LANGLEY TIMES’ SENIOR LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE • MAY 2015
60
Living
plus!
Penny Pincher
Hospital Auxiliary
Celebrating
Seniors Week
JIM M GREGOR SAYS the BEST of C
Tackling
Hoarding
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21616 - 52 Ave, Langley 604.530.1101 www.harrisonpointe.ca Published by THE LANGLEY TIMES ■ MAY 2015 ■
F E A T U R E
5
A R T I C L E S :
Penny Pinchers LLangley Memorial Hospital Auxiliary sshare some “surprising” stories
Seniors’ Appreciation Week Seniors
10
WEEK
Langley GO-GOS
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ALSO INSIDE: Business of Hoarding
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8
Retirement Dollars
17 After Death Arranging
21
Battling Skin Cancer
19 McGregor Says
23
60
Living
plus!
Langley Living 60 Plus is published by the Langley Times, May, 2015. Publisher: Jean Hincks Project Coordinator: Sherri Martin Editor: Jim McGregor Creative Director: Millie McKinnon www.langleytimes.com
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EDITOR’S notes Make an iced tea, I said. Find some shade I said... Now all I have to do is take my own advice and relax for a few minutes.... As we approach Seniors’ Week, we can take some time to appreciate and celebrate the tireless seniors of our community who contribute so much in so many ways. There are over 900 volunteer organizations in Langley and our seniors can be seen as a valuable part of so many of those worthy causes. In this issue Krystal Clark takes us into the new Penny Pincher facility and we get to meet some of the ladies in the blue smocks that work so hard raising funds for the Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation. The move and transition hasn’t slowed them down one bit.
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Our two Seniors of the Year give us some insight to their year and tell us how much they enjoyed their roles, about the people they met and the interesting things they learned about the Langley Community.
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Lilianne Fuller tackles the always difficult subject of planning for a celebration of life and gives us some suggestions on how to make your own plans for the event and how to involve your family in the decision making. We also meet the Gogos, the African grandmothers who are raising an entire generation of children who have lost parents to the HIV/Aids epidemic. The Chair of the Langley chapter explains who they are, what they do and how we can help. The summer weather is here. Make an iced tea, find some shade and enjoy our magazine.
Jim McGregor is a lifelong resident of Langley and former Fire Chief for Langley City. Jim is a published poet and author and a regular contributor to the Langley Times.
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Published by THE LANGLEY TIMES ■ MAY 2015 ■
Penny Pinchers the joy of sharing, saving and giving K R I ST Y L C L A R K
A
t the Penny Pincher Thrift Shop in Langley City, the thrill is in the savings for the customers.
But for many of the hard-working men and women who volunteer their time to keep the store running afloat, it might just be a saving grace. “I’ve met so many people here over the years who have become good friends – for a lot of people it’s about the camaraderie... it’s their salvation,” said Brenda MacDonald, who began volunteering for the non-profit second-hand shop around 12 years ago.
Over the years, the 69-year-old Langley resident has met numerous likeminded seniors who have become great friends. She has also encountered some memorable donations – some that have made her both laugh and cry. “Every box that comes in is like a Christmas present,” she said, with a mischievous smile slowly spreading across her face. “There could be anything inside from dirty diapers to diamond rings.”
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The retired office manager for a diamond drilling company admits that when she left her job at 55, it didn’t take long to grow restless. A dose of retail therapy proved to be the perfect medicine to cure her boredom –in more ways than one. “I was home for about a year and was moseying around one day when I decided to go down to the old (Penny Pinchers) location downtown – it was really busy there, she recalled of that fateful shopping trip.
our proceeds go to the hospital
”
“The woman said they need more help to keep up and I told her I didn’t have to go home, I could help!” While MacDonald didn’t start that very day due to the paperwork she’d need to fill out, it wasn’t long before she found herself wearing the familiar Penny Pincher’s blue smock.
And while one might hope she is kidding about the former, MacDonald isn’t exaggerating about the latter. “Cascades Casino once dropped off a cardboard box that had an engagement ring inside –we nearly missed it. The ring had fallen in the folds of the box, but we discovered it when we took it apart.” The ring may have been appraised at $300 to $400 dollars, but it’s far from the most valuable find, according to MacDonald.
“Someone actually dropped off human ashes in a mason jar labelled ‘Mom’s Ashes.’ I thought my God, what is this? It was morbid but also kind of neat. You almost cry over it and then laugh because it is such a stupid thing to do.” Most days on the job aren’t as exciting as finding diamonds or the dust of the deceased. However, MacDonald takes pride in even the mundane chores that keep the thrift shop running. …CONTINUED
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Published by THE LANGLEY TIMES ■ MAY 2015 ■
Penny Pinchers “I usually come in the morning, open the store and start organizing all the miscellaneous items. Then it’s time to open the drapes and put on the coffee for all the volunteers.”
