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1
THE SENIOR TIMES AUGUST 2018
Seniors Resource Centre
721 Victoria Street
Prince George BC V2L 2K5
250 564 5888
PGCOS
Seniors Fair 2018 2
PGCOS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 3
TRIVIA COMPETITION 2018 4
HELP WANTED 4
New Federal Minister of Seniors 5
Seniors Traded As Commodities 5
Festival of Trees 6
Understanding the Little Things 7
Senior Moments 7
Active Aging Project 8
Volunteers needed 8
Sudoku 8
Exploring the www 9
ASK 9
Advertisements 10 MARK YOUR CALENDAR 11
CALENDAR 12
NOMINATION FORM 13
INSIDE THIS
EDITION
NOTICE:
PG COUNCIL OF SENIORS
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2018
1:00 PM
KEITH GORDON ROOM, PG PUBLIC LIBRARY
Election of Directors. Refreshments served.
See page 3 this Newsletter for more information
2
SENIORS FAIR 2018 THURSDAY AUGUST 16
PGCOS’s 12th Annual Seniors Fair is set to go in the Kin 3 Arena on Thursday August 16! This
annual event with a Western flavour will be open to the public between 10 am and 5 pm. Seniors’
admission to the Exhibition Grounds is $2 for the day (instead of the usual $5), and Grounds parking
is free. Come and visit our 60 different exhibitors where you can gather information on a wealth of
topics, including:
Community organizations
Debt counselling
Denturists
Elder abuse
Heritage Commission
Home support services
Hospice
Indoor and outdoor activities
Library home service
Retirement organizations
Seniors activity centres
Seniors’ housing options
Support groups
Volunteer opportunities
Some new exhibitors this year include:
Canada Revenue Agency
Connecting Communities Association
Enat Complex Care
Fireweed Chair Massage
Gateway Pharmacy
Guru Nanak Langar Gardens
Immigrant & Multicultural Services
Northern Interior Communities Association
Northern Twisters
Optimum Home Care Inc.
Hart Pioneers will be on hand for hands-on carpet bowling demonstrations. There will be plenty of
activities and free draws at different exhibitors’ tables, and passports will be available again this
year which can be used to vote on your favourite exhibits, and entered for free hourly draws be-
tween 12 noon and 5 pm.
Don’t forget to drop by the Old Boot Café right in Kin 3 for your refreshments. Lunch (sandwich,
chips or cheezies and beverage) is only $5! SEE YOU AT THE FAIR!
3
PGCOS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 27
The Annual General Meeting of the PG Council of Seniors is set for Thursday September 27, 1:00
PM @ the Keith Gordon Room, PG Public Library. An election of Directors will take place at that
time.
The PGCOS Board must consist of a minimum of seven (7) or a maximum of eleven (11) Directors.
Current PGCOS Directors include:
Jim Boer
Beryl Botham
Sharon Hollis
Wendy Schmidt
Ginny Parsons
Fred Archibald
Vic Steblin
Currently Jim Boer, Beryl Botham, Sharon Hollis and Wendy Schmidt have one year terms remain-
ing.
Directors are elected for two-year terms. In even-numbered years (such as 2018) up to six (6) Di-
rectors may be elected. In odd-numbered years (such as 2019) up to five (5) Directors may be
elected. Directors elect the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer from amongst them-
selves at their first meeting following the AGM.
This year, PGCOS is seeking nominations for individuals with experience in non-profit boards or
committees and/or with crucial specific talents in fundraising, program development or public rela-
tions. Nominees should have the necessary skills to communicate and participate in a Board envi-
ronment, as well as have an interest in or passion for the issues and concerns of seniors and care-
givers of seniors.
Any PGCOS member in good standing may nominate or stand for nomination themselves through
the PGCOS election process. A nomination form is provided at the end of this newsletter.
Nomination forms must be submitted by Tuesday September 25. Oral nominations will also be ac-
cepted from the floor at the Annual General Meeting.
The population of seniors in this community is rising. Consider helping PGCOS continue to be a dy-
namic organization providing information, empowerment and advocacy for seniors and caregivers of
seniors by nominating or standing for nomination!
