Seniors
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october 2010 special advertising feature
Home Style Home Care by Helen Peterson
Home care (or caregiving, as it is often referred to) is a multitiered entity that encompasses many situations. Some forms of home care are financially covered fully, or partially, by Van-
couver Coastal Health (VCH), usually on a temporary basis. VCH offers emergency short-term home care (arranged by your family physician) for things like post-surgery or illness recovery. This service would have a time-frame set on it. VCH also can provide home support services, geared to help you remain
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independent and safe in your own home as long as possible. As with all home and community care services, the services you receive are based on your personal care needs and situation. What services are provided? Home support services provide assistance with daily living activities at home such as bathing, dressing and grooming; special
exercises, medication administration and other care needs; plus, support and relief for your primary caregiver. As with all government-funded programs, home care is limited in its scope. So what should you do if you, your spouse or a senior in your family needs ongoing care and attention? See next page for suggestions…
CAVELL GARDENS
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Call 604.637.1207 www.cavellgardens.com
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Va n c o uve r Co u r i e r wednesday, october 6, 2010
Fall in love with your smile seniors Svetlana Lopareva R.D.BPS
(Biofunctional Prosthetic System) Certified Denturist
Creating Beautiful Dentures Precision Cosmetic Dentures, Relines and Emergencies Free Ultrasonic Cleaning Seniors discount available 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
DENTURISTS ARE DENTURE SPECIALISTS Need Dentures? Denture Problems? We can help you! Certified BPS Denture Centre OPEN MON-FRI 10-5 SAT: By appointment ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS EMERGENCY REPAIRS AVAILABLE
CALL TODAY! Hastings Denture Clinic (604)255-9433 Free Consultation
2609 E. Hastings St. Vancouver (at Penticton St.)
“Quality work you can count on”
Ken Wong, Denturist
• New complete and partial dentures • Dentures and partials over implants • Additions, repairs, and more • All dental plans accepted • 40 years of combined office experience
Peter MacDonald INSURANCE AGENCIES LTD.
Home Care Specialty Care at home comes in many forms. For privately sourced care, seniors and family want to know that the highest standards in the industry are available to them, at reasonable rates. Eric and Jocelyn Macdonald (pictured, right) are a pair of siblings who have a lot of experience in the field. They brought Premier Home Care out to B.C. earlier this year, from its Ontario roots, and this Canadian-owned business is flourishing. The Macdonalds acknowledge that many of their clients are seniors and other folks with disabilities (from physical to cognitive) that need help and information about what’s available to them in the community. “Because we develop close relationships with our clients and their families, they often look to us for referrals to community resources and services,” says Jocelyn, a registered dietician. She shares her expertise in this area by putting on free info-sessions at seniors’ facilities, helping seniors keep tabs on their nutrition and other needs such as anemia concerns or fall prevention. The core of any home care service is, of course, the caregivers themselves. This is an area that the Macdonalds spend a lot of time cultivating and nurturing, to ensure that optimum service is provided. “We will go to the home with our employee to introduce them, and make sure the senior is comfortable with the arrangement,” says Eric. “And if a new person takes over the role, we will always go to introduce the new caregiver to the client.” Premier has many clients that fall into the realm of Alzheimer and dementia. For safety reasons, they cannot cook for themselves and, often, personal care like bathing and grooming is required. But that is not where it ends. “There is personal care, and there is companionship, and a familiar face the senior can relate to goes a long way towards keeping them happy,” Jocelyn states. “Whether it’s at their home, or they are living in a retirement community, sometimes a friendly ear or someone to take the client shopping (assuming
Are you a denture wearer who: Has loose Dentures? Cannot enjoy a meal? Has a sore mouth? Has stopped smiling? All of the above
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604-327-3399
Friedrich H.G. Brumm, D.D., B.A. Friedrich Brumm Susan Leung Denturist Nader Eslami 22yrs expLab Manager Denturist Denturist
WE CAN HELP YOU!
