Special Feature | victorianewsdaily | Friday September 9, 2011 | PAGE 1

By Michael Nerpin

This year, Seniors Serving Seniors (SSS) celebrates its 30th anniversary. It’s an exciting time for the organization that offers Victorians the indispensable 55-page Seniors Services Directory: a simple, easy-to-understand one-stop-shop for many vital seniors services in the region.

SSS does more than simply manage the directory. Since 1981, they have managed SeniorLink, an information and referral telephone help line for seniors. Volunteers respond to questions and concerns of seniors and link them to services they need. Since 1987, SSS has provided the Senior Peer Counsellors program, a dedicated team of volunteers who offer one-on-one personal counselling to seniors.

Over the years, SSS has grown to provide additional volunteer services

to seniors. These include the Return to Health program: trained social support and encouragement to seniors living alone to transition from a hospital stay. Seniors in Stitches is a monthly knitting group that provides a much-needed social outlet for seniors, and knitted items for children at the Cridge Centre for the Family.

Each year, roughly 90 volunteers contribute over 5,000 hours to provide support to over 10,000 seniors. As SSS prepares for the future, they are looking for more volunteers to add to their team. The organization will continue to grow, adapt and change to accommodate the influx of baby boomers, providing the opportunity for volunteers to remain active in their community. If you would like to learn more about the organization contact Jane at 250-382-4331.

SSS Executive Director Jane Sheaff, guest speaker Mel Cooper and MC Deanna Stratford celebrate ‘the volunteer power of one’ with members at the 30th anniversary meeting in June 2011.

Seniors Serving Seniors would like to thank Changing Places for their generous donation towards developing our new logo.

Promoting the well-being of seniors in the Greater Victoria Community• SENIOR LINK Telephone Line

• Seniors’ Services Directory

• Peer Counselling

• Home Visits After Hospitalization

Celebrating 30 years of helping seniors in greater ViCtoria

“Changing Places Supporting Seniors On The Move”

Call Jane at Changing Places 250-721-4493 for more information

Thank You!

PAGE 2 | Friday September 9, 2011 | victorianewsdaily | Special Feature

return to health

Call for Volunteers!!All of Seniors Serving Seniors programs are volunteer driven and would not be possible without the volunteers’ dedication and commitment to help those less able. Some of the rewards of volunteering with SSS are meeting new people, fun and friendship, learning about seniors’ issues, and satisfaction in contributing to a persons’ well being.

Peggy Holmquist, a volunteer visitor with the Return to Health (RTH) program since 2005, has assisted 15 clients over the years. RTH volunteers visit isolated seniors prior to or following hospitalization. Approximately 250 isolated seniors are helped by the program each year and they find the visits physically, socially and emotionally helpful during time of illness.

“Right now I am helping two ladies both of whom are younger than me. This really makes a person thankful for what they have” said Peggy. Peggy finds she is learning a lot by volunteering with Return to Health. “RTH training for volunteers is a good opportunity for either those becoming seniors or for those looking after seniors to understand seniors’ issues. Much of the knowledge I can use myself.”

Training begins on Wednesday, October 26 and runs every Wednesday from 1 pm to 4 pm for 6 weeks.

Sessions cover the following topics:

• Aging Process – The Effects Of Disease On Normal Aging• Community Programs And Resources And How To Access Them • Effective Communication Skills• Managing Loss Of Vision And Hearing • Vancouver Island Health Authority Long Term Care Programs• Understanding The Healthcare System

Please contact Jane at 250-382-4331 to register and for orientation.

SSS client with Return to Health volunteer Peggy Holmquist. (standing right)

Return to Health volunteers attend monthly support meetings.

Promoting the well-being of seniors in the Greater Victoria Community

Road Test Packages

SENIOR DRIVING SPECIALISTS - CALL TODAY!

PLEASE CALL 250-475-0666OR REGISTER ONLINE AT

www.drivewisebc.com

VICTORIA:Free Learners Preparation ClassMonday, Sept. 12, 6:30-8:30 pm

Full Driving Course: Sept. 22 - Oct. 11 - Thurs/Tues eveningsSept. 28 - Nov. 2 - Wed evenings

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Special Feature | victorianewsdaily | Friday September 9, 2011 | PAGE 3

The quiet power of a listening ear can resonate loudly with someone experiencing a difficult time in their life. It’s a philosophy embraced by the Seniors Serving Seniors peer counsellors who offer a kind, non-judgemental ear to their peers struggling with various challenges, guiding them to find solutions.

