T H U R SDAY, J U LY 7 , 2 0 1 6 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
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S U M M E R 2016
from the
editor I never tire of warm weather, even after almost a lifetime of summers. And while I realize as a journalist I’m not supposed to play favourites, when it comes to seasons I have to admit I’m for summer all the way. And what better place to enjoy summer than right here in our own backyard — of course, just what that looks like is up to you. I don’t have to tell you a Vancouver summer can include anything from hiking to music festivals, walking to swimming or visits from the grandkids to gardening. And of course one of my favourite passtimes, reading. When it comes to reading, this summertime version of Lifetime includes some great suggestions for titles you won’t want to miss. Of course relaxing in the shade with a copy of Lifetime is also a great way to spend an hour or two. So I have to ask, what are your plans for summer?
PHO P PH HO H OT TO: TO O: D O DA AN TOU OUL O UL U LG GOE GO OE O ET
In this copy of Lifetime look for an update on the long-awaited Southeast Vancouver seniors centre from cover girl Lorna Gibbs, consignment store fashions from the HOB, an update on the newest retirement community preparing to break ground in the city, financial advice on helping adult children with their mortgage, tips for Internet dating and more. Please note, if there’s anything you’d like to see in future editions of Lifetime, drop me an email. SANDRA THOMAS STHOMAS@VANCOURIER.COM
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THE VANCOUVER COURIER T H U R SDAY, J U LY 7 , 2 0 1 6
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It’s your time. Your life. Live it well. After all, retirement isn’t about age, or about not working. It’s simply a stage you’ve earned for yourself. So every moment, indulge in your passions. Laugh, play, teach…share your gifts with your friends, family and community. At Opal, this is your home. That’s why you’ll experience warmth and intimacy, from our generous wellness offerings to our attentive, welcoming staff. Our events and activities will actively connect all generations– from grandparents to grandchildren to the local community. It’s where you get to live with passion and purpose. Stay tuned – our Discovery Centre will be launching shortly, and we’ll be hosting focus groups and interactive seminars. Help shape our activities programming and menu planning, and discover ways to create an attainable, sustainable retirement lifestyle.
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SeniorsÕ AdvisoryCommittee T H U R SDAY, J U LY 7 , 2 0 1 6 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
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A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY’S
We encourage staff to present us with projects and policies so we have an opportunity to incorporate a seniors’ perspective. We address city council from time to time on issues and projects that we feel will have a benefit or create a disadvantage for seniors.
COLLEEN MCGUINNESS CHAIR, CITY OF VANCOUVER SENIORS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Volunteer group works hard to represent City of Vancouver’s older adults
Let me begin by commending the Courier newspaper for your efforts to inform older members of the community about the needs and interests of seniors and older adults. There are a number of ways to reach people today, but print is a comfortable method for many of us.
I have had the honour of serving as chair of the City of Vancouver’s Seniors’ Advisory Committee for the last year and working closely with a dedicated group of volunteers who contribute their time and talents to provide city council and city staff with our best perspectives on the issues at hand.
At the beginning of each term, city council appoints community volunteers to provide their knowledge and expertise to a wide variety of advisory committees. The process involves advertising and asking for interested individuals to make an application. A special selection committee reviews the applications
and recommends to mayor and council ensuring the committees have a wide variety of skills, experiences, ages, genders and academic backgrounds. Members of the current Seniors’ Advisory Committee represent a range of ages from older adults with life experiences to younger individuals with strong academic experience in gerontology. We are 15 members of the public with interest, concern and experience in aging-related issues. Our experiences include working professionally with seniors — representing seniorserving organizations — and researching adulthood and aging. We use our professional and personal experiences to:
...our best perspectives on the issues at hand.
! Provide advice and information to city staff and council about various aging-related issues such as age-friendly housing and accessible transportation.
! Facilitate feedback from older adults and their families, and share their comments with city staff and council.