“One hundred per cent of our proceeds go to the hospital,” said Diane Thornton, Langley Memorial Hospital Auxiliary president.
When the doors open, one will find around 14 volunteers, ranging in age from 25 to 88, scattered around the store, all tending to their department.
Earlier this year, the thrift shop – one of the oldest in Langley – moved from the 20200 block of 56th Avenue to a new location at 20550 Fraser Hwy. The store was officially open for business on March 7.
“We have volunteers for jewelry, toys, linens, expensive items, seasonal cards...” explained MacDonald. Around nine years ago, Diane Mykle began volunteering in the store’s book section. Similar to MacDonald, the retiree found herself with too much time on her hands and was eager to feel needed again. “I was a very busy person, and all of a sudden I had nothing to do,” she said. “love books, so I’m in my glory here. Also, there are some really nice people here... we’re like a community.” Aside from the unique treasures that come through the doors and the sense of camaraderie it provides for the team of volunteers, the thrift shop serves as a lifeline to Langley Memorial Hospital.
LMH Auxiliary bought the former bank building as a new permanent home for its thrift store – a purchase that will eventually able the organization to increase revenue. “We are now our own landlords – we don’t have to pay rent anymore,” said Thornton. “Once that mortgage is paid off, we can donate even more to the hospital. And because this is a great location, sales will increase as well.” The Penny Pincher Thrift Shop accepts donations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday. For more information, visit www.langleymemorialhospitalauxiliary.ca or call 604-530-3232.
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hoarding untidy people.
K R I ST Y L C L A R K
W
hen Jeanette Dagenais signed on to become the Executive Director at the Langley Lions Senior Citizens Housing Society, she imagined there’d be heaps of paperwork.
However, she never anticipated the towering piles of rubbish and clutter, the sky-high mountain of soup cans or sea of newspapers encroaching on ever last inch of free space, threatening to swallow her whole. If you would have told her she’d be scolding – in some cases, evicting – grown adults for not cleaning their rooms, the Langley resident would have probably thought it was a joke. But after 17 years in her role, one she is clearly passionate about – almost to a fault – and Dagenais isn’t laughing. “This job is everything to me really,” she said of her role overseeing 625 units and nine buildings with the Langley Lions Senior Citizens Housing Society – an organization that has been providing affordable housing to seniors and persons with disabilities since the mid 1970’s. “It’s just that we’re really tired, we’re older and there just seems to be more and more families with less support in place. We have seen so many families just walk away and we get left to clean up the mess.” Dagenais isn’t just talking about washing floors or dusting blinds –she has been face-to-face with more than her fair share of hoarders over the years. In many cases, Dagenais, who is in her late 50’s, has had to roll her sleeves to play damage control. “I have never worn high heels to my job... and pantyhose? I don’t even know what those are anymore... those are now long gone!” she said. Everyone has a story – the residents of LLSCHS are no exception. The non-profit housing organization is currently dealing with two serious hoarding situations. One resident is facing eviction; neither have family around to help with the ‘messy’ situation, says Dagenais. “Some just can’t stop collecting or resisting the purchase – I’ve seen someone with 10 staplers. There are also the ones who can’t get rid of what they had from their previous homes and have brought all their stuff with them.” Yet, not all the hoarders she has met over the years are necessarily ■8
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“We have had those who are really organized,” she said matter-offactly. “Years ago, there was a resident who had all different kinds of soups stacked into a triangle, newspapers that were piled high forever but so neatly organized.” However, even the neatest of hoarders are impacted by their addiction when it comes to their living space – or in most cases, a lack thereof. When clinically significant enough to impair functioning, hoarding is known to prevent typical uses of space, enough so that it can limit activities such as cooking, cleaning, moving through the house, and sleeping. Suites at the Langley Lions Senior Housing Society are on the
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compact side. The largest is a one-bedroom and all are less than 500 square feet. An excessive collection of personal belongings and rubbish leaves little room to live. “Most can’t have a bed to sleep on because it’s covered in stuff,” explained Dagenais. “Instead, they’ll just end up sleeping on a chair or in a small corner of the room.” Hoarding could also potentially put the individual and others at risk of causing fires and other health concerns. “The heat detector once went off in a unit and the fire department was called,” recalled Dagenais. “It was a really hot day and the resident had all these plastic bags behind her fridge and all the windows were shut in the middle of summer.” Fortunately, nobody was harmed, but that doesn’t mean those residents who suffer from hoarding won’t face the heat sooner or later. “Some become homeless because they can’t find other places once they’re evicted,” said Dagenais, noting that one a current resident could soon find himself out on the streets. “In the case of the one hoarder we have right now, I know he’s going to walk away if I push it –many do. They’ll just scooter or walk away and we’ll be in there gutting it.”
