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Seniors First BC is a charitable, non-profit, provincial society that provides assistance and support to older adults across BC who are vulnerable to abuse or mistreatment, as well as third parties assisting older adults. We also help older adults in navigating the legal system to ensure that their legal rights are protected. Our services are provided through our Seniors Abuse and Information Line, Victim Services Program, Legal Advocacy Program, Elder Law Program, and Public Education and Outreach Program. Seniors First BC continues to assist seniors through these challenging times.
Click the links below to jump to the newsletter sections:

Cooling Down During the Heat Wave

Environment Canada released a heat warning for regions across BC as temperatures are expected to rise above 30 degrees starting the last weekend of June and potentially reach 40 degrees by mid-week, breaking temperature records for the month. Extreme heat can be especially dangerous for older adults, those with chronic illnesses, and people who are physically impaired, so it is important to check on them regularly for signs of heat-related illnesses.

According to Fraser Health, some of these signs can include: 

  • Dizziness or fainting

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Rapid breathing and heartbeat

  • Increased thirst

  • Decreased urination with unusually dark urine

  • Confusion or changes in behaviour

  • High body temperature

  • Lack of coordination 

In serious cases, these can lead to heat stroke, which is a life-threatening medical emergency. If you suspect someone is experiencing this, call 911. 

There are many ways to avoid becoming too hot:

  • Remain in cool areas, such as places with shade, pools, indoor areas where there is air conditioning, and consider taking a bath or shower. 

  • Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you are not feeling thirsty. 

  • Improve the comfort of your home by keeping the blinds and shutters closed during the day and leaving them open at night. If safe, you can open windows at night.

  • Adjust your daily outfit to include lightweight, light-coloured, and loose-fitting clothes, as well as a wide-rimmed hat. Misting your clothes with some water can also help you keep cool. 

  • To avoid sunburns, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF above 30 to areas with exposed skin.

Additionally, the Health Authorities across BC are recommending that their municipalities open cooling centres. To find a location, check your municipality's website and local news for updates. 

More information: Fraser Health; Health Link BC; Global News

BC Opioid Epidemic: Facts and Safety 

Image courtesy of BCCDC.ca
On June 24th, Northern Health released an alert for Prince George due to an increase in overdoses involving a substance sold as “Down or Fentanyl”, but may also be known as “Fire”. This substance is dark purple, but it becomes almost black after cooking.

In April 2016, BC’s Provincial Health Officer declared its first public health emergency due to the circulation of highly toxic and illicit drugs across the province that most often led to opioid overdoses. After the announcement of the COVID-19 public health emergency in March 2020, the rate of overdose emergencies has exceeded record highs and the number continues to grow. Recently, in April 2021, there were 176 suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths—a new record for the month. 

Illicit drugs can come in three forms: street drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, MDMA, methamphetamine, and illicit fentanyl; medications that were not prescribed to the individuals taking them; and combinations of street drugs and medications. However, when illicit drugs contain fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine, the risk of accidental overdose increases due to its potency. Fentanyl was present in over 8 in 10 illicit drug toxicity deaths in 2020, and there has been an increased number of high fentanyl concentrations in toxicology reports. 

While overdoses can involve people from all backgrounds across BC, data has shown that it can disproportionately impact different groups. Marginalized people who are living in poverty, men, and those between the ages of 30 and 59 have been overrepresented in the crisis. Additionally, there has been a growing trend over the last 6 years of illicit drug toxicity deaths among those who are 50+ years. So far in 2021, those 50+ represented approximately 39% of the total deaths from overdoses.

In 2021, Northern Health has had the highest rates of illicit drug toxicity deaths so far, with 50 deaths per 100,000 individuals. Here are some tips from Northern Health to stay safe:

  • Receive training in overdose prevention, recognition, and response.

  • Carry Naloxone, a medication that can help reverse opioid overdoses. 

  • Avoid using alone, and make a plan with someone who can call for help in an emergency. 

  • If you are using alone, download Lifeguard or BeSafeapps that can notify Health Authorities if you need help.

  • Understand your limit, especially if you are sick or have not used in a while. 

  • Do not mix drugs or mix drugs with alcohol.

  • Test small amounts first, slowly.