We have encapsulated a great deal of our effort under the headings of transportation and mobility, housing and community engagement.
The committee members take our responsibility very seriously and spend many hours in meetings and discussions to strive for the best outcomes for seniors in Vancouver and for the larger community. We are dedicated to making Vancouver an agefriendly city. For more information on the committee visit vancouver.ca.
! Ensure the needs of older adults and their families are addressed in the city’s programs and projects. ! Advise and work cooperatively with civic departments, boards and commissions whose activities affect older adults and their families. ! Share information with seniors’ organizations and the community-at-large on civic issues and programs affecting older adults and their families.
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Going to bat A22
THE VANCOUVER COURIER T H U R SDAY, J U LY 7 , 2 0 1 6
SANDRA THOMAS | STHOMAS@VANCOURIER.COM
There are many words to describe seniors advocate Lorna Gibbs, but the one that comes to mind most readily is “determined.” How long have you been campaigning for this seniors centre? We started meeting as a small group of seniors in early 2005, and soon learned the Killarney community had been struggling to get a centre since the mid-’90’s. I met with Keith Jacobson and we teamed up to move the project ahead. With his guidance and the generous support of the Killarney Association
My role was as spokesperson and I did my best.
and City Social Planners we got organized and in 2007, formed a separate society of concerned senior citizens. So it’s been a long time now — more than 10 years. Has a date been set to break ground? Any idea how long it will take to complete, once they’ve started? There is no firm date for groundbreaking as yet. I would think it could be this autumn at the earliest and late spring of 2017. Weather will play a big part in choosing the best date. Funding from federal and provincial governments specified the seniors centre must be finished by March 2018, but we are all hoping it will be sooner.
PHO HO OTOS OS: DAN A TO TOU T OULGO L ET E
Lifetime caught up with Gibbs recently to discuss the status of the plans for a long-awaited seniors centre for Southeast Vancouver, a project she has been passionately fighting for longer than most can remember. Gibbs was quick to share credit for that hard work with the many volunteers who have advocated alongside her during the past decade, in particular her close friend and ally Keith Jacobson, who unfortunately passed away June 24. Gibbs says it’s a tragedy Jacobson never had the opportunity to realize his dream of walking through the front door of the new centre, which will be located adjacent to the Killarney Community Centre.
What does this centre mean to the seniors of Southeast Vancouver? And to you? It means that seniors programs won’t be bumped when extra space is required for children’s day care — that won’t happen in the seniors centre. And it means they can find better food than the fast
food concession can offer and not easily digested by seniors or suitable for take-away. The dining room will fill a definite need, I think. It also means they have a place to go without fear of being bumped into by exuberant youngsters in the hallways and they can take the time to play a quiet board game, read a book, sit in front of the fireplace and dream or just have a cup of coffee and chat. They now have an option to sign up for a program or just visit with friends but it’s still their place to be, like a community living room.
But, I’m sure if you ask 10 different seniors they will all have different views on what it can or will mean to them depending on their particular interests, but one thing they can be sure of is that this centre is their dedicated space and their needs or programs or meetings have priority.
What does it mean to me? It means I have seen a dream come true and have played a part in making the community a little better and more complete. What are you looking forward to the most about the centre? I’m really looking forward to the dining facility and being able to enjoy a freshly cooked, affordable and wholesome meal with my friends and neighbours in nice surroundings. Places like that are not plentiful in Southeast Vancouver. And I’m hoping for some nice special afternoon teas, maybe some
entertainers and concerts on stage in the dining room.