4
3rd ANNUAL NATIONAL SENIORS DAY
DINNER & COMPETITION
Saturday October 6, 2018
@ ECRA, 1692 – 10th Ave.
Tickets $30 each
Tickets available from Seniors Re-
source Centre, 721 Victoria Street
Dinner 6:00 pm Cash bar
REGISTER YOUR TEAM OF FOUR COMPETI-
TORS TODAY!
(ONE MEMBER OF TEAM MUST BE AGE 55
OR OLDER!)
Lots of prizes! Lots of audience
interaction!
GET YOUR BRAIN WORKING! -
GREAT trivia questions!
Hosted by Prince George Council of Seniors
250 564 5888
CHRISTMAS HAMPERS
PROJECT COORDINATOR
PART-TIME SEASONAL POSITION
Successful applicant will be responsible for all aspects
of volunteer coordination, handling grocery donations,
preparing and delivering hamper bags. Hours will be
minimal to start with the heaviest demand December 10
to 18.
Applicants must submit a hand-written cover letter with
their resume and attend an interview panel. Successful
applicant must provide a completed Criminal Record
Check.
For complete job description, see www.pgcos.ca.
GOLDEN AGE SOCIALS
COORDINATOR
CONTRACT POSTION
Golden Age Socials are a local afternoon tradition
stretching back several decades, and are held five
times each winter between October and March. Suc-
cessful applicant will be responsible for communicating
with host groups and liaising with the Civic Centre staff,
advertising events, and communicating with various day
centres and seniors’ homes prior to each event. Suc-
cessful applicant must be present at each event to wel-
come and assist host groups and guests, make any
necessary announcements, and help with clean-up.
Applicants must submit a hand-written cover letter with
their resume and attend an interview panel. Successful
applicant must provide a completed Criminal Record
Check.
For complete job description, see www.pgcos.ca
5
NEW FEDERAL MINISTER
OF SENIORS
Last month, Hamilton-area MP Filomena Tas-si , a first-term Liberal MP for Hamilton-West-Ancaster-Dundas Ontario and previous Depu-ty Government Whip, was named Minster of Seniors. This is a newly created portfolio. Ms Tassi was a corporate lawyer for six years be-fore turning to public service. She spent twenty years as chaplain at a local Ancaster Catholic Secondary School, and has a strong record of mentoring youth and volunteering for charities and organizations serving youth both locally and abroad. She has also served as a school board trustee.
Ms Tassi’s new position as Minster of Seniors is to “help the government better understand the needs of Canadian seniors and ensure that programs and services are developed that respond to Canada’s aging population”. The Prime Minster’s office stated “this will provide Canadian seniors and future retirees greater security and a better quality of life”.
Since Ms Tassi’s career experience to date has been focused on youth, seniors are encour-aged to inform and educate her about seniors’ needs and concerns — especially about sen-iors’ needs and concerns in the rural North. She can be contacted at (no postage re-quired!):
Filomena Tassi House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 OR
(SOURCE: Jamieson, Kathleen. National Pen-
sioners Federation Newsletter June 2018, Vol
18—Issue 2)
THE TRAFFIC IN SENIORS: SHOULD SEN-
IORS IN RESIDENTIAL CARE BE TRADED
AS COMMODITIES?
Amidst the euphoria that has greeted recent an-
nouncements of improvements in health care by
the BC NDP government, a major blind spot re-
mains: a refusal to stop or at least slow down
the privatization of seniors’ care in BC. Among
many examples of the ongoing trend to hand
over the care of BC’s most fragile seniors to the
free market is the situation confronting seniors
living on the Sunshine Coast of BC.
Seniors’ groups on the Sunshine Coast have
been protesting the plan of the previous BC Lib-
eral government to replace two publicly owned
long-term care residences in Sechelt with a sin-
gle privately built and operated long-term care
residence for more than two years. The con-
tract to build and operate the new private long-
term care facility was awarded in 2016 to a pri-
vate company, Trellis Seniors Services. It was
done without public consultation by Vancouver
Coastal Health Authority, the arm of the govern-
ment responsible for the delivery of public health
care on the Sunshine Coast, according to the
local media and concerned seniors living on the
Sunshine Coast. Health authorities implement
the health policies of the government in power.
