August 2009 Senior Living Magazine Vancouver Edition

SPECIAL HOUSING EDITION

RetirementHome Trends

Vancouver’s 50+ Active Lifestyle Magazine

AUGUST 2009

AGING IN PLACE

A campus of Care.Maple Ridge Seniors Villageis a wonderfully well-appointed seniors facility, now more accessible than ever.

Opening this summer, Maple Ridge Seniors Village offers a complete‘Campus of Care’ to seniors and their families. This is comprised of Independent Living, Assisted Living and Complex Care designed so residents can ‘age in place’!

Get to Know Us!

Maple Ridge Seniors VillageFor more information please call Jane 604.764.8877 www.retirementconcepts.com

OpeningSummer’09Opening

Summer’09

R E T I R E M E N T L I V I N G B Y

enhancing lives.

www.reveraliving.com

RRBC

X-0

04

Life

styl

e Re

tirem

ent C

omm

unity

Man

aged

by

Reve

ra

Our residences offer a range of retirement living options to suit your unique tastes and needs. At Revera, your options may be endless, but your choice is easy.

Parkwood Manor 604-941-76511142 Dufferin St., Coquitlam

Whitecliff 604-538-722715501-16th Ave., Surrey

Crofton Manor 604-263-09212803 West 41st Ave., Vancouver

Fleetwood Villa 604-590-288916028-83rd Ave., Surrey

Hollyburn House 604-922-76162095 Marine Dr., West Vancouver

AUGUST 2009 1

MAGAZINE

AUGUST 2009

(Vancouver & Lower Mainland) is published by Stratis Publishing.

Other publications by Stratis Publishing:• Senior Living (Vancouver Island)• Senior Lifestyle: A Housing Guide for Vancouver Island PublisherBarbara RistoEditorBobbie Jo Reid [email protected] MantleAdvertising ManagerBarry Risto 250-479-4705Toll Free [email protected] Sales Staff RaeLeigh Buchanan 250-479-4705 Ann Lester 250-390-1805Mathieu Powell 250-589-7801Contact Information – Head Offi ceSenior Living Box 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave., Victoria BC V8T 2C1Phone 250-479-4705Toll-free 1-877-479-4705Fax 250-479-4808E-mail offi [email protected] www.seniorlivingmag.comSubscriptions: $32 (includes GST, postage and handling) for 12 issues. Canadian residents only.No portion of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without writ-ten permission from the publisher. Senior Living is an indepdendent publication and its articles imply no endoresement of any products or services. The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher. Unsolicited articles are welcome and should be e-mailed to [email protected] Senior Liv-ing Vancouver & Lower Mainland is distributed free in Vancouver, North & West Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Richmond, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Delta, Twawwassen, White Rock, Surrey, Cloverdale and Ladner. ISSN 1911-6373 (Print) ISSN 1991-6381 (Online)

Senior Living Vancouver is available at most Recreation Centres and Libraries in the following municipalities:

• VANCOUVER • BURNABY • NEW WESTMINSTER • WHITE ROCK • NORTH VANCOUVER • LADNER / TSAWWASSEN • PORT MOODY • COQUITLAM • PORT COQUITLAM • SURREY • RICHMOND • WEST VANCOUVER • LANGLEY

• ABBOTSFORD • PHARMASAVE STORES THROUGHOUT BC

Call 1-877-479-4705 for other locations.MAGAZINE

DEPARTMENTS27 Classifi eds28 Crossword31 BBB Scam Alert

COLUMNS 2 The Family Caregiver

by Barbara Small

9 Between Friends by Doreen Barber

10 Forever Young by William Thomas

29 Ask Goldie by Goldie Carlow

32 Refl ections: Then & Nowby Gipp Forster

SPECIAL HOUSING GUIDEFEATURES 4 Happy Together

7 The New World of Retirement

8 Retirement Home Trends

12 The Psychology of Moving

14 Senior-Focused Realtors

15 50+ Buyers Change Housing Trends

16 Walking Into San Francisco’s Golden Past

22 Assisted Living Residences

23 Aids to Daily Living

24 Somewhere to Sleep

26 Complex Care Residences

26 Campus of Care Residences

27 Adapting Your Home

2 SENIOR LIVING VANCOUVER & LOWER MAINLAND

pay someone to do the housekeeping, gardening or shopping.

5. Prioritize. Help your caregiver determine which tasks are unnecessary or less important. Family caregivers often want to do it all and may need “permission” to let go of tasks without feeling they are failing you.

6. Give the gift of relaxation. Treat your caregiver to a manicure, massage or other relaxing pleasure with a gift certificate. If finances are a concern, ask family members and friends to chip in.

7. Finally, have some fun and laugh together. Spend some time to-gether that does not revolve around caregiving. If able, attend a play to-gether or arrange for dinner to be de-livered, stay home and watch a movie.

Taking time to show your appre-ciation to your caregiver can help him or her stay strong, healthy, and better able to care for you for as long as is needed.

Next month: Help at Home: Re-sources to Assist Family Caregivers

THE FAMILY

CAREGIVERTaking Care ofYour Caregiver

Barbara Small is the Program Development Coordinator for Family Caregivers’ Network Society located in Victoria, BC. www.familycaregiversnetwork.org

BY BARBARA SMALL

SL

Although family caregivers are good at taking care of others, they are not always

good at taking care of themselves. As the demands for caregiving increase, their own needs often get pushed aside. Caregivers can quickly become ex-hausted, overwhelmed and burnt out. Some signs that caregivers need some caregiving themselves are exhaustion, irritability, insomnia, hostility, tear-fulness and resentment. Before this happens, it is important that caregiv-ers take time to relax and rejuvenate. As the person receiving care, you can give back to your caregiver by encour-aging him or her to take some time to replenish energy or arrange for others to pitch in and help. Below are some suggestions:

1. Acknowledge your caregiver’s hard work with verbal appreciation. They may respond initially by saying, “It’s nothing really” or “No problem.” For many people, it is difficult to ac-cept compliments. However, if the person giving the compliment keeps hearing disclaimers, he or she may stop expressing appreciation. A simple recognition of one’s time and effort is enough to make a caregiver feel appre-

ciated. You could say to them, “I want to acknowledge you. Thank you for doing all that you do for me.”

2. Encourage your caregiver

to attend a support group. Although friends and family can be supportive, opening up and sharing feelings with strangers can often be easier, espe-cially strangers who can relate to the situation. Both in-person and on-line support options are listed on the FCNS website at www.familycaregiversnet-work.org or in the Network News newsletter.

3. Share the care by co-ordinat-ing with family and friends to take some duties off the caregiver’s hands. If everyone takes one task, the impact can be huge. Arrange for someone to relieve your caregiver for extended periods. Set this up on a regular basis. It will give the caregiver something to look forward to.

4. Arrange for help with er-rands and chores. Often the regular household chores and daily errands get pushed aside by the more essential re-quirements of caregiving. Arrange for others to help with these or, if possible,

Check out the Business Directory on the Senior Living websitewww.seniorlivingmag.com

Information and access to a variety of businesses and organizations whose appreciated customers include the 50+ consumer.

VICTORIA AND AREA

PLANNED GIVING

SALVATION ARMY

777 FORT ST., VICTORIA BC V8W 1G9

Ph (250)386-3366

www.salvationarmy.com

Beat Low Interest Rates on your retirement income. Consider a Charitable Gift

Annuity with Salvation Army. Guaranteed payment for life (largely or entirely tax

free). 20% donation receipt. RRSP & RIF buys - now profitable.

GREATER VICTORIA ELDERCARE

FOUNDATION

XXX SSSSS CCCC

Ph (250)370-5661

www.gvef.org

Beat Low Interest Rates on your retirement income. Consider a Charitable Gift An

nuity with Salvation Army. Guaranteed payment for life (largely or entirely tax free).

20% donation receipt. RRSP & RIF buys - now profitable.

VICTORIA CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC

900 JOHNSON ST., VICTORIA BC

Ph (250)386-5311 EXT. 211

www.vcm.bc.ca

Your special contribution will receive tax benefits on Cash and Pledged Gifts, Pub

licly Traded Securities, Charitable Remainder Trusts, RRSP Proceeds, Life Insur

ance Gifts, Gift Annuities, Bequests through a Will, Real Estate.

[CLICK HERE FOR MAP]

[CLICK HERE TO VISIT WEBSITE]





MAGAZINE

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Senior-Focused Businesses & Organizations

HOME I WHAT IS THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY I BUSINESS APPLICATION l CONTACT SENIOR LIVING

SUBMIT

ALL

ALL

AUGUST 2009 3

��Visit

www.seniorlivingmag.com/discussion

Share your opinions, views & comments

Senior Living invites you to join the on-line discussion. Choose your topic, share your

opinion, comment on the opinions of others...

Stay in touch!

If you thought Senior Living was just a magazine, you will be surprised to find out that it is much more than that.

Senior Living is actually TWO magazines - one is published for Vancouver Island residents, the other for readers on the Lower Mainland. Some articles are the same in both maga-zines, but most are different, since Senior Living shapes its content to its readers. For example, in the Vancouver Island version, you will find articles about people who live on the is-land; in the Vancouver version, the articles will be about Lower Mainland residents.

Of course, if you want to read about what’s happen-ing “across the pond”, all you have to do is go online at www.seniorlivingmag.com to find full versions of both maga-zines.

Senior Living has also published several books, including the very popular “To Move or Not to Move”, a helpful 128-page guide for seniors considering their future housing options.

This book provides an extensive amount of information about the housing alternatives that are available. It discusses everything from staying in your own home, to finding a residen-tial solution that fully meets your particular needs. It presents the ins and outs of independent, assisted living, and complex care residences and gives you a list of questions to consider when viewing a potential residence. For a list of the contents (or to order) visit the Senior Living online Bookstore.

Vancouver Island residents have had the opportunity for the last four years of attending a one-day event called the “50+ Ac-tive Living Celebration”. This event, founded by Senior Liv-ing in March 2006, offers over 50 displays by active people over the age of 50, demonstrating their favorite hobbies and pastimes. About an equal number of senior-focused businesses support this event. A stage with all day entertainment and an appetizing café round out the event.

Senior Living also e-mails a monthly newsletter to subscrib-ers. It’s free – all it takes is a minute to sign up on the Senior Living website. The newsletter contains articles on successful retirement, recipes, gardening and travel tips, Sudoku puzzles, videos, humor, etc. It’s a little different from our magazine in focus - to get a taste, you can view back issues on our website.

We invite you to visit www.seniorlivingmag.com where you will find some offerings that can only be provided through a vehicle such as the wide world web. It’s a work in progress, so look for ongoing changes and additions.

As an example of one of the most recent additions to our website, check out the new Discussion Forum, where readers can create their own discussions with other visitors. If you would like to discuss an issue or point of view, post your com-ment to this forum. We hope this will become a community

More Than Just a Magazinefocal point for our readers to exchange information and enjoy the interaction with other visitors.

We’ve also recently added the capability for website visitors to comment on recent articles posted. If you’ve enjoyed a par-ticular article in our magazine or have something to say about it, find the article online and post your comment for others to read.

And don’t forget to check out our website’s video section. Just this week, we added a video clip sent in by one of our readers about her recent zip-lining adventure in Fiji. If you have a video you’d like to share with other readers, send us an email with a descrip-tion of its content. If it’s a match for our site, we will gladly add it to our growing inventory of videos.

As you can see, Senior Living truly is more than just a magazine.

Senior Living on-line: www.seniorlivingmag.com

BY BARBARA RISTO, PUBLISHER


Happy TogetherThe third time was the charm.

Twice before, the lives of Marion McGee and Dor-

othy Furness had intersected and, while friendships were forged, circumstances would conspire to pull the friends apart until the day of a chance meeting in a New Westminster Safeway store. Mari-on had recently moved to an apartment in the neighbourhood in order to be near the George Derby Centre, where her ailing husband Bert was receiving care in his fi nal months. While walk-ing up an aisle, Marion was delighted

and surprised to run into her old friend Dorothy.

“This was not my regular Safeway,” says Dorothy, “but on this particular day it was on my route, and I decided to stop to pick up a few things. I was delighted to see Marion. We were delighted to see each other. And we have stayed in close touch ever since that day.”

The friends grew up in vastly differ-ent circumstances.

Dorothy, the youngest of three chil-dren, was raised in the Okanagan town of Summerland. After attending busi-

ness school in Penticton for one year, she found clerical work at the Domin-ion Experimental Station in Summer-land, where the Federal Government conducted experiments and research on various types of foods, including fruits, vegetables and some animals.

“This was a fascinating place to work,” says Dorothy. “There was a lot of very important work going on. They were always working on developing new strains and varieties.”

But after fi ve years on the job, Dor-othy took a position at the Summerland

BY KEVIN MCKAY

Long-time friends Dorothy Furness (left) and Marion McGree (right) take a trip

down memory lane.

AUGUST 2009 5

»

Happy Together

Medical Clinic, which eventually led to similar work at a big medical clinic in Victoria.

“I lived in the Craigmyle guest home, which is in the shadows of Craigdarroch Castle. I entered into a whole new phase of my life, meeting new people and learn-ing how to live away from my family,” she says. “This was a boarding house with about 30 people living there, a nice mix of older and younger people. I had my own private room and there were common ar-eas for meals and to socialize.”

It was while living here that Dorothy made history as one of the survivors of a plane crash! On December 24, 1950, a small CP Air plane, on its way to Pen-ticton, crashed almost without warning on Okanagan Mountain. The pilot was killed instantly and the co-pilot suc-cumbed to his injuries the next day, while the stewardess and 15 passengers all survived, none of them with serious injuries. Dorothy remembers, “This was the fi rst air crash in the world in which both pilots died and all the passengers survived.”

Marion, on the other hand, was the oldest of seven children. She was born in Calgary but moved to Vancouver when she was six, travelling all the way with her parents and younger siblings in a Model T Ford. The depression years were very tough on Marion and her family. Though her dad did fi nd work as a grocer clerk at Eatons, the family struggled to pay the rent, so were constantly on the move. “I attended seven different schools from Grades 1 to 7,” she says. “My mother was never too well, which meant lots of work for me. I made a vow that I would never have any children of my own. Because my mother was always sick and in bed, I be-came a full-time babysitter by the age of 11. My job was to look after the baby.”

When Marion was 13, her father in-formed her he had found her a job bussing and waitressing at the Trocadero Restau-rant on Hastings Street.

“My father had some idea I would be-come a restaurant owner,” she says. “This was a big blow to me as I had only one interest, and that was to become a nurse. I had watched the members of the Victoria

Reflections,Reflections,��

�

and Other Breakfast Foods

A Collection of Published & Unpublished Writings

by Senior Living Columnist Gipp ForsterMAGAZINE

Limited Edition

A collection of Gipp Forster’s published columns in Senior Living magazine, with other unpublished writings thrown in for good measure. A unique blend of humor and nostalgia, Gipp’s writings touch your heart in such an irresistible way, you will want to buy not only a copy for yourself, but as a wonderful gift for friends and family members.

