INSPIRED Senior Living December 2015 by INSPIRED 55+ Lifestyle Magazine

All I want for Christmas … Roy, Peninsula at Norgarden Resident

Have someone else do the driving, picnics in the park, theatre and concert outings, gourmet meals, plus staying healthy and strong for life’s third act. I’ve earned it. (Oh, and no more boxed macaroni dinners.)

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All profits go to support YWCA community programs.

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DECEMBER 2015

DECEMBER

feature articles

departments

All in the Family

By John Thomson

By Bryan Jinks

Spas: What Keeps Us Coming Back for More?

Choosing a Fitness Tracker

The Family Caregiver By Wendy Johnstone

Fashion Forward By Bobbie Jo Reid

By Kate Robertson

By Elizabeth Godley

By AG Luke & JD Durand

Getting More ZZZs

in every issue

Desert Dreams Dutch Treat

By John Thomson

INSPIRED S Senior enior Living L

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Attractions & Entertainment Marketplace

Relax, Renew & Romance in the Desert Amsterdam – The Dutch Treat

INSPIRED Senior Living is published by Stratis Publishing. Publisher Barbara Risto Managing Editor Bobbie Jo Reid editor@seniorlivingmag.com

Cycling strengthens this mother-daughter bond.

on the cover SL55+ BC Games mother-anddaughter cyclists Donna and Linda Nicholas. See story on page 6. Photo: Suzanne Le Stage Inspiration for people over 55 • www.seniorlivingmag.com

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INSPIRED Senior Living is distributed at all BC Pharmasave locations.

DECEMBER 2015

Spas: What Keeps Us Coming Back for More?

4 2

Nicholas duo at the 55+ BC Games 2015.

Office Manager Shayna Horne 250-479-4705 office@seniorlivingmag.com Advertising Christine Bollenbach 250-479-4705 ext 102 Lorraine Brett 604-351-8497 (Vancouver) Jim Duncan 250-575-4550 (Okanagan) Bob Ramsey 250-479-4705 ext 104 Kathie Wagner 250-479-4705 ext 103 For advertising information, call 250-479-4705 sales@seniorlivingmag.com WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

Head Office Contact Information: #3, 3948 Quadra Street, Victoria BC V8X 1J6 Phone 250-479-4705 Fax 250-479-4808 Toll-free 1-877-479-4705 E-mail office@seniorlivingmag.com Website www.seniorlivingmag.com Subscriptions: $32 (includes GST, postage and handling) for 12 issues. Canadian residents only. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. INSPIRED Senior Living is an independent publication and its articles imply no endorsement of any products or services. The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher. Unsolicited articles and photos are welcome and should be e-mailed to editor@seniorlivingmag.com INSPIRED Senior Living is distributed free throughout British Columbia. Stratis Publishing Ltd. publishes INSPIRED Senior Living (12 issues per year). ISSN 1710-3584 (Print) ISSN 1911-6403 (Online)

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DECEMBER 2015

The Family Caregiver

Stay Merry and Beat Holiday Stress

or caregivers, the holidays are often a particularly stressful and worrying time of year. Coming face to face with the changes in the person they are caring for is difficult enough. Add in gift buying, decorating and entertaining on top of caregiving responsibilities and it’s no wonder caregivers feel like crawling under the Christmas tree, never to come out again! Part of the angst arises from not knowing how to celebrate the holiday season with the people they are caring for in a significant and meaningful way. At the same time, caregivers want to do their best and tend to maintain unreasonably high expectations. If the very notion of the holiday season is zapping you of merriment, read on:

Doing it all really does make it worse.

Sometimes we do things simply because we always have. If you’ve been in charge of the holiday gathering, give yourself

Are you one? 30% of BC adults care for a loved one. And the need is growing. When you need resources, education & support to help you give care to your loved ones, we are here for you. Today, we need your help to meet tomorrow’s needs. Please support our mission with your donations.

BY WENDY JOHNSTONE

permission to ask for help with your to-do list. What’s important is finding a way to enjoy the holidays without burning out.

Nobody likes a grumpy elf.

Elves don’t get grouchy unless they take on too much work in Santa’s workshop. When you feel stress taking over, stop and reassess. In fact, why wait? To help decide which holiday traditions to continue, ask yourself, “Would the holidays be the same without this tradition; is there something I want to do differently; do I do it out of habit, obligation or choice; and, can the job be shared?”

Get the other elves up to speed.

If family is travelling for a visit, it’s important to have a conversation about some of the changes they may see in the person being care for.

Is the care recipient up for it?

If the person you are caring for tires easily or they are experiencing cognitive decline, limit the number of activities and the length of time they are included. The noise and confusion of a large family gathering or community event can lead to irritability, undesired behaviour or exhaustion.

Even elves need a break.

Ask family or friends to provide respite care or give your aging loved one a change of scenery. Making time for you can be as simple as enjoying holiday decorations with family or taking a tour of the neighbourhood lights. The holidays are a whirling dervish, at best, and this holds true for caregivers. It’s okay to have a few “Eeyore” moments; just try not to dwell too much on “all that’s been lost.” It can be emotionally draining for you and those closest to you. The balance scale is going to tip between the person you are caring for and caring for yourself; between loving memories of past holidays and some sadness in remembering the loss of loved ones. Be kind to yourself this holiday season. SL

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Next issue: Self-Care for Caregivers Wendy Johnstone is a Gerontologist and a consultant with Family Caregivers of British Columbia in Victoria, BC. Visit www.familycaregiversbc.ca or call 250-384-0408 for more information.

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Linda lends support to her mom during a competition in Utah in 2013.

ll in the Family

alk about bonding through a common interest. Kelowna grandmother Donna Nicholas and her daughter, Linda, are cycling buddies, united in a common activity and pursuing a similar goal – to be the best they can be. “We were always close,” says Donna, acknowledging that cycling has strengthened the bond. “It’s one of several activities we enjoy together.”