They say it takes a village. Can you name a few of the key players, besides you, who helped make the seniors centre a reality? No, sorry that’s impossible. All our supporters were and are “key” players in our success. Because we involved every senior we could from Main to Boundary and from East 41st to the Fraser it would be a very, very long list. Attaining the goal of a dedicated seniors centre has been an epic journey and required a cast of thousands, so even if I named 100, it would leave out many others. But please let me say it again, it wasn’t done by any one person. No one could have done the work alone. In my opinion, the names Killarney Association, Killarney Seniors Centre and Keith Jacobson are almost synonymous — no one thinks of one without the other. Keith Jacobson has not only been president, but has been a driving force in the main centre and for the seniors’ centre for many, many years and the seniors centre would not be being built without his influence. My role was as spokesperson and I did my best. What’s on the horizon for Lorna Gibbs? I still see plenty of work before the roof is on and the doors open. I don’t think I’ll be bored.
T H U R SDAY, J U LY 7 , 2 0 1 6 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
Elder Abuse: An Epidemic on the Rise By Jennie Deneka Elder abuse in Canada is becoming a growing epidemic that is threatening the safety and security of more seniors every year. The most comprehensive Canadian study to date, the National Survey on Abuse of the Elderly in Canada: The Ryerson Study, found that close to 100,000 seniors living in private dwellings across Canada experienced some type of abuse. Given Canada’s population is getting increasingly older (eight million Canadians will be over the age of 65 by 2031) the number of seniors vulnerable to abuse and fraud is expected to grow. With this staggering statistic, it’s crucial that not only those directly affected, but also our holistic society, begin to take accountability and take proactive measures to ensure a level of safety and security for our aging demographic. Elder abuse affects seniors from all walks of life, and is prevalent in communities across Canada – not just in BC. There are many different forms of abuse to be aware of: • Financial Abuse – this exploitation is defined as the illegal or improper use of an elder’s funds, property or assets. In certain situations, this may result in an abuser coercing an elder to sign-over a will, giving the abuser guardianship/power of attorney, or providing predators with confidential banking information. This is most commonly seen with spam emails or the request for personal information related to a lottery windfall. • Psychological / Emotional Abuse – this is defined as the infliction of anguish or distress through verbal and nonverbal acts. Signs of emotional/psychological abuse include being withdrawn, noncommunicative, and being emotionally
upset and agitated. This often leads to
seniors should pause the process in order to
depression and additional isolation.
double check the authenticity of the request.
• Physical Abuse – this abuse is defined as
When possible, financial transactions should
the use of physical force that may result in
only be carried out by the senior or close fam-
bodily injury, physical pain or impairment.
ily member.
This harm can include shaking, pushing and slapping or much more serious abuse.
Most importantly, report all incidents of suspected abuse. In many cases, research
• Neglect – this is defined as the refusal or
shows that seniors are often too scared or
failure to fulfill any part of a person’s ob-
embarrassed to report abuse. This leads to
ligations or duties to an elder. Neglect can
continuation and often escalation of abuse
result in unsanitary living conditions, poor
for individuals.
personal hygiene and malnutrition.
If you or someone you know does fall
While these forms of abuse do exist, there
victim to elder abuse, there are immediate
are proactive measures that both elders and
actions that can be taken. In British Colum-
their family members can take to reduce the
bia, there is a designated ‘Seniors Abuse and
risk that they fall victim to elder abuse.
Information Line’ that is
If you’re bringing strangers into the home
run by the BC Centre for Elder Advocacy
to provide care, cleaning or other services,
and Support. The number (toll-free:
do ample research to ensure their credibility.
1 866 437 1940) is a safe and confidential
Ensure individuals are properly licenced,
place to find support, information, and ulti-
fully trained and certified and come with
mately take action if required.
recent references from other seniors and/or
Jennie Deneka is Vice President of Operations at Retirement Concepts
their families that live in the same community that you do. Lastly be sure to request a criminal record check and a vulnerable sector check prior to inviting strangers into the homes of our seniors. Pertinent information like bank account and card numbers, and social insurance numbers should remain confidential. If home care providers or visitors request this information,
1 844 603 HOME (4663) www.retirementconcepts.com
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THE VANCOUVER COURIER T H U R SDAY, J U LY 7 , 2 0 1 6
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T H U R SDAY, J U LY 7 , 2 0 1 6 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
WESTIN PRINCEVILLE SANDRA THOMAS | STHOMAS@VANCOURIER.COM
Kauai a tale of two coasts
With her blond beach waves pulled back into a ponytail and a look of sheer determination on her face, our granddaughter Nolah carefully mimicked the motions of her surfing instructor during her first ever surf lesson.