Fortunately, not all cases end with an eviction notice, she adds. “We’ve been successful a lot of times, but can’t keep on being attentive to it. We do this to save their housing, but this is not the role of a landlord... that’s why we’re getting tired. We’re stepping out of the role of providing house provision and are supporting them without the education ourselves..” While there is some help in the community through the Langley Senior Resource Centre, Starting Point and various local churches, there’s no quick fix in the cure for compulsive hoarding – a pattern of behavior characterized by the excessive acquisition and inability to discard large quantities of possessions that cover the living areas of one’s’ home, causing distress or impairment. According to the BC Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support, five per cent of the North American population is afflicted with CHD – generally people in their 50’s – that is over 1.75 million Canadians, three times the incidence of Alzheimer’s Disease. The City of Vancouver dealt with 96 cases of hoarding last year alone. Despite the stress and mess that comes hand-in-hand when dealing with the devastation of hoarding, Dagenais wouldn’t trade her day job for anything else. “I really enjoy working here and love what I do. As much as we’re getting tired, it’s not going to stop us from putting the energy in... We just wish there was more help out there.”
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SENIORS OF THE YEAR
The Experience of a Lifetime JIM MCGREGOR
P
eggy Schafer and Don Kelly have been great ambassadors for Langley during the past year as they carried out their duties as Langley’s Seniors of the Year. Both were nominated last spring by organizations and individuals they have volunteered with in the community and both of them say it would just have been an honor to know they had been nominated. Peggy recalls how surprised she was, “When I got the phone call notifying me I had been selected, I thought it was from friends pulling my leg. I had to make sure they were really looking for me.’ “I was home alone when I got the call,” Don remembers. “There was no one to tell the good news to. I just stood there with a proud smile on my face thinking of all the people that could have been selected and it was me.” Neither Don nor Peggy are used to being in the
spotlight. They tirelessly volunteer and like to keep busy. “Being out in front like that was a bit awkward for me,” Peggy shares. “I just like to do what needs to be done and being put in the spotlight was a new experience for me. The lunch with all the presentations was amazing and I was so happy that my brother and sister-in-law from the Island happened to be here and they were able to attend such a special event with me. My sister-in-law passed away in the fall so I’m glad we shared the event together.” Don enjoyed the many events they were invited to during the year. “The year very much opened my eyes to the amount of volunteerism there is in our community. When you sit at the City and Township Awards banquets and see all those people being recognized for the hours they have put in with different committee or organizations, it is heartwarming to see Langley people from all walks of life stepping up to the plate.”
Peggy agrees. “At the Township of Langley Volunteer banquet, I was very impressed with the work done by all the nominees and the winners of the awards. I am so impressed with all the young people they introduced that evening. It certainly makes you feel good to see the younger generation getting so involved in the community.” In the past, the Senior of the Year program was …CONTINUED
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administered by the Langley Seniors Centre staff and celebrated during Seniors Week in June. The program is currently being restructured with the plan being to make it a City/Township recognition program. While the reorganization is in the works, Don and Peggy were asked if they would maintain their posts for a few extra months until the new program is in place. They were both happy to do so. “I can polish up my crown and I’ll be more than happy to ride in a few more parades,” Don says with a smile. Both Don and Peggy are very appreciative of the people who have done so much for them during the year. “We were treated very special everywhere we went,” says Peggy, “and we must give a special acknowledgement to Rene Doyharbacal who supplied his classic car for us to ride in during parades. He picked us up and brought us home, a true gentleman.” Don recalls one adventure with the vehicle at the Aldergrove Christmas parade. “We had to call a tow truck and we were right by the Aldergrove Hotel on a busy night. We made the call from inside, but we waited outside for the truck to come.” Neither Don nor Peggy have slowed down. Peggy is still active even passing the 90 mark. “I have the Meals on Wheels program and lots to do at my church and I’m ready to do whatever else needs to be done.” As for Don, he is always looking for a project. “I still have the Christmas Bureau and the float to build, and I see in the paper that the Willoughby Hall needs some help so I’ll see what I can do there.” To sum it up, both Don and Peggy agree they were ‘great partners’ and they were very pleased to represent the Langley Seniors throughout the year.
Seniors’ Week 2015 Celebrating seniors and their contributions to our community Join us during June 1 - 7 for a variety of programs, activities, and opportunities to experience something new, all throughout Langley!
ACTIVE LEGACY PASS As a legacy to the 2014 BC Seniors Games, and in celebration of Seniors’ Week, you are invited to obtain a free Active Legacy Pass which enables you to access a variety of activities throughout Langley!