“Being of service to denture wearers over the last 22 years, I have learned to bring care and compassion to my work inAll orderour to make Dentures a difference in the quality of their lives. To me every denture is a "You'll love your Dentures that feature latest tech“Thank youBPS British Columbia for the your confi dence inpersonal, choosing creative challenge - a piece of art where formand and funcnology availabe today – Drive a product of highest quality, The Victoria Denture Clinic as superior a recipient of the tion & harmonise requirements Services are Consumer‘s Choiceappearance." Award for Business Excellence in 2008 2009.”with the personality and the special fit and a most natural of each individual.” TAX FREE! NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS Friedrich H.G. Brumm, B.A., Denturist NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS Denise Dunn Office Manager
Notar y Public
Premier Homecare Services can be reached at 604636-1902, or go to www.PremierHomecareServices. com and choose Vancouver West Side.
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family is not able or not around), goes a long way,” she says. “At Premier Homecare Services, we provide qualified caregivers on a flexible schedule, customized to meet our client’s individual needs,” says Eric. “We offer a complimentary, no-obligation in-home needs’ assessment, and can provide service for as little as three hours a week to as much as 24/seven (including ‘Live-In’ services).” Premier Homecare Services places a high priority on client and employee safety. They conduct a thorough screening process with each employee, including background and business reference checks and provide comprehensive orientation training. Employees wear uniforms and photo ID badges and are fully supported by supervisory staff. They are First Aid/CPR trained, bonded and insured. If you’re looking for specially trained staff for dementia care, disability assistance, palliative care and much more, Premier is there to accommodate you, at your accommodation!
Alisha Kumar Denturist
CERTIFIED BPS DENTURE CENTRE
FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION PLEASE CALL 604-325-1914
VICTORIA DRIVE DENTURE CLINIC 5477 Victoria Drive, at 39th
www.mydentures.ca
“EUROPEAN QUALITY AT CANADIAN PRICES”
AFTER THE FALL
Don’t Ignore Osteoporosis Prevention compiled by Helen Peterson
Once you reach a certain age, chances are, you are going to have a fall. Whether it is caused by weakened bones that compromise your ability to stay upright, or is the result of an issue with balance and coordination brought on by medication or dizziness or dementia or any number of reasons – it’s likely to happen. Not all falls are caused by issues related to aging. People of all ages hit the ground due to mundane things like tripping over a cable, or a ridge in the sidewalk; slipping on really dangerous icy ground; being lurched while standing on a crowded bus, and so on. Falling is a natural part of life. The difference is – when a younger person with strong, healthy bones falls down, they don’t usually break into pieces. Many seniors can relate to the aftereffects of a fall that causes fractures. Being incapacitated, not being able to get around, waiting for a long time for replacement surgery or repair for hips, knees, spine, wrist…
When it’s Osteoporosis Osteoporosis affects millions of older adults. It usually strikes after age 60, and can be held accountable for lack of bone strength or bone density. As you age, your bones get thinner naturally. But some things make you more likely to have the severe bone thinning of osteoporosis, like being a post-menopausal woman, it running in your family, having a slender body frame or coming from a European or Asian background.
According to Healthlink BC, osteoporosis can be very far along before you notice it. Sometimes the first sign is a broken bone in your hip, spine, or wrist after a bump or fall. As the disease gets worse, you may have other signs, such as pain in your back. You might notice that you are not as tall as you used to be and that you have a curved backbone. Osteoporosis Canada advises bone density testing for women age 65 and older. If you have a higher risk for fractures, it’s best to start getting the test at age 60.
Preventative Meds Your physician may recommend bisphosphonates – they are the most common medicines used to prevent bone loss in people who have osteoporosis. They slow the way bone dissolves and is absorbed by your body. They can increase bone thickness and strength. They include Risedronate (Actonel) and Alendronate (Fosamax). However, bisphosphonates aren’t right for everyone. Depending on your health, your doctor may suggest other medicines to help prevent bone loss. Your doctor may also suggest these other medicines if you are having a problem with side effects from bisphosphonates: Raloxifene (Evista), Calcitonin (Calcimar or Miacalcin) or Teriparatide (Forteo). So get ahead of the curve with osteoporosis prevention, so that if and when you fall, you can bounce back up and carry on living life to the fullest.
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. Coming up: “Valentino: Last Emperor” at 1 pm on Wed. Oct. 6 and “One Week” at 1 pm on Wed. Nov. 3. 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: 604-263-1833.
