“PM all right — noth- ing is going to happen to me.” How many umes have we heard someone say this when the subject of disasters comes up? Nobody likes to think about the possibility of some - thing unpleasant har pening, yet we are all vulnerable if there is a flood, earthquake or fire, or even if te power goes out for any length of time. Seniors may be especially at risk if there is a major problem in our neighbour- hood. Never mind the Y2K alarms we keep hearing. Even if we don’t rely on a comput- er to keep us warm or mobile, the loss of electric power can leave us in the dark, literally as well as in the sense of not knowing what is happening or how to get help. For example, during a on the seene recent power outage in my neighbourhood, 1 could not get my car out of the garage, get news on the radio, or even make myself'a comfort- ing cup of tea. And this was only for pwo hours. Ata recent meeting of the Seniors’ Health Consumers Council, Ross Peterson, coor- dinator of the North and West Vancouver Emergency Program had some good advice. We need to make sure that we have fire and smoke alarms in our homes that are 4 SENIORS Emergency plans make sense in good working order. We shot’ abo have a flashlight and radio with fresh batteries, and a three-day supply of non-perishable food and drinking water. One simple thing thar we could all do is to Keep a pair of sturdy shoes under the bed in case we have to gev up in the middle of the night. We do not need to be stepping on broken glass if we are trying fo get away . from a tlood or a fire. And speaking of fires, we heard recently from Krysha Derbyshire, the director of emergency social services for the District of North Vancouver, She informed me that during the last two years there have been apartment block fires in North Vancouver involving 50 to 60 tenants, Of all these people, only two had fire insurance. The tenants had to find some place to live, at least tem- NEWS photo Paul McGrath ‘Service with a smile JUDY Poon of West Van secondary and Thora Daking shared a laugh at West Van Seniors’ Activity Centre. Teens prepared and served brunch for upwards of 150 seniors at this popular event held annually during Youth Week in May. RELUCTANT EXECUTOR? Acting as or appointing an executor but concerned with the administrative effort and complexity? ElderCare professional assistance may be a solution. REMEMBER SHOPPING STONG'S? WELL, NOW YOU CAN AGAIN! 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 EMAIL: cori_bonina@bc.sympatico.ca ON-LINE: www.stongs.com g AVAILABLE MONDAY TC FRIDAY EXCEPT HOLIDAYS q ORDERS MUST SE RECEIVED BY 11:00 AM AND WILL BE DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING DAY SATURDAY DELIVERIES ARE AVAILABLE BUT ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:00AM FRIDAY. porarily, and to buy clothes, food and even basic supplies such as toothpaste. This is difficult without the compen- sation provided by insurance. People without fire insur- ance need to know that there is verv little assistance avail- able from the government or other sources. If you cannot find family or friends to stay with, the provincial govern- ment will pay for a maximum of three nights’ accommmoda- tion in a hotel that they choose for you. On the other hand, fire insurance will cover the cost of hotel or other accommo- dation until you can find something permanent. It can also cover the cost of clean- ing, repairs or the replace- ment of furniture, clothing, bedding and household pos- sessions, We probably don’t realize the cost of starting from scratch to build up our home when everything we have accumulated for years is gone. The cost of household insur- ance is worth it. For a modest amount of furniture, clothing and a TV, it can be as low as $300 per year. There are many other things that we all need to be aware of in case disaster strikes. For more information, you can call the North and West Vancouver Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program at 983-7440. They will help you and your neighbours develop an emergency preparedness plan. This is a free service and one that would be very useful to all of us — seniors, our families, and our neighbours. As the Boy Scouts say: Be