Mary Dolan joined the peer counselling program about 16 years ago and now helps train other volunteers. “I really like the whole philosophy of peer counselling, that the answers are within all of us.”

The program has volunteers available to provide one-on-one personal counselling and emotional support for people going through grief, loss and lifestyle changes.

About 50 clients receive counselling each year, both women and men. As calls or requests for counselling come in to Seniors Serving Seniors, clients are matched with those volunteers who would seem a good fit,” perhaps with similar experiences or backgrounds; all discussions are confidential. Probably the most common reason people call is because of feelings surrounding loss and change. “It’s a big part of aging – how to cope and that simple acceptance that we don’t have control over what comes our way, but we do have a choice about how we respond” Dolan says. “Our attitude determines our happiness. That can be very liberating.”

senior peer CounsellingVolunteers lend a friendly ear in Peer Counselling program

Volunteers are asked to complete a 12 week training program – about 40 hours in all – exploring and developing the fundamentals of counselling, including listening skills and self awareness. “The more we understand ourselves, the more we can understand and help other people,” Dolan explains.

Peer Counselling Training begins on Wednesday, September 14 and runs every Wednesday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm for 12 weeks. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer counsellor phone Jane at 250-382-4331.

SPC Trainer Mary Dolan (seated left) and SPC Founder Goldie Carlow (seated right) meet with counsellors once a month at the Kensington on Shelbourne Street.

• SENIOR LINK Telephone Line

• Seniors’ Services Directory

• Peer Counselling

• Home Visits After Hospitalization

PAGE 4 | Friday September 9, 2011 | victorianewsdaily | Special Feature

The Directory is a free 55 page handbook widely-used by seniors and their families and is recognized as the most comprehensive listing of seniors’ services in the Capital Region. First published in 1995 it is updated every two years by a committee of professionals from the Vancouver Island Health Authority, Seniors Serving Seniors, and service providers.

Healthcare professionals (nurses, social workers, case managers) working in the community health units and hospitals give the Directory to patients of the Vancouver Island Health Authority programs, including geriatric and cardiac hospital programs. They find it a valuable tool for those who need services but don’t qualify to receive formalized care.

The Directory listings are updated every two years to ensure quality and relevance of the publication. We receive numerous positive responses from seniors and their families who feel the current and comprehensive information in the Directory assists their search for services and minimizes unnecessary stress in time of need.

25,000 copies of the 2010-2012 edition are distributed in Greater Victoria, Western Communities, Sooke, Saanich Peninsula, and the Gulf Islands. Over 80 distribution centres have been established in the community to ensure the Directory is easily obtained. Phone to find out which centre is near you. The Directory is also available online at www.seniorsservingseniors.bc.ca

seniors linKseniors information telephone lineAre you a senior new to Victoria or experiencing a lifestyle change? Seniors Link agents help families in time of need to navigate services for seniors in the Capital Region. They provide personalized advice and information for every day challenges. Topics include leisure activities, housing options, financial and legal concerns, home help, and guidance navigating the healthcare system. Call us at 250-382-4331 from Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

We participate in community education events and would be happy to provide information on senior’s services to your group. For more information contact Executive Director Jane Sheaff at Seniors Serving Seniors.

2010–2012 seniors’ serViCes DireCtory

seniors in stitches

Seniors Link Agent Myra Johnson helps callers to find solutions.

Promoting the well-being of seniors in the Greater Victoria Community• SENIOR LINK Telephone Line

• Seniors’ Services Directory

• Peer Counselling

• Home Visits After Hospitalization

Housebound seniors contribute to the community by knitting children’s sweaters, mitts, and toques for needy families. Their good spirits, as their name ‘Seniors in Stitches’ suggests, have attracted other knitters to join in the fun. The group meets once a month to pickup yarn and socialize. Phone 250-382-4331 if you would like to join.

Terry Price CLU, CHFCMember: Victoria Estate

Planning Council

Financial and Estate Planningfor Victoria Seniors Price

FinancialCommittee services available

p:250.479.4221 I tf: 1.800.920.2222 I www.terryprice.com I terry@terryprice.com