UPCOMING EVENTS:
TAX CLINIC Nellie Spong
IN PROFILE:
NELLIE SPONG
The Titanic was the most famous ocean liner in history, and Silvera resident Nellie Spong has a personal connection to one of the men who built the ship. “My father worked for Harland and Wolff for 33 years, and he was a welder when they built Titanic,” says Nellie, who came to Canada 57 years ago from Belfast, where Titanic – once the largest ship ever built – was constructed. “They show these guys with the lovely suits and dress ties, and they forget about the guys who really did the work. Why should the man with the $400 suit get all the praise when it’s this poor fella working to feed his wife and kids that needs the praise? “When Titanic went out on its main voyage, all the workmen stood on the dock, watching it going out. They were feeling good in their hearts because it took years to build that ship.” Nellie is the longest-serving resident at Silvera’s Austin Nixon Community, having moved there 16 years ago. Before coming to Silvera, she spent many years working as a nanny. Although Nellie says she’s had her share of health problems, she’s always been a survivor. Nellie witnessed the Belfast Blitz of 1941 when the Nazis bombed Northern Ireland, and recalls how her family had to black out their windows every night. “Our table was also an air-raid shelter table,” she says. “I survived all of that and I’m 84 years old. Memories are what keep you going sometimes when you’re feeling down over something.” Nellie says she enjoys taking part in activities at Austin Nixon. “It’s close to a bus stop, transportation, shopping, and we get entertainment,” she says. But her favourite activity is packing a lunch and a bottle of water and enjoying the fresh air in the park. EDITOR: SILVANA SACCOMANI
#804, 7015 Macleod Trail SW, Calgary, AB T2H 2K6 (t) 403.276.5541 | (f) 403.276.9152 contact@silvera.ca | www.silvera.ca 4 silvera.ca | 403.276.5541
Silvera for Seniors will not be hosting Income Tax Clinics for residents in 2014 based on demand. However, it is still important that you file your taxes on time in order to continue receiving monthly benefits such as Old Age Security, Canada Pension Plan, Alberta Seniors Benefit and/or the Guaranteed Income Supplement. There are a number of community organizations within Calgary that will be offering free-of-charge income tax-preparation services, such as the Kerby Centre. The Canada Revenue Agency will be publishing a list on its website this coming February, and Silvera residents will also be able to obtain this list from their Community Resource Co-ordinator.
YOUR FEEDBACK. OUR NEXT STEPS! The Silvera Times is our quarterly newsletter, sharing what is happening across our 26 communities and connecting us as one organization. Many residents like reading it, and others say they miss their own community’s monthly newsletter. The monthly Community Calendar is part of the solution, however Silvera’s Communications department will work with each of the communities to discover more opportunities.
CIVIC CANDIDATES TAKE ON CHALLENGE
Councillor Gian-Carlo Carra speaks with Spruce Community residents before taking the Silver Era Assignment. During this fall’s municipal election campaign, candidates got a chance to experience what life is really like for many local seniors. To illustrate some of the day-to-day issues faced by older Calgarians, Silvera for Seniors invited candidates to take part in the Silver Era Assignment, a series of tasks meant to give them a taste of what life is like for seniors with physical challenges and a fixed income.
CALGARY CARES! AS PART OF THE UNITED WAY OF CALGARY’S SUPERHEROES CAMPAIGN…
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SILVERA TIMES Silvera’s Community Newsletter - Winter 2013-2014
A YEAR IN REVIEW –
Nexen Energy’s Lisa Sills pays a visit to Silvera’s Gilchrist Manor and meets Gurcharan Singh.
Suncor employees pitch a hand to help with Shouldice Community’s fall garden clean-up.
100 BIRTHDAYS TH
Lillian Glasman’s 100th birthday at Beaverdam Community. Silvera wishes you health and happiness!
Mabel Little had her 100th birthday on Oct 16. Our Westview Community threw Mabel a Bingo Party, because that is her second favourite pastime, after bridge.
