WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010 THE VANCOUVER COURIER EW27

Seniors DECEMBER 2010SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

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GREETINGSFOR THE SEASON

Experience the warmth of our welcome by visiting us at:

2835 Sophia Street at 12th Ave.Vancouver, B.C. V5T 4V2Call 604.637.1207 www.cavellgardens.com

CAVELL GARDENSA Full Service Retirement Community in the Heart of Vancouver where

meeting the social needs of our seniors is a matter of priority.

“A single rose can be my garden, a single friend

my world”– Leo Buscaglia

604.636.1902Premier Homecare Services~ Vancouver Westside ~

Specializing inAlzheimer’s & related

dementia care.

by Helen Peterson

December is a month when there is a lot going on.

As well as celebrating holiday events with family and friends and perhaps helping out those in need by offering a stranger a hand, it is also a time to pause and reflect on the new year that lies ahead.

For seniors, particularly those that are of advanced age, or those that have significant health issues, the holidays can be a challenging time.

And not just for the senior but for their families as well. All the visiting and shuttling about to attend dinners and other events can be trying, espe-cially if there are mobility issues, or if a change of scenery brings with it some cognitive difficulty.

As seniors are living longer and lon-ger, so the list of issues presenting themselves grows, too. In this regard, it is important that seniors, their families, health care practitioners and caregiv-ers work together – to provide the best quality of life possible for a person who may just need that extra hug.

For this holiday season, make an extra visit to see a loved one, enjoy a musical interlude or arrange a visit by a pet to soothe someone’s anxiety. The togetherness of families – the coming together of generations – means every-thing.

Because whether they’re at home, or in a retirement residence, all seniors need to feel special… this month and beyond.

THE RUSSIAN NESTING DOLL (MATRYOSHKA) IS A SET OF DOLLS OF DECREASING SIZES PLACED ONE INSIDE THE OTHER (TYPICALLY BETWEEN FIVE TO SEVEN WOODEN FIGURES). THE WORD MATRYOSHKA IS DERIVED FROM MOTHER; LIT-ERALLY IT MEANS "DEAR (OR LITTLE) MOTHER."

EW28 THE VANCOUVER COURIER WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010

seniors

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SENIORS’ HEALTH CHECK:PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR F.E.E.T.S.by Peter Silin, contributing writer

F.E.E.T.S. is an acronym that we developed to provide caregivers with a checklist of five areas that are important to monitor regularly. F.E.E.T.S. stands for Feet, Eyes, Ears, Teeth and Sleep. Proper care and attention to these can detect illnesses and conditions at an early stage and may help to prevent permanent, irreversible damage.

Regular monitoring of F.E.E.T.S. can also help to maintain the highest level of emotional well being for the older person by preventing falls, social isolation, depression and anxiety.

FEETGood foot health is important for balance, stability and mobility. If feet deteriorate, a person's ability to walk can become compromised. When this happens a person is at risk for falls and social interaction and independence can be restricted. Problems with the feet can include corns, toenails that are ingrown, infections and wounds.

People with diabetes can have impaired circulation, which leads to reduced feeling in their feet. If they have a wound or injury, they may not realize it. Due to the reduced circulation, the wounds can cause permanent damage, and even lead to the necessity for amputation.

For good foot health:• Have regular appointments with a podiatrist of a foot

care nurse every eight weeks. Many foot care nurses will visit private homes.

• Make sure that shoes fit comfortably and are not impeding circulation.

• If someone has edema of the ankles and feet, try to keep the feet elevated at least to the waist level when sitting. Review with a physician treatment for edema.

• Wash and examine feet regularly.• Pay attention to wounds and small cuts, especially if

they seem not to be healing.• Learn, and do regularly, exercise which increases

balance and strength.

EYESCommon eye problems that may go undetected for quite a while include cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. People often wear their eyeglasses when they are often no longer appropriate for the degree of type of visual impairment they have.

