Saanich Volunteer Services Society Newsletter May 2020

Saanich Volunteer Services Society

Community Action Together we transform lives

Join the Fun on our Shopping Bus! It was a vibrant new experience for me as a participant on the Saanich Volunteer’s Shopping Bus. What a deal! The bus picks you up at your home and drives to Uptown Shopping Centre. From the moment I stepped onto the bus I was immediately among a welcoming group of engaging friends. Alice, a regular participant says, “she loves going on the bus and loves the people.”

Everyone is greeted by Sue an enthusiastic volunteer and the endearing driver, Nina. Winding their way from pick up to pick up the seniors are treated to what client Lorraine says, “it’s like being on a tour bus

BC Seniors Week June 2 to 8, 2019

A Salute to All Seniors “We celebrate your many contributions” with friends not strangers.” Like Sven and his wife Doris, Lorraine appreciates time away from home—a change of scenery and a chance to pick up a few groceries or run some errands. To help with shopping, two additional volunteers, Antoinette and Mary,

meet the bus at the mall. After ample time shopping everyone meets at the Walmart McDonalds for a chat and refreshments. Sven, a client says he loves the friendly atmosphere, it is like family and a joy to be part of the group.

Experience Shopping Bus Friendship!

When it is time to board the bus for the journey home, Nina has loaded the bus with the purchases and Sue makes sure they are delivered right to the door or onto the kitchen counter. For me, it was such a pleasure to experience this

Volume 1, Issue 1 June, 2019

amazing service that takes place every Thursday. It was an outing with new friends. I couldn’t say it better than when I asked Lorraine to tell me what she enjoyed about the shopping bus, “scenery, conversation, laughs

Inside this issue: Client Services Team

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Client Services

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Friends Stay Healthy

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Volunteers

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Schedule of Events

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On The Go Again

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Word Search

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and lots of help.”

So what are you waiting for? Call us at (250) 5958008—we would be happy to book you on the next shopping bus!

Story by Peggy

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Saanich Volunteer Services Society

SVSS

Client Services Team We invite you to join us in extending a warm welcome to Peggy Hancyk, our new Client Outreach Support Worker. Peggy was a teacher and held various positions before her lifetime passion of working with seniors led her to work in the senior home-care sector. Prior to joining SVSS she worked as a Community Relations Coordinator and has extensive knowledge of programs and services for seniors in the Victoria region.

Welcome Peggy! teer for our On The Go Again Program for the past 10 years! Peggy is also known in the community for her work as Chief Elf at Christmas time, coordinating gifts for isolated seniors or seniors without family.

As an addition to our team Peggy is responsible for client outreach support services. If you have ever been a client of ours and would like some assistance to access SVSS or other community services and resources, please call Peggy. She would also be happy to come to talk to any of your fellow neighbours, church or social groups about our services.

Caption describing picture or graphic.

Call Peggy at (250) 595-8008 ext 128.

Peggy has worked as a SVSS volun-

Client Services Coordinator Linda has been the Client Services Coordinator since 2015—taking over from Lynn Hanman when she retired.

Linda is a long time resident of Victoria and has worked in the non profit sector for many years.

Linda provides one on one individualized consultation that involves the client in setting personal goals and making choices about participation in programs and services.

Linda registers new clients with SVSS after completing a home visit to assess what is needed and how SVSS can help.

If you have a friend or neighbour who lives in Saanich and could benefit from our services, we would be happy to connect with them.

Call Linda at (250) 595-8008 ext 126.

Linda’s Update Hello everyone.

It has been a busy time here at SVSS. We haven’t done a direct mail newsletter for sometime because we have been featured in the wrap section in Saanich News. We hope that you enjoyed reading about us there.

SVSS has a great new website for those of you on computers, check us out at www.saanichvolunteers.com

This year we thought we would update you directly on all of the wonderful things that have been happening at Saanich Volunteer Services and remind you of our many volunteer services and programs.

If it has been awhile since you accessed any services, see our next page for a quick rundown of what Saanich Volunteers can offer:

“Thank you for all the many things you do for my husband & me. We would not be able to stay in our home without your help. Your volunteers have made this possible.”

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Saanich Volunteer Services:

Transportation Volunteers can drive you to your medical & dental appointments.

We need 7 days notice to book a drive for you.

We Come To You!

Companion Visiting

Food Hamper Delivery

We match volunteers and clients with similar interests for regular visits or telephone calls.