WALK WITH THE MAYOR Tuesday, June 2 Walk the Fort-to-Fort Trail to Allard Crescent (approximately two miles) 10:00 am Meet at Lelem’ arts and cultural café (100, 23285 Billy Brown Road) 10:30-10:40 am Return to Lelem’ arts and cultural café 10:40-11:00 am Coffee and chat with Mayor Froese and Council
SENIORS’ PICNIC & HEALTH FAIR Friday, June 5, 11:00am - 1:30pm Enjoy a picnic with friends and make new ones too. Peruse the information booths, participate in activities, and listen to a variety of community speakers. Space is limited, Click here to register or call 856.2899. McLeod Athletic Park Sports Box (213A Street & 57A Avenue) $5 in advance/$7 at the door (if space available) More Information: Recreation, Culture, and Parks Division 604.856.2899 prinfo@tol.ca
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Published by THE LANGLEY TIMES ■ MAY 2015 ■
African Grandmothers Raising a New Generation JIM MCGREGOR
T
hink of your Grandmother. Hopefully you see a picture of serenity and peace, a dignified lady who spoils her grandchildren with love and affection and someone who has a drawer full of secret recipes for special occasions. For over 15 million African children whose parents have died from HIV/ Aids, their grandmothers have stepped up to be their parents, taking on the task of raising an entire generation. The hours of peace and serenity for these amazing ladies are few and far between. The Stephen Lewis Foundation launched the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign in March 2006, in response to the emerging crisis faced by African grandmothers as they struggled to care for millions of children orphaned by AIDS. The Campaign aims to raise awareness, build solidarity and mobilize support in Canada for Africa’s grandmothers. The Campaign has since evolved into a dynamic and responsive national movement, and currently boasts more than 250 grandmothers groups across the country. Many of the groups have organized into regional and national networks in order to support each other’s development and fundraising.
Funds from the Grandmothers Campaign go to African grassroots organizations working with grandmothers and the children in their care in partnership with the Stephen Lewis Foundation. The SLF collaborates with grassroots groups who support grandmothers’ immediate needs such as: nutritious food, health care, transportation, home visits, adequate housing and bedding, school fees, uniforms and supplies for orphans – and longer-term needs such as parenting and business skills, micro-credit grants, bereavement counseling, HIV awareness training, counseling and testing and grandmother support groups. Carole Albertson is the current President of the Langley chapter of the GoGos. “I was first introduced to the Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign at a Rotary Club meeting in New Westminster and when I retired I knew I had time to devote to this cause. Three of started the Langley club 2011 and we have grown to 21 members. We have 21 clubs from Hope to the Sunshine Coast in our region and over 250 clubs from Vancouver Island to the East coast. “ Since their inception the Gogos have raised over 22 million dollars that has been sent to the African Grandmothers. “They do such incredible work and make such sacrifices to make sure that a generation is not lost. Currently, there are over 15 million orphans and another 7 million living in child headed households where the eldest in in charge.” …CONTINUED
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The Grandmothers to Grandmothers “Last year I met a retired nurse from Durban. She has expended all her savings and used all her pension money to raise the children. Her story is repeated thousands of times over. There is no financial assistance or support from the government and without these courageous women these children would be lost.” African grandmothers have become the lynch pin of survival for their families and communities. They have stepped forward to care for millions of children orphaned by AIDS, sometimes as many as eight to ten in one household. Grassroots organizations, run by and for grandmothers, have developed remarkable expertise on how to lift grandmothers out of poverty and isolation, support their leadership, and assist them to secure a healthy and happy future for themselves and their grandchildren. The Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign in Canada exists to support them. “We support them in many ways,” Carole explains. “The clubs have fundraisers throughout the year. We just had our second successful Rant Night and we regularly put booths in Christmas Craft Fairs and the local Farmer’s Market. Since 2012 our club alone has raised over $15,000 and 90% of that goes directly to the Grandmothers through the Stephen Lewis Foundation.”
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Published by THE LANGLEY TIMES ■ MAY 2015 ■
Campaign in Canada exists to support them “We know the funds are getting to them because we communicate directly. They tell us what they need and they make proposals for us to meet. They may need funds for school uniforms or to support their mobile clinic that travels to remote locations to deliver anti-viral drugs or provide education on nutrition or HIV/Aids prevention. We also provide micro loans to help make them establish businesses that make them self- sustaining.” “They know what they need, we don’t, so we take our direction from them. When they report back to us with such grateful exuberant messages, we know the funds have been used where they were needed.” “We are aware of the many local and regional charities that exist and many of our members support those as well as the GoGos and many of the social programs in Canada receive some Regional, Provincial, or Federal support. In Africa, these ladies are on their own and yet they have stepped up to save an entire generation. The scope of their struggle is so much larger. Women’s rights in Africa are trampled and where there are laws,
there is no enforcement. We are confident that they need our support.”
