P
Focus
Senior
als O UL o UT L on lin e!
12 LACOMBE EXPRESS
SENIOR FOCUS
How Well are you Hearing?
Hear every whisper
Watch TV at your own private volume
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016
Meals on Wheels celebrates 40 years in community BY SARAH MAETCHE LACOMBE EXPRESS
Clearly hear conversations
Symptoms of Hearing Loss: Do people seem to mumble when they talk? Have you been told that you speak too loudly? Do you hear, but have difficulty understanding? Do you have trouble listening in a church or theater? Do you experience ringing or buzzing in your ears? Do you often ask people to repeat something they’ve said? Do you find telephone conversations becoming more difficult?
Meals on Wheels is celebrating 40 years in Lacombe. The meal support program, which began in the city in 1976, continues to be a community service that not only promotes health but also independence. In essence, the program is meeting an essential need in the community providing meals to individuals who cannot cook for themselves. “The program helps maintain independence with nutritious meals delivered right to the home by caring volunteers,” said Ruth Riffin, Lacombe and District FCSS seniors program coordinator. While Meals on Wheels can be seen as a service predominately offered for seniors, it’s also open to anyone who may be frail, ill, have a disability, or are unable to prepare meals for themselves for any reason.
Riffin noted that Meals on Wheels can be used on a long-term or short-term basis, depending on each individual’s need for the service. “It helps people be independent in their homes,” explained Riffin. “Through the program, they (seniors) can stay longer in their own homes and receive nutrition through balanced meals.” Meals on Wheels offers clients the freedom from worrying about how they will prepare their next meal and also relieves the responsibility of shopping, which can alleviate stress off those who have mobility issues. The hot-n-ready meals are brought to each client’s door around noon by a volunteer five days a week. The meals feature usually a salad or soup, main course and a dessert. Riffin said most clients note that the meals are large enough to be two meals. Frozen meals are also available once a month on a pre-order basis.
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HEALTHY MEAL - Meals on Wheels client John Kangiesser is happy to see his hot and ready Meals on Wheels meal delivered to his home by a volunteer. submitted photo
Through frozen Meals on Wheels, the entrees are prepared in advance at the Golden Circle kitchen in Red Deer and then delivered for clients to keep in their freezers until needed. Some clients use this service for days when hot meals may not be available. Newly offered through the program is a vegetarian option. “We’ve had many ask about it, so now it is a new option,” said Riffin. Meals on Wheels also accommodates diabetic diets or no fish or pork diets. Also new to program is HT Catering, who began as the new kitchen venue for the program this past August. The program currently serves 20 clients in the local area. While Meals on Wheels is a food service, it does offer a socialization opportunity for both volunteers and clients. “The social aspect is very important,” added Riffin. “I think the clients appreciate the social contact with the volunteers.” While volunteers may only have a few minutes to drop off the meal, the moment can brighten a client’s day. Meals on Wheels is provided on a volunteer basis. In the beginning, the program’s volunteer base was mainly distributed through 12 local churches. Today, the program is operated through 10 churches and two organizations. Riffin said volunteers are the critical glue to operate the service. “We couldn’t offer this program without volunteers,” she said. More volunteers are needed for the program, especially for an upcoming one-month period. Riffin suggests that a group or business, who has ample manpower, could volunteer their time, as opposed to an individual, due to the regularity of the program. While Lacombe and District FCSS covers the City of Lacombe and all of Lacombe County, Meals on Wheels is only offered within the city limits. Meals on Wheels does come at a minimal cost. Veterans may find financial help for the program through Veterans Affairs. For more information about the program, to sign up or to volunteer, contact FCSS at 403-782-6637. news@lacombeexpress.com
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016
SENIOR FOCUS
LACOMBE EXPRESS 13
Kozy Korner provides activities for seniors BY ZACHARY CORMIER LACOMBE EXPRESS The Kozy Korner Senior’s Centre has been around for a long time. The organization was originally opened on Oct. 22nd, 1971 by the then Town’s Council on Aging in what is now the Lacombe Day Care Centre. In 1973 the Kozy Korner split off from the Council on Aging and became its own independent community organization called the Lacombe Kozy Korner Community Centre, located along 53 St. “They bought this property, I think there was three lots here, and developed it to the point where they built the building,” said Kozy Korner President Lawrence Henderson of the building’s current location. According to Henderson, the new building was paid for with a $130,000 grant from the City and has been continuously updated for the past 30 years. “It was built by a lot of volunteer work. These sorts of facilities have to run by volunteers. I put in probably 100 hours a month here,” said Henderson, who is retired from all of his other jobs and now spends much of his time at the centre. “After about 2000, I seemed to get involved over here and became a director one day and a president the next and I’ve been here ever since,” he added. Today, the centre offers a number of different activities for senior citizens, including coffee every morning, floor curling, floor bowling, shuffleboard, pool and pretty much every card game you can imagine. “It gives me something
