April 30, 2014

SPRING 2014

Canadians staying fitter than ever

Trend of longer-living population may be peaking, researchers say

Plenty of social networking opportunities in Richmond, including connecting with former classmates

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Welcome to The Good Life, a new magazine produced by the team at The Richmond Review filled with stories about a very active Richmond demographic. The dynamic energy, vitality and enthusiasm that were once hallmarks of youth are now also qualities shared with maturity among those who are 50 and older.

We are living longer, healthier and more active lives than ever before, with an abundance of diverse choices of what to do with our time.

In this edition, we look at what’s out there to do for those of us who have developed a discerning eye and unique taste from years of living life to the fullest.

Where can we go to meet other like-minded people? Is our community prepared for the challenges of a maturing city?

How can we best maintain our fitness and independence for decades to come?

After all, don’t we all want to live The Good Life.

Health Summit | 4 Finding a Match | 6 Variety & Moderation | 8

PUBLISHER Mary Kemmis EDITOR Bhreandáin Clugston Contributors Matthew Hoekstra Martin van den Hemel Don Fennell ADVERTISING Elana Gold Lesley Smith Collin Neal Marshall Mackinder Kimberley Lim Jane Ilott CIRCULATION Kristene Murray Lito Tuazon Roya Sarwary CREATIVE SERVICES Jaana Björk Gabe Mundstock Peter Palmer James Marshall

Homes for Life | 10 Planning for Your Golden Years | 15 Secrets of Salt & Sugar | 18 Making the Connection | 20

PRODUCED BY THE RICHMOND REVIEW #1 - 3671 Viking Way, Richmond, B.C. V6V 2J5 604-247-3700 RichmondReview.com

Home is Where Your Health Is | 24 Fitness 55 | 26 Campus of Care | 28 SPRING 2014 « T H E G O O D L I F E

3

summit

health

Trend of longer-living population may be peaking, researchers say

PEOPLE are currently living longer and healthier lives, but there’s an indication that won’t always be the case.

Ben Mortensen and Bill Miller, from the University of B.C.’s occupational science and occupational therapy department, shared their insight into what the future holds for Canada’s aging population and the ways to improve the lives of those in their Golden Years.

Mortensen suspects that the current increase in lifestyle diseases, such as diabetes and obesity, will only get worse down the road.

“Will people’s children live as long as their parents?” he asked.

Miller said for many decades, residents were reaping the benefits of having really clean air, water and good nutrition.

“Biologically, have we reached our end date?” he said.

There are statistics that back that up.

While three per cent of the wheelchair-using population is between the ages of 75 and 85, that number more than doubles in the population above 85.

So what’s the secret to long living? Is it a more sedentary lifestyle with fewer stresses? Or is it a more active T H E G O O D L I F E « SPRING 2014

Miller said moderation may be the answer.

As recently as 30 years ago, there was an observation made about dock workers who were doing physically-taxing work to retirement, and would then die within a few years, he said.

People need physical activity to sustain their bodies, but everything must come in moderation, he said.

Perhaps we’ve reached the peak of biological tissue viability, at the average age of 85.

But perhaps we’ve reached the peak of biological tissue viability, at the average age of 85.

4

lifestyle with harder work that helps keep people fitter?

Mortensen said there’s a connection between physical frailty and mental frailty.

With adequate exercise, it appears that improves cognitive functioning, he said.

A survey showed that 89 per cent of older adults wanted to age in place, but that’s not al-

ways possible.

Mortensen said accessibility of homes is often an afterthought, and that mindset needs to change for the benefit of future generations.

Homes need to be built so as many people as possible can use the space.

Retrofitting a home is a huge expense that can be avoided.

Continued on page 5

summit

health

Continued from page 4

Rather, Mortensen urged city planners to request more from developers to incorporate designs such as wider hallways and wheelchair-accessible bathrooms, into all of their units.

Where Mortensen works, his building doesn’t have a washroom designated for disabled people. Rather, all washrooms are accessible.

He acknowledged this would cost more initially, but said cities are in a position to provide incentives to developers so they can recoup that additional cost.

Miller, who lives in Coquitlam and is currently looking for a home in Vancouver, said he’s noticed the opposite trend in homes, with smaller bedrooms and bathrooms and “con-

dating a chair lift is more problematic.

Unless changes are made to home design, the healthcare system will pay the price.

Institutional care is much more expensive than caring for people in their own homes, and then there’s the emotional toll it takes on those forced to move.

