September 26, 2012

SENIORS on the go

A Quarterly Supplement to the Penticton Western News

• Health Care • Retirement Options • Activities

Fall

2012

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Penticton Western News Wednesday, September 26, 2012

seniors on the go

Great-grandmother has her head in the clouds Mark Brett Western News Staff

On top of the world.

That’s how Penticton great-grandmother Margaret Steer described her recent experience of parasailing over Okanagan Lake. “I just loved it and would do it again in a heartbeat,â€? she said afterwards. “What made me do this in the Âżrst place is that it was new and exciting and something I had never done before, and at my age you have to think about missed opportunities that might have given you joy and happiness.â€?

So she decided what better way to celebrate her 90th birthday than a Àight with Castaways Water Sports.

Her granddaughter Tanya Tait agreed it was not exactly a typical gift for someone reaching that milestone. “I was surprised because you don’t have a 90-year-old parasailing every day, but because it was Grandma Margaret I wasn’t surprised,� said Tait. “She tends to do some amazing things in some amazing ways and this just sort of caps it off. “She’s a million-dollar gem, and one of the most inspirational people in my life. She is beyond inspirational.�

The plan to go on the ride was actually not a new one but something she planned to do when she turned 80, but everyone except her seemed to have forgotten about it when that

Photo submitted

MARGARET STEER (left) celebrated her 90th birthday recently with a tandem parasailing ride with her sister Barbara Foster over Okanagan Lake with the crew of Castaways Water Sports.

birthday rolled around. “Back then I just decided to let it go and after all it sounds a lot better and more exciting if you do it when you’re 90,� she added with a chuckle. “Now they want me to do it again when I’m a hundred but I told them, ‘Don’t hold your breath.�’ Her birthday is really in June but because relatives and friends were

unable to make it then, the big party was delayed until later in the summer.

Unfortunately, on the evening she was planning to do the ride the weather turned stormy and it was pushed back until the next morning. “Was I nervous? Not at all,� she recalled about the moments just before lifting off the platform on the

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But the same could not be said for her 76-year-old sister Barbara Foster of Victoria, who decided — albeit somewhat reluctantly — to make it a tandem trip. “Barbara really didn’t want to go at Âżrst but then she called me back and said if my big sister is turning 90 and she can do it, I’d better try it

too,� said Steer. “She loved it.�

The morning of the big event dawned clear and bright and the family made its way down to the docks behind the Penticton Lakeside Resort.

Once on board, Castaways owner Don Gray and crew headed out onto the water where the women were suited up for the ride of a lifetime. “It was beautiful because you aren’t conscious about looking down and it was just so thrilling,� said Steer. “Returning to the boat was like coming from heaven back down to the earth.�

According to the Castaway owner, she is the oldest person he has taken up in the 30-plus years he’s been in the business.

Gray gets a particular satisfaction from providing the ride to his special customers like seniors and the handicapped. “For me it’s great,� he said. “Just to see the joy in the faces from the experience they’ve had, that’s a reward in itself.�

Now having crossed parasailing off her to-do list, what’s the next adventure for the venerable thrill seeker? “Well,� she said pensively. “Another fella at church last week asked if I would go — what do you call it when you jump out of an airplane? yes parachuting — with me, but I said I would really have to think about that seriously but I guess that would be the next one.�

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Penticton Western News Wednesday, September 26, 2012

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seniors on the go

A great feeling after using Juvéderm René Serbon Penticton Laser & Skin Clinic

Were you on vacation? Just back from the spa? It’s great when people notice how refreshed and rejuvenated you look... and even better when no one knows why.

Who wouldn’t want smoother, ¿rmerlooking skin? Juvéderm™ is designed to replenish what natural aging takes away, for a fresher, rejuvenated look.

Replenish what’s been lost over time Sun exposure, hormonal changes and aging can all have an impact on your skin’s appearance. Over time, your skin begins to lose hyaluronic acid and collagen, resulting

in ¿ne lines, wrinkles and a loss of fullness and elasticity. Healthcare professionals can now reverse these signs of aging by correcting the wrinkles and folds and adding volume to sunken skin.

Refresh what nature gave you Juvéderm is a soft, injectable gel ¿ller that your doctor uses to help replenish and refresh your appearance. It uses hyaluronic acid (a naturally occurring sugar found in your body), which combines with the water in your skin to instantly restore lost volume and reduce lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic injections have also been shown to stimulate collagen production.

Not only that, Juvéderm works to enhance and de¿ne lips, cheeks and jaw line.

