. homes, some-of whit Get MOST of us, as we grow older, would like to be able to stay in our own homes for the rest of our lives. However, for a few of us, our health may become bad enough that we will have to " thove to a care faciliey (what used to be called a nursing home). Even if we ourselves are healthy, Pm sure that we all know someone who lives in a care home or is planning to do so. On the North Shore, we have a number of these are supported in part by tne Ministry of Health, and oth- ers which are privately run. *. They are all licensed and reg- ularly inspected by licensing staff from the North Shore Health Region. what's on for seniors __ ; Guys & Dolls: Join the West - Vancouver Seniors’ Centre to see this seasons plays at the: Playhouse ‘Theatre. They buy . the tickets and s pupply the "transportation. 925- . 7280. - : The ABCs of Fraud Team of “senior volunteer speakers may “= be. booked by ‘groups of . seniors:: This is an interactive, njoyable opportunity for seniors to learn about scam “fecognition, : prevention tips vand ~ available -communiiy esources.. For. more informa- ion call 52 es nior ° Peer: Counsellors: ° ree‘ confidential support counselling : _by ‘trained peers: offers caring support, encour- gement and information. For. information: or an intment call 987-8138: : - seniors, - Monday-Friday “new, my! If you want details about these facilities you may call the long-term care depart- ment at 986-7] 11 and ask to speak to a care coordinator. Another way to get ideas about care facilities is to visit several homes and look at things like their lounges, din- ing rooms and outdoor areas. However, it is important for you to talk to a care coordi- - ‘nator first, in order that she can assess you or your family B.C. Seniors Medication Information Line (BC SMILE) offers a free- tele- phone info-line staffed by licensed pharmacists to assist their families and caregivers with information about. medications. | Call 10 a.m.-4 p-m. 822-1330. Seniors’ One-Stop Line: Call for information about health, housing, transporta- tion, support. groups, meal programs, financial and legal issues. .Weekdays 9 a.m.-3 pam. Info: 983-3303. ' Alzheimer Support Group. meets the first. and third Tuesday of “every month, 7:30 p.m. at the t Fulton Centre, - 601-Forbes. Ave.,. N.V.: .. Contact, 926-823 Caregiver . : Send i in your event listin: oes el SENIORS member to figure out exactly what kind of help is needed, and therefore, which home would be most suitable. The coordinator can alse talk to you about the cost of the home — tor people an a very low, fixed income (Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement), the maximum charge is $26.20 per day. Other people with a higher income may pay up to $50 per day. There is also a very active group called the ACR (Association of Advocates for Care Reform), who work with and on behalf of people living in care homes. They encourage all homes to develop family councils — organized groups of family and friends of people in a residence who will work to improve the lives of all resi- Lynn . Valley = Seniors’ Association Table Games meets every Tuesday from I- ° 3:30 p.m., at Kiwanis Lynn Manor. Play bridge, crib, whist, rumoli,, Yahtzee or scrabble. Info: Joni V. at 983- 6444, local 8233. Lynn Valley Seniors’ Book Club meets the second Wednesday of the month, from 1-2:30 p.m., at Karen Magnussen recCentre. Info: Annwen at 725-7725. Elderobics Fitness: Deibrook recCentre, Tuesdays and Thursdays,’ 10-11 am. for adults 60 and up. Info: 926- 2730. . — Compiled by . Sharon Cocomile _ dents. They keep people informed as co what is going on in the facility, and may act as advocates for residents who may not be able to speak out for themselves. On the North Shore, there are family councils at many care facilities while others have residents groups that meet regularly and plan special events and outings. The ACR has also pro- duced a handbook called Alone in a Crowd?, which describes life in a care facility and how residents may some- times become socially isolat- ed, even with many other people around them. It spells out many aspects of their lives and those of their fami- lies, based on interviews with residents, staff, family and friends. You can get a copy of this book through the ACR office at #306 - 1212 W. Broadway, Vancouver, V6H 3V1. Phone 732-7734, visit the Web site. at , or e-mail acr@ven.be.ca. The cost is $17.95. The handbook includes many suggestions for what family and friends can do to cilities help residents feel more con- nected to the outside world. There are also good ideas about communicating with people who may have prob- lems with hearing, language, or understanding others. [ have heard trom staff of care facilities that some of their elderly residents are lonely and unhappy because they miss their friends and their previous home. We can all work to make their lives more pleasant through visit- ing, taking them on outings, and joining a Family Council or other group that will keep residents connected with their community. Visiting our older, more frail friends can be a very sat- isfying way of using our spare time and we can all learn from each other, no matter how old we are. Mary Segal is coordinator of —_ Lionsview Seniors’ Planning Society. Ideas. for future columns are 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., V/N 2L3. | Aid for Seniors & — © Escorting seniors to medical visits, shopping,... ¢ Escorting children safely to sporting events, appointments, .. ® Picking up medications, dry cleaning, groceries,.. : * Visiting regularly to check on general well-being. Owner Denise Bard has over 25 years experience in B health care, speaks English, French & basic Spanish. ters For Hire Services Ltd. + 980-4033 Cell: 760-9494 » = GARE | ‘ec Care Card. covers foot care! . ¥ Routine Care. v Diabetics - “¥ House ‘Calls Available . v Saturday and early a. m. appointments Be David. A. Dixon, Podiatrist o oe ~-Your Foot Care Doctor. . CAPSULE ‘COMMEN TS _ Glucosamine 8 a commonly used _.Won-prescription product or treating . ostecarthrit eTesults from it, However, long term = “studies on’ this’ product’ are’ not" complete, Some : researchers are Moticing that the drug can cause’. insulin-resistance resulting in more iable: blood sugar readings. If you're diabetic and using this drug’ age aware that red re If. Sharing a Vision of Health LIONS GATE HOSPITAL’S Caring Community Calendar Maternity Sibling Tour Sat. Dec. 9 at 10:30 A.M. ‘meet on 3rd floor by elevators A tour for children whose moms are expecting a new baby. For info. call 984-5864. Headstart Support Group Wed. Dec. 13 at 7 PM. in Seminar A 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. Asthma Education Mondays at 5 P.M. in the Chemotherapy Unit Designed for all ages, the program is limited to four - ple per session. To pre- register call 984-3722. Outpatient Speech Language herapy Assessment and treatment is available for adolescents and adults as well as residents in extended care facilities with - voice, fluency or swallowing disorders. Sessions can be - individual or group. For more infozvall Nicole Armstrong at 988-3131 local 4418. .Pre-Natal Tours Tuesdays at 6:30 P.M. mect in the Main Lobby A tour of the matemity unit for women expecting to have their baby at LGH. Partmers: welcome also. For information call 984-5864. -.°.. : w/| Kids Worry Too on the Ist & 3rd Tuesday . of the month at 10:30 AM. : in Semiuar Room A | :.:.., An information and education session to help you deal with: children’s needs when a parent is diagnosed with > cancer. For information 984-3709 or 984-5831. Sereening ‘Mammography =. If you are a woman aged 40 © or over, you may refer your- self to. this program. For an appointment call 934-57 14. Something special very Wesnestay