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JULY, 2003 SENIOR CONNECTOR www.seniorconnector.com PAGE 13 My Favourite Things Thinking Senior exercise CONTINUED FROM PAGE Recently Julie Andrews is reported to have done a concert for 1 Pass this along to your senior friends. For those of us getting along in years, here is a little secret for building arm and AARP, at which she sang her hit from The Sound of Music, June 21, we want to take you but the words were changed. Here are the new words to this out for dinner.” So, my niece shoulder muscles. Three days a week works well. tune (sung to “My Favourite Things”): and nephew arrived at my Begin by standing outside behind your house, and with a door on the evening of June five-pound potato sack in each hand … extend your arms Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting, 21. Carole had visited with us straight out to your sides and hold them there as long as you Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings, in B.C. a couple of times in can. Bundles of magazines tied up in string, the past ten years, but Ron I After a few weeks, move up to 10 pound potato sacks, and These are a few of my favourite things. had not seen since his mother’s funeral in 1976 — almost then 50 pound potato sacks, and finally get to where you can lift a 100 pound potato sack in each hand and hold your arms Cadillacs and cataracts and hearing aids and glasses, 27 years ago. The boy I knew straight for more than a full minute. Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses, then, is now a 6’ 3” man with Next … start putting a few potatoes in the sacks, but be Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings, a receding hairline and a gray These are a few of my favourite things. mustache. His first words careful not to overdo it. were “I have something here I When the pipes leak, want to deliver to you, it’s When the bones creak, only 63 years late” and with a When the knees go bad, hug and kiss he handed me the I simply remember my favourite things, card my dear sister had drawn And then I don’t feel so bad. for me so long ago. It was a short but wonderful reunion. Hot tea and crumpets, and corn pads for bunions, The trip had taken them over No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions, 11 hours to drive from their Bathrobes and heat pads and hot meals they bring, respective homes in Red Deer These are a few of my favourite things. and Stettler, Alberta. Back pains, confused brains, and no fear of sinnin’ Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin’ And we won’t mention our short shrunken frames, When we remember our favourite things, When the joints ache, when the hips break, When the eyes grow dim, Then I remember the great life I’ve had, And then I don’t feel so bad. Wildlife Express celebrates 25th anniversary On Father’s Day, the Wildlife Express celebrated its 25th anniversary of operation at the Kamloops Wildlife Park. Free train rides were provided and new artefacts – a velocipede, two historic track motorcars and a handcar – were on display. Dunk Andrews, retired systems rules instructor, says that if a train was coming up behind you while you were on a velocipede it was a great motivator to pump hard so that you could go faster! In the first year of operation, 1978, the Wildlife Express carried 6,000 riders, but since then hundreds of thousands of people has enjoyed the adventure. The Wildlife Express is a wonderful park attraction. In 2002 there were 58,440 riders over the course of 192 operating days. The dedicated volunteers of the KSCRS contributed a staggering 5,347 hours this past calendar year operating the train and maintaining the facilities. The society has 80 active members consisting of retired CP, CN and BC Rail employees who volunteer with their spouses to operate the miniature train. The provincial department of Safety Engineering Services and Railways inspects the Wildlife Express, track and facilities each year, and the KSCRS has a tremendous reputation for operating the safest miniature train in the province. There are 70 species of wildlife at the park and some terrific recent improvements. The park will host a summer camp for children from Monday, July 21 through Friday, July 25 this summer. For information on this or other park activities phone 573-3242. ✑ ✑ ✑ ✑ ✑ Thanks to Lori and Mike Keetch, new owners of Senior Connector, I now have my computer at home. By the way Mike, you did a fine job of your first column last month. I am having some difficulty in writing this column because I recently had a stroke. I want to urge our readers to heed the advise below. It comes from literature given to me by a neurologist. The stroke hit the vision portion of my brain and he is currently sending me for tests to try and determine what went wrong and what steps need to be taken to help prevent it from happening again. “The symptoms of stroke happen suddenly. Common symptoms include: * Weakness, numbness, or paralysis of the face or arm, or leg (especially one side of the body) * Difficulty speaking or understanding speech * Sudden loss of vision in one eye * Sudden dizziness and inability to walk * There is usually no pain “Until recently, no emergency treatment was available for a stroke. A new medication that breaks down blood clots called tPA is available for stroke, but it is only effective if it is given within three hours of the stroke onset. “It is critical that everyone be aware of the symptoms of stroke and seek medical attention immediately. Many patients who might benefit from the tPA treatment are not getting to the hospital fast enough to be treated.” Cedar Creek Camp Raffle & more Our Adventure 2003 Camp raffle features a number of great prizes and a very affordable price - $2.00 per