55+ Feature July 2022

July 2022

IT’S NICE TO HAVE OPTIONS THE VISTA BY AVENIR SENIOR LIVING

SENIOR DRIVING EDUCATION VS ASSESSMENT JOAN WALLACE DRIVING SCHOOL

STAY IN YOUR HOME SAFELY

WITH STAY AT HOME ELEVATING SERVICES

THE POWER OF A PROCESSION SANDS FUNERAL SERVICES

WE COULDN’T BE HAPPIER ROSS PLACE

A CHANGE OF PACE THIS SUMMER SILVER THREADS SERVICE

The Vista by Avenir – the place to make friends and create memories Sales Centre Now Open - 1318 Esquimalt Road Book your appointment today 778.402.1352 For more information visit liveatvista.ca OPT-IN TO CONDOMINIUM OWNERSHIP OR RENTAL SUITES OCCUPANCY FALL 2022

2 | THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2022

THE VISTA by AVENIR SENIOR LIVING

TIMES COLONIST | 55 PLUS

It’s Nice to Have Options

T

he Vista by Avenir Senior Living is a new era in retirement living. Close to scenic ocean walkways, gorgeous parklands, Esquimalt Recreation Centre, shopping and public transportation, this upcoming community is nestled in at the edge of beautiful Saxe Pointe.

The prime location is but one of many reasons to join us.

The Vista is an eleven-story steel framed building that will offer 38 exclusive Condominiums for sale and 95 Independent Living rental suites, all with en suites,

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Thurs, June 30, 2022

A Victoria Times Colonist publication

Publisher: Dave Obee Director of Advertising: Peter Baillie #201-655 Tyee Road, Victoria, BC V9A 6X5 To advertise in the next issue and or submit content contact: Aaron Ross, 250-380-5313 aross@timescolonist.com

in-suite laundry, patios, and private air conditioning.

There will also be 48 Specialized Memory and Complex Care studios for those who require additional support with physical needs and those with dementia or other cognitive challenges. At The Vista, you can truly age in place with the wide range of Continuum Care options designed to meet your changing needs.

The Vista is a high quality, pet friendly building with exquisite Hemmingway- themed design and eclectic decor that is reminiscent of exotic travel and adventure. Dine in the Sky in the 11th floor Palm Dining Room where you will enjoy meals prepared by your Red Seal Chef.

The 11th floor will also feature many amenity rooms such as the Fred & Ginger Piano Lounge, The Polo Club, Garden Tea Room

and many more all surrounded in floor to ceiling glass windows for you to experience panoramic ocean and city views.

Family-owned and operated and Vancouver Island-based, Avenir Senior Living’s David and Violet Craik have spent the last

forty years honing their expertise in senior retirement communities in Canada and the US. With a solid reputation for safety, care and security, your health and wellness are their priority and specialty.

Visit avenirseniorliving.com

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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2022 | 3

Senior Driving Education vs Assessment

any geriatric researchers presenting at safety conferences agree that education, not testing, is the answer to seniors driving longer and safer.

Prior to intervention by family, government, medical personnel or police, seniors should take charge of their driving situation. It is best to prepare for an impending driver assessment well ahead of time. It will relieve the stress of the unknown and the arrival of the dreaded letter.

Seniors should be proactive, not reactive, when it comes to all sorts of things, particularly as it pertains to driving. Many people believe seniors have a higher-than-normal crash frequency. This is not true.

They do have a much higher chance of injury in a crash because of the frailty brought on by advanced age, particularly those over 75 years of age. Two presenters at a DSAA conference made a very strong case that senior-driver harassment by

governing bodies exists throughout North America.

The most common crashes listed in order of frequency and cause of injury are: • The left turn at intersections, crossing multiple oncoming lanes of traffic, causes injury for all drivers. This type of crash is often due to declining depth perception in seniors and lack of experience in teens.

• Many crashes happened at night. The hypersensitivity of seniors to the bright lights of oncoming traffic is a recognized contributing factor. For teens it is teenage myopia.

• The fact that oncoming vehicle drivers could change to the outside through-lane at an intersection, without warning, and be hidden behind the inside lane of two lanes approaching, was also a factor. For both seniors with slower reaction times and

teens lack of experience, lack of scanning contributes to this crash.

• Rear end crashes are very common. This is caused by all drivers not understanding time and distance for stopping.

Understanding the consequences of tailgating is a lesson to be learned by all. Again, seniors are more likely to experience more injury than a teen.