128 pages Softcover • Published by Senior LivingPrice: $14.95

Name___________________________________________________________Address_________________________________________________________City____________________________________________ Prov ___________Postal Code_______________ Phone _________________________________Email ___________________________________________________________

____ BOOKS @ $14.95 each = $____________SHIPPING (FIRST BOOK $3.95; ADD’L BOOKS $1.95 EACH) = $____________ SUBTOTAL = $____________ GST (5% on above SUBTOTAL) = $____________ TOTAL = $_______________ CHEQUE (make payable to Senior Living)___ CREDIT CARD ____VISA ____MC CARD NUMBER ______________________________ EXPIRY DATE ________________ NAME ON CARD _____________________________

Limited Edition!!

“Refl ections” MAIL-IN ORDER FORM

Refl ections, Rejections, and Other Breakfast Foods

Please allow two weeks for shipping.

Mail to: Gipp Forster Book Offer c/o Senior Living Box 153, 1581–H Hillside Ave., Victoria BC V8T 2C1

Order of Nurses look after my mother, and I really appreciated what they did. I wanted to do that myself.”

After working at several jobs over her teenage years, Marion wound up working at St. Paul’s Hospital as a nurse’s aide. The Sister in charge of the fl oor told Marion she wasting her time, and suggested she go back and get her Grade 12. By 1946, Marion had graduated from Little Flower Acad-emy High School and from there, she attended Nursing School at St. Paul’s,

graduating in 1949. For her fi rst nursing job, she accept-

ed a post at Summerland General Hos-pital where she met Dorothy for the fi rst time. Marion only stayed for one year, but she says, “All the nurses there were treated very well. We were all invited out by members of the entire commu-nity to dinners, picnics and other social events. I must have met just about eve-rybody in town.”

At the Victoria boarding house, Dorothy met her future husband, Tom

Long-time friends Dorothy Furness (left) and Marion McGree (right) take a trip

down memory lane.


Furness. He worked as a statistician for the Provincial Gov-ernment in Victoria after receiving his commerce degree, and soon left to establish himself in Vancouver before invit-ing Dorothy over so they could become married. Not long after, Tom went back to Normal School in order to follow his passion of becoming a teacher. Once he had his papers, Tom was hired by the Burnaby School District and worked for a number of schools over the years, eventually rising to principal of Second Street School. While he did this, Dor-othy worked for a couple of years as a stenographer until her daughters came along in 1954 and 1957.

“Both of my daughters became world travellers,” she says. “My Linda and Nancy lived my dream of travelling. I became a world traveller as well, starting with Elderhostel.”

Following her year in Summerland, Marion applied for postgraduate studies in Pediatrics and was accepted at Chil-dren’s Memorial Hospital in Montreal. Here she met Bert McGee, the man she would soon marry. He was graduating from McGill with a commerce degree, but after some unen-joyable jobs, he decided to apply to UBC to get his education degree. By then, he and Marion had two small children, so the whole family moved into off-campus housing.

Bert’s first teaching job was at McPherson Park. The school had occasion for the teachers to get together socially, and Bert could hardly wait to introduce Marion to his new buddy, Tom. This was the second time the women’s lives crossed, and Marion and Dorothy were pleasantly surprised to see a familiar face.

“We were just so delighted to meet each other again,” says Dorothy. “It was a wonderful moment.”

“After that meeting, we became such good friends,” says Marion. “We would visit at each other’s homes, go for din-ners and outings. Our families got to know each other. We even discovered that we had both been married on September 1, one year apart, so we often celebrated our wedding anni-versaries together.”

Eventually, the two families drifted apart when new jobs at different schools meant they didn’t see each other as much.

And things stayed that way until the chance meeting at Safeway. By then, Dorothy’s husband had long passed away,

Walk in BathtubsSince 1992

ORCA HEALTH CARE SUPPLIES Ph: (604) 312-7316 [email protected] www.orcahealthcare.comORCA HEALTH CARE SUPPLIES Ph: (604) 312-7316 [email protected] www.orcahealthcare.com

Contact your local dealer:

As we age, one of the most common problems preventing us from remaining in our own home is the inability to bathe independently and safely.Safety Bath Inc. recognizes that your needs are changing and has designed several walk in bathtub models to enable you to enjoy the independence to which you have become accustomed.• Door Insert Conversion Kits • Safety Seats • Space-saving walk in bathtubs • Institutional walk in tubs • Regular sized bathtubs with accessible entry doors

Walk in Bath & Walk in Shower Op�ons for SeniorsWalk in Bath & Walk in Shower Op�ons for Seniors

Marion’s husband would follow soon after, and all the chil-dren – Dorothy’s pair and Marion’s four – had grown up and moved out.

The two women stayed in touch this time, forging even stronger bonds of friendship than before. Dorothy introduced Marion to Century House, a seniors’ centre in New Westmin-ster and they started to go on trips, dinners and outings. The two also discovered a passion for learning. Together, they signed up for a series of courses at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. They attended the lectures and would then dis-cuss what they had learned over dinner, comparing notes and discovering they did not always agree on every point.

Despite these occasional divergent viewpoints, both were in total unison on what their friendship meant to them.

“We both appreciate each other so much,” says Marion. “Dorothy is like a sister to me. We can chat over anything, including things that are personal, and we both know it will never go any further.”

Over their lifetimes, both women had lived in a variety of homes, apartments and other dwelling places, so when they saw that a new assisted living complex was being built in New Westminster they both put their names in.

“At the time, we decided we weren’t ready so we took our names back off,” says Marion. “A year later, we were ready and after a short wait I moved in during October 2008.”

Two months later, Dorothy moved in. “I just love it here,” she says. “You meet the most wonderful people and get to know them and their stories. The staff here [are] just great. We have meetings to see if there are any complaints, but the meetings never last long. I am on the fourth floor and Marion is on the ground floor, which works out very well for us. We keep in touch but we both allow each other our own space. It’s a wonderful set up.”

Marion agrees. “I love being here. I still have my inde-pendence, which is important to me, but if I want to connect to a larger community, I just have to open the door and go down the hall. I had lots of experience with moving in my life, and I hate moving. This is my home now.”

After life’s long journey, these two friends can finally say they have both arrived together at home. SL

AUGUST 2009 7

The face of retirement liv-ing has changed dramati-cally. No longer does

growing older mean living out your senior years in a rocking chair, being cared for by your children.

Today, retirement living means many things to many people, and more and more private and public care facilities are re-directing their programs to support an active, aging population.

Whether you’re just entering your retirement years or have been retired for awhile, the range of housing op-tions that best suit your social and medical needs is vastly expanding.

If you have good health, but are tiring of day-to-day chores and upkeep that comes with owning a house, a multitude of Independ-ent / Supportive Living housing residences are popping up all over the province, offering a wide range of accommodation and hospitality services, such as meals and house-keeping.

If your health is moderate and you need a little extra assistance per-forming daily tasks, like grooming or getting in and out of bed, a new level of housing care called Assisted Living is also available.

And if you are having diffi culty directing your own care due to de-grading health, Complex Care (Residential) housing options exist to help relieve you and your loved ones from the burdens of daily car-egiving.

No matter what your housing or care needs, British Columbia has something for almost everyone moving into retirement. And seniors of all ages are fi nding that senior residences are helping to improve their quality of life.

The New World

of Retirement

A sure sign someonehas visited Amica.

If you're considering moving from an

empty nest to a fuller life, a visit to Amica

may prompt a call to your realtor. Because

here you'll have all the comforts of home

with none of the hassles. Professional chefs

will cook your 5-star meals in a resort-

class kitchen, while you enjoy an endless

range of activities making your mature

years your best; filled with adventure, fun

and friends. Amica. You'll be sold.

Visit anAmica Community

near you!Call to arrange

your personal tour.

Mainland Communities

Amica at ArbutusManor2125 Eddington DriveVancouver, BC V6L 3A9604.736.8936

Amica at Mayfair2267 Kelly AvenuePort Coquitlam, BC V3C 6N4604.552.5552

Amica at RideauManor1850 Rosser AvenueBurnaby, BC V5C 5E1604.291.1792

Amica at WestVancouver659 Clyde AvenueWest Vancouver, BC V7T 1C8604.921.9181

Island Communities

Amica at BeechwoodVillage2315 Mills RoadSidney, BC V8L 5W6250.655.0849

Amica at Douglas House50 Douglas StreetVictoria, BC V8V 2N8250.383.6258

Amica at Somerset House540 Dallas RoadVictoria, BC V8V 4X9250.380.9121

• Luxury Independent Rental Retirement Living• All Inclusive • Full Service Fine Dining

• Wellness & Vitality™ Programs• 24-Hour Concierge • Resort-Inspired Amenities

www.amica.ca09-0161

09-0161 WR Sure Sign - SeniorLiving:Ad 2/12/09 1:32 PM Page 1

Travelling soon?

Consult our travel health specialists before leaving home.

LANGLEY#105 - 9292-200th St.Langley, BC V1M 2A6(604)534-5588

SOUTH SURREY#107 - 1959 152nd St.S. Surrey, BC V4A 9E3(604)541-2829

BURNABY#202 - 7885 6th St.Burnaby, BC V3N 3N4(604)517-5556

www.doctortravel.ca

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL HEALTH & VACCINATION CLINIC

We offer full travel health advice and vaccine coverage for your travel protection.We also provide full adult vaccine coverage, including pneumonia, shingles vaccine, flu,Tetanus, among others.

8 SENIOR LIVING VANCOUVER & LOWER MAINLAND8 SENIOR LIVING VANCOUVER & LOWER MAINLAND


We consulted with the ex-perts to compile a list of retirement home trends.

Here are some of the most important factors affecting the senior housing in-dustry today:

• High-end luxury seniors’ resi-dences and communities offer a vast choice of amenities: spas and state-of-the-art fi tness clubs, bowling alleys and putting greens, beauty salons, art studios, Internet lounges and gourmet dining

• Increased demand for more varied recreational and social activities

• Expensive two-bedroom suites have the lowest vacancy rates, sug-gesting luxury is in demand

• “Customer-centric” is the mantra of today’s retirement home industry

• Ownership is viewed as an option to rental facilities, with growing inter-est in retirement condo ownership and life-lease

• Active seniors join retirement communities at a younger age

• Seniors are retiring to cottage coun-try and eventually move into a retire-ment residence there (compared with Ontario as a whole, a higher percentage of the age 75 and over population in ar-eas like Muskoka and Simcoe County are living in retirement residences)

• Meeting the needs of active seniors as well as those needing more care, al-lowing resident greater opportunity to age in place

• Broader range of health services with more health-care support than in the past

• Developers planning and building retirement residences and communi-ties today, anticipating the amenities and services that will be in demand in 10 to 15 years

• However, most of the luxurious residences being built today will be mid-range in 20 years from now when baby boomers, with their sky-is-the-

limit standards, are seeking ac-

commodations

The Future of Retirement Homes in North America:

Destination retirement communi-ties, with people from across the coun-try gravitating to these purpose-built, expansive communities where resi-dents can age in place. More choices, including condominiums, townhouses, and bungalows, arranged in small and large settings will cater to increas-ing consumer expectation and market demands. Larger suites in retirement residences and more varied and lavish amenities and services will be avail-able, like home theatre in every suite. Also, a greater range of innovative pro-gramming, including opportunities for

continuing education.

Present and future developments in senior housing in North America

SL

Between FriendsREASON

SL

BY DOREEN BARBER

Questioning the perception of our mind’s abil-ity to discern extraordinary happenings will be debated long after those of us now living have

departed this life. To allow the intuitive side or a gut reaction to navigate

this life for some would be insanity. The intellectual side of our brain is like an invisible entity wanting to orches-trate our every thought because it is rational, lucid, and balanced or so it would seem on fi rst impression.

The two different approaches to decision making do not seem to be connected. They battle for control of our thoughts and emotions, some-what like handling a bomb that is armed and ready to explode.

“Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are all so re-markable for their apparent disinclination to do so.”

–Douglas Adams

Some of us have highly developed right brain hemi-spheres, while others are left-brain dominant. The right brain uses imagination, feelings, philosophy and religion, and presents possibilities, etc. The left brain uses logic, is detail-oriented, has ordered facts, rules, and is practical and safe.

“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.” –Albert Einstein

Where does reason fi t in these spheres? Reason is main-ly a left brain function.

Common sense is not that common. If we were to ask an adult driver if it is reasonable to drink and drive, the re-sponse would likely vary depending on the individual’s be-

havioural habits and background. Is it reasonable to say a Canada

goose is Canadian? Yes, according to a comment I heard recently made on a U.S. television station.

As children, we learned a set of values based on age appropriate ra-tionale. As adults, a new set of prin-ciples must have evolved or ration-ale would not mature.

“An explanation of cause is not a justifi cation by rea-son.” –C.S. Lewis

Reason is gained from trial and error or experience. It

is an activity that could be listed as a skill. Sound judg-ment and the ironing out of life’s wrinkles are sometimes gained personally and, at other times, because of input from others.

For some people, reason comes as a gift, for others, it takes considerable effort.

To allow the intuitive side or a gut reaction to navigate this life for some

would be insanity.

continuing education. SL

AUGUST 2009 9


Between FriendsREASON

SL

BY DOREEN BARBER

Questioning the perception of our mind’s abil-ity to discern extraordinary happenings will be debated long after those of us now living have

departed this life. To allow the intuitive side or a gut reaction to navigate

this life for some would be insanity. The intellectual side of our brain is like an invisible entity wanting to orches-trate our every thought because it is rational, lucid, and balanced or so it would seem on fi rst impression.

The two different approaches to decision making do not seem to be connected. They battle for control of our thoughts and emotions, some-what like handling a bomb that is armed and ready to explode.

“Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are all so re-markable for their apparent disinclination to do so.”

–Douglas Adams

Some of us have highly developed right brain hemi-spheres, while others are left-brain dominant. The right brain uses imagination, feelings, philosophy and religion, and presents possibilities, etc. The left brain uses logic, is detail-oriented, has ordered facts, rules, and is practical and safe.

“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.” –Albert Einstein

Where does reason fi t in these spheres? Reason is main-ly a left brain function.

Common sense is not that common. If we were to ask an adult driver if it is reasonable to drink and drive, the re-sponse would likely vary depending on the individual’s be-

havioural habits and background. Is it reasonable to say a Canada

goose is Canadian? Yes, according to a comment I heard recently made on a U.S. television station.

As children, we learned a set of values based on age appropriate ra-tionale. As adults, a new set of prin-ciples must have evolved or ration-ale would not mature.

“An explanation of cause is not a justifi cation by rea-son.” –C.S. Lewis

Reason is gained from trial and error or experience. It

is an activity that could be listed as a skill. Sound judg-ment and the ironing out of life’s wrinkles are sometimes gained personally and, at other times, because of input from others.

For some people, reason comes as a gift, for others, it takes considerable effort.

To allow the intuitive side or a gut reaction to navigate this life for some

would be insanity.


FOREVER

William Thomas is the author of nine books of humour including Margaret and Me about his wee Irish mother. www.williamthomas.ca

Parrots – Comedians of the Pet World

BY WILLIAM THOMAS

SL

A plucky parrot in El Salva-dor broke up a gang of rob-bers and handed them over

to police. Thieves had broken into his residence in the capital of San Salva-dor and fl ed with valuables including the parrot. When police in a routine check stopped the getaway car, Paqui-ta began squawking: “Robbery! Rob-bery!” These were the exact words spoken by Paquita’s owner when the thieves broke in. Suspicious, police checked the trunk and found the rest of the loot. That arrest led them to other members of the organized theft ring. Paquita made the front page of all the country’s newspapers.