ticket or 3 for $5.00. Volunteers will be at the Farmer’s Market throughout the summer selling tickets as well as at Canada Day and Hot Nite in the City. Tickets are of course available through our office as well. We are depending on a successful raffle more than ever this year to replace goods lost in a break in last month. Our shed was vandalized as well. Cedar Creek Camp is on White Lake, a rustic but accessible camp on a crown land lease with several cabins and other amenities. Our members call it “a little piece of heaven”. We use the camp for our programs as well as rent it out to other groups and individuals with people with disabilities being our primary users. We still have some dates available so folks are welcome to call us at 376- 7878 for further information. Also coming up, a Day Trip on July 16 to Lac le Jeune and Logan Lake, returning to Kamloops via Ashcroft and Highway 1. These trips are proving very popular so we urge people to call right away to book a seat. Transportation is provided on board our 16 passenger, wheelchair accessible, airconditioned bus. Heather Archer Executive Director People In Motion Problem Gambling and Seniors Seniors can find themselves with a lot of time on their hands. Gambling is an option. How does an activity that’s supposed to be fun take over your life and turn it into a nightmare Problem Gambling programs exist throughout the province. If you would like more information call 1-888-795-6111 In the Thompson/Cariboo region call: Problem Gambling Program, Phoenix Centre (250) 374-4634 or email gamble@mail.ocis.net Tour the Okanagan Come with us to the beautiful city of Armstrong. We will visit the gift shop at Planet Bee, where an interesting assortment of honey and health products can be purchased. And then it’s off to the Chickadee Ridge Miniature Farm to see and play with the fascinating mini ponies, a monkey, and even a wallaby! Lunch will be served outdoors in the shade. Following lunch will be a tour of the famous Village Cheese Factory, where we will see cheese being made and sample the results. On the return trip home we will be coming back through Salmon Arm and if time permits we will stop at one of the many fruit stands. All locations and the bus are accessible. Date: Wed., June 18, 2003 • Time: 9:30 am to 4:00 pm Cost: $42.50 Registered passengers will be picked up at one of two pickup points between approximately 9 and 9:30 am and returned to the same points between 4 and 4:15 pm. Call us NOW at 376-7878 to register. Space is limited and pre-payment is required. 60% Leased Piccadilly Terrace now under construction 91-unit Rental complex * Kitchenette in all suites * 2 Chef prepared meals daily * Housekeeping and linen service * Organized Activities * Shuttle Bus * 24 Hour Staffing, security call alerts and more . . . Located at 810 10th St. SW, Salmon Arm, across from the Piccadilly Place Mall For more information, call (250) 803-0060 Box 161, Salmon Arm, BC V1E 4N3
PAGE 12 STRIDE INSIDE July Schedule Date Walk location Coffee location Jul 2 Wed McArthur Island Press Box Jul 4 Fri Riverside Park Jean & Dino Sordi’’s 627 Cowan Street Jul 7 Mon Riverside Park Cdn Legion Jul 9 Wed McArthur Island Press Box Jul 11 Fri Riverside Park Desert Gardens Jul 14 Mon Riverside Park Cdn Legion Jul 16 Wed McArthur Island Press Box Jul 18. Fri Riverside Park Desert Gardens Jul 21 Mon Riverside Park Cdn Legion Jul 23 Wed McArthur Island Press Box Jul 25 Fri Riverside Park Judy & Norm Miller’’s 1163 Howe Street Jul 28 Mon Riverside Park Cdn Legion Jul 30 Wed McArthur Island Press Box • Meet at 8:30 for all walks • Parking near rose garden at Riverside Park These are the signs of a heart attack. Remember them and PASS IT ON P aleness A nxiety, Fear, DENIAL S weating S hortness of Breath I ndigestion T ightness or Chest Pain O verall Weakness N ausea Signs other than chest pain are especially dangerous, because they are easy to DENY. Remember: PASS IT ON If you have one or more of these 8 signs, don’t wait. Tell someone or call for help. Any abuse is BAD ENOUGH Abuse can be: • physical • sexual • verbal • financial • mental • emotional Desert Gardens Anniversary CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 located in the Oasis Restaurant. The official unveiling is to take place on September 5, 2003 by His Worship, Mayor Rothenburger. Our restaurant provides wholesome “home style” meals at reasonable cost for everyone. Breakfast and lunch is served every weekday. Suppers Tuesday, Thursday, and every other Sunday. Banquets, seminars, and receptions seating up to 250 people can be accommodated with full plate or buffet service. Catering to wedding parties is one of our specialties. Rooms are available for smaller gatherings such as board meetings. We have a 48x24 foot “floating” dance floor. We invite everyone to drop in and see the variety of programs offered. (See our Calendar of Events in Senior Connector). We welcome your suggestions to develop new activities. The current board has made substantial, positive, steps toward improving the financial viability of Desert Gardens and looks, with confidence, to the future. A continued strong commitment and cooperation on the part of everyone will assure Desert Gardens will continue to provide activities for everyone — of every age. ANAVETS UNIT 290 444 TRANQUILLE RD., KAMLOOPS, B.C. V2B 3H2 SERVICE OFFICER AVAILABLE: Tuesday & Thursday 1 - 3 p.m. TO HELP ALL SENIORS FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 554-2455 You are not alone. Call for help. Kamloops Women’s Resource Centre 376-3009 Y Women’s Emergency Shelter 374-6162 Kamloops Sexual Assault Counselling Centre 372-0179 Kamloops Outreach Services Society 828-0600 No one deserves to be abused. SENIOR CONNECTOR Abuse is any action by someone in a