WEDNESD AY, N O VE M B E R 3, 2010 T H E VAN C O U VE R C O U R IE R
Seniors
EW19
NOVEMBER 2010 SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE
NEW IN TOWN RESOURCES FOR SENIORS If you’re a senior who has recently moved to Vancouver, you may be wondering how to access all the great help this city has to offer. First off, head to the community centre to pick up the latest magazine called Welcome. It is full of important information you’ll need. Our civic government supports many recreation and social programs, listed below. Vancouver’s community centres offer seniors’ courses and classes on fitness, health and wellness, arts and crafts, drop-in programs and excursions. Neighbourhood houses and independent seniors groups also provide
services and activities for seniors. Contact the Seniors Worker at your nearest neighbourhood house or community centre for more information. Other useful sources of information about services for seniors: The 411 Seniors Centre (411 Dunsmuir St., Tel: 604-684-8171) has a Seniors Information and Referral Service. It also offers many drop-in services and programs for seniors. A booklet titled “When I’m 64” describes pensions, Old Age Security and how to apply for Medical Services Plan among other topics of interest to seniors. This booklet is available free from
the Legal Services Society office (#15001140 West Pender St., Vancouver). The following are some local seniors organizations and services that may be of interest. • Britannia Community Centre Vietnamese Seniors Program (Tel: 604-718-5815) • Chinese Community Library Seniors Outreach Program (Tel: 604-254-2107) • 411 Seniors Centre (Tel: 604-6848171) • Japanese Community Volunteers Association (Tel: 604-687-2172) • Jewish Family Seniors Outreach
• • •
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(Tel: 604-257-5151) Marpole Oakridge Seniors Council (Tel: 604-266-5301) Renfrew Collingwood Seniors Society (Tel: 604-430-1441) South Granville Seniors Centre/ Spanish Outreach (Tel: 604-7320812) South Vancouver Seniors Network (Tel: 604-324-3670) SUCCESS Seniors Outreach Project (Tel: 604-684-1628) Vancouver Second Mile Society (Tel: 604-254-2194) Westend Seniors Network (Tel: 604669-5051)
CAVELL GARDENS
A Full Service Retirement Community in the Heart of Vancouver where meeting the social needs of our seniors is a matter of priority.
“A single rose can be my garden, a single friend my world” – Leo Buscaglia
Experience the warmth of our welcome by visiting us at: 2835 Sophia Street at 12th Ave.Vancouver, B.C. V5T 4V2
Call 604.637.1207 www.cavellgardens.com
get caught in our web!
vancourier.com
EW20
TH E VA N COUV E R C OURI E R WEDNES DAY, NOV EM BER 3 , 2 0 10
seniors MEET THE HEART SPECIALISTS ON YOUR VITAMIN SHELF Did you know that your heart beats about 100,000 times a day, pumping blood and oxygen to every cell in the body? The heart needs a constant supply of blood, with oxygen and nutrients, which it gets from the coronary arteries. If these arteries become damaged or blocked, and the heart doesn’t receive enough oxygen, heart muscle can be damaged or killed. And that can kill you. Improving circulation, strengthening your heart and supporting cellular health are all important for a long life and a strong heart. The nutritional supplements most often recommended for heart health by naturopathic physicians include:
Free radicals are unstable molecules that rob oxygen from other molecules. This is a process, called oxidation, that weakens cells, compromises immunity and speeds age-related decline. Antioxidants provide overall health support and are especially important for the heart and brain.
Coenzyme Q10
Garlic
Also called ubiquinone, from ubiquitous, which means ‘everywhere at once’. Required by every cell in the body, CoQ10 helps “spark” the chemical reactions that produce cellular energy. Free-radical fighting antioxidants, including CoQ10, help prevent cardiovascular disease and other degenerative diseases and slow cellular aging. Like vitamin E, CoQ10 prevents oxidation of LDL cholesterol, reducing plaque build-up in arteries.
Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) - EFAs are natural health-supporting oily food compounds that need
B Vitamins
Research shows that a combination of B vitamins (B12, B6 and folate) can reduce homocysteine levels. High homocysteine levels are an indicator of higher than average heart attack risk. Niacin is another important B vitamin that can safely improve cholesterol levels and circulation.
to be consumed through diet as the body cannot manufacture them. They include DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) used in the membranes of the brain, eyes and glands, and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) which decreases inflammation, blood pressure and water retention. Omega-3s improve circulation and have an anti-inflammatory effect on the lining of coronary arteries. Some formulas
• New complete and partial dentures • Dentures and partials over implants • Additions, repairs, and more • All dental plans accepted • 40 years of combined office experience
SENIORS’ CINEMA Oakridge Centre is happy to showcase these great movies during Seniors’ Cinema at the Empire Theatre, located inside the shopping centre’s Atrium at 41st and Cambie.
combine CoQ10 and Omega-3s for additional heart support.
Antioxidants These include a wide range of supplements — from berry concentrates, to Vitamins C and E, to beta carotene and green tea extracts, and resveratrol (from red grapes) — but what they have in common is the ability to neutralize free radicals to prevent cellular damage.
Long known to improve circulation, research shows that garlic can improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Its capacity to support cardiovascular health may result from its ability to improve the elasticity of blood vessels.
Whatever supplements you choose for your heart’s health, the two most important ways to support that pump haven’t changed — eating a balanced diet and getting plenty of exercise. Your heart will thank you. Info courtesy www.newscanada.com
Seniors Safe Tea Seniors Appreciation Day Thursday, November 18th Starting at Noon Entertainment by Perry Dickison, Pianist/Vocalist Presentation on Safety Tea, coffee & goodies Co-sponsored by Collingwood Community Police, Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House and Kingsgate Mall Merchants
Coming up: “One Week” at 1 pm on Wed. Nov. 3 and “Marley and Me” at 1 pm on Wed. Dec. 1. A fundraiser for Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, seniors 55 and older are invited to see big screen films by donation (min. is $2 per person; tickets at the door). www. oakridgecentre.com; seniors’ centre: 604263-1833.
Kingsway @ Broadway 604-879-0144 30 Shops & Services
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WEDNESD AY, N O VE M B E R 3, 2010 T H E VAN C O U VE R C O U R IE R
EW21
seniors Fall in love with your smile Svetlana Lopareva R.D.BPS
F
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Creating Beautiful Dentures Precision Cosmetic Dentures, Relines and Emergencies No insurance? Discount available! Free Ultrasonic Cleaning 116 West Broadway (at Manitoba) 604.677.0061 • 778.389.5072 w w w. l o p a r e v a d e n t u r e c l i n i c . c o m
HOOPER’S HEYDAYS by Jacquie Hooper, contributing writer
Those were the beachcombing days. When I was 15 I had a 12 foot Carvel-built rowboat named the Digby, which I kept on the False Creek beach, in the north channel (now infill) under Burrard Bridge. Every day after high school classes at King George High School at Burrard and Nelson I would walk down to the Digby and row out into English Bay looking for stray logs to beachcomb and sell. After a storm when log booms often broke up, logs would float shorewards on the incoming tide and I would drive a ringbolt into the end of a log, tie it up to my stern and row it into the Creek. In the wartime forties, spruce logs were wanted for aircraft manufacturing and could be sold to one of the many mills in the Creek - Giroday’s Mill adjacent to Granville Island was one of my markets but I usually towed whatever logs I could find to Barnacle Bill’s fishboat where he assembled booms of beachcombed logs and paid me three dollars apiece for each log I garnered. Barnacle Bill, we kids called him, but his real name was Percy Cloutier. He tied his boat the Hell-U-Say to the dock at the foot of the north Bridge pillar. Percy made a meagre living selling logs and was also the recipient of anything tossed over the east side of Burrard Bridge. Once a weight scale was thrown over, hit Percy’s deck and scattered pennies all along the length of his boat.