All pet lovers claim their cats and dogs talk to them but how many of our four-footed friends can name 100 objects and understand the concept of categories, size and absence. Alex could.

As documented in her book Alex & Me, Irene Pepperberg’s 30-year research project with the brainy Afri-can grey parrot is amazing. By add-ing numbers, differentiating shapes, colours and textures Alex may have come closer to exhibiting human in-telligence than any other animal on earth. He was also a rascal, who en-joyed dancing and needling his han-dler.

If Pepperberg happened to greet another parrot in the laboratory fi rst, Alex would sulk all day, refuse to co-operate and become very demanding.

One such day, Alex demanded a nut and Pepperberg ignored him. Even af-

ter decades of interplay with the par-rot, she was stunned to hear him say: “Want a nut. Nnn-uh-tuh.” Like, do I have to spell this out for you, Science Lady?

The Guardian described Alex as “smarter than the average U.S. presi-dent.” An unfortunate and wholly un-necessary word – “average.”

Winston Churchill’s parrot was not nearly as smart as Alex, but was twice as surly. Although disputed by the prime minister’s relatives, Peter Oram claims he inherited the 104-year-old bird from his father-in-law, who fi rst sold the par-rot to Churchill and then took him back when the British legend died in 1965. Old and cranky, “Charlie” is the resi-dent celebrity at Oram’s garden centre in Surrey, England. Claiming Church-ill taught him the words, Oram says that when Charlie is startled out of his sleep, he immediately screams: “Screw Hitler! Screw the Nazis!” Whether or not “Charlie” once belonged to him, Churchill would be heartily amused.

Any bird that speaks like a person is a natural source of fanciful anecdotes. Like the preacher purchasing a parrot at the pet shop.

“Doesn’t scream or curse, does he?”

“Not at all. He’s a pious parrot. Pull that string attached to his right leg and he recites the Lord’s prayer. Pull that string attached to his left leg and he re-tells the story of Job.”

“What happens if I pull both strings at once?”

“I fall off my perch, you @#%8*/!”

replied the parrot.No pet has spawned more jokes

than the talking parrot. Like the one about the frustrated magician work-ing on a cruise ship in the Caribbean. With a different audience each night, the magician was able to do the same tricks repeatedly. One problem: the captain’s parrot fl ew around the room during the shows and understanding how the magician worked, heckled him.

“Look, it’s not the same hat. Not the same hat.”

“Look, he is hiding the fl owers un-der the table. Under the table.”

“All the cards are the Ace of Spades!”

The magician wanted to strangle the bird but he couldn’t. It was the captain’s parrot. At the end of a show, just as the magician was going to make himself disappear in a puff of smoke, the ship hit an iceberg and went to the bottom in seconds. There were only two survivors – the magician and the parrot sharing a piece of a lifeboat. They stared at each other with hate, but did not utter a word. This went on for a day and another and another. Af-ter a week, just as the magician was about to lapse into unconsciousness, the parrot nodded at him and said: “OK, I give up. What did you do with the boat?”

AUGUST 2009 11

WEBSITEWEBSITE100s OF ARTICLES • CURRENT & ARCHIVED MAGAZINES • BOOKSTORE • SENIOR HOUS-ING INFO • SENIOR FOCUSED BUSINESSES

READERS NEWSLETTERSign up today on our website to receive our monthly e-newsletter - articles on successful retirement, special offers, upcoming events, recipes, travel tips, computer tips... something different every month!

www.seniorlivingmag.com

Read Us ON-LINE

“Ask the Professional” Professionals post articles on our website for the benefit of our readers. Health, Travel, Investments, Dentistry, etc.

Videos THIS MONTH FEATURE - Ziplining GrandmaDo YOU have a video of an event, a trip, interesting scenery that you’d like to share with our readers? We want to post as many interesting videos as pos-sible on our website... Send us an email with details -- [email protected]

Our new technology allows you to virtually turn the pages of your favorite senior maga-zine page by page, just like a regular magazine. Latest issues, as well as archived magazines.

NEW - Discussion ForumInteractive and current - find out what other readers are thinking. Post your views and comments.NEW - Events ListingsFind out what’s happening in your com-munity at the click of a button. Post your community event for FREE.

What interests YOU?Email us at [email protected] and let us know what YOU would like to see on our website.

Do you get Senior Living’s monthly Newsle�er?

Sign up today by visi�ng our website at www.seniorlivingmag.com

Each month, we email signed-up members our latest newsle�er containing:

• inspiring ar�cles on successful re�rement• seasonal recipes • computer, gardening and travel �ps

• a new Sudoku puzzle every month• updates on changes to our magazine or website

• surveys to secure your input • contests to enter for prizes• lists of our most recent senior-focused adver�sers

• lists of our most recent advice ar�cles on our website.• access to interes�ng websites and online videos

Senior Living con�nues to develop more ways to stay in touch with our loyal readers. Join our rapidly growing newsle�er membership today.

��Newsletter for Senior Living Readers

APRIL 2009

��

GARDENING TIPS FOR APRIL(POST WINTER)

Herbal Remedies For Anxiety

COOL WEBSITES TO VISIT

YOUR HEALTH - Herbal Remedies For Anxiety And StressThis has something on wellness, health, may be pharma-ceuticals, cosmetics, herbal options, etc. Put article on website to track[READ MORE]

HOME REPAIRS (POST-WINTER)We will do a section that’s related to home renovations, repairs, etc. Handyman tips, etc. We will put these articles on our website to track them.[READ MORE]

HOW FULL IS YOUR LIFE?This is an inspirational, motivational article designed to be uplifting but thoughtful at the same time. We will put this article on our website to track it.[READ MORE]

YOU’LL WANNA SEE THIS!Something really extraordinary -- like the sand on the ocean, or this month, a car that plunges over an embank-ment in Arizona missing a drop into a ravine by inches.[READ MORE]

COOL WEBSITES TO VISIT (in addition to ours!)Will find interesting places readers can go on the web -- starting with www.iserenity.com and www.howisitmade.com

A CHANCE TO WIN ANDRE RIEU CD OR DVDNo entry necessary - this month every newsletter recipi-ent will be entered in the draw for several CDs and DVDs. More details about prizes. Draw date: April 15/09

TRAVEL ARTICLEWe have an article to put in this issue - RB [READ MORE]

Designed to Inspire, Entertain and Inform.

ADVERTISE HERESize??

ADVERTISE HERE

Size??

FREE LAUGHS

Can write a joke here.

Can we put a link to a pop-up cartoon (pdf), or a link to a funny video on our website?

SUDOKU OF THE MONTH

WEBSITE EXPANSIONThis month you will see some inter-esting INTERACTIVE additions to our website. We will be adding an EVENTS section, where the com-munity can post information about upcoming events. We will also be adding a “social” component called “SPEAK OUT” where visitors can post articles and comments.

A FRESH LOOK to our Readers Newsletter. Tell us what you think...

“ASK A PROFESSIONAL”

RECIPE OF THE MONTHGARDEN TIPS FOR APRIL

ASK A PROFESSIONAL

New articles posted this month:

Article 1 by Advertiser AArticle 2 by Advertiser BArticle 3 by Advertiser CArticle 4 by Advertiser D

WELCOME NEW ADVERTISERES

We welcome these new businesses to Senior Living. It’s because of their sup-port that we can bring you this maga-zine every month. We encourage you, the reader, to let them know through YOUR patronage of their business that you appreciate them as well.

Advertiser AAdvertiser BAdvertiser CAdvertiser D

TITLEThis will be something inspirational, like the Tiger Woods blurb on the Business Newsletter. Blah, Blah, blah....And that’s how I look at my life. I will be better as a golfer, I will be better as a person, I will be better as a father, I will be a better husband, I will be better as a friend. That’s the beauty of tomorrow. There is no such thing as a setback. The lessons I learn today I will ap-ply tomorrow, and I will be better.” -Tiger Woods

TITLEAnother inspiring blurb....personal growth, etc. “If you think of the story of David and Goliath, Goliath is the problem you have currently in front of you. David needed only one slingshot and felled his problem. Then he got to go onto other problems. The point is that each one of us needs to focus that magnifying glass of attention on one specific thing, solve it, then go to the next thing.” - Mark Victor Hansen

My intention is to live forever. So far, so good!

QUICK LINKS APRIL ISSUE BUSINESS DIRECTORY EVENTS BOOKSTORE ASK A PROFESSIONAL SPEAK OUT COMPUTER TUTOR

��Newsletter for Senior Living Readers

APRIL 2009

��

GARDENING TIPS FOR APRIL(POST WINTER)

Herbal Remedies For Anxiety

COOL WEBSITES TO VISIT

YOUR HEALTH - Herbal Remedies For Anxiety And StressThis has something on wellness, health, may be pharma-ceuticals, cosmetics, herbal options, etc. Put article on website to track[READ MORE]

HOME REPAIRS (POST-WINTER)We will do a section that’s related to home renovations, repairs, etc. Handyman tips, etc. We will put these articles on our website to track them.[READ MORE]

HOW FULL IS YOUR LIFE?This is an inspirational, motivational article designed to be uplifting but thoughtful at the same time. We will put this article on our website to track it.[READ MORE]

YOU’LL WANNA SEE THIS!Something really extraordinary -- like the sand on the ocean, or this month, a car that plunges over an embank-ment in Arizona missing a drop into a ravine by inches.[READ MORE]

COOL WEBSITES TO VISIT (in addition to ours!)Will find interesting places readers can go on the web -- starting with www.iserenity.com and www.howisitmade.com

A CHANCE TO WIN ANDRE RIEU CD OR DVDNo entry necessary - this month every newsletter recipi-ent will be entered in the draw for several CDs and DVDs. More details about prizes. Draw date: April 15/09

TRAVEL ARTICLEWe have an article to put in this issue - RB [READ MORE]

Designed to Inspire, Entertain and Inform.

ADVERTISE HERESize??

ADVERTISE HERE

Size??

FREE LAUGHS

Can write a joke here.

Can we put a link to a pop-up cartoon (pdf), or a link to a funny video on our website?

SUDOKU OF THE MONTH

WEBSITE EXPANSIONThis month you will see some inter-esting INTERACTIVE additions to our website. We will be adding an EVENTS section, where the com-munity can post information about upcoming events. We will also be adding a “social” component called “SPEAK OUT” where visitors can post articles and comments.

A FRESH LOOK to our Readers Newsletter. Tell us what you think...

“ASK A PROFESSIONAL”

RECIPE OF THE MONTHGARDEN TIPS FOR APRIL

ASK A PROFESSIONAL

New articles posted this month:

Article 1 by Advertiser AArticle 2 by Advertiser BArticle 3 by Advertiser CArticle 4 by Advertiser D

WELCOME NEW ADVERTISERES

We welcome these new businesses to Senior Living. It’s because of their sup-port that we can bring you this maga-zine every month. We encourage you, the reader, to let them know through YOUR patronage of their business that you appreciate them as well.

Advertiser AAdvertiser BAdvertiser CAdvertiser D

TITLEThis will be something inspirational, like the Tiger Woods blurb on the Business Newsletter. Blah, Blah, blah....And that’s how I look at my life. I will be better as a golfer, I will be better as a person, I will be better as a father, I will be a better husband, I will be better as a friend. That’s the beauty of tomorrow. There is no such thing as a setback. The lessons I learn today I will ap-ply tomorrow, and I will be better.” -Tiger Woods

TITLEAnother inspiring blurb....personal growth, etc. “If you think of the story of David and Goliath, Goliath is the problem you have currently in front of you. David needed only one slingshot and felled his problem. Then he got to go onto other problems. The point is that each one of us needs to focus that magnifying glass of attention on one specific thing, solve it, then go to the next thing.” - Mark Victor Hansen

My intention is to live forever. So far, so good!

QUICK LINKS APRIL ISSUE BUSINESS DIRECTORY EVENTS BOOKSTORE ASK A PROFESSIONAL SPEAK OUT COMPUTER TUTOR

B a p t i s t H o u s i n g | E n h a n c e d S e n i o r s L i v i n g | S i n c e 1 9 6 4

VANCOUVER VICTORIA604.324.6257 250.595.6257

www.shannonoaks.com

Come Laugh With UsFILL YOUR DAYS WITH LAUGHTER. When you live at Shannon Oaks you’ll have more time to smile and do the things that matter to you most.

An independent seniors living community, you’ll live well in your beautifully appointed suite and enjoy amenities and services that provide for your every need including: delicious meals, daily activities, weekly housekeeping and 24-hour emergency response from our resident managers.

Come see why you’ll want to make Shannon Oaks your home.

Proof 3

SENIOR LIVING MAGAZINE: HOUSING GUIDE

JUNE 2009

Size: 1/4 Page, 3.5” w x 4.75”h, colour

Rep: RaeLeigh Buchanan | Tel: 250.479.4705 | [email protected]


The Psychology of Moving

BY RICK HOOGENDOORN

Many people can expect to move several times during their senior years. One such happier circumstance occurs when people

move closer to family, particularly grandchildren. Even the most happily settled grandparents will sometimes pick up and move clean across the country when the grandchildren move away. These grandchildren can be tiny but powerful magnets.

Seniors will often choose to move because their cur-rent house and garden have become more of a burden than a joy to maintain. Downsizing from a larger house to a smaller house, condo, or retirement community is a very common reason to move. People who are clear about their own changing abilities often fi nd making the decision to move much easier.

But there is a big difference between wanting to move and thinking you should. There is a big differ-ence between wanting to move and having to deal with other people who think you should! Selling your home and moving is a diffi cult enough chore even when you actually want to sell your home.

Clearly, the people who have the easiest time mov-ing are those who want to move. They have a clear idea of where they want to go and why. The process may be diffi cult at times but they stay focused on what they want in the end.

By contrast, people who have a more diffi cult time selling their home and moving are those who don’t want to move but think they should. These are often people who have lived in their home for a long period of time, are very comfortable in these familiar surroundings, but may recognize it’s becoming increasingly diffi cult to maintain the property.

One thing that keeps these people from taking action is the fact they focus on the process of moving, rather than the outcome of moving. The entire process can be quite overwhelming. Thinking of all the things that need to be dealt with, given away, donated, stored, brought along, or discarded is enough to cause even the most resolute person to freeze up. Furthermore, people can also be paralyzed by the unknown. The home they live in is familiar. What’s ’out there’ is not.

Some downsizing companies have learned the best way

to help a senior client along with a move is to have them move fi rst and deal with the downsizing and selling of their home afterward. The only decisions to make, then, have to do with where you’re going and what you’re taking with you. Everything else is ‘put off’. This easier fi rst step gets things in motion and it is easier to keep them in motion af-terward. Wouldn’t you be less resistant to selling your home if you didn’t live in it anymore?