Unless changes are made to home design, the healthcare system will pay the price

Miller said city planners, politicians and the public also need to reconsider how they build neighbourhoods, so that people aren’t forced to get into a car to grab their groceries, or see their doctor, and everything is within a few minutes walk.

densed” living spaces.

“That’s going to have a huge cost in the future to accommodate individuals,” he said.

Stairs are also a barrier in homes, as their narrower design means accommo-

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SPRING 2014 « T H E G O O D L I F E

L070B (05/06)

5

finding a

match Jumping back into the dating pool can be daunting, but should be fun DATING can be daunting at any age, but meeting new people later in life can be an even greater challenge.

Older adults regularly jump back into the dating pool following the breakup of a relationship, or even the death of a spouse. But once in the water, they find things a little different than their first time.

“As we get older, the pool gets smaller and smaller. When we’re in our 20s and early 30s, the pool is huge. There’s a plethora of choices for men and for women,” says Sheree Morgan.

To summit what might seem like a mountain of challenge, would-be daters need to get themselves out there by participating in social activities they enjoy, specifically activities that draw the opposite sex.

“If (women) want to meet men, they have to do activities that men are also doing,” says Morgan, the woman behind Vancouver-based Match-Works Matchmaking, which has been helping single executives and professionals find their perfect match for eight years.

For women, that could mean playing golf—an activity enjoyed by many older men. And if you don’t know how to play the game—learn.

T H E G O O D L I F E « SPRING 2014

Does the art of dating need to be re-learned? Absolutely, says Morgan.

“Especially if they’ve been with somebody for a very long time, they’re completely out of touch. I often run into people who’ve been married for 20 or 25 years, and then either their spouse died or they broke up, and they’re left dumbfounded.”

In the age of digital communication, conversation might not come easy for everyone. But it’s worth making an effort at it.

Morgan, a matchmaker and dating coach, acknowledges entering the dating world at an older age—and finding a match—is difficult. People of a similar age might already be in relationships. For women the challenge is especially difficult, as many men seek to date women younger than themselves, she says.

6

But it’s not just about joining a social activity, it’s also about honing socializing skills.

Being older and more experienced doesn’t necessarily make it easier than it was when you were younger. A feeling of insecurity could be holding someone back. But getting over that hump could be as simple as just talking to people.

And in the age of digital communication, conversation might not come easy for everyone. But it’s worth making an effort at it.

“I always say to my clients, when they’re getting to know somebody, don’t text, don’t e-mail, don’t go on social media,” she says. “If you want to talk to somebody and you want to get to know somebody, at the very least pick up the phone and talk to them.”

With digital communications there’s too many opportunities for misunderstanding, she says.

Matchmaking is one option. But the right match doesn’t come overnight, says Morgan.

There’s online dating, but such websites can create an illusion there’s a large amount of people available, yet there’s likely few possible matches for both sides.

Continued on page 23

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&moderation variety

Community resources available to help make good food choices

ONE of the simplest ways to improve your health is to eat well.

Healthy eating, along with a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity, can pave the way for independent living—instead of living later years relying on others.

Good nutrition provides energy to be active and can also slow down illness and disease.

Food can help shift heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and even some forms of cancer into the slow lane.

And, according to B.C.’s Healthy Eating for Seniors handbook, healthy eating can help us cope better with physical and mental stress, surgery and even the common cold or flu.

Experts say the basic tenets of healthy eating are variety and moderation. Finding a balance of protein, carbohydrates, fats and fluids is important at any age, but particularly for seniors.

As we age, there’s a greater need for nutrients, and less of a need for calories.

Calcium, a vital nutrient for healthy bones and preventing osteoporosis, is in greater demand for people over age 50, for example.

T H E G O O D L I F E « SPRING 2014

There’s also an added importance of fibre, which is key to bowel health.

Kitty Yung is a community nutritionist at Vancouver Coastal Health’s Healthy Living Program. She says that simple ways for people to improve their nutrition are to eat a variety of foods and follow advice in Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide.

Healthy eating can help us cope better with physical and mental stress, surgery and even the common cold or flu.

“Healthy living, which includes both healthy eating and getting regular physical activity, can help you adjust to the natural aging process and retain your youthful vigour,” notes the guide.

8

And as the body ages, Vitamin B12 becomes moredifficult to absorb from natural sources such as milk, fish, chicken and eggs. Supplements can help.

