Lifetime Winter 2016

w i n t e r 2016

Death ďƒŠ taxes fashion:

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Monitoring seniors services

pursue life .

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pursue life.

Contents 8

Volunteer of the Year 10 Fashion 14 Finance 20 Travel 22 Health 24 Food 26 Literature 28 Report 30 Opinion 31 Directory

LIFETIME IS PRODUCED BY AND IS EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF GLACIER MEDIA INC. . publisher Dee Dhaliwal | director of sales Tara Lalanne | editor Sandra Thomas | marketing Janine Jurji | cover photo dan toulgoet | design MARINA ROCKEY To advertise in future editions of this magazine or to enquire about other Glacier Media projects, email info@lifetimemag.ca

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Letter Editor from the

Living a Lifetime Statistics have long shown one of the largest demographics enjoying the Vancouver Courier newspaper is made up of seniors and baby boomers.

We also have the anecdotal evidence to back up that stat through the feedback we regularly receive from older adults who give us input on everything from font size – following a recent redesign – to letters to the editor, to issues regarding city hall. That personal interaction with our older readers was one of the inspirations behind Lifetime, first as a special section created to coincide with a free day-long event dedicated to our city’s seniors held last October, and now as a stand-alone publication.

The goal of Lifetime is to not only inform, but also entertain. To that end Lifetime will publish four times annually, in winter to help you get organized for a new year, in spring with tips on everything from gardening to home renovation, in summer to help you plan your summer and in fall with a look towards autumn and the holidays.

The team at Lifetime is also excited to introduce a new Volunteer of the Year award, which will be announced in the October edition. Make sure to check out the story inside for the rules of eligibility.

Besides special features and stories in each edition, regular sections will include finance, health, travel, food and an opportunity to ask an expert. Feedback and questions for our experts can be emailed to editor@lifetimemag.ca with the subject head “Lifetime.”

Have a comment or story idea? Email editor@lifetimemag.ca.

Sandra Thomas | editor@lifetimemag.ca

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Message from the Seniors Advocate The year in review and what’s ahead for B.C.’s Seniors Advocate As we begin a new year, the Office of the Seniors Advocate is looking forward to tackling a number of issues affecting B.C.’s 820,000 seniors.

the 90-year-old who is letting his teeth rot because he, like thousands of lowincome seniors in this province, does not have dental coverage.

Since the office was formed in 2014, I have had the honour of meeting with, and hearing from, thousands of seniors in every corner of the province.

My office continues to hear from seniors on a daily basis, and it has been our job to not only raise awareness of their issues, but also to produce evidence-based reports that make recommendations to government and service providers for system improvements. This past 18 months, we have issued five reports focusing on a range of issues from seniors’ housing to overmedication and lack of access to rehabilitative care for seniors in residential care, to caregiver distress and gaps in respite services in the province.

I have seen seniors, who, at 90, still shovel their own snow and others who share thousands of hours of their time to volunteer in their communities. I have seen unfailing care and commitment to lifelong spouses. I have seen all the good that can come with getting older, but I too have seen struggle. I have seen the 76-year-old senior who rents an apartment in downtown Vancouver and, because her income is so low, relies on food banks and thrift shops to get by. I have met with the couple in the Interior who fear that one more household expense will force them from their home that they have lovingly maintained for more than four decades. I have met

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We begin 2016 with the release of our first Annual Monitoring Report of Seniors’ services in B.C., a benchmark that we will be able to compare year over year how we are doing in delivering seniors’ services. What we found overall is that while some things are working well, there is room for improvement.

Now, our priority is to tackle home support. The results of a provincewide survey conducted by our office of home support clients and their family members have come in and

will inform a full review of the home support system was released in January. The OSA will be examining how this vital service is meeting the needs of seniors in different parts of the province and will look at the funding and approval process for home support.

In hearing from seniors, we know they also have deep concerns about the cost of drugs and the lack of supplementary benefits for dental treatments, eyeglasses, hearing and mobility aids. In response to these concerns, my office will be launching reviews of both PharmCare and Supplementary Benefits in 2016, and will make recommendations to government for improvements.

It will be a busy year ahead. We encourage seniors and their families to join us in our journey to improve the lives of seniors in British Columbia.

We are confident that with your insight and support, real and lasting change will be made.

All the best for a healthy and happy New Year. isobel mackenzie seniors advocate, PRovince of British Columbia

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WHAT A DIFFERENCE

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Commitment, passion, energy, flexibility, creativity and, above all, reliability – these are just some of the qualities that make up a truly great volunteer.

To that end, Lifetime Magazine is launching a Volunteer of the Year award, presented by Element Lifestyle Retirement Community. The award has been created to recognize seniors who exemplify those qualities and who use them to help others, whether that’s teaching a class, working a till at a thrift store, cooking, knitting and so much more.

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The Lifetime Volunteer of the Year will receive a multi-day tour vacation, valued at more than $5,000, courtesy of Ageless Adventures, and Stong’s grocery gift certificates.

The winner will be announced at the second annual Lifetime Talks and Tables event in October, as well as featured in the January 2017 edition of Lifetime. Entries accepted from until June 30, 2016.

To enter and nominate a volunteer, visit lifetimemag.ca or call us at 604-630-3517.

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Fashion

Carmen about town

Lifetime, Carmen Ruiz y Laza, host of CarmenTV at JoyTV/ Zoomer Media, the Vancouver Courier and a small team, including Win Wachirawin, a hair and makeup artist from the Blanche Macdonald Centre, and Zafar Khan, general manager of Brooks Brothers Vancouver, converged on the Sutton Place Hotel in January for a fun fashion shoot.

Previously, Carmen, who also sits as vicechair of Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) Vancouver Chapter, was tasked with finding both high and lowerend items to mix and match as examples of how one or two signature pieces can make any woman look like a million bucks – and she outdid herself.

Check out Carmen’s choices here: tip Looking good starts with great skin.

Before our photo shoot, Carmen visited Vital Health in Kitsilano for a Teosyal Redensity I treatment.

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photos: Dan toulgoet

Sandra Thomas editor@lifetimemag.ca

For this dressy look, Carmen wore a $140 T-shirt from Michael Kors under a blanket-stich skirt ($268) and jacket ($348) from Brooks Brothers. Carmen’s diamond earrings are her own and the gold necklace she paired with this look is by Zac Posen for Brooks Brothers. Carmen topped this fall/ winter look with a timeless camel trench from Brooks Brothers ($988). Her woven leather satchel was on sale at Brooks Brothers for $299 at the time of our shoot.

For a dressier look, Carmen chose this gorgeous wine-coloured cotton coat ($798) with genuine corozonut buttons from Brooks Brothers over a sleeveless camel dress on sale at Brooks Brothers for $239.

Carmen accessorized her outfit with her black fur collar from Luxe Fur Boutique and Wolford’s Twenties Tights in Dark Orchid. Her $153 studded Halogen shoes from Nordstrom (not shown) are a play on a $1,000 pair of Valentino’s.

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Carman paired her own $50 Zara Woman Premium Denim Collection (relaxed fit, mid-rise) jeans with this classic cashmere, two-button jacket from Brooks Brothers, which retails for $998.