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New Juvéderm with Lidocaine is a unique formula that lets you feel good before, during and after your Juvéderm treatment. The addition of Lidocaine, an effective localized pain reducer, to Juvéderm provides an injection experience that’s gentle and comfortable.

Natural-looking results that last up to a year A Juvéderm treatment typically takes about 30 minutes. The results are instant and natural looking, and last for up to a year. Everyone will notice but no one will know.

BEFORE TREATMENT

AFTER TREATMENT

Anti-Aging: the power is in your hands René Serbon Penticton Laser & Skin Clinic

There are “12 essential nutrients” your cells need to make the collagen that shapes and supports your skin.

Many of you may only have about 50% of these in your “anti-aging” collection. Another interesting fact is that the cells (¿broblasts) that make collagen only do so when they are “awake”, so to speak. So how do we wake them up? They basically need to be “injured” in some way to trigger the healing process that

makes more collagen.

To achieve this, various treatments are offered today such as Chemical Peels, IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), Thermage (radio frequency energy used to heat the deeper layers of the skin) and Laser (the latest being Fraxel and A¿rm: thousands of minute columns of light interspaced so that not all tissue is affected, hence faster recovery time from the resulting thermal damage.)

Unfortunately, many of these technologies are being used as “stand

alone” treatments for certain symptoms, such as brown spots, without considering the underlying causes.

A new option for awakening ¿broblasts is “Dermal Rolling” (skin needling). This simple treatment also allows topically applied nutrients through the skin in large quantities and is safe for all skin types.

It will even out skin tone, decrease scarring, improve wrinkles and tighten skin. New studies in Germany reveal that “Dermal Rolling” causes massive surges in growth

factors to promote normal collagen, as opposed to “scar” collagen which some treatments cause. When used in conjunction with your 12 essential nutrients contained within the right skin care regime the possibilities are very exciting.

Dermal rolling can be done at home, and thus you have one of the best treatment programs at your ¿ngertips. This simple tool also allows more nutrients into the skin. Take control, and make the healing powers ‘within’ work for you to help you

look your best.

For best results in whatever path you choose in the ¿ght against aging, it is highly encouraged to have a proper skin analysis done that comprises of both a home care ritual and a plan for your options in treatment modalities. Treatment results are shown to last longer when supported by using skin care that contains the correct nutrients to maintain skin health. Ask a professional to design a skin care “plan of attack” for designed for your individual needs.

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Penticton Western News Wednesday, September 26, 2012

seniors on the go

Baby boomers not interested in a modest retirement A new CIBC poll conducted by Leger Marketing reveals that most of Canada’s 50-59 year olds don’t intend to give up their current lifestyle as they enter retirement, despite falling short of their retirement savings goals. The poll also reveals that some Canadians in their 50s are planning to carry debt into retirement with no immediate plans to pay it off, an approach that could reduce their retirement cash Àow and jeopardize their plans to live the good life.

Key poll ¿ndings include: Q When given the option to retire earlier than planned but give up their current lifestyle and live more modestly in retirement, only 25 per cent of Canadians between ages 50 and 59 would take the offer.

Q 57 per cent said they would rather “work longer and live better” in retirement, and would not give up their current lifestyle (Another 18

per cent were undecided).

Q 24 per cent of Canada’s 50-59 year olds say they plan to carry debt into retirement. Of this group, the vast majority (80 per cent) say they will carry some debt throughout retirement, suggesting they have no immediate plans to pay off their outstanding debt.

Q Regionally, 50-somethings in Manitoba/ Saskatchewan were most likely (67 per cent) to say they would prefer to work longer and live better, while those in Quebec (32 per cent) were most likely to take an early retirement with a more modest lifestyle.

Q This builds on previously released CIBC/ Leger Marketing research that shows Canadians in their 50s have fallen short of their retirement savings goals, with almost half (45 per cent) having saved less than $100,000 over their lifetime for retirement.

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“One of the keys to planning for retirement is having a clear view of how much monthly income you can generate once you leave work, and whether that income will support your expenses,” said Christina Kramer, executive vice-president of retail distribution and channel strategy with CIBC. “These poll ¿ndings would suggest that some Canadians approaching retirement would bene¿t from a conversation with an advisor about whether their retirement income and monthly cash Àow will live up to their plans.”

Carrying Debt for Life?

Poll results also show that some of Canada’s boomers are already forecasting that they will carry debt into retirement, and have no plans to pay it off anytime soon.

Q One-quarter (24 per cent) of those surveyed said they plan to carry debt into retirement.

Q Most of this group (80 per cent) said they will carry at least some debt throughout their retirement.

Q This ¿nding suggests that boomers believe their income will be suf¿cient to support their desired lifestyle as well as service outstanding debts over a long period of time.