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Elegantly Redesigned Studios and One Bedrooms Available We invite you to come and view our elegantly redesigned studios and one bedrooms complete with kitchenettes and walk in showers. Discover for yourself what it is like to live where Wellness & Vitality™ is the order of the day and where everything from shopping to services are right at your doorstep. Coupled with an all inclusive low monthly fee, now is the ideal time to make the move… to Amica at Arbutus Manor.
Studio suites starting at $2950.00 per month Live the retirement lifestyle you’ve worked your whole life to achieve! ~ Open House Week ~ Thursday, October 7th to Wednesday, October 13th, 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 2125 Eddington Drive Vancouver, BC V6L 3A9
604.736.8936 www.amica.ca
• Luxury Independent Rental Retirement Living • All Inclusive • Full Service Fine Dining • Wellness & Vitality™ Programs • Amica VITALIS™ Assisted Living Services
10-1386
seniors
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Va n c o uve r Co u r i e r wednesday, october 6, 2010
WESTSIDE SENIORS LINKS PROGRAM
seniors
ARE YOU A SENIOR WHO WANTS SOME HELP AROUND THE HOUSE? Kitsilano Neighbourhood House in partnership with SMART Fund and the City of Vancouver runs the Westside Seniors Links Program. This program brings together seniors in the community who need a hand around the house with post-secondary students able to help. We provide you with a small list of students to interview. You hire whomever you choose & pay the student $10/hour directly. There is a 2 hour minimum. Students can help with: light housework, shopping, laundry, pet care, gardening, yard work, computer help, reading aloud, & odd jobs. In addition, students are available who speak other languages such as: Mandarin, French, Spanish, & many others.
To get connected please contact Julie at
604-736-3588 ex. 24 or julie@kitshouse.org. For more information about other Seniors Programs at Kits House please visit our website www.kitshouse.org
ARE YOU A STUDENT LOOKING FOR SOME EXTRA INCOME?
If you are a post-secondary student interested in participating in this program, please apply online at www.kitshouse.org
Open Doors Oktoberfest 2010 at Terraces on 7th Retirement Residence (an Independent/Assisted Living facility)
Saturday, October 23rd, 11am - 3pm Join the celebrations, enjoy the activities, refreshments, and a tour of our fabulous facility. RSVP Julia 604.742.2693 jrenner@retirementconcepts.com
1570 West 7th Avenue (beside Seymour Medical Clinic)
Suites available to rent month-by- month.
terracesonseventh.com
seniors
A Retirement Concepts Community
next publishes Wednesday,
november 3
in this issue Jacquie Hooper reminisces about those ‘beachcombing days! To advertise in this feature, call
604-738-1412
Travel Reminders for Snowbirds by Sarah Twomey
With fall just around the corner, many Vancouver snowbirds (the human kind) are itching to finalize their travel plans to warmer climes. If you count yourself among these lucky-ducks, make sure you’ve made the all necessary arrangements before heading to Florida, Mexico or the Caribbean. Here’s a quick checklist to help you get organized: • Tell a trusted friend or family-member about your plans and ask them to keep an eye on your place while you’re away. • Secure your home and turn off the water. • Cancel the newspapers. • Forward or stop mail delivery. • Make photocopies of your travel and personal documents for yourself and the trusted friend or familymember as a precaution. • If you’re driving to your destination, find out if you need supplemental car insurance. • Find out if you need to update your shots. • Let your bank and credit card company know about your travel plans to avoid any confusion or service disruption. • Most importantly, buy travel insurance. While most people know that travel insurance is important, many people may not be aware that it is now a prerequisite for entering Cuba. “Since May 1, 2010, Cuban authori-
ties require visitors to provide proof that they can cover their own medical costs,” said François Morel, sales consultant at Desjardins Financial Security. “Subsequently, the Cuba Tourist Board advised that Canadians could present their provincial health insurance cards as proof of medical insurance. But, supplemental travel insurance is necessary because the provincial health insurance plans only offer minimum medical coverage abroad. “Regardless of whether you’re out of the country for a day or for several weeks, accidents or illnesses happen all the time and it’s best to be prepared,” said Morel. “Hospital stays abroad can reach into the tens of thousands of dollars. So, it’s best to take a few minutes to buy reliable travel insurance coverage.”
