Fall - Saskatoon Council On Aging

 A Publication of the Saskatoon Council on Aging ISSUE 52‐FALL/WINTER 2008 Fraud: Become Informed, Protect Yourself Seniors gathered in June to hear retired police Sgt. Brian Trainor’s advice and tips for
preventing financial abuse of older adults. Please see story on Page 6.
INSIDE
Awards received
3
inMotion
4
Driving safely
5
Page 2
President’s Message
B y E l e a n o r Wi l l i a m s
P re s i d e n t , S a s k a t o o n C o u n c i l o n A g i n g
All of us with the Council on Aging are excited
about the upcoming year, and plan to carry on
with the great successes we have had in the
past years.
We also plan on fulfilling goals such as a
strong advocacy voice for older adults and their
families, continuing our wonderful caregiver program and targeting those in need.
Our task force on abuse of older adults is now
recognized nationally and will make great strides
again this year, focusing on practical solutions to
the problems we have identified.
All of this will be guided by the newly reinstituted long-range planning committee and, of
course, determined by our ability to raise the
funds to implement our plans.
You can look forward to ongoing Caregiver
Forums in the fall and spring as well as their
monthly meetings. Not to mention our other activities including ski lessons, computer lessons,
lunch with the Rainbow group, free blood pressure clinics, drop-in programs and several fun
social events.
Our most successful Century Club events will
continue, as will Spotlight on Seniors on October 1.
Our Prime of Life articles in the Saskatoon
Sun will target issues of importance to us all,
Coming of Age
Published three times per year by the Saskatoon Council
on Aging, Inc., 301-506 25th St. East, Saskatoon, SK S7K
4A7 (652-2255), with a grant from Saskatchewan Lotteries
and assistance from the Saskatoon Health Region.
Opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the council. While efforts have been made to ensure
accuracy of information in this publication, the Saskatoon Council on Aging, Inc. assumes no liability for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies.
and the publication you’re reading now will
keep you up on the interesting lives of our older
friends and exciting up-coming events.
If you don’t already have a copy of our Directory of Services and Social Activities for Older
Adults, come into our office at 301-506 25th St.
E. and pick one up. It will prove to be an invaluable reference for you and your family.
We also have pamphlets in the office on almost every subject of interest to older adults.
As well, our Speakers Bureau is available to all
groups who wish to know more about all of our
programs.
I am hugely indebted to the accomplished
and knowledgeable folks on our board, committees and our task forces. The expertise of these
groups in so many fields is beyond compare
and is responsible for the great strides that we
have made. All of this is volunteer-based with
hundreds of hours spent on your behalf.
We are also especially grateful to our wonderful office staff…they are the best!!
Please feel free to contact our office with
your suggestions or concerns at 652-2255 or
visit our awesome new website www.scoa.ca.
My personal goal is to follow the wise counsel of all involved and hopefully we will have
continued success and some fun in the process!
Communications Committee:
Mercedes Montgomery, Chair
Audrey Gullickson
George James
Elliot Paus-Jenssen
Candace Skrapek
Editor: Dale Worobec
Visit the Council online at www.scoa.ca
With assistance from
the Population Health
Fund—Public Health
Agency of Canada
Page 3
SCOA volunteers awarded for community work
2008 was a banner year for
Council on Aging volunteers.
Four of the SCOA’s best-known
volunteers received awards in
the community for their outstanding efforts in support of
older adults and others:
Elliot PausJenssen
YWCA Women of Distinction
Award: Health and Wellness
Elliot is the volunteer coordinator for the Council on Aging’s
older adult abuse task force and
its subcommittees. Elliot, a former social worker on the geriatric assessment unit for the
Saskatoon Health Region, working with seniors and their families on abuse-related matters.
She was part of an SCOA-led
community group developing
protocols for response to abuse,
and developing important teaching tools for use in the community.
Betty Secord
Sterling Award and Community Builders Gallery Award
Betty, a past SCOA president
and board member, was recognized twice this year for her tireless work for the Council and in
the community. She received
the Sterling Award, presented at
the annual Silver Spoon Gala, in
May.
Betty was also presented with
the Community Builders Gallery
Award, which recognizes outstanding individuals who work
and volunteer in the Saskatoon
Community Service Village.