Donna’s story

Donna and Linda are both fitness savvy. Donna started running at age 40 as a way to get some “me time” after raising five kids. “I took up running because it was so easy just to step out the door and go,” she says. Linda runs, too, and introduced her mother to cycling about 20 years ago. Little did she know, at the time, cycling would unleash her mother’s inner warrior and lead to a reckoning of sorts. Her mother, Donna, continues the story. “Linda was dating a young man who had an interest in a cycle shop he worked in and he fit me for my first bike,” says Donna. “I loved it. I just loved the bike. Riding gives me a feeling of freedom and power.” Linda married her love interest and Donna embraced cycling. “There are times when I feel I’m at one with my bike,” she says. She started by riding 10 kilometres a day to and from her job as a legal secretary downtown. Riding to work quickly escalated into riding longer distances – like cycling across Canada. From coast to coast. Twice. It was 1993 and she was 55 when she began her first three-month tour organized by the Cross-Canada Cycle Tour

BY JOHN THOMSON

Society of Vancouver, a non-profit society established in 1982 as a recreational activity for seniors. “We don’t get involved in events like the Gran Fondo,” says Society President Allan Bulum. Instead, the club, 580 members strong, organizes non-competitive day rides throughout BC. The cross-Canada excursion is offered to accomplished riders prepared to pedal an average of 100 kilometres a day. Donna desperately wanted to go, but, first, she had to prepare for it. “We have a selection process and have the leaders access who’s going to go on that tour based on fitness,” continues Society Treasurer Bruce McLean. Donna’s goal was to get in shape by pedalling 3,000 kilometres in and around Kelowna. Her daughter, Linda, was happy to help out. “We cycled from Salmon Arm to Kelowna one day, over 100 kilometres, I think,” says Linda. Having met the pre-requisite fitness level, Donna joined 30 other riders on the tour, pedalling like crazy while the service vehicle sped ahead with camping gear. The hardest part of the trip? You’d think it would be the Rockies, but that’s not the case, says Donna. “It’s the prairies and the wind that is brutal, brutal. One day, we were not able to go more than nine kilometres. It was terrible,” she says, recalling the route into Swift Current, Saskatchewan. Nevertheless, “it was the best thing I did in my life,” she says. Seven years later, she completed her second cross-Canada tour. An active competitor, Donna has participated in the BC Senior Games, now called the 55+ BC Games, since 1994. She also follows the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah.

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DECEMBER 2015

Winning cyclists at 55+ BC Games in 2015. Donna Nicholas, left.

Originally called the World Senior Games, the Huntsman Games are named after its sponsor, the Huntsman Corporation, a US chemical manufacturer and distributor, and offer a range of competitive sports, from track to basketball to cycling to anybody who can get there.

Linda’s story

Donna’s daughter, Linda, also lives in the Okanagan and, she too, often cycles to and from her home in West Kelowna to her workplace in Peachland, where she’s an Operations Clerk with Public Works. Until recently, she rode to work with a trailer and her 20 kilogram dog, Shadow, attached. “It’s peaceful,” she says of her 60-kilometre roundtrip commute. She rides April through October and in the wintertime, snowshoes the nearby trails on her lunch hour. “I’m always active. Activity doesn’t stop just because the cycling stops,” she says. Linda says she’d love to cycle across Europe. She’s inspired by people who travel by bicycle. A website called crazyguyonabike.com is her favourite read. She says she’s a recreational rider, not a competitive racer like her mom but, in 2013, Linda jumped aboard the Team Nicholas bandwagon, driving Donna to Utah, camping en route and driving Mom to her events. Linda’s daughter, Megan, went too. The trio made a family adventure out of it. Donna broke the hill climb record in her age classification, shaving five minutes off the previous mark.

Mother-and-daughter reunion

Is her 77 year-old mother an inspiration? Always, says Linda. Does she want to be a racer like her mother? Not really. Then why did Linda sign up for the 55+ BC Games in North Vancouver this past August? Badgered? Cajoled? Nope, Linda just wanted to share the experience with her mom. “I was finally old enough,” she laughs. Mother and daughter entered the same events – time trial, road race and hill climb – but in different age classifications: Mom in the 75-79 classification; and Linda as a 55–59-year-old novice.

Donna bought herself a brand new racer, a Felt. Felt brand bikes are the real deal, favoured by Tour de France contestants because of their stiff but lightweight frame. Linda showed up with her 35-year-old “classic” with fenders and a rear carrier. “I said to her, ‘you need a lighter bike,’” says Donna. “Her bike was heavy because she had fenders and a rat trap (rear carrier), but I was so proud of how well she did. She was in the Top 10 in the time trials even with her old bike. It was so exciting.” “I’d see her and I’d think ‘oh, this was so hard, three laps and Linda has to do four,’” Donna recalls after watching Linda’s road race. She had just finished three laps around her own circuit, but her daughter had to do four because she was younger. “I kept thinking about my little girl.” Her little girl did fine. Linda won gold in all three events while Donna captured silver in hers. Did they compete against each other? Not at all. They energized each other. “I wanted to do my best because my daughter was there,” says Donna. “I would cheer Linda on as she started off and I was there to cheer her on at the finish line.” “I felt very self-conscious and more than just a little unworthy to be there,” admits Linda “but I had to tell myself just being in the same event with my mom was something amazing.”

Art makes us happy, makes us think, and brings us together. And you, our community and donors, play a key part in all of it. Every year, we count on you to give to our Annual Appeal so that we may continue to bring you the exhibitions and programs that enrich our lives and our community. Every gift counts and every gift makes us all that much better.

Good for your heart. And soul. Please support the Art Gallery’s Annual Appeal.

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After the Games

Now that the 55+ Games are over for this year, Donna has resumed riding around Kelowna with her other cycle buddy, Donalee Young, riding for fun and exercise, but keeping herself in shape for the next tournament. “We just have so much fun. Our cadence is the same,” says Young. “She just stays in front of me and I am constantly keeping up with her. She’s the pace maker.” Anyone can start cycling regardless of their age, says Donna, although she cautions novices should start slowly and gradually ramp up speed and distance. “Find a partner to cycle with. Ride together,” she adds. “It’s easier to be motivated when you have someone to ride with. And keep to a schedule, so you have that day to look forward to.” Mother and daughter continue to share their interest in cycling, albeit at different levels. For Linda, cycling is part of a larger package. “Whether I run or snowshoe my noon hour trail or cycle to work, I’m always striving for a personal best,” she says. And although she professes to be a recreational cyclist and not a speed demon, like her mother, Linda says she’s glad she tasted the thrill of competition and will definitely join Mom at the next 55+ BC Games. “I’m looking forward to doing it again. And I’ll probably have the same bike,” she says defiantly. SL

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Health

Choosing a Fitness Tracker BY BRYAN JINKS

ow much physical activity do you perform on an average day? You may be surprised to find out how little you actually move around. Many people are moving less than they think and falling well short of the commonly recommended 10,000 steps a day. While there is nothing magical about this number, even becoming slightly more active can improve your health. One study found reductions in mortality risks for people that were inactive and became moderately active. In other words, there’s a good return on investment, if you go from not walking at all to walking just a little bit. A great way to get accurate information about your activity level and become motivated to move around more is to use an activity tracker. Activity trackers are wearable devices that measure how much you are moving around, and they can also measure your sleeping patterns and heart rate. They can be worn around your wrist or clipped on to clothing, so you can monitor how active you are during workouts and your daily routine. Simply measuring habits encourages many people to make healthier choices: one survey found 46 per cent of people that wore fitness trackers actually became more active, slept better or ate healthier. Wearing an activity tracker can provide motivation to become more active and make you accountable in reaching your daily goals. Trackers can easily be synced to smartphones and computers, where you can see how your stats are progressing over time, and invite friends and family to compete in activity challenges. Choosing the right tracker involves knowing your goals, the features that will be helpful to you and your budget. Many companies now offer trackers and there are tons of different features to choose from. All of this variety can make for a difficult purchasing decision, but if you know what activities you want to track, you can quickly narrow it down to a few choices. The following list of activities will give you an idea of which trackers will be best for you and what you can expect to pay.