According to Kramer, this may also suggest some Canadians approaching retirement are too comfortable with today’s low interest rates on their debt, and may not have evaluated the negative impact that ongoing debt payments can have on their cash Àow.

“Retiring with debt creates a drag on your retirement income, as monthly repayments will reduce cash Àow and can actually limit your ¿nancial Àexibility once you retire,” said Kramer.

“While some Canadians may feel they can incorporate monthly debt payments into their retirement, the reality is that repaying debt be-

fore retirement remains an integral component of maximizing cash Àow.”

Kramer added that for the vast majority of Canadians, a debt-free start to retirement is the right strategy. “Entering retirement with minimal or no debt maximizes your cash Àow, and gives you a clear sense of the level of expenses that will be manageable within your retirement plan.”

Retirement Planning Advice

Q Meet with an Advisor to forecast cash Àow — You need to understand how much income you’ll generate from your savings combined with any pension income you might be eligible for. This will help you determine what level of retirement expenses are appropriate for you and allows you to make changes to your retirement strategy today if required.

Q Use the years before retirement wisely For many Canadians, your late 50s and early 60s can be some of the best years for adding to your retirement nest egg as debts are paid off and cash Àow improves. Take advantage of the opportunity to keep adding to retirement savings.

Q Retire with minimal or no debt — One of the most effective ways to make your retirement savings go further is to minimize or eliminate debt repayment in retirement. This reduces interest costs and increases cash Àow.

Results are based on a CIBC poll conducted online by Léger Marketing via its LégerWeb panel, the largest Canadian-owned survey panel, which is comprised of more than 400,000 households. The survey was held in every province of Canada with a representative sample of 805 preretired Canadians aged 50 to 59 years, between July 5-8, 2012. A probabilistic sample of 805 respondents would yield a margin of error of +/3.45 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

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You might, for example, “lose” the car keys or other household objects, or forget where you heard something and/or who told you.

Those usually aren’t causes for concern.

But Penticton families who are seeing their family members struggle with loss of memory, dif¿culty with day-to-day tasks, and changes in mood and behaviour, could be dealing with something more serious.

“People may think these symptoms are part of normal aging, but they aren’t,” explains Laurie Myres, the local support and education co-ordinator for the South Okanagan and Similkameen for the non-pro¿t Alzheimer Society of B.C. Those symptoms could well be indicators of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.

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mon. Already, one in four Canadians has someone in their family with Alzheimer’s disease.

And every ¿ve minutes a Canadian develops dementia.

“If you have concerns about your memory, or are concerned about someone else, it is important that you consult with your family doctor,” says Myres.

The society can also help local caregivers who are living with dementia. It runs a free support and information group that serves as a forum for sharing practical tips and strategies for coping with the disease. The group helps create support and friendship with others whose lives are affected by dementia.

For more information contact Myres at 250493-8182 or lmyres@alzheimerbc.org. For more information on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, visit the Alzheimer Society of B.C. website at www.alzheimerbc.org.

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Penticton Western News Wednesday, September 26, 2012

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seniors on the go

Mark Brett Western News Staff

Making memories is what Bingo Hauser does best, and at age 85 he has no plans to stop.

It is also not surprising the founder of West Coast Amusements has a very big soft spot for the Peach City. After all, it was here more than 60 years ago he ¿rst began his foray into the world of live show business.

That was when he bought Simba the lion cub — which has since become his company’s logo — from Penticton resident Henry Meyerhoff in the late ‘40s. At the time, Meyerhoff ran Crescent Canadian shows, wintering his animals and equipment here in the off season.

“I should have listened to my friend Patty Conklin (Conklin Shows), who told me if it eats in the winter time, don’t buy it,” said Hauser, who was in Penticton recently with his midway.

“But then I got another one and they had cubs and the damn things nearly ate me out of house and home.”

After a few years with the animals, which also included snakes, alligators and monkeys, he decided to go a different route and sold the critters to zoos. Then in 1950, he bought his ¿rst amusement ride, a used merry-go-round he still has today, and it was off to the races.

His fascination with the carnival ¿rst began while growing up in Brandon, Man. and the Barnum & Bailey Circus came to town.

Whether it was peeling potatoes or just cleaning up, he would ¿nd any excuse to spend as much time as he could among those he idolized.

As he got older, eventually the beckoning of the nomadic lifestyle fueled by the lights and sounds of the midway simply became too strong, and at age 16 he ran away and joined the circus, which in this case was Conklin Shows.

“I was very blessed because I got to work with some pretty clever people who took a shine to me and taught me a few things,” he recalled. “I kept my eyes and ears open and my mouth shut and that’s how I learned.”

