5 minute read
Senior Citizens Week
Senior Citizens Week
A Hub of Recreation
Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent
Homestead Senior Citizen’s Lodge makes sure to keep their residents entertained.
Activity Coordinators are Carmen Bruce and Harmony Myshak. Bruce said, “We both find that the residents enjoy being active and socializing.
Some popular games are Bocce Ball, and card games like Russian Rummy, Uno, or Higher or Lower. They even enjoy the 9 am morning exercises. The residents understand that to keep moving, keeps you healthier.
We offer four different activities every day Monday to Friday. These activities include card games, question-and-answer games like "Name That Tune", trivia or guessing games, word games like Hangman or Brainteasers, and more physical games like bean bag toss, ladder ball, or bowling! We have card-making, painting, and colouring for the more creative residents. Residents love to come and help to arrange and decorate our dining room table centerpieces which rotate with the seasons. Some musicians come to entertain which is also a popular activity.”
When asked how this helps the people live a full life. “Our residents are happier and healthier when socializing and connecting with others so these activities offer them a chance to do that which is why we have such a variety of activities to suit all levels of interests and abilities.
Some residents have smaller families or not much outside support, these activities offer that sense of family and bonding that they may otherwise not be able to have.
We love our residents and wish them to be with us for as long as possible!”
Our Senior Years
Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent
There are pros and cons to being older in the world today. Seniors in Vegreville and Area expressed the good and bad parts.
Helen Christensen mentioned, “The best part about being my age is I have all the time to plan things for myself as I don’t have work commitments. I can choose to volunteer. I can make choices about what I do. I also have time to look after my health; time to exercise and eat well.
The things I don’t like are people have more health issues and have to spend more time going to doctor’s appointments.”
When asked how the world could improve the quality of life for seniors. “I think we need to have better senior care. Some senior facilities are privatized and people could be taken advantage of. I prefer that nursing homes are not privatized.”
Maurice Dubuc said, “It is good for me as a senior today. I see life in a new way as I am out of the hustle and bustle of the working rush world. I have more time for reflection, and to notice more things about the world and what is happening in it. There is more time to read, travel, and do things I never had time to do before.
My advice for other seniors is there are so many programs for older adults; people should take advantage of them.
The con to being a senior is I have less energy now.”
Janet Pritchard commented that she doesn’t like being unable to do things she used to and all the aches and pains, as well as, reading about friends that have passed away.
Jo Topechka expressed that seniors are happy they lived in the sixties and seventies because of the way the world is now.
Judy Shelley replied, “My pension is way less per month, and with higher prices, I have only a couple of dollars left at the end of the month even though my husband is still working. I am 67 and disabled so I can't even do small jobs.
The thing I like most is that even though I am disabled, I am still alive.”
Karen LeMottee stated, “What I like is being a grandma! What I don’t like is the medical system and the government making us feel like we don’t matter because we are old.”
Donna Lecht admitted that she doesn’t like anything about old age. “Careful, it sneaks up before you know it.”
Brad Pichota answered, “The amount of money they expect us to live on compared to the amount we have paid in our lives are not comparable. They took our money. They used our money and now they expect us to starve after promising us that our money would be there when we needed it.”