The fact she and her friends were not yet in the water made no difference and they carefully practised getting up and balancing on their boards, which were laid across the lawn of the Sheraton Kauai Resort, located in Poipu on the beautiful Hawaiian Island of Kauai.
Surf lessons were just part of the birthday celebrations we enjoyed with our granddaughter, who turned six during a recent family vacation to Kauai. The night before, we’d attended a luau at the Sheraton, where she and her mom took to the stage to dance the always-popular hukilau — anyone who’s ever attended a luau will know what I’m talking about.
Poipu is situated on Kauai’s south shore, where after a damp first day we enjoyed bright blue skies with fluffy white clouds for the duration of our stay, which was a blessing since Nolah and
her friends spent so much time on the beach and in the ocean swimming and boogie boarding. A one-mile stretch of white sandy coastline means there is no end of beaches to choose from, including Poipu Beach Park, considered one of the safest in Hawaii, with a lifeguard on duty seven days a week. Kauai is also famous for its riptides and from the moment visitors land, they’re warned, “When in doubt, stay out.” My partner and I had scored a great deal from WestJet ($450 each all in), which made Kauai a great choice for a holiday. The fact the rest of the gang stayed in a condo adjacent to the Sheraton, allowed them the cook their own meals and do laundry, which helped keep their costs down, too. We also moved to a condo after a few days of enjoying room service at the Sheraton, but in Princeville on the North Shore, a place we had
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never visited before. As it turns out, the weather on the North Shore is much wetter than in Poipu and we probably saw some rain every day of our stay, but the timing was pretty much perfect with clouds and showers contained mostly to early morning and after sundown. The North Shore of Kauai is so beautiful and lush, there were times I literally stopped what I was doing and turned 360-degrees to better take it all in. The fact I took dozens of videos and hundreds of photos will attest to my obsession over the Kauai landscape — they don’t call it the Garden Island for nothing. We stayed at the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, where we happily caught up on some laundry and were able to prepare breakfast and lunch with our stash of fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese and bread we’d picked up at a farmers market in SHERATON KAUAI
Kapaa on the drive up. But we were still on vacation, so in the evenings we dined out at Nanea restaurant and bar at the Westin, which specializes in fresh ingredients purchased from local farms, dairies and fishermen all listed on the menu. (I highly recommend the spiced short rib bao.) And since this part of our vacation was sans children, we also spent time at the “quiet” pool at the Westin where there wasn’t a single “Marco” or “Polo” to be heard. For those travelling with kids, there’s a great pool with a small waterslide and turtle water features they’d love.
SHERATON KAUAI
Speaking of kids, our granddaughter cried when it was time to leave Kauai and I don’t blame her. It’s an island so beautiful, you truly have to
see it to believe it, no matter which coast you prefer. Sandra Thomas was a guest of Starwood Resorts.
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THE VANCOUVER COURIER T H U R SDAY, J U LY 7 , 2 0 1 6
First signs you’re losing your hearing: Shyng says to watch — or listen — for these telltale signs of hearing loss: ! You start to notice that you’re asking people to repeat themselves and you find yourself saying “pardon me” a lot. ! You have difficulty hearing in noisy places, such as malls or restaurants. ! You can’t hear conversations or noises over the television or radio clearly. ! It sounds like everyone around you is mumbling. ! You have an increased sensitivity to loud sounds.
60TH Anniversary
Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing celebrates a milestone BIANCA CHAN | BIANCASCHAN95@GMAIL.COM
FINALLY a cure for selective hearing!
The Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is celebrating 60 years of helping the deaf and hard of hearing, 60 years of offering programs and services no other clinic in B.C. offers and 60 years of contributing to an inclusive society in which everyone can participate. “Since we’re a non-profit organization, everything we do here is all about the programs and nothing else,” Ellen Zheng, a representative at the institute told the Courier. “We’re the only place in B.C. that can say that.” The resources include hearing aids, sign language and employment counselling services, a seniors’ outreach program and job resource centre. The institute also houses a communication devices showroom, which allows clients to test devices, such as hearing aids or a vibrating alarm clock, before they’re purchased. To that end, the institute served more than 10,000 clients in 2015.
ThatÕs what we focus on here, bringing people together.
“That’s 10,000 more people who, without the WIDHH, wouldn’t have the possibility to communicate and participate in society,” says Zheng.
That number has grown since 2008, when the non-profit social service program helped 8,000 clients. That demand is going to keep growing as the Canadian population continues to change, says Grace Shyng, the head of audiology at the institute.
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“Once you hit your mid-30s, you should start getting your hearing checked regularly,” Shyng says, who recommends a check up every two years. “But getting a baseline hearing test is always a good idea at any age.” The first step to take when you start to lose your hearing is to see an audiologist and book a hearing test. Shyng warns against free hearing tests as they are often connected to marketing plans. And while she recommends the Western Institute, a private organization or your local hospital, she warns the waitlists can be long.
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She advises potential clients to be ready to ask lots of questions and bring a family member or friend along due to the vast amount of information often provided at these tests. Shyng compares using a hearing aid to getting a new arm or leg. * Some restrictions apply. See in-store for details.
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“The Canadian population is growing older, which means that our services will be needed that much more,” says Shyng, who noted more than half of the North American population over 65 experience hearing loss.
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“You’re re-learning how to hear the sounds you haven’t heard in a long time, it’s a life-long process,” says Shyng, who suggests choosing a doctor you trust and will want to work with for a long time. Zheng adds, “Communication is essential to all people and hearing is a crucial part in socializing. That’s what we focus on here, bringing people together.”
reads
T H U R SDAY, J U LY 7 , 2 0 1 6 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
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Summer SANDRA THOMAS | STHOMAS@VANCOURIER.COM
Vancouver’s Raincoast Books has compiled a list of must-reads for the July edition of Lifetime, including everything from major summer fiction to non-fiction to autobiographies. Enter to win a selection of books at vancourier.com/contests. For more titles, visit vancourier.com/lifetime. Journey after Midnight Ujjal Dosanjh This is a deeply personal and thoughtful memoir of Ujjal Dosanjh’s journey from his beloved India to the upper echelons of
Canadian politics.
Full Moon Over Noah’s Ark: An Odyssey to Mount Ararat and Beyond Rick Antonson Rick Antonson joined a five-member expedition to Mount Ararat in Eastern Turkey, rumoured to be the final resting place of Noah’s Ark.
Everybody Rise Stephanie Clifford Everyone yearns to belong, to be part of the “in crowd,” but how far are you willing to go to be accepted? In the case of bright, funny and socially ambitious Evelyn Beegan, the answer is much too far...
Ashes of Fiery Weather Kathleen Donohoe A debut novel about the passionate loves and tragic losses of six generations of women in a family of firefighters, spanning from famine-era Ireland to Brooklyn a decade after 9/11.
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THE VANCOUVER COURIER T H U R SDAY, J U LY 7 , 2 0 1 6
Helping hands? Lifetime turned to TD Canada Trust for some advice on whether helping adult children get into the competitive real estate market is a smart move.