Some seniors go through a grieving period when they fi nally decide to sell their home. Our homes are fi lled with

AUGUST 2009 13

SL

The Psychology of Moving

• Extended Care

• Intermediate care, respite and convalescent care

• 24 hour registered nursing

• Excellent meal choice with dietician’s supervision

• Extensive recreation and entertainment programs

• Daily housekeeping and laundry service

1645 WEST 14TH AVENUE VANCOUVERFor tours and information call

604-732-8633email: [email protected]

“Caring for seniors in our community for over 30 years”

South Granville Park Lodge

AUGUST 2009 VANCOUVERSenior Living

Special Housing Edition

TO ORDER a copy...Please mail a cheque for $5.25 ($5 plus GST), along with your name, phone number and address, to Senior Living, 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave., Victoria BC V8T 2C1. We will mail you a copy of this special housing edition upon receipt of payment.

VIEW ONLINE for Free...You can view the complete special housing edition on our website -- look for the Vancouver August 2009 Edition at www.seniorlivingmag.com

Contains articles pertaining to senior housing. Find out more about• senior housing options and alternatives • how to determine what kind of housing is right for you • how other seniors are managing their housing • professionals, services and products available to seniors who are living independently (aging in place) • and much more

memories. The longer we’ve lived in them, the more memo-ries we’ve accumulated and the more it may seem that the house we live in is ‘a part of us’. There is nothing wrong with wanting to remain in your own home. It’s okay to love it. It’s even okay to love it and move on anyway.

For some seniors, the home they live in is the home where their children grew up. Some people see a connection between their home and a wife or husband who has since passed on. If they sell their home, will they lose that connection, or some of those memories? Many people can’t even articulate why their home means so much to them. And they’re afraid that if they talk about it too much they’ll be talked into moving.

Younger people rarely experience a conversation about their need to sell their house. They’ve never imagined what it would be like to be told they need to sell “for their own good.”

Remember that you have the fi nal decision. It’s your life, and unless you are in a situation where you or some other member of your household is in some kind of danger, or your health or fi nancial situation is so bad that you cannot be care for at home, if you don’t want to move and you don’t think you should move, don’t move.

Now, if you would rather not move but you recognize it would be better if you did, that’s a different story.

And again, you may be focusing on the process, instead of the outcome. You may be imagining yourself unhappy in your new place of residence when it’s entirely possible it will grow on you and you’ll be happy there.

There is something to be said for choosing to move when you can, rather than waiting until you are forced to. It is a part of life that our health fails as we get older. Sometimes it’s gradual, sometimes not. Being forced to sell your home because of a sudden decline in health isn’t, in itself, very healthy. There is much to think about when considering any kind of move. Know that you’re going to be faced with a whole range of emotions, and sometimes you’re going to sec-ond guess yourself. Just remember to focus on the end result, instead of the process.

The most important thing you can do, is be honest with yourself about your needs and capabilities both now and in the future. Some people are very capable and are also sur-rounded by friends and family members who can help keep them in their home if their health fails. Others are less con-nected in the community and run the risk of becoming isolat-ed and alone if their health becomes a factor. Unfortunately, these are the same people who often overvalue their familiar surroundings and remain at home much longer than it would be wise to do so.

In the latter case, when previously isolated people move, for example, into a retirement community where the social interaction is much more readily available they often blos-som and become reinvigorated. Making a move should be about making your life better in some way. And that’s where your focus should be.


Many fi nancial planners, insurance professionals, and other business peo-

ple are now obtaining special designa-tions that speak to their ability to deal with seniors’ issues. Realtors are also taking courses to better understand the senior market. In many instances these professionals will then advertise their designation, hoping to attract older clients. What you need to know is that there are great, helpful, profession-als who have these designations, and great, helpful professionals who don’t. Conversely, having one of these des-ignations is no guarantee that you’ll be dealing with an ethical person, al-though many of the organizations do have some kind of a Code of Ethics and will expel a member for contra-vention of their standards.

The education being provided by organizations like the Canadian Acad-emy of Senior Advisors is helpful and inspiring. While it is impossible for younger people to really experience what it is like to be a senior and deal with life at an older age, this education does help professionals understand and even empathize with some of the basic issues seniors face. Patience, under-

standing, respect. Perhaps it shouldn’t take courses to foster these qualities in our business community, but if that’s what it takes to better understand and serve senior cli-ents, it’s bet-ter than noth-ing. Teaching business peo-ple the hous-ing options seniors have, the downsizing issues seniors face, the decision-making challenges with regard to a move, and the health issues that may necessitate these changes, generally makes for a more helpful professional, be they a fi nancial planner or a realtor.

The best way to fi nd a professional you trust is usu-ally by a referral. Ask your friends. Ask your family.

And if you don’t trust your-self to make the right choice, ask a friend or family member to be there when you meet the professional. Ask them if they have experience dealing with seniors. Ask them how helping a

senior move is different than helping younger people, and ask what services they provide that might be especially

helpful to you.The biggest danger in

listing your house is in list-ing your house at a price that is far too low. To avoid this, ask for a Current Mar-ket Evaluation from several realtors and, if you are still

unsure, pay to have your home appraised. Do not base your price on the “assessed value.”

If you are ever ap-proached by somebody

who wants to buy your home as part of a ’private deal’, especially if they are a fi nancial professional or a real estate agent, get third-party advice from your lawyer. Even if they are a trusted friend, neighbour, or fam-

ily member, obtain third-party advice from your lawyer on “private deals,” and seek out professionals who can provide you with an independent ap-praisal of your property.

WEBSITEWEBSITE www.seniorlivingmag.com

EVENTS ON-LINEFind out what’s happening in your area at the click of a button or post your community event to our website for FREE. Arts, music, dance, festivals, seminars, outdoor activities, and more.

50+ Buyers ChangeHousing Trends

Senior-Focused Realtors

SL

AUGUST 2009 15

SL

The new generation of retirees are setting buying trends that differ signifi cantly from the

choices made by seniors a decade or so ago, say realtors who specialize in the 50-plus demographic.

Today’s retirees are more active, healthier, living longer, and bring with them a staunch refusal to give in to “old age.” As a result, their buying choices refl ect a desire to stay active and enjoy life to its fullest.

This often means downsizing to properties with less maintenance, al-lowing the fl exibility of travel or the pursuit of personal hobbies - some will move to smaller homes, some will renovate their existing home and oth-ers will use the equity from the sale of their home to travel. One size, as they say, does not fi t all.

Royal LePage president Phil Soper says Canadians aged 50-plus are de-fying conventional notions of old age by redefi ning how and where they want to live.

“Today, with longer life expectan-cies, better health and more wealth, the 50-plus group have a plethora of op-tions available to them and there is no longer one best practice. This group is not interested in sitting around in rock-ing chairs and knitting. They are more interested in white-water rafting.”

Some look to 55+ residences to sur-round themselves with people of simi-lar age and interests. These residences can range from private condominium dwellings and townhouses to gated communities with single dwelling rancher-style homes.

Other retirees, however, enjoy the stimulation that comes from a com-munity in which people of all ages live – these buyers want to relocate into housing developments that cater to the

broader spectrum of ages, but they still want the benefi ts of less maintenance and the ability to pack their bags and go, knowing their property will re-main secure and well tended in their absence.

Seniors will increasingly opt for condos that have an array of premi-um services available, believes Ted Tsiakopoulis, an Ontario economist with CMHC. The neuvo-condo will have gyms staffed with per-sonal trainers, theatres, pools, res-taurants, spas, concierge services, and 24-hour on-site security.

For the more adventuresome, seasonal properties are an at-tractive addition to their real es-tate portfolio, especially for those who want to fl ee the rainy or overcast winters to more tropical climates for an extended period of time. They are looking for their “second home” in places like Arizona, Mexico, Costa Rica, Malaysia and even Australia. Developments are springing up in all these areas, ready to serve the needs of these Canadian snowbirds.

Many people, when they hit their late 50s, begin thinking about where they want to settle in the next stage of their lives. For some, the consideration of future deteriorating health plays a big factor in their decision. They look for properties with little upkeep, that have few or no mobility barriers such as stairs, and that are part of a secure community. Rancher-style houses and condominiums with elevators are an increasing perfect fi t.

The marketplace is already starting to feel the effects of these buying trends. And as the 50+ demographic continues to grow, the need for more housing to match the lifestyles of these retirees is going to become even greater.

HOLLYHOCK

SIXTH PAGE

Free Catalogue 800.933.6339hollyhock.ca

choose peace

Learn � Explore � Discover

C O R T E S I S L A N D , B C

HOL LY HO C K

50+ Buyers ChangeHousing Trends

In a survey, one in three peo-ple aged 50-plus said they cur-rently have more house than they want or need.35% would prefer to buy a different or new home.17% would prefer to build a new home.15% would prefer to remodel their current home.12% would like to purchase a second home, allowing them seasonal living.

Senior-Focused Realtors


Walking Into San Franciso’s Golden Past

Convenient public transit supports our recent series of revealing walks into San

Francisco’s past. Perfectly situated at Queen Anne Hotel, our wide-range of investigations start with a Victorian Homes Walk.

Our guide, Shonna, introduces us to our Victorian lodgings. “Often mistak-en for a mansion, this four-story land-mark began as a girl’s fi nishing school in 1890. Corner turret, bay windows and gabled roof refl ect Queen Anne architecture.” Inside, she notes how teachers once taught ballroom dance in the lounge where guests like us now sip afternoon sherry among period an-tiques. “In our breakfast salon, girls once enjoyed mealtimes, and learned proper etiquette.”

Strolling through Pacifi c Heights, we view 200 meticulously restored row houses; Shonna points out dis-tinguished Queen Annes, ornate Ital-ianates featuring fancy columns and rounded bay windows and Stick de-signs with lacy gingerbread trim.

At the tour’s conclusion, we de-scend to lively Union

Street and hop a bus to Fisherman’s Wharf. We enter Ghirardelli’s former chocolate factory complex and cross brick-terraced courtyards toward the waterfront. After inspecting the ma-rine park’s vintage vessels and taking a spectacular Bay

Cruise, we savour chowder dinners and return on Powell Street’s cable car.

Next morning is dedicated to roam-ing Golden Gate Park. Designed in the 1870s, distinctive trees and plants transformed its natural sand dunes into an urban sanctuary. After posing near the turn-of-the-century Conserva-tory of Flowers, we meander through Shakespearean, Japanese and Botani-cal Gardens – and the new Academy of Science.

Joining Urban Trek in Union Square on another day, chief trekkie Anton shows us historic photos recounting, “In 1850, Mayor Geary established this square, named for pro-union rallies before and during the Civil War; that 30-metre monument commemorates Admiral Dewey’s Spanish American War victory. The sculpted Victory atop reveals a much-loved benefactor.

Born into a large, poor family, Alma de Bretteville earned cash posing nude

STORY AND PHOTOSBY CHRIS & RICK MILLIKAN

SENIOR LIVING VANCOUVER & LOWER MAINLAND

scend to lively Union

The Maritime Museum and Golden

Gate Bridge in the background

Cable car

AUGUST 2009 17

»

Walking Into San Franciso’s Golden Past

at Mark Hopkins Institute of Art. While modelling for Vic-tory, she became besotted with sugar heir Adolph Spreck-els. Though twice her age, she married her sugar daddy fi ve years later!

Alma is affectionately known as San Francisco’s great-grandmother.” Departing the square, everybody admires Heart Art. Four such vibrant sculptures decorate each cor-ner, welcoming all to surrounding benches, open-air cafés, frequent concerts, art shows and impromptu protests.

In an adjacent, now upscale shopping enclave, Anton grins, “Maiden Lane was once a hotbed of entertaining women – and defi nitely not maidens!” San Francisco’s newspaper-of-the-day reported the ramshackle collection of cheap brothels, gambling halls and saloons as “a carnival of crime.”

Between the 1848 discovery of gold and 1906 earth-quake, nine-blocks enclosed the infamous Barbary Coast, named after pirate-plagued North Africa. Here, sea captains “shanghaied” unsuspecting drunk and drugged seamen from bars – who eventually awoke sailing away to China! As the city rebuilt after the earthquake, the Barbary Coast fell into oblivion, soon facing laws prohibiting such districts.

Next to Chinatown’s dragon-adorned Pagoda Gate, our group learns debauchery reigned here for another dec-ade, with opium dens, houses of prostitution, gambling and crime. Nowadays, North America’s oldest and largest Chinatown encompasses 24-blocks of exotic atmosphere: pagoda-roofed buildings, strings of red lanterns and bus-tling markets displaying colourful fruit, vegetables and fi sh; specialty shops, traditional pharmacies, temples, fortune cookie factories and fi ne Chinese eateries. Emerging from a small bakery, we devour fresh warm egg custard tarts on the sidewalk.

At Portsmouth Square, where Chinese elders play cards and chess under prolifi c pink cherry blossoms, we discover

Bob and Teresa Marshall as Driver and Escort Call for our full 2009 brochure!

604-596-9670 toll free 1-877-596-9670 [email protected] www.pitmartours.com

Aug 9 - 12 Days Its not too late! Book NOW! Marvel at our majestic Canadian Rockies as you stop to appreciate all their splendor on this tour. Highlights include a 90 minute tour of Maligne Lake, (rated one of the top ten by National Geographic), Oh Canada Eh! Dinner show, Wells Gray Nat’l Park, West Edmonton Mall, Columbia Ice Fields Tour, Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller. Learn all about the Canadian oil industry while touring the tar sands in Fort McMurray Alberta. $2135 PP plus GST Dble Occ. 15 meals.

Home Pickup andReturns!

Aug 29-Sep 1st. Take a ride on the Kettle Valley Steam Railway from Summerland for 90 minutes of spectacular views. Taste some of the Okanagan’s finest wines, tour Kelowna’s Jammery and Vernon’s Planet Bee Honey Farm during this short and fun four day excursion in the Okanagan. $675 Cdn plus GST PP based on Dble Occ. 4 meals.

Oct 15-18th. WOW! What an explosion of color we experienced last year on this trip. We enjoyed the serene beauty of the resort at Lake Chelan so much we decided to add an extra day and take a cruise up the lake and explore the Stehekin Valley and Rainbow Falls. The Oktoberfest will still be in full swing on our last night in the Bavarian town of Leavenworth where you can take in the activities and browse the many European shops. $855 Cdn PP based on Dble Occ. No GST - 7 Meals

Peace of mind, comfort and securityare just part of daily life at Sunnyside Manor – your private apartment, nutritious meals, weekly house-keeping and caring staff available 24 hours a day.

Our services include recreational activities, social outings and Assisted Living care to meet your needs.

Retirement Community

Come for a personal tour, and have lunch on us.

15340 - 17th AvenueWhite Rock, BC V4A 1T9www.SunnysideManor.com

A member of the Unicare Group of Companies • White Rock • West Vancouver • Nanaimo • Kelowna • Edmonton

Peace of mind, comfort and securityPeace of mind, comfort and security

Call 604.531.7470

Proof 1Seniors Living Magazine: Vancouver/Lower Mainland

RaeLeigh Buchanan 1-877-479-4705 toll [email protected]

The authors sipping sherry in San Francisco


LOOK FOR THIS LOGO

When you see this logo on an advertisement in Senior Living, you

will find additional information provided by this advertiser on

our website.

Go to www.seniorlivingmag.com

and click on the ASK A PROFESSIONAL tab on the Home Page. This will take

you to a table of contents of articles written by professionals who

advertise in Senior Living.