We work with local food banks to deliver food hampers to your door if you are unable to get there yourself. If you have any questions about how you can access food from the food bank please give us a call.

Light Housekeeping For our clients 65 and over, we are able to offer a subsidized light housekeeping service (based on verified income).

“I

don’t know what I’d do without your services!”

Computer Help We have volunteers who love to help people with their technology!

Getting funny ‘error’ messages?

Trying to figure out how to borrow books from the library?

Printer acting up? Wondering how to text or use your iPad to connect with friends or family?

These are all things we can help you with and much more.

Yard Work Information Referral We have a wealth of information about community and other resources that we would be happy to share with you at any time.

Thinking of moving to assisted living? Need some extra help with daily living? Wondering where you can buy reasonably priced and healthy meals that you can pop in the microwave?

We can help—give us a call.

Pulling weeds, doing minor pruning or tidying up the yard—we can help!

Minor Home Repairs We help clients with leaky taps, installing security lights, putting up shower curtains, changing hard to reach light bulbs, putting up or taking down curtains & curtain rods & other miscellaneous tasks.

Income Tax Returns We have a team of talented volunteers who have completed over 600 returns this past tax season!

We are able to help all year round with simple tax returns.

Miscellaneous Need some help with something but don’t see it listed? Give us a call.

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Saanich Volunteer Services Society

Friends Stay Healthy: Fall Prevention Connecting the Dots with Nutrition Eat Healthy Eating healthy is important!

Older adults need more nutrients because our bodies no longer absorb nutrients well.

Older adults need less calories because we are less active.

Older adults need more protein

LIFE is a healthy diet

Protein How much do we need?

1-1.2 gram protein/kg body weight for a 64kg person, this would be 77grams of protein per day (64kg x 1.2grams per kg) Dietary sources of protein:

Functional benefits of increased protein include:  Improved bone mineral density  Reduced rehab time following a hip fracture  Stronger muscles help keep your balance & prevent falls

1/3 can tuna = 14 grams of protein

2 eggs = 13 grams of protein

Hydration Most elderly should have a fluid goal of at least 1500 ml / day.

Downside of Hydration:

Best times for hydration:

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After a hot bath

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After swimming

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On a hot day

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Falls often happen at night on the way to the bathroom Clear the path from obstacles Rise slowly from the bed to prevent dizzy spell Have a night light in the bathroom

Signs of Dehydration:      

Loss of appetite Dry mouth Drowsiness Headache Confusion Dizziness or light-headedness

Worried about going to the bathroom at night? Drink most of the fluids in the morning & afternoon, & sip smaller amounts in the evening.

Exercise Exercise regularly to

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Maintain or increase muscle strength

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Increase balance and gait

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Increase appetite

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Have more energy, better mood

Keep it fun, chose something you are likely to stick to!

Snack Drink Water Exercise

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Saanich Volunteer Services Society

Saanich Volunteer Drivers

For more than 25 years, SVSS has organized volunteer drivers to carry people to medical appointments, shopping trips, the bank and hairdresser, as well as social outings around town.

“I have enjoyed doing it, I’ve met a lot of nice people,” says Norah McQuiggan, who has a dozen years behind the wheel for SVSS. “It’s worked out really well.”

She’s one of 50 drivers who record a total of about 70,000 kilometers a year — equal to an amazing 10 one-

way trips across the country from Pacific to Atlantic.

She had just moved here when she started volunteer driving. “It’s a way of getting to know Victoria,” says McQuiggan.

At the back of her mind is one reason for volunteer driving: “Maybe one day I’ll be there.”

Would they recommend driving for SVSS? “Absolutely,” is the quick reply from Laureen Matheson, another 12-year veteran driver. “If you like people, if you enjoy meeting other people, getting out and about.”

“I would, definitely,” says Guy Blais, who started volunteer driving in 2008. “I don’t see any bad sides to it.”

“I’m kind of hooked — it gives me

something to look forward to.” Blais is a former bartender who enjoys the small talk with his passengers — the most interesting person he carried was a retired pilot for the huge Martin Mars water bombers that were stationed near Port Alberni.

“Most are seniors, they’ve lived interesting lives,” he says.

Matheson remembers she “once met the lady who used to live in the house we live in” and brought up her kids there.

Blais figures he’s learned from his drives too. “People can have tough lives, but they’re still resilient, positive and giving.”

