Yorkton This Week | www.YorktonThisWeek.com | Wednesday, January 26, 2022
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just for
SENIORS Our Monthly Feature
...For Seniors and about Seniors
Crafting important outlet for seniors
Submitted Photos
Snowman
Wool painting
Submitted by Carol Bauman As I entered my golden years, I realized that they were more tarnished than golden. I am not alone. Many of us have health conditions that will not allow for long trips or even short excursions. If, like me, you have to change your expectations caused by declining health and mobility, depression can set into your life. When I finally decided that I would fight to overcome and that I would find activities that I still could accomplish, it was a new beginning. In the past, I had crocheted and when I picked up that crochet hook again, it was the best thing I ever did for myself. Creating an item that is functional, or a piece of art, lifted me up. Gifting these items and also selling some was rewarding. Just this morning I was listening along with my husband to his sports talk show where the host
explained how dopamine (a chemical in our bodies that is a natural antidepressant) is released when one plays sports. The exact same thing happens when we do a craft (or any activity) that brings us joy. Creating and engaging releases the dopamine into our system and we feel better about ourselves. Unfortunately, for many, our abilities change. Because of the arthritis in my wrist, I eventually could no longer tolerate the movement necessary for crochet-
ing. How I loved doing amigurumi which is creating stuffies like characters from tv or movies. I had boxes of scarves and toques. These too are now a part of my past. It happened in January, the hardest time of the year for many, and I was devastated and depressed. What was I contributing to life, to society? In April of that year my sister-inlaw stayed with us for 2 months while she took a course on different forms of art and creativity. The course explored
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the therapy in creating, and how she, as a pastor, could facilitate conversation with the seniors at her church while they explored activities. One day she showed me a ‘painting’ that was done with wool. It was a calm beach scene that had been tacked down with a needle! Let me tell you, my interest was piqued. I had never heard of Needle Felting before and by the time I had finished googling, I knew I
needed a new challenge. I ordered inexpensive wool with the intention of experimenting with wool. I had already watched videos on youtube and had a good idea of what had to be done. My first piece was a small mouse and I had a hoot frightening my sister-in-law. Wool fibre is like magic! Unspun wool fibre is the staple of felting. Each strand has little barbs on it that cannot be seen by the naked eye, yet when you
mix them together, they entangle with each other. But, when you use a very sharp needle with barbs, they really intertwine, and using this needle, you ‘sculpt’ the wool into your chosen subject. I, for example, love to make snowmen. I was so prolific in what I generated that I had to figure out what to do with them all since I wasn’t comfortable selling them. Many went for gifts to my friends. After Continued on page A10
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January 2022
CRAFTING Continued from page A9 all, what’s better than a little soft bundle of wool shaped like a bunny or a fox? I was further challenged by one of the online teachers who suggested we make small objects and leave them randomly, in a park perhaps, with a note explaining that they had found a piece of random kindness. I began to think about other ways I could share my work. Consistently I was seeing fundraisers for a helping agency called Walkabout Farm Therapeutic Riding Association. I set out to learn more and I became convinced that my little
sculptures should go there as a means to raise a little money. Progressively I made changes to what I designed, and today I make horses with the same colouring as those on the farm. The children and visitors love the little recreations of their favourite horse! Items that are felted are not limited to 3d. After one of Walkabout’s horses died at the farm - one of the most beloved - I did a painting. With this method I created an image of the horse on a piece of wool fabric and then coloured in all around finding just the right tint by blending colours, just as an oil painter would. This method is
equally rewarding and fun! I have also experimented with wet felting whereby you start with a piece of wool fabric and layer pieces of wool on top to make a design. Throughout this process you wet the wool (and you know that wool shrinks if you wash it) down carefully with a little soap and you massage it with your hands until the little barbs in the fibre start to clutch together. Then you roll it up with some plastic between and rock it back and forth with your hands. In the end you have a lovely piece of fibre. This method captivates me because it has so much potential. But it is stressful physically.
I urge you to take some time for yourself and consider what it is that you really enjoy doing. If it’s not within your physical ability, how could you do it in a different way to make it work? If, like me, your golden years appear tarnished, remember that gold does not tarnish. Pure gold rests within all of us and we just have to dust it off, appreciate its beauty (our beauty) and make it a priority to display it. If you are intrigued with needle felting, check out youtube and look for “Wooly Wednesdays” by Marie Spaulding. Let the dopamine experiment begin!