The Health Canada publication suggests women eat seven servings of fruits and vegetables a day, six servings of grains, three servings of milk and alternatives and two helpings of meat and alternatives.

The numbers are similar for older men: seven fruits and vegetables, seven grains, three milk and alternatives and three servings of meat

and alternatives.

Yung said fluids, including water, are also an important element in diet.

There’s also added benefits in family dinners. Social meals with families and friends can be good for health, according to Yung.

“That can help with our eating. Sometimes when we get older we might not have the appetite to eat, and sometimes seniors eat better with other people.”

Continued on page 9

&moderation variety

Important nutrients for mature adults

Continued from page 8

For help in navigating nutrition, Richmond Health Services (604-2333103) has community nutritionists who offer nutrition counselling, clinics and workshops.

Dietician Services at HealthLink BC is also a phone call away. By dialing 811 (or 711 for hearing-impaired assistance), you can connect with a registered dietician who can provide brief nutrition consultation by phone.

The Healthy Eating for Seniors publication is available by request through HealthLink BC (call 811) or online at healthlinkbc.ca.

MATTHEW HOEKSTRA

Carbohydrates: A main source of energy, includes foods such as whole grains, cooked dried beans, fruits, vegetables, milk and yogurt.

Protein: Found in meat, fish, poultry, milk, legumes, tofu, soy, peanut butter.

Fat: Healthy fats are found in fish, nuts, seeds and vegetable oils.

Calcium: Milk and alternatives, canned fish with bones, calcium-enriched fruit juices are all sources.

Vitamin D: Found in milk, fortified soy, egg yolk, fish. Seniors should take 400 IU daily supplement.

Vitamin B6: Fish, beef liver, meat, poultry, whole grains, nuts, lentils are sources.

Vitamin B12: Found in milk and alternatives, meat, fish, poultry and eggs.

Seniors should take daily supplement.

Folate: Sources are dried peas, beans, lentils, orange juice, dark green leafy vegetables.

Fibre: Whole grains, legumes, vegetables, fruit all provide.

Fluids: Water, milk and juice are best sources, along with moderate amounts of tea and coffee. * Source: HealthLink BC

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T H E G O O D L I F E « SPRING 2014

While some developers point out that accessible condos are often the last ones to sell, Crowe said the city is committed to promoting aging in place in multi-family dwellings, and is taking a long, hard look at how that will best work in the years to come.

While adaptable housing—featuring such things as bathrooms designed with stronger studs in the walls to facilitate the installation of grab bars, accessible bedrooms, patios, light switches and electrical outlets—will continue to be provided in new residential developments, it’s still undecided whether this type of housing will be a requirement for all new housing.

Crowe said the city recognizes that it will become more common for people living in downtown core condos, to live in them for their entire lives, rather than the downsizing seen of empty-nesters who previously owned houses and relocated into smaller and more manageable homes.

Continued on page 12

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The city will continue to consult with the Urban Development Institute, local seniors and the Richmond Centre for Disability, to determine how to best plan these future developments.

He said proximity to transit is always a consideration.

Is it really practical to make all homes accessible? Will everyone like the appearance of wider doors, hallways, and bigger washrooms? And will the community buy these homes if they’re built this way?

These are the types of questions that still need to be answered, but Crowe said at the very least, a percentage of accessible housing will be included in every project.

Then there’s the concern that if all homes are built to be accessible, some buyers who don’t like those features and don’t immediately need them will go in and tear them out.

The hurdle with making this type of housing mandatory is that the province needs to be on side as well “We want to do that in a practical way,” Crowe said of improving the accessibility benchmark.

Crowe noted that the city is already designing the downtown core to have another 200 acres of parkland added to the existing 200 acres, so people won’t have far to walk to reach their neighbourhood park.

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Wayne Craig, director of development for the City of Richmond, said some developers are jumping in feet first to raise accessibility standards.

He said Polygon, for example, has built a “very high” number of its condo units in their four-storey buildings with these standards.

The hurdle with making this type of housing mandatory is that the province needs to be on side as well, Craig said.

The current system of providing incentives to developers to build with this philosophy has resulted in some residential projects with 80 per cent of its units designed to achieve these standards.

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gyears olden

planning for your

Power of attorney, will and estate planning should start young DEATH and illness are never appetizing topics of conversation at the dinner table.

But both can become much more painful and emotionally/physically draining for survivors who are left to manage the financial aftermath of a loved one’s serious illness or passing.

Whether it’s a husband and wife, or parents and children, there are ways to make future hardships a little less daunting.

