55+ March 2023

Silver Threads Ser vice

Celebrating 65 years of community ser vice to seniors!

Offering great programs &two locations to ser ve you.

Saanich Centre 286 Hampton Rd. 250 382-3151

Victoria Centre 1911 Quadra St. 250 388-4268

Visit www.silver threads.ca formoreinformation

stay active *stay healthy *stay connected

SILVER THREADS SERVICE

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP AND NEW SPRING PROGRAMS

Our Annual Membership Drive is on now at Silver Threads Service. Membership runs from April 1st to March 31st and you can sign up this month. Our Spring Program Guide is also available, and there are 67 registered and weekly programs and 47 different monthly offerings. From Art Classes to Wellness, there is a wide variety of activities for a range of interests.

Silver Threads advertorial

Annual Membership is $55 and is valid at both the Saanich and Victoria Centres.

The Kootenays | May 19 -26, 2023

Some Early Booking Still Available - Book your spot today!

Okanagan Spring

The Kootenays

Magical Maritimes

Souther n Alber ta

Skeena Adventure

5 Days May 5 $1999

8 Days May 19 $3999

10 Days June 3 $4799

9 Days June 13 $4099

8 Days June 24 $4299

Discovering Vancouver Island 8 Days July 19 $3799

The benefit of membership is reduced program fees which is helpful if you are attending frequently. But know that if you are attending occasionally, you do not have to take out membership, you would just pay a slightly higher fee. We offer these options to provide flexibility to encourage participation while making it financially viable for everyone.

In April the new Monthly Social may be a good starting point for those considering joining Silver Threads. Come for coffee, connect with others and engage in the Silver Threads community. Socials are Tuesdays from 1:30 to 2:30pm and are April 4th at the Victoria Centre and April 25th at the Saanich Centre.

This spring there is a good mix of regular and new programs. Fitness, Pickleball, table tennis, discussion groups and art classes are always popular. While new offerings include Qigong, Calligraphy, and Travel Conversation and Trivia. Visit our centres to pick up a program guide or check out our website www.silverthreads.ca

Silver Threads Service has been serving the community for 66 years.

Tuesday, February 28, 2023

A Victoria Times Colonist publication

Publisher: Dave Obee

Director of Advertising: Ed Kennedy

#201-655 Tyee Road, Victoria, BC V9A 6X5

To advertise in the next issue and or submit content please contact: Aaron Ross, 250-380-5313 aross@timescolonist.com

Our Saanich Centre is located at 286 Hampton Road, in the Tillicum Gorge neighbourhood and can be reached at 250 382-3151. Our Victoria Centre is located at 1911 Quadra Street, near the Police Station and can be reached at 250 388-4268. For more information on any of our program call our Centres or visit www.silverthreads.ca

improving wellness, increasing energy, and reducing pain. Every time you come to a class, you will enjoy fresh music playlists and new exercise sequences.

We guarantee camaraderie and great peer support, and we won’t call you a “senior.” Call us at the Victoria Centre for more information 250 388-4268

MEMORY PLUS CHALLENGE SPRING PROGRAM WORD SCRAMBLE

EVENING WELLNESS PROGRAMS

Are you over 55, don’t consider yourself a senior and are not ready to join a senior centre like Silver Threads? This spring the Victoria Centre will turn into an “After Hours Centre” with new Wellness classes that start at 5:00pm.

Two weekly classes are offered for those who are 55 years and better. Are you working or have family and other day time commitments that make getting to a class a challenge?

Beginning Tuesdays there is a Hatha Yoga class where you will be in a comfortable group with others who aren’t as bendy as we use to be but are willing to try. Grunts, groans and giggles are totally acceptable.

On Thursdays there will be Essentrics, a full body workout that unlocks and decompresses joints by stretching and strengthening without impact to the body,

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. We encourage you to exercise your brain by solving an all about spring programs scramble.

Classes are at the Saanich Centre, located at 286 Hampton Road. Call 250 382-3151 or visit www.silverthreads,ca for more information.

1. qigong

2. essentrics

3. woodcarving

4. zumba

5. ukulele

6. euchre

7. mahjong

8. painting

9. linedance

10. crafts

1. nogqgi

2. stenricess

3. rovcnigwdoa

4. mazbu

5. lukeuel

6. receuh

7. amjoghn

8. tanpnigi

9. ceedinaln

10. tarscf

Proving Seniors Can Live Well at Every Stage

Independent rental suites at The Vista offer seniors a worry-free lifestyle with all the amenities, services and support one could ask for.