100-year-old veteran recalls the sacrifices of the Second World War By Sierra D’Souza Butts, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter (The World-Spectator – Moosomin) 100 year old veteran Gordon Jones of Moosomin is one of the few veterans from the Second World War that is still present with us today.
“There’s not many left of us now compared to what it used to be. I made a lot of real good buddies during that time,” veteran Jones says. “You can’t really describe it. You have to be really in it to understand the affects and stuff it has on you. It was certainly an experience.” He joined the army
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when he was 20 years old, along with two other men from the Wapella area. “I joined up right here in Moosomin on the fifth of June in 1942, I was still 20 years old. For a young country boy, I’ve never been further than Moosomin so it was quite an experience.” Jones’ is originally from the community of Wapella and belongs to the Whitewood Legion. He now lives in the Southeast Integrated Centre (SEICC) in Moosomin. During the Second World War, veteran Jones faced many battles. He was a machine gunner, operating a Bren machine gun. “I’m proud that I did my duty, a lot of people wanted to stay in Canada.
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I’m proud that I joined the military and did my part. I couldn’t sit back and watch my buddies go and not do my duty,” veteran Jones says. He says at the time there were a lot of young men who joined the military and they should be proud for serving their country. “A lot of young men at that time left Canada to go defend. If a person felt like there was not much for them in the area, then they would join the army. As a farm boy who was never away from the Prairies it was exciting but you never really know what it’s like away from home until you get into it.” After returning to Canada, veteran Jones says it took a while to adjust to civilian life. “It took quite a while for me to get back to civil life again. During the battle you get split up with friends. I don’t know of anyone now who is still around, the fighters that I know have passed on,” he says. “I made a lot of friendships during that time. If you made a friend in the army that was your friend for life. That was a hidden treasure, it wasn’t all bad.” Many of the medals Jones’ proudly wears on his chest represent the different campaigns he was part of, which took him through several countries. “We landed in England, and then we were in Italy for six months,” Jones says. “We went over to France,
Gordon Jones and from there I went to Germany. I was in Germany for the last three months as part of the occupation force. You don’t realize until you get into it what it’s all about. In Germany there was some night warfare, and at one point I couldn’t get back to my unit.” “It was a little difficult getting back to civilian life. The war affected people differently, there were some guys that were happy-go-lucky and some went the other way,” he says. “There’s not many of us left compared to what there was at the time. You can’t really describe it. You’re just a cog in a wheel. I did have a lot
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of trouble after the war, I could barely sleep. But as time went by things seemed to change. I’ve had a good life. He said serving as a soldier was a big part of his life, but it isn’t something he thinks back on every day. “I don’t even think about the war anymore, it’s all in the past. I’m just proud that I did my part, I served my country, I did what I could.” This Remembrance Day, with cold temperatures and high winds, Gordon Jones attended the Whitewood Remembrance Day Service, standing for the entire service through the bitter cold.
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Care at skilled nursing facilities is provided by trained registered nurses in a medical setting under the supervision of a doctor. AARP Medicare Plans describes this level of care as on par with the level of care patients would receive in a hospital. Nursing home care is provided largely by licensed practical nurses and nurse aids under the supervision of a registered nurse. Nursing home care tends to focus on custodial care, which emphasizes helping residents perform daily tasks like dressing, bathing and eating. Some facilities may offer both skilled nursing care as well as nursing home care. They may separate patients who need such types of care by designating certain floors or sections of the facility for patients with different needs.
Yorkton This Week | www.YorktonThisWeek.com | Wednesday, January 26, 2022
A11
just for SENIORS
January 2022
Older people can live longer in homes of their choice with practical Home Supports “I don’t know what we are going to do. Ralph had a terrible fall off a ladder a year ago. His foot and ankle are not healing properly, and he needs surgery,” lamented Jennifer, as she explained how life had changed. “Ralph loved yard maintenance and household repair. All we want is some regular help doing what he has always done but where can we get that? Our village doesn’t have anyone who is available to do the work and we can’t
afford the yard services company from the bigger town near us. We may only need help for a while. I can’t fill in for Ralph because I have neither the physical strength nor the skills.” Jennifer (age 73) and Ralph (age 74) live in a 35-year-old bungalow with a large yard. Just like Jennifer, Nancy (age 84) is looking for just the right kind of trusted help. She lives alone in a condo in the city. “I always thought I was quite capable of liv-
ing independently even though I don’t drive, but now it is difficult to arrange for anything from medical appointments to ordering groceries, paying bills or getting tickets,” she says. “Phone calls take hours and messages are often ignored. My kids tell me to just go on-line. It’s quick, easy and safe. My daughter visited me and tried to show me on my computer, but her fingers move so fast, and she talks just as fast and when I try to do the same thing later, my computer
Podcasts for seniors Podcasts are a modern form of entertainment similar to radio programs, but you don’t need to tune in at a set time to listen to them. Many seniors who enjoy talk radio have embraced podcasts, which offer a similar experience with far fewer advertisements. Here’s what you need to know about this form of entertainment:
Listen to them anywhere Podcasts are audio or video recordings that you can download or listen to online. You can enjoy them while driving, doing chores or sitting on the couch with a drink. If you want to listen to them in an area without a Wi-Fi connection, you’ll need to download episodes beforehand.