Muriel Baxter
McClure Foundation Golden
Heart Award
Muriel is one of the Council’s most active volunteers.
She is a past SCOA president
and chairs SCOA’s Advocacy
Committee and other committees. She is well known in the
community for her role in establishing McClure Place.
Jeanette Dean
McClure Foundation Golden
Heart Award
Jeanette is a former President of the Council on Aging
and her years of dedicated
work on several committees
have made a positive difference in the lives of older adults
in Saskatoon. Jeanette has
also been very active as a volunteer working with immigrants
and the refugee community in
Saskatoon.
The Golden Heart Awards
were established in 2003 to
recognize individuals who have
made exceptional contributions
to the wellbeing and quality of
life for older adults, whether
through volunteerism, advocacy, direct service or the development of innovative programming.
Muriel Baxter
Jeanette Dean
Betty Secord
Elliot PausJenssen
Photo by Stacey Schmidt,
Sublime Imaging
Page 4
Get physically active and stay in motion
By Janet Barnes
The importance of being
physically active for all age
groups, especially for older
adults, cannot be overstated.
There are numerous health
benefits associated with being
physically active that include:
living independently longer, feeling better, reduced cholesterol,
increased energy, improved
sleep, weight control, decreased
anxiety and stress, reduced risk
of falling and lower blood pressure to name just a few.
The Canadian Physical Activity Guide for Older Adults recommends that you should be moderately active for at least 30 to
60 minutes a day to achieve
health benefits. Physical activities should include endurance,
flexibility, and strength and balance components. For many
people, this is difficult to do for
reasons including lack of confidence, not enough time in
the day, pain, lack of motivation, and personal safety especially in winter months.
Here are some ways that
might help get you started:
Talk over your physical
activity plan with your doctor
or another healthcare professional.
Think about the reasons
and health benefits for becoming more active.
If you haven’t been active
for some time, try to build any
type of physical activity into
your routine starting with just
10 minutes at a time.
Add up all of your minutes of physical activity
through the day. You might be
surprised!
Build up gradually and
don’t do too much all at once.
Set a realistic goal for
yourself, write it down and
place it where you can see it.
If you are concerned
about falling outdoors, wear
ice grips on the bottom of your
boots, use a walking stick or
cane for stability or walk indoors at one of the malls, leisure centres or schools.
Do little things like turning
off the television without using
the remote, take the stairs instead of using the elevator,
walk to the corner store to pick
up milk instead of using the car
or park your car at the end of
the parking lot instead of by
the door.
Find a buddy who can
help motivate you.
Find an activity that you
enjoy doing. Look through the
in motion Older Adult Physical
Activity and Healthy Eating
Guide for ideas.
Join or start a Forever…in
motion group.
Check out the in motion
website for challenges and
ways to get and keep motivated.
Participate in Fall…in motion on October 3 by meeting
us at the new River Landing
site at noon and walk the trails
with other people from the
community. If you are unable
to attend this event, then do
something active with friends
or family for a minimum of 30
minutes that day. Register
your activity on October 3rd
Continued on Page 5
Above—Exercise break at SCOA Caregiver Forum.
Page 5
Are you a safe older driver?
By Dale Worobec
It’s a familiar place, behind
the wheel of your own vehicle.
The steering wheel falls easily
to hand, brakes and gas pedal
are where they’ve always
been, and you could operate
all the switches and controls
with your eyes closed.
That familiarity lends a sense
of security—you’ve had countless safe trips in your vehicle,
after all, and maybe even
managed to avoid some close
calls due to other drivers’ mistakes or inattention.
But is this a false sense of
security?
The answer depends entirely
upon you—not yesterday, but
today. Your reflexes, eyesight
and ability to navigate streets
(both familiar and unfamiliar),
not to mention your overall
state of health and any medications you may be taking.
Every individual ages in a different way. Some lucky seniors will be sharp behind the
wheel, with only minor diminishment in their driving abilities. Others of the same age
will experience difficulties navigating strange streets or multilane freeways and onramps,
where there can be much that
is competing for your attention.
Statistics do suggest a decline in driving ability for older
drivers. A 1999 study at the
University of Alberta found collision rates rise steadily after
age 70; for those over 75, collision rates rival or even exceed those for drivers aged 16
to 24. Older adults are also
more likely to suffer severe
injury during a collision because bones and other body
parts aren’t as resilient.