He remembers sleeping in the trucks that carried the rides. “It’s not like it is now with the bunkhouses and showers and motorhomes, but it didn’t matter, we were young and just lived for the excitement.”

Hauser, whose real ¿rst name is Irvin but was changed to Bingo by elementary school classmates, remembers the tried-and-true performers of the day.

“Yeah, we had the bearded lady, magicians and sword swallowers, one big happy family is how I’d describe it,” he said.

Now based in the Lower Mainland, it is always a joy for him to come back to the Okanagan. “I guess in a way this is home to me,” he said. “I have a lot of good memories of Penticton.

When I come down Main Street and look at the trees, they have all gotten a lot bigger, but it all comes back.”

West Coast currently has over 120 rides in the combined fair units, with the season running March to October and travelling as far south as Texas. Hauser’s wife Jackie has been by his side for over 60 years and his son and daughter, Robert and Laura, are also in the business. He also expects to have a couple of grandchildren and great-grandchildren on board in the future.

“I think we’ve created a monster,” said Hauser, who has been inducted into the Showman’s League of America and Outdoor Amusement Business Association halls of fame. “However, it’s the people and that challenge I love most.”

Still a kid at heart, the company founder is usually the ¿rst to try any new ride the company buys.

BINGO HAUSER surveys his West Coast Amusements carnival domain during a recent stop in Penticton. After more than a half-century in the business he never tires of seeing the smiling faces of the young and old who come out to enjoy the midway whenever it’s in town.

West Coast employs hundreds of people, many of them transient, but there are others who have been there almost since the beginning. One of those is Jack Price, who has worked as a carnie for his friend for 58 years. “I’ve seen the whole thing grow, and Bingo and Jackie have been like a family to me. I don’t regret a single bit of it,” said Price, 82, who was just recently released from the hospital. “They didn’t know if I was going to pull through or not. I pretty near didn’t make it, but thank God I’m still here and the devil didn’t get me. I guess he’s not ready for me yet.”

Because of his health, the longtime ride operator is having to cut this season short and return home to New Brunswick, but he hopes to return just as soon as possible.

“I will sure miss it when I leave, but my plan is to come back next year if everything goes well and I’m already looking forward to it,” he said.

“I’m going to be back again, and as long as Bingo is here, I’m going to be staying with him.”

The past year has been particularly hard with the passing of Hauser’s longtime friend and coworker Eve Rennie and the loss of Wally Volk, who suffered a heart attack and also had to leave his world of choice behind.

“For myself and the others it’s our life,” said the carnival operator. “It’s like Jack said to me a year ago: ‘I want to die out here,’ but I said to myself, ‘Not if I can help it.’”

While it is becoming a little more dif¿cult for him and increasingly expensive to run, Hauser plans to keep the show on the road. He even admitted recently shrugging off a multi-milliondollar corporate buyout offer — “just how do you sell a lifetime?” was his question.

“It’s just something that gets in your blood and I’ve still got some things I want to accomplish,” he said. “This is also a big part of my family and I want my kids and their kids to continue putting smiles on all those faces and keep making those happy memories.”

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Penticton Western News Wednesday, September 26, 2012

seniors on the go

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KICKING UP THEIR HEELS — Gary Long and granddaughter Emily Long cut a rug at the Pentastic Hot Jazz Fest earlier this month.

Dental care important for seniors Dental health care is a growing need among B.C.’s aging population to prevent pain, infection, tooth loss and negative effects on general health and quality of life.

Older adults are increasingly reliant on others to maintain a healthy mouth. Declining dexterity, eyesight and cognitive abilities along with an increase in medications or foods and drinks that contain sugars result in seniors being more susceptible to dental health issues that can progress rapidly without proper care.

“Preventive dental health care is particularly important among the senior population due to the growing range and complexity of health issues that seniors face,” says Dr. Hank Klein, president of the British Columbia Dental Association. “Unfortunately, many frail elders are not able to care for their mouths properly. Family members and care providers have an important role to play in daily mouth care.

Dentists and their staff have an important role to play in disease prevention, through regular examinations to diagnose problems early and professional cleanings. All of these elements result in better health outcomes for seniors.”

The BCDA offers the following tips for seniors’ caregivers: BRUSH TEETH DAILY: Brush natural teeth at least twice a day, preferably after breakfast and especially before bed or long naps. Electric or adapted toothbrushes can help seniors with reduced dexterity while a reminder to brush can help those with cognitive issues.

Always encourage a senior to brush his or her own teeth and provide assistance as needed.

CLEAN BETWEEN TEETH: Floss daily (before bed) to remove food and debris between teeth. A Àoss holder or an interproximal brush can help.