Should I help my kids with a down payment? As many millennials prepare to enter a housing market with higher real estate prices and tighter mortgage lending rules, they often look to their parents for financial support. A 2013 TD survey found that when parental instinct kicks in, cheque books are often quick to come out, with one in five parents saying they have contributed to the down payment of their child’s first home. Before jumping in to help close the deal on their first home, it’s important that parents consider how contributing to a down payment may impact their own finances. Pat Giles, Associate Vice President, Real Estate Secured Lending, TD Canada Trust offers his top considerations: A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY Parents don’t necessarily have to contribute a large sum to make a big difference. For example, on a $300,000 home, $3,000 is the difference between a 19 per cent down payment and a 20 per cent down payment. It’s a relatively small sum compared to the price of the home, but will exempt homebuyers from mortgage insurance premiums, which will substantially reduce what they pay over time. If this is something you are considering, an open and honest conversation will help everyone understand what the contribution will mean to the bottom line. PAY YOURSELF FIRST As a parent, it’s natural to want to help children financially, but parents should understand the impact on their own retirement savings. We encourage anyone considering helping a child buy their first home to speak with a financial planner and mortgage specialist in tandem to understand the financial implications. If parents are not prepared for retirement, it may be their children who will take on some financial strain in the long run. If making a financial contribution isn’t realistic, don’t discount the value of support in other forms. Giles suggests parents should gradually shift their role from financial aid to financial coach as their children mature. In the case of buying a home, this could mean working together to develop a realistic savings plan to save for a down payment before checking out open houses.
Sun Damage Awareness Clinic
Element-AL Luxury lifestyle retirement home to break ground this fall
BIANCA CHAN | BIANCASCHAN95@GMAIL.COM
The Cambie Corridor is about to get a facelift with a luxury retirement residence moving in. Once complete, OPAL will be Element Lifestyle Retirement’s newest venture — and its only retirement community in the urban core. “We really wanted to revolutionize the concept of aging,” Candy Ho, the vice-president of Element says. “Retirement is the best part of life, we want people to enjoy it.” Which is exactly how OPAL residents will be able to live, considering the myriad of services, programs and activities that will soon be available. Wine and scotch tastings, large group dining, a chauffeured town car and music groups are just a few of the amenities to be offered.
A UV camera takes a picture 3-4 mm below your skin surface The picture shows: • Damage that has occurred • Areas of concern Your Safeway Pharmacy team can help you with: • The difference between sunblock and sunscreen • Which medications cause sun sensitivity • The guidelines for best protection from the sun Please call for an appointment. A nominal fee will be charged for this service.
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4575 West 10th Avenue Wednesday, July 13, 2016 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
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Construction for the blocklong residence will begin this fall and is expected to take two years to complete. During that time, Element will open its Discovery Centre to the public for presales, seminars and focus groups to
better help OPAL cater to the community’s wants and needs. Located on King Edward Avenue between Cambie and Yukon streets, Ho hopes OPAL will attract the Greater Vancouver’s growing and aging Chinese demographic. “We really wanted this new model to help cater the underserved Chinese community, given the location, and we can do that because of our leadership,” says Ho, whose team and board of directors is predominantly Chinese. The new retirement community will offer tai chi, qigong, ping pong and mahjong alongside authentic Chinese cuisine, including double boiled soups and a live seafood tank. “We just want people to live the way they want to.” Ho stresses her team is focusing on the continuum of legacy and lifestyles, by introducing structured programs with young children and a four-level care
...its only retirement community in the urban core. system, which accommodates independent living, assisted living, memory care and complex care. With this framework, Ho continues, seniors don’t have to worry about moving again and they can be cared for until the end. With 56 rentals, 44 condos, 30 units for care and one double occupancy unit for care, accompanied by three main patios, one outdoor courtyard, and one rooftop patio, the construction and land costs of the endeavour, alone, is upwards of $90 million dollars. Meanwhile, Ho says it’s expected the five to six-star culinary program, wellness spa, infrared sauna, yoga movement studio, gym and other amenities offered cost upwards of $2 to $3
million dollars a year to maintain.