Is there information you would like posted in this section in the future?

Let us know - we will pass the request along to the appropriate businesses and professionals with

the expertise to address the subject you propose.

Check back frequently for new additions as we continue to expand

this new section of our website.

Industries with Current Postings on Ask A Professional

• Real Estate• Dentistry

• Financial Investing• Tourism

San Francisco began here as Yerba Buena, then was renamed in 1847 after the Bay. In this pueblo’s former plaza, plaques mark its fi rst public school site and where “Stars and Stripes” fi rst fl ew after the young California Repub-lic joined the U.S. When Sam Brannan found gold on the American River, this village exploded to over 20,000.

The earliest cable cars ran past this park in 1873. Using mining car tech-nology, cable manufacturer Hallidie introduced them along Clay Street for

fi ve cents a ride. The earthquake disrupted the popular route and others. Although street-cars and buses replaced most cable cars, three lines remain as Nation-al Historic Landmarks.

In the nearby Finan-cial District at the ini-tial Bank of America, all eyes peer through windows at its mas-sive vault. Anton tells us, “In 1904, Amadeo Giannini founded the Bank of Italy, which became the Bank of America. Giannini introduced branch banking, loaning cash to work-ers in the back of a Green Street sa-loon. Transporting assets hidden under a wagon load of produce, locals told how his money smelled like peaches after the earthquake!”

Wave-like pavements recreate the Bay’s previous shoreline in Jackson Square Historic District, one of San Francisco’s oldest commercial neighbourhoods. Anton shows us 1850s warehouses that bare-ly survived the earthquake’s raging fi res. The army decided against blasting this area as a fi rebreak, thanks to hundreds of stored barrels of whiskey that would have stoked the inferno. Now upscale gal-leries, restaurants and clubs, some of these three-story brick buildings retain cast iron shutters as fi re protec-tion. A nearby inscription describes how, in 1855, the future Union General Sher-man established its corner bank and resided on the second fl oor.

Reaching North Beach, we’re immersed in old world deli coffee houses, where European tradi-tions remain, and haunts where Jack Kerouac spun his tales, and Al-

lan Ginsberg waxed poetic during the 1950s Beatnik era. Popping into Café Trieste, we fi nd a wall plastered with 50 years of glossy photos, some showing Francis Copolla who wrote The Godfather screenplay here, and Pavarotti sipping pungent coffee after delivering rousing arias. Across grassy Washington Square rises glorious twin spired Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, where Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe posed for photos after marry-

ing at City Hall.

WHEN YOU GO• www.queenanne.com – offers charm and convenience among Victorian homes of Pa-cifi c Heights.

• www.victorianwalk.com – reveals insights on San Francisco’s distinctive architecture, restoration, beautiful gardens and some fa-mous homes.

• www.redandwhite.com – founded in 1892, narrated cruises include one to the Golden Gate.

• www.franciscanrestaurant.com – offers luscious seafood selections with magnifi cent panoramas of San Francisco Bay. • www.urbantrekusa.com – provides guided

walks into the city’s riveting past.• www.johnsgrill.com – a national literary landmark immortalized in Dashiell Hammett’s Maltese Falcon; serves luscious grilled meats, seafood and pasta.

• www.sfcityguides.org/current_schedule.html – outlines many of the available free-guided walking tours.

Monkey See, Monkey Do

AUGUST 2009 19

SL

Catching a bus up Telegraph Hill, An-ton explains that in mid-1800, a marine telegraph stood there, two high wooden arms semaphoring ships’ arrivals. The 210-foot [64 m] Coit Tower was the legacy of Lillie Hitchcock Coit, who bequeathed one-third of her fortune to beautify her beloved city. We’d just seen a different Coit legacy in Washington Square: a sculpture of three fi refi ghters carrying a woman. Rescued from fi re as a child, riding Knickerbocker Engine Number 5 by 15 and honorary fi refi ghter as an adult, Lillie had a lifelong relation-ship with fi refi ghters. Some say the Art Deco Coit Tower resembles a fi re hose nozzle, another tribute to Lillie’s heroes.

Inside the tower, Diego Rivera-in-spired murals depict California’s De-pression Era. Stepping outside, everyone soaks up spectacular views of the Bay Bridge, the world’s longest steel high-level bridge; Treasure Island, manmade for 1939’s Golden Gate Exposition; Yer-ba Buena Island, coastguard home; Al-catraz’s abandoned maximum security prison; Angel Island, where Asian immi-grants once landed and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge painted international orange for visibility in fog, subtly blending with nature and enhancing the Bay’s entrance since 1937.

Zigzagging down the steep Filbert Steps through lush hillside gardens to Levi Strauss Plaza and museum, we view early blue jeans exhibits detailing how Strauss and his partner initially de-veloped riveted tough denim pants for miners.

A vintage streetcar takes us along the Embarcadero. After removing earth-quake damaged double-decker freeway in 1989, the beaux art Ferry Building emerged and was refurbished for arti-sans, gourmet shops, restaurants and outdoor Farmers Markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Returning near Union Square on Bay Area Rapid Transit [BART] subway, we head for century-old John’s Grill. Amid oak-panelled walls covered with photos of old San Francisco, we fork up more succulent seafood and toast the city’s rollicking past.


Senior Living Vancouver & Lower Mainland Distribution Locations

ABBOTSFORDDOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCABBOTSFORD REC CENTREABC RESTAURANT - MARSHALLFV REGONAL LIBRARYGREYHOUND BUS STNIGAMEDICHAIRMSA GENERAL HOSPITALPEOPLES DRUG MARTSEVEN OAKS MALLSHARESSHOPPERS DRUG MARTTRIANGLE COMMUNITY CENTREZELLERS BURNABYABC RESTAURANTAMICA @ RIDEAU MANORBOB PRITTIE PUBLIC LIBRARYBONSOR COMMUNITY CENTREBREAD GARDENBRENTWOOD SKY TRAIN STNBURNABY GENERAL HOSPITALCAMERON RECREATION CENTRECANADA WAY LODGECHOICES MARKET IN THE PARKCONFED COMM CNTR FOR 55+ EASTBURN COMMUNITY CENTREEDMONDS COMM CENTER FOR 55+EDMONDS PUBLIC LIBRARYEDMONDS SKYTRAIN STNEILEEN DAILEY FITNESS CENTREGILMORE SKYTRAIN STATIONHILTON HOTEL HOLDOM SKYTRAIN STATIONIGA INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL HEALTH & VACCINATION CLINICKENSINGTON ARENALANCASTER MEDICALLAKE CITY SKYTRAIN STATIONLOUGHEED SKYTRAIN STNMCGILL PUBLIC LIBRARYMEDICHAIRMETROTOWN BUS LOOPMULBERRY SENIOR’S RESIDENCENORBURN MED CENTREOLD ORCHARD MEDICAL CLINICPATTERSON SKYTRAIN STNPRODUCTION WAY SKYTRAIN STNREGENCY MEDICAL SUPPLIESROYAL OAK SKY TRAIN STN.SAFEWAYSPERLING SKY TRAIN STN.SFU LIBRARYSPERLING SKYTRAIN STATIONSTATION SQUARE MEDICAL CLINICTIM HORTON’SWILLINGDON COMMUNITY CENTRE

COQUITLAMBREAD GARDENCHIMO POOL & SOCIAL REC CENTRE COQUITLAM CITY CENTRE LIBRARYCOQUITLAM LIBRARYDOGWOOD PAVILIONDUFFERIN SENIORS CENTREGLEN PINE PAVILIONMEDICHAIRPOIRIER COMMUNITY CENTREPARK & RIDERESIDENCES AT BELVEDERESHOPPERS DRUG MARTSUPER VALU DELTADELTA HOSPITALGEORGE MACKIE LIBRARYINSIDE RACK - RICKY’SKENNEDY SENIOR’S REC CENTREKINSMEN ASSISTED LIVINGLADNER COMM CENTRELADNER PIONEER LIBRARYLADNER PUBLIC HEALTH UNITMCKEE SENIORS RECREATION CENTRENORTH DELTA REC CENTRENURSE NEXT DOORPINEWOOD LEISURE REC CENTRESOUTH DELTA LIBRARYSOUTH DELTA RECREATION CENTRESUN GOD RECREATION CENTRETHE WATERFORDWINSKILL AQUATIC CENTRE FORT LANGLEYFORT LANGLEY LIBRARYIGA LANGLEYALDERGROVE MALLBROOKSWOOD LIBRARYDOUGLAS REC CENTREHARRISON LANDINGLANGLEY LIBRARYLANGLEY SENIORS CENTRELANGLEY SENIORS VILLAGELIFEMARK HEALTH CENTREMAGNOLIA GARDENSMARKET PLACE IGAMAIN SPOT NEWSTHE RENAISSANCE RETIREMENT RESORTTIMMS COMMUNITY CENTREWALNUT GROVE COMM CENTREWALNUT GROVE LIBRARY MAPLE RIDGEMAPLE RIDGE HOSPITALMAPLE RIDGE LEISURE CENTREMAPLE RIDGE LIBRARY NEW WESTMINSTER22ND ST SKYTRAIN STNBRAID SKYTRAIN STATIONCARE POINT MEDICAL CENTRE

CENTENNIAL COMMUNITY CENTERCNTR OF INTEGRATION FOR AFRICAN IMMIGRANTSCENTURY HOUSECOLUMBIA ST STNEDWARD JONESHYACK HOUSENEW WESTMINISTER QUAYNEW WESTMINSTER LIBRARYNEW WESTMINSTER SKY TRAIN STNQUEENBOROUGH COMMUNITY CENTERROYAL COLUMBIAN HOSPITAL NORTH VANCOUVERCAPILANO LIBRARYCHURCHILL HOUSEEVERGREEN HOUSING ADMINISTRATIONKIWANIS LYNN MANORKIWANIS TOWERSLION’S GATE HOSPITALLONSDALE QUAYLONSDALE QUAY BUS LOOPLYNN VALLEY MEDICAL CLINICMEDICAL CLINIC - 1940 LONSDALE AVEMOUNT SEYMOUR MEDICAL CLINICNORTH SHORE COMMUNITY RESOURCESNORTH SHORE NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSENORTH VANCOUVER CITY LIBRARYNUTRITION HOUSEPARKGATE LIBRARYPEMBERTON & MARINE MEDICAL CLINICQUEENSDALE MARKETSILVER HARBOUR MANORSUPER VALUTHE SUMMERHILLWAL MARTWESTVIEW MEDICAL CLINIC PITT MEADOWSPITT MEADOWS LIBRARYPITT MEADOWS REC CENTRESHOPPER DRUG MART PORT COQUITLAMAMICA AT MAYFAIRTERRY FOX LIBRARYWILSON REC CENTRE PORT MOODYEAGLE RIDGE HOSPITALPORT MOODY COMM SERVICESPORT MOODY LIBRARYPORT MOODY SOCIAL REC CENTRE RICHMONDBRIGHOUSE LIBRARYBUS STOP - 6390 #3 RDCAMBIE COMMUNITY CENTRECAMBIE PUBLIC LIBRARYGARDEN CITY MED CLINICHAMILTON COMMUNITY CENTREIRONWOOD LIBRARYLANG CENTREMINORU AQUATIC CENTRE

MINORU ARENAMINORU SENIORS CENTRERICHMOND ADDICTION SERVICESRICHMOND CENTRE FOR DIS-ABILITYSEAFAIR MEDICAL CLINICSHOPPERS DRUG MARTSOUTH ARM COMMUNITY CENTRESTEVESTON COMMUNITY CENTRETHOMPSON COMMUNITY CENTREVOLUNTEER RICHMOND INFO SERVWEST RICHMOND COMMUNITY CTR SURREYAQUATIC CENTREARBOURSIDE COURTBUENA VISTA LIBRARYBUY RITE FOODSCHOICES MARKETCLOVERDALE LIBRARYCLOVERDALE REC CENTREFLEETWOOD COMMUNITY CENTREFLEETWOOD LIBRARYGATEWAY SKYTRAIN STNGUILDFORD PUBLIC LIBRARYGUILDFORD SENIORS VILLAGEIMPERIAL PLACEKENT SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTREKING GEORGE SKYTRAIN STNKIWANIS PARK PLACELIFEMARK PHYSIOTHERAPYMEDICHAIRNEWTON ARENA NEWTON GENERAL STORENEWTON LIBRARYNEWTON WAVE POOLN SURREY REC CENTREOCEAN PARK LIBRARYPEACE ARCH MEMORAIL HOSPITALPHARMASAVE 10654 KING GEORGEPHARMASAVE 9558 - 120TH STPHARMASAVE 15280 - 101ST AVEROSEMARY HEIGHTS SENIORS VILLSAVE ON SCOOTERSSCOTT RD SKYTRAIN STN (N)SCOTT RD SKYTRAIN STN (S)SEMIAHMOO PUBLIC LIBRARYSHOPPERS DRUG MARTSHOPPERS HOME HEALTHSOUTH SURREY ARENASOUTH SURREY INDOOR POOLSOUTH SURREY REC CENTRESTRAWBERRY HILL LIBRARYSUNRISE PAVILLION SURREY GARDENS / SURREY VILLSURREY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL SURREY CENTRAL SKYTRAIN STNTHE CHEMISTS PHARMACY TOM BINNIE PARK COMM CENTREWESTMINSTER HOUSEWHALLEY LIBRARYWHITE ROCK/ S SURREY PUBLIC HEALTH UNIT

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE

AUGUST 2009 21

VANCOUVER1 KINGSWAY LIBRARY29TH AVE SKY TRAIN STN411 SENIOR’S CENTREAMICA AT ARBUTUS MANORARBUTUS MALLBARCLAY MANORBC WOMENS HOSPITALBREAD GARDEN BRITANNIA ARENA / LIBRARYBROADWAY & BURRARD WALK INBROCK HOUSE SOCIETYBURRARD SKYTRAIN BUS STOP - 750 BROADWAYCAPERS - 2285 4TH AVECAPERS - 1675 ROBSON STCAPERS MARKETCARE MEDICAL CENTRECENTRAL MARKET - 830 THURLOWCHAMPLAIN HEIGHTS COMM CNTRCHAMPLAIN HEIGHTS LIBRARYCHOICES MARKET - 1202 RICHARDSCHOICES MARKET - 3493 CAMBIE STCHOICES MARKET - 2627 16 AVECITY SQUARE FAMILY PRACTICECOLLINGWOOD HOUSECOLLINGWOOD LIBRARYCROFTEN MANORDENMAN COMMUNITY CTRDENMAN MALLDIAMOND HEALTH CARE CENTREDOCTOR’S OFFICE 777 W BROAD- WAYDOUGLAS PARK COMM CENTREDUNBAR COMMUNITY CENTREDUNBAR PUBLIC LIBRARYFALSE CREEK COMMUNITY CENTREFIREHALL LIBRARYFRASERVIEW LIBRARY