Many of the geriatric researchers I have spoken to at various conferences agree that education, not testing, is the answer to seniors driving longer and safer and the same for new drivers. It is best to prepare for an impending driver assessment well ahead of time. It will relieve the stress of the unknown and the arrival of the dreaded letter. Joan Wallace Driving School offers a free seminar for seniors at 2:00 pm every fourth Wednesday monthly. Call to sign up.

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4 | THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2022

TIMES COLONIST | 55 PLUS

The Power of a Procession

Written by Laura Van Sprang, Manager of Sands Funeral Chapel of Victoria

I

can recall when I was around 8 years old, walking with my dad when we saw a long procession of vehicles coming our way. He told me we should stop and show our respect, as it was a funeral procession. He pointed out the long shiny black car and told me it was

the hearse that was carrying the person who had died. He explained that all the other cars following with their lights on were that person’s family and friends and that they were processing together to the cemetery to bury their loved one. I remember they were all driving very slowly, much slower than the other cars usually did on that road. Most cars were letting

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them go by and some were even pulling over or stopping to avoid disrupting this respectful journey.

I knew this was an important event and was in awe of how everyone just knew what to do to show their respect. They too must have had dads who taught them about funeral procession respect when they were my age.

It was not too long after this, I attended my grandfather’s funeral and experienced being a part of a procession fi rst hand. There was a powerful feeling of importance and community as I noticed the immediate attention from those on the road and sidewalk. Cars letting us go by, people on the street showing their respect; one man even removed his hat as we passed.

My grandpa was certainly worthy of this recognition and effort and I remember feeling so proud. It felt right. I wonder what has changed since then. It wasn’t that long ago… this story is from 1984.

Now that I am in funeral service, I have had the honour of being a part of many funeral processions.

I still fi nd myself fi lled with a sense of pride as we lead our cortege of professional vehicles through the community, with family and friends following in such a traditional and respectful way. But unfortunately that feeling gets interrupted more and more it seems, as the years go by. People do not slow down anymore, stop or let you go by.

In most cases I fi nd they actually speed up to get around us, to not get “stuck behind” our procession.

It makes me sad. And if it makes me sad, how does the family feel?

In a feedback survey Sands received from one of our client families, we found out. We were pleased to read the positive comments about our staff and services, but one comment that was made, we discussed as a

team in length. It read: “I know it is difficult, but it would be nice if there was a way for us to follow the hearse without other cars cutting in on the way to the burial site”. This was the procession experience for this family, a very different one than mine in 1984.

Although we do our very best as funeral professionals to keep the procession together, ultimately if someone wants to cut in, they will. So after reading this, perhaps together we can help to change this fading community support for such a powerful tradition. And if you see a procession coming your way or in your review mirror… take a moment as we travel by to the fi nal resting place, to show your respect to the family and to the person we are honouring, who is being carried in the long shiny black car.

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6 | THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2022

TIMES COLONIST | 55 PLUS

SILVER THREADS SERVICE

A CHANGE OF PACE THIS SUMMER

Offering great programs & two locations to serve you.

Saanich Centre 286 Hampton Rd. 250 382-3151

Victoria Centre 1911 Quadra St. 250 388-4268

Visit www.silverthreads.ca for more information

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Does summer bring back memories of being young, and having the freedom of two whole months school-free? Riding bikes, camping, playing with friends and a break from routine and homework. It was the change of pace that was so welcome.

Now that we are older, it would be great to recapture our sense of freedom and rediscover the things we liked when we were young.

At Silver Threads Service our July and August Program Guide is available on-line silverthreads.ca and in our centres. We offer a variety of physical fitness, sports, creative arts, education and support programs for those 55 years and better. We have two locations; our Saanich Centre is at 286 Hampton Road and our Victoria Centre is at 1911 Quadra Street.

At the Victoria Centre we have a series of Art Workshops that are a great way to spend a summer afternoon exploring your imagination. Held on Wednesday afternoons, we provide all the supplies, all you need to bring is your creativity. Try your hand at sea glass jewelry, printed scarves and Multi Media. Call to reserve your space at 250 388-4268.

If Music is your thing, the Saanich Centre is holding Music Appreciation on Wednesday mornings. This is a facilitated group that will explore different themes, trivia, listening and even a bit of singing. Topics include Canadian Music, the 50’s, and Broadway Musicals. The Program runs from 10:00am to 11:00am and our Silver Spoons Café is open for lunch for you to stay and try one of the best egg salad sandwiches in town. Call 250 382-3151 to sign up and for more information.