  • Use at an Overdose Prevention Site (OPS). To find an OPS near you, visit your Health Authority website. 

  • Check your substances for fentanyl where available, such as at OPS sites. 

  • Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately if someone overdoses. 

More information:
BC Government: Escalating BC's Response to the Overdose Emergency
BC Government: Illicit Drug Toxicity Deaths in BC
CBC News
BC Government: Lethal Drugs Are Circulating
Northern Health: Prince George Alert
BCCDC: Harm Reduction
BCCDC: Overdose Response Indicator Report

Local BC Senior News

Here are some news, events, and stories about seniors from around BC. 

RCMP Alert: Phone Scams

The Fort St John RCMP recently released an alert for a phone scam that was reported repeatedly. Victims received calls from individuals claiming to be lawyers representing family members who are in emergency situations, and they request large sums of money to help cover emergency expenses. In one case, a scammer pretended to be a lawyer representing the son of a victim who had supposedly been arrested after a car crash. The scammer claimed that they needed money sent to them to bail their son out of jail. Once the victim sent the funds, the scammer continued to request more until the victim figured out that something was wrong. To avoid being scammed, the Fort St John RCMP recommends asking the callers for time to further investigate, reaching out to family members directly, remembering not to send money immediately, and to avoid providing personal or banking information. 

More information: Alaska Highway News

Burnaby Seniors Online Dance Events

The Burnaby Seniors Outreach Society is welcoming seniors, as well as their family, friends, and caregivers, to join their Online Dance Therapy Series. The sessions will take place every Friday in August between 1pm to 2:15pm, and will feature a wide variety of musical genres to groove to, including Big Bands, Broadway musicals, Disco, and World Music. No experience is necessary. To register for this event, email Faryar@bbyseniors.ca or call 604-375-5778. 

More information: Burnaby Seniors Outreach Society

Mission Seniors Help Fellow Seniors

Two Mission seniors, Marilyn Phillips and Bonnier Barker, raised $5000 to donate to the Mission Health Care Auxiliary Society to help fund The Residence in Mission (TRIM), a three-storey long term care home. The pair noticed bottles and cans at their complex that were going to be recycled, so they decided to collect them to raise money for TRIM, which was insufficiently funded. Though they have been working on this for four years and have since met their goal, they aim to continue collecting to make more donations. 

More information: BC Local News

Langley Couple Awarded Seniors of the Year

Every year, the Langley Senior Resources Society sponsors the Seniors of the Year award, which is given to seniors who have been nominated for their great contributions to the community. This year, Langley couple Arlene and Bill Pike were chosen in honour of their exceptional community involvement. Bill was a former member of Probus. Now, he volunteers for the Sources Langley Food Bank, answers Santa Letters for the Canada Post Heritage Club, and supports the Langley Lawn Bowling. Arlene is equally busy in the community: she volunteers for the Friends of the Library, and is a member of the Probus Club, Langley Seniors Resources Society, a table tennis club, and the Langley Retired Teachers’ Association. 

More information: Langley Advance Times

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2021 Recap


June 15th, 2021 was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), a day officially recognized by the province of British Columbia to raise awareness about elder abuse as a prominent social issue and to encourage collaboration among community members for its prevention. Here is a recap of some of the events that took place across the province this year.

Image courtesy of BCCRNS.ca

Prince George WEAAD Car Parade 

To spread the message about protecting local seniors, a group of 35 drivers came together to host a parade across Prince George. The motorcade included notable organizations from the area, such as the Native Friendship Centre and the Prince George Brain Injury group, and they drove past several senior care homes and other organizations that protect the rights of seniors.
More information: Prince George Citizen

Chinese Community Response Network Financial Abuse Skit Launch

As part of WEAAD, the Chinese Community Response Network and MOSAIC BC’s Seniors Club launched a mini audio-visual skit series to raise awareness about financial abuse as a prominent form of elder abuse, especially among Chinese seniors in BC. The launch meeting included a presentation from Seniors First BC regarding data from the Seniors Abuse and Information Line, as well as insights from a community worker from Chimo Community Services who works with vulnerable seniors. The series comprises a video to spread awareness about how seniors should live with dignity, as well as a couple of skits that explore two traditional Chinese proverbs to teach about financial abuse: “Not airing dirty laundry in public” and “Doing according to one’s ability”. To watch the content, visit the MOSAIC BC page here.