Another problem is diabetic retinopathy, a condition of the retina, which results from diabetes. If untreated, it can lead to blindness. Poor vision can lead to falls or accidents from driving.

For good eye health:• Have an eye exam annually, by either an optometrist

or ophthalmologist. There are some optometrists that will do home visits. An eye exam can detect diabetes that may otherwise go undiagnosed.

• Glasses should be reviewed yearly, to ensure they are still appropriate for the degree of visual impairment.

• Caregivers should ensure that the glasses being worn are the ones that were last prescribed. Sometimes

glasses may be lost, and a person will resort to usingolder ones.

• Remember that even someone with advanced dementia should have eye exams. Even if they arenot able to respond, an optometrist or ophthalmolo-gist can detect problems, which are impacting onquality of life.

• Visit the CNIB website to find a range of visual aids.

In Part Two of Seniors’ Health Check – Jan. 5, 2011– we look at the Ears, Teeth and Sleeping habits.

Article supplied by Diamond Geriatrics, a geriatric care management, counselling, and consulting com-pany based in Vancouver; website: www.Diamond-Geriatrics.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NEWS CANADA

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010 THE VANCOUVER COURIER EW29

seniors

Amica at Arbutus ManorA Wellness & Vitality™ Residence2125 Eddington DriveVancouver, BC V6L 3A9604.736.8936

• Luxury Independent Rental Retirement Living

• All Inclusive • Full Service Fine Dining• Wellness & Vitality™ Programs

• Amica VITALIS™ Assisted Living Serviceswww.amica.ca

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LOVE life. LIVE here.®

Come and discover the fresh, new spaces at Amica at Arbutus Manor. Beautifully redesigned to give you theluxury of a first class hotel combined with services andprograms that enhance your active independent lifestyle.

Set amidst acres of landscaped grounds and courtyards, youwill live in the heart of Kerrisdale, with Arbutus ShoppingCentre, amenities and parks just steps away.

Coupled with an all inclusive low monthly rate, now is theideal time to make the move to Amica at Arbutus Manor.

Live the retirement lifestyle you’ve workedyour whole life to achieve!

Call or visit today to learn more about our Independent Rental Retirement Living and ourVITALIS™ Assisted Living Suites and Services.

~ Open House Week ~Wednesday, December 1st through 7th, 2010

10:00 am to 4:00 pmCall today for your personal tour and stay for lunch,

compliments of our Executive Chef Robert!

The Stars Step Out The Stars Step Out Variety Show and AuctionVariety Show and Auction

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE ZAJAC RANCH FOR CHILDREN

Master of Ceremonies: Red Robinson

On Sunday, December 5th 2010 at the Arts Club’s Granville Island Stage, over twenty-fi ve international artists will come together to perform in a variety show benefi ting the Zajac Ranch for Children. Along with an

evening-long silent auction, this event will raise funds for The Zajac Ranch for Children, a one-of-a-kind camp for children with chronic and serious illnesses and disabilities who would otherwise not have an opportunity to

attend camp.

The doors open at 6:15pm; the show begins at 7:30pm.

TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH:

www.zajacranch.com - or by calling 604-739-0444www.vancouvertix.com - or by calling 604-629-8849

Are Mom and Dad safe at home?

Ask aging Canadian seniors to list their highest priorities and chances are 'continue living in my home' will be at the top of the list. Thanks to modern technology combined with community and family support, older seniors are able to live at home longer than ever before. However, it is important that family members conduct regular preventative checks to ensure Mom and Dad continue to be safe at home.

“Right before the holidays is a great time to discreetly check on aging fam-ily members to determine whether they need some extra help at home,” says nurse practitioner, Michelle Acorn, who runs a falls prevention clinic for seniors.

“Drop by for a visit and subtly examine everything from their physi-cal appearance to the condition of their home.”

Acorn says to look for signs such as whether the refrigerator is stocked with food, whether they are dressed appro-priately for the weather or whether there are piles of unpaid bills or newspa-pers stacked around. More information

on how to make elderly family members safe at home is available online at www.lifeline.ca.