Basic Activity Tracking

are several options for finding a cheap tracker that measures steps, distance travelled and calories burned. A great choice for people whose main form of physical activity is walking, use the activity tracker to measure your daily steps and motivate you to be more active. You’ll also be able to get away with spending less because you’re not paying for more advanced features. The Fitbit Zip ($69.95) and Jawbone UpMove ($59.99) are two trackers that fit into this category. Sync them to your smartphone or computer and see how you are progressing over time.

Sleep Tracking

Several trackers can track how much REM sleep, light sleep and deep sleep you are getting each night. Use this information to adjust your routine in order to get the most restful sleep possible. You can also use them as a silent alarm. Simply wear the tracker around your wrist, and the vibrating alarm will wake you up without making any noise. Bonus: your partner won’t have to be woken up by the sound of your blaring alarm. Another useful feature is a smart alarm that identifies the best moment in your sleep cycle to wake you up. You can set a window of time for your alarm, and the tracker will automatically go off during your lighter sleep phase, so you wake up feeling more refreshed. Jawbone’s UP2 ($119.99) is good for basic sleep tracking with a smart alarm, and their UP3 ($199.99) has even more advanced sleep tracking features.

Continuous Heart-Rate Monitoring

Continuous Heart Rate monitoring allows for more accurate activity tracking. Trackers with this feature can measure your heart rate during workouts and while at rest. You can expect to pay a little more for this feature. The Fitbit Charge HR ($179.95) has sleep tracking and caller ID, in addition to heart rate monitoring. The previously mentioned Jawbone UP3 also offers heart rate monitoring.

If you want to keep things simple or test out a basic activity tracker before you look at the more advanced models, then there 10 12

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Multi-Sport

If you want to use your tracker for running, cycling or swimming, you’ll need to get one with more advanced features. The Fitbit Surge ($299.95) offers GPS tracking and can be used for running, cycling, and cross-training workouts. It also offers heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and notifications of calls and texts. Basically, it does everything you can imagine a tracker doing. Garmin’s Vivoactive ($329.99) also has GPS, and offers some additional features for people that compete in multiple sports. Golf tracking gives users information on 38,000 golf courses, so you can know exactly how far you are from the green. It can also track running, cycling and swimming. For a more stripped-down tracker that can still be used for swimming, the Moov Now is a good option that is worn around the user’s ankle. It can also be used for running or cycling.

More kisses. More hugs. More laughter. This is what your legacy will make possible. By including the Heart and Stroke Foundation in your Will, you’ll support life-saving heart disease and stroke research.

Try Before You Buy

Consider trying out a few trackers at a sporting goods or electronics store before you make a purchase. Make sure you understand how the features work and that the tracker is comfortable. Trackers can also be a great gift for anyone, whether or not they are a fitness enthusiast. Kids enjoy trackers for their ability to compete with themselves and other through social media. Whether you buy one for yourself or someone else, a tracker is a great way to give the gift of more activity and better health. SL

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For information about leaving a gift to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in your Will, call Jane Westheuser 1 (888) 473-4636 Ext 8020 or visit heartandstroke.ca/legacygiving

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Spa Experience

SPAS M r o f k c a B g n i m o C s U s p e e K t a h W

ne theory about the origin of the word “spa” is that it comes from the name of the Belgian town Spa, where a therapeutic thermal spa bath was discovered in the 14th century. However, spa baths in natural springs or the sea were also used by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Spas became a place for healing, revitalization and pampering. Many spas no longer have a thermal bath (maybe a hot tub or steam room), but water and purification remain a mainstay in the form of a shower before and after treatments. Initially, modern Western spas were geared towards the very wealthy, but this is no longer the case. Today, the average woman will generally try some type of spa treatment at least once. And according to Debra Pender, owner of Beyond Wrapture Spas in Kelowna, approximately 30-35 per cent of spa-goers are men, so males are recognizing benefits as well. Double rooms at spas are also commonplace, so couples can receive their treatments together. “If you research the No. 1 requested service at any spa,” says Pender, “it is, by far, still massage that people ask for first, followed by facials and pedicures. Touch is one of humanity’s basic needs and that will stay as our core business.” So, as a long-time massage aficionado, I decided to put on my investigative hat, or should I say spa robe, to learn more about the spa experience and what keeps us coming back for more. Some spas have location as a large part of the draw, like those conveniently situated in a tropical paradise setting. On a recent trip to Honolulu, I booked a massage at the Moana Lani Spa in the Moana Surfrider Hotel. The hotel is rich in history (first hotel on Waikiki beach in 1901), and situated directly on the beach. But Hawaiian cultural touches also enhance the spa experience. For example, to start, I am given a bowl of sand from the beach and asked to symbolically put the thought of something I want to let go of into the sand. At the end of the day, the sand is thrown into the ocean to be washed away. I have chosen the Na Mele massage, which incorporates traditional Hawaiian lomi lomi – continuous, flowing massage strokes, and Hawaiian salt is rubbed on my spine. Throughout the treatment, I hear the soothing lapping of waves mixed with Hawaiian singing, which I find out later is a CD made especially for this treatment by Natalie Ai Kamauu, a gift with the massage.