Sunshine Coast seniors’ groups are demanding
with increasing urgency that the contract with
the private company, Trellis Seniors Services,
be cancelled, and for a publicly owned and op-
erated facility built instead. Trellis Seniors Ser-
vices is described as being part of “a web of
SENIORS TRADED AS
COMMODITIES
6
companies with different names” operating private long-term care facilities in BC. It is noted that the
principal of Trellis Seniors Services, Mary MacDougall, is the former Chief Operating Officer of Re-
tirement Concepts, a chain of long-term care facilities in BC.
Retirement Concepts was traded twice in recent years. The second time, in 2017, it was traded to
Anbang, a large China-based insurance company with a murky history. Anbang has since been tak-
en over by the Chinese government. The fate of seniors’ facilities in BC, now owned by the Chi-
nese government, is unclear. What is clear is that fragile seniors who need extensive care be-
come pawns in these transactions.
Since the cost of providing care for seniors in long-term care is covered by the provincial govern-
ment, which pays a fixed amount per resident to the operator, it is a prized source of guaranteed in-
come for investors. Indeed, Trellis has announced that it is planning to build more private long-term
care homes in BC.
The situation on the Sunshine Coast raises an important question for all seniors in BC: Is the pub-
licly-paid provision of health care for BC’s frailest seniors going to continue to be turned
over to private operators that can buy and sell these facilities complete with occupants?
There is a larger question that needs to be considered: is the out-of-hospital, out-of-home care of
fragile seniors in facilities considered a necessary part of a publicly--funded, publicly-accountable,
quality health care system, or not? How has it come about that our oldest citizens can now be
traded as commodities that earn profits for big corporations?
Allison McCray from the annual Festival of Trees is asking if there are some retired folks in Prince George that would be interested in getting involved with the Festi-
val of Trees as they are seeking volunteers with some time to donate. Anyone interested can call Allison at 250-969-8642.
SENIORS TRADED AS COMMODITIES
CONTINUED ...
FESTIVAL OF TREES HELP WANTED
7
Understanding that the little things can matter the most …
Caregiver Support
For those that are caring for a loved one with a life threatening ill-ness in their home.
Coffee for the Caregiver
A drop-in support group for caregivers that offers peer support, and relief from isolation. Thursdays 1 pm—3 pm.
Community Match
If you have been diagnosed as palliative and feel you need some extra support our volunteers will come to you. We offer emotional support, a good visit, and non-judgemental listening. We send our volunteers to your home and to the hospital. Sometimes, some to talk to outside your circle can be helpful.
Remote Hospice
For people that may not be able to leave their homes or live in rural areas we can provide support re-motely. This is a new program, to bring our support into homes through the use of technology.
Please call the Solace Centre for information
250 563 2551
A service provided by The Prince George Hospice Society
Listen LIVE — 93.1 FM
Livestream — www.cfisfm.com
1:00 to 2:-00 pm every Tuesday! SENIOR MOMENTS
Radio Program
8
August 16 — Seniors Fair @ Kin 3
August 30 — Forests for the World Walk.
Pick up poster with more details at Ex-
hibit #6 (Better At Home Program) at
the Seniors Fair on Thursday August
16!
Every Sudoku has a unique solution that
can be reached logically. Enter numbers into
the blank spaces so that each row, column
and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.
SODUKO SOLUTION below:
ACTIVE AGING PROJECT
PROGRAM UPDATE
SUDOKU
CRITICAL NEED …
MEALS ON WHEELS
VOLUNTEERS!
MEALS ON WHEELS — VOLUNTEER
DRIVERS NEEDED! 1 to 1.5 hour week-
ly commitment. Contact Alex 250 564
5888 weekday morning.
9
Here is an interesting and informa-
tive thing that caught my attention on
the www recently.
Breathe Easier During Smoky Skies
https://blog.northernhealth.ca/health-
awareness/breathe-easier-during-smoky-
skies
My eyes, nose and throat are irritated from wild-
fire smoke in the air right now, so I’m sure I am
not the only one who could benefit from the infor-
mation at this website! There are great sugges-
tions for reducing your exposure to smoke includ-
ing not vacuuming while indoors—I like that one!