position of trust, which causes harm to another person. The phenomenon of elder abuse and neglect has become an increasing concern in Canada. A nation-wide survey indicated that 1 in 25 (4 percent) of people over the age of 65 have suffered some form of abuse. It occurs within all economic, social and cultural groups. The number of older British Columbians who experience abuse has been estimated to be as high as 8 percent. Elder abuse still remains a hidden phenomenon as many older adults do not report maltreatment, and many professionals are not aware of the problem. Types of abuse and neglect may include: psychological abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, medication abuse, financial abuse, violation of civil/human rights, neglect, self neglect. Abuse can happen in the privacy of ones home, in the community, in a nursing facility or group home. Abusers can include family members, informal caregivers, neighbours, friends, formal caregivers, landlords, etc. Public education is extremely important. Both elders themselves, and the public at large need to understand what elder abuse is, why it happens, how to recognize it, and what can be done about it. Elders need to retain as much power and control over their own lives as possible, since this reduces the risk of abuse. Knowledge is empowering, so it important that older people know their rights. Seniors Outreach Services Society (SOS)’s role is to provide community education on elder abuse and to give support to victims of elder abuse. We need to www.seniorconnector.com Seniors Outreach Services Society BARBARA GRANT, OFFICE COORDINATOR make is clear that elder abuse is not acceptable. Unfortunately, victims of elder abuse are often reluctant to report it, and are not willing to pursue intervention that may lead to a criminal investigation. As well as feeling embarrassed and ashamed, they feel unsafe. It is important to be informed of the alternatives of living in an abusive environment. Ultimately, elders are adults with the right to selfdetermination. If the elder is mentally competent, and chooses to remain in an abusive or neglectful environment, it is important for others to respect their decision. To report suspected abuse, contact one of the designated agencies in Kamloops: Interior Health Authority Thompson/Cariboo/Chilcoti n Health Services Area Continuing Care Services 851-7500 or Geriatric Outreach Services 851-7450 Ministry for Children and Families Community Living Services(Adults) 371-3650. A provincial contact is the Public Guardian and Trustee of B.C. 604-775-0202. The B.C. Coalition to Eliminate Abuse of Seniors (B.C.CEAS) is located in Burnaby and has a toll free number 1-866-437-1940 for inquiries and resources. Locally, the Kamloops Community Response Network (376-7878) is a group of individuals, service providers and agencies working together to enhance and coordinate the community’s ability to respond to abuse, neglect and self neglect of adults who are vulnerable. Seniors Outreach Services Society (828-0600) is a member of this network, and strives to provide community education about elder abuse, referrals and support to victims of elder abuse. July birthdays at Ponderosa Birthday wishes for the month of July go out to: Kashiku Nagai, Eileen Robinson, Rhoda Brockington, Jack Cunningham, Gertrude Oswald, Emily Winser, Kenneth Watts, Larry Shaw, Mina Jurkat, Thelma Rogal, Minnie Barney, Marion Durnin, Archibald “Mac” McCallum and Alma Pettyjohn. Congratulations on your special day. pick us up and we would pack apples for hours.” Rasich said she “worked like a man” in those days, haying in orchards, packing and doing field work. Her husband Nick Rasich, whom she met when she was working on a sugar beet farm in Raymond, Alberta, couldn’t find a job in Depression-era Kamloops and, for a while, looked after their two children during the day. “My kids didn’t see me. They were sleeping when I left in the morning and sleeping when I came home,” she said. Rose and Frank, her children, were both born in 1933 when Rasich was 18 years old. She remembers that the weather was more extreme in Kamloops back then, cold and snowy in the winter and very hot in the summer. “I used to cut asparagus in April and May, sometimes twice a day.” The plants grew quickly in the hot weather. “We didn’t leave the white stuff on like they do now. I packed nice asparagus.” After many years of farming and packing, Rasich worked as housekeeper at the historic Leland Hotel in Kamloops for sixteen years. She still gets flowers from her former employer, even though she retired from that job in 1970. Despite developing osteoporosis after retiring, Hilda Rasich has never stopped working. She has been a volunteer since her children were young. In the 1940s she and Helen Saemerow went door to door in Brocklehurst to raise donations for a badlyneeded community hall. The women collected vegetables from neighbours that filled the Rasich’s basement. “We had a sale at our place by the highway. We baked, we had tea and card tables set up inside and out. The cars were bumper to bumper and we cleaned out that basement.” Rasich laughed as she recalled her friend Helen wearing out part of her lawn, running back and forth under a canopy on that day. The two formed a Ladies Auxiliary and organized dances and other events to raise more money for the Brocklehurst Community JULY, 2003 Hilda Rasich CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Hall. “All donated the for that labour hall. was John years. fun,” recalled Rasich fondly. dishpan from my house.” into Desert Gardens. sent Seniors Centre. Rasich is crocheter. numerous tablecloths, a highly-skilled She donated bed- to the 1990s. work. known for her baking.
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