Coquitlam RCMP Elder Abuse Webinar

The Coquitlam RCMP hosted a webinar to inform seniors in the Tri-City area about Elder Abuse. Panelists from Seniors First BC, the Tri-Cities Seniors’ Action Society, Fraser Health, and the Coquitlam RCMP Community Response Team answered questions about Elder Abuse, ranging from warning signs of elder abuse to how the police and other community resources can offer support to the public. 
More information: Tricity News

Creston and District CRN Goodie Bag Delivery

The Creston and District Community Response Network Coordinator and a team of volunteers delivered goodie bags around town for WEAAD. Decorated with purple butterflies and flowers, these packages contained information about how to respond to Elder Abuse, as well as a small snack.

 

Healthy Aging Tip: Maintaining Balance

Falling and losing your balance can potentially lead to serious injuries, such as broken bones or other long-term injury. Here are some tips to help maintain your balance and stay on your feet. 

  • Avoid getting up too quickly, since it rapidly lowers your blood pressure, which can then make you to feel dizzy. Instead, practice slowly sitting up, such as when you are rising from bed after waking, and allowing your body to adjust.

  • When turning, try to do so slowly with multiple, smaller steps. Turning too quickly can cause you to lose your balance.

  • Balance exercises can be useful in your daily fitness regimen to improve your mobility and stability. Some examples of these can include doing Tai Chi, participating in walking and exercise groups, and light dancing. Physiotherapists can also teach you a variety of relevant exercises.

  • Additionally, your doctor can offer you referrals to health professionals that can help manage and improve your mobility and balance. 

More information: BC Government

Community Resource Highlight: Volunteer Grandparents

Image courtesy of https://volunteergrandparents.ca/
 

Our June community resource highlight is Volunteer Grandparents. 

Volunteer Grandparents is a non-profit organization based in Burnaby whose mission is to bridge and enrich generations by promoting intergenerational collaboration and interaction. In the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization launched the Letters to Seniors program, which aimed to connect youth with isolated seniors in the community in a safe way. Since then, the program sent over 1500 letters to seniors.

The program consists of two phases. In the first stage, volunteer youth create letters and art to deliver to the seniors. Afterwards, the youth and seniors form pen-pals, and they exchange letters with each other, discussing their likes and hobbies. 

Volunteer Grandparents' program offers a much-needed and fun way to help us keep connected with others. To learn more about volunteering or how to participate in their programs, visit their website here.

Seniors First BC Programs

Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL)
Our province-wide confidential Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL) is a safe place for older adults and those who care about them to talk to a trained intake worker about their needs, as well as abuse or mistreatment and receive information and support about issues that impact the health and well-being of an older adult. For more information contact us at 604-437-1940 or Toll-Free 1-866-437-1940, weekdays 8 am to 8 pm and weekends 10 am to 5:30 pm (except statutory holidays).

Elder Law Clinic

The Elder Law Clinic operated by Seniors First BC offers pro bono legal services to eligible older adults residing in British Columbia on a wide range of legal matters, including:
•    Preparing wills, powers of attorney, representation agreements     
•    Understanding your legal proceedings and what to expect in court 
•    Reviewing court documents 
•    Preparing your own case and submissions 
•    Representation at certain court hearings in the Supreme Court of British Columbia and the Provincial Court (Small Claims Division) of British Columbia 
•    Assistance in matters of adult guardianship
•    General legal advice 

Contact our legal program at 604-336-5653 for further information or to arrange a consultation with a lawyer.
While we do not offer legal services in either family or criminal law, we can direct persons to organizations who may be able to assist.

To learn more about our programs, visit this page here.
 

Upcoming Seniors First BC Webinars

Powers of Attorney, Joint Bank Accounts, and Representation Agreements
Date/Time: July 16, 2021 at 1:00pm Pacific Time
Registration details here.

 
Elder Abuse: What is it? How do we deal with it?
Date/Time: July 23, 2021 at 1:00pm Pacific Time
Registration details here.
Thank you to our volunteers for contributing these articles!
Linda Yauk, Meeka Marsolais, Kuldeep Kaur Padda, Shu Min Yu, and Georgia Greiner
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