CRIB NIGHT - Irene Plester, left, and Michele Mackintosh enjoy a game of crib at the Kozy Korner Senior’s Centre. Crib games are just one of the many activities the centre offers throughout the week. Zachary Cormier/Lacombe Express to do. I lost my wife on Thanksgiving Day last fall, so it’s a great thing for me
“IT WAS BUILT BY A LOT OF VOLUNTEER WORK. THESE SORTS OF FACILITIES HAVE TO RUN BY VOLUNTEERS.” LAWRENCE HENDERSON
to do. I don’t know what you would do if you didn’t have something like this,” Henderson said of why he
has stayed involved at the centre for so long. There is a certain quality about the Kozy Korner that only a building that has been standing for more than 30 years can have. The décor and appliances are an eclectic mix of old and new. For example, the kitchen is done up with a modern dishwasher, fridge and counters, and yet it still has the original stove from the ‘70s. The centre still uses the original hot-water heating system as well. The building itself is made up of two large floors. The main floor is taken up by a large community hall as well as a kitchen, board room and office. The basement, on the
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tables, two of which are full sized snooker tables. There is also a small room
zcormier@lacombeexpress.com
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other hand, primarily holds the floor curling rink and the centre’s three pool
that is rented out by one of Lacombe’s crafting clubs. Despite all of the activities that are available, Henderson said the centre’s membership numbers have been going down in recent years. “Things have sort of backed away because the numbers aren’t here,” he said, adding last year the organization lost 12 of its members. “It’s hard to replace them. We have more ‘new’ retirees wanting to go somewhere warm in the winter time. In summer time they’re busy golfing.” He added while the centre’s main source of revenue is hall rentals, memberships are still important to a community organization. “We finance this place primarily by rentals and the membership is around 130,” he said. Memberships for the Kozy Korner Senior’s Centre cost only $10 per year and go towards the maintenance of the facility. For a full schedule of activities, residents can visit the Kozy Korner.
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14 LACOMBE EXPRESS
SENIOR FOCUS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016
Aging Well program enhances independence BY SARAH MAETCHE LACOMBE EXPRESS The exercise program Aging Well has the goal, through fitness, to assist seniors in maintaining their independence. Facilitator and Exercise Specialist at Wolf Creek Primary Care Network (PCN) Heather Mielke said the class was initially developed from funding received from the City of Lacombe’s Recreation and Culture Grant. The first installment of the class ran last September to December for 12 weeks with the hope that it would continue on.
Mielke began a new six-week session of the class last month and hopes to start new sessions in the spring. “I really could see this as something that carries on,” she said. “I think more and more people will become aware of it. My hope, as with really any exercise class, that people can learn something and they can somehow keep it going.” Aging Well is an active exercise class that focuses on ‘functional strengthening’. Mielke said the program is designed for seniors in the community who currently live independently who may be nearing
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the point where something in the situation could change, like a fall or health challenges. “We all know the benefits of exercise,” she said. “We want it (the class) to be functional, with a focus on strength, endurance, balance and some education on preventing falls.” As for equipment, the class currently incorporates resistance bands and urban poles, mainly used for balance assistance. A typical class begins with a group warm up, some type of range of motion exercise to increase circulation, followed by strengthening exercises and then stretching. Most of the class is done standing up as many other classes already feature exercises in a sitting position. “We do upper and lower body strengthening,” said Mielke. “We talk about core and posture. Every class we do a balance component.” She added the class definitely has a social component to it, with many of the attendees
looking forward to the class each week. “If you can maintain your fitness, you will maintain your independence,” said Mielke. “As people age, it becomes something that is quite important to them.” Other programs offered through the Wolf Creek PCN include Back Strong, an exercise class for the prevention and treatment of back pain. Learn safe and effective exercises to strengthen your back and core and to increase your flexibility. The class runs Thursdays, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Session two begins on March 17th. As well, Bone Strong is an exercise class for the prevention and management of osteoporosis. Improve your posture, strength and balance and decrease your risk of falls. The class runs Thursdays, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Session two begins on March 17th. All programs offered through the PCN are free of charge. For more information about Aging Well or other classes call 403782-1408 or visit w w w. w o l f c r e e k pcn.com. news@lacombeexpress.com
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016
SENIOR FOCUS
LACOMBE EXPRESS 15
Local class offers opportunity to remain independent BY SARAH MAETCHE LACOMBE EXPRESS With an aim towards maintaining independence and fall prevention, an exercise class is being offered in the community. Titled Finding Balance, the class is held twice a week at the Lacombe Physiotherapy Clinic. Facilitator Karen Leung said the class is an opportunity to learn how to stay independent and perhaps prevent a fall in the future. “We focus on balance and strengthening the