L: Jim Hubbard, outgoing Chair, Silvera Board of Directors R: Arlene Adamson, CEO At Silvera for Seniors, we’ll look back at 2013 with great pride and a renewed determination to keep marching forward. The work we do is critical – it’s vital people feel they can age in this city and shouldn’t be worried where they’re going to live when they reach age 65. As I look back on this year, I think we demonstrated a high level of caring and innovation in how we support seniors. Our response to the June floods was a vivid example of what we can do. We had to evacuate 600 seniors in the middle of the night, safely and methodically. This was rooted in our staff being attentive, responsive and caring – and it’s something our staff
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does every day, not just during disasters. I’m also proud of our residents and families who kept their spirits high during the evacuation. This year, Jim Hubbard wrapped up his three-year tenure as our board chair. Jim became a tremendous champion, not just for Silvera, but also for the needs of seniors in our province. His vision has been unwavering in wanting to ensure seniors have a safe, affordable place to call home. While Jim will remain a board member, I look forward to continuing this work with our new board chair, Kirk Morrison.
Beaverdam Community resident Grace Galambos gets into the spirit.
Arlene Kent and Maricel Castro carving pumpkins.
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And I look forward to 2014 as a year to build. The next four years for us will be about building and growing our housing options – responding to a diverse population and continuing to focus on service and the quality of that service. But we couldn’t do it if we didn’t have the support of the great people who work and volunteer for us. Silvera pride is something our staff wears right alongside their hearts on their sleeves. On behalf of everyone at Silvera for Seniors, thank you for your support this year. Arlene Adamson
FALLS ARE A FAMILY AFFAIR –
SILVERA’S NEW CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT FALLS
Did you know?
HALLOWEEN FUN
IF HAVEN’T ALREADY HAD YOUR FLU SHOT – THERE’S STILL TIME!
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• One in three Alberta seniors are impacted or injured by falls annually.
Community Resident Manager Fred Burrill, Aspen Community Resident Joan Cade, CTV Morning Live Host Cynthia Roebuck, Silvera Director of Service Sarah Price Silvera for Seniors is leading an educational and awareness campaign called Falls Are a Family Affair. We are collaborating with Alberta Health Services’ Seniors Health – Fall Prevention Program. and MRU Nursing students. Several Calgary media outlets attended Silvera’s campaign
launch on November 6 at Aspen Community. Silvera has also produced four videos to promote the best ways to prevent a fall: • • • •
Watch your step; Speak up about dizziness; Keep active; and Check your medication.
• 78% of all injury hospital admissions and 57% of emergency visits are fall-related.
We would like to thank Joan Cade and Shamshudin Sunderji, along with Spruce Resident Iris Gallagher for sharing their personal stories to help raise awareness about falls. Watch our Falls Are a Family Affair videos at www.youtube.com/user/ silveraforseniors silvera.ca | 403.276.5541
A SALUTE ON REMEMBRANCE DAY
SILVERA COMMUNITIES REMEMBER, 2013 On Nov. 11, residents at many Silvera communities gathered to remember friends and loved ones who dedicated their lives in pursuit of peace. At Bow Valley Community, for example, we acknowledged seven participants of various conflicts, beginning with the Korean War and ending with the Afghanistan War, men and women.
Residents at Shawnessy Community Anne Perry (below, recited In Flanders Fields” and Robert Kok (right) placed the wreath on behalf of all veterans.
A special thanks to Colonel Radcliffe of the Salvation Army and his members for performing a beautiful ceremony. We shall remember! Anne Perry
Robert Kok is one of Silvera’s many residents who are veterans. Robert was in the Canadian Navy from 1959 to 1970, and then transferred to the U.S. Navy in 1972 and went to Vietnam aboard the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier. Here is Robert today with a photo of himself and his late wife, Gail.
WINIFRED M. PLESTER Silvera welcomed a number of new residents after their own homes were flooded in June. One of these was Winifred M. Plester, who was living at the Foothills Foundation’s Medicine Tree Manor in High River before relocating to Silvera’s Valleyview Community in July. She wrote this poem about her experiences soon after joining us. Winifred recently passed away, but we treasure this poem in her memory.