Adults can appoint another person with power-of-attorney status, to deal with business and property and make financial and legal decisions on their behalf, said local notary public Nancy Schick-Skinner.

The appointed “attorney” must act in the best interests of the adult and take into account their current and/or known wishes, beliefs and values, she said.

half to do such things as sell the family home, finalize a settlement with ICBC over a claim, or many other financial and legal matters, she said.

In cases such as this where no power-of-attorney has been designated, the Public Guardian and Trustee of BC must become involved, and it then becomes necessary to obtain a court-appointed committee to look after financial and legal affairs.

Everyone who is 19 or older should have a power-ofattorney in place if they own any assets or drive in a vehicle

Everyone who is 19 or older should have a power-of-attorney in place if they own any assets or drive in a vehicle, she said.

While most adults plan for death with wills, joint ownership of assets and named beneficiaries on insurance policies, what’s often overlooked is incapacity, Schick-Skinner said.

Without a valid enduring power of attorney document, if a husband were to become temporarily or permanently incapacitated for some reason, neither the wife nor children are legally able to act on his be-

“The committee appointment takes valuable time when there may be urgent matters to be dealt with and is also much more expensive than an EPOA,” Schick-Skinner said.

The situation can also be complicated when dealing with mental and/or physical incapacity.

“All too many times I receive the call from families and or the hospital to say Mrs. ABC needs a Power of Attorney because she has been diagnosed with a disabling condition. Quite often it is too late for Mrs. ABC to sign the EPOA as she left it too long and is no longer capable of understanding the nature and effect of the EPOA,” she said. “This leaves those closest to her struggling at a difficult time to assist her with the management of her financial and legal affairs, with no authority and no ability to do so without a committee appointment and/or possibly the intervention of the Public Guardian and Trustee.”

Continued on page 16

SPRING 2014 « T H E G O O D L I F E

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gyears olden

planning for your

Continued from page 15

Schick-Skinner said the power-of-attorney document doesn’t take away the ability of an adult to manage his or her own affairs as long as they are able.

“Having an EPOA in place to protect one’s self, is like having an insurance policy for a vehicle. We do not obtain car insurance because we want to be in an accident but if there is a need for the insurance, thankfully, it was in place,” she said. “The same can be said for the EPOA as when and if it is required, thankfully it is in place.”

Schick-Skinner said she’s surprised how many adults do not have a will, which is “an invaluable and necessary document for end-of-life planning.”

The appointment of an executor and

trustee is also very important, she said.

This person is charged with the task of overseeing one’s estate administration, and must deal with all aspects of the estate including funeral arrangements, listing assets, converting assets to cash, paying debts, dealing with income tax and estate distribution.

“The executor should be a person you trust, who you believe will survive you and can take on this timely and big job but also has a business sense and is able to deal effectively with the beneficiaries,” she said.

She advises everyone planning for their golden years to have all of their documents in place.

spend a lifetime building our assets and they should be protected by ensuring we have an enduring power of attorney and representation agreement (which appoints an individual as a legal representative for personal care and health decisions and advocacy) in place so our loved ones have the authority required under the law to properly assist us if we are no longer able.”

She also urges people to read a recent policy paper by B.C.’s doctors called It’s Time to Talk, Advance Care Planning in British Columbia (tinyurl.com/GoodLifeplan).

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secret s of

salt&

sugar

Plenty of reasons to avoid the shaker

THOSE crystalline staples lurking in kitchens everywhere are packing more than just sweetness and spice. It may be hard to swallow, but overconsumption of sodium and sugar can quickly salt away your health.

Convenience and processed foods are full of these two hidden health hazards, and reaching for the shaker can be instinctive, especially since because of taste and salt sensitivity often diminish as we age.

Too much sodium can raise blood pressure and that can lead to heart disease—or worse, according to the B.C. Ministry of Health publication Healthy Eating for Seniors.

Recent research suggests that high blood pressure can speed up calcium depletion and lead to osteoporosis—a disease that thins the bones, putting them at greater risk of breaking. People with high blood pressure are also more likely to develop diabetes and kidney disease.

The best way to control your sodium intake is to eat fresh vegetables and fruit more often and prepare your own food. It also means avoiding processed foods such as frozen dinners and canned foods. More and more supermarket foods are available in low- or

T H E G O O D L I F E « SPRING 2014

As for sugar, the Healthy Eating guide suggests people limit their intake to six to 10 teaspoons—30 to 50 grams—per day, and less for people with diabetes or high triglycerides.