FROG HOLLOW NEIGHBORHOOD GF STRONG REHABILITATION CTRGRANDVIEW TOWERSGRANVILLE ISLAND MARKETGRANVILLE MEDICAL CLINICHASTINGS COMMUNITY CENTREHASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARYHOME INSTEAD - VAN, NORTHSHOREJEWISH COMMUNITY CENTREJOE FORTES LIBRARYJOYCE SKYTRAIN STN KENSINGTON COMMUNITY CENTREKENSINGTON LIBRARYKERRISDALE ARENAKERRISDALE SENIORS CENTREKERRISDALE LIBRARYKHATSALANO MED CLINICKILLARNEY COMMUNITY CENTREKILLARNEY MARKETKITSILANO NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSEKITSILANO PUBLIC LIBRARYKIWASSA NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSELIFEMARK HEALTH CENTRELIFEMARK PHYSIOTHERAPYLITTLE MOUNTAIN NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSELONDON DRUGS - 1187 ROBSONMAIN ENTRANCE RACK MAIN ST SKYTRAIN STNMAPLE MEDICAL CLINICMARPOLE COMMUNITY CENTREMARPOLE LIBRARYMEDICAL CLINIC - 1280 GRANVILLEMERCATO MALL MID-MAIN COMM HEALTH CENTREMT PLEASANT COMMUNITY CENTREMT PLEASANT NGHBRHD HOUSENANAIMO SKY TRAIN STNOAKRIDGE LIBRARY

OAKRIDGE SENIOR’S CENTREO’KEEFE SENIOR LIVING APTPARKVIEW TERRACEPHARMASAVE 595 BURRARDPLATINUM CARERAYCAM COMMUNITY CENTRERENFREW COMMUNITY CENTRERENFREW PUBLIC LIBRARYRENFREW SKY TRAIN STNRICHMOND/VAN HEALTH UNITRILEY PARK COMMUNITY CENTRERILEY PARK LIBRARYROUNDHOUSE COMMUNITY CENTREROYAL CENTRE MEDICALRUPERT SKYTRAIN STNSHANNON OAKSSHOPPERS DRUG MARTSIDNEY MANORSINCLAIR CENTRESORRENTO MARKETSTADIUM SKYTRAIN STNS GRANVILLE PARK LODGES GRANVILLE SENIOR’S CENTRESOUTH HILL LIBRARYSOUTHVIEW HEIGHTS AND TERRACEST PAUL HOSPITALSTRATHCONA COMMUNITY CENTRESTRATHCONA LIBRARY THUNDERBIRD COMMUNITY CENTRETROUT LAKE COMMUNITY CENTREUBC HOSPITAL VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARYVGH EMERGENCYWATERFRONT SKY TRAIN STNWEST END AQUATIC CENTREWEST END SENIORS NETWORKWEST POINT GREY PUBLIC LIBRARYYMCA COMMUNITY SERVICES

WEST VANCOUVERAMICA AT WEST VANCOUVERBUS STOP 2002 PARK ROYALBUS STOP 2051 PARK ROYALCAPERS - 2496 MARINEGLENEAGLES COMMUNITY CENTREHOLLYBURN HOUSESUPER VALUWEST VAN MEMORIAL LIBRARYWEST VANCOUVER COMM CENTRE WHITE ROCKHOME INSTEAD PACIFIC CARLTONSUNNYSIDE MANORTHE PENINSULA RESORT RETIREMENT LIVING

Now distributed at all Pharmasave stores

throughout BC.MAGAZINE

VANCOUVER ISLAND EDITION DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT VANCOUVER ISLAND BC VANCOUVER EDITION DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT MAINLAND BC

MAINLAND DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS - CONTINUED

Recommend a Distribution Location Near You!

Senior Living is looking for convenient, high traffic distribution locations throughout the Greater Vancouver region. If you know of a place of business or activity centre that would be a convenient location for interest-ed readers to pick up our magazine, let us know.

Email: [email protected] 1-877-479-4705


Assisted Living residences combine private ac-commodation with support services and social activities to help seniors who may require regular

help with daily activities to continue living as independently as they can. It often provides the bridge between home sup-port and residential care. Often residents are people who no longer want or are able to live totally independently in their own homes, but they aren’t candidates yet for the to-tal care provided by Residential Care (also called continuing care or complex care) facilities. Health authorities require that assisted Living residents need to be mobile or at least able to transfer on their own. Services you may expect at an Assisted Living residence include:

• Housing (rooms with lockable doors in a home to an apartment-style building with private self-contained suites, usually with their own bathrooms and cooking facili-ties)

• One to three meals and snacks• Housekeeping• Laundry• Social and recreational opportunities• 24-hour emergency response system• Assistance with activities of daily living, if needed, such

as bathing, dressing, toileting, hygiene and grooming, eating, and walking

• Assistance with medications.Residences can be subsidized by government, offering

seniors a comfortable home for 70 per cent of their after-tax income, or privately funded, providing accommodation at market rates. An increasing number of private residences are partnering with provincial health authorities to provide units at subsidized costs. To qualify for subsidized services, you must be assessed by a case worker from the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA).

Because health and safety is important to seniors, legis-lation introduced by the provincial government Community Care and Assisted Living Act, requires all Assisted Living residences in British Columbia to be registered and meet health and safety standards. Any health or safety complaints will be investigated by the province’s Assisted Living Reg-istrar. The standards cover everything from safe building design to ensuring residents’ rooms are clean and that bal-anced and nutritious meals are served. They also include the

requirements associated with medication assistance.For some seniors, moving into an Assisted Living resi-

dence is a logical choice. Usually they have been receiving home care several times during the week, but the tasks of maintaining a house and ensuring their needs are completely met in a timely and safe way begin to be a strain on them, and often their family members as well. The services and safety

provided by an Assisted Living residence allow the resident to remain signifi cantly independent

– longer than they may have managed living on their own.

Not all residents of private pay Assisted Living residences re-

quire signifi cant care or assist-ance. Many are there because they want a simpler lifestyle without the worry of main-taining a home and they seek the companionship of other people their own age. They

also may have chosen As-sisted Living over Independ-

ent Living because they want some minor help (assistance with

medications, for example) or they an-ticipate the day when they may need this

help. They want to settle into a stable, comfort-able lifestyle and be ready for whatever comes.

Some residences may contract with home health agencies to come in and offer personal assistance to residents.

Today’s Assisted Living residences do not look like the old-style nursing homes many of us are used to. Instead of a sterile hospital environment, Assisted Living residences are often apartment buildings with private suites. Instead of a nurse’s station, there is a help or reception desk that han-dles any inquiries from residents. Instead of waiting areas and cafeterias, there are cozy gathering areas with couches, fi replaces, gardens, and atriums.

Dining areas can rival luxurious banquet rooms, complete with an experienced chef and servers. Often entertainment is provided during or after mealtimes. Themed dinners and elegant soirees can make up the mixture of monthly events residents look forward to with great anticipation. Pleas-ant surroundings contribute to the feeling of well-being as neighbors chat and plan their activities together. Stimulating outings may be planned by an events coordinator, with trans-portation provided for those residents who don’t drive.

For many, it’s a big relief when they can place the day to day tasks in the hands of an assisted living operator. Resi-

Assisted Living Residences

Instead of a sterile hospital environment, Assisted Living

residences are often apartment buildings with private suites. In-stead of waiting areas and cafe-terias, there are cozy gathering areas with couches, fi replaces,

gardens, and atriums.

AUGUST 2009 23

SL

dents are free to enjoy the privacy of their own suite, en-tertain friends, or join in group social activities. The choice is theirs. With a positive attitude, many new friends can be made. Daily activities such as exercise programs and after-noon tea or happy hour make the time pass quickly. Special events such as bingo, sing-alongs around the grand piano, or movie nights, offer opportunities to mix and mingle with other residents.

An added benefi t for family members is knowing that their parent is being well cared for in a safe and comfort-able environment. Visits can take on a whole new dimension when the stresses of coping with daily living are not part of the relationship.

Assisted Living Residences

“Aids to Daily Living” (ADLs) are de-vices that help people with disabili-ties to function at their highest pos-

sible level and enjoy the highest possible quality of life. ADLs are also referred to as “assistive devices” or “adaptive technology.”

Both government and non-profi t organizations (the Red Cross, for example) provide funding to people with disabilities for ADLs. Whether or not you’re eli-gible for funding can be based on a number of fac-tors, such as the type and cost of the device you need, your household income, the province (and in some cases, city) of residence, and the nature of your dis-ability.

The provincially fund-ed Aids to Independent Living program in Brit-ish Columbia loans medical equipment, free of charge. Clients must be referred by an occupational therapist, homecare nurse, physiotherapist, or other health unit staff and must also undergo a fi nancial eligibility test.

For those who do not qualify for funding or need devices not funded by the program, a variety of ADL products can be purchased through medical supply stores. These stores carry hundreds of products such as canes, walkers, scooters, special chairs, grab bars and poles, stairlifts, health monitors, transfer devices, bathing apparatus, grooming and eating utensils, ther-apeutic beds and pillows, exercise equipment, ramps, stair lifts, and more. SL

Aids To Daily Living

Embrace the Journey - A Care Giver’s Story

Allow two weeks for shipping.

To order, please send cheque for $19.84 ($14.95 plus $3.95 S&H & GST) payable to Senior Living. Please include your clearly written ship-ping address and phone number.MAIL TO: Embrace Book Offer c/o Senior Living 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave., Victoria BC V8T 2C1

Are you a Care Giver or expect to be one? You are not alone!

Valerie Green’s personal story as a care giver to her elderly parents is the most rel-evant book on “aging in place” I have read to date. It provides a powerful insight into the challenges faced by every care giver. It unveils the challenges, heartaches, struggles and agonizing decisions that often need to be made along the way. If you are currently a care giver, or anticipate being one in the near future, this book is a must-read. - Publisher Barbara Risto, Senior Living magazine

96 pagesSoftcover 5.5” x 8.5”Price $14.95


The issue of access to quality care in our senior years touches all of us, sooner or later. Unfortu-nately, increasing costs and decreasing govern-

ment funding have made beds in both private and subsidized not-for-profi t care facilities harder to pay for and harder to fi nd for seniors needing these services in B.C.

“Government funding is contributing less and less to our costs, while our needs continually in-crease,” affi rmed Deborah Geogan, Administrator of the 151-bed, non-profi t Rosewood Manor in the Vancouver suburb of Richmond. “Our special case unit, opened in 2006 for dementia patients, has improved the lives of those residents. But the unit wouldn’t have been possible without our Rosewood Manor Care Foundation, established in 2000 in cooperation with Vancouver Coastal Health. We must raise money to augment care and services for our resi-dents.”

B.C. boasts many care facilities, both private and subsidized, but the major-ity have long waiting lists and seniors usually don’t get their fi rst choice of fa-cility when they want or need care.

The Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health Author-ities govern subsidized facilities. To be considered for care, a health authority professional assessor must fi rst evaluate each client’s level of need. At that time, the level of care is decided, and location preferences of the client are noted. Occasionally, preference and availability coincide, but of-ten a patient in need is placed in the area’s fi rst available bed, and then can request a move to his or her fi rst-choice – a transfer that may take years.

While an equal combination of money, health and avail-

ability govern whether or not a senior fi nds accommodation when needed, lack of availability means longer waiting lists. And long lists have consequences for the health of seniors who eventually fi nd appropriate beds. In fact, there was a 60 per cent increase in the mortality rate for seniors in resi-dential care between 2001 and 2006 - not because of negli-

gence, but an unfortunate outcome of long waiting lists. Seniors were, and continue to be, in worse health by the time a bed is found.

An alternative to resi-dential care is user-paid home care, which the present government has described as “an appro-priate substitute for resi-dential care.” As access to residential care has decreased, funding to home care should have increased. But according to a report by the Cana-dian Centre for Policy Alternatives, between 2001 and 2007 there was a 30 per cent decrease in home support for seniors 75 years and older.

It is estimated that chronic conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and heart disease comprise two-thirds of admissions to hospitals, where sen-iors often wait for resi-dential care beds to be-come available. Known as “Bed Blockers,” these

seniors occupy acute care spaces because they can’t be ad-mitted into subsidized or private care. If facilities (which used to be classifi ed as either Intermediate or Long-Term Care, but are now collectively referred to as Complex Care) were more accessible and more adequately funded, it would reduce the pressure on the province’s primary and acute care systems, which are both woefully overcrowded.

Eighty-one-year-old Rachel pre-registered (with a $100 deposit) at a private facility. After a six-month wait, her

BY NADINE JONESBY NADINE JONES

Somewhere to Sleep

AUGUST 2009 25

name rose to the top of the list, but she wasn’t ready to give up her home; she declined the accommodation. Her name remained on the list, although no longer at the top. At the beginning of July, Rachel had a fall in her home and was ambulanced to hospital, where she continues to occupy an acute care bed. Because she had postponed moving into the private care facility, she will now have to wait until a rehab bed within the hospital system becomes available.

Some seniors are fortunate and able to move into their preferred private care facility. Maxine Howarth, 87, is such a tenant. Wanting the safety and security of a shared resi-dence, she moved into her fi rst choice retirement residence. “There is not one thing I don’t like,” she says. “I have com-pany when I want it, and I can be a recluse in my suite if I so choose. I feel safe. There are lots of planned recreational activities. I could be busy all the time. The food is great, the main meal is provided daily and I’m happy.”

Costs at Maxine’s home range from $2,410 a month for a studio suite to $3,650 monthly for a two-bedroom suite. For an extra person, there is a $550-a-month charged, and any special care is paid for by the resident. Presently the facility houses 123 people: six couples, 92 women and 19 male tenants.

At Rosewood Manor, Bea Skorstengard is a model ten-ant. “Bea is our fundraising poster girl for the Foundation,” quipped Megan Kinghorn, the Recreation and Volunteer Manager. Bea, 94, is a registered nurse who trained at Roy-al Columbian Hospital in New Westminster and has nursed across Canada both in hospitals and privately. She has one son and a granddaughter who live nearby. “I do wish I had more visitors,” she quietly whispers. “You can be lonely in a crowd.”

Fortunately, her new home offers a variety of programs. For fun and relaxation, Bea has learned to play Tone Bells. Cost at this non-profi t facility ranges from $29.90 to $71.80 per diem based on taxable income.

These are examples of the kind of facilities, which may or may not be available in your area. Taking the time to do some advanced research on available options will help you make informed decisions when the time comes. SL

Call 604.531.1160

Imagine condominium living in theheart of White Rock.Peace of mind, comfort and security, nutritious meals, weekly housekeeping and caring staff.

Just some of the exciting features at the elegant Pacific Carlton.

Retirement Community

Come for a personal tour, and have lunch on us.

15366 - 17th AvenueWhite Rock, BC V4A 1T9www.PacificCarlton.com

A member of the Unicare Group of Companies • White Rock • West Vancouver • Nanaimo • Kelowna • Edmonton

Imagine condominium living in theImagine condominium living in the

Call 604.531.1160

Proof 2Seniors Living Magazine: Vancouver/Lower Mainland

RaeLeigh Buchanan 1-877-479-4705 toll [email protected]

Somewhere to Sleep

While an equal combination of money, health and availabil-ity govern whether or not a senior fi nds accommodation

when needed, lack of availability means longer waiting lists.