Of course the big question is, how much will it cost you to live at OPAL? For a rental, the pricing is $10 dollars per square foot, ranging between $4,600 per month on the low end and upwards of $9,000 on the other. This includes housekeeping, two meals per day and access to all the amenities. The condos vary between 640 to 1,600 square feet, which are figures that don’t include the sizeable patios that are attached to some units. Prices for purchasing start at approximately $600,000 and average about $1.1 million. A monthly membership fee is attached to that bill, and while the price for that is yet to be determined, Ho says it will be comparable to other high-end luxury retirement homes, such as Tapestry. Ho says it’s important to note all prices are dependent on the market and although these will be the prices for the first day of the presale, they are subject to change as the market fluctuates. For more details, visit elementlifestyleretirement.com.
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Even better, 100 per cent of profits from the Hospice Opportunity Boutique helps support the Vancouver Hospice Society and the end-of-life services it provides. The HOB, as it’s known, is packed full of brand-name fashions, shoes, bags and jewellery. Bonus: Every item of clothing is washed and pressed or dry cleaned before hitting the floor.
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T H U R SDAY, J U LY 7 , 2 0 1 6 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
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in the right place
JANE MUNDY | JANEVM@TELUS.NET
If you’re like most Canadian seniors, you want to live in your home for as long as possible.
And if your home is safe, that could very well be until the day you die. But there’s a misconception renovations that allow for what’s become known as “aging in place” are only for seniors. Too often, people don’t modify their homes until they’re injured or suffer a stroke. And then when you have to get things done immediately, you can be taken advantage of.
DOING IT RIGHT Aging in place renovations or modifications identify living environments that can apply to all ages — with a focus on fall prevention. So think about making modifications now to prepare for later years: take the time to do it right (so it doesn’t look like an institution) and hire renovators/contractors who know what they’re doing. Make sure they apply “universal” or “ageless” designs, which are products and environments accessible for use by everyone, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized renovations. You don’t want to create a nursing home — and design is particularly important when considering resale.
Five best ways to age in place ONE LEVEL Eliminate stairs and barriers with onestorey living, including outdoor patios and balconies. Thresholds that are flush with the floor are wheelchairfriendly and prevent tripping. BATHROOM SPA Most injuries occur in the bathroom. Add a grab bar and non-slip coatings to the bathtub. Or remove the tub and replace it with a walk-in shower. Modify or replace the vanity with a roll-under — if you’re in a wheelchair, you can get right up to the sink. Replace your regular toilet with a comfort height version. WIDER DOORWAYS & HALLWAYS Doorways that are 32 to 36-inches wide let wheelchairs pass through. They also make it easy to move large objects in and out of the house. Hallways should be 36 to 42-inches wide. HOME AUTOMATION controls the environment, provides entertainment and increases safety. Through a variety of different sensors (without Big Brother looking in) you can facilitate taking care of health and safety. For example, it can detect a fall or knows when Mom leaves the stove on. Appliances and taps can be controlled — and turned off — remotely. KNOBS & HANDLES Door knobs can be hard to turn and standard switches awkward. Levered door handles and rocker light switches are great for people with poor hand strength or when your arms are full of grocery bags.
NUMBER OF SENIORS EXPECTED TO DOUBLE According to Statistics Canada, over the next 30 years the number of seniors requiring assistance in Canada is expected to double and most everyone will prefer to stay close to home — only eight per cent of seniors live in retirement communities or residential care. And if baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) choose to age in place, about 10 million existing homes will need to be modified or renovated. Bob de Wit, chief executive officer of the Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association, adds 50 per cent of new homes are being built with accessibility features that weren’t in place five years ago. That’s up from 37 per cent since 2006 and 25 per cent a decade earlier. “Vancouver’s accessibility building code standards are now applied to all new buildings and during the renovation of older structures,” says de Wit. “More people are moving from single-family houses in the suburbs to large condos downtown, so they can live on one level and downsize at the same time. While it is getting easier to age in place in Vancouver, we see an increased demand to renovate.” This is where a CAPS certified company comes in.