The best way to control your sodium intake is to eat fresh vegetables and fruit more often and prepare your own food.

The latest research suggests limiting sodium intake to no more than 2,300 milligrams per day—about one teaspoon of salt—or less for those with existing salt-sensitive conditions.

18

no-salt options, but always scrutinize labels as some “reduced sodium” items might still be packed with salt.

Although Health Canada does not have specific recommendations on how much sugar we should consume, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) new draft guidelines for sugar suggest limiting intake to less than five per cent of daily calories.

A 2004 Statistics Canada study found that sugar accounted for 21 per cent of average Canadians’ daily calories.

The WHO’s Dr. Francesco Branco warned at a March news conference about hidden sugars, such as those found in condiments. A tablespoon of ketchup, for example, has up to seven grams of sugar. A more obvious sugar source, pop, is loaded with the sweetener—30 grams in an average serving.

“Sugar might become the new tobacco in terms of risk,” said Branco.

Kitty Yung, community nutritionist at Vancouver Coastal Health, noted that foods high in sugar tend to be low in nutrients.

Continued on page 19

secret s of

salt&

sugar

Low-salt tips Continued from page 18

“Some of the things that are high in sugar can be also high in calories, high in fat. If we look at cakes and pies, all those sweets can be high in fat and calories.”

Many beverage options beyond pop are also full of sugar, including fruit drinks, and sweetened tea and coffee.

“It’s better for us to eat our calories than drink our calories,” she said.

As far as salt, Yung suggested you find flavour alternatives, such as herbs, and avoiding the processed foods that comprise as much as 75 per cent of our diet.

Snack foods such as nuts and seeds are healthy, but choose unsalted varieties, she suggested. For sandwiches, prepare your own chicken or beef and avoid the sodium-heavy cold cuts at the deli counter. And when eating in restaurants, ask for sauces on the side.

“There are ways people can reduce their salt intake, but it takes a bit of planning,” she said. “We are so used to eating things that are really salty. It’s difficult. It’s a habit.”

Don’t add salt to cooking When eating out, ask kitchen to hold the salt Take the saltshaker off the dining table Substitute other seasonings for salt, such as herbs, dry mustard, spices, lemon juice, ginger or garlic Choose fresh food as often as possible Avoid frozen dinners Rinse canned foods, such as salmon, tuna fish and beans, under water to remove salt Avoid instant foods, including soups, oatmeal, pancakes and waffles.

Avoid processed cheese Avoid meats that have been processed, cured or smoked, including sausages and bacon Limit snack foods, such as salted crackers, chips, popcorn and nuts Limit pickles, pickled foods, relishes, salsa, dips, olives, sauces and dressings * Source: HealthLink BC

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making t he

connection

Plenty of social networking opportunities in Richmond, including connecting with former classmates

IT’S a well-documented fact that Social connections are key to good health.

As time passes social circles evolve. Job changes and retirement present golden opportunities, but they can also mean losing contact with former co-workers and community links.

Thankfully, opportunities to stay socially connected abound in Richmond. Programs at community centres, Richmond Cultural Centre and Richmond Public Library can help us build social ties. Volunteer Richmond Information Services and immigration settlement agencies can also open up opportunities.

And some people are building bridges to the past to make connections in the present.

“When we were organizing our grad reunion, one of our organizing members passed away a few months before the reunion. That was when it sort of hit us: We shouldn’t be meeting just for our grad reunion every T H E G O O D L I F E « SPRING 2014

E-mails went out, and the first lunch was organized.

Today, up to 15 people attend any given lunch, held on the second Friday of each month.

Despite the passing of over a half-century, the grads continue to have a strong connection, having grown up together.

All it takes is somebody to organize it and get it going, and people will respond, and we enjoy each other’s company

Maureen Beetstra organizes a monthly luncheon for 1957 grads of Richmond High. The regular local lunch gatherings began seven years ago following the class’s 50th grad reunion.

20

five years when who knows what’s going to happen.”

“There was only the one high school at the time, and there was 134 that graduated, so we knew everybody. We knew where they lived. If we didn’t know the house, we knew the area they lived in,” said Beetstra.

People with strong social networks are more active, feel happier and are more supported. Staying in touch with neighbours, friends, family and even high school chums help keep that social network strong.

“To me, friends, people I went to school with, and family, are very important. That’s the most important thing other than health. All it takes is somebody to organize it and get it going, and people will respond, and we enjoy each other’s company,” said Beetstra.