Even if Mom and Dad have experi-enced some decline in their health, sometimes only small adjustments are required to enable them to continue liv-ing independently at home.

First off, to minimize falls, eliminate clutter and throw rugs, and check their shoes to make sure they are sturdy, with low heels and rubber soles for traction.

Also do a home safety inspection and install better lighting, hand rails on both sides of the stairs, grab bars in the bath-room, non-slip mats and night lights.

You may want to consider subscribing to a medical alert service that can be there for Mom and Dad when you can't be.

Info. courtesy www.newscanada.com.

SENIORS’ KIN REPORT

EW30 THE VANCOUVER COURIER WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010

seniors

“EUROPEAN QUALITY AT CANADIAN PRICES”

Friedrich H.G. Brumm, D.D., B.A. Denturist

22yrs exp

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by Jacquie Hooper

Cross-country skiing.Come out to the mountains with back-country skis,They said as we entered the track through the trees;Hemlock and cedar bowed down in the snowAnd nary a chair-lift, T-bar or tow.Just uphill and onward, stride after stride,Aches in all muscles and pain in my side.Sweating and groaning as upward we strain,Longing to see a more flattened terrain.Stopping to shed a warm sweater and vestDrink coffee, eat lunch and treasure our climbWhile watching the on-creeping shadows of time.Then back down the mountain's steep face in the sun,Hyped up for what must be a picturesque run,Just great for those experts who telemark ski,(But slow, easy, downward traverses for me.)Even with caution we have a few falls, And making a vow to discard all the rest.Wax, compass and garments now bulging our packsAnd a thermos of coffee along with our snacks,The weight on my back like a fifty-ton boulder,The straps on each side slicing into each shoulder.Cross-country, they said, is the sport of the day,

As long as your muscles can stand it, I say.But wait, here's a scene that is hard to resist,A lake, locked in ice, and a valley, sun-kissed,And snow-covered meadows right up to the peakWhere runs can be slalomed by even the weak.And on top in the sunshine, the city belowWith highways, and houses, row upon row.Off to the north more mountains appear,Here rounded, here jagged, here snow-topped and sheer,And far to the south lie Gulf waters a-shimmerBy the Island's dark ridges, their snow-caps a-glimmer.Now finished with climbing we're due for a rest;Off packs and off skis as we stand on the crestAnd savour the cool mountain breeze on our faces,We stretch and relax, even undo our laces,Drink coffee, eat lunch and treasure our climbWhile watching the on-creeping shadows of time.Then back down the mountain's steep face in the sun,Hyped up for what must be a picturesque run,Just great for those experts who telemark ski,(But slow, easy, downward traverses for me.)Even with caution we have a few falls,Covered in snow and exchanging catcalls.Then back at the base we laud cross-country skiing,Giving outdoorsmen a reason for being.

A WINTER POEM

“WHAT’S ON” FOR DECEMBERKillarney Community Centre is hosting a “Senior’s Holiday Dinner,” Thursday, Dec. 2 at 6 pm. The cost is $14.50 for ages 55-plus, and instead of the usual luncheon at Killarney, seniors will be having dinner at Fraserview Golf Course (only a five-minute drive away from Killarney). Join the gang to celebrate the holiday season and have a beautiful catered meal! Note: The Killarney bus will be taking participants there at 5:30pm and 5:45pm. When registering, stateif you will be using the Killarney bus; participants are encouraged to drive themselves. Call 604-718-8200 to register.

Amica at Arbutus Manor invites interes-ted Vancouver residents to its “Open House”Wednesday, Dec. 1 to Tuesday, Dec. 7, from 10 amto 4 pm daily, or the “Winter Warmer Open House”on Wednesday, Dec. 15 between 1 and 4 pm. Drop byto find out more about Amica’s elegantly redesignedstudios, one bedrooms and Assisted Living Suites, andstay for tea! Located at 2125 Eddington Drive; call604-736-8936.

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