Fitness classes are offered 6 times a week and range from mild

chair exercises to standing as well as a combination of both. The cost for fitness is only $4 for members and $7 for non-members. There is also Chair Yoga, Tai Chi, Walking Groups, and meditation. We have gentle, supportive classes for those that are restarting and can keep the more experienced engaged as well.

Silver Threads Service has been serving seniors in Victoria for 65 years, and we pride ourselves on creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for those looking to try out new experiences and classes. Memberships are valid at both locations. We look forward to welcoming you into our centres.

SILVER TREADS INDOOR WALKING GROUP Stay out of the heat this summer at the Silver Treads Weekly Indoor Walking Program held at the Save On Foods Memorial Arena. This year-round program will allow participants to walk safely around the concourse on Tuesdays from 9:00am to 10:00am. There are no worries about the cracks in the sidewalks or where the nearest washroom is and it is ideal for those with mobility concerns. It is perfect for those who use a mobility device or walking poles. There are friendly leaders on hand to provide support, so you are never alone. Cost is $2 for Silver Threads members and $5 for non-members.

Call 250 388-4268 for more information and to book a space.

MEMORY PLUS CHALLENGE ZOOM WORD SCRAMBLE Memory PLUS is a Silver Threads Service program for those 55+ who would like to enhance their memory skills in an active and social group setting.

The PLUS stands for Practice, Laughter, Useful Strategies.

Call 250 388-4268 or visit silverthreads.ca for more information.

We encourage you to exercise your brain by solving an all about Summer word scramble.

1. migmwins _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2. mipnacg _______ 3. iskbe _____ 4. gdeinar _______ 5. kaswl _____ 6. hecab _____ 7. senrdag _______ 8. hessnniu ________ 9. cei mecra _ _ _ _ _ 10. fatcsr ______ REGISTRATION IS NOW ON FOR THE FALL SESSION! Wednesdays, September 14th to October 19th. Morning classes are at the Victoria Centre, located at 1911 Quadra Street from 9:30am to 11:30am. Or there are afternoon classes at the Saanich Centre, located at 286 Hampton Road from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. The cost is 6 sessions - $54 Members or $78 Non-members. Call 250 388-4268 for more information.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2022 | 7

We Couldn’t Be Happier

By Evelyn, family member of a VRS Seniors Community Resident, VRS seniors communities owns and operates Ross Place (Victoria) and Lakeside Gardens (Nanaimo)

I

am so grateful that my dad is getting such wonderful care at a VRS seniors community.

Last year, when my mom was injured and could no longer give my dad the 24 hour care he needed, we were thrilled that he could be accommodated immediately at a VRS seniors community; all he needed to bring was a suitcase.

From the moment we stepped in the door, the VRS team made my Dad’s move to his new home smooth and easy. I remember we were all over the map trying to

figure out how to get him care - it was such a relief to find everything we needed at VRS. After spending a few weeks there testing the waters, he decided he liked it enough to move in. We were delighted to learn that he could bring his own furniture to make his new suite feel like home.

The incredible staff at our VRS seniors community are so friendly, helpful and cheerful. Many times I have seen them go above and beyond the call - helping find my Dad’s hearing aids or glasses, making sure he takes his walker when he leaves the building, and helping him work his remote control for his tv; they go out of their way to do all the little things that actually really impact my Dad’s quality of life. Best of all, when we have problems, the VRS team gives great advice and doesn’t

stop helping until we all find the solutions we need. It’s really amazing to have such resources at our fingertips.

I can’t end this story without also telling you how much my dad and our family appreciate the fact that VRS seniors communities are co-ops and not private, for-profit facilities. I have had experience with the latter and was happy to find no one at our VRS seniors location was trying to upsell services that my dad doesn’t want or need.

It’s very comforting to know that my dad lives in such a terrific place, with delicious food, a safe and clean building, and excellent care. We couldn’t be happier.

For more information about seniors living on Vancouver Island visit rossplace.ca and lakesidegardens.com

“

First I would like to say “WOW” and a sincere THANK YOU. For all that you have done. The care you take. And most of all for keeping my mom safe and for all that everyone does there at Ross Place.

Be safe. Be well. Bless you.

- Ross Place family member

”

Call to book your private tour today!

rossplace.ca | 250.381.8666 | 2638 Ross Lane, Victoria lakeside-gardens.ca | 250.756.0799 | 4088 Wellesley Ave, Nanaimo

8 | THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2022

TIMES COLONIST | 55 PLUS

YOU. FIRST. First with the dish on tasty meals.

Eric Akis presents new recipes and original food combinations every week in the

Eric is the author of 8 cookbooks and has been the food writer for the Times Colonist since 1997.