THE EXPENSE Mark Senner, president of CareAge Home and Health Enterprises Inc, estimates you can modify your home to suit the rest of your life for what it would cost to live in a retirement community for six months. In other words, about $35,000 will address the basic requirements.
AGING IN PLACE CERTIFICATION The GVHBA works with organizations that train builders as Certified Aging in Place Specialists. Senner took the certification course in Washington State. There are no certification programs available in Canada, but Senner is planning to support and educate other GVHBA members on the Aging in Place approach to building and renovations. “We are trained to identify physical barriers in the home and to be aware of people with hearing or sight impairments and general mobility issues,” says Senner. “Acoustics and lighting are more important as you age and home automation is the new big thing.” He advises don’t wait until you experience a fall to make any changes — a time when family, friends and caregivers are panicked to get something done. Talk to a certified expert sooner than later and make sure you age in the right place.
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A matter of SANDRA THOMAS | STHOMAS@VANCOURIER.COM
opinion
As part of my duties at the Vancouver Courier, I write for and act as editor of a magazine called #vansummerlove, dedicated to tech-savvy millennials, which is how I recently came to be researching the best new dating apps for summer (honestly).
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And that got me thinking about some of my friends using online dating sites in their search for companionship — and possibly love. It makes sense really, because as much as they’ve looked, there has been no sign of Prince Charming at the grocery store or a lothario at the library, as so often happens in romance novels. But let’s just say the results for the most part have been less than successful. I’ve always believed there’s something to be said about quality, versus quantity — and, as it turns out, online dating is the poster child for that hypothesis. For example, a friend went on a date a while ago with a man who invited her for coffee,
to describe her hobbies, she was torn between “drinking enough red wine to give the appearance of lipstick, without needing to buy an actual lipstick” or “taking two chopsticks at the sushi place to pretend that my takeout is for two people.”
but once at the restaurant they ordered a salad to share. Near the end of their “date,” my friend excused herself to go to the washroom and on her return discovered he had asked their server to split their bill. Sitting in front of her as she slid back into her seat was a bill for $4.50, which she promptly paid, and left, never to return his emails again. Call me old fashioned, but if the man or woman asking someone on a first date can’t spring for $4.50, it doesn’t bode well for their financial or romantic futures.
And yet another friend, a widow in her late 50s, decided to take it up a notch and learn how to “text” so she could communicate with a man she met who lives a couple of hours from her place. Once the relationship progressed past the awkward stage, she decided to surprise him by sending what’s become known as a “sext,” a racy message meant to grab his attention. And although
Another friend who has decided to try online dating after an unexpected divorce was struggling to write her dating profile. While trying
she didn’t catch her new companion’s attention, the man at the receiving end of the wrong number she texted was certainly interested. Too bad Mr. Wrong Number lives in Prince George. That’s not to say all connections made via Internet dating are disasters. I have friends who have met their (second) soulmate online. A quick search online also shows the number of dating sites catering to baby boomers and seniors is growing almost as quickly as housing prices in Vancouver. So if you’re considering online dating, do your homework, be careful, don’t give out too much personal information and ask for a meeting in person. And lastly, don’t forget to have fun — Mr. or Mrs. Right Number might be as close as the click of your send button.
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“In my house great food always meant good company.” At Tapestry Retirement Communities, we respect your independence as well as the personal choices you make. In fact, we believe they’re what keep you feeling positive and enjoying life to the fullest. Whether it’s dining in the restaurant, cooking in your own kitchen or making new friends, Tapestry can provide you with the resources and support to do it. Call us today and see what kind of individualized CWDNWSFV JO QSE DBOW UD MOGC HOOC IDKW RDPIT FLEP SEP spirit healthy, vibrant and young at heart.
Angela Smith savouring her appetite for life
www.DiscoverTapestry.com Tapestry at Wesbrook Village 3338 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver BC 604.225.5000 Tapestry at Arbutus Walk 2799 Yew Street, Vancouver BC 604.736.1640
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