Retirement may be uncharted waters to you, but you’re the captain of your own vessel, and as such, you have a choice of how your adventure unfolds.

Keeping your wellness top of mind is an important factor in your pursuit of luxury senior living, while supporting your desire to age in place. Fortunately, a vibrant retirement living community on Vancouver Island is near completion and lls this niche seamlessly.

The Avenir Senior Living team is applying the nishing touches on The Vista, an 11-storey highquality building that supports a luxury independent retirement lifestyle. Here, you’ll have the freedom to live well today, with the assurance your long-term needs will be met in the future.

The community is meticulously curated to deliver a continuum of care across a range of living environments, including 34 beautifully appointed one- and two-bedroom condominiums for ownership, 95 independent or supportive living suites for rent, and 48 dedicated memory care studios.

“We encourage folks to come in as independent residents, whether purchasing a condominium or choosing a rental suite,” says Wayne Melvin, general manager of The Vista. “Residents will have the

ability to age in place with a menu of services that can be provided in their private suites. If the time comes when round-the-clock support is required, we have two oors dedicated to provide a 24hour support including specialized memory care.”

The bespoke offerings are more akin to a ve-star all-inclusive resort with state-of-the-art services and premium amenities that supports residents’ mental and physical well-being. You have the exibility to add services and care whenever your needs change, not change to a new building—you won’t have to relocate; a hallmark of living at The Vista, your forever home.

with supports like administering medication, assistance with bathing, and selecting wardrobe,” explains Melvin.

“Some residents may need a little help getting moving in the morning, but are quite capable of continuing their day, perhaps eager to take in one of our art classes, tness classes, music sessions, or spa treatments—all the types of activities and amenities we offer. We’ve been described as a cruise ship on land—you can participate in as much or as little as you want.”

THE PEAK OF AMENITIES

Like the name suggests, a stunning 360-degree view envelopes the top oor through oor-to-ceiling windows, where the Grand Salon encompasses a host of superior amenities, backdropped by spectacular vistas of downtown Victoria and the ocean, out to the Olympic Mountains.

the groove in the Fred & Ginger piano lounge, and don’t be shy to unleash your best moves.

A special space on the ground oor will house the Royal Canadian Legion, Esquimalt Branch #172, the original property owners.

“Family members are grateful for the service we provide their loved ones, just as it gives us immense satisfaction that we’re doing good work in the community.”

At some point, your daily routine might be easier if you can get help with personal care, or transportation to appointments, errands or events, for example, or it might be simpler if you don’t have to cook for yourself. As Melvin mentions, “having all your meals provided makes for a really ful lling lifestyle.”

“Our assisted living services are available in your independent suite,

“The social dynamic keeps seniors vibrant,” says Melvin. “It’s been intentionally designed for community and comfort in mind, and we really took advantage of all the views around the building.”

Hemingwayesque touches bind the common spaces: the palm trees, Montmartre art studio, the library, and such, re ect the writer’s life and times.

Enjoy resort inspired dining prepared by Red Seal chefs in the Palm Dining Room and French Bistro, or partake in high tea in the English Garden Tea Room. Get in

HOME-LIKE ATMOSPHERE

Melvin notes, the gentle care and compassion provided are really something to behold.

“Our staff members become like family to residents. We’re not a revolving door of caregivers and we get to know you to provide that personal touch.”

“We’re proud The Vista and Avenir Senior Living are a familyowned company,” says Melvin. “Owners, Violet and David Craik take pride in designing communities they would be happy to live in.”

For more information visit them at www.LiveAtVista.ca or visit the Presentation Centre at 1318 Esquimalt Road from TuesdaySaturday: 11am-5pm.

Since 1975, Avenir Senior Living has been a proven leader in developing, designing, marketing, and operating exceptional senior care communities across North America. Their newest upscale boutique retirement community, The Vista, in Esquimalt, British Columbia, is a resort-style living experience with industry-leading extended support services to comfortably age in place.

