Helen Rowat and Fern McCandless celebrate Chinese New Year’s – Page 4
Young volunteers capture their friendship – Page 2
SILVERA TIMES Silvera’s Community Newsletter – January to March 2013
FIRST ANNUAL
SILVERA GAMES
A TON OF FUN
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Moments of intense silence were punctuated with cheers, groans and laughter as Silvera residents competed for top honours in the first annual Silvera Games. Teams from every Supportive Living community took part in Shuffleboard, Beanbag Toss, and a Rollerball exhibition event at Aspen Community on February 26.
Community team to take first place in Shuffleboard. “The Games were great,” Haworth said. Unlike the Beanbag champions, she and Dickson both practise their event regularly, playing shuffleboard once or twice a week and finishing with the Westview tournament for a trophy.
“It was fun,” said Don Bryant from Valleyview Community. “These are lovely people.” He and team mate Lori Deagnon walked away with a first by scoring 650 points in the Beanbag Toss. Hot on their heels was the Beaverdam team, which came in with 640 points, followed closely by the team from Shouldice Community with 630 points. Although other team members laughingly called him a “ringer,” Bryant said he didn’t practise before the event, although he admitted to playing “a lot of dart games.”
“My name is on that trophy twice, and yours is on, too,” she said to Dickson.
“I don’t normally like competing,” confessed Lori Deagnon, “but it was fun.” She was a last-minute substitution to compete in the Games, but carried it off like a pro. Phyllis Haworth and Doug Dickson from Westview Community waged a hard-fought battle with the Spruce
Both agreed they’d compete again in any future Silvera Games. “We’d like to hold more of these events,” said Mary-Ann Smulders, Activities Coordinator at Aspen. “We thought we’d start small, but we hope to expand the number of events.” For Sarah Price, director of service at Silvera, in addition to the fun and getting to know residents from other communities, “The games promote active aging, and we want our residents to keep social and physically well.” The Games were inspired by the 2013 Alberta 55 Plus Winter Games hosted in Calgary in February.
JAMES PARK:
STILL SKIING AFTER ALL THESE YEARS
James Robert Park wasn’t exactly born on skis, but he can’t imagine a time when he didn’t have a pair strapped to his feet. “I haven’t missed a winter of skiing in a long time,” says Park, who was born in Calgary in 1933 and started skiing in the Black Diamond-Turner Valley area after the Second World War. “I think it’s the thrill of going downhill and the adrenaline that makes you feel good – I’m not one for sitting around.” The two-year resident of Silvera’s Willow Park on the Bow, who enjoyed varied careers in paintingdecorating, construction and real estate, enjoys getting out to Lake Louise (his favourite hill), Nakiska and other locations as often as he can as a member of the Seniors Alpine Ski Club. He recently competed in the 75-80 age group in skiing in the Alberta 55 Plus Winter Games, winning silver in the qualifying rounds but missing out on a medal in the finals.
Phyllis Haworth and Doug Dickson from Westview Community after winning the shuffleboard event
(left to right) Lori Deagnon, Activities Coordinator (aka “trainer”) Karen Engelson, and Don Bryant from Valleyview Community
But winning a medal doesn’t matter, Park says. “What matters is you participated and you did it,” he says. “It’s about getting out there and living. I still get a thrill out of whooshing down that hill!”
silvera.ca | 403.276.5541
SILVERA GETS TOP MARKS A recent review by the provincial government showed that Silvera for Seniors met 100% of its requirements for Supportive Living communities. Silvera staff members think the results are just an indication of their daily commitment to the safety and wellness of residents. “I think compliance has to be 100%,” says Sharon Milanko, one of a three-member committee in charge of Silvera’s compliance with provincial standards. “That’s what we’re striving for – to be the best you can be.” Supportive living facilities must meet provincial standards in 32 areas that range from safety, maintenance and environmental requirements to bedding, laundry, water temperature, nutrition, social activities and contracted services. Staff members from each community document our compliance with standards throughout the year. All levels of staff must meet the standards, including the dishwashers, Milanko says. “Compliance with standards comes from every single staff member.” Once a year, the Standards Compliance and Licensing Branch of Alberta Health visits Silvera to review the documentation and check that we are complying with all standards. “I think people would be surprised with the amount of documentation you have to provide,” Milanko says. “It’s good, though. If my grandparent or parent was living in a Supportive Living home, I’d want to know standards were being met, for sure.” Silvera has met provincial standards every year, Milanko says. “It just goes to show what thorough commitment staff members have to their residents, to pass year after year.” For more details on the review, or to check results for other Supportive Living communities in Alberta, visit the public website at http://www. asalreporting.gov.ab.ca/astral/ index.htm. Enter the name or address of the facility in the search box at the top of the screen.