DENTURE CARE: Remove dentures from the mouth and clean daily using a soft toothbrush or denture brush and a liquid soap. Brush over a towel to prevent damage if dropped. Gently

brush the gums and tongue with a soft toothbrush moistened with water.

CARE FOR CROWNS AND BRIDGE WORK: Dental restorations, such as bridges or crowns, may require special care. Speak to your dentist for advice.

LOOK IN THE MOUTH: Many seniors will not verbally express pain. Speci¿cally ask the senior if they are experiencing any problems, discomfort or pain in their mouth. Look in the mouth for any signs of redness, white blotches, swelling or sores.

DRY MOUTH: A dry mouth can be caused by medications or reduced Àuid intake, and can cause discomfort and increase the risk of decay. Watch for signs of dryness such as cracked lips and/or corners of the mouth. Ask your dentist for advice on ways to alleviate dry mouth.

VISIT THE DENTIST FOR AN EXAM, EVEN IF THE SENIOR WEARS A DENTURE: By visiting the dentist regularly, not only can cavities and gum disease be caught early, there is also the potential to detect other diseases, such as oral cancer. The dental team can provide advice to care for a senior’s oral health, addressing any speci¿c challenges, including how to brush and Àoss teeth.

View the BCDA’s online educational videos on seniors’ mouth care: The BCDA has produced a series of online education videos on seniors’ oral health care for caregivers and health care professionals. Tip sheets on brushing natural teeth and dentures and inspecting the mouth are also available. View at http:// www.bcdental.org/caregiverresources/.

The British Columbia Dental Association is the recognized voice of dentistry in this province, dedicated to serving the interests of its members and promoting oral health. There are over 3,000 practising dentists in B.C. For more dental health topics, visit www.bcdental. org.

Penticton Western News Wednesday, September 26, 2012

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7

seniors on the go

Making informed health care choices

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE of a medical condition can enable health care consumers to make more informed decisions.

While learning about an ailment is important, there are some things to consider.

Q The Internet isn’t foolproof. Many online medical sites are very reliable and offer a wealth of pertinent information. They can be good starting points when seeking out information on a particular condition. It is in your best interest to visit sites that are well-known and monitored by respected medical af¿liations.

Other sites may be peppered with exaggerated claims or misinformation. Therefore, do not go by online information alone.

Q Don’t self-diagnose. It can be easy to use the Inter-

net as a means to narrowing down symptoms and making assumptions about what ailments you may have. Instead of using the Internet to selfdiagnose your condition, leave the diagnosis up to your doctor and rely on online information after you are diagnosed. This can improve your understanding of the condition and any potential treatment options.

Q Seek other avenues of information. You should never hesitate to seek a second opinion or go to a published medical journal to ¿nd out more about a condition. You have rights as a patient to be comfortable with the advice doctors give and be as involved in your treatment as you want to be.

Q Online forums could be more harm than help. Many people turn to online forums and blogs to gain more insight into particular diseases. While these forums may be good sources of support, information published on these sites could be misleading, inaccurate or unsafe. Before trying any proposed treatment, it is best to consult with your doctor.

Having a general knowledge of a medical condition can enable health care consumers to make more informed decisions about their situations.

CherryPark

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Mark Brett/Western News

HEAVENLY TUNES — Luis Botero sings a number while playing his accordion for an audience at the recent Interchurch Music Festival at Skaha Lake Rotary Park gazebo.

The outdoor concert brought together a wide variety of musicians and styles.

The typical health care patient has changed in recent years. No longer are individuals putting all of their health care decisions into the hands of nurses and doctors. Patients are more informed than ever before and are interested in taking a more active role in their own care.

Thanks to the Internet, people are able to access information that, in the past, was not easily available. A few decades ago, medical data may have been elusive and ¿lled with confusing jargon the layperson might not have understood without a crash course in biology. However, today there are different websites that clearly spell out information about certain illnesses and diseases.

This means that patients may no longer be walking blindly into appointments with doctors.

Facing an illness is never easy, and the decision-making abilities could be hampered by emotions and the desire to improve as quickly as possible.

Patients who do not have all of the facts may have to rely solely on the expertise of caregivers and physicians when making important health care decisions. By knowing the avenues of information, a patient can ¿nd assistance with careful decision-making.

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www.pentictonwesternnews.com

Penticton Western News Wednesday, September 26, 2012

seniors on the go

Avoid burnout when caring for someone with Alzheimer’s

Mark Brett/Western News

GREEN THUMB — Manuel Tomé prunes some of the flowers from his Greenwood Place gardens. At 81 years of age, he still manages to keep up with the daily gardening tasks in the large property.