A Day in the Life of a Senior at a VRS seniors Community on Vancouver Island

After spending years living with your family or on your own, you might be looking into an independent or assisted living community on Vancouver Island. You may even be trying to imagine what life would be like if you did move to Lakeside Gardens or Ross Place.

Participating in recreational activities during the day.

There is never a dull moment at Ross Place or Lakeside Gardens. Our experienced recreational coordinators have a month’s worth of activities for you to participate in. Everything from mental and cognitive activities such as puzzles and card games, to active, physical games you can participate in to keep you fit while you have fun.

ENJOYING HAND-CRAFTED MEALS

A great advantage of Ross Place and Lakeside Gardens is that you don’t have to worry about cooking your own food. Although your spacious suite may have either a kitchenette or full kitchen, you can take a break from cooking and enjoy meals prepared fresh daily by the knowledgeable culinary team. The homestyle meals are nutritious and can even be modified to meet specific dietary requirements.

SOCIALIZING WITH OTHER SENIOR RESIDENTS

If you are hesitant about making new friends here at Ross Place or Lakeside Gardens, you can rest assured as everyone here will welcome you with open arms. Whether it’s while participating in group activities or even just having a meal in the dining room, you are bound to find some relatable topics to talk about. Who knows, you may even find a best friend here within the halls of your new seniors community!

If you’re looking for a seniors retirement community on Vancouver Island that offers a variety of recreational activities, Ross Place and Lakeside Gardens Seniors Communities are here for you. For more information visit rossplace. ca or Lakeside-gardens.com and book a tour today!

Ask The Dentist!

by Dr. C Ross Crapo DDS

Q: I’m eighty years old and have had great health all my life. Most of my top teeth are out and I have a partial. I have most of my bottom teeth, but I’ve got a couple that act up. Sometimes they really bother me. The past six months have been unusual for me. I have had no energy. I sometimes don’t really feel well. It’s almost like the flu, but I don’t get a fever,

Are My Teeth Making Me Sick?

just achy. It doesn’t last like flu, but I just don’t have the energy I’m used to. I’ve had every test in the book it seems, but nobody can give me an idea of what’s going on. Last week my teeth really bothered me, one on the back left and the other mid-way back on the lower right. I saw a dentist and he said I had a badly decaying wisdom tooth on the lower left side, and he said I had an infected back tooth on the lower right. He said someone had started a root canal, but it wasn’t filled. He said I was getting food impacted down inside the tooth and down into the bone. Can teeth affect your

health like I’m feeling? Also, I have two upper back teeth on the right side and three back teeth on the upper left side. I have an upper partial that’s in bad shape. The dentist said the upper teeth are not going to last much longer. He also said I have a bone in the roof of my mouth that might make wearing a denture difficult. I just need some answers on how to proceed.

A: Severely infected gums and bone can certainly cause ill health. I have seen extractions of infected teeth and proper root canals eliminate infection and produce dramatic health

improvement. Can I guarantee this is the only thing affecting your health – no, but don’t put off getting the one tooth properly root canaled and the wisdom tooth removed – you’ll see a decided improvement in energy and well-being.

With only five compromised teeth left to hold in a partial it will be important to consider your options. An upper denture can work if the maxillary torus (name of the boney growth in the roof of your mouth) is small. If it is very large it would have to be dealt with surgically before a denture will fit.

Another solution is to remove the existing upper teeth and place implants. You will find that this solution will give you a very secure set of teeth and allow greater freedom in eating and tasting your food.

If we can help, we’d like to. Call 778-410-2080 for a consultation. Based on actual patient cases

©Calvin Ross Crapo

Victoria Implant Centre 778-410-2080

VictoriaImplantCentre.com

Their Final Journey: A Pallbearers’ Role in the Funeral Service

By: Laura Van Sprang, Manager of Sands Funeral Chapel of Victoria by Arbor Memorial

When I was young, I remember reading the poem Footprints by Margaret Powers, which is still one of my favorite pieces of writing today. It impacted me greatly, particularly the part where the individual sees only one set of footprints in the sand. When you continue reading, we find out they haven’t been abandoned, but rather had been carried during the lowest and most hopeless time in their life. This poem reminds me of the human connection we have for one another. To know that someone cares so deeply for you, they would bear some of the weight when they are needed most. That’s special. It only seems fitting, and in our nature, to want to provide that time-honoured tradition of carrying our dearly departed loved ones to their final resting place. Being asked to be a pallbearer for a family member or close friend who has died can be a very emotional yet meaningful

experience. Being chosen is a clear sign that you are a trusted and valued individual who has played a significant role in the person’s life to be given this responsibility. You want to make sure it is done with the dignity and respect it requires. Possibly, you have participated as a pallbearer before or perhaps it is your first time …maybe even your first funeral. Rest assured, there will be a team of funeral professionals on-site to guide you and lead you in the process.

