaAnswerKey:StarWars;2.Motorola;BobbyFischer;Thefaxmachine; JandQ;6.Venus;German;AJiffy;Five;10.TheMarianaTrench.
And the latest technology that makes it possible.
We explore what makes winter wonderful, from outdoor walking tips to can’tmiss theatre events.
I think of things you used to say and all that you would do, At some point, every single day my thoughts turn to you.
Life goes by, much too fast. You were there, with just one call. My Memory of you, will always last. We Celebrate Your Life, with one and all.
COVID has shown Canadians that it is Healthier to CELEBRATE than it is to Mourn.
Our impressive spaces are available for guests from 15 to 100 people who will come together to share stories, reminisce and remind each other what is important in life
A variety of options are available to meet your food and beverage budget: a sit-down meal, a bu et, and even finger foods.
Ask about our special rates for audio/video as well as our professional Companion Journals to memorialize this special event .
150 Dieppe Drive SW centrally located o Crowchild Trail in the SW community of Currie Green Campus Forgotten