Trips to help communicate with someone suffering from Alzheimer’s

Communication is an essential part of how we all live our daily lives. For people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, and for their respective caregivers, the way they communicate can make a huge difference in their successful interactions. Incorporating some of the communication tips below is a great way to provide positive support to your loved one.

In the early stages of Alzheimer’s,

ensure you do the following: be patient and give the person time to express themselves; don’t interrupt; don’t talk about the person as if they are not there; don’t be condescending or patronizing; avoid asking questions which rely on their memory; limit distractions as much as possible; ¿nd a quiet place to talk; avoid criticizing, correcting or arguing; look beyond the words they use.

Watch body language to understand

If you are caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, you may experience a variety of emotions, from love and respect to feelings of duty, guilt and resentment. Feelings of hopelessness or of being overwhelmed are common and normal for any caregiver at some point in the journey.

However, it is what you do with these emotions that is important, specialists say. Try talking to someone you feel comfortable with about these feelings, perhaps a close friend, family member, spiritual leader or doctor. Joining a support group or even speaking with a professional can help to reduce stress and make it easier for you to cope.

“Stress is a very real health hazard and caregivers often ignore the signs leading to burnout or other health problems,” said Lisa Slizek, a registered nurse and owner of We Care Home Health Services. “As a caregiver, you must value who you are and respect your personal needs if you are to remain physically, emotionally and spiritually healthy.”

She adds that it is critical to accept that you have limitations and that perfection is not the goal — but to do the best that you can do. Caregivers need to learn to be assertive and ask for help before a situation becomes a crisis.

Obtaining education about dementia and/or Alzheimer’s disease will help all caregivers to be better equipped for the journey ahead and will also foster realistic expectations. A free guide offering practical information and advice is available online at www.wecare.ca, toll-free at 1-855-699-3227 or locally at 102 – 3310 Skaha Lake Rd., Penticton.

what the person is experiencing and/or expressing.

“Practice makes perfect, so be patient with yourself,” said Linda Lane, a registered nurse and vice-president of clinical practice for We Care Home Health Services. “It will take some time and practice in using the above techniques but they will help along the journey to ensure supportive communication.”

As communication becomes more

dif¿cult in later stages, approach the person calmly from the front; make eye contact and identify yourself clearly; avoid sudden movements which may frighten them; call the person by their name; use short simple sentences; ask one question at a time and wait for a response; ask questions which require a simple yes or no answer and avoid vague wording; give visual cues by pointing to the object you are talking about.

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Penticton Western News Wednesday, September 26, 2012

www.pentictonwesternnews.com

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PENTICTON WOMAN Irene Warlow is one a handful of visually impaired people in the South Okanagan who are seeking to be buddied up with a volunteer who can lend them their eyes for just a couple hours a week.

Volunteers needed for Vision Mates program CNIB initiative pairs up volunteers stroll and socialize.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a pretty typical request, said Carrie with visually impaired clients Joe Fries Western News Staff

Some kind-hearted volunteers are being sought to lend their eyes and their time to help others.

The Vision Mates program, operated by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, pairs up volunteers with sight-impaired clients for whom an extra set of eyes can come in handy.

A handful of helpers is needed in the South Okanagan, where a few people like Irene Warlow have been waiting for over a year to be matched up. And itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not like sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s asking for much: â&#x20AC;&#x153;just to go for a walk.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve kind of lost my conÂżdence over the years,â&#x20AC;? said Warlow. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Penticton is not a very good place to be walking if you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see very well, because (drivers) just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to stop for you.â&#x20AC;?

The 77-year-old, who was born visually impaired, lives on her own and has three daughters in Penticton who help her with dayto-day tasks like grocery shopping, but sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to Âżnd someone with whom she can just

Broughton, the CNIBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s volunteer co-ordinator for the Southern Interior.

Other clients have requested help with reading or grocery shopping, while another recently asked to be hooked up with a volunteer who would go tandem bicycling with her. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That was a pretty speciÂżc requirement and would require (a volunteer) whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s into a more physical lifestyle,â&#x20AC;? Broughton said.

Vision Mates volunteers must undergo a fairly rigorous screening process that includes an interview, plus reference and criminal-record checks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has to be that way because of the population weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re serving,â&#x20AC;? Broughton said.

Those volunteers who are approved for service then receive some in-person training before being paired up with a client whose needs or interests match their own. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It really can change their lives so dramatically,â&#x20AC;? Broughton said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;just that few hours a week.â&#x20AC;?