How can you be sure you’re
a safe older driver? According
to the Saskatchewan Safety
Council:
• Have regular vision and
hearing examinations;
• When
traveling, always
wear your eyeglasses or
hearing aid;
• Use medication correctly,
know how it could affect your
driving and ensure you are
free from harmful effects before driving. With some medications, you may not be able
to drive at all;
• Take a refresher course,
such as the Safety Council’s
55 Alive;
• If you’re not sure, ask your
family doctor. He or she can
provide an objective answer
based on your medical history, tests and observing
your current state of health.
Stay in motion (cont’d from Page 4)
before 4:00 p.m. at www.inmotion.ca. Let’s see how
many people are active on
October 3rd between 11:00
am and 1:00 pm!
Keep track of your activity
levels during the Get Active
campaign in October using the
activity logs available through
the in motion website and
send them in to the in motion
office with a chance to win
fabulous prizes.
Remember, doing any-
thing is better than doing nothing at all!
For more information and resources contact in motion at
(306)655-Do It (3648) or visit
the in motion website at
www.in-motion.ca.
Janet Barnes is Senior Recreation Therapist, Older Adult
Community, in motion.
Page 6
Fraud: Become informed, protect yourself
When Agnes, 87, learned
over the phone she’d won the
Quebec lottery, she was at
first skeptical.
But the caller, an expert
scam artist, soon had her
caught up in the excitement of
her “big win.” There was just
one catch: she would have to
pay the tax on the winnings
before any money would be
released to her.
After Agnes sent thousands
to a Quebec post office box,
an alert postal clerk contacted
police. Sgt. Brian Trainor, now
retired, took the call and recounts how Agnes broke
down and cried when he contacted her. She lost $6,000.
Trainor, who now works to
promote fraud awareness with
Affinity Credit Union, told
Agnes’ story to an audience of
seniors in June. The workshop, “Dollars and Sense: Be-
come Informed, Protect Yourself” was held to recognize the
third annual World Elder
Abuse Awareness Day.
The moral? Trainor says
awareness is key, and you
should be wary of giving information to any caller. Even if
they say they’re from your
bank or the police, tell them
you’ll call back—using the
number in your phone book.
You should also use Caller ID.
While Agnes’ story is dramatic, worse is the financial
abuse suffered by seniors who
know the perpetrators. Power of
attorney fraud is one of the most
common forms. The SCOA is
working to raise awareness of
such forms of abuse. Watch this
newsletter for more information.
United Way “Day of Caring” gives
SCOA office a new look
On June 25, 2008 the Saskatoon Council on Aging was the recipient of the United Way "Day of Caring.”
Six volunteers from the Public Service Alliance joined the staff
in painting the SCOA offices. The colours are upbeat and welcoming, and a big change for the better!
The SCOA appreciates all the time the volunteers spent revitalizing our office. Also, a big thank you to Days Paints, for supplying all the materials and paint as a donation!! Thanks again everyone.
Spotlight on Seniors to feature Brad Johner
Saskatoon’s premiere event
for seniors will feature a special entertainment guest: Brad
Johner.
The Canadian country music
star will perform at 1:15 p.m.
October 1 at Spotlight on Seniors.
Johner, who began a solo
career in 2003 after a successful run with brother Ken, as
The Johner Brothers, is an
award-winning performer with
two Top 10 songs from his latest album, Summertown Road.
Photo courtesy OReilly International
He received a 2003 Western Canadian Music Award for
“Outstanding Country Album”
and has been nominated for
numerous Canadian Country
Music Association (CCMA) and
Juno awards.
Spotlight on Seniors is an
event of the Council on Aging,
and happens October 1 from
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at TCU Place
in downtown Saskatoon.
Please call 652-2255 or visit
www.scoa.ca for more information.
Page 7
Summertime—and the living is easy
The SCOA’s fundraising BBQ’s were a tremendous
success. Volunteers and staff served up hamburgers
and hotdogs at Vaugh Wyant Automotive Group,
Sobey’s and Shop Easy locations over the summer
months, with all proceeds going to support the Council’s programs and services for older adults. Thanks to
everyone who participated—see you next summer!