“
They know what they need, we don’t…
”
Stephen Lewis sums up the commitment from Canadian Grandmothers. “Against all odds, the Grandmothers Campaign has become a social movement and a model of meaningful solidarity, raising awareness and huge sums of money all across Canada. Let me make an observation here: the reason the grandmothers of Canada are so successful in their support of the grandmothers of Africa lies not only in solidarity, but in vibrant, tangible progress. People live longer. Children survive. Societies rekindle. ”
To keep the project alive, the Langley Club is hoping to raise awareness and keep their programs going. “We are regionally targeting people who are retiring from their jobs or have already retired and looking to use their time and talents for a great cause. We want to build a large group of people who want to get involved.” For more information, check out the Grandmothers to Grandmothers website at,www.grandmotherscampain.org or contact Carole directly at : carolealbertson@gmail.com
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From the meticulously maintained grounds to the friendly, professional staff, Avalon Gardens provides you with the finest supportive living, where you're free to enjoy the lifestyle you're looking for!
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Published by THE LANGLEY TIMES ■ MAY 2015 ■
Show Me the Money Making sense of your retirement dollars JIM MCGREGOR
T
he retirement party is over, the banners and balloons are down, the speeches and handshakes were well received and now you can sit back and relax for the rest of your life. As long as your money doesn’t run out. Benjamin Watson is a Financial Advisor with Sun Life and he warns that too many people rely on company pensions or government pensions to see them through their retirement years. “If all goes well, that can work. Having a sound financial plan will account for the unexpected.” Benjamin explains, “A medical emergency can lead to requiring things like a wheel chair ramp or the purchase of a special vehicle, nursing care or even medications that are not covered by medical plans. These alone can put a large dent in a retiree’s nest egg.” Benjamin is achieving his designation as an Elder Planning Counselor. The Elder Planning Counselor course is offered by Business Career College in partnership with the Canadian Initiative for Elder Planning Studies (CIEPS). The EPC™ designation is designed to provide education for professionals working with clients over 55, in many different fields including financial planning, insurance, funeral planning, accounting, social work and nursing.
The concept behind EPC is that seniors have a complete set of issues, concerns and values that need to be properly understood if they are to be effectively advised. In researching the idea for the program, it became clear that as the population ages, professionals need to understand the unique needs of seniors. He notes that by 2020, it’s estimated that one in three Canadians will be classified as a senior. “Taking this course to receive my EPC has helped me immensely in dealing with my senior clients. Even little things like increasing the font on the material we are providing them so they know what they are reading I have learned how to speak to them in language they understand and respect the fact that they are sensitive about their investments and savings. They have worked hard for their money and I read their body language and encourage them to ask questions. I have learned to slow down my presentations and always make sure to involve family members if they so wish.” “There is always some trepidation when someone new is asking personal questions. In many banking scenarios, the financial advisors come and go as they are promoted through the system. By establishing myself as their financial planner I am a voice and a face they recognize on the phone or at the door. They don’t have to come to me, I go to them and there is no fee for a visit.” …CONTINUED
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■ MAY 2015 ■ Published by THE LANGLEY TIMES
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Making sense of your retirement dollars “When I am preparing for a visit with a client for the first time, it is important to establish trust. I encourage them to prepare a statement of their net worth and their sources of income so I can get a good understanding of their current financial position.” “The next step is to define what the client wants. Do they want to travel, invest or just relax? Then together we paint a financial picture of their future and determine what is needed to get to their goals. Maybe it is re-investing or consolidating incomes that they already receive from different sources. We can do tax planning and we alongside tax professionals and estate planning professionals as well. To determine future tax implications and obligations. We make an analysis that will determine how long the money will last. We make sense of all of it.” Recent surveys show that 90% of Canadians still believe that their CPP and old age pensions will carry them through retirement years and even more frightening, 34% are counting on winning a lottery. Many Canadians were caught in the leaky condo crisis and hand to come up with tens of thousands of dollars. Poorly managed stratas can result in major repairs that have not been taken into account. Having to take out a mortgage or apply for a loan is not part of anyone’s retirement plan. Benjamin recommends that retirement planning should start while you are still working. “While your monthly income is still coming in regularly, you are secure and comfortable. This is the time to determine what
you will not have when you retire. Perks like having a company car or cell phone can add up when you have to pay for these items yourself.” “If you are a couple and only one spouse has been working, establish a credit rating for the other one. We often see wives who lose their spouse who has always managed the money and now they struggle to get a credit card or credit rating. Securing a low limit card or even putting some of the utility bills into your spouse’s name will establish a credit rating for them.” “As complicated as our credit system is, it works and working with it will eventually make your financial life run smoother.” Benjamin’s advice for moving to that next phase of life is, “Talk to someone, put your plan down on paper, get some advice. I am constantly learning and my advice is up to date. Much of the information I am learning today should be taught in High School. There are many very qualified financial planners available. My profession is important and in Canada we are highly regulated. I am even required to give my clients a complaint for so that if they have been given bad advice they can sent a report to an Ombudsman. I enjoy being personally involved with my clients and their families.” Benjamin Watson can be reached through his website, www.sunlife.ca/ benjaminwatson or his e-mail: benjamin.watson@sunlife.com.
MARK WARAWA
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR LANGLEY
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Through your volunteerism, dedication and hard work, you continue to play a very important role in making Langley a wonderful place to live.