Volunteer applications can be found at www.cnib.ca. For more information check the website or contact Broughton at 250-7631191, or carrie.broughton@cnib.ca.

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www.pentictonwesternnews.com

Penticton Western News Wednesday, September 26, 2012

seniors on the go

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South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation 550 Carmi Avenue, Penticton, B.C. V2A 3G6 Phone: 250-492-9027 • Toll Free: 1-866-771-0994 www.sosmedicalfoundation.com

Research can show where your charity dollars will go Janice Perrino For the Western News

The headlines are shocking; “The Best and Worst Charities” or “Where Does the Money Go?” The articles tell us the disturbing information about who is making over a million dollars a year in salary, cars, trips and other luxury expenses they receive. As well as how much is spent in administration and how little actually goes to the charity. I ask the same questions as you do, when did people working for charities get so greedy?

Friends forward these media stories to me regularly because I’m the executive director of the South Okanagan Similkameen (SOS) Medical Foundation that raises funds for the Penticton Regional Hospital and 12 other health care facilities.

My ¿rst thought is always the same, do people really think we make that much money per year or worse that our charity raises so little at the end of the day? Let me set the record straight on what is happening in the Okanagan.

Throughout the North, Central and South Okanagan there are about 1,000 charities.

You can check out any registered charity on the Canada Revenue Agency website under “charities and giving” to ¿nd out what their salary ranges are, what money they have received from donations, grants and other types of funding.

What is important is that it is wise to check out more than one year to see how things have changed. Some years we grant more than other years and some years we receive more donations. Fluctuations happen because of special circumstances, the ¿nancial markets, campaigns or estates.

In my research, very few organizations pay their top executives what would be considered an outrageous salary and very few seemed to be “rolling in the dough.”

Everyone I checked with was careful in their expenses and were granting funds according to their organizations bylaws to maintain the good health of their society. Still there are some things that may or may not concern you. It costs money to raise money, but you might want to ask, what is my limit?

Every time organizations host events, depending on the experience, they are generally considered awareness builders. Sometimes they often cost organizations more than the event actually raises but special events help everyone to become aware of the organization and it’s purpose.

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labels, pens, toys or other gimmicky items, it is nothing more than a way to help them stand out from the crowd, something that isn’t easy to do when you have a 1,000 organizations to compete with.

We recommend you ask some important questions when you want to ¿nd out what and how your charity of choice is doing. Questions such as: What are the goals and purposes of the charity?

What is the cost of fundraising and administration combined?

How do you pay for your fundraised and administration costs?

How does the charity raise money?

We like to brag that the SOS Medical Foundation’s goals are simple. We raise donations to purchase critical care medical equipment, support staff education and improve the quality of care for patients.

Each year we try to pay all of our fundraising and administration costs, about eight per cent last year, out of funds earned from nondonated sources. Our goal is to give 100 per cent of donated funds back to our hospitals.

While some incredible organizations are able to work exclusively with volunteers, some organization’s are stewarded by paid staff. In most of the organizations we researched, staff are compensated fairly and we couldn’t ¿nd any extreme salaries compared to their peers.

As with most organizations, we don’t give away catchy items to get you to donate, nor do we host lavish events regularly. Very few organizations in the Okanagan do.

Donations coming into the organization are raised regionally and stay within our regional boundaries for all of the patients.

Yes, there are some provincial and national organizations paying million dollar salaries and spending millions to raise funds. We encourage you as a donor, to exercise your right and ¿nd out what your favourite charity is doing, see how they spend the donations you send in and how they grant out the donations you give.

Given our research, we give top marks to the majority of the North, Central and South Okanagan charities. We all try to take care of our communities in a respectful, honest manner. Thank you for donating, your support makes all the difference and more important, you make great things happen in the Okanagan. You are our heroes!

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Penticton Western News Wednesday, September 26, 2012

www.pentictonwesternnews.com

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ALL THAT JAZZ — George Bentham marches to the tune of a different drummer in his Jazz Fest best duds during the recent Pentastic Jazz Festival at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.

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Tips to manage lymphedema The lymphatic system removes Àuids, toxins and proteins from the subcutaneous tissues and skin layers. The lymph nodes ¿lter this Àuid, destroy toxins and produce antigens to ¿ght off infection. Lymphedema is the disruption of lymph Àow. This disruption often leads to edema and more serious issues such as scarring of the lymph capillaries.

There are two kinds of lymphedema: primary and secondary. Primary lymphedema can be present at birth or develop later in life.

Secondary Lymphedema is generally the result of injury, insect bites, cancer “treatments,” infections or surgery such as with breast cancer. Lymphedema generally affects the extremities, but is often present in other areas such as the trunk and genitals.