• Support Services • Housing Services • Community Education • Volunteer Opportunities

209-800 McBride Blvd., New Westminster BC 604-520-6621

www.seniorservicessociety.ca Email: info@senior services society.ca

• Province wide web-based seniors housing directory • One on one housing counseling• Community education on the housing and services needs of seniors including Housing Counselor training• Support Services for seniors residing in New Westminster • Temporary Housing and Outreach Services to those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness (BC Lower Mainland)

Encouraging, informing, and supporting the independence and wellness of the older adult.


SL

Complex Care Residences

Campuses of Care facilities combine all three levels of

care – independent living, assisted living and continuing care – in a single setting. Often this is referred to as “aging in place” since the structure allows an individual to move from one care option to the next as their health needs change. Under one roof, they can be as-sured the independence of retire-ment home living and the security of long term care.

As we age and our care needs change, some of us may need all three of these housing options. Moving to a new home in a new community can be stressful, so campuses of care offer different care options where seniors can move from one part of the devel-opment to another depending on the level of care required.

If a bed is not immediately available in the residential care area, an alternative temporary care plan can usually be created in as-sisted living until the bed becomes available, thus making the transi-tion as smooth as possible

This option is of great benefi t to couples whose care needs are dif-ferent. The campus of care option allows the couple to live on the same site where they can visit one another and have meals together.

For individuals already disa-bled to the point of requiring daily nursing care as well

as other support services, continuing care facilities provide comprehensive care services in a single setting. While most older persons and their families see continuing care usually as a last resort, it may in fact be the best set-ting for disabled persons with multi-ple problems, requiring multiple types of services.

The Application Process For Com-plex Care Facilities BC has a province-wide, single point of entry system to manage how seniors access facilities providing complex care. This program applies to all fi ve health regions, in-cluding Vancouver Coastal Health.

Almost all complex care services for seniors, including home care, adult day centres, residential care, respite care, and specialized services are available by contacting the Home & Community Care offi ce in your region. This offi ce can be located by looking in the Yellow Pages. In the light blue pages, which contain pro-vincial resources, you will fi nd sev-eral pages with the title “HEALTH AUTHORITIES” at the top. The of-fi ces within the telephone directory’s region will be listed by municipality under “Home & Community Care.” By calling the toll-free number 1-888-533-2273, you can obtain the offi ce phone numbers of other municipali-ties outside your region. This should put you in contact with the appropri-ate offi ce and an intake worker or case manager will be able to take your call, answer your questions and get the process started for you.

They will set an appointment to see you for an assessment of your physical, emotional, and psychological status. This includes memory and other cog-nitive functions as well as your ability to perform tasks (referred to as Activi-ties of Daily Living or ADLs) such as

bathing, dressing, feeding, grooming, toileting, medicine taking, shopping, cooking and cleaning. The case man-ager also looks at the supports that are in place to assist the caregiver and will take into consideration the level of stress the caregiver may be under.

People who are assessed as requir-ing complex care must fi t certain re-quirements in order to be eligible. The case manager can explain these requirements. People who do not qualify for complex care, may qualify for assisted living. (Assisted living is for people who can direct their own care but need some help with one or two daily living tasks. They need to be mobile or at least able to transfer on their own.)

If a case manager feels that a person is in need a complex care placement, and the client is willing to go into care in three months or less, their name is submitted to the placement committee in that health authority’s region. If the client prefers a placement in a region in the province other than the one they currently live in, they can request this. However, they may have to fi rst be placed in a facility in their immediate area and then put on a transfer list to the other region, which is under the di-rection of a different health authority.

The client will be asked to select their preferred facility. The committee will attempt to match the client with this facility, but if a bed is not availa-ble in that facility the client may need to accept a bed in a different facility and put their name on a transfer list for when a bed does become available in the preferred facility, which can be any length of time. If the client refus-es an offered bed, their name will be dropped from the placement process.

Admission is based on need and the acuteness of the situation, not the length of time the person is on the waitlist. There is also a loose rotation system whereby a facility will offer

the fi rst available bed to someone in the hospital, the next available bed to someone in the community and the next bed to someone waiting for their preferred choice. However, this system is often interrupted by factors such as hospital discharge needs, community emergencies, cultural factors, particu-lar skills offered at the facility, etc.

Campuses Of Care Residences

AUGUST 2009 27

SL

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING $30 for 20 words or less. $1.25 per extra word. Boxed Ad - Small (2.2 x 1.2) $110. Boxed Ad - Large (2.2 x 2.4) $210. Add Logo - $25 extra. Red spot color 10% extra. Plus 5% GST. All Classified ads must be prepaid. Cheque or Credit Card accepted. Toll Free 1-877-479-4705 Deadline: 15th of the month. Make cheque payable to: Senior Living, 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave., Victoria BC V8T 2C1

TACTIC PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. An Independent Marketing Contractor Telemar-keting, home-based. Generates revenue for businesses. Call 778-397-9330, or e-mail [email protected] with your orders.

Classifieds

Affordablelive-in care for seniors

www.internationalnannies.com

604.609.9925

"When home is where you want to be"

LTD

RESOURCE DIRECTORYRESOURCE DIRECTORYRESOURCE DIRECTORYRESOURCE DIRECTORYRESOURCE DIRECTORYRESOURCE DIRECTORYRESOURCE DIRECTORY

RESOURCE DIRECTORYRESOURCE DIRECTORYRESOURCE DIRECTORYRESOURCE DIRECTORYRESOURCE DIRECTORYRESOURCE DIRECTORYRESOURCE DIRECTORY

RESOURCE DIRECTORYA concise reference guide of services and products offered by

businesses and organizations throughout the BC MainlandA concise reference guide of services and products

Advertising in the Resource Directory is an affordable way to keep your

business name before consumers all year long. Call 1-877-479-4705 for

prices and details.

SHOP LOCAL STORES& SAVE MONEY!

FREE COUPONS from LOCAL STORES that YOU CAN PRINT FROM HOME

visit us online at...

Join our optional online mailing list to learn about the newest coupon deals.

NEW COUPONS ADDED DAILY!

www.CityWideCouponDirectory.com

Few people have a perfect home, but minor changes can make life

easier and safer for someone who may have some mobility limitations.

To avoid trips and falls, remove loose mats, install more lighting and make sure there’s adequate space to maneuver between furniture. Consider installing a second railing on stairs and ramps, and install grab bars in areas like around the tub, toilet and shower. Either repair or clearly mark fl oor and walkway areas that are uneven.

To make it easier to open closets, drawers and doors, install “D” shaped handles, or lever-type door knobs. Le-ver-type taps in the kitchen and bath-room are easier to manipulate than round ones.

To adapt your kitchen, choose appli-ances that are easy to use and maintain. They should have control knobs that are easy to reach, turn, push or pull. The same goes for large appliances like stoves, washers and dryers, etc. Control settings should be easy to read. Buy ap-pliances that are easy to clean.

Raise or lower the work surfaces in your kitchen to heights that require minimal bending. Allow for sitting rather than standing in areas where tasks may take a bit of time.

People often fi nd it diffi cult to reach very low or high cupboards. Adjusting the shelving so that frequently used items are within comfortable reach can help. Shelves mounted on rollers can increase access and avoid straining to reach items at the back of the storage area. They also require less effort to pull out. Pivoting or revolving shelves can make corner areas more accessible.

In the bathroom, raise your sink and counters to a height that elimi-nates stooping. Locate faucets and taps to the front or side for easier access. Raised toilets make it easier to move

from a standing position to sitting and vice versa.

Transfer benches make getting in and out of tubs easier and allow you to remain seated while in the tub. Install-ing a walk-in bathtub creates easier, safer access than a conventional tub. Handheld showers allow you to direct water where needed. Install non-slip fl ooring and bath surfaces.

Remote controls make operating the TV, video and music systems easier. Consider a cordless phone (with 2-4 handsets so you can have one in each room) that has a speaker option for better grip and hands-free operation.

Wider door and doorways will help accommodate scooters, wheelchairs and walkers.

Install peepholes and an intercom

system so you can see and talk with whoever is outside your door without opening it.

Grab bars are a very helpful feature for the bathroom. A physiotherapist can tell you the best place to position them.

A very helpful free publication called Maintaining Seniors’ Independ-ence Through Home Adaptations: A Self Assessment Guide is available from CMHC. This large print booklet de-scribes various adaptations with check-lists to help a senior understand the various possibilities that exist to make mobility around the home easier and safer. The publication can be read or downloaded from their website (www.cmhc.ca). A printed copy can be or-dered by calling 1-800-668-2642.

Adapting Your Home

Campuses Of Care Residences


CrosswordPUZZLE GAMESMind

ANSWERS

Across

1. Opposition to war7. Incite11. ----- of Athens (Shakespeare)12. Easily carried14. Homeric poem15. Female name16. Jazz background17. Thank you (French)18. River in central Europe19. Dread20. Hydrated magnesium silicate22. Himalayan monster23. Corrodes26. Keen28. Immature newts31. Line of seats32. Having legal force33. Woven hair34. King37. Aggressive remark38. Wombs

39. Vicious expression41. Clergyman43. Language spoken south of Lake Chad44. In a soaking fashion45. Crematory heap of wood46. Body of students who graduate together47. Collection of things for public display49. Betrays52. Perjurer54. Wrap up57. Dismounted58. William Howard ----, former President59. Pan-fry60. Impress forcefully61. Plant-sucking insect62. Better63. Rustlers

Down

1. Large sum of money2. Arabian chief3. Does together (2-4)4. Republic in S Asia5. Moved very fast6. Wealthy7. 20th president of the U.S.8. Off-Broadway theater award9. Russian nuclear submarine10. Thaw11. Wood13. Less well cooked15. Nearby21. Female name24. Main artery25. Chirp27. Enormous29. Pixie30. Fierce person35. Celestial body such as Cygnus X1 (1-3,4)36. Gemsbok38. City in E Brazil39. Sets of programs40. Arouse to a sense of danger42. Wearing a veil44. Ballroom dance45. Micronesian island48. Passover50. Simpleton (Austr)51. Cyclical water flow53. Small number (1,3)55. German river56. “Taxation without representation” lawyer

AUGUST 2009 29

ASKGoldie

BY GOLDIE CARLOW, M.EDPhot

o: J

ason

van

der

Val

k

Senior Peer Counselling Centres (Lower Mainland)New Westminster 604-519-1064North Vancouver 604-987-8138Burnaby 604-291-2258Richmond 604-279-7034Vancouver West End 604-669-7339Coquitlam – Tri-Cities 604-945-4480Vancouver Westside 604-736-3588

Goldie Carlow is a retired registered nurse, clinical counsellor and senior peer counselling trainer. Send letters to Senior Living, Box 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave., Victoria, BC V8T 2C1.

SL

Dear Goldie:What can I do to influence a family

member’s irresponsible behaviour?My oldest grandson is in his early

thirties and seems determined to meet self-destruction. He has a good educa-tion and is employed with a satisfac-tory work record. It’s his free time that I am concerned about. He drives an ex-pensive, high-powered car and speeds excessively. The police have cautioned him and he has been given numer-ous speeding tickets. So far, he hasn’t injured anyone, but I fear it is only a matter of time before he kills himself or someone else.

Goldie, I love him dearly and have a good relationship with him. Is there any way to help him?

–H.B.

Dear H.B.:It is difficult to see someone you

love risk his life so irresponsibly. One thing in your favour to help your grandson is that you have maintained a good relationship. Communication is your best method of getting through to him about the seriousness of this mat-ter. But it may take persistent effort on

your part.Begin the process of helping by em-

phasizing the importance of your rela-tionship. He is your oldest grandson, so there is an element of dependency should you ever need help. Will he be there for you? Tell him he is also set-ting a dangerous example for younger family members who may lack his driving experience. Would he want one of them to die by mimicking his behaviour behind the wheel?

Also, discuss the chance of a se-verely debilitating accident. Question his acceptance of a future as an invalid from this time forward with no chance of recovery. Finally, does he want to cause another person’s death, and live with a prison record and guilt for the rest of his life?

You can communicate in a good re-lationship. Also, he loves you and that will encourage him to listen. He is a carefree spirit, but you can help him to see that he has a responsibility to care for other people and himself on life’s journey.

Dear Goldie:I am a widower in my 70s in good

health and living an active lifestyle.

I would like to travel in Europe and Asia, while I am healthy and able. My problem is finding a suitable travelling companion for company and a degree of safety.

I have a friend of three years who is physically and financially fit, and has expressed an interest in accompanying me. We have become close friends, en-joying similar interests and entertain-ment. At the same time, each of us is very independent.

My worry is that being in such close contact during our travels, we might lose that cherished independence. I don’t want to spoil our great friendship either.

–K.L.

Dear K.L.:Your options need serious contem-

plation. The fact that you are question-ing your travel companion indicates your hesitancy. The two of you need to discuss these worries thoroughly be-fore making final plans.

After your few years of friendship, you must each be aware of any habits that could upset you in a more confined situation. Face these matters honestly and discuss them openly so neither of you will experience problems later. If doubt still exists, then it may be wise to rethink your travel plans, and main-tain the friendship you have enjoyed.

Only you can decide about sharing your trip. Perhaps a weekend trip to-gether will bring clarity to you.

Bon voyage!