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(left to right) Arlene Adamson, Hodon Abdi, Eva 0’Quinn
MURAL A LASTING REMINDER OF FRIENDSHIP WITH YOUTH GROUP Spruce Community residents have a colourful reminder that they’re important to Calgary’s young people. Volunteers from Youth Central drop by Spruce several times a month for activities and conversation. When they decided to paint a mural depicting what they love about this city, they chose to devote part of it to the residents of Spruce. The complete mural, My Calgary, was painted in nine parts. A 20inch by 20-inch portion depicts two children planting a tree, and reflects the growth of relationships between the young volunteers and the Spruce residents. It was presented to Spruce residents last December. Eight other panels were painted for other organizations that also had a positive impact on the volunteers. “We have volunteers who visit Spruce three times a month; for a lot of them, it’s their first time working with seniors and it’s a positive experience they really enjoy,” says Hodon Abdi, YVC Program Manager with Youth Central.
Spruce residents say they enjoy the young people’s company, too. “The kids are exuberant – they make the place feel alive,” says Spruce resident Eva O’Quinn, who accepted the artwork on behalf of the community. “They come for bowling and our birthday parties and other events – we look forward to them coming.” Silvera CEO Arlene Adamson says the presentation was an art-filled way for Silvera to wrap up its 50th anniversary year. “We rely so much on volunteers for their support, and this will be a reminder that they are as much a part of the Silvera family as the 1,500 seniors who live with us,” she says. The mural was made possible by a grant from Calgary 2012’s Grassroots Inspired Grants (GIGYYC) program, established to promote cultural projects during Calgary’s reign as Cultural Capital of Canada in 2012. A total of 167 projects were funded via $1,200 grants applied for via the gigyyc.com website.
ANYONE CAN FALL But as you grow older, the risk increases. Falls are the leading cause of serious injuries in older adults. Every year, one in three Alberta seniors will fall. The good news is that you can take steps to prevent this from happening to you. Here are a few tips.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Wherever you are, be sure to watch your step. Speak up about dizziness. Keep active: exercise for strength and balance. Check you medication: talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Keep your independence.
DONATIONS USED FOR TECHNOLOGY, STAFF TRAINING … AND FUN! With your help, and support from other Calgarians, we raised more than $410,000 last year. How was the money used? Two of our priorities are enhanced staff training and up-to-date technology, so with the funds raised we provided additional training for 25 of our managers and assistant managers and replaced an outdated computer server. Donations also helped with our 50th anniversary celebrations – the Spring Fling at Heritage Park was fully donorsupported. And this year, money from the Life with Meaning Fund will be put towards even more fun activities. Many community organizations and individuals supported our fundraising initiatives, including our own residents. For more information, contact Pamila Fonseka, Director of Fund Development at 403.567.5311
DID YOU KNOW?
SPOTLIGHT ON… NANCY DRAGA
Nancy Draga left her job of data entry to work for Silvera 15 years ago, and never looked back. “I enjoy coming to work every day. I love being around the residents and the staff – it’s like being a family. It’s easy coming to work when you enjoy what you’re doing.” For the last nine years, Draga has been a cook for the Beaverdam Community. She began with Silvera (then MCF) in housekeeping, worked as a kitchen aide and then took on the position of cook. Her heart is definitely with the Beaverdam Community – she worked for five months in another community until she was able to transfer back to Beaverdam. “It’s a very active, happy lodge.” Cooking and baking for the 50 or more residents, plus visitors on day programs, isn’t a problem for her. “It’s all home-cooked here,” she says. “It’s so easy!” But her favourite part of the job is talking with the residents. “To me, if I can come to work and make someone smile who doesn’t often smile, that makes me happy.”