(At the time of the photo shoot the jacket was on sale for $499.) The printed cardigan worn underneath retails for $298 at Brooks Brothers. The black and brown Louis Vuitton Neverfull Tote retails for $1,300.

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For this look Carmen paired those same jeans with a $50 flowered top from Zara topped with a menswear-inspired jacket, which retails at Guess for $250. The boots, from Carmen’s personal wardrobe, and worn for both casual photos, retail at David’s Footwear in Toronto for $400. Carmen advises similar boots can be purchased locally for less. Carmen topped her outfit with a black, double-layered cashmere cape from Black Goat Cashmere ($985) and black fur collar from Luxe Boutique.

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Finance

tax

How seniors can prepare for tax season: Two experts weigh in Now is the time to prepare for next year’s taxes. Experts say the biggest challenge for most people – not only seniors – is that they think about taxes in the 11th hour, which means it may be too late to impact their income tax return. So give yourself time to make any changes and the process will be easier. And if you’re getting a refund, file early – those overpaid taxes belong to you and the government doesn’t pay interest.

Get organized now Caroline Battista, senior tax analyst at HR Block, is organized. Starting Jan. 1, she keeps everything in a drawer by the front door – for the following year’s tax time.

“It’s so important to get organized early and keep everything in one spot, from income statements to charitable tax donations to medical receipts,” she says.

Meanwhile Cleo Hamel, senior tax specialist at American Expat Taxes, advises you sign up online with Canada Revenue Agency for T4 OAS and T4 AP slips.

“These forms are available now – don’t wait for mail delivery. And look through your cheque book to see 14

who you gave to this year. Make sure you have corresponding receipts for charitable donations and if not, ask for them now.”

Pension Income  Credit Splitting If you are married or have a commonlaw partner, you can transfer up to 50 per cent of your pension income to your lower-income spouse. It’s a great way to decrease the overall tax your family pays, but Battista says income splitting is not always optimal.

Income Do a quick calculation of your current year’s earnings. You need to be careful that your income doesn’t go over a certain amount or you may lose your Old Age Security (OAS) pension. If your income exceeds $72, 809, you potentially could lose part, or even all, of your OAS.

“Say your wife is in a nursing home and nursing home fees are based on your tax return,” explains Battista.

“You income split 50 per cent, which bumps up her income level so you end up paying much more for the nursing home that year.”

“While reviewing last year’s tax return, look at what you claimed,” says Hamel. “What has changed? Maybe you sold an investment. If you plan on taking money out of your RRSP, see if that withdrawal will impact you.”

Battista points out seniors often don’t know the kinds of pension income that can be split. “CPP cannot be split at the tax desk, unless you arranged to have it split when you first applied for your CPP.”

Hopefully you bought that RRSP to lower your taxes when you retire so make it count and plan ahead.

Be aware of how to use your credits.

Did you know that public transit passes, medical expenses and donations are all credits and they can also be combined?

Medical Expenses You can claim medical expenses that aren’t reimbursed if they exceed three percent of net income. For instance, you can claim hearing aid batteries, bathroom aids, book page-turning devices and even air conditioning.

And pharmacies can give you a printout of the year’s prescriptions (with a prescription).

As well, check to see if you’re eligible for the disability tax credit.

“If you are married, it is generally best to combine credits. Medical expenses especially should be claimed on the lower income spouse’s return,” Battista explains.

Jane Mundy janevm@telus.net

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My Silent World

By Anne Trudel

My journey from the hearing world into the silent world was very gradual over a period of years.

For those of us born with good hearing, we take so much for granted.

Family and friends detected my hearing loss long before I wanted to admit it. For a while, I had been asking them to speak louder or repeat their comments.

Eventually, my family and friends wore down my denial, and I went to see an ear nose throat specialist who recommended I consider hearing aids. But it was a shock to discover the cost of such a necessary item, so I put aside the issue for a number of years - until one kind family member gifted me hearing aids. A beautiful and kind gift that has led me into a world of freedom and joy.

I was a little apprehensive at my first visit to the Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (WIDHH) Audiologist recommended by my specialist, even though she had such a lovely name as Praise. But with her relatable demeanor and encouraging attitude, Praise quickly made me feel comfortable. She was very good at her profession, didn’t push anything on me, and just stated the situation of my hearing loss as it was.

Then the day came when Praise fitted me with my hearing aids. I shall never forget the wonderful sensation when I suddenly heard the sound of my own voice again and gradually was reintroduced to sounds which I had missed for so long. I drove my car home hearing once again the sound of street traffic, and wondered how I had never been in an accident when I wasn’t aware of the traffic noise! I could also hear the birds chirping, and even the sound of the gentle rain on my windshield was music to my ears. I kept my hearing aids on that entire day, and couldn’t wait to put them in again the next morning!

Our great-great-grandparents had nothing more than an earhorn to use if they were hard of hearing, but today we have access to new and growing knowledge and technology. And we have another advantage too. If we wish to retreat into the quiet world, as I do when I sit down with my favourite book, we can simply take out our hearing aids and bask in the silence.

You might say my hearing loss has become my greatest hearing aid.

Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (WIDHH) is home to British Columbia’s only non-profit hearing aid clinics.

We also provide services in communication devices beyond hearing aids, employment counselling, and sign language interpreting.

For more information, call us at 604-736-7391 or visit our website www.widhh.com.

Space kindly provided by Vancouver Courier, North Shore News, and Richmond News

Finance

Financial planning for women After 26 year in the business, I’m accustomed to people asking, “What’s the single most important element of successful investing?”

More recently however, with more women outliving men, a question frequently asked is, “Is financial planning really that much different for women?”

Why do more than 80 per cent of women change advisors when they lose a spouse?

If we’re discussing principles that apply to sound planning, they’re the same regardless of gender or life stage. The differences between men and women become apparent when looking at the challenges and opportunities faced in putting these principles into action. So, yes, I do believe financial planning can be different for women.

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In my practice, what I’ve come to understand from women, is they want information based on their life realities. Their lives are busy so any planning we can do that saves time is important – and don’t assume because of their gender women are conservative investors. Studies tell us women make, or significantly influence, the majority of purchasing decisions so why is it that more than half of couples who work with an advisor do not interact jointly with him or her? It’s still the husband who is more likely to take the lead.

than men to work part-time or for smaller firms or non-profits limiting private pension contributions and retirement savings potentials.

So why do more than 80 per cent of women change advisors when they lose a spouse, either through divorce or death? Could this be a sign something in the chain is clearly breaking down?

If you’re not confident in your investment decision making, consider working with a financial planner who will help raise or improve your financial skill set. Satisfaction levels go way up when time is taken to understand the basic investment tenets – whether a woman does this on her own or with an advisor.

An Angus Reid study indicates nearly half of Canadians are forced to retire earlier than planned due to circumstances beyond their control.

Many women take time off during prime income-earning years to raise a family or care for aging parents or loved ones. They’re also more likely

Like it or not, whether single or married, chances are high at some point during a woman’s lifetime she’ll be responsible for making all of the financial and investing decisions.

This can be an especially daunting experience for those who aren’t comfortable with their financial knowledge or are anxious about making financial mistakes.