DENTURISTS ARE DENTURE SPECIALISTS Need Dentures? Denture Problems? We can help you! On the south side of the Creek was a 36-foot camp tender called the Dorothy H. skippered by a truckline owner, Jack Hooper, whom I consequently married. He was an avid beachcomber and often enlisted me to go after logs to add to his booms. Once he had me tie up the Digby at the Dorothy H’s stern and accompany him to West Vancouver where a prime log was wedged on the beach. I went ashore in the Digby and dogged the log with a ringbolt, attached a rope and tied the other end to the Dorothy’s towbit. Jack swung his boat to and fro, revving the engine to a screaming pitch, but couldn’t unwedge the log. He tried for the last time and the Dorothy’s towbit tore out of the boat and went overboard. I had to laugh at the sight, and afterwards rescued the towbit. That log was one we didn’t get off the beach. Those were the days when big tugboats like the Amaryllis towed big stacked-high Davis rafts into Vancouver. Add a brisk westerly wind and sure enough, logs would break loose, even the “swifters” which encased the booms. The Dorothy and the Digby were often on the spot, ready to pick up any strays which the big towboats had lost. The mills in the Creek are all gone now, and who sees a boom in English Bay? The Dorothy H. was sold to a cannery up north and the Digby, well-caulked and tarred, died a natural death.
Are you a denture wearer who:
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Dentures That Fit Your Lifestyle Kingsway Denture Clinic Suite 103 - 1435 Kingsway @ Knight Mon. to Fri. 9:00am - 5:00pm & Saturday by appointment www.kingswaydentures.com Gerry Lee-Kwen, RD
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Local senior Jacqueline Hooper, 83, was an avid hiker and skier; now she loves to paint landscapes.
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TH E VA N COUV E R C OURI E R WEDNES DAY, NOV EM BER 3 , 2 0 10
seniors
TWILIGHT CONNECTIONS by Tom Simmons
It is never too late to find love. Just because you are 65 or older doesn’t mean you cannot date and find a meaningful relationship. Whether you are single, divorced or widowed… you don’t have to stop having fun because of your age. Now is just as good a time as any to go out and meet new people and rekindle your love life.
Finding other singles If you take the time to look, there are plenty of ways to meet fellow single seniors in your community or elsewhere. Community centres generally organize socials for seniors to get together and mingle. What are your hobbies? By joining groups or clubs that bring people together with similar interests, you can potentially find a fellow member who you could end up going out with for a cup of coffee. Nowadays there are plenty of online dating websites where you can browse fellow singles and fellow singles can browse you, allowing you to ensure compatibility even before you meet up in person. Don’t be afraid to give it a shot - the internet, when used properly, is a great resource for getting in touch with people you could see yourself forming a wonderful relationship with.
At Amica, our residents get to keep their most prized possession: their independence. Moving from a long-time family home can be a heart-wrenching experience. Yet when our new residents see how much they have gained in the way of comfort, friendship, services and amenities of a luxurious resort, they begin to realize that the most important aspect of their move is that they kept their dignity, self-respect and freedom of choice. All things considered, it’s what you can't put a price on that we value most. Live the retirement lifestyle you’ve worked your whole life to achieve!
~ Open House Week ~ Thursday, November 4th to Wednesday, November 10th, 2010 10:00 am to 4:00 pm daily Call today for your personal tour and stay for lunch,compliments of our Executive Chef Robert!
