CONNECTIONS: GrapeVine 2 · 2020-05-02 · For auto insurance renewal, contact your auto broker. Many policies can be renewed over the phone and email. If experiencing financial hardship,

RMSS- Maple Ridge, 12150 224th Street Maple Ridge BC V2X 3N8 Tel. (604)467-4993 Web: www.rmssseniors.org

RMSS- Pitt Meadows, 19065 119B Ave Pitt Meadows BC V3Y 0E6 Tel. (604)457-4771

Hello members and friends of RMSS!

Here we go for “round 3” of our newly formatted newsletter. Thank you for the many who

have expressed appreciation and submitted material and ideas for this and future issues. We

want this to be a communal effort so that everyone feels involved.

As our new creation continues to develop, ideas form. This issue we will start a feature to

focus on “Around Town” events - experiences we would otherwise be participating in - and

keeping them front of mind is just another way to stay grounded. If you would like to

promote or acknowledge some upcoming (normally scheduled, and now postponed, or being

alternatively experienced) community event, please let us know.

Be sure to check out our

Facebook page for regular

updates and helpful ideas.

Facebook.com/rmssseniors

For submissions email: [email protected]

Thank you to some of our latest dancing squad! Bev, Peachie, Aly, Millie (left to right)

What do you see when you walk in your neighbourhood?

CONNECTIONS: GrapeVine 2.0

Ridge Meadows Seniors Society: Serving Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows

May 2020: Issue 3 Note: RMSS closed May 18



BC Emergency Benefit for Workers: if your ability to work has been affected due to

Covid-19 you may be eligible for a one time, tax free $1000 benefit. Apply online as of

May 1 and over the phone as of May 4. (Google search the info link; phone number not

yet released)

#ScamAlert If you get a text message saying you received a deposit for the

Canada Emergency Response Benefit, beware - it is a scam! Do not reply or click

on the link; delete the text and warn others. #COVID19 #EconomicResponse.

BC Hydro & Fortis BC are still offering financial relief if unable to currently pay your bill.

There will be no disconnection for lack of ability to pay at this time. DO NOT believe

anyone telling you otherwise. DO NOT give money to anyone at the door, over the

phone, via internet to “keep you from being disconnected”. If you are unable to pay

your bill, contact your provider.

Indigenous food security packages for families available from FRIS 604-458-0151

(Fraser River Indigenous Society); homelessness also addressed

As of Apr 1, Cities of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows implemented agricultural

and recreational fire bans as Covid-19 affects the respiratory system. In order

to be neighbourly, residential wood fireplaces and briquette bbqs are asked

to be on hold.

For dogs of older adults and older dogs who have lost a human companion

due to a residence change, illness or death and are left without a caregiver,

ElderDog works to provide temporary, no cost, foster care in an approved

foster home. Several approved foster homes are waiting to help out.

Email: [email protected] Phone: 604-299-3667

Remember when walking your dogs, they must remain on-leash. There are an

increasing number of unleashed dogs in parks. If you see this call SPCA: 604-463-9511.

With all the talk of using Zoom to video conference, be aware of some security

concerns if no password is required to be a part of the group. “Zoom bombing” refers

to when random people join your group; they may have ulterior motives:

www.cbc.ca/news/technology/zoombombing-fbi-warning-1.5519024

THE GOING’S ON:



Remember to support your local businesses! Purchase a gift card for

someone to use at a later date. They can be purchased over the

phone, and even left at the store for the recipient - who then calls in and orders something

against the total of the gift card. Many stores offer curb side pick up as well.

Talk about contactless shopping! (Psst...Mother’s Day is coming!)

RESOURCES & TIPS:

www.stayathome.spud.ca Spud is a Vancouver based home delivery grocery provider.

They offer pre-set food boxes. During COVID-19, they are offering “stay home boxes” at

cost; order online – two day delivery, including MR/PM.

This is being offered to front line workers and those who are

at-risk in the community.