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A vinotherapy treatment starts with a grape pip scrub, followed by a honey wine wrap and finishes with a vino massage. Photo: Beyond Wrapture

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Of course, all spas can’t be located on a tropical beach, so what else can a spa do to give us the ultimate experience? One way is to offer a unique service like Timeless Eternity Vinotherapy, a treatment offered by Beyond Wrapture. It starts with a grape pip scrub, followed by a honey wine wrap (your choice of white or red, of course), and finishes with a vino massage. But grape therapy is more than just a trendy idea that fits nicely with the Kelowna wine industry. Vinotherapy was first introduced in France in 2000, and Beyond Wrapture is one of the first spas to offer it in Western Canada. “Research shows that grape seeds, stems and skins contain antioxidants called polyphenols, which are 10,000 times stronger and 50 times more healing than vitamin E,” says Pender. “We use the by-products that the winery (Summerhill, because it is organic) normally disposes of, all of which contain a valuable antioxidant called Resveratrol.” The grapeseed oil used in the massage is also high in antioxidants, which can reduce damage created by free radicals and repair connective tissues. Another way a spa can enhance the experience is to offer a unique theme and setting, like the hammam, or Turkish steam bath, found at Miraj Hammam Spa in Vancouver. When you walk into this spa, you instantly feel like you are in a different country with the intricately designed Middle Eastern-style lanterns, tea set, furnishings and marble fountain. Surinder Bains, founder and owner, explains, “Miraj is popular with people who find travelling challenging; they are able to enjoy a cultural experience in a spa environment on the corner of 6th and Granville.” Treatment starts in the hammam with its aura of mysticism – as you catch glimpses of the Moroccan décor of marble and tiled walls, marble columns, and trickling fountains through the thick steam. Next is gommage, an invigorating (and I mean invigorating, although my therapist said in the Middle East they rub much, much harder) exfoliation scrub with black Moroccan soap while you lay on the Jerusalem gold marble slab. Exfolia-

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unleash the benefits. Specializing in

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tion unclogs your pores and allows the oil from the massage, which comes next, to easily penetrate your skin. Despite their unique differences, all of these spas had things in common. Each incorporated an after lounge, where you can relax or read and have a cup of tea so you don’t feel rushed. The therapist chatted and made a personal connection before any “hands-on” work, in order to ensure a comfortable rapport was established. Inside, each spa felt like a refuge from the busy outdoor surroundings and made me forget where I was. Each was tastefully decorated and furnished. Most importantly, all made me feel special and pampered, and left me wishing the treatment didn’t have to end – and eager to come back for more. Wellness and stress relief types of spas have seen steady growth since their beginning in the 1990s. “The No. 1 reason people come to a spa is for stress relief, to take a time out, and to check out of their world and into our world,” says Pender. “The next most popular reason is celebration. Women, in particular, love to have services together – it’s a special bonding experience.” Men also like to buy gift certificates for a spa service for the women in their lives. With our increasingly fast-paced lives, and the decline of the Canadian dollar making it more expensive to travel, perhaps a “staycation” with some special treatments at your local spa is just what the doctor ordered. SL For tips on making the most of your spa experience, visit www. seniorlivingmag.com/articles/spa-experience

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Call us today for information or to book a tour 250-652-3261 legionmanor@shaw.ca | www.legionmanorvictoria.ca

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Serving the Cowichan Valley for 35 years Use your legacy to help CWAV Society build safe, affordable second-stage housing for women and children leaving abusive situations. Build a safer future. Leave a bequest ·Make a donation ·Donate securities

Executive Director @ 250-748-7000 ext. 228 exec.dir@cwav.org - www.cwav.org Registered Charity #118878339RR0001

Upholding our favourite traditions Thursday, December 17th, 2pm – 3pm It’s time once again to celebrate the holiday season and, at Revera, we love celebrations! Come join us for a live show with Humorist Arthur Black. Stay to mingle and enjoy refreshments and delicious holiday treats in the company of new friends.

Accepting donations to Santa’s Anonymous.

Call to RSVP today!

Parkwood Place 3051 Shelbourne St Victoria

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Join us for our Arthur Black Holiday Show at Revera – Parkwood Place.

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DECEMBER 2015

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EXHIBITORS! RESERVE YOUR BOOTH SPACE NOW

55+ LIFESTYLE SHOW

Tuesday Mar. 22nd 2016

12noon - 6pm NEW TIME! Pearkes Recreation Centre, Victoria. BC

OVER 100 EXHIBITORS

We welcome all Businesses and Organizations that offer quality products or services to enhance the lives of people over the age of 55. Over 2,500 clients in the 55+ demographic attend this one day show.

All day entertainment

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Contact Caroline for info & booking: 1-250-812-8782 or caroline@seniorlivingmag.com

11th Annual 55+ Lifestyle Show

Mark Your Calendar!

he newly re-named 55+ Lifestyle Show* is THE event where the unique and rapidly growing 55+ demographic can powerfully engage with businesses and organizations. Now in its 11th year, this one-day event in Victoria delivers a high-energy atmosphere of fun and excitement to approximately 2,500 attendees as they explore a plethora of interesting lifestyle options. Designed and produced by INSPIRED Senior Living magazine, the show offers our readers a fun no-pressure opportunity to interact with businesses offering products and services that suit the lifestyle of those over age 55. Of special interest to many will be the fashion, food and merchandise elements introduced this year. This marketplace initiative where attendees can view, handle, sample and even buy products is sure to become a yearly focal point for those who interested in knowing what’s new and trending. We have created a fabulous program for the show this year and changed our hours to accommodate the after-work crowd. We will be open to the public from noon until 6 p.m. The theme this year is Islands of Bliss. Our entertainment

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INSPIRED SENIOR LIVING

features the stellar beach band Tropic Mayhem, and a marimba ensemble to get toes tapping and promote lots of dancing. Our late afternoon programming will transform the stage area into an offering of blissful delights, including personal makeovers, tasty food, designer fashion, and plenty of fun. Businesses that wish to participate as exhibitors will be offered multi-media tools to promote their presence at the show leading up to the event, supported by INSPIRED Senior Living’s active social media efforts. Those that wish to increase their impact further may also invest in one of several sponsorship opportunities that can be custom fit to serve specific outcomes. The 55+ Lifestyle Show will be held March 22, 2016 at the Pearkes Recreation Centre in Victoria. We invite readers and businesses to participate in this fun, yet informative event. All-day entertainment and programming make it an event you won’t want to miss! Mark your calendar and tell all your friends. Be sure to follow us on Facebook for updates. SL

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*previously called Senior Expo.

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Health

Getting More ZZZs

BY ELIZABETH GODLEY

s a mature adult, if you have trouble sleeping at night, you have plenty of company. In 1982, the US National Institute on Aging studied more than 9,000 noninstitutionalized people aged 65 years and older. More than half (57%) reported some form of chronic sleep disruption, while only 12 per cent reported no sleep complaints. Among all the participants, the prevalence of chronic sleep complaints included difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep (43%), nocturnal waking (30%), insomnia (29%), daytime napping (25%), trouble falling asleep (19%), waking too early (19%) and waking not rested (13%). And these problems can have serious consequences, says Dr. Glenn Landry, a postdoctoral fellow researching sleep and aging at the University of British

Columbia. He cites studies showing that for people over 65 years old, sleeping for less than six-and-a-half hours a night is associated with a significant decline in cognitive function. In other words, sleep-deprived seniors are more likely to experience early cognitive impairment. These changes can be subtle, at first, for example: having difficulty recalling names or appointments; forgetting where we put things; or forgetting what we were doing. Studies have shown sleep is important for learning and memory, and the sleepdeprived brain does not consolidate new learning as well, resulting in memory impairment. Poor sleep is also associated with Alzheimer’s disease, and researchers theorize this may be because toxic substances accumulate in our brains when they are not “washed out” during sleep.