Pictured with Langley’s 2014 Seniors of the Year: Peggy Schafer and Don Kelly
604-534-5955 markwarawa.com mark.warawa@parl.gc.ca
Strong Leadership For A Better Canada. Published by THE LANGLEY TIMES ■ MAY 2015 ■
Shade and sunscreen your best defense against skin cancer LILIANNE FULLER
W
hen Isabel noticed a small growth on her front calf, she didn’t give it much thought. The growth first appeared 16 years ago and was not troublesome but when it started to bleed, she knew it was something she needed to show her doctor. He sent her to a dermatologist who removed it and sent the tissue for a biopsy. Isabel was shocked to learn that she had skin cancer, and upon further inspection her doctor found nine more growths which were cancerous as well. Over the past year Isabel admitted they had been growing too. There are three types of skin cancer; basal, squamous, and malignant melanoma. Each are named for the type of skin cell that is affected. In addition there is a skin condition that is a pre-curser to skin cancer. This condition is called actinic keratoses. Isabel was diagnosed with basal skin carcinoma which is the most common of skin cancers. Like all skin cancers it is caused by Ultraviolet radiation from the sun and the use of tanning beds. People who spend a lot of time in the sun and are fair skinned are the most at risk for basal skin cancer. In Isabel’s case, she is 72 years old and has blond hair and blue eyes. In her youth in Denmark, she was an avid outdoors person, hiking and playing various sports. She, like her peers considered the sun to be innocuous and certainly not to be feared. According to local dermatologist Dr. Kevin Peter frequent severe sun-
burns and intense sun exposure in childhood increase the risk of skin cancer in adulthood. He also cites another contributing factor that is less common but is more prevalent in older adults. “Arsenic exposure is another cause of skin cancer and this exposure was from the use of a medicine called Fowler’s Solution. In days gone by Fowler’s Solution was used as a treatment for asthma,” he said. The incidence of skin cancer increases with age and is seen especially in people over 50. However these tumours are now being seen in teenagers and those in their early 20’s. Dr. Peter attributes this to the number of teenagers and young people using tanning beds to tan or supplement their tans and he advises the avoidance of their use. To treat her cancer Isabel’s doctor used a combination of surgical incision and special creams which removed the growths. Isabel unfortunately, like in some other patients developed a sensitivity to the creams and had to use them more sparingly and slowly. While she was undergoing treatment she noticed a red scaly crusty patch that had appeared behind her ear. Upon inspection the doctor advised her that this was a bit more serious. Though not cancer, he said, it was actinic keratoses which is a precursor to squamous skin cancer and it would have to be removed using liquid nitrogen. …CONTINUED
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skin cancer Although actinic keratoses are not true skin cancers, it is important to have them treated as they have the potential to morph into squamous cell skin cancer. Actinic Keratoses look like red rough scaly patches. These lesions which may sting or itch appear on sun exposed skin such as the arms, legs face, ear, or even a balding spot on the head. Squamous skin cancer is more serious and it is also caused by excessive exposure to the UV rays of the sun. It can, however also appear in people who have had organ transplants and whose immune systems are suppressed by the use of anti-rejection drugs. This type of cancer presents itself as a thickened, red scaly bump or wart like growth. It may also look like an open sore or crusted skin. It has the potential to grow quickly over a period of a few weeks and affects the head, neck, arm, back of the hand and the leg. If a growth appears on the rim of the ear or the lip, it can be more aggressive in these areas. “Unlike basal skin cancer, squamous skin cancer has the potential to metastasize in other parts of the body,” said Dr. Peter.
When diagnosed with squamous skin cancer the patient’s dermatologist will determine the best course of treatment. Growths must be removed surgically and in some cases the patient will be treated with radiation therapy or Mohs surgery. Mohs surgery is a specialized surgery in which dermatologists have been specifically trained. In British Columbia there are only two individuals qualified to do it; one is a dermatologist and the other is a plastic surgeon. Mohs surgery is done exclusively at the Skin Care Centre in Vancouver. When many people hear a diagnosis of skin cancer, their first reaction is one of fear. This is because while malignant melanoma is less common, it is a highly dangerous form of skin cancer. In Canada, the lifetime risk of melanoma for men is now 1 in 74 and for women it is 1 in 90. In comparison, the lifetime risk of melanoma for North Americans in the 1930s was 1 in 1,500. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet or UV rays from the sun and sun beds plays a leading role in the development of melanoma. It starts in the
pigment producing cells found in the outer layer of the skin. Left unchecked these cells grow out of control and form a tumour. Melanomas are often brown and black in colour but can show other shades. Melanoma has the highest cure rate of all cancers at more than 90% but left untreated, melanoma starts to invade into the skin. When it reaches the blood stream or the lymphatic system, it has the chance to spread to other parts of the body and will cause death. Summer is just about here and enjoying the sunshine is something everyone anticipates. Don’t let the prospect of getting of skin cancer rain on your summer parade because there are easy ways to avoid it. Take Dr. Peter’s advice.”Seek shade, use sun screen, and wear protective clothing,” he advises. And grandparents, have a word with your grandchildren about excessive sun exposure and the dangers of tanning beds. More importantly, if you find something strange happening on your skin, don’t delay, take Isabel’s advice and get to your doctor to have it checked. Skin cancer is serious but it can be prevented!