Following up with Haney Farmer’s Market Pitt Meadows Hub:

place an order online Wed at noon, and then pick up on Sat.

Details at: www.farmersandmore.org/order-direct

Go to Haney Farmer’s Market FB page and check their video

for more details.

Kate Woochuck, who has facilitated many seniors driving workshops for

RMSS, wants to make sure you know the following:

Time to renew your driver’s licence? To renew your licence, call ICBC

(1-800-950-1498) within 6 weeks of your expiry date to apply for a

temporary paper licence (valid 90 days) that will be mailed to you.

A visit to a licencing branch for photo and signature will be required before a physical

card is replaced. (All driving tests are indefinitely suspended.)

For auto insurance renewal, contact your auto broker. Many policies can be

renewed over the phone and email. If experiencing financial hardship,

contact ICBC to see if you qualify to have your monthly payment plan

deferred for up to 90 days with no penalty.

Check out www.canadatogether.com for many suggestions on how to journey COVID-19 with fellow Canadians.



SELF-CARE MOMENT:

As a child growing up, posture was often mentioned. When singing we were to visualize a string

attached to the top of our head, allowing the head to lift thereby opening up the chest giving us

lung power and volume. My high school would annually crown a posture queen (no king, as I

recall).

As we left school, joined the work force, raised families, posture became background noise and

perhaps was forgotten. Our activities of daily living don’t seem to encourage good posture…

hunched over a desk while on the computer or while driving a car, lazing about while watching

television. Now, as we age, it becomes important once more. Poor posture can start to affect our

mobility and quality of life. Good posture will allow the lungs to expand and work efficiently. Bad

posture can put extra stress on the back. If our muscles are weak, it is more difficult to hold

ourselves in good alignment. So keeping up with a good strength routine becomes even more

important.

There are constructive things we can do to improve posture. Try not to sit for more than one hour.

Every hour stand up, think tall, place your fists on your low back and open up the chest. During

daily activities try to train yourself to correct your posture, perhaps have it triggered by a colour.

When you see the colour red, lift the sternum (breast bone). A regular exercise program will

strengthen and stretch the affected posture muscles, including the muscles for support of the 12 to

15 pound head, the shoulder girdle, midsection (low back and abdominals) and the pelvic region.

Here are some pointers for good posture:

Think tall, lift the sternum, this will then allow the head to lift. Shoulders should be

down, back and relaxed (if your hands are loose, this helps to keep the

shoulders relaxed). The whole body should feel relaxed and aligned.

- submitted by Cathy Driver, RMSS fitness instructor

N.B.: To stay connected with her grandchildren, Cathy is leading them through regular times of exercise over video conference. Way to walk the walk, Cathy!

FITNESS CHALLENGE!

Class members of Stay Fit 3 have started an email fitness challenge. One of the class

instructors, Debbie, got them started with a 10 day squat challenge. Five squats on Day 1,

and add an additional five squats each day, so that by Day 10 you are doing 50 squats!

So...I’m curious - how many of you ‘rose’ to the challenge?

(or did the thighs get too sore?)

Any other groups ready to put out a challenge?

(disclaimer: only participate in what you know you are able to do!)



The Alzheimer Society offers webinars!

Upcoming seminars include:

Staying Healthy in a Time of Change and Uncertainty:

Tuesday, May 5, 2-2:30 p.m.

Long-Distance Caregiving:

Wednesday, May 13, 2-3 p.m. or 7-8 p.m.

All webinars are free to access. To register, please

visit www.alzbc.org/webinars or call the First Link®

Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033. You can also

review a playlist of pre-recorded webinars on topics

such as:

- Building Caregiver Resilience

- Activities to Do with a Person Living with Dementia

- Long-Distance Caregiving

- How to Support a Friend who has Dementia

or is a Caregiver

- Understanding Behaviour

Alouette Addictions: their full service is open for all support To book an appointment: 604-467-5179 9am – 5pm

Great help for this time with mental health challenges

CAREGIVER SUPPORT

Are you familiar with this phrase?