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Seniors tend to fall asleep easily, but often struggle to sustain sleep, Dr. Landry notes. We typically wake between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. and find it difficult, if not impossible, to fall back into deep sleep. He suggests this may be because our biological clock, which regulates daily rhythms of physiology and behaviour, is susceptible to aging, just like the rest of our body. Our biological clock uses the timing of light exposure and physical activity to synchronize our daily rhythms with the solar day-night cycle. Dr. Landry’s research suggests sleep disruptions in seniors may be related to insufficient sunlight during the day and too much light exposure at night. Sedentary daytime activity and exposure to light at night decreases melatonin production, a hormone that plays an important role in getting good quality sleep. So, less active seniors – those who spend a lot of time indoors during the day and get too much light late at night because they are reading, watching TV or using other electronic devices – may be particularly prone to poor sleep. The good news is that we can improve our sleep. Start with an active lifestyle that includes routine exposure to sunlight during the day, combined with light avoidance late at night. Better lifestyle choices can make a difference too: smoking, drinking caffeinated beverages in the afternoon and consuming alcohol at night, all contribute to poor sleep quality. Dr. Landry also warns that undiagnosed sleep apnea is an important problem for many people, who do not realize they literally stop breathing several times an hour. Sleep apnea is easy to diagnose – ask your family doctor if you suspect it may be affecting your sleep. Finally, napping is not the no-no we once thought, Dr. Landry says. As long as we keep naps to less than two hours, they do not negatively affect night-time sleep and could actually help keep us alert and focused during our waking hours. If you live in the Vancouver area, Dr. Landry is looking for participants for a study on sleep and cognition in seniors. Contact him at glenn.landry@ubc.ca SL

Say Good Bye to Dentures, and Say Hello to Teeth in One Day! Are you having trouble chewing and eating your favourite foods? Are you unhappy with your smile? Are you tired of your uncomfortable dentures? BC Perio’s Teeth in One Day (All-on-4 dental implants) is an amazing procedure that allows you to come in with a denture or failing teeth and leave the same day with a new set of fixed-in teeth. No more dentures. No more painful or failing teeth. Just a new confident smile and the ability to eat all your favourite foods again. If you are losing your teeth or are currently wearing a denture, this ground-breaking treatment is now available and may be the answer you’re looking for. This treatment has been tried and tested with great success! BC Perio’s team of dental experts offers you the highest standards of dental care in two great locations, Vancouver and Coquitlam. We are committed to continuing education to ensure our skills are the finest available. Our experts are in great demand and have been interviewed on television and radio, as well as newspaper articles on cosmetic and implant dentistry.

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Topical Approaches to Pain Management Healers throughout human history and in every culture have applied medicines directly to the source of pain. One of the oldest medical documents ever discovered, the 3500-year-old Ebers Papyrus, includes poultices, salves, oils and plasters for conditions ranging from Sting of Wasp to Headache.

contains no dung of any sort,” says Rowan Hamilton, Director of Research at Humn Pharmaceuticals. “What it does contain though, helps us believe in the strength of modern pain relievers without the need for powerful pills.”

Found in a tomb at Thebes about 1862 and preserved at the University of Leipzig, Ebers Papyrus is a miscellaneous collection of extracts and jottings from at least forty sources. One remedy found in the text is a poultice composed of pieces-of-excrement, Cat’s dung, Dog’s dung, and berries of the Xet plant. This apparently would “drive out all the Scurf”.

In our own time and culture, a new understanding of pain treatment is emerging from research and patient studies. It points to topical preparations as a viable delivery mechanism for pain relief medication. The forms they take are creams, gels, liquids and patches. The object is to apply pain relief where it hurts. This may be one of the most important recent developments in the treatment of pain – even if it is a centuries old practice.

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the public as an injected anesthetic in the dentist’s chair, which actually block the transmission of pain in the nerves. They can be effective for a broad spectrum of pain relief including insect bites, poison ivy and other plant irritants, minor burns, sunburns, blisters, hemorrhoids, skin conditions, even shingles. A study undertaken by the American Osteopathic Association showed that nearly half of the population does not believe that pain can be eased with mainstream medications. Topical pain relief may change that belief.

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Spa Experience

DesertDreams Relax, Renew & Romance

STORY AND PHOTOS BY AG LUKE & JD DURAND

ega-ships on a sea cruise are not too dissimilar to spa resorts in a desert oasis. Here, the three Rs of well-being – relaxation, revitalization and romance – constitute the trifecta of the great getaway. Averaging 300 days of sunshine annually, we launched an Arizona escape to sample the attributes of some established upscale spa resorts.

Arizona Biltmore Phoenix’s first resort was the Arizona Biltmore, which opened in early 1929, ushering in the tourism industry. Frank Lloyd Wright served as the consulting architect of this fabled resort that was crowned the “Jewel of the Desert.” “The Arizona Biltmore not only remains architecturally unique to this day, but has become the symbol of grand hospitality recognized worldwide,” says Becky Blaine, Resort Historian and Public Relations Manager. In 1930, Chicago chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. became the sole owner until 1973. Anecdotes abound pertaining the Hollywood elite, so it is no coincidence that their annual “Hollywood and Wine” Festival continues its successful historic connection to Tinseltown. “Numerous celebrities have frequented the resort over the years. Irving Berlin penned ‘White Christmas’ while sitting in the sun at Paradise Pool,” explains General Manager Andrew Stegen. Celebrity bands in concert, tastings with celebrity wine24 22

INSPIRED SENIOR LIVING

makers and extensive movie screenings, as well as live theatre productions highlight the festival. Situated at the foot of Phoenix Mountain Preserve, this landmark offers 740 guest accommodations over a 39-acre expanse, including eight swimming pools, six restaurants and lounges. The spa utilizes natural elements and organic ingredients that awaken your spirit and invigorate your senses. The Biltmore Spa opened with a fitness centre and full-service beauty salon in 1998.

Royal Palms Resort & Spa El Vernadero was originally built the same year as the Biltmore, although as a romantic winter retreat. Situated just north of the Biltmore, it was created for Cunard Steamship Executive Delos Cooke and his beloved wife, Florence. The couple only resided at their romantic estate together for two years with the death of Florence in 1931. Although theirs was a bittersweet love story, the resort continues to honour their legacy, even though, during extensive renovation in 1996, the heart-shaped pool was reluctantly removed. “The original pool had a fun sense of humour and kept within the properties of a true love story,” says Erin Stremcha, Director of Marketing and Public Relations. Currently named Royal Palms (pictured above), it is located at the southern base of Camelback Mountain. This intimate retreat exhibits Spanish Colonial architecture in the Old World

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milieu on nine acres of Tuscan-style landscaping. Botanical lushness, exotic plant and flower gardens accent the resort, which is further adorned by exquisite tapestries, stone fireplaces, blue tile fountains and murals. Obligatory romantic antics may be pursued on the premises. With the introduction of “Romantication,” spearheaded by the resident Director of Romance and Director of Guest Experiences, several packaged romance retreats facilitate intimate escapes. The Royal Palms was rated the No. 1 Romantic Getaway in the World for 2011 as selected by AAA. The original owner was an ardent world traveller, who discovered that people have used the therapeutic qualities of their natural environment for well-being, and that each new dawn affords one the opportunity for rejuvenation. Apparently, ancients referred to this awakening as “Alvadora.” Henceforth, the name was adopted with the advent of the spa in 2003. Offering 10 decorated treatment areas, the two-level, openair Alvadora Spa is a veritable haven to enhance romance and revitalize with assorted massages, water therapies and skin treatments. Spa Director Michelle Kinney says “we offer our guests an experience, not just a treatment.”

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Enchantment Resort & Mii Amo Spa For a genuine awe-inspiring entanglement with nature, we encountered the Enchantment Resort and Mii Amo Spa. Aptly named “Mii Amo,” which translates from Native American into “journey,” there are five spa journeys created for individual needs. These reflect life-enhancing physical and emotional well-being, as well as spiritual renewal. Condé Nast Traveler magazine rated the Enchantment in the Top Ten Resort Spas on Mainland US in their 2011 readers’ poll based on the criteria of staff, treatments and facilities.

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The Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North is nicely nestled in the foothills of Pinnacle Peak, northwest of downtown Phoenix. This Sonoran Desert oasis has moved sandy coloured casitas covering the landscape, which is stocked with sturdy saguaro cacti. The versatile prickly pear cactus produces both a fruit and vegetable. Used in salads and to create syrups, jellies and confections; prickly pear iced tea and lemonade make sweet thirst quenchers in the arid environment. Even a large prickly pear painting greets you before you enter the spa waiting room, where one may await a Jojoba and Prickly Pear Body Polish for replenishment. This constitutes a full-body exfoliation combining penetrating jojoba oil with the healing properties of prickly pear to leave the skin smooth and moisturized. Myriad massage selections on the spa menu include the Thai, Swedish, hot stone and healing hiker treatment. One can enjoy signature offerings such as Four Seasons in One (medley of massage techniques) and a Sedona Earth Clay Body Mask. An “in-casita” session allows you to experience massage therapy in the comfort and privacy of your own guestroom or on your terrace under the night sky.

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The resort operates with a sustainable coexistence commitment as plant species and wildlife remain seamlessly undeterred between their natural habitat and property boundaries. We ventured along the marked trails into the Boynton Canyon bordered by Sedona’s Secret Mountain Wilderness and surrounded by Coconino National Forest. With an attractive red rock backdrop (of sandstone rich in iron content), we ventured along the Boynton Canyon Trail taking the fork to the Vista Trail. This led us to the nine-metrehigh knoll and one of the four main energy vortexes in Sedona. Due to the axial twists in the surrounding juniper trees, they were evidently responding to the spiraling energy zone. Apparently, the energy at the Boynton Vortex strengthens the masculine-feminine or Yin-Yang balance. As an extension of this hike, we visited the Crystal Grotto at the spa, where elements of earth, wind, water and fire blend for both meditation and rejuvenation. Dana Katz, who performed the smudging ceremony, revealed to us that “life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” The Enchantment honours the Native American Spirit that graces the red rock as it radiates mystical energy in ancient Native American sites (vortexes) surrounding the resort. One may also savour the assorted sensory stimuli with their renowned prickly pear Mojito or Margarita in hand, viewing the vista from the elevated outdoor terrace.

that keeps on giving...

Give a neighbour a lift...your gift of time or a donation will help a Saanich resident live independently and stay connected to community. Call 250-595-8008 ext. 21 or visit www.saanichvolunteers.org to find out how you can help. Neighbours helping neighbours 26 24

INSPIRED SENIOR LIVING

Our ability to change the lives of women in our community depends on YOU!

Donate to WIN (Victoria Women In Need), and join our journey to make a difference in our community.

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Our 60th Anniversary serving the needs of physically disabled throughout B.C. Our Mission is to help fund & support organizations and individuals facing challenges, and improve quality of life and independence.

Help us to help others! Our Accomplishments include: •Technology for independent living •Noble House •Education programs •Support of Ronald McDonald House And, we are “Calling All kin” as well!

Please support our programs! Learn more, and donate at: www.goingstrong.ca Thank you for 60 years of support!! We have a variety of ways that you can help!! For more info, Email: kinsmenfoundationofbc@shaw.ca

MAKE YOURSELF IN IN VEGAS MAKE YOURSELFAT ATHOME HOME VEGAS MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME IN VEGAS A dove feeds on fruit atop Saguaro Cactus.

As a premier spiritual retreat and spa resort, it offers a plethora of programs and activities, which encompass fitness and nutrition, nature and creativity, and mindfulness and spirituality. Whether you delve into your inner sanctum or focus on enhancing external aspects of oneself, we discovered we could harness elements of energy and relaxation to coexist. We selected the Neuromuscular Therapy Massage (NMT) and Stone Massage from their extensive “Spa Services Menu.” NMT is beneficial for chronic pain and increases the elasticity of muscles, while the latter used smooth, heated basalt river rocks combined with Swedish massage techniques for alleviating tensions and stress. Any time is an ideal time in which to venture into the Sonoran Desert to experience some romance, relaxation or revitalization. High-end havens hasten these sensibilities while their exceptional accommodations, dining, service and treatment remain a constant. SL For IF YOU GO information, visit www. seniorlivingmag.com/articles/desertdreams

A stay at The Platinum Hotel is the best way to do Vegas…all of the of the cons. We’re a block the to strip, we’re Apros, staynone at The Platinum Hoteljust is the bestoffway dosoVegas…all of the A stay at The Platinum Hotel is the best way to do Vegas…all of the close enough to all the action and far enough to get away when you pros, none of the cons. We’re just a block off the strip, so we’re pros, none of the cons. We’re just a block off the strip, so we’re want enough to. Most to of our suites are approximately 1,000 feet,when you close all the action and far enough to square get away close enough to all the action and far enough to get away when you and allto.feature kitchen balcony. Enjoy wifi, feet, want Most aoffullour suitesand arewalk-out approximately 1,000free square want to. Most of our suites are approximately 1,000 square feet, the award-winning WELL Spa, stunning views of the Strip, and all feature a full kitchen and walk-out balcony. Enjoy free wifi, and all feature a full kitchen and walk-out balcony. Enjoy free wifi, a pleasantly smoke-free environment, and NO RESORT FEES. the award-winning WELL Spa, stunning views of the Strip, the award-winning WELL Spa, stunning views of the Strip, a pleasantly smoke-free environment, and NO RESORT FEES. a pleasantly smoke-free environment, and NO RESORT FEES. T h e P l a t i n u m H ote l | w w w. p l a t i n u m h ote l . co m

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Travel Cruising on the Prinsengracht canal.