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Published by THE LANGLEY TIMES ■ MAY 2015 ■
Planning your celebration of life Dying is something everyone has to do ... at least once LILIANNE FULLER
I called my friend Martha to wish her a happy 75th birthday. She answered cheerfully and said, “I’m glad you called. I’m planning my funeral and I want you to write my obituary!” Come now Martha, I said, why so morbid on your birthday? You’re not going anywhere soon, right? “No”, she replied “But dying is something everyone has to do at least once in their life so when I pop off, I want my farewell party to be fun and not some boring little affair with finger sandwiches and fake Chardonnay. I want to go out with strawberries, champagne and a big splash!” When my friends heard about the topic of my latest story their reactions ranged from consternation, to fear to outright loathing. It seems that today, death is the new dirty word. Thinking or talking about death or one’s own demise is considered quite morbid, but in fact the subject crosses a person’s mind more often than they think. “As we get older, we tend to think about death and dying more,” said Jim Moerman, a Langley Pastor. “People usually begin to think about death as early as
their teens and usually this is due to the unfortunate passing of one of their peers,” he said. Planning for our own demise is not something people like to do and they tend to put it off as long as possible. But it really is something that should be done sooner rather than later. Local funeral Director Randy Terrace said that making arrangements for your funeral is one of the most kind and compassionate things you can do for your family and friends. “At the most horrible time, families are faced with making the funeral arrangements and it’s even worse if they don’t know what their loved one wanted,” he said, “Make a plan and don’t procrastinate. Like dying, it’s something you only have to do once,” he added. “Be a good steward of your life. We all plan for things, like weddings and births, so shouldn’t people also make their own end of life decisions. Begin by having a candid conversation with your children or your parents and then go from there,” he said. So where do you begin. First start by consulting a Funeral Director at a reputable funeral home. Formerly funeral directors were called ‘Undertaker’s’. This is because literally they undertook the burden
of planning and organizing a funeral and preparing the body. One of the first decisions to make is whether to have a burial or a cremation. Cremation has only existed for 130 years and at first was opposed by some religions. It has gained popularity for a number of reasons. As land becomes more valuable, burial plots can be very expensive. In addition, some people have Taphophobia or the fear of being buried alive. If you wish to be cremated and your ashes spread, you must purchase an urn specifically designed for this task. Having your ashes spread on land or on the water will determine the type of urn you need. Like its contents, not all urns are alike. If you have a fair bit of cash, you can even have your ashes spread and your family given the GPS coordinates so they can visit anytime they wish. Today’s technology has produced a third option which is considered more environmentally friendly. …CONTINUED
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■ MAY 2015 ■ Published by THE LANGLEY TIMES
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planning A body today can be freeze dried and reduced to powder. Toxins from the smoke of a crematorium are avoided because when a body is freeze dried or ‘wet-cremated’ there is no smoke. Instead the body is placed in liquid nitrogen and then broken into small fragments and then subjected to a vacuum which renders the remains into a granular powder. This process is still quite expensive but there are companies who specialize in this type of cremation. In days gone by, people kept locks of a loved one’s hair but today other types of keepsakes can be produced. Eternity’s Touch, a Canadian company uses a patent pending process that digitally captures, transfers and creates an exact replication of a person’s fingerprint. The fingerprints can then be mounted on pendants, picture frames, paper mates or ornaments. Indeed technology has changed greatly over the years and for some mementoes the sky or the size of your wallet is the limit. Because the body is partially made up carbon, the ashes and hair can be compressed to create a diamond. Most are blue because of the boron content in the body, but various colours can be produced.