Including pallbearers in a service is a time-honoured tradition that should be considered even if a cremation is chosen as the final disposition. We also see individuals chosen to carry the urn for a service, on its own or with 2 to 4 urn bearers using an urn arch. This is a beautiful way to enter and exit the chapel and the cemetery with an urn.

There are no rules to who can perform the respectful duty. Even if someone is unable to carry to the casket or urn physically, perhaps due to a disability or being of a young or old age - they can still participate by walking beside

the casket or urn as an honourary pallbearer. As our family members age, we are often faced with less family and friends available and it’s a good idea to have the conversation about who you would call upon, when the time comes, for you and your family members. It is also okay for you to let important people in your life know, it would be something you would be available and honoured to do.

It is so impactful to watch a casket being carried. The weight that is being taken on is more than just the individual them self - it is also the love, the loss, the honour, the memories, and the realization of this being the final journey, that will be taken together.

When we are at our most vulnerable and no longer have the ability to carry ourselves, what an amazing gift and duty we perform for our loved ones, ensuring they are carefully transported on that final journey, by those who loved them most. Many times, it is those who once carried us as children, that we may one day be called upon to carry ourselves, and our two sets of footprints, will again become one.

As we age and begin to lose our mobility and sense of balance, bathing can not only become difficult but also a cause of additional stress and anxiety Fear of falling and a fear of not being able to get out of the tub are two of the most common occur rences with many of our seniors today Walk-in tubs have become extremely popular in the last decade and estimates show that people who g o ahead and install a walk-in tub in their homes today, will be able to live independently for an additional five years

Walk-in tubs are exactly what the name implies, tubs that have large doors that open, and you simply walk in and sit down on a 17-inch-high seat. You close and lock the door and the tub fills rapidly while you are sitting comfortably and safely inside All the taps and controls are easily accessible at your fingertips Once you are done your bath, tum the dial and the tub quickly drains and you simply open the door and walk out of the tub The various models all have numerous g rab bars and nonslip surfaces making getting in and out wor r y free Walk-in tubs are designed for an aging population who desire to remain independent for many years to come

Manufacturers have optional tub designs accommodating ever y shape and size of person and bathroom. There is a tub size that will fit in the space where your existing tub or shower is Walk-in tubs can be as basic as a soaker tub to as deluxe as your own personal spa. Offering numerous options such as heated back, multi-speed war m air jets, water jets, ozone, light therapy, aromatherapy, and more

The benefits of a walk-in tub are numerous Many people crave being able to confidently have a bath again and find relief by just soaking in a war m tub. Owners say they believe they sleep better after a soothing bath. The war m air or water jets give a deep massage and help to stimulate circulation, thus car r ying additional healing oxygen throughout the body to the hands and feet This has shown positive results increasing mobility and helping to relieve the pain and symptoms of such conditions as arthritis, chronic back pain, fibromyalgia, diabetic and peripheral neuropathy, as well as various other acute and chronic conditions

The Canadian Government website states that 1 in 4 seniors fall ever y year,

and 25% of these falls are serious, leaving the victims per manently disabled and bedridden. A large percentage of these

falls take place in the bathroom. Aside from all the pain and suffering it also ends up costing the Canadian medical

Perhaps, one of the best decisions I’ve made is when I decided to go ahead and put a walkin tub in my house. I no longer have a fear of falling and this will help me live in my home for many more years to come.’