- and setting your car’s Air Conditioner to recircu-
late, spending time in a shopping mall, library or
art gallery, and keeping an adequate supply of
inhalers or medication if suffering from asthma or
other chronic illnesses. This website contains
several informative links to follow, such as
BCAIRQUALITY.CA — you will find info on cur-
rent air quality, including an interactive map for all
of BC. Plan ahead for outdoor outings and activ-
ities!
Northern Bear Awareness
https://northernbearawareness.com/
Did you know that In Prince George, there are
more bears shot in the fall than at any other time
of the year? Most of the bears destroyed feed
from residents’ garbage or fruit trees. This web-
site has great tips for keeping bears out of your
back yards, including addressing known attract-
ants such as household garbage, fruit trees, bird
feeders, compost, barbecues, and pet food. This
website includes a link to a FRUIT EXCHANGE
PROGRAM — you will find there a phone num-
EXPLORING THE WWW
ber and email address for contacting the North-
ern Bear Awareness Society for help with un-
wanted fruit.
Have you come across a particularly interesting, in-
formative or entertaining website or Facebook
page? Please share! Contact : theseniortimese-
ASK
Dear Seniors Resource Centre: I just recent-
ly turned 65. My circle of friends is quite small,
and want to expand it. I don't want to be isolat-
ed. What resources are there to meet new
friends, and be more active as a senior in PG?
Sincerely, Quite Sociable on Queensway.
Dear Quite Sociable: Belated Happy 65th
Birthday! There are 5 Seniors Activity Centres
in PG, 3 of which are in the downtown area.
Each Centre has their own activities and meals.
We suggest you try each of them to see which
one (or more) feels best for you. Drop by our
Seniors Resource Centre any weekday be-
tween 9 am and 3 pm for the list with their ad-
dresses. We encourage you to introduce your-
self and ask about volunteer opportunities and
upcoming activities when you visit any of the
Activity Centres.
We suggest you pick up the latest Community
Active Living Guide from City Hall (or
www.princegeorge.ca) for information on many
local recreational opportunities and events.
You might also check out the YMCA of North-
ern BC. Cheers! Seniors Resource Centre.
11
MARK YOUR CALENDAR …
Thursday August 16 Seniors Fair @ BCNE — 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Monday September 3 Seniors Resource Centre CLOSED TODAY
Thursday September 27 PGCOS AGM — 1:00 pm @ Keith Gordon Room,
PG Public Library DOOR PRIZES! REFRESH
MENTS!
Saturday October 6 3rd Annual TRIVIA DINNER & COMPETITION — DO YOU
HAVE YOUR TEAM OF COMPETITORS READY??? Tickets on sale now at Sen-
iors Resource Centre!
June 7 & 8, 2019 PGCOS Parking Lot Sale! Set your treasures aside for
us when you are fall and spring cleaning! Support
this GREAT fundraising activity!
12
September 2018
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
2 3
Seniors
Resource
Centre
CLOSED
4 5 6 7
8
9
Grandparents’
Day
10 11 12 13
14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24
25 26 27
PGCOS
AGM
28 29
30 Oct 1
2 3 4 5 6
Trivia
Dinner &
Competition
13
PRINCE GEORGE COUNCIL OF SENIORS -- Nomination Form for Director
Any paid-up member of an Association, Group, Organization of business accepted as a member of PGCOS is also a
member of PGCOS and may nominate or stand in nomination through the PGCOS election process. Individuals who
are paid-up Associate members of PGCOS may also nominate or stand in nomination through the PGCOS election
process.
PGCOS Classes of Members:
ASSOCIATION OR GROUP MEMBER: Associations or not-for profit groups or organizations with a primary interest in
seniors. Association or group members may nominate an individual affiliated with their association or group to
stand for nomination through the PGCOS election process.
COMMUNITY MEMBER: public organizations and community-based groups with an interest in the objectives of
PGCOS. Community members may nominate an individual affiliated with their organization or group to stand
for nomination through the PGCOS election process.
CORPORATE MEMBER: A business with an interest in the objectives of PGCