Seniors First BC Continues to be there for Seniors as the Temperature Drops!
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Seniors First BC is a charitable, non-profit, provincial society which provides assistance and support to older adults and third parties assisting older adults, who are dealing with abuse or mistreatment as well as provides assistance to navigate systems that impact older adults. Services are provided through a helpline, victim services, legal advocates and an elder law clinic. Seniors First BC continues to assist seniors through these challenging times. But in order to ensure the health and safety of our senior clients and our staff and their families, we are adjusting our operations. More Information.
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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 abuse or mistreatment, 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, 8 am to 8 pm daily (except statutory holidays)
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Seniors First BC provides free legal services to older adults age 55+ who cannot afford a lawyer
We may provide services for the following legal issues:
• Residential Tenancy/Housing
• Debt, Pensions and Appeals, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement
• Assisted Living/Residential Care
• Discrimination, Abuse/Neglect, Financial Abuse, Guardianship/Capacity
• Adult Guardianship, Wills, Powers of Attorney, Representation Agreements,
• Consumer Complaints
To book an appointment to speak with a lawyer, call 604-336-5653.
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“You’ve got a friend in me” Can your peers help you keep active?
Physical activity has many benefits, ranging from bone and mental health to weight loss and management. Despite the benefits, incorporating it into daily routines comes with its challenges. Along with physical and financial barriers, not having a workout buddy can prevent seniors from keeping active. Research suggests that peer-led programs improve adherence and participation in exercise programs.
Via McMaster Optimal Aging
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Fun Run Goes Virtual!
The Cinnamon Bun Fun Run is a virtual charity walk and runs on November 29th. It is hosted by the Ladysmith Resource Centre Association (LRCA), and promotes healthy outdoor family activity before the holiday season, and will help provide much needed resources to the LRCA and its programs. All participants will receive a “Cinnamon Bun Fun Run Cookie” from the Old Town Bakery in Ladysmith. Information to register for the event can be found here.
Via Race Roster
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102 Years of Kindness!
Dan Enslen, a 102-year-old senior from Calgary, didn’t hesitate to offer a few kind words when he was asked by the Calgary Seniors’ Resource Society to share a few inspiring words as part of their city-wide kindness campaign. Having lived through some of the tragedies of the 20th century—the Great Depression, WWII, and other epidemics—Dan has some insight into the uncertainty amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and believes that things will get better.
Via Global News
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Monarch Butterflies Brighten the Mood in this Long-Term Care Home!
Golden Dawn Senior Citizen Home in Ontario brings in monarch butterfly enclosures annually for the residents to monitor and admire, which often reflects their childhood when they did this in school. It also brings a sense of stability and familiarity to the residents during these uncertain times. A volunteer at the home explained how she believes the transformation that caterpillars go through is reflective of our lives as we age: “there’s more to life than what’s here.” This beautiful activity could be suggested to other senior citizen homes for next Spring, as a way to raise excitement and well-being.
Via Huffington Post
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Find Your Local Flu Vaccine Clinic
Monika Naus, a medical director at the BCCDC, indicates that it is especially important to get the influenza vaccine this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Having both COVID-19 and influenza at the same time can be serious. According to Immunize BC, it is important to plan ahead to get your shot, since most places will require you to book in advance. For the 2020/21 flu season, adults aged 65 of years and older, living in long term care and assisted living facilities can receive the Fluzone High-Dose vaccine for free. You can find your local vaccine clinic here.
Via CBC and Immunize BC
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The Importance of Proper Hydration and a Well-Balanced Diet
Along with impacting other parts of our body, aging slows down the metabolism, and hence our body’s ability to digest certain foods. By making healthy food choices, we can prevent the illnesses associated with a slow metabolism. Consuming more liquids, such as water, milk and fresh juice is recommended to ensure proper hydration. Additionally, eating a well-balanced diet consisting of lean protein, lots of fruits and vegetables, healthy carbs and low-fat dairy is recommended. Meal planning, low salt and sugar consumption, as well as eating nutritional supplements also help maintain good nutritional health.
Via Sunrise Senior Living
Maintaining proper hydration is crucial for the optimal well-being of the human body. Research suggests that aging increases the risk of dehydration. Physical and cognitive changes, such as a reduced thirst sensation contribute to this risk. Drinking water in smaller volumes everyday and incorporating fruits and vegetables rich in water in daily meals is recommended. Additionally, consuming hydrating snacks with high water content such as ice cream, jello, popsicles as well as other homemade frozen treats can prevent dehydration.
Via Baptist Housing
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Tips to Get Active for 65+
Physical activity is crucial in maintaining good health. It improves cardiovascular health, enhances mood, strengthens bones and reduces the risk of falls. For optimal results, 2.5 hours of cardio and 2 sessions of muscle-strengthening exercises weekly is recommended. But, it is important to start slowly and not overexert the body. Additionally, small lifestyle changes to keep the body moving, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking instead of driving whenever possible are highly recommended.
Via Canada.ca
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It's Never Too Late! The Benefits of Exercise at Every Age
A doctor from Harvard University recently explained that the human body receives benefits from exercise at any age. Many older adults assume that it is “too late” for them to begin exercising regularly. However, this article shows that we can see benefits in the body regardless of the age we start at. Regular exercise can maintain or improve one’s mobility and reduce the risk of obtaining a disability. This article also advocates for activity among older adults to maintain independence.
Via Harvard Health Blog
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COVID-19 Resources for Older Adults, Government of Canada
The Government of Canada has compiled a list of COVID-19 resources for seniors and caregivers. They include tips for staying healthy, taking care of your physical and mental health, and resources for support.
More information Government of Canada
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Healthy Aging
Participating in physical activity, maintaining mental and emotional health, challenging the brain, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, quit smoking, limit alcohol intake, maintain social connections.
More information: HealthLinkBC
Get Moving - Stay on your Feet!
The Stay on Your Feet strategy aims to encourage and aid physical activity for older adults and to prevent a sedentary lifestyle. They wish to prevent falls and maintain mobility and independence through activities that keep individuals strong, active and social. Their website includes resources to support activity for a variety of levels of accessibility. There’s even exercises you can do in the kitchen! In addition, there is information and resources on healthy eating, safety and medications.
Via Stay on Your Feet
Virtual Gym: Aiding older adults with exercise compliance through serious gameplay
More Information - Centre for Active Living
Home Workouts for seniors:
This article gives easy and low impact activities to keep active. More information - Heathything.ca
Tips for Older Adults to Avoid Social Isolation
Thank you to our Volunteers!
Linda Yauk, Julia Bronk, Meeka Marsolais, Thi Ngoc Ha An, Margaret Ovenell, Kuldeep Kaur Padda, Shu Min Yu, Georgia Greiner, Justin Lee, for contributing to these articles!
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