It refers to an unexpected act of charity or

helpfulness, often done for a stranger.

www.randomactsofkindness.org is a site

full of suggestions, ideas, links to videos, self-care.

Explore and see what you can do for someone else -

it will make YOU feel so much better!

If you know some-

one who struggles

with mental health,

reach out to them

with a call or email.



So...what have you been doing? How have you been occupying yourself?

PLEASE SHARE with us...it would be wonderful to know what you have been up to!

www.cbc.ca/music Many things to find here: from individual artists pre-recorded songs, a

link to an up-to-date list of live stream performances (this link is in the box on the far right

of your screen), to a varied list of playlists (not just Canadian artists). Explore this website

to find ways to support Canadian artists - some are even offering Skype lessons! (type

Skype lessons in the website search bar)

www.CBCkidsnews.ca This is a news site appropriate for children (and grandchildren)

aged age 9-13. Lots of age appropriate topics and themes.

If movie stars are more your thing, go to www.YouTube.com and search interviews:

SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild) and Actors on Actors (in which two mainstream actors

interview one another). In depth interviews - much more revealing than the five minute

movie promos we see on regular talk show programs. Hear interviews with Helen Mirren,

Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Lopez and many more.

www.getorganizednow.com 101 Things to Do While Staying Home (you may need to give your

email address to receive the free list). Things like swap out chores with your partner, plan a

themed meal and dress the part (i.e. French, music, wine, fake accent, learn a few phrases

to impress…or try a movie theme with your family) , try on ALL your clothes (gasp!) and

set aside those that no longer fit for when donation centres reopen.

Check out www.rmssseniors.org for our Isolation links. We continue to add more fitness

videos. Jane Gallagher has produced two more videos (Chair Yoga using weights, and

Mindful Meditation), and we have added some Tai Chi and aerobic walking videos. Watch

a Zoom tutorial. Learn to sew your own mask. You can also review past activity

suggestions - perhaps you are now ready to try some of them.

NEXT ISSUE: MR Facility Attendant, Joe, also a writer of novels, will share his ideas on

how to start your writing journey. We’ll also address journaling. And consider getting

some art canvases and acrylic paints ready as PM Facility Attendant, Michelle, is preparing

a video art lesson.

ACTIVITY IDEAS:

What ideas have you come up with? Share them! [email protected]



Missing your usual activities? This section will feature some of the classes RMSS offers.

If you would like to promote your activity, or give us a taste of what a class is like, what

one might learn (i.e. using photos, diagrams, brief explanations), please send info to:

[email protected].

Congratulations! to our

Ukulele group, led by Lillian B.

Her resolve to remain in

contact with her group and

continue to make music

together has been rewarded!

Each Wednesday at 1pm

those who are able

participate in a live class using

zoom. Despite some tech

challenges, they have had up

to 19 members participating!

So proud of you all!

Ukulele regularly occurs on Wednesdays at 1:30pm PM centre and 7:00pm at MR centre.

(note: G&G Music on Lougheed Highway is offering curbside pick up. If you order a ukulele through them,

try mentioning Lillian’s name - and her RMSS lessons - for a chance of some savings.)

Next issue: would you like your activity featured?

Create a write up to promote your activity

Give us a sample card hand and explain the how’s and why’s of your game

Explain the strategy of a well played Scrabble word

What is a basic dance step we can start practicing for: Hawaiian, Line, Ballet, Ballroom

What project can we start working on for your craft group?

Contact: [email protected] or call 604-477-0425

Whale Shark, Vermeer, Voice over Internet Protocol, Cuba, Gone with the Wind, Algeria, Napoleon, Israel

ACTIVITY FEATURE:

Some of the Ukulele members during a Zoom class.