muscles and learn to help hold the muscles that keep us upright,� she said. “We do talk about keeping balance and preventing falls, but more than that, we learn from each other. We provide tips and awareness.� Leung said the class is targeted towards individuals who have maybe fallen over the past year, have a fear of falling or who have poor balance. The class itself involves a series of exercises that work on strengthening the hips, thighs and an-
kles. Attendees also work on their posture, in both standing and sitting positions. Through repetition, the concepts of the exercises are reinforced. On week three of the class, the group gathered at the clinic and were working on their posture through a series of leg movements, using a chair as prop. One thing for sure was the exercises were challenging and ‘harder than they look’. The class is also about camaraderie, learning from one another and giv-
ing each other encouragement. Leung said the goal behind the class is to give attendees skills and exercises they can use in their home well after the class concludes. “We work together towards continuing education,� she said. “My goal is to go through a routine and give them something they can work on at home. We want to give them
Wolf Creek Primary Care Network and Lacombe Physiotherapy Clinic. It is also offered in Ponoka. The Lacombe class runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The new spring session begins on March 15th. The cost to participants is $50 and includes an assessment. For more information call 403-782-5561.
some skills and confidence so they feel comfortable.� Prior to attending the class, a physiotherapy assessment is required. Leung will speak to the potential attendee about some of their issues and see if the class is a correct fit for them. She said the class has been offered in the community for around three years. The class is offered in partnership with the
news@lacombeexpress.com
KEEP INDEPENDENT PREVENT A FALL Attend our
Have you fallen in the last year? FINDING Are you fearful of falling? BALANCE class – we’re senior Do you have poor balance? focused!
Call
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FOCUSED - A strengethening and balance class is being held in Lacombe for those who want to improve posture and perhaps prevent a fall.
Sarah Maetche/Lacombe Express
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16 LACOMBE EXPRESS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016
SENIOR FOCUS
Education key to preventing scams and fraud Education and awareness of preventive techniques can help recognize a potential criminal situation and show you how to reduce or remove the risk. Here are some common frauds and scams that often target seniors:
Grandchild in trouble - a criminal contacts an elderly person and pretends to be a grandchild or other family member in trouble with the police. The scammer will tell the victim that he/she has been arrested by a police service outside of their
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hometown and requires bail money. For verification, the victim is given a phone number to call, which will be answered by someone pretending to be a lawyer or police officer. The scammer will insist that the victim not contact their parents or relatives as they don’t want to get into more trouble. The victim is then asked to use a money wire service to send several thousands of dollars for bail. Prevention tips include, for verification, get the name of the apparent lawyer/ police agency and contact them via the number listed in the phone book or directory assistance. Do not call the number provided by the caller. If you have call display, write down the caller’s number and provide it to your local police agency when reporting the incident. Contact family members directly for verification of the whereabouts of the family member in question. Never send money through money wire services to persons you do not know personally. The money can be picked up anywhere in the world once it is given a transaction number. Pigeon drop - this scheme accounts for more than half of the confidence games reported to the police. The swindlers claim to have found a large sum of money and offer to share it with you. You are asked to withdraw ‘good faith’ money from your bank. The swindlers take the ‘good faith’ money and give you a phony address where you are to collect your share of the found money. You never see them again.
Prevention tips include avoid rushing into something involving your money or property, be wary of ‘something-for-nothing’ or ‘get-rich-quick’ schemes and never turn over large sums of cash to anyone, especially a stranger, no matter how promising the deal looks. Online shopping The number of people shopping online has steadily grown over the years as has the methods of using the Internet to sell and buy products and services. While these qualities may make the Internet an attractive place to do business, the RCMP would like to remind people to keep their safety in mind when buying and selling online. Be aware that the picture of an item listed for sale on line may not be the actual item. Ensure that the description is accurate and the person selling the item has the authority to do so. If meeting someone to view an item for sale, try to arrange to do so in a public place during daylight hours. Always tell someone where you are going and when you’ll be back if going to see an item for sale. If having people over to your home to view an item you have for sale, always have a friend with you. Try to do so during daylight hours and ask the buyer for identification. Finally, if the deal sounds ‘too good to be true’, it most likely is. For more information about identifying fraud or scams visit http://www.rcmp-grc. gc.ca/scams-fraudes/indez-eng.htm. - Maetche
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