Café on the Prinsengracht canal.

Vondelpark area. STORY AND PHOTOS BY JOHN THOMSON

o bike or not to bike? Renting a bicycle was just one of the many decisions my wife and I faced on our whirlwind tour of Holland’s capital city last September. We had decided to treat ourselves to a two-day layover between Spain and Canada and because it was a spontaneous decision, we hit Amsterdam without consulting the guidebooks, travelling rough, you might say, and learning about the city on the fly. In a way, it was exhilarating jumping right in without much preparation but it was taxing too. If I only knew then what I know now. Which is the point of this article. Here, in no particular order, is our list of DOs and DON’Ts for travellers with a limited amount of time. Amsterdam’s social and cultural centre is Museumplein, a large park in the heart of the city. It’s the home of the iconic IAmsterdam sign, a clever play on words and Amsterdam’s première tourist draw. Sure enough, by the time we arrived, the structure was covered with people scrambling up and over the three-dimensional letters and posing for selfies. Do visit

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the Museumplein because, in addition to the sculpture, the park is also a starting point for Amsterdam’s three main galleries, the Rijkamuseum, which houses Rembrandt and Vermeer, the Stedelijk, home of Dutch contemporary art, and the Van Gogh Museum, home of you know who. They’re all within walking distance of each other. Don’t worry about getting lost. We were approached twice by locals asking if we needed help. I guess we looked befuddled. So the lesson learned, do ask for directions. Amsterdamers are friendly and approachable. Do seek out the boutique hotels as an alternative to the bigger places. Our hotel, Hotel Park View, was a pleasant little place opposite Vondelpark, the largest green space in Amsterdam. It was quieter than the chains downtown but still central enough to walk to the tram and Amsterdam’s famous sights. Rembrandt or Anne Frank? They’re both Dutch icons. We chose to visit the Anne Frank Huis first and the art galleries second because we anticipated a line up and we were correct;

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it was a two-and-a-half-hour wait. We spelled each other off by going for coffee and walking around a bit, but the wait was worth it. Inching forward, we followed the silent procession up the steep staircase that led to the Frank’s living quarters. The rooms in which the family, and the Van Pels too, hid for several years were empty, stripped of period furniture or personal belongings. The absence of any human reference made the experience even more eerie. And chilling. The “educational” part of the tour came at the end when videos, documents and excerpts from Anne’s diary put everything in context. Lesson learned, do plan ahead and book tickets online. You’ll still have to line up, but the pre-purchased ticket line is much shorter. Pancakes and cheeses, that’s all we knew about Dutch cuisine. We really didn’t know what to expect, but I’m happy to say we were pleasantly surprised. Traditional dishes like smoked sausage served with mashed potatoes and carrots are familiar staples. And of course, the Dutch excel in making spectacular pastries such as speculaas, shortbread biscuits with cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger and poffertjes, fluffy baby pancakes topped with powdered sugar, whipped cream or strawberries. We particularly liked krentenbollen, a small, soft breadroll filled with currents and raisins, softer and sweeter than its North American counterpart and the perfect way to start the day. But it’s the Indonesian influence that surprised us, spices and complexity imported from Holland’s former colonies. As a result, Indonesian food has become a mainstay of Dutch fu-

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sion, not to mention the many Indonesian restaurants that pepper the city. Do try lipsate met friet – chicken satay served with peanut sauce, fried onions, a prawn cracker and mayonnaise. Don’t walk into an Amsterdam coffee shop and expect to get coffee. Coffee shops dispense small amounts of marijuana and in Amsterdam it’s all perfectly legal. Koffiehuises sell coffee, tea and other refreshments, while cafés serve light meals and alcohol. Confused? Green and white stickers on the window differentiate the marijuana coffee shops from, well, the other coffee houses. And don’t assume that, as a pedestrian, you have the right of way on city streets. Most streets have a designated bicycle lane sandwiched between the sidewalk and the roadway and woe is the person who forgets. Those lanes can become bicycle expressways, especially at rush hour when a third of the working population ride to work. Amsterdam is supposed to be the most bike-friendly city in the world, but not everyone is a fan. “They think they’re entitled and they don’t stop when they crash into you,” said our embittered taxi driver in perfect English. Sound familiar, Vancouver? The bottom line? Do look both ways before crossing the street, especially at intersections. Ah, the canals. What would Amsterdam be without its famous waterways? Originally constructed in the 17th century to carry goods from the harbour to the city’s warehouses, Amsterdam’s canals are now populated with over 200 tour boats, in addition to the working barges. Do take a canal cruise. It’s a terrific way

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The difference you make could be life itself Bicycles are more prevalent along the Prinsengracht canal than cars.

to see central Amsterdam and get a feel for its nautical roots. There’s even a canal bus, a nautical version of the familiar landlubber hop-on, hop-off service. We chose to take the evening cruise and boarded our vessel at Stadhouderskade embarkation point on the outer ring of the canal complex. Squeezing under Amsterdam’s bridges in the dark was great fun, as was the added bonus of peering into the homes that line the canals. We couldn’t see much of the red light district from the water, though. The red light district? We found it cheesy, in a Las Vegas kind of way, but it’s up to you. As for renting bicycles, we slept in big time, forcing us to forgo a spin around the block and grab a taxi for Schiphol Airport instead. Do ask the hotel for a wake-up call in addition to setting the travel alarm. We didn’t and almost missed our flight – but not without devouring a delicious morning krentenbollen first. SL For IF YOU GO information, visit www. seniorlivingmag.com/articles/dutch-treat

Leaving a gift in your Will helps thousands of women and newborns each year. With a legacy to BC Women’s Hospital Foundation you transform the lives of others for generations to come.

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Ballet Victoria The Victoria Symphony will whisk you away to a fantasyland where nothing exists except you, the music, and the wonder-filled story of The Gift. Each year our interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker offers new vignettes and characters who join a traditional Christmas Eve party, where a gift from an uncle unleashes a torrent of unexpected surprises. See ad page 33.