Jim Doyle | Investors Group

Jim Doyle is a senior financial consultant with Investors Group Financial Services Inc.

Finance

Wills, passwords and banking, oh my!

The start of a new year is a great time to prepare for the future Sandra Thomas | editor@lifetimemag.ca

Do you know how to write a cheque? Where your mortgage papers are kept?

How to deal with your time share?

While the death of a partner, wife or husband is likely one of the most devastating experiences the loved one left behind will live through, being prepared can at least help ease some of the confusion and stress that’s sure to follow. To that end, Lifetime has prepared the following list. Hopefully the act of simply reading this article will nudge the unprepared in the right direction. I know it was a wakeup call for me.

Paperwork

Banking

n Do you know where to find copies of your life and home insurance policies, your spouse’s social security number, marriage and birth certificates (including children’s) and military papers?

n Do you know how to write a cheque? n Do you know how to complete online banking transactions? n Do you know how to access your safety deposit box and what’s in it?

Employee benefits n If your partner or spouse was still working at the time of their death, do you know if they have insurance through their company?

Passwords I recently heard a story on CBC about a woman who had to get a court order in order to access the iPad she had shared with her husband before his death because she didn’t have the password. The advice given at the time was to store all of your passwords to bank accounts, credit cards, computers, etc. in a safe place and include that location, not the passwords, in your will.

n Do you know how to apply for survivor’s benefits, including credit card insurance?

n Do you know where to find your mortgage papers? Tip: Don’t store them in a safe deposit box, which may be sealed at the time of death.

The will

n Do you own a time share?

Now what?

n Do you have more than one bank account?

n Do you know what’s in the will?

tip: Financial advisors suggest getting at least 10 copies of your loved one’s death certificate to deal with the paper work that followers.

n Are you aware of ALL debt owed by your spouse – or even jointly?

n Do you know where it’s stored?

n Are pensions directly deposited into an account you have access to?

n Have you or your spouse chosen an executor?

tip: It’s a good idea to share all

accounts jointly with your spouse or partner to ensure assets aren’t subject to a lengthy probate process.

n Do you have a will?

Anyone who wants to share their thoughts on this column, offer tips or have more questions can email editor@lifetimemag.ca.

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Finance

Giving back Vancouver Foundation – a perpetual gift to Vancouver When Judie Cummer asked her financial advisor about estate planning and how to give back to her community, she discovered the Vancouver Foundation and how it grants more than $1 million to the community – every week.

So why not give directly to your favourite charity?

In a nutshell, Vancouver Foundation is a conduit for philanthropy. Donors can start a fund in life – a legacy fund can start with $1,000 – or in their will for $10,000, that will support charities of their choice, or they can choose from 1,700 endowment funds the organization currently manages.

“I have peace of mind knowing that my money 18

will be disbursed to my favourite six charities,” says Cummer. “If anything happens to that charity, say it ceases to exist, the Vancouver Foundation will find a suitable replacement.”

Another key point is that you can change your mind at any time without having to change your will, and without incurring any cost.

How it works Tyler Davis, manager of donor communications for the foundation, says most donors prefer to create a perpetual legacy, even after the individual or their family passes away.

“It’s easy to give once to your charity of choice, but to give that long term

legacy, the donation is endowed permanently.”

executor to carry out a loved one’s charitable wishes.

It’s similar to investing your money in mutual funds – when you establish a fund, Vancouver Foundation will pool your money with other donations, invest it wisely and use a portion of the income generated by these investments to support charities throughout B.C. so income from your fund is given out annually. After meeting with the Vancouver Foundation board, Cummer, a retired bank manager, was convinced.

How it began The Vancouver Foundation was born when Alice MacKay, in 1943, had saved $1,000 from her secretarial job and wanted to help homeless women. Inspired

by MacKay’s generosity, local businessman and philanthropist Whitford VanDusen, along with nine other prominent Vancouver families, each added $10,000 to her endowment. From that original $101,000, the non-profit has grown to become the largest community foundation in Canada with more than $1 billion in assets under management. (Next time you visit the Vancouver Public Library, check out the Alice MacKay room.)

“Very talented and experienced people oversee a lot of money,” she says in reference to the investment management firms employed by the Vancouver Foundation. That helps takes the pressure off an

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Community grants A lot of people care about where they live, work and play. About 150 advisory committee members – all volunteers – review and recommend the most appropriate organizations and projects to receive grants. For instance, if you have ever attended a neighbourhood block party, chances are it was supported by Vancouver Foundation’s Neighbourhood Small Grants program. Grants are also available to support youth living in foster care and former foster care kids throughout the Lower Mainland.

Meanwhile, Fresh Voices Youth Advisory Team members have suggested ways the community can come together to support Syrian refugees.

On his 90th birthday, popular big band leader Dal Richards set up a fund with Vancouver Foundation that supports and fosters the music industry and helps future generations of musicians, year after year. Richards passed away Dec. 31, 2015.

A recent study found that people who give to others are happier and healthier than those who don’t.

“I’m not rich, but I feel blessed. Being a donor with this foundation is important to me,” says Cummer. “I like the idea that, after I die, my money will help people and the community well into the future.”

Jane Mundy janevm@telus.net

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Travel

The Sea Cloud This elegant liner carried Hollywood stars and top politicians Years ago I met a bloke on a river boat in India. He had made a fortune in Calcutta and was cruising the world in style – and he had no doubt about his favourite ship. “Sea Cloud. Nothing like it.”

So it happened that one sunny day later a bus dropped me on a grubby little dock in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, and there she was – a big fourmasted barque (sailing ship) with towering masts and looking absolutely like nothing else in the world.

My companions and I on the bus would fill Sea Cloud, because her capacity is just 65, slightly under the 6,000 or so on cruise ships of a different kind.

Dining was in the gorgeous, wood paneled salon and the meals and service as good as youÕll find anywhere at sea.

Sea Cloud was launched 84 years ago at a time of elegant liners, just months before the greatest of them all, the Normandie, when the richest men competed to build the biggest yachts with gimmicks to amuse prohibitionera guests, such as bars that glided from behind library walls.

Sea Cloud, however, was no gin palace, and belonged to a woman, American cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post, who simply went for the best.

The yard was Krupps at Kiel, the hull was steel, the decks mahogany and teak, and the masts the height of a 20-storey building. Sea Cloud was an ocean-going sailing ship capable of voyages of 20,000 miles, with provisions for six months.

Nevertheless, she was fitted out with an elegant interior with classical French furniture, marble fireplaces and bathrooms, antiques, oriental carpets and oil paintings – all of it assembled beforehand for the owner’s approval in a warehouse in Brooklyn.

Her four masts carried 29 sails and 32,000 square-feet of canvas, and when the wind could not deliver, Sea Cloud had the world’s first highperformance diesel-electric power plant good for 14 knots.

Sea Cloud carried Hollywood stars and top politicians, served in the coastguard during the Second World War and, bizarrely, was later swapped for a Vickers Viscount aircraft, the new owner being Trujillo, the dictator of the Dominican Republic. Sea Cloud then spent time in Los Angeles, where Trujillo’s playboy son used her to party with Kim Novak, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Joan Collins.