Continued on page 22

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making t heconnection Continued from page 20

Another group of longtime local residents have remained in touch for more than 40 years.

Steveston women’s network lives strong

First organized by Gladys Thompson and Verna Knox, a group of as many as 50 women get together at twice-yearly lunches. The gatherings began in the early 1980s for a local women’s softball team.

“Everybody realized we were going to dwindle away if we didn’t grow,” said one lunchtime regular. “We started to open the doors and just say: We’re having a lunch, if you’re interested, here we are.”

Living in Steveston for more than half a century has changed the women’s perception of the developing area, but their friendship has remained the same.

Whether joining a club, participating in a sport, taking a class, volunteering your time or making old connections new again, there are plenty of ways to stay connected in Richmond.

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A Steveston women’s group gathers for a photo at the Army, Navy and Air Force Unit 284 building (105-11900 No. 1 Rd., 604-277-5444). As many as 50 local women attend twice-yearly lunches.

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T H E G O O D L I F E « SPRING 2014

finding a

match

Continued from page 6

“There are probably a few really good possibilities, but you have to go through all those people, and you really have no idea who are the people that are lying and who are the people that are being truthful and who are the people that are there just to date the world,” says Morgan.

Bonnie Taylor, a senior matchmaker with Vancouver-based Executive Search Dating, agreed there are more women than men in the dating pool later in life.

Not all men want to necessarily re-enter the dating scene, and because they age faster they may not feel well enough to date, she says.

very hard and they’ve established themselves,” she says.

nized activities. But Taylor says we can meet people anywhere. We just need to open up and say hello.

Finding other established people online can be challenging. You’re more vulnerable when established; you have more to lose if you get the wrong person in your life, says Taylor.

“It doesn’t matter where you are, whether you’re in a grocery store lineup, or at a theatre event. If someone presents them self don’t be afraid to just introduce yourself and say hi. So basically everywhere is a good place to meet someone.”

Executive Search, for example, meets clients and screens compatible matches—sorting through all the clutter one might find online.

And we’re never too old to jump back in that pool.

Her advice for those re-entering the dating scene: know what you want, think quality not quantity and have fun.

Another challenge is later in life, wouldbe daters are well-established.

“That’s what dating is supposed to be.

Dating is supposed to be about having fun and getting out and meeting people.”

“As long as we have our health and vitality and we’re out in the world—if we feel like we want to be dating, yes we have every right to be out there and meeting other people,” says Taylor. “It’s a great time to be dating.”

“They’ve had careers and they’ve worked

Meeting people can be through orga-

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is where your

health But condos, houses, townhomes need to be accessible

IT’S a reality local city planners are going to have to deal with.

With Richmond real estate unaffordable for the vast majority of young people, more and more couples will be raising their children in condos and townhouses, two comparitively cheaper alternatives to single detached dwellings sporting spacious back yards.

accessible to everyone than ever before.

But McNulty agrees that more can be done to encourage developers to think along the lines of creating homes where people can spend their entire lives.

While it’s long been the case that empty nesters downsize into condos and townhouses, that might not be the case in the coming decades, he acknowledged.

But condos and townhouses aren’t specifically designed to accomodate an ever-aging population.

Rather than wider doorways and hallways that might better accomodate wheelchairs, and better-tailored bathrooms that are universally accessible, the opposite is happening in the world of housing design, where buyers are having to put up more money for a seemingly ever-shrinking amount of space.

There’s an expectation there will be a greater demand for units designed to accomodate people with mobility issues.

Is a radical rethink necessary in residential planning to stave off potential trouble in the future, where retired adults will be forced out of their home not necessarily because of illness or infirmity, but because they’ve become prisoners in their own barrier-filled home?

Coun. Bill McNulty, chair of the planning committee for the City of Richmond, said Richmond has been a leader in the introduction of universal guideliness in home construction.

Thanks to the efforts of people like accessibility champion Frances Clark, of the Richmond Centre for Disability, residential and commercial buildings are more 24

T H E G O O D L I F E « SPRING 2014

With condos popping up like mushrooms in the downtown core of the city, those towers will be home to young families who a few decades down the road won’t have the option of downsizing from already cramped quarters.

So those homes should be built with that in mind, suitable to everyone, no matter their age or the level of their ability.

McNulty agreed that the city can provide incentives to developers to introduce appropriate sink heights, toilets, walk-in bathtubs and wheelchair and walker-accessible showers.