Receptionists: The Heart of the Agency Drivers are key to many services from SVSS but the women who answer the phone for the organization — located in the old McRae farmhouse on the edge of Cedar Hill Golf Course —are just as essential.

As a receptionist, Ellie Donahue spends a three-hour shift connecting drivers with all the people who need a drive.

“I call the clients when I have found a driver who can take them. Today I called a lady who is learning how to adjust to life with very poor vision. …

her arm and help her to her appointment,” says Donahue.

“When you live alone and you don’t have family and friends to help you the drivers are their friends. They feel like the driver cares for them. They know that the driver will get them to their appointment safely.”

She makes my job so worthwhile.”

Drivers “talk to her, they reassure her that she is so improving on her skills as a blind person. They take

Story by Norman & Ellie, SVSS Volunteers and Volunteer Advisory Council members

The Voice of Volunteers Volunteers are the cornerstone of the Saanich Volunteer Services Society and their frontline community work provides a vast amount of experience to help guide our services.

One year ago SVSS formed the Volunteer Advisory Council to provide insight and vital feedback to help the organization continue to deliver on its commitment to serving the community.

Three volunteers have stepped forward to provide this valuable insight—Marie Jennings, Norman Gidney and Ellie Donahue.

They are the Voice of our Volunteers providing ideas, expertise, influence & guidance. We acknowledge and appreciate all the work they do!

Saanich Volunteer Services Society

June 2019 Sun

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Schedule of Events

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Fri

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 June 20 Annual General Meeting, Cedar Hill Golf Course, 6 pm  June 3 to 8 BC Seniors Week

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 June 5 On The Go Again at Tolmie Apt. Meeting Room at 1:30pm

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 June 12 On The Go Again at Tolmie Apt. Meeting Room at 1:30pm

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 June 15 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

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 June 19 Macular Degeneration Support Group meeting at Hillside Seniors Centre at 1:30pm

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 June 19 On The Go Again at Tolmie Apt. Meeting Room at 1:30pm  June 26 On The Go Again at Tolmie Apt. Meeting Room at

Schedule of Events

July 2019 Sun

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 July 1 Canada Day!

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Sat

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 July 3 On The Go Again at Tolmie Apt. Meeting Room at 1:30pm  July 7 Saanich Strawberry Festival  July 10 On The Go Again at Tolmie Apt. Meeting Room at 1:30 pm  July 17 Macular Degeneration Support Group Meeting at Hillside Seniors Centre at 1:30pm  July 17 On The Go Again at Tolmie Apt. Meeting Room at 1:30pm  July 24 On The Go Again at Tolmie Apt. Meeting Room at 1:30pm  July 31 On The Go Again at Tolmie Apt. Meeting Room at 1:30 pm

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On The Go Again: A Program for Friendly People with Curious Minds

Seniors’ Services Directory The Seniors’ Services Directory has been updated providing the most current and comprehensive information on services available to seniors in the Capital Region.

Content information includes;  Adult Day Programs  Counseling  Financial Assistance  Health Services

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Transportation Home Help Housing Legal Resources Meals Medical Equipment and Supplies Safety and Security

Copies of the Directory are available at SVSS by calling (250) 595-8008.

1445 Ocean View Rd. Victoria, BC V8P 1J8 (250) 595 8008

Spotlight on:

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day June 15th, 2019

As an international United Nations observation day, World Elder

Donations Very Much Appreciated!

Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is held annually around the

While our organization runs on volunteers, we are always in need of cash donations to provide our programs and improve our services, ensuring access for all residents of Saanich.

world.

If we can help you or you can help us, please reach out. All enquiries and donations can be sent to Saanich Volunteer Services Society.

Columbia or wherever they live, and to highlight the need for pre-

Check out our refreshed website at www.saanichvolunteers.org

tain and move prevention efforts now and in the future.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day activities are intended to bring greater recognition of abuse and neglect of older adults in British vention and community involvement in response to the issue. We work to give abuse and neglect of seniors a relevance that will sus-

This word search is a contribution from Mind X Magazine, for more mental games and locations where to find a copy visit www.mindxmagazine.ca or on Facebook

List of words: AMARYLLIS CALADIUM CALLA DAFFODIL DAHLIA FOXTAIL LILY GLADIOLUS HYACINTH IRIS NARCISSUS SAFFRON SNOWDROP