Insurance
Here are some things to remember when buying travel insurance: • It’s convenient: It can be bought on the internet or by phone. • It’s flexible: You’ll find the right policy that suits your needs based on your age, health situation and trip duration. • It’s reliable: Coverage provides 24/ seven medical assistance support so you know you can count on someone in case of an emergency. Consult your insurance provider to learn more. Article courtesy www.newscanada. com.
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what’s on
for october work, pet care, shopping, computer help, etc. As an on-going program, the service through SVNH is free, but seniors must pay student a minimum of $10.00/hour with a two-hour minimum. Contact SVNH for more information at 604-3246212 or visit 6470 Victoria Drive. Volunteers needed! Most of the activities at the Oakridge Seniors Centre are managed smoothly with the help of numerous committed volunteers. The Centre is continuously recruiting volunteers to help out in the kitchen. Under the direction of the Cook and/or the Executive Director, assists in the preparation of the meal, and the maintenance of the kitchen and dining area.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities: For those living with osteoporosis, information is available, and it’s great to share your experiences with like-minded people. This month, the Vancouver / Kerrisdale Osteoporosis Branch will host a lecture: “My Journey from Diagnosis to Living Well with Osteoporosis” by Larry Funnell, chair, Canadian Osteoporosis Patient Network, on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 7:00 PM, at the Seniors Centre, Kerrisdale Community Centre, located at 5851 West Blvd. Free admission; info: 604-731-4755 or 604-2245063. South Vancouver Neighbourhood House serves the community within the boundaries of East 41st Avenue to the north, Cambie Street and beyond to the west, Boundary Road to the east, and the Fraser River to the south. “Seniors’ Links” at SVNH, in partnership with the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and Langara College, offers to connect seniors in the south and central Vancouver communities, who require daily living support services, with students who are willing and available to do this work at a reasonable cost. The cost is $10.00 per hour for two hours minimum, and includes light housecleaning, laundry, gardening, yard
•A ssist the cook in the preparation of daily meals and snacks • Assist the cook to prepare special event meals and snacks in consultation with staff • Assist to maintain the cleanliness of work areas by cleaning stoves, grills, food preparation equipment and ensures kitchen floors, counters, preparation areas are kept clean, safe and orderly • Assists in setting up tables and chairs and cleaning dining area as needed
Special Qualifications: •A bility to work cooperatively with staff and other volunteers • Willingness to obtain a Food-handling Certificate • Willingness to learn and adhere to the philosophy and objectives of the Centre If you are interested in volunteering, call the Centre at 604-263-1833. or e-mail: manager@oakridgeseniors.com. If you have a non-profit event or activity focusing on Healthy/Active Seniors, contact: Helen Peterson or e-mail: hpeterson@vancourier.com; or by fax: 604-738-4739, by the last Wednesday of the month. One listing per organization, please.
Seniors Spotlight Event Thursday, Oct. 7, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, enjoy all the things you love about Fall… the crispness in the air, a bountiful harvest and the wonderful aromas and tastes of the season. You’re invited to join Amica at Arbutus Manor as they host a complimentary afternoon to celebrate some of Fall’s favourite activities, tastes, sights and traditions. Let this season of colourful changes inspire you to visit your neighbourhood Amica retirement residence and experience their active lifestyle first hand. There’s no better time than now, to Fall in Love with Amica! Located at 2125 Eddington Drive, near Arbutus Shopping Centre; call 604-736-8936 to RSVP.
Kitsilano Neighbourhood House Cultural Workshops for Older Adults November 2010 Please join us for demonstrations, cultural stories, crafts and interactive sharing November 2 - Japanese Tea Ceremony November 9 - First Nations Friendship Centre - Cedar Roses November 16 - Karen Barnaby Spinning Art - Felt Crafting November 23 - Ballroom Dancing Demonstration, Vancouver Ballroom November 30 - Lyle Povah: Rhythms for a Passionate Heart - Drumming Circle Time: 11 am – 1 pm (Light lunch served at 11 am; Workshops start at Noon) Cost: $3 per person, per workshop (includes lunch) Place: Kits House Hall, 2304 West 7th Avenue (at Vine) *Please call to register: 604 736 3588*