“There’s no reason why that can’t be done,” McNulty said, noting that the city already provides incentives like this to developers.

City of Richmond spokesperson Ted Townsend said the official community plan did focus on design guidelines, acknowledging that with our aging demographic in Richmond, there’s an expectation there will be a greater demand for units designed to accomodate people with mobility issues.

Continued on page 25

is where your

health

Continued from page 24

Mike Nader, chief operating officer at Richmond Hospital, said ideally, people should live their entire lives at home, which would spare the health care system the high cost of assisted living and residential care.

lives, and are healthier too.

“I think our ideal scenarios as individual citizens is we take care of our own health and do what we can to maintain ourselves at home,” he said.

Asked what it will be like a few decades down the road, Nader hopes people will continue to be healthier.

Nader said his wife’s grandmother is living independently in a complex for people over the age of 40.

But six months ago, she had to be hospitalized, and went into residential care.

She recovered, and returned to her home, however, with home support, he said.

People are more educated today with regard to what they eat and healthy living, and that’s translated into the recent statistics that show people are living longer

The healthier we stay as a population, Nader said, the better it is for the healthcare system, which won’t need to create more hospital beds or residential care space.

“Certainly, our goal is to ensure people stay healthy out in their community, and are active,” he said.

Richmond earned the distinction as having the highest life expectancy at birth of any city in Canada.

“There’s something unique about Richmond,” Nader said, adding that local residents have the lowest potential years of life lost due to accident and natural causes.

Nader said there’s plenty of research that shows that keeping people in their homes

is best for their health. The comfort and familiarity of living in one’s own home is the best medicine.

“The longer they remain in hospital, the worse it is for their outcome,” he said.

There are adult day programs to help adults living at home to socialize with the community.

And there are home case workers in the community who are able to identify people who might be at risk from isolation and loneliness.

Nader’s message to locals: “The most important thing is to focus on their health, ensure they are living a healthy lifestyle, and exercising regularly. It’s the greatest thing they can do for themselves and the healthcare system.”

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fitness

55 Canadians staying fitter than ever

BACK in the early 1970s, ParticipACTION began to promote the importance of fitness by comparing a 60-year-old Swede with a 30-year-old Canadian.

and ligaments so people can be strong enough and have the balance to walk over a little bump without tripping or reach up to get a cup out of the highest cupboard.”

The 15-second public service announcement showed the Swede (at the time Sweden was at the top of the world’s fitness rankings and Canada well down the list) jogging effortlessly alongside the Canadian who was puffing like an old locomotive.

While osteoporosis can strike at any age, women over 50 are especially vulnerable. One in three women will suffer from an osteoporotic fracture during their lifetime.

Embarrassed, it sparked a revolution among Canadians to improve their fitness level.

Decades later, the message still resonates—particularly with the over-55 set, who for much of their adult years were inundated by it.

Steveston Community Centre fitness coordinator Donna Bishop is pleased that many of their mature members are so keen to work out they show up like clockwork.

26

“It’s why I always say you should do weight-bearing exercises,” said Bishop. “A lot of people don’t even know they have osteoporosis and it’s usually only after they fall and break their wrist or hip they find out.”

Twenty-eight per cent of women and 37 per cent of men who suffer a hip fracture will die within the following year.

“I know people in their 20s who are not that committed,” said Bishop, who also teaches fitness classes.

SteadyFeet is a new program introduced this winter. Registered instructors teach specially designed balance and mobility exercises to build strength and confidence to further help participants stay safe, active and independent.

Among the unique programs at Steveston Community Centre is something called Balance and Falls Prevention.

Yoga, which became extremely popular a decade ago, continues to be a popular form of exercise. In fact it’s a favorite in Bishop’s classes.

“Basically, the main thing seniors have to worry about is falling (particularly if they have arthritis or osteoporosis),” said Bishop. “It can (represent) the end of their active life. This is not an osteoporosis fitness class, but the classes are geared to strengthening muscles, joints

“It’s not a flash in the pan, it’s here to stay,” said Bishop.

“It’s not as easy as some people think but it’s a (good) combination of things. It’s spiritual for some, even though we don’t practice that. Flexibility is so key when you’re older and yoga is really good for that.”

T H E G O O D L I F E « SPRING 2014

fitness

55

Continued from page 26

Similar to tai chai, luk tung kuen is a popular low impact, drop-in activity. Offered year-round throughout the week at Cambie, South Arm and Thompson community centres, the classes are peerled and focused in stretching. It is designed to counter the pains of aging in a gentle, safe and fluid form of exercise while keeping the mind alert.