THE FLOOD – JUNE 20,2013 The river’s rising we were told We must evacuate Be sure to take the things you’ll need Before it is too late You’ll need some clothes and money too So don’t forget your purse Your medications you must take So you’ll not feel worse
SPOTLIGHT ON… ALICE SCHAALJE
For Alice Schaalje, seeing how Silvera for Seniors took care of displaced residents during the June flood inspired her to sign up as an employee. Schaalje was working as a room attendant at the Delta Calgary South hotel, one of several that hosted residents from several Silvera communities evacuated due to rising floodwaters. “I brought the seniors towels, coffee, turned the heat up if they asked,” she says. “They were telling stories about their lives – they were really talkative. And [Silvera] made sure everything was OK, everything was there so they didn’t have to worry.” Close to 600 residents from Spruce, Aspen, Bow Valley, Bow Valley Townhouses, and Willow Park on the Bow were displaced for several days when Bridgeland was evacuated. Many found refuge at local hotels such as the Delta. Schaalje, originally from the Philippines, was impressed with how Silvera handled the evacuation – so much so, that in August she took a job as a community evening attendant with Silvera’s Beaverdam Community, where she assists residents during supper and coffee time. “The staff here are very nice and friendly – they explained everything and they’re patient with me,” she says. “I love the residents, for sure.”
I want to take my Teddy Bear Resident Ed Lariviere
Remembrance Day at Westview Community was especially memorable. Two veterans —Bill Alexander and Trudy Lowery — chose that day to tie the knot. They newlyweds are in the middle, surrounded by visiting Highland dancers and a bagpiper.
Confederation Park Community resident Helen Miner, holding a photo of her older brother, Murray. He died in France a month after the Battle of Normandy. 2 silvera.ca | 403.276.5541
But they are not important so
SPRUCE COMMUNITY
What you have got will do
An artful new program at Silvera’s Spruce Community has residents discovering their inner Picasso.
It was a very scary thing
Activity co-ordinator Christine Payne says she was inspired by a similar program at Aspen Community to organize art classes for Spruce residents. “We had about 12 people show up the first day,” she says. “Most of them had never painted before or hadn’t painted in years. But there’s a lot of talent in there and we’ve been displaying their work around Spruce.” Ed Lariviere says he’s never painted before in his life – but he’s now on his ninth painting.
John Brisbin plays a medley of national anthems on his trumpet during the Remembrance Day Ceremony at Spruce Community. The anthems represented the many different countries from which our residents hail, and there was joy on their faces and tears in their eyes as they proudly stood as their anthem was played.
And other stuff too
“I’m doing mountains and things like that,” he says. “I really enjoy this. It gives me comfort and it makes me smarter!” Lariviere says a neighbour gifted him a painting set, and he recently painted a farmhouse with a Halloween theme. “I’d recommend this very highly – it’s better than exercise,” he laughs.
To see the water rise And all the filth it left around Unpleasant to the eyes How long t’will be ‘til we return Is anybody’s guess ‘Cause the whole town needs cleaning up To get rid of the mess Pollution is an awful thing It’s not good for one’s health To make the city safe again Will take a lot of wealth But we must thank our God above He keeps us in His care He gives us grace and His great love And mercy beyond compare Written by Winifred M. Plester, Passed away on Oct. 15, 2013
WESTVIEW COUPLE SUPPORT SILVERA FAMILY
VOLUNTEER WITH US!
Bill and Trudy feel that Silvera for Seniors is now a true part of their family. The couple came to live at Silvera about seven months ago after Bill suffered from a fall and both felt they were not safe living alone in their home anymore. They started looking for a place and picked Silvera’s Westview Community because of the friendly staff. Seven months into their stay, they still find the staff warm and friendly and there is a staff person at Westview that even calls them her grandparents. Both wanted to support their new home and helped with the funding of a new fountain, but they wanted to do more. When they learned there are 1,500 seniors in the Silvera family, many of whom live alone, they wanted to help. In talking to the Director of Fund Development, both decided to donate to the Life with Meaning Fund since these funds are used to support the many activities of our seniors. Welcome to the Silvera family, Bill and Trudy!
Doreen Matthews volunteers every day at Silvera’s Shawnessy Community, where she can be found picking up the butter and creamers after meals. A resident of Shawnessy for three years, Doreen says she started volunteering about nine months ago because she wanted something new to do. “I was getting fed up with sleeping and watching TV, and I asked and they said, do you want a job and I said sure,” says Doreen. “Now I go around after dinner and supper and pick up the creamers and butter from the tables and take them into the kitchen. Everyone wanted to know why I was doing it. I drive my own car, so I’m not tied down, but doing this keeps me out of my room for a while!” silvera.ca | 403.276.5541 3