Ridge Meadows Home Show: This event normally occurs the first

weekend of each May. It is a venue of countless renovation and

garden improvement ideas, housewares and wellness topics, etc. The

Family Fest occurs simultaneously with carousel rides, entertainment,

and food trucks. Check out www.ridgemeadowshomeshow.com for

full details on NEXT year’s plans. Meanwhile…

consider how you can change out the look of your own home: can you rearrange your

furniture, if not able to do so on your own, what reconfiguration might you think could work?

is it time to change out the photos in your frames? Or switch out the artwork you have on

your walls?

check out www.getorganizednow.com for 101 things to organize and clean

get going on that “honey do” list...really...what ARE you waiting for?

Kathleen H: Something I have been working on is sorting and culling old photos. I have mounted

about 20 black and white ones of my grand-parents and other family members on a display in my

hall. Looks fabulous! Might be a suggestion for others to do. I think everyone has photos they

mean to go thru….. London Drugs will scan and resize of only 39 cents each.

Mother’s Day: We may need to be creative (and perhaps

forgiving) of how we celebrate Mother’s Day this year!

You could have your mom’s favourite flowers or meal

delivered; you could drive by and do a distanced visit; you

could write mom a letter or poem; you could mail her a

card; you could sing her a song! Just let her know how

much you care. (and if your mom has passed, find a way to remember her that is meaningful to you)

Alzheimer’s Walk to Remember: This annual event has gone virtual for 2020. You can still walk

to remember those you have lost to this disease. It will be on May 31 and celebrated nationwide.

This is their biggest annual fundraiser. For registration details go to: www.walkforalzheimers.ca

Vistas Run: Has been postponed

AROUND TOWN:



Trivia Questions

(answers on bottom of activity feature page, two pages back)

Believed to grow as large as 60 feet (18 meters), what is the largest species of shark currently living in the ocean?

Girl with a Pearl Earring is an oil painting by which Dutch Golden Age painter?

When referring to phone calls made over the internet, what does the acronym VoIP stand for?

The mojito is a traditional rum cocktail from which country?

What film did Carol Burnett parody as the character “Starlet” in a costume made from tassels, drapery, and a curtain rod?

In terms of geographical area, what is the largest country in Africa?

In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, what was the name of the pig leader?

In 1952, Albert Einstein was offered the presidency of which country?

ACTIVITY PAGE:

The YMCA has twice partnered with

RMSS to offer FREE tech workshops.

Currently, classes are held virtually over

Zoom. (Instructions would be emailed to

you ahead of time)

Help with the following is available:

Basic Computer Skills

Surfing the Internet

Online Safety

Corona-virus useful contacts and apps

iPhone Basics

Effective Emailing

WiFi and Cookies

Google Advanced Search

Grocery Shopping online

Microsoft Office Word

Email or phone to register.



CONNECTIONS: STAYING IN TOUCH

To submit a message or photo, email: [email protected]

Hello to our community!

We want to assure you all that the

Ridge Meadows Hospice Society

supports are still available to everyone. Our

office is closed to the public but we have staff

available to speak to via 604-463-7722, or email:

[email protected].

We are providing phone and virtual support to

those who require grief support or counselling

on a one-to-one basis. We are also currently

working on our grief groups and relaxation

circle which will be offered via Zoom

conferencing. We recognize that this time of

COVID-19 has a great impact on our general

sense of isolation and connection, and there is

no need to be alone in your grief and loss,

please reach out.

-Lindsey Willis Executive Director

to: You!

from: Lindsey of RM Hospice Society

Hello all, hope you are keeping well

with the situation we find ourselves

in. Staff are trying very hard to keep

in touch with everybody, be it by

phone, email or Facebook, with

information and ideas on how to keep

busy. Don’t be afraid to pick up the

phone and talk to a friend. If there is

something you need, pick up the

phone and call us. We will try to help.

Unfortunately, as we have mentioned

previously, the cost of food is rising

plus we have additional costs of

packaging for our take-away meals.

This is necessitating a modest price

increase in our meals. This will take

effect Tuesday, May 19. New prices

will be posted at both centres starting

next week. These prices will be

reviewed once we reopen and may

necessitate a further increase, but we

are keeping it to a minimum at this

time.

