24 ~- North Shore News — Sunday, December 17, 2000 : : NEWS file photo. THE Ambleside “orchestra joins ‘other North Shore -musteal, grougs In performing for the community at Christm astima. - REMEMBER SH CHOPPING ST one $? WELL, NOW YOU CAR AGAIR! SHOP. BY PHONE, FAX, EMAIL: OR ON-LINE! IT'S THAT EASY! ‘From Deep Cove to Lions Bay Stong' s Express. will deliver your groceries right to your front door. PHONE: 266-5191 | FAX: 266-5199 _ Alt: cori: bonina@be.sympatico. ca ON-LINE: www.stongs. com AVAILABLE MONDAY TO FRIDAY EXCEPT HOLIDAYS ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:00 AM AND WILL BE DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING DAY: SATURDAY. DELIVERIES ARE AVAILABLE BUT ROERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:00AM FRIDAY. SENIORS ¢ feeds body and soul us scene MOST of us enjoy lis- tening to music of one kind or another — opera, classical, folk, rock-and-roll or rap. Some of us learned to play an instrument when we were younger, joined a choir or, at least, sang in the shower when we thought no one else could hear. I've been told that music reaches us in ways that noth- * ing else can and [ know that 1 can often recall a tune from years ago, even if I can’t remember its name. At this time of year, espe- cially, we hear Christmas music everywhere we go. There are also many performances that we can enjoy in churches, syn agogues, temples, concert halls or, of course, through the radio, tapes or CDs. Many religious groups cele- Heating é brate at this time of vear. There is Hanukkah, Ramadan, Kwanzaa and a celebration of the Winter Solstice, when the days begin to get longer again. On the North Shore, we are especially fucky to have a new group, Sinfonia, directed by the previous conductor of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Clyde Mitchell. They play in the North Vancouver Centennial Theatre, which has been recently reno- vated so that those of us who have trouble with stairs can now attend concerts there. Of course, some of us, as we get older, have difficulty getting out to enjoy live musi- cal pertormances. That is why 1 recently visited the Kiwanis Care Centre in North ° Vancouver and watched and listened while a group of resi- dents took part in a program pur on by Sally Howard, an accredited music therapist. Sally and her assistant, Cindy, played guitar, mouth organ, xylophone, drums and tambourines, while singing and encouraging members of the group to join in. They were able to sing songsin —_. German and French and even encouraged an elderly gentle- man from Australia to join in with a few verses of Waltzing stem Service system, shange celle, mee ; Lightweight & easy gripping. functional attachments ‘ for them that help avoid slipping in the rain or on the snow and ice. It's ¥an “ounce ‘of ‘preven- tion” which can certain- ly sar you | from a nasty fall - Muiti sizes with a variety of lid opening features. 1401 St. Georges © 985-877 1 - ee ar - Gift: sets available Designed for safety and added : support for getting in & out of bed ° Davies Pharmacy Tk ss »Free parking Free delivery for Pharmacy’ Prescriptions 4/21 a LEDS ie APOE tone IN oe Matilda, Laura, a recreation therapist, was also part of the group, helping people to move about, { was told that often, if someone has difficulty with memory or speech, a familiar tune will light a spark of recognition dat brings back pleasant thoughts of many years ago. Also, music with a good beat can inspire us to move about in time to the music, rather than just siting in a chair. Music stimulates the body, mind, and spirit, which then improves our overall well- being. Capilano College has a two-year training, program that leads to a Bachelor of Music Therapy degree. Liz Moffitt, coordinator of the program, tells me that it includes a vari- ety of courses in both music and psychology, so that the graduates will understand the benefits people will gain from this kind of treatment. Several care centres on the North Shore have music thera- pists on their staff, at least part time, and they know from experience the benefits these programs give to the residents. Untorzunately, other facilities do not have this program. The music therapy service at Evergreen House was recentdy discontinued for financial rea- sons, we were told, However, the seventh floor palliative care unit at Lions Gate Hospital does have the service of a part- time therapist. T hope that in the future, music erapy will be available for all of us who, for whatever reason, are unable to hear and appreciate the great variety of music that is available for us to enjoy in our community. Mary Segal is coordinator of Lionsview ‘Seniors’ Planning -: Society. Ideas for future columns... are welcome, Contact Seqal at 985-3852. or. drop a line to. Lionsview Seniors? Planning Society, North Building, 600 W.? : Queens Ra, North Van, B.C. V7N 2L3. aa what's on for seniors West Vancouver Seniors’ tivity Centre offers a vari- an of programs. Info: 925- : 7280. Al-anon Family _ Groups meet daily, offering support- ive, confidential sessions for families and friends of alco- holics. Info: 688-1716. Senior. Peer Counsellors: Free confidential support counselling by trained peers offers caring support, encour- -- agement and info..For -an | Routine Care | Y Diabetics. v House Calls Available appointment call 987-8138. 0 ‘Seniors’ One-Stop. Line: - Call for information. about heaith, housing, .. transporta- . ~ tion, support~ groups, meal. . financial and ‘legal: issues. Weekdays 9 am: to. 3. p.m. Info: 983-3303: Elderobics Fitness: hal recCentre, . Tuesdays: and Thursdays, 10 to 1l-a.m: for adults 60 ‘and up. Info: 926 2730. ; i _ Sharon Cocomile