It’s not too late to register for a tax clinic. We are running them from the middle of March to the middle of April. Contact your Community Resource Coordinators Jo-Anne Parks 403.701.9704 or Susan Ink 403.510.4283 for details.
DID YOU HEAR? There is a new app that will help with your medication. DrugHub lets you: • Search thousands of medications – ingredients, interactions and side effects;
WE’RE LIVE! Silvera’s new website is a place where you can go for the latest information, upcoming events, and educational resources. Best of all, it features all our communities in one spot. Have you checked it out? www.silvera.ca
• Set reminders for you and your family to take medications on schedule; and
VOLUNTEER WITH US!
• Know when you’re running low, when to order refills and more! DrugHub is a free service available to everyone. It currently works with iPhones, iPod Touches and iPads.
Silvera for Seniors always welcomes volunteers who want to help out during special events and programming. Do you have an area of expertise or interest that you want to share? Let us know and we’ll make sure your talents are put to good use! For more information about volunteer opportunities, contact Selina Clary at sclary@silvera.ca or call 403.470.1412.
silvera.ca | 403.276.5541 3
CALGARY MARKING MILESTONES: CARES! NORMA KYLE
WOO HOO BAND
Reaching her 100th birthday is not something that Norma Kyle thinks about a lot. Dick Hill
IN PROFILE:
DICK HILL
When the weather is warm and the grass and flowers are in bloom, you might see Dick Hill tending to them outside Silvera’s Valleyview Community. Hill arrived at Valleyview five years ago, and found himself volunteering to help take care of things like a small garden near the main entrance. “I was always outdoors, but I didn’t do anything – then, all of a sudden, I decided I’m going to do something. It just fell into place,” he says. “I like keeping the place neat and clean. During the summer months, we have a little garden beside a wishing well – we have flowers and some gadgets.”
“It’s like anything else,” she explains. “It’s day by day. You’re just living; I don’t think about it.” On February 7, Kyle reached her centenary birthday at her home in the Confederation Park Community. Her daughter, Kate, who lives in Ontario, was on hand to help her celebrate.
Hill also enjoys playing crib, dancing, and attending Valleyview’s exercise program. “It’s hard to sit still,” he says. Hill says he recommends volunteering as a good way to keep your mind active. volunteer@silvera.ca
JING LO LIONS DANCE TEAM
Kyle grew up in Winnipeg. She married and had two children, one of whom died, and spent her life as a homemaker. In 1960 she moved to Calgary, and 16 years ago, in 1996, she moved into the Confederation Park Community. “I couldn’t get down in the basement in my house anymore,” she recalls. “My daughter didn’t like me being alone and I didn’t like being alone.
Lorraine Carpenter helps mark Chinese New Year’s.
KEEPING IT CLEAN
“This is home, and I like it. I like the people.”
Hill, 83, was born in Elrose, Sask., and moved to Calgary as a child. His career as an accountant took him to a number of major firms, including Palm Dairies, Canadian Freightways and Burns & Co. Besides working on the little garden, Hill also helps provide water for plants maintained in a nearby gazebo by several of his Valleyview neighbours. “In the fall is when you really get busy with all the leaves,” he adds.
As a the lead player in the Woo Hoo Band, Harry Wu is a regular performer at our Spruce, Bow Valley and Aspen Communities
(left to right) Christie, Selina, Mona and Michael (taking the photo) sanitized the handrailsoutbreak prevention!
IN THE NEWS
Thirteen members of the Administration team visited Valleyview in February to do some cleaning, visit with the residents, and share some elder wisdom.
SWEETHEARTS
Global Calgary covered Silvera’s session on seniors and sexuality, presented by the Calgary Sexual Health Centre. Go to Silvera’s website (silvera.ca) and click on Media Centre and In the News to watch. Sweethearts Muriel and Douglas Nicholson share Valentines.
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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Do you have a story to tell? Have a comment about something in this issue? We want to hear from you!
E-mail us at times@silvera.ca, phone 403.567.5308 or write us at Silvera Times, c/o Silvera for Seniors, 804-7015 Macleod Tr. S.W., Calgary, AB, T2H 2K6 (attn. Silvana Saccomani).