It was downhill from there, with Sea Cloud laid up in Panama, but

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she was then rescued by a group of German businessmen in 1978. A huge refurbishment followed, additional cabins cleverly added to make a cruise operation viable, and off she sailed to amaze the world again.

Sea Cloud now cruises the Mediterranean in the summer and the Caribbean in the winter, her voyages much sought after by well-travelled, affluent (you have to be to afford it) lovers of the sea and ships.

It is a world rarely sullied by grubby travel writers, so when the opportunity arose, I crossed an ocean to be there. Our voyage was 12 days, calling at Nicaragua, Honduras, Belize, Cozumel and Cuba.

With the sails set it was a thing of beauty. Passengers stood on deck in wonder as the young sailors swarmed up the rigging. This was an experience of times long gone, of sleek clippers racing around Cape Horn like unstoppable express trains, when a man overboard was not uncommon, but immediately given up for lost. Sea Cloud has had its moments, such as one trans-Atlantic crossing when nine sails blew out in 30 minutes.

The wheelhouse was open most of the time and we even had a visit to the engine room, the former only possible in the best ships, and the latter off limits other than on the paddlesteamer Waverley and a few other classics. Dining was in the gorgeous,

wood-paneled salon and the meals and service as good as you’ll find anywhere at sea. I also liked meals on the Lido deck, where the buffet could be lobster or delicious roast lamb. Wine and beer came with every meal, but not spirits.

On the other hand there was no charge to see the doctor on board.

Once on every cruise, passengers in the original cabins are asked to leave their doors open, which most do, so others can stroll, wide-eyed, through the gilded doors and see, such as, the owner’s suite, which has swan-shaped gold faucets – chosen because gold is easier to clean than brass.

Ports of call were generally relaxing, with plenty of excursion options as well as beach time, with the highlight being the entrance to our arrival port, Havana. Sails were furled for the narrow passage past the towering fort, and a poignant moment it was, for the superb voyage was almost over.

And so we left with a thought from English poet John Masefield: “I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by...”

Everyone on board would agree.

This was the real thing.

For more information, visit seacloud.com.

David Wishart was an invited guest of the Sea Cloud.

David Wishart | dcwishart@icloud.com

21

Health

Misreading your blood pressure – six ways we go wrong

Under pressure Once we’ve established that you’re breathing and you have a pulse, your blood pressure is a crucial vital sign. Even when you’re feeling well, that number can determine if you’re at risk for a stroke, heart attack, heart and kidney failure, vision loss, foot or toe amputations or the other dire consequences of blood vessel damage.

Getting the most accurate measurement is important.

If your real pressure is actually lower than what you measure, you might be over treated – and suffer side effects from too much medication. If you’re relying on incorrectly low BP readings, you’ll be lulled into a false sense of security while high blood pressure is silently damaging the vessels and organs of your body.

Here are six common ways to get the wrong number.

Position  posture The ideal position for measuring your blood pressure is sitting with your back supported and your feet resting comfortably on the floor. If you cross your legs or clench your teeth, your blood pressure will go up. The arm on which the blood pressure cuff is attached should be supported at the level of the heart. If your arm is hanging down, the reading will be higher. If you are contracting muscles, your pressure will go up.

Your arm should be supported by the healthcare provider, a table or an armrest.

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The setting White coat syndrome is when your blood pressure is higher when a doctor or nurse is measuring it. Even healthcare providers can have white coat syndrome, but hopefully their own pressures don’t go up when they look in the mirror.

If I suspect white coat syndrome, I ask my patients to measure their blood pressure at home and at work with a reliable blood pressure machine. I sometimes lend out a calibrated machine from my office. You can find a list of machines tested and approved

by Hypertension Canada on the website at hypertension.ca. I often ask a patient to close his eyes and imagine that he is in his living room, but if he imagines his wife squeezing his arm and telling him to take out the trash, his pressure will be even higher.

How you breathe

Equipment

You’ll get a higher reading if you hold your breath, if you are straining and when you’re talking. I politely ask my patients to stop talking and remember to breathe.

Exertion or exercise When we exercise, the heart is working harder and both blood pressure and heart rate increase. Once we’re back to a normal resting heart rate, blood pressure is usually lower for the hour or so after exercise. The long-term effect of regular moderate physical activity, such as walking or cycling, is better blood pressure control.

If you measure your blood pressure just after running up the stairs, your reading will be higher, but after five minutes, it should be back to your usual resting level. If it isn’t, you may be deconditioned. Ask your doctor to guide you in finding an appropriate level of physical activity.

A cuff too small for your upper arm will give a falsely high reading.

A cuff too large will underestimate your pressure. Most cuffs have markings to indicate the correct fit.

If you are relying on an inaccurate or unreliable machine at home, you could be under or over treating your blood pressure. This is especially important if you have a very slow or an irregular pulse rate. If the cuff deflates too quickly, it will not pick up the moment when the pressure in your artery matches the pressure in the cuff. You may get a falsely low reading.

Most pharmacies calibrate their blood pressure machines, but the cuff will not fit every individual and after a thousand people use a machine, it may need recalibration.

I frequently see patients bringing in impossibly high and low blood pressure numbers.

When I re-check their pressures and find them normal, I ask them to use the drug store machine as a random number generator for the next 6/49 draw.

Technique Many patients have an auscultatory gap. In this case, the systolic pressure (the top number in the BP reading) is much higher than expected. When the doctor or nurse is listening over

the arm as the cuff deflates, the pulse is heard, disappears and reappears before finally disappearing again at the diastolic pressure (the lower number).

If the cuff is not inflated high enough, the true systolic blood pressure is missed and mistaken for the reappearance of the pulse at a lower pressure.

With very high blood pressure, most machines will miss the top number and give a falsely reassuring reading.

This can also happen in the doctor’s office if the cuff is not inflated high enough.

A lot of people re-check their blood pressure right after getting a high reading. They’ll repeat this until they get a number they like better, but with successive readings, they will get falsely low readings due to congestion of the veins in the arm. This muffles the volume of the pulse and results in an incorrect measurement. It’s better to fully deflate the cuff, take your arm out and wait at least a minute before taking another reading.

Because your blood pressure has a tremendous impact on your future wellbeing, you need the most accurate measurements.

Davidicus Wong is a family physician and his Healthwise columns appear regularly in the Vancouver Courier.

For more on achieving your positive potential in health, see his website atdavidicuswong.wordpress.com.

Davidicus Wong, M.D. davidicuswong.wordpress.com

23

Food

Green Priv a f rom te su it inc $1550 es

hou ludes , s and ekeepin mea g ls!

Supportive Housing for Independent Seniors at Blenheim Manor on Vancouver’s West Side

You can feel confident about your choice to live at Blenheim Manor.

Our new ground floor suites are secure, accessible and affordable.

Everything you need is here. Call today to arrange a tour.

Call us today: (604) 803-2493 or see www.Callingministries.org for more information

Blenheim Manor is operated by Calling Ministries

kitchen Saving food – and money We’ve done well in the Lower Mainland with our recent Green Bin food scrap composting program, which has raised awareness about food waste. Reducing this waste not only helps the planet, but helps you save money and time. As the cost of food is rapidly rising, it’s even more important to waste not, want not.