An international company, called Heart in Diamond uses a process that will make diamonds of various sizes and colours. The diamonds are then turned into different kinds of jewellery. While there’s nothing funny about death a testimonial on the company’s website brought to mind a funny scene. It was from a young man who planned to propose to his girlfriend using a diamond that was in fact, his mother. Can you imagine him down on one knee, ring in hand saying to his proposed fiancé, this was mother. To which, feeling touched, she might reply ,”you mean the ring was your mother’s. “No”, he would say, “it was my mother.” Poor girl, her future mother in law may be dead but she will be around for eternity. Maybe the idea of living forever appeals to you. Today, in the 21st century, this may be possible. Cryonics or freezing the body cryogenically was first introduced in 1962. It was quite popular with the rich and famous. The idea to cry-preserve human beings came from the pages of science fiction. Robert Ettinger, inspired by a sci-fi story, founded the Cryonics Institute. Located in Clinton, Michigan, there are over 100 people who float inside giant bottles filled with nitrogen at temperatures colder than 130 degrees below zero. Ettinger recently passed away at the age of 92 and has become pa-
tient number 106. His son, David told ABC News recently that his father’s intention was that he and his family would get a chance to live longer thus taking advantage of the promise of future technology. Ettinger joins both first and second wives and his mother in the institute and David plans to join them when it’s his time. Some people even wear medallions, similar to the type produced by Medic Alert, that say, ‘if found dead: freeze the head’. In fact, in 2013, there were 270 people in the United States frozen with the hopes of being resuscitated when health technology would be able to cure what had caused their death. Medical science has progressed a lot in the past 50 years. Many of the diseases that would have caused our demise will no longer do so. But death will still happen eventually. Why don’t we take our example from Martha and make our plans while we still can. After that, we can forget it and enjoy the rest of our lives. And while we’re at it let’s live like Martha and take a cue from Author and Journalist Hunter S. Thompson. He proclaimed that “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in heaven with an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, body totally used up, strawberries in one hand, champagne in the other and yelling, whoo hoo What a ride.”
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Published by THE LANGLEY TIMES ■ MAY 2015 ■
the best of
mcgregor says What Are You Letting Grow?
I
had some uninvited guests visit my back yard last summer. Some small patches of green ivy popped up in the ground cover under the trees. At first I thought they were fitting in well with the other residents, filling in some bare spots and cuddling up to the ferns and hostas. So I just let them stay. It was mostly green back there and I had once thought about infusing some color between the yucca plants but then I decided, with fronds like that, who needs anemones. Nature always seemed to know just what my little jungle needed. By fall, when everything else was dying off or going dormant for the winter. I noticed my guests were still growing strong and they had even started to work their way up the fir trees. It actually looked pretty, giving my forest an English garden look, and soon my back yard looked more like Oxford or Cambridge than Brookswood. But it showed no signs of stopping and by spring it was crowding, choking and covering everything and it was now well up into the trees. After some investigation, I found that when this visitor had first appeared I should have said, “Sorry, you’re not welcome here. Move along.” It seems this particular strain will develop a root system that robs nutrients from the tree roots, it attaches to the tree in such a way that it kills the bark and if it gets to the canopy, it blocks the photosynthetic process and the weight of the vine can bring
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the dead tree down. I followed guidelines and donned a dusk mask, goggles and long sleeves and began the task of peeling MCGREGOR it off and, on a couple of trees, it came off intact, a huge 50 foot ecosystem. I Jim McGregor could almost hear the trees take a deep breath as the foliage fell to the ground. It was a lot of work but if I hadn’t let it go so long, it wouldn’t have been such a big task. But that’s human nature isn’t it. We tend to leave things alone until the situation becomes critical. We let depression start around our feet and ignore it until it has covered our entire body, blocking out the sunshine. We wait until the vines are squeezing our chests until we decide to do something to free up our hearts and lungs. We wait until our abuses or addictions have choked out and smothered the healthy life around us and then suddenly, we find ourselves starving for light. The secret I found to rid these vines was to do some digging, find the root of the problem. Once I had the root firmly in my grasp, if I was careful I could pull it all away in one piece. In some cases it wasn’t that easy. The invader had to be removed bit by bit, in small pieces. But the secret was to not give in to it. Getting to the root of the problem is where you have to start. It may take getting down
says
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on your knees, it may take asking for help, it may mean getting dirty and you might not like what you find down there, but it’s a good place to begin. There was one large stump that I had to get out. After all the digging or chopping I had just done, I looked for an easier solution so I wrapped a chain around it, hooked the other end to my truck and hauled it out. After all, if a guy has a stump, a chain and a pick-up truck, it is only a matter of time until the three of them come together in some combination. Working outdoors is great therapy. It’s great time to think, to wrestle with a challenge or a decision that’s been rolling around in your mind. As you are cutting and pruning branches you can chop off some tired old ideas, shape your thoughts so they grow in a new direction. As the tiller or the hoe turn over the weeds and pull up fresh new earth, you can yank out those ugly old habits and fears that have been holding you back. Usually you already know how your situation should come out, but outside, shedding the winter, picking up the debris from the storms, planting new seeds and encouraging growth, you can see the new path and head in the new direction. Summer is a good time to clean up your garden, your body and your mind. Take a close look at what you’re letting grow in there, and if you have to, hook a chain to it and yank it out. At Least that’s what McGregor says.
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No two of us are alike.
The City of Langley’s only funeral home since 1955, Henderson’s Langley Funeral Home was established by the Henderson Family, a name synonymous with funeral service in the Fraser Valley. As a Dignity Memorial provider, we take great pride in being part of our community. And to us, that means more than just doing business here. it means serving others. It means being a good neighbour. It means we truly care about the people here, our city’s past, and its future.
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