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Cinecenta at University of Victoria Cinecenta is an inexpensive movie alternative for students and the public at large. Cinecenta loves seniors. Their cozy 300-seat theatre and terrific concession bar features tasty baked goods and great coffee. Popcorn with real butter at no extra cost too! Seniors (65+) only $5.75. www.cinecenta.com See ad page 32.

The VSO Sampler Pack is a customizable 4-ticket package: choose from a wide range of specially-selected concerts, with choices ranging from the great classics to jazz, Broadway, and more. This year, go beyond gifts and treat the people on your list to an experience they will always remember.

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Civic Orchestra of Victoria The Civic Orchestra invites you to their 17th Annual Messiah Sing-Along at the magnificent Alix Goolden Performance Hall. The Orchestra consists of local musicians ranging from students to seniors, dedicated to providing accessible concerts in Greater Victoria and serving as a platform for aspiring soloists and conductors. See ad page 33. Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Your family and friends will love receiving a gift that gives them their own choice of unforgettable live concert experiences they will treasure. With the VSO 4-ticket Sampler Pack, they can pick from 15 concerts. Savings of almost 50%, and best seats in the house at time of booking. See ad page 32. View Royal Casino Come and experience View Royal Casino’s 12K’s of Xmas from Dec 1-12. We have a casino-wide SLOT TOURNAMENT every day from 10am–10pm with the top 12 scores sharing in $1,000 in free slot play. Plus 6 daily Table Hot Seat Draws from our TABLES MONEY TREE at 5-10pm and receive a FREE soup and sandwich when you earn 300 Encore Points between 10am–10pm daily. See ad page 33.

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WANTED: OLD POSTCARDS, old photographs, and pre-1950 stamped envelopes. Also buying old coins, medals and badges. Please call Michael 250-652-9412 or email fenian@shaw.ca

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HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE provides compassionate, personalized home care services customized to your needs in your own home. Our CAREGiversSM are extensively dementia-trained, bonded, insured, professional, and matched to clients’ preferences. For a complimentary care consultation in home or in our office, call 250-382-6565. www.HomeInstead. com/victoriabc Celebrating 10 years serving seniors! CHANGING PLACES Downsizing and relocation specialists SINCE 1991. Moving? Aging in place? Need help? Don’t know where to start? Let us take care of all the details from start to finish. Call. Jane 250-721-4490 Victoria and the Island, John 778-628-0725 Vancouver for a free estimate www.victoriamoves.com

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DOWNSIZING? OVERWHELMED? Downsizing Diva can take the stress out of a move. Sorting, packing, unpacking, advising, and more. Free estimate call Cathy 250-634-3207. BBB WANTED: Old stereo/audio equipment. Any condition. Amplifiers, turntables, speakers, receivers etc. Honest/friendly. Victoria and V.I. Call Bob, 250-896-2268, northtowns26@gmail.com

UKULELE CRUISE, VANCOUVER ALASKA 7-Day round trip June 2016. Free, all levels, workshops led by Heather Stubbs. Omega Travel 1-800-663-2669 ALWAYS GREAT FEET. Nanaimo’s professional mobile foot care nurses. Debbie Mason LPN and John Patterson LPN. Home, facility, and hospital visits. Experienced, qualified nursing foot care for toenails, corns, calluses and ingrown nails. Direct billing for DVA clients. 250-390-9266. SENSUAL MASSAGE. Are you missing touch? I’m a Certified Sexological Bodyworker, I work with Couples and Individuals. Sher 250-889-4166 or send an email to sexeducator@telus.net DEBI’S MOBILE HAIR SERVICES in the comfort of your home for everyone in your family. Serving the Victoria area. Please call Debi at 250-477-7505. YOUR FAMILY HISTORY FILM. Personal historian specializing in video interviews, photo digitization, life story documentaries, genealogy, and books. 778-887-7446 www.heirloomfilms.ca TABLE AND COMPUTER 1-ON-1 TUTORING with mobile professional trainer. (iPad, Samsung, PC) Gift Certificates available. Call 250-385-5260 or send an email to: mobiletutor@shaw.ca A SENIOR’S BEST FRIEND. Companion care, homemaking and driving service. Full insurance, WCB, 250-886-8095. Visit www.aseniorsbestfriend.org

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Fashion

Q: What design features produce a slimming look? SIMON CHANG: “How a garment hangs on your body is the most important factor. Always buy the right size and it will definitely give you a slimmer look. Make sure the fabric has a soft feel and a bit of stretch built in. This will drape beautifully on your body. Jersey knit fabric is my first choice.” PETER NYGÅRD:

“Avoid horizontal lines that cut you in half. Vertical lines lengthen your body. If you want to use horizontal lines, make sure they are around your shoulders – not your hips or waist. Anything that makes you look taller, like heels, and a well-fitted pant will make you look slimmer.”

Simon Chang is the sole creator, designer, president and owner of Simon Chang Creations, Inc. Simonchang.com Peter Nygård is the creator, designer and owner of Nygård International. Nygard.com Jan Stimpson is the designer and owner of Sympli Fashions. Symplithebest.com

JAN STIMPSON: “The key to looking slim is to wear clothes that fit your body. Enhancing your body shape is the best way to look slim. Don’t wear clothes that are too big or too tight. Try to emphasize the parts of your body you love the most. Always ensure the garment fits on your shoulders – it’s the perfect start to a perfect fit. Dense knit fabrics with a luxurious drape are key for a successful, comfortable and forgiving fit. A low neckline shows off a beautiful décolletage and draws attention upwards. Tunics over a pair of leggings or narrow pants can show off a great pair of legs. Tops or tunics with angled hemlines offer a slimming effect and are a great addition to a wardrobe. It’s all about knowing your body and wearing what you feel makes you look great. No two women are the same, so keep playing with shapes until you find the one that is right for you.” SL NYGÅRD TOP – 3/4 Sleeve Crew Neck Pullover Sweater with Dolman Sleeves – Bias Stripe. NYGÅRD PANT – SO SMOOTH Straight Leg Pant with Slimming Elastic Inserts at Waist.

Barbara’s Boutique and Showoom 2392 Beacon Avenue, Sidney, BC www.badenbadenboutiques.com We carry Simon Chang and Sympli.

Canada’s top designers weigh in on questions from mature women about how to dress, what to wear, what to avoid and how to look their very best. Each month, we’ll tackle a new question to help you stay stylish and feel great! Have comments or suggestions? Email fashion@seniorlivingmag.com BY BOBBIE JO REID 34 38 44

INSPIRED SENIOR LIVING

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for Freedom and Justice

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DECEMBER 2015

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Plan to change the world