Prepared. Mary Segal is coordinator of Lionsview Seniors’ Planning Society. Ideas for future columns ave welcome. Contact Segal at 985-3852 or drop a line to Lionsview Seniors? Planning Society, North Building, 600 W. Queens Rd, North Van, B.C, V7N 2L3. To learn more about ElderCare ssional Services, contact R.A. Witzel, ca. 43 Montizambort Wynd, West Vancouver, BC Tals (604)921-4046 ¢ Fax: (604)921-4048 FINTERIORS USTOM 555, Levolor Monaco Blinds 308. Drapery, sheers & vi ances CHOOSE FROM SELECTED _ FROM SELECTED GEORGE N JACKSON FABRICS Offer expires June 30/99 lation 986-0678 Censu Ask about our Carpet Specials Sunday, June 6, 1999 - North Shore News — 21 WHATS GOING ON Welcame Wagon: Monday, June 7, 6:30 p.m. Cheers Restaurant. Fifty-pius show- case includes displays, talks and door prizes. Admittance is tree by invitation only, Call Dericka at 929-2920) or Valerie at 984-0746. Plays for Grays: North Shore theatre group for seniors organizational meeting. Wednesday, June 9, 6 p.m., at The Garden Studio, 275-2 1st St., W.V. You are invited if you are 50+, enjoy live theatre and want to act. You should also attend if you enjoy work- ing with seniors and/or have a theatre background. Into: 922-1575 or 926-1842. Seniors and Weight Loss: Wang Acupuncture Clinic is offering tree acupuncture treatments for seniors on Saturday, June 12, trom 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at 159 E. 15th St.. N.V. Space is limited. Info: 984-7688. Osteoporosis Scciety North Shore: Open house, Monday, June 14, 7 p.m. at W. Van Seniors’ Activity Centre. Info: 731-4997. The Legal Advice Program: Free legal help at Silver Harbour Centre for those who cannot afford a lawyer. Appointments: 986-2474, Senior Peer Counsellors: Free confidential support There are 1.5 million Canadians who have been diagnosed with diabetes. For cach case that is diagnosed, there is another that is undiagnosed. The sumber of diabetics is increasing and it is estimated that by 2004, one in four Canadians over 45 will have diabetes. ‘Type 2 diabetes, also called non-insulin dependent diabetes, has increased dramatically over the past 10 years. This is because we are living longer, mote of us are overweight, and we are less physically active. Better screening methods detect this problem more easily. Knowledgeable, approachable, “dependable... our pharmacists are all this and more. Wed be happy to fill your next prescription. Free Parking Free Delivery for Pharmacy Prescriptions DAVIES PHARMACY 1401 St. Georges counselling by trained peers offers caring support, encour- agement and information. Into: 987-8138. Seniors’ Evening Meal arugram: ‘Three-course din- ner, four evenings per week in the company of others. Info: North Shore Home Support Services, 983-6002. Seniors’ One-Stop Line: Call for information about health, housing, transporta- tion, support: groups, meal programs, financial and legal issues. Weekdays 9 am.-3 p.m. Info: 983-3303 B.C. Seniors Medication Information Line (BC SMILE) offers a free ctele- phone info-line staffed by licensed pharmacists to assist seniors, their families and caregivers with information about = medications. Call Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 822-1330. — Sharon Cocomile Sharin a Vision of Health LIONS GATE HOSPITAL'S Caring Community Calendar Headstart Support Group Wed. june 9 at 7PM in SeninarA For any person who has had a brain injury. Concerned family members are welcome. For more info. call Joanne Oben, S.W. at 984-3742. Maternity Sibling Tour Sat. June 12 at 10030 4M meet on 3rd floor by elevators | A tour for children whose moms are exp ecting anew baby. For info. call 984-5864. Youth and Family Psychiatric Summer Treatment Fre, July and August at the Youth & Family Psychiatric Outpatient Service Heart Attack Recovery Wednesdays at 9 AM our attendance with Patty ips at 984-5849. Caregiver Support Group 2nd & 4th Tueslay at 12:30 7m in Chemotherapy Conf. Rm. For those caring for someone about the impact of your loved one’s cancer experience. For info, call Joyce Auld, MSW at 984-3709 or Jim Cormack, MSW at 984.5903. Bereavement Group ist & 3rd Tuestay at 7:30 PM in Seninar A For info. cail Geoff Straw, ‘Coordinator at 984-5873. -