Some tips for saving food and money: •M ake a shopping list so you only buy what you need.

• S tore food properly in appropriate containers that are easy to identify and survey your fridge every few days for items that need immediate attention.

•F reeze or repurpose leftovers.

Soup is great for this.

• Don’t throw out veggie food scraps (see the following recipe).

• S hare – meet up with neighbours or friends to share bulk purchases or larger meals.

Great community programs where you can learn more about reducing food waste and enjoy food sharing can be found through your local Vancouver Food Networks (vancouverfoodnetworks.com).

Vancouver Food Networks are involved in everything from dropin meals to bulk buying clubs and community gardens. They also host many educational and celebratory events year-round, all to increase food security in Vancouver. Join the

newsletters of your specific network for more details.

soup Stock

The Waste Not, Want Not Cookbook (tastereport.com), published by Touchwood Books in 2015, is also an excellent resource for those wishing to cut back on food waste and reduce food costs. Author Cinda Chavich has tips on how to store and use your food efficiently and delicious recipes that minimize your grocery expenses without minimizing taste.

ingredients 2 tablespoon oil 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 large onion, chopped 2 ribs celery, chopped 2 carrots, chopped 6 cups water 4 cup frozen veggie scraps bay leaf 4 peppercorns

Soup from Veggie Scraps Save green parts of leeks, outer layers of onions, celery and carrot leaves, corn cobs, mushrooms stems, herb stems and clean veggie peels and odd-sized scraps.

Don’t save anything with mould or rot and half-eaten food and be sure to leave out veggies with very strong flavours, such as broccoli, cabbage, beets and Brussels sprouts.

Save scraps in a sealed container throughout the week and store in the freezer. When you’ve got about four cups you are ready to make a stock.

Cassandra Anderton, a freelance travel, food, wine and lifestyle writer and broadcaster, is the founder of goodlifevancouver.com, a website and blog dedicated to life in the city and beyond. Cassandra is also a member of Les Dames d’escoffier.

Method In a large pot, heat the oil on medium. Add onions, celery, garlic and carrots and cook for five minutes stirring often so they won’t stick to the pan. Add the water, frozen vegetable scraps, bay leaf and peppercorns. Cover and simmer for an hour. Pour the broth through a strainer into a large container and once cooled divide up into smaller containers for freezing or use right away.

For soup, you can add leftover grains, rice, meat, canned beans, tomatoes or frozen veggies and a dash of salt or a few herbs for an easy meal. Use as stock for flavourful rice or as a poaching liquid for proteins.

Cassandra Anderton goodlifevancouver.com

25

Literature

Good reads Fleur Matthewson

non fiction

What better time to curl up with a great book than winter. To that end, Lifetime asked Fleur Matthewson, publicity manager at Raincoast Books, to recommend some fiction, non-fiction and kids titles from the publishing house’s collection to keep older adults, and their grandkids entertained through 2016.

The Bonjour Effect: The Secret Codes of French Conversation Revealed The authors, JeanBenoît Nadeau and Julie Barlow, are journalists from Montreal who recently spent a year living in Paris.

fiction

Leonard

by William Shatner The book is Shatner’s account of his 50year friendship with Leonard Nimoy.

The 14th Colony

by Steve Berry What happens if both the president and vice-presidentelect die before taking the oath of office? The answer is far from certain – in fact, what follows would be nothing short of total political chaos.

26

The Fear Cure

by Lissa Rankin The New York Times bestselling author with a breakthrough understanding of how fear literally makes us sick.

The Natural Eclectic by Heather Ross Vancouver author and stylist Heather Ross shares tips on creating a beautiful home and foraging for new, old and found treasures.

Cometh the Hour

by Jeffrey Archer This is an exciting year for the Clifton Chronicles with the final two books of the series scheduled to be published this year. The sixth installment, Cometh the Hour, will be available worldwide Feb. 25, and the seventh, final and as yet untitled volume in the series will be available in November 2016.

Enter to win selected books at vancourier.com/contest

Journey After Midnight

by Ujjal Dosanjh A deeply personal and thoughtful memoir of Dosanjh’s journey from his beloved India to the upper echelons of Canadian politics.

Soul Shifts

by Barbara De Angelis Described as a, “practical handbook for awakening.”

The Language of Secrets by Ausma Zehanat Khan This is the second book in a new mystery series by this Canadian writer.

(I’m reading it right now and love it. She is brilliant.)

kidsÕ books

How to Catch a Leprechaun written

by Adam Wallace and illustrated by Andy Elkerton How to catch a leprechaun? It’s tougher than you think! He’ll turn your whole house upside down. He’s quicker than a wink. You’ve been planning night and day, and finally you’ve created the perfect trap. Now all you need to do is wait. Is this the year you’ll finally catch the leprechaun?

Parents and children will love starting a new St. Patrick’s Day tradition with this engaging and entertaining book.

Before I Leave by Jessixa Bagley How do you say goodbye to your best friend? When a little hedgehog’s family tells her they’re moving far away, she and her anteater best friend decide to play one last time, like nothing is changing. And though it’s hard, they discover that while some things have to change, the most important things find a way of working out. This book helps children prepare to say goodbye to friends and family prior to a move.

Mamasaurus by Stephan Lomp Babysaurus has lost his Mamasaurus and turns to his prehistoric friends to help find her. Is his Mamasaurus the fastest in the jungle? No. Is she the loudest? No. Is she the best flyer?

No! Of course, Mamasaurus has been right there all along and when Babysaurus needs a little help, she is ready with a big hug and a sweet, leafy snack. For Babysaurus, his Mamasaurus is the best mamasaurus in the world.

Great Expectations by Jack Wang and Holman Wang Each book in the Cozy Classics series distils great works of literature into 12 child-friendly words. Accompanied by 12 stunning images of needle-felted characters, the visual simplicity of the felted illustrations will appeal to children while their craftsmanship will appeal to adults. Great Expectations is perhaps Charles Dickens’ best known work and a classic of Victorian literature. It is widely regarded as the first ever bildungsroman, depicting the growth and personal development of an orphan named Pip.

Look out for the next issue of Lifetime Magazine in April info@lifetimemag.ca lifetimemag.ca

Report

Monitoring seniors services B.C. Seniors Advocate releases first comprehensive report Monitoring seniors’ services and a systemic review of resident-on-resident aggression in licensed care facilities are top priorities of the report.

The provincial Office of the Seniors Advocate released its first Monitoring Seniors’ Services report Jan. 27, marking the start of what will become a yearly update from the office on the status of key services, highlighting where seniors’ needs are being met and where improvements are most needed.

The Office of the Seniors Advocate is an independent body of the provincial government with a mandate to monitor seniors’ services, issue public reports focusing on systemic issues and provide information and referrals to seniors and their families.

“Our goal with this process is There are 943 individuals to provide the on the waitlist for a total public and policy makers with a of 4,430 subsidized single source of assisted living units. data where they can compare year over year how we are doing in this province in delivering services that are critical to seniors,” said Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie. “When we examined the data across all areas, we found a number of interesting stories that are starting to emerge, some are positive, some are cautionary and some indicate the need for immediate improvements.”