Jean S.

system two billion dollars annually Therefore, the British Columbia and Federal Governments are helping many people who decide to purchase a walk-in tub now The help comes in the for ms of a tax credit, a Provincial Sales Tax waiver, and in certain qualifying cases a $7,500.00 Government Grant

As we all age and the years fly by, many seniors are faced with the reality that taking proactive steps today and deciding to retrofit their homes with a walk-in tub is one of the best investments they can make to help them age in place, comfortably and independently in the home they love.

g Sponsored content provided by Island Walk-in Tubs

Desolation Sound: An Expedition Cruise Beyond The Roads

Hidden Islands Beyond Road The Roadmap

DATES & ALL-INCLUSIVE FARES

Salish Sea (south) & Gulf Islands National Park Reserve

ISL A NDS & SA LISH SE A

It’s famed as one of the great cruising destinations, yet Desolation Sound’s islands and fjords used to be inaccessible without your own boat. Since 2006, Maple Leaf Adventures has changed that.

Guests on their 5- to 8-day trips by small expedition yacht can now also enjoy the maze of waterways, wildlife, the many places to explore ashore, and the joy of gazing at the changing vistas of the coast mountains from deck. Some trips also visit with guides from the Klahoose First Nation.

The region’s “off the beaten track” nature appealed to Elsbeth Dormuth and Greg Hutchings of Saskatchewan when they booked passage.

“We immediately recognized it would take us to places that on our own we’d have no opportunity to see,” Elsbeth said. “The possibility on this trip to explore the inside passage really appealed to us. And the possibility to see a grizzly bear in the wild, and the whales in a less ‘touristic’ way.”

Wildlife viewing with Maple Leaf’s expert local guides is one of the features of these trips. Recently, sightings of grizzly bears and whales have increased

here. It’s due to the rebound of the humpback and Biggs (transient) orca population, and the advent of bear viewing that makes the coast a safer place for grizzlies.

Peak time for viewing some of this wildlife is spring and fall. Serendipitously at these times, guests also have the place to themselves, absent the boating crowds.

A typical day includes many experiences, from morning coffee on deck in a beautiful anchorage, to a naturalist-led kayak among islets to look at intertidal life, to a forest or island beach walk, to an expedition to look for a bear eating sedges.

“The slow travel approach makes it special,” says naturalist Jordan Hawkswell, one of the crew. “When we were watching humpback whales on my recent trip, I was thinking that we move at the same speed as them, and that being at the same pace as the world around you makes it easier to see and appreciate the grand scale of what you’re witnessing.”

Trips depart and end at ports on Vancouver Island, accessible by car. Sailings booked before March 15 include a free hotel stay before or after your trip. mapleleafadventures.com

T he s e t r ips le ave o ff wher e t he r o ad ends and delve into an o dys s ey t hr ough ge olo gic and human t ime s c ale s , alongside s culpte d s ands tone shor eline s , mois t r ainfor e s t s and e agle s s o ar ing along r o ck y blu ff s Include s highlight s of t he 20 0 + islands mos t o ff t he fer r y r ou te

Apr 14-18 Swell (tugboat), depart/return Victoria, from $3550

Apr 21-25, Maple Leaf (sail), depart/return Victoria, from $3000

Salish Sea & Desolation Sound Supervoyages

Apr 19-26, Swell (tugboat), depart Victoria, return Campbell River, from $4950

Apr 26-May 4, Maple Leaf (sail), depart Victoria, return Campbell River, from $4450

DE SOL ATION SOUND

Des olat ion S ound pos s es s es a c er t ain magnet ism t hat dr aws advent ur ous b o ater s t he wor ld over Mos t tend to c ongr e gate in p opular anchor age s; our exp e di t ions go b eyond, explor ing is olate d b ays and r emote, r ugge d c o as t line s eldom t r avelle d T her e ar e few b o at s when we go, bu t t her e is t r a ffi c T he whale “ r ush hour ” is one of many dis t r ac t ions you may fi nd ab o ar d

May 7-14, Swell (tugboat), depart Campbell River return Port McNeill from $5000

Salish Sea (north) & Desolation Sound

Apr 27-May 1, May 2-6, Swell (tugboat), depart/return Campbell River, from $3550

Apr 30-May 4, Cascadia (catamaran), depart/return Campbell River, from $5000

May 5-9, Maple Leaf (sail), depart/return Campbell River from $3000

Fares are per person and include all accommodation, food, beverages, shore trips, guiding, activities, and permits. GST and $200 sustainability fee not included.

GULF

Admiring the stunning landscapes of Desolation Sound, you’ll find solitude with company. Photo by Jeff Reynolds, Expedition Lead