Amica at Arbutus Manor A Wellness & Vitality™ Residence
604.736.8936 • Luxury Independent Rental Retirement Living • All Inclusive • Full Service Fine Dining • Wellness & Vitality™ Programs • Amica VITALIS™ Assisted Living Suites & Services
www.amica.ca
10-1503
2125 Eddington Drive Vancouver, BC V6L 3A9
The dating scene
Let’s face it - no matter what your age, no matter how experienced you are with the dating scene, it is never easy to escape the first-date jitters, especially if you haven’t done it in years. So try and put your first date in an environment that will ease the tension between the two of you. Lunches are generally better than dinners as dinners tend to be more intimate settings. If the two of you have a shared interest, try and involve that in what you plan on doing. Both book fans? Go to a public reading. Music lovers? An outdoor concert or a jazz club can be nice. Don’t be afraid to be interesting with the setting of your first date. If you make it interesting you are more likely to stimulate some conversation between the two of you. Consider suggesting a group date, too – by involving more people you may be more familiar with, conversation can run smoothly. Taking the first step in senior dating is not always easy. It is something people might typically shy away from. But remember that there is no need to be shy. It’s your life, and if you want to be happy and find a meaningful relationship, it’s up to you to make it happen. Tom Simmons is a contributor for ezine articles.
WEDNESD AY, N O VE M B E R 3, 2010 T H E VAN C O U VE R C O U R IE R
seniors
HEIRLOOM MEMORIES GIVE THE GIFT OF FAMILY HISTORY compiled by Helen Peterson
“Do your kids and grandchildren love storybooks?” asks Cory Bretz, a personal historian who uses video and storybooks to pass on family stories. Heirloom Films was started by Cory Bretz to help families and seniors pass on some of their cherished treasures: their life stories, family history, wisdom and blessings, and their photos, films, slides and mementos. Bretz had noticed that grandchildren and grandparents often live far apart and that even when they are together, there are few opportunities to tell the stories of the old country or of ancestors. Making matters worse, kids are often too distracted with TV, cell phones, text messages, computers, video games, and their friends to sit and listen to a story. But someday, maybe years later, they will have questions about their family’s past and their own identity. One of the best ways to ensure those answers are available is with video. Your photos and memories can easily become a beautifully bound printed storybook. Bretz says; “Using the latest in
EW23
Shannon Oaks 1st Annual Wellness Fair
What Healthy Aging is all about! November 16, 2010 Shannon Oaks (2526 Waverley Ave) 10:00am featuring Shannon Oaks fair senior ambassadors Audrey and Chuck who are living proof we can age with vitality.
Schedule of Events
digital technology, our consultant scans your photos and puts together a keepsake book that will be with your family for decades. Dozens of exact copies are printed and you can give your family’s storybook to each of your loved ones as a very special gift.” There’s still enough time to put together your gift books for Christmas and Chanukah and receive them printed and bound and ready to giftwrap.
10:00 – 10:30
Opening with seniors ambassadors
10:30 – 11:15
Speaker - Memory Loss and Brian Training Nurse Next Door and Alzheimer’s Society
11:15 – 1:30
Open Exhibit/Information available from Arthritis Society, Hear at Home, Alzheimer’s Society, Nurse Next Door Home Healthcare, Canadian Diabetes Association, Pacific Pharmacy, Sudexo Nutrition, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Veterans Affairs, Mental Health & Elder Abuse, BC Lung Association, Physiotherapist
11:15 – 1:30
All FREE Glucose Testing and Blood Pressure Clinic ~ Balance & Exercise ~ Arthritis Society shares real stories ~ Foot Care ~ Shiatsu Massage ~ BC Dental Association ~ BC Med Reviews and disposal of unused meds
1:45 – 2:15
Speaker Hear At Home ~ Jennifer Abbott, Healthy Hearing.
2:15 – 2:45
Exhibits at booths and interactive activities
2:45 – 3:30
Speaker President of Nurse Continence Advisory Maureen McGrath ~ Incontinence
For further information contact: Vivian Chui Langara Student | Vchui00@mylangara.bc.ca Paramjit Gosselin Langara Student | pgosselin00@mylangara.bc.ca Sharon Ginter Shannon Oaks | activities@shannonoaks.com Denise Kelly Nurse Next Door | 604.786.4047 | danny@nursenextdoorvancouvereast.com
Contact Cory Bretz at 604-229-1529 or 778-887-7446, or go to www.heir loomfilms.ca.