Among areas that affect seniors positively, the report notes that 96 per cent of seniors report they have a regular general practitioner. Data also highlights the fact four out of five seniors over the age of 85 have no diagnosis of dementia.

“While the risk of dementia clearly increases with age, it is very important to get the message out to seniors that 28

they have greater likelihood of living a full life without developing dementia,” said Mackenzie.

The report also outlines a number of areas of concern, most notably the number of incidents of resident- onresident aggression in residential care facilities. The report confirmed that in 2014 and 2015 there were between 425 and 550 incidents of such aggression, which resulted in harm to someone in residential care. Based on these findings, Mackenzie will conduct a systemic review of resident-on-resident aggression this year.

“While we have to remember this is still a small number when you consider there are more than 27,000 individuals in residential care at any given time in this province, the numbers are still substantial enough to warrant our office taking a closer look at this issue,” said Mackenzie. “We are beginning in-depth research to see if there are particular patterns or systemic issues that contribute to an increased likelihood of resident-onresident aggression,” Mackenzie added.

The 60-page Monitoring Seniors’ Services report focuses on 2014-2015 information highlighting key services in the advocate’s legislated seniors’ services, which include transportation, health care, housing, income support and personal care.

Further highlights from the report include: • Home support hours decreased in three out of five health authorities, while the number of clients increased in four out of five.

• There are 943 individuals on the waitlist for a total of 4,430 subsidized assisted living units. There has been less than a one per cent increase in the number of subsidized assisted living units since 2012.

Quality Home Care Services

B • The number of residential care beds in the province has increased by 3.5 per cent since 2012, but the population over 75 has increased 10 per cent during that time and the number of seniors placed within the 30-day target window has decreased from 67 to 63 per cent in the past year.

• Eighteen per cent of licensed residential care facilities did not have an annual inspection within the last year.

• Since 2005, the Shelter Aid for Elder Renters (SAFER) maximum rent that qualifies for a subsidy increased nine per cent while rents increased by 34 per cent.

• Income supports for seniors such as Old Age Supplement and Guaranteed Income Supplement increased by one per cent. The B.C. Seniors’ Supplement, available to lowincome seniors, has not increased in more than 25 years.

y choosing IQHC you have the piece of mind knowing that employees have reference checks, medical clearances, criminal clearances and are registered in the BC Care Registry.

We take pride in finding a good match for our clients.

Our Services • Companions • Homemakers • Certified Community Support Workers • Complex Care

• Brain Injuries • Mental Health • Driving Services • Downsizing – Packing

Independent Quality Home Care is an authorized representative for LifeCall, the leading personal emergency response system & medical alarm provider in Canada – “Help at the press of a button.”

INDEPENDENT QUALITY HOME CARE 720-999 West Broadway, Vancouver Phone: 604-725-9014 Mobile: 778-895-4635 www.iqhomecare.com

The celebration of a lifetime

• The number of people aged 65-plus accessing the B.C. Bus Pass Program, which offers subsidized passes to low-income seniors and individuals receiving disability assistance from the province, has increased by 21 per cent since 2010.

• The Seniors Abuse and Information Line received 1,286 calls related to elder abuse in 2014 and 15 per cent of those calls reported the abuse had been going on for five or more years The Seniors Advocate will use data contained in this report for upcoming reviews in 2016. In addition to a systemic review of resident-on-resident aggression, the Office of the Seniors Advocate will be conducting reviews of home support, supplemental benefits for seniors, transportation, residential care and hospital discharge experiences in 2016.

Rely on your Dignity Memorial® professionals to help you plan a personal, meaningful send-off.

DignityMemorial.ca

Sandra Thomas | editor@lifetimemag.ca

†Registered Trademark of CARP, used under license. Dignity Memorial is a division of Service Corporation International (Canada) ULC.

Opinion

Confessions of a grandma I still remember the day like it was yesterday.

I was at work scrolling through Facebook when I began seeing messages of congratulations posted to my Vancouver Island-based son and his partner. My first thought was, “They must have finally gotten engaged,” followed immediately with, “It sure would have been nice to know before seeing it posted online.”

But then I saw the message from a friend addressed to them that read something like, “Congratulations, you’re going to make great parents.”

I can’t repeat the words that spewed out of my mouth at that moment, but I’m pretty sure they started with a very un-grandmother-like, “Are you f***ing kidding me?” I also remember my co-workers rushing over to my desk to see what had caused my sudden outburst.

ÒI think IÕm going to be a grandma...Ó In stunned disbelief I said, “I think I’m going to be a grandma,” pointing a horrified finger at my computer screen. It didn’t take long for my fellow investigative journalists to read a few posts and confirm that, yes, I was in fact going to be a grandmother.

30

That’s when I reached for the phone and started speed-dialing my son, but he must have known the jig was up because my calls went straight to voicemail. (I can feel my blood pressure rising just writing this.)

He also must have known I was getting ready to jump on the next ferry because later that night he finally picked up and his explanation for not letting me know was a simple one, or so he assumed.

“We didn’t call with the news because we were waiting to tell you in person.”

My response: “Really? And how did that work out for you? I found out on Facebook.”

After many apologies on his part, I decided to forgive him and then the news began to sink in — I really was going to become a grandmother.

And, despite the fact I was convinced I was far too young to become a grandma, I was over the moon with the news. I then decided on the appropriate job title. With so many grans, nannies and grandmas in the mix, I decided on “Tutu,” the Hawaiian word for grandmother. (It was also a good choice because it’s easy for babies to say.)

That was six years ago, and between my partner’s two adult children and my one, we became grandparents to three grandchildren that same

Carter Bryant Thomas

year. Up until then, we had pictured ourselves as rather cosmopolitan, bon vivant baby boomers who spent every spare minute, and all the cash we could afford, travelling. But even better, now we’re the extremely proud grandparents to six wonderful grandkids, including our newest addition, three-month-old Hazel.

My biggest regret now is that they all live far enough away that sleepovers are few and far between.

Sandra Thomas editor@lifetimemag.ca

Directory

Resources Government Programs and Services

For information about B.C. government programs and services, visit SeniorsBC.ca or call Service BC at 604-660-2421.

Acute, Home and Community Care Services tel Toll free 8-1-1 Deaf/hearing-impaired (TTY), toll free 7-1-1 | healthlinkbc.ca Age-Friendly Communities email AgeFriendlyBC@gov.bc.ca seniorsbc.ca/agefriendly Alcohol and Aging: Know the Facts seniorsbc.ca/activeaging/alcohol Assisted Living Registrar tel toll free 1-866-714-3378 health.gov.bc.ca/assisted

Choice in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL) Speak with your health care provider for more information. health.gov.bc.ca/hcc/csil.html Community Services Agencies Tips on finding community organization information online. welcomebc.ca/wbc/immigration/ enjoy/sports/community.page Congratulatory messages�Office of Protocol Congratulatory messages may be requested for a significant birthday or wedding anniversary. tel Service BC toll free 1-800-663-7867 protocol.gov.bc.ca/protocol/prgs/ congrat/congrat.htm Consumer Protection B.C. tel 604-320-1667

Ambulance Billing tel toll free 1-800-665-7199

Crime Prevention and Community Policing Contact your local police department or RCMP detachment.