News & Upcoming Events
Seniors Week Free Walk and
Lunch
The Council on Aging and the
Saskatchewan Seniors Fitness
Association present a Free
Walk and Lunch on September
30, 2008. Sign-up begins at
10:00 a.m. at the Mendel, and
at 10:30 the group will walk
along the river to Park Funeral
Chapel at 311-3rd Ave. N.
Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m.,
with sandwiches provided by
the Franklin Retirement Community and beverages and
space courtesy of the Park Funeral Chapel. Please preregister by September 24 by
calling 652-2255.
Caregiver Forum
Mark down Tuesday, Oct. 14th,
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a special
Caregiver Forum event. The
theme is Hope in Action. If your
hope meter is low, join us and
the Hope Project to refuel your
tank. The fee is $15, lunch included. Call 652-4411 for more
information or to register.
Caregiver Club
1st Wednesday of every month
from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Room
203, Saskatoon Community
Village (506 25th Street East).
For more information, contact
the Caregiver office at 6524411.
Drop-in program for older
adults
Third Wednesday of every
month, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00
p.m. at the SCOA Resource
Centre. Free unless specified.
Refreshments provided.
Call 652-2255 for the full
schedule or visit www.scoa.ca.
Free blood pressure clinic
First Tuesday of every month
at the SCOA Resource Centre,
at 301-506 25th St. E. Clinic
hours from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00
p.m.
For more information on SCOA
programs, call us at 652-2255
or go online at www.scoa.ca.
“9-1-1” and other handy phrases
Many people have trouble
learning foreign languages.
French, German, Bantu,
Newfoundlandese, it doesn’t
matter; learning to converse
in strange syllables takes a
special talent, a talent for
which I am in deficit. Note the
use of “deficit,” originally a
Latin word for “it is lacking.”
I bring up Latin here because I studied it for a couple
of years in high school. I took
two things in particular from
those two years. I know how
to say “Mary had a little
lamb” (Maria habuit parvum
agnum) and “Cicero fell in the
water” (Cicero cecidit in
aquam). It’s surprising how
few times either one of those
sentences need to be spoken,
in English or Latin, in the average lifetime.
English, oh yes, English.
Our language, everyone says,
is especially difficult. Why, for
instance, does “ough” have
six different pronunciations
(bough, cough, thorough,
Michael
Gillgannon
rough, through, thought)? And
why does the “sh” sound have
14 different spellings (anxious,
fission, fuchsia, ocean, etc.)?
And why does having a slim
chance mean the same thing
as having a fat chance? And
why . . . oh, never mind.
If I were writing an English
phrase book for foreign travellers I would try to keep it simple. In fact, one could vacation
in Canada armed with no more
than the following few sentences. (What luck that they
just happen to fill out this column!)
1. “Can you change a
twenty?”
2. “Thanks for pointing that
out, officer.”
3. “It’s interesting that some
of your potholes have their own
potholes.”
4. “It must be fun to work at
Wal-Mart.”
5. “I have diplomatic immunity”
6. “One Big Mac and large
fries, please.”
7. “At least it’s a dry cold.”
8a. “Where is the nearest
shopping centre?”
8b. “Where is the nearest
liquor store?”
8c. “Where am I?”
9. [Ordering at a Chinese
restaurant:] “Number 4, number
18, number 23 and number
42.”
10. “What’s not to like about
Celine Dion?”
11. “I don’t know much
about art but I know (bleep)
when I see it.”
12. “A museum about
wheat? How . . . fascinating.”
13. “Nine-one-one.”
Michael Gillgannon is a retired newspaper writer and editor, and lives in Saskatoon.
News & Upcoming Events
2008 Spotlight on Seniors older adults, their friends and
This major event will be held on
October 1 at TCU Place (35
22nd Street).
Browse through a variety of
trade show booths, enjoy the entertainment or watch the fashion
show—plenty of activities for
family members. Saskatchewan
entertainer Brad Johner will perform in the afternoon.
Steak Night/Silent Auction
SCOA’s third annual Steak
Night/Silent Auction. Great food,
excellent company and wonderful items to bid on—all in support
of the SCOA’s programs and
services for seniors in Saskatoon and area.
Join us on Thursday, October 23
at Mulberry's Café (corner of 3rd For more information or to regisAvenue and 23rd Street) for the ter, please call 652-2255.
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