Purchase a subscription to Senior Living for just $32 and never miss an issue!SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM

MAGAZINE

Mail to: Senior Living 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave., Victoria BC V8T 2C1

Name __________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________

City ___________________________________________________

Province ________________ Postal Code ____________________

Yes, I would like to subscribe to Senior Living - Vancouver (12 issues). Enclosed please find my cheque for $32. (Includes GST and S & H)


BBB SCAMALERT

Better Business Bureau Better Business Bureau Better Business BureauBetter Business Bureau

BY LYNDA PASACRETA

Purchase these items online at www.seniorlivingmag.com

Visit Senior Living’s Online Bookstore

NUDE ON A FENCEby Eliza HemingwayFourteen short stories about people in compromising situations similar to being caught nude on a fence. Some are humorous, others poignant. 269 pages. Price $17.95

NATURE’S BOUNTY: Why certain foods are so good for youby Dr. Bala NaidooReduce the risks of heart disease, cancer, type-2 diabetes and obesity by choosing your food carefully. 176 pages. Price $21.95

NATURE’S BOUNTY: More about foods for a longer and healthier lifeby Dr. Bala NaidooBy choosing your food properly, you can reduce the risks of heart disease, cancer, type-2 diabetes and obesity. 168 pages. Price $21.95

GIPP FORSTER’S COLLECTED RAMBLINGSby Gipp ForsterA collage of over 150 anecdotes and insightful ruminations on life’s experiences, first aired on C-FAX radio, now provided in print format for your reading enjoyment. 188 pages. Price $10.00

GST and Shipping Costs will apply. Please allow 2 weeks for delivery

REFLECTIONS, REJECTIONS AND OTHER BREAKFAST FOODSby Gipp ForsterA collection of Gipp Forster’s published columns in Senior Living magazine, with other unpublished writings thrown in for good measure.Price $14.95

TO MOVE OR NOT TO MOVE?A Helpful Residential Options Guide for Seniors If you are a senior who has been wondering lately whether you should consider moving - then this is the book that can help you ask the right questions and find the solution that is right for you. Maybe you find the maintenance of your current home more dif-ficult due to diminishing ability or energy, or you simply want a lifestyle that allows you more freedom and less responsibility. A handy reference guide for seniors and their families wrestling with the issues around whether relocation is the best option. Helpful, easy to read information and suggestions to help you understand the decisions that need to be made and some of the solutions possible. Published by Senior Living. 128 pages.Price $9.95

MY PATCHWORK LIFEby Patricia O’ConnorAfter training as a fashion model in Dublin Patricia O’Connor trav-elled Europe and the US, working for many top designers, then several years as a popular TV presenter, followed by a career as a stockbroker and real estate agent.182 pages. Price $14.95

THE SEARCH FOR JACQUELINEBy Patricia O’ConnorThe search for the truth behind the reported death of the mother of top model Annie O’Hanlon. Annie receives an urgent call from journal-ist Dermot Moore who believes her mother Jacqueline is still alive. Price $23.95

THE SPOILS OF ANGEL’S WARby Dave SheedThe story unfolds in England at the beginning of WWII. Angela Gibson, affectionately known as Angel, finds out that it isn’t always the plans that we make for our life, sometimes it’s the plans that life makes for us that determines the course of our life. 144 pages. Price $20.00

EMBRACE THE JOURNEY - A Care Giver’s Story by Valerie Green The very personal story of her own journey as a care giver to her elderly parents. Relevant for numerous adult children who are faced with a similar challenge. 96 pages. Price $14.95

IDENTITY THEFT: In Your Good Name by George GreenwoodOne in four Canadians has been directly affected or knows someone who has been a victim of identity theft. The best prevention is to be aware of the problem and how it is carried out. 173 pages. Price $26.95

RED TOMATOESby Les MacNeillIn 2001, a brutal attack while sailing the South Pacific, left Les MacNeill with 8 skull fractures, severe brain trauma, and a ruptured eye. Although not expected to live, he wrote this story of the trip, his recovery, and how he lives with his injuries. 100 pages. Price $14.95

MORNING LIGHT - Triumph at Sea & Tragedy on Everestby Margaret GriffithsIn the spring of 1982, 68-year-old George Griffiths sailed solo from Britain to Barbados, where he was met by his two sons.Six months later, Blair was dead, crushed by a six-storey wall of ice. In 1985, George Griffiths trekked with his grandson to Everest Base Camp, where he found peace. Published 2008 by Rocky Mountain Books. 288 pages. Hardcover.Price $29.95

WEBSITEWEBSITE100s OF ARTICLES • CURRENT MAGAZINES


Read Us ON-LINEDiscover a Selection of Books by Senior Authors

AUGUST 2009 31

Lynda Pasacreta is President of the Better Business Bureau of Mainland B.C. Contact the BBB to check a company re-port or Buyers’ Tip before you purchase or invest. www.bbbvan.org or 604-682-2711. To contact Lynda Pasacreta, e-mail her at [email protected]

BBB SCAMALERT

Better Business Bureau Better Business Bureau Better Business BureauBetter Business Bureau

BY LYNDA PASACRETA

Door-to-Door Alarm Sales TacticsAlarm Homeowners

SL

Purchase these items online at www.seniorlivingmag.com

Visit Senior Living’s Online Bookstore

NUDE ON A FENCEby Eliza HemingwayFourteen short stories about people in compromising situations similar to being caught nude on a fence. Some are humorous, others poignant. 269 pages. Price $17.95

NATURE’S BOUNTY: Why certain foods are so good for youby Dr. Bala NaidooReduce the risks of heart disease, cancer, type-2 diabetes and obesity by choosing your food carefully. 176 pages. Price $21.95

NATURE’S BOUNTY: More about foods for a longer and healthier lifeby Dr. Bala NaidooBy choosing your food properly, you can reduce the risks of heart disease, cancer, type-2 diabetes and obesity. 168 pages. Price $21.95

GIPP FORSTER’S COLLECTED RAMBLINGSby Gipp ForsterA collage of over 150 anecdotes and insightful ruminations on life’s experiences, first aired on C-FAX radio, now provided in print format for your reading enjoyment. 188 pages. Price $10.00

GST and Shipping Costs will apply. Please allow 2 weeks for delivery

REFLECTIONS, REJECTIONS AND OTHER BREAKFAST FOODSby Gipp ForsterA collection of Gipp Forster’s published columns in Senior Living magazine, with other unpublished writings thrown in for good measure.Price $14.95

TO MOVE OR NOT TO MOVE?A Helpful Residential Options Guide for Seniors If you are a senior who has been wondering lately whether you should consider moving - then this is the book that can help you ask the right questions and find the solution that is right for you. Maybe you find the maintenance of your current home more dif-ficult due to diminishing ability or energy, or you simply want a lifestyle that allows you more freedom and less responsibility. A handy reference guide for seniors and their families wrestling with the issues around whether relocation is the best option. Helpful, easy to read information and suggestions to help you understand the decisions that need to be made and some of the solutions possible. Published by Senior Living. 128 pages.Price $9.95

MY PATCHWORK LIFEby Patricia O’ConnorAfter training as a fashion model in Dublin Patricia O’Connor trav-elled Europe and the US, working for many top designers, then several years as a popular TV presenter, followed by a career as a stockbroker and real estate agent.182 pages. Price $14.95

THE SEARCH FOR JACQUELINEBy Patricia O’ConnorThe search for the truth behind the reported death of the mother of top model Annie O’Hanlon. Annie receives an urgent call from journal-ist Dermot Moore who believes her mother Jacqueline is still alive. Price $23.95

THE SPOILS OF ANGEL’S WARby Dave SheedThe story unfolds in England at the beginning of WWII. Angela Gibson, affectionately known as Angel, finds out that it isn’t always the plans that we make for our life, sometimes it’s the plans that life makes for us that determines the course of our life. 144 pages. Price $20.00

EMBRACE THE JOURNEY - A Care Giver’s Story by Valerie Green The very personal story of her own journey as a care giver to her elderly parents. Relevant for numerous adult children who are faced with a similar challenge. 96 pages. Price $14.95

IDENTITY THEFT: In Your Good Name by George GreenwoodOne in four Canadians has been directly affected or knows someone who has been a victim of identity theft. The best prevention is to be aware of the problem and how it is carried out. 173 pages. Price $26.95

RED TOMATOESby Les MacNeillIn 2001, a brutal attack while sailing the South Pacific, left Les MacNeill with 8 skull fractures, severe brain trauma, and a ruptured eye. Although not expected to live, he wrote this story of the trip, his recovery, and how he lives with his injuries. 100 pages. Price $14.95

MORNING LIGHT - Triumph at Sea & Tragedy on Everestby Margaret GriffithsIn the spring of 1982, 68-year-old George Griffiths sailed solo from Britain to Barbados, where he was met by his two sons.Six months later, Blair was dead, crushed by a six-storey wall of ice. In 1985, George Griffiths trekked with his grandson to Everest Base Camp, where he found peace. Published 2008 by Rocky Mountain Books. 288 pages. Hardcover.Price $29.95

WEBSITEWEBSITE100s OF ARTICLES • CURRENT MAGAZINES


Read Us ON-LINEDiscover a Selection of Books by Senior Authors

Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to be extremely cautious

when answering the door to travelling alarm system sales-persons. BBB has received complaints from homeowners who were subjected to high-pressure sales tactics, and felt deceived by the salesper-son into buying an expensive alarm system.

Reports from consumers allege that representatives are going door-to-door and are stating affi liation with well-known security system companies in order to persuade them to sign up for their services. Concerns include the aggres-sive sales tactics to install the security systems, pricing issues, and further problems with contracts, which lock-in consumers to long-term service.

According to the RCMP, consum-ers were offered time-sensitive deals that included free installation and were promised that their security sys-tem would be linked directly to local RCMP and ambulance services, which is not possible in British Columbia.

BBB advises consumers to do their due diligence prior to making any de-cisions on home security systems:

Be aware of pressure sales tactics. Some unscrupulous door-to-door sell-ers will put pressure on you to close the deal at that moment, and try to en-tice you with special offers. Listen to his or her tone. Does it increase in vol-

ume? Do he or she ignore you despite saying you are not interested? Find a

way to end the conversation quickly to avoid long, drawn-out pressure sales pitches.

Verify the individual. If you are in-terested in buying from a door-to-door seller, get everything in writing includ-ing price, warranty and all conditions. Tell the salesperson you will check it out and get back to him. Get the busi-ness card from the individual and

check with the company to verify this person is an employee.

Ask for a licence. Security systems sellers are required to be licensed by the Ministry of Public Safety and Security and the seller is required to pro-vide proof. The Ministry also handles complaints from both individuals and businesses. To learn more go to: www.pssg.gov.bc.ca

For more advice and to check out company reports, go to www.bbb.org

[email protected] • www.platinum-care.com(604)668-5929 • 1-888-308-7971RECEIVE CARE IN

THE COMFORT OF HOME

Providing your family with superior and reliable live-in & live-out caregivers, care-aids and nannies.

Benefits include:• Meal Preparation• Housekeeping and Laundry• Bathing and dressing assistance• Companionship• Assistance with transfers and walking

Call for more information!

(604)668-5929 or toll free [email protected]

www.platinum-care.com

Some unscrupulous door-to-door sellers will put pressure on you to close the deal at that moment, and try to

entice you with special offers.

32 SENIOR LIVING VANCOUVER & LOWER MAINLAND32 SENIOR LIVING VANCOUVER & LOWER MAINLAND

Refl ections

BY GIPP FORSTER

Phot

o: K

ryst

le W

isem

an

THEN & NOWWHERE HAVE ALL

THE FLOWERS GONE?

SL

When I was a little boy, I used to think life would be forever. Adults would

always be adults; and children would always be children.

I thought that any pet I might be for-tunate enough to have, no matter what species, would always be there as a friend and companion.

I thought every child in the world could speak English and had to go to bed at the exact same time, but adults had to stay up long after it became dark.

I honestly believed a cow could jump over the moon, and the moon was made of cheese. I also believed if a tiger ran around a tree long enough, it would turn into melt-ed butter.

I believed in the tooth fairy too. But I could never under-stand why she wanted kids’ teeth, and I wondered what she did with them. Santa Claus was to be looked forward to, but also feared because he was the father of mystery. Goblins only came out on Halloween.

I believed that one day I would be big enough to save all the turkeys at Thanksgiving.

A penny was a marvellous adventure, and a nickel was the greatest gift in the world, if I was allowed to spend it!

Cowboys of the silver screen became babysitters on Saturday afternoons. Ho-palong Cassidy, Roy Rogers and Gabby Hayes were more real than my sister; and their horses far smarter than my older brother.

Everything was so large then. Snow-banks were larger, rooms were larger, and adults were larger than life.

Imagination was king, and a little boy could be anything he wanted to be: a pirate, a soldier, an Indian, a cowboy, an explorer or even Tarzan.

Little girls played with dolls. But they weren’t just dolls. They were real children to children who pretended to be mothers.

Fairy tales were real. Pinocchio was a puppet and, yet, he was a real boy too! Dogs could talk and stuffed toys told of undreamed adventures. Lead soldiers could win wars and even come back to life after being killed, if you wanted them to.

It was a world within the world made of sugar and ice cream, “may I,” and tag.

Now, these many years later, I of-ten go back there to visit. Just an old man seated on the bench of memory in a long ago time when little boys’ feet smelled and their noses ran.

I play with the shadows, and giggle when I hide, waiting to be found.

Nothing was impossible there.It was a land of giants and a land of

rules and a land of enchantment; a place that would never end and I would never have to leave it. Things would always remain the same.

But then truth and reality coaxed me

away from that land; and I crossed the sea to the land of endeavour and deter-mination.

Now, as I await even another land, I hear the call of that fi rst life. The season of the child, the spring of boyhood, the

place where worry was held by adults and play was the treasure of children. A place that still calls when my mind and heart take time to listen.

Oh, indeed, being a child was a fantasy that insisted on be-ing real, and imagination was a constant companion that stayed close 24 hours a day.

It was a time when weeds grew with the fl owers and only adults were aware of it. We kids were too busy believing we would always be kids to take notice of or count the years.

And then one day, we left that fi eld to scale the mountains that surrounded us. And the mountains took us farther and farther away from the valley. Until we wondered and wonder still, was that valley real or did we only imagine it?

Now, from the mountain peaks, we look down searching for the valley. And the lyrics of songwriters whisper to us: “Where have all the fl owers gone? The answer my friend is blowing in the wind. The answer is blowing in the wind.”

Indeed, it is!

Imagination was king, and a little boy could be anything he wanted to be: a pirate, a soldier, an Indian, a cowboy, an explorer or even Tarzan.

Mail to: “To Move” Book Offer c/o Senior Living Box 153, 1581–H Hillside Ave., Victoria BC V8T 2C1

If you are a senior who has been wondering lately whether you should consider moving - either because you find the maintenance of your current home more difficult due to diminishing ability or energy, or you simply want a lifestyle that allows you more freedom and less responsibility - then this is the book that can help you ask the right questions and find the solution that is right for you.• What residential options are available?• Define your current situation - What residential option is right for you?• How to research and assess Independent and Assisted Living residences.• What do Independent, Assisted Living and Complex Care facilities have to offer?• How much does it cost to live in an Assisted Living residence? What subsidies are available?• Thinking of moving in with family members? Questions to consider before making your decision.• Are there any other residential options besides Independent, Assisted Living and Complex Care facilities?• If you choose to stay in your own home, what are your options and what should you plan for?• Who can help you decide what you can or cannot afford?• Funding sources available to seniors - tax deductions, housing subsidies, home care subsi-dies, equipment loan programs, renovation grants, etc.• Selling your home - how to find the right realtor or relocation services to assist your move.• Downsizing - Where do you start? How do you proceed?• Adapting your home to meet your mobility needs - tips and suggestions• Hiring home care services; do it yourself or hire an agency?• Legal matters - how to make sure you receive the care you desire should you not be able to communicate due to some incapacitating condition• AND MUCH MOREAdvice from professionals who are experts in the area of assisting seniors with their relocation questions and concerns. A handy reference guide for seniors and their families wrestling with the issues around whether relocation is the best option. This 128-page book provides helpful, easy to read information and suggestions to help seniors and their families understand the decisions they need to make.

Published by Senior LivingJANUARY 2009REG. PRICE: $14.95Buy it now! �ONLY $9.95

To Move or Not to Move? A Helpful Guide for Seniors Considering Their Residential Options

ORDER FORM - “To Move”Name_______________________________________________ Address_____________________________________________City_________________________________ Prov ___________ Postal Code_______________ Phone _____________________Email _______________________________________________

____ BOOKS @ $9.95 each = $____________SHIPPING $3.95 FIRST BOOK, $1.95 PER ADDITIONAL BOOK = $____________ SUBTOTAL = $____________ GST (5% on above SUBTOTAL = $____________ TOTAL = $____________

Shipping rates apply to British Columbia addresses ONLY. To have book mailed to addresses outside of BC, please call Senior Living 250-479-4705 for shipping costs. Please allow 2 weeks for shipping.

___ CHEQUE (make payable to Senior Living)___ CREDIT CARD ____VISA ____MC ____AMEXCARD NUMBER _________________________________________EXPIRY DATE ________________NAME ON CARD ________________________________________

BC EDITION

Read my article on the Senior Living website at


Documents

August 2009 Senior Living Magazine Vancouver Edition