B.C. Association of Community Response Networks email info@bccrns.ca | bccrns.ca

Dementia Helpline Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tel 604-681-8651

B.C. Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support (BC CEAS) Seniors Advocacy and Information Line (SAIL) tel 604-437-1940 | bcceas.ca

Domestic Violence Helpline (VictimLink B.C.) tel Toll free 1-800-563-0808 domesticviolencebc.ca/dvbc/index. page

B.C. Palliative Care Benefits Program health.gov.bc.ca/pharme/plans

Elder Abuse Prevention In an emergency, always call 9-1-1.

For information, referrals, and support, call VictimLink B.C., 24/7. tel B.C. and Yukon toll free 1-800-563-0808

Fall Prevention seniorsbc.ca/stayingindependent health.gov.bc.ca/prevention/ fallprevention.html HeretoHelp Distress Line Network service available 24 hours a day, with no wait or busy signal, where you can speak to a trained volunteer specialist for support or referrals related to mental health. tel toll free 310-6789 (note: this number does not require an area code.) heretohelp.bc.ca

Government Services and Affordable Housing Immunization Services Contact your local public health office under “Health Authorities” in the blue pages of your phone book.

Immunizebc.ca Income Assistance (for seniors not receiving Old Age Security) Ministry of Social Development tel toll free 1-866-866-0800 (press 3 + 1) hsd.gov.bc.ca/bcea.htm Medical Services Plan (Health Insurance B.C.) tel 604-683-7151 Or contact your local health authority for information on available services.

Medications Matters medmatters.bc.ca/info-public.html 31

Directory

PharmaCare (Health Insurance B.C.) tel 604-683-7151 health.gov.bc.ca/pharmacare Residential Tenancy Branch tel 604-660-1020 email hsrto@gov.bc.ca rto.gov.bc.ca Seniors Health Care Support Line tel toll free 1-877- 952-3181

Seniors Services Society (Lower Mainland only) tel 604-520-6621 email info@seniorsservicessociety.ca seniorsservicessociety.ca Senior’s Supplement B.C. Ministry of Social Development tel toll free 1-866-866-0800 (press 4, then 1) eia.gov.bc.ca/programs/other.htm Targeted Initiative for Older Workers workbc.ca/job-seekers/specialresources/older-workers.htm Telephone Device for the Deaf (Service B.C.) tel Greater Vancouver 604-775-0303 Veterans Affairs Canada tel toll free (English) 1-866 522-2122 vac-acc.gc.ca WelcomeB.C. WelcomeB.C. provides information about programs, services and resources for newcomers to B.C. tel 604-660-2421 | welcomebc.ca Affordable Housing B.C. Housing and the Housing Registry Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) tel toll free 1-800-257-7756 tel Greater Vancouver 604-433-2218 bchousing.org/Initiatives/Providing/ SAFER 32

B.C. Homeowner Protection Office tel 604-646-7050

Registered Health Charities Seniors and their families benefit from the caring and knowledgeable people who run the provinces many charities. Contact your favourite one for assistance or to make a legacy donation.

Health-related Non-profit Organizations ALS Society of British Columbia 1233-13551 Commerce Pkwy, Richmond tel 604-278-2257 | alsbc.ca Alzheimer Society of B.C. 300-828 West 8th Ave. tel 604-681-6530 | alzheimerbc.org Arthritis Answers Line (AAL) For every question, there is an answer.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday tel 604-875-5051 Arthritis Society B.C. & Yukon 895 West 10th Ave. tel 604-714-5550 | arthritis.ca/bc B.C. Cancer Agency 600 West 10th Ave. tel 604-877-6000 | bccancer.bc.ca

Canadian Cancer Society, B.C. and Yukon Division 565 West 10th Ave. tel 604-872-4400 | cancer.ca Canadian Diabetes Association 360-1385 West 8th Ave. tel 604-732-1331 | diabetes.ca Heart and Stroke Foundation of B.C. and Yukon 1216 West Broadway tel 604-736-4088 heartandstroke.bc.ca Inspire Health Integrative Cancer Care 200-1330 West 8th Ave. tel 604-734-7125 | inspirehealth.ca Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada 1103-4720 Kingsway, Burnaby tel 604-689-3144 | mssociety.ca/bc Osteoporosis Society of Canada (B.C. Division) Downtown and Kerrisdale Branches tel toll free (English) 1-800-463-6842 | osteoporosis.ca Parkinson Society British Columbia 600-890 Pender St. tel 604-662-3240 Parkinson.bc.ca

B.C. Cancer Foundation 150-686 West Broadway tel 604-877-6040 bccancerfoundation.com

Tapestry Foundation for Health Care 3080 Prince Edward St. tel 604-877-8335 tapestryfoundation.ca

B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation 938 West 28th Ave. tel 604-875-2444 | bcchf.ca

VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation 190-855 West 12th Ave. tel 604-875-4676 vghfoundation.ca

Canadian Blood Services 4750 Oak St. tel 1-888-236-6283 | blood.ca

Directory

Community Centres and Seniors Fitness Live a long, healthy life by participating in fitness opportunities of all types, geared for your lifestyles and fitness level. Go on, take a hike!

Vancouver Park Board Community Centres Special seniors rates apply for 65-plus. vancouver.ca/parks-recreationculture

Hillcrest Centre 4575 Clancy Loranger Way tel 604-257-8680

West End Community Centre 870 Denman St. tel 604-257-8333

Kensington Community Centre 5175 Dumfries St. tel 604-718-6200

West Point Grey Community Centre 4397 West 2nd Ave. tel 604-257-8140

Kerrisdale Community Centre 5851 West Boulevard tel 604-257-8100 Killarney Community Centre 6260 Killarney St. tel 604-718-8200

Britannia Community Services Centre 1661 Napier St. tel 604-718-5800

Kitsilano War Memorial Community Centre 2690 Larch St. tel 604-257-6976

Champlain Heights Community Centre 3350 Maquinna Dr. tel 604-718-6575

Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre 990 West 59th Ave. tel 604-257-8180

Coal Harbour Community Centre 480 Broughton St. tel 604-718-8222

Mount Pleasant Community Centre 1 Kingsway tel 604-257-3080

Creekside Community Recreation Centre 1 Athlete’s Way tel 604-257-3050 Douglas Park Community Centre 801 West 22nd Ave. tel 604-257-8130 Dunbar Community Centre 4747 Dunbar St. tel 604-222-6060 False Creek Community Centre 1318 Cartwright St. tel 604-257-8195 Hastings Community Centre 3096 East Hastings St. tel 604-718-6222

Renfrew Park Community Centre E. 22nd at Renfrew St. tel 604-257-8388 The Roundhouse 181 Roundhouse Mews tel 604-713-1800 Sunset Community Centre 6810 Main St. tel 604-718-6505 Thunderbird Community Centre 2311 Cassiar St. tel 604-713-1818 Trout Lake Community Centre 2230 Victoria Dr. tel 604-257-6955

Activity Centres and Educational Pursuits For social outings, making friends and playing games (for mental acuity and for fun), Vancouver’s activity centres provide venues open to seniors of all walks of life. Plus, life-long learning options.