Access them for free The majority of pod-
casts are available for free, and you can get them through apps like Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify.
Choose any topic There are podcasts on virtually every topic. Once you enter the world of podcasts, you may not know where to turn as the options are seemingly endless. Here are some of the common subjects
covered by podcasts: • Animals • Art • Comedy • History • Literature • Philosophy • Politics • Science • Spirituality • Sports • Wine Podcasts can provide hours of entertainment, and they’re a great way to keep your mind active.
Ways to embrace your inner child
does whatever it wants – and it isn’t what I want! My smart phone seems smarter than I am. I need someone I can trust who will sit with me while I learn how to use this technology.” Jennifer, Ralph and Nancy are examples of the challenges older adults face as they age. Their health changes and the world changes around them. They may be living in the home and community of their choice but feel their independent living is being threatened. The last thing they want is to “end up in an old folks’ home.” Why should they? Data from other countries and places in North America show that providing organized practical supports that match the specific needs of older adults means they can live independently at home as they age. Although their capabilities may change over time, maintaining control
over what is meaningful in their lives preserves their dignity and wellbeing. Living independently and making choices provide significantly better outcomes for physical and mental health. What is more, the costs of providing home supports are much lower than institutional care – approximately one third according to real life examples from other countries. (https://www.myagedcare. gov.au/help-at-home/ home-care-packages Currently, ‘home care’ in Saskatchewan is focused on mainly medical needs – a model that provides some homebased care largely for when one has been hospitalized. Even those services are difficult to access and provide only minimal care for a short time. Home supports is a new and better model – an approach that invests in practical home supports for older adults who
are relatively healthy but may require mostly non-medical services, such as those Jennifer, Ralph and Nancy need. These services can be accessible for everyone if government invests in the model and provides a provincial framework and standards. Costs to individuals would be subsidized according to income. Municipalities are essential. Communities would benefit from the creation of jobs for those providing the services. Some services may be provided by volunteers who receive the rewards of seeing their skills being used and appreciated. Communities can keep their population base and be attractive places to live. Home Supports = Real options. Better Outcomes. Lower Costs. Visit the SSM website www.skseniorsmechanism.ca to learn more and call for Home Supports.
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Older adults benefit. Families benefit. Communities benefit.
Do you struggle to let loose and have fun? Is life weighing you down? Here are five ways to embrace your inner child and bring more joy and magic back into your life.
1. Have fun Make time every day to play and engage in fun activities. You could ride a bike, build a snowman, finger paint or explore the outdoors.
2. Revisit your childhood interests What did you enjoy doing as a child? Revisiting some of the activities you once loved can help you reconnect with a sense of wonder.
3. Be spontaneous Do you feel like eating your dessert before dinner or buying a bracelet that caught your eye in the jewelry store? Don’t overthink it — sometimes it’s good to be a little impulsive.
4. Let go of your inhibitions
Sing at the top of your lungs and dance like no one’s watching. Stop worrying about what others think and give yourself permission to be silly and have a good time.
5. Live in the moment Children aren’t worried about the future or
stuck in the past. They live their lives in the present. Put down your phone and be aware of the beauty all around you. Enjoy the moment. There are plenty of ways to recapture your childlike spirit. Spending more time around kids can also inspire you.
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just for SENIORS - IN PRINT AND ONLINE MONTHLY We want your feedback. Do you have a story idea or know a senior who should be highlighted? Contact us by phone 306-782-2465 or email sales@yorktonthisweek.com
OUR NEXT FEATURE - WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2022