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Health Care) 2. Manual Lymph drainage 3. Exercises speci¿c to the lymphedema 4. Skin care and skin treatment Compression garments should be replaced every six months. Two garments should always be used to ensure that one garment is being worn and one being washed for hygienic reasons.

Most often “made to measure” medical compression garments are used. It is important that a trained specialized ¿tter ¿ts the garments. Poorly ¿tting garments and/or damaged garments can interfere with the success (and sometimes harmful) to the treatment of lymphedema.

Lymphedema tends to progress if left untreated.

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12 www.pentictonwesternnews.com

Penticton Western News Wednesday, September 26, 2012

seniors on the go

What comes next after retirement?

Scores of people spend their working days dreaming of the moment they are eligible for retirement. They may have retirement counted down to the minutes and seconds, particularly if they’ve been in a job that hasn’t been the most enjoyable. But many people ¿nd that once they retire they do not know what to do to ¿ll their time. Boredom actually may be a side effect of retirement, and some people actually want to go back to work.

Much of the focus when planning for retirement concerns ¿nances. All other factors take a backseat. Therefore, there may be emotional issues that arise during retirement, and retirees are not always prepared to deal with such issues. Having a postretirement plan in place can mean the difference between happiness and having a hard time adjusting, according to experts.

Here are some tips that can help anyone ease into the golden years.

ESTABLISH GOALS: After working for years, the idea of setting goals can seem counterintuitive. But goals can give life direction and have you looking forward to things in the future. Goals also motivate retirees to get up in the morning now that a commute to work isn’t part of the daily schedule.

GETTING OUT with friends or former coworkers can help banish boredom associated with retirement.

DONATE TIME OR MONEY: Giving back to others, whether to the community or to a charitable organization, can feel good and give retirees some structure. Volunteering your time at a place can give life some sort of purpose outside of a job.

START A HOME-BASED BUSINESS: Just because you retire doesn’t mean you have to fully retire. Now may be the opportunity to start a business venture you have always dreamed about, whether that is something hands-on or just serving as a consultant.

TRY NEW THINGS: Part of goal-setting is to add things to the list you’ve never done before, which can boost feelings of excitement. You may discover a new interest that becomes a passion. Now that you have time to explore new hobbies, they might prove more rewarding.

MEET WITH PEOPLE: Part of what makes work ful¿lling is the opportunity to get out of the house and interact with others who are not members of your family. It’s easy to fall into a rut when you are not being mentally stimulated by conversation from different people.

REALIZE IT’S ALRIGHT NOT TO LOVE RETIREMENT: Just because the grass seemed greener in someone else’s yard, doesn’t mean it always turns out to be that way. It is OK to accept that maybe retirement isn’t entirely what you expected and to make changes that can enable the experience to be better.

Understanding the different types of care available What is assisted living? Assisted living residences offer housing, hospitality services and personal assistance services to adults who can live independently, but may require regular help with daily activities. Assisted living is designed to meet the needs of a wide range of people.

What is complex care? Complex care provides compassionate care for adults who are dealing with a life-altering complex condition resulting from injury or disease. Complex care provides medical management, skilled 24hour nursing and a range of interdisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic services to optimize the quality of life of individuals who have a

chronic or complex condition.

Once you have determined the type of care that you or your family member needs, there are a few more important points to consider: Be sure to take into consideration whether or not the care home can provide increasing levels of care for your future health requirements. Some care homes do not have the ability to signi¿cantly increase the level of care provided, should you or your spouse require a higher level of care in the future. Does the care home provide the unique ability to have one spouse reside in assisted living while the other spouse lives in complex care, keeping husband and wife together in the same residence?

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Be pro-active, this is a big decision — so do the research. Is the care home located in a great location — close to shopping, pathways, pharmacy, transportation, family and friends?

Does the care home provide planned activities and recreation/¿tness areas? Does the care Home have their own bus for group day trips and outings? Find out what extra activities and in-house services are available.

Community is the essence of life at a care home and residents are encouraged to participate in activities that promote socializing and new friendships. Take a look at the care home’s activity calendar — is it designed speci¿cally for ¿tness, fun and companionship?

Once you have created a list of care home options, make an appointment for a tour of the facility and come prepared with a list of questions. What does the monthly rent include and what does it not include? Consider renting a guest suite for a week to experience what it is all about. Become as informed as you can about the residence — does it make you feel at home? Is it warm, bright, friendly and inviting?

Does the care home create an environment and lifestyle that adapts as the needs of each resident changes? Everyone experiences life differently, and the care home needs to provide a stimulating and ful¿lling environment for each and every resident in its care.

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