Activity Centres/Clubs 411 Seniors Centre Society 704-333 Terminal Ave. tel 604-684-8171 | 411seniors.bc.ca A.S.K. Friendship Centre 601 East 59th Ave. tel 604-263-7333 | askcentre.ca Canadian Alliance of British Pensioners 816-402 West Pender St. tel 604-683-3445 britishpensions.com Chown Adult Day Centre 594 East 15th Ave. tel 604-879-0947 adultdaycentres.org/chown Jewish Seniors Alliance Vancouver 949 West 49th Ave. tel 604-267-1555 | jsalliance.org Kitsilano Neighbourhood House Seniors Resource Centre 2425 Vine St. tel 604-732-7773 | kitshouse.org 33

Directory

Lions Den Adult Day Centre 770 Commercial Dr. tel 604-251-9024 seniors.vcn.bc.ca/ldwelcome Mennonite Senior Citizens Society of B.C. 1750 East 41st Ave. tel 604-325-1919 Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House 800 East Broadway tel 604-879-8208 Multicultural Helping House Society 4812 Fraser St. tel 604-879-3277 helpinghouse.ca Oakridge Seniors’ Centre 513-650 West 41st Ave. tel 604-263-1833 oakridgeseniors.com Renfrew Collingwood Seniors Society 2970 East 22nd Ave. tel 604-430-1441 rencollseniors.ca The Seniors Hub Southeast Vancouver area tel 604-324-6212, ext. 109 theseniorshub.org South Granville Seniors Centre 1440 West 12th Ave. tel 604-732-0812 southgranvilleseniors.ca South Vancouver Neighbourhood House Adult Day Centre 3076 East 49th Ave. tel 604-430-6373 southvan.org/seniors/svnh-adultday-centres

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Vancouver Second Mile Society 509 East Hastings St. tel 604-254-2194 | vsms.ca West End Seniors Network Barclay Manor – 1447 Barclay St. tel 604-669-5051 | wesn.ca West End Seniors Network Information & Referral 118-1030 Denman St. tel 604-669-7339 wesn.ca/information-referral Education/training Active Aging Symposium seniorsbc.ca/activeaging/symposium Adult 55+ Education Some B.C. post-secondary institutions offer reduced or free tuition to seniors. aved.gov.bc.ca/adultlearning/ welcome.htm

Care Point Medical Centres Five locations in Vancouver tel 604-205-9466 cbi.ca/web/carepoint Commercial Drive Walk-in Clinic WI -1515 Commercial Dr. tel 604-255-5922 | cdclinic.ca Copeman Healthcare Centre 400-1128 Hornby St. tel 604-707-2273 copemanhealthcare.com CR+ Crossroads Healthcare Clinics WI - 350-507 West Broadway tel 604-568-7229 | crwalkin.com False Creek Healthcare 555 West 8th Ave. tel 1-800-815-9338 falsecreekhealthcare.com

English Language Training Free English language training for adult newcomers to B.C. (immigrants and refugees). welcomebc.ca/wbc/immigration/ settle/learn/elsa

Kerrisdale Station Medical Clinic WI - 2077 West 42nd Ave. tel 604-261-9494 | kerrisdalemedical.com

New Horizons for Seniors (federal grant program) hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/community_ partnerships/seniors/index.shtml

Khatsahlano Medical Clinics WI - 2685 West Broadway tel 604-731-9187 WI - 920 Seymour St. tel 604-257-2630 khatsclinic.ca

Volunteer B.C. tel 604-873-5877 volunteerbc.bc.ca

Healthcare Clinics and Centres (WI = indicates walk-in clinic on site) Balance Medical Centre Inc. 1590 West 7th Ave. tel 604-569-0488 balancemedical.ca

Pacific Medical Clinic WI - 2032 Kingsway tel 604-874-5555 Seymour Health Centre 1530 West 7th Ave. tel 604-738-2151 seymourhealth.ca

sponsore d cont e nt

Caring for Seniors Until this past summer, 90-year-old Alfred Best lived on his own in his Coal Harbour condominium. After a heart attack and a series of strokes landed him in hospital, the widower realized it was time to move into a seniors’ residence.

“I looked at a few residential care homes but when I visited Brock Fahrni, I was impressed by the gorgeous garden,” says the navy veteran. “Then I fell in love with the staff here... they are just wonderful, they offer the best care a person could want.”

A social man, Best also likes the art program and outings. “I’ve never painted in my life and I’m finding that I really enjoy it,” he says. “Also, every Monday, we veterans hop on our new bus and go to a different legion for lunch. It’s really a nice afternoon out.”

Many of the programs Best enjoys at St. Vincent’s: Brock Fahrni are thanks to donors supporting Tapestry Foundation for Health Care. Founded in 2007, the foundation is focused on enhancing the lives of our province’s elders through its fundraising efforts. Tapestry Foundation was born out of a series of mergers with well-respected organizations such as St. Vincent’s, Holy Family, Mount Saint Joseph Hospitals and St. Michael’s Centre Foundations.

“Within Providence Health Care, we are the charitable arm for seven of its sites (Holy Family Hospital, Mount Saint Joseph Hospital, St. Michael’s Centre, St. Vincent’s: Brock Fahrni, St. Vincent’s: Honoria Conway-Heather, St. Vincent’s: Langara, and Youville Residence),” says Tapestry Foundation CEO Ann Adams.

“We raise funds for medical equipment that isn’t covered by the government, as well as programs and services that enhance residents’ quality of life.”

Besides lunch outings that Best takes part in, the bus recently funded by donations also allows for Providence residents to enjoy weekly excursion to local restaurants, shopping malls, tourist spots, and scenic drives through parks, tree-lined streets or neighbourhoods they might remember from their younger years.

Donations also enable Tapestry Foundation to foster a greater understanding of seniors’ health needs through geriatric research and education.

Often it’s also the little things that count and add meaning to life in residential care.

Tapestry Foundation funded attractive dishes to make mealtime more pleasant for its residents, and through its staff lottery, Providence hospitals host a variety of different activities aimed to engage residents. Recently, residents at Youville Residence enjoyed a visit by Pepper, a hefty French draft horse nicknamed the Gentle Giant. Pepper provided much-needed stimulation for its residents, many of whom live with acute dementia. They spent a few happy hours petting Pepper’s nose, holding his head and giving him kisses.

Larger donor funded projects, like a $350,000 garden upgrade at Brock Fahrni, also bring meaning to residents’ lives. “Like Alfred Best, many of the residents and their families love to get outside and walk around the beautiful garden space,” adds Adams.

“Our mission and goal is supporting the best care possible for seniors who helped build the communities where we live today,” says Adams, “And we’re grateful to all donors who share our vision.”

Resident Alfred Best and Tapestry Foundation CEO Ann Adams share a laugh on the garden path at St. Vincent’s: Brock Fahrni.

The impact Tapestry Foundation for Health Care has on the lives of seniors is truly invaluable.

604.806.9480 www.tapestryfoundation.ca

Plant your legacy today.

Be forever.

Find out how at vancouverfoundation.ca/give or call Kristin at 604.629.5186

A proud member of community foundations across Canada.

Find your local community foundation at communityfoundations.ca