KIWANIS Evergreen ‘ond. North Vancouver clubs _ “donated funds to construct pathways and benches. round the Kiwanis -Care Centre on Burr Place. -Pletured. are: residents John and. Leah. Miine. with ‘Kiwanians Bob McLean, Wallace Mulligan, dofn Ells, i Ht Peters and Dave Courage: ficrs caring, support, encou agement and information. For 987-8138 fect biood eirculston causing alos | of sensation in thé set Wound-heal- ing is inpziced by vic decrensed blood © Ki nutrient flow So check those feet ‘West Van Community Arts - Council at the Silk.Purse Arts “Centre ‘offers “art exhibits, nusic. talks, classical “music ‘concerts and. book readings. efreshments' are served | at mast: functions. Come ‘and. olunteer.” of. -just- drop. by.: nfo: 925-7292.: l-anon. ‘Pamily’ Groups meet. daily® offering support: ye, confidential: sessions: for families “and friends - of. alco- - -holic : Info: 688- 1716.: West - Vancouver Seniors’ : ctivity Centre offers a vari- tor. information‘about. health, ousing, “transportation, sup- - Monday-Friday Alzheimer ty of, programs. Info: 925- ‘7289 . : ‘Seniors? One-Stop Line: Call -SENIORS nal grey WE all know that the federal election day is fast approaching and some people say “I won’t bother to vote,” “My vote doesn’t count” or “I don’t like politics.” The fact remains that our votes are important. Just look at what has happened with the USS. presidental election where the decision on who leads the most powerful coun- ty in the world will be decid- ed by just a few votes. Did you know that seniors, as a group, vote more than Canadians in any other age group? Perhaps this is because many of us lived through war times when we were fighting to make sure that we all kept the right to vote. So how can I make up my mind on whom to vote for? While we are being inundated with TV, radio, newspaper and mail information, we should look closely at what is being said. I know that listening to the details of what a candidate says is much more important than their age or appearance. Having been in politics myself in the past (10 vears as an alderman), I know that most politicians work hard to try to carry out our wishes. ~ There’s a problem, of course, when elected representatives . hear different views from dif . ferent groups of voters, and they have to make a decision that won't please everyone. port groups, meal programs, financial and Segal. issues. Weekdays 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Info: 983- 3303. , ‘B.C. ‘Seniors: “Medication ‘Informatioa _ SMILE) offers.a free tele- ~ phone -info-line staffed by Line. licensed. pharmacists. to assist seniors, their families caregivers ‘with information about — medications. . Call 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 822-1330. ; Support Group: For individ- uals. with -. early . stage Alzheimer or related demen- tia, meets the first Monday of every month, 1-2 p.m. Info: Jim . Tildestey 926-8273 or * 926-8233.: For Peoy ie who use insuliz... isod glucose monitor that alse iaeasures blood ketones | (Madisense’- Precision — : Xtra Advanced Diabetes Management System Ityou use insulin, ihis i is the monitor or for you! ® 2 tests, | monkor a " “@ 450-result mes: rory, with date and time on sereen | : » Weekly and monthly averaging ~ “@ Allows for data downloading to home or office PC (Precision LinkTM Direct) 4401 ‘St. Geor Lynn (BC . ‘and: ‘reom on Fridays at 1 ‘Barly Stage . Here are a few issues thar I hear are important to seniors. @ Health Care: There is a lot of talk about two-tier care, but what does that mean? Does it mean that, if I pay for a medical procedure that is covered by the B.C. medical plan, that I can “jump the queue”? And what about wait- ing lists for tests, treatment or surgery? Furthermore, are we happy to know that there are long waiting lists for nursing homes, and that home help services are in short supply? Can we be sure that putting more money into the system will fix the problems? & Housing: We all know that there is a shortage of afford- able well-located housing that is designed so that seniors can live independently even if we need to use a walker or hear- ing aids. The federal govern- ment cut off money for affordabie housing a few years ago. Is this'a good way to save tax dollars if it means that a senior ends up in hospital after. falling in their older, rua- down home? And what does it do to my family and social life - Valley Seniors Association Tabie Games meets every Tuesday from ‘1- . 3:30 pm. at Kiwanis, Lynn . Manor.. ‘Play: : bridge, crib, whist, ‘rumoli,: Yahtzee. or scrabble, Info: Joni V. at 983- 6444, local 8233. : Experienced square dancers . aged 60 and older are invited to join Doreen Sillery at. the West Van recCentre, Cypress p.m, Info: Doreen at 987-5397, If Sunday, November 19, 2000 — Nerth Shore News - 25 SENIORS, as a group, vote more than Canadians ia any other’ age group, reports columnist Mary Sagal. if we are told (as I was) thac if I can’t afford to live on the North Shore after I retire I « should move to Maple Ridge or Vancouver Island? @ Finances: While most North _ Shore residents have a middle to high income, we have over ° 4,000 seniors who are living: . ~ on income of under $1,600 a month. If the cutbacks in pub- your grey power and vote. ae Mary Segal is coordinator of |” Lionsview Seniors’ Planning. Society. Ideas for futssre columns | are welcorte. Contact Segal at 985-3852: or drop « line -to Lionsview Seniors’ Planning Society, North Building, 600 Me ‘ *- Queens Rd, North Van, B. V7N 213. licly funded home support and - user fees for services such ‘as physiotherapy or podiatry continue, what will chat mean for those of us who have fixed ~ incomes that are beluw the poverty level? : All of these questions could be asked if you go to an - all-candidates’ meeting or par-- - ticipate in a phone-in radio show. And we need to read and listen carefully to what the candidates say they will do.: - Finally, don’t forget to use «| “you are interested in iearning : to _square . dance. call -the.°- seniors’ centre at 925-7280. West Van Senior's Photo "Formed: a thei initiative of te newspaper publishers in British Columbia, wearea non-judicial * review board which hears ° “fins and accuracy and.> “°° - promotes quality journalism while “"prosecting the free low af ‘inforraation, ° ‘ + Box Sl » Mica, BC. VER 684 Club meets every ‘Thursday at’, oe : 1 p.m.