Stella Au, older adults coordinator at South Arm, also endorses the community centre’s indoor walking program. She said some people like to go to the gym or sign up for specific classes, but the walking program has no limitations.

“Even though Richmond is flat, there’s always a risk of falling—particularly in inclement weather,” she said. “The indoor walking program, held in the gym, started a couple of years ago and is held from September to May.” A slide show simulates outdoors, while music is played over the loudspeakers.

There are also two supervisors to assist should anyone fall.

independently in the community,” said Au, who advises people to start developing their leisure skills before retirement.

said. “That shouldn’t take place when they retire, but in the years well before that.”

“We always think when we retire we’ll have so much time to do this and that, then realize we never developed that leisure skill,” she said. “It’s important to have a repertoire that includes strong cognitive and physical ysical skills so you can have a well-balance nce lifestyle. In Asian countries a lot of people think if you’re in your 70s that’ss old, but I think 55 is the new 40. A lot of seniors are still e, and we have seniors working part-time, coming out to thee community centres 0s and even 100.” that are in their 90s

DON FENNELL

omes to aging we Au said when it comes

“I’ve noticed a real social component, with the walkers enjoying coffee and tea after the walk,” said Au. “It takes a lot of motivation to go to the gym with no one holding you accountable. This program is easy to participate in and encourages you to keep moving. And the social networking tends to motivate people to continue to come out.”

There are re so many things for people to choosee from and programs s like these, that are drop-in and non-competitive, mpetitive, reflect positively ositively on the idea a of living independently ently in the community munity

An active mature crowd also ensures the badminton courts are always full at South Arm, while a drop-in basketball program featuring mostly mature women—some in their 70s—has been going strong for the last three years and is truly inspiring.

ive in Richmond, reare very progressive nt lifestyle. That doesn’t flected by a vibrant mean we don’t facee the usual challenges, ost part managing well but are for the most pportunities and serbecause of the opportunities vices available.

“There are so many things for people to choose from and programs like these, that are drop-in and non-competitive, reflect positively on the idea of living

“People have to bee prepared emotionally ent years) and to devel(for their retirement op skills to know what is out ey like,” she there and what they SPRING 2014 « T H E G O O D L I F E

27

of

campus

care

Facility makes difficult decision easier on families

It’s a gut-wrenching scenario for any family to face: their elderly parents being separated because of different care needs just when they need each other most.

That story shared between members of a Bible study group in the early 1990s, led them to take action, and ultimately the creation of Elim Village, a nearly 20-acre seniors complex in Surrey’s Fleetwood neighbourhood designed to keep aging couples independent, at home and together, as long as possible.

Is this site the blueprint for future retirement facilities in other cities like Richmond?

From executive director Ron Pike’s perspective, Elim Village has certainly lived up to expectations.

And though it’s not a perfect system, the concept has enabled members to stay in the village as they age, T H E G O O D L I F E « SPRING 2014

Today, Elim Village, a Christian-based facility, is one of the largest campuses of care in Western Canada.

With more than 600 residents in five independent-living condo buildings, in addition to assisted-living and residential care, Pike said the goal at Elim is to improve the quality of life of residents.

Is this site the blueprint for future retirement facilities in other cities like Richmond?

Elim offers independent-living condos and duplexes, assisted living suites, and full residential care, all in the same location, which can reduce the guilt famlies feel when their parents and relatives must leave their family homes. That means residents can move from one section of the village to another, as their needs change, all while maintaining their connection to their familiar circle of friends and surroundings.

28

and kept couples together, for the most part, he said.

While many of its current residents have been through World Wars and The Depression, and as a result are very thankful for what they have and are tighter with their resources, that figures to change in the years to come, Pike said.

The next wave expected to come through are Baby Boomers, who will have more of a service mentality, and will demand more on-site services, such as coffee shops.

And while physical frailty is an issue that’s common place at Elim today, people are now living healthier lifestyles, and figure to be living longer and fuller lives during their so-called Golden Years.

The big issue on the horizon is an increase in the number of seniors with mental frailty, research suggests, ranging from dementia to Alzheimers, Pike said.

That will present challenges for developers of seniors Continued on page 30

SPRING 2014 « T H E G O O D L I F E

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And that’s why at Elim Village, the learning process remains an everyday fact of life.

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