Be safe out

there and

remember your

social distancing.

-Don Mitchell, RMSS President

Board members, Don & Fran at at BEAwards

ceremony 2019







A PROJECT FOR YOU!

Falling down a rabbit hole is a well-known phenomenon. As a child one of my favourite

stories was Alice In Wonderland. I wandered through the encyclopedia, and the shelves

at the library. The Internet offers family historians endless possibilities for wandering the

warrens of trees and documents. And our own memories can lead us off track too.

I try to capture my own memories in little pieces of writing, knowing that those colours

and scents and sounds will be forever lost if I decide to weed the garden instead. My siblings

are a few years younger, and they simply don’t have the same recollections I do about our dogs, our

houses, our friends and neighbours. Even when we do share a memory, we have different points of view.

Give your memory a poke. Memories are triggered by sights and smells: a snatch of music, the sound of a

voice, the taste of candy. I like to stimulate recall by looking at photographs and books I have read in the

past.

It’s MY memory. When I put a story on the page, I don’t worry about spelling, or remembering all the

details in particular order, or about what anyone else might think. I try to summon the textures of smell,

touch, and colour. I am interested in laying down exactly what I remember.

Give your memory a name. I often start with a title: Aromas of Christmas, Mother’s Pride, When Geof Ran

Away From Home. The title gives me a starting place and helps me shape my story. I am not writing a book,

maybe only a few paragraphs or a couple of pages.

Give it a rest. Once I have written the piece, I go weed the garden, or make a cup of tea. Later I go back

and re-write to tighten the language and to re-think the order of events, remember more details. Then I

put it in a folder called “Brenda’s Stories” and leave it for a while. Unless I want to share it, or torture my

sister by sending it to her daughters.

Share your story. Find someone who might like to read, or listen to you read your memory piece. Ask for

impressions and encourage requests for clarification. By sharing my mother’s memoirs I learned that she

had written them to me with my understanding, but that the context of a girl growing up on a homestead

in the 1930s was a bit of a mystery to my son’s generation. Sharing helped me see where I needed to

supply explanation to make her story more accessible.

Over the years I have accumulated quite a store of recorded memories. Not the book of my life. More like a

basket of vegetables, each with its own colour and flavor, but all from my garden.

For the month of May, ancestry.ca has offered library cardholders access to Ancestry

Library Edition. (Remember, you can apply for an e-card online.) Once on the FVRL website,

www.fvrl.bc.ca/index.php from the menu bar select digital content, databases, then ancestry

library edition.) To whet your appetite on family history, Brenda Smith has written some

articles we will feature over the next issues to encourage and inspire your journey.



VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION!

We want to recognize some of RMSS’

amazing volunteers.

Please send your acknowledgments to:

[email protected]

“Pam L., Jeanette H., Doris B. and Joys S.

have all been sewing face masks that may

be available at either centre over the lunch

hours (inventory dependent).

There are different styles,

patterns, colours and sizes.

Much appreciated!”

STAFF DIRECTORY:

Executive Director, Maria Perretta 604-477-9985; [email protected]

Administrative Coordinator, Nancy Markham 604-467-4593; [email protected]

Activity Coordinator, Carmen Tischer 604-477-0425; [email protected]

Outreach Coordinator, Bev Schmahmann 604-380-0516; [email protected]

Volunteer Coordinator, Kara Matthew 604-380-0517; [email protected]

A take-away lunch is available at BOTH MR & PM centres Mon-Fri 11:30am-12:30pm

Phone ahead for menu. Cash only.

Be sure to check out our Facebook

page at facebook.com/rmssseniors

Watch the volunteer appreciation

video. Thanks for this memento, Vanessa!

Documents

CONNECTIONS: GrapeVine 2 · 2020-05-02 · For auto insurance renewal, contact your auto broker. Many policies can be renewed over the phone and email. If experiencing financial hardship,