Live Well and Stay Active WHEN YOU LIVE AT SHANNON OAKS YOU’LL HAVE MORE TIME TO ENJOY LIFE. An independent seniors living community, experience the freedom and independence to do exactly what you want, when you want. Stay active and live well. Life at Shannon Oaks includes a great selection of daily activities to choose from, delicious home-cooked meals, and weekly-housekeeping of your private suite. Visit us today for a personal tour and come see why you’ll want to make Shannon Oaks your home. VA N C O U VE R 604.324.6257
VICTORIA 250.595.6257
www.shannonoaks.com Baptist Housing | Enhanced Seniors Living | Since 1964
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TH E VA N C O UV E R C OURI E R WEDNES DAY, NOV EMBER 3 , 2 0 1 0
FREE
seniors WHAT’S ON FOR
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The annual B.C. Cancer Foundation fundraiser, Maria’s Opus, will take place on Nov. 14 at St. James Community Square. This, the third annual event, promises to glitter and sparkle while inspiring youth to join in an evening of jazz favourites and art to raise money for all the “Marias” that have been lost to cancer. Take in the Long and McQuade family of choirs and the Vancouver Tap Dance Society, among others, in celebration of life. Tickets are $20 and are available from the website at www.bccancerfoundation.com.
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Seniors love crafts and meeting the artisans who create these beautiful products. So take in the 37th annual Circle Craft Christmas Market, taking place Nov. 17 to 21 at the new Vancouver Convention Centre West, 1055 Canada Place. As well as an opportunity to purchase holiday gift items, seniors will enjoy entertainment by Arts Umbrella Dance Company, Donna Fishwick Piano Ensemble, The Festival Ballet Company, South Fraser Community Band and more. Tickets for over-65’s are $8 plus HST, but on the website you can get a discount coupon (also watch for it in the newspaper). www.circlecraft.net.
Christmas at Hycroft is the Christmas Fair at the UBC Women’s Club, located at 1489 McRae Ave. in Shaughnessy. Admission to the Fair is $10. Pick up all your holiday baubles and support the crafters. As well, the Brock House Kerrisdale Handbell Ringers’ Handbell Quartet will be performing on Nov. 18 from 4 to 6 pm. President Joanna Shepheard welcomes all lovers of the bells to ring in the holidays at Hycroft, as well as attending the Christmas concert at Kerrisdale Seniors Centre, Dec. 5 at 2 pm. Call Joanna at 604-261-1440 for further info. on the handbell ringers.
On Saturday, Nov. 20 there is a Volunteer Orientation from 10 am to 3 pm at VanDusen Botanical Garden. Orientation is a prerequisite for volunteer activities at VanDusen Garden, so bring your lunch; they’ll provide refreshments. Dress for the weather, and meet at the Totem Poles near the Garden entrance at 10 am. Learn about the many volunteer opportunities at VanDusen. Meet representatives from the VBGA staff and Board, plus tour the Garden with experienced guides. To register, or for more information, call Judy Aird at 604-2578674 or email volunteer@vandusen.org.
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All offers expire 11/27/10. *Hearing screenings are always free. This is not a medical exam. **Gift Gif card d good d only toward the purchase of a hearing aid. Gift card cannot be combined with other offers and it does not apply to previous sales. May not be valid with all insurance benefits. See store for details. Limit one gift card per person. Gift card not refundable. Good only from participating Sonus® locations. †Hearing g aids cannot restore natural hearing. g Success with hearing aids depends on a number of factors, including hearing g loss severityy and abilityy to adapt to amplification. ‡Hearing aids must be returned within the 75-day trial period to qualify for a full refund. © 2010 Sonus-Canada, Inc.
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The next Seniors section publishes Wednesday, December 1