in pursuit of the golden years open your heart to seniors this holiday season Amid the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it’s comforting to be able to count on Christmas as the one sure time that families come together. It’s just one of those understood traditions where we all by Shauna Dorko put aside our heavy workloads and Owner, Sidney SeniorCare petty grievances, and join together to celebrate this magical time of year. Amidst the festivities, however, it is important to remember the well-being of older family members, and senior members of our community. Sadly, many seniors will spend Christmas alone this year, with some having no family nearby and others languishing alone in nursing homes. Even though loneliness isn’t reserved just for Christmas, it is felt more acutely during the holiday season. The best gift we can give seniors this Christmas is to open our homes and hearts up to those who get lost in the shuffle. With this in mind, here are some ways you can help an older person enjoy the holidays: • Seniors like to give as well as receive – offer to help with shopping or wrapping presents for them to give. • Many seniors still like to write Christmas cards – offer to help write them and/or address the envelopes and mail them. • Offer to help with holiday baking, or simply share your own holiday baking with a senior(s) who would enjoy some festive treats. • Invite a senior, who you know has no family nearby, to Christmas dinner. Making an extra place for them at the table would be easy for you, and mean so much to them. • Ask seniors to share their own special memories and experiences of Christmas with you and your family. • Make sure that the seniors in your life are warm and comfortable this season – amid the craziness of the weeks to come, ensure you take the time to check in with them.
Festive Glow Show & Sale December 10th & 11th 10-4 Opening Reception (everyone welcome) December 9th 5-8
Donna K Williams - Artist
10107 Third St, Sidney • 250.655.0995 • www.donnakwilliams.ca
We can all make a difference this festive season, by checking in on an older neighbour, popping a holiday card through a senior’s door, or by simply taking a few minutes to have a chat with an elderly member of your community. These kind gestures only take a moment and can have such a positive impact on seniors’ overall well-being. Communities often organize special efforts to help seniors during the holidays. Check with your local groups, charitable organizations or churches to see if you can help out over the holiday season with cooking/ transporting meals, groceries or gift baskets or simply companionship to a senior in need. Happy Holidays to All! Written in collaboration with Sherrin Griffin. We welcome all comments, suggestions and ideas for future columns. Please email us at news@ seasidemagazine.ca with “Seniors” in the subject line.
Seasons ToatOur Artists & Patrons! WHAT’SGreetings HAPPENING the Tulista Park Gallery Join us for our SMALL Expressions Artisans Gift Gallery Show. Both 2D and 3D artwork all Until December 23rd sized to fit within a 12” x 12” x 12”
CACSP Small Expressions Show March 4th to 29th Tuesdays - Sundays, 10am-4pm
space. Featuring:Peninsula painting, collage, The Community Arts Council of the Saanich (ArtSea) photography, glass, sculpture, fibre, presents this popular show of contemporary and traditional pottery, metal, wood and more. works. The Artisans Gift Gallery is a perfect place to buy unique and locally made gifts for family and friends.
Tuesdays - Sundays (closed Mondays) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 5th & Weiler, Sidney Free Admission & Parking www.cacsp.com
We acknowledge the assistance of the Town of Sidney, District of North Saanich, Municipality of Central Saanich and the Province of BC through the BC Arts Council.
The ArtSea Gallery has many creative and imaginative shows scheduled for 2017. Come in and enjoy the outstanding variety of works from over 40 Peninsula Artisans.
Join Us. Donate. Volunteer. Call to Action for Lovers of the Arts: We’d love to add you to our Community! Direct your tax deductible charitable donation to help your Community Arts Council (ArtSea) support Arts in the Schools or your favourite arts program. Visit our website for more information: cacsp.com
Open Daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. • 5th & Weiler, Sidney Free Admission & Parking We acknowledge the assistance of the Town of Sidney, District of North Saanich, Municipality of Central Saanich and the Province of BC through the BC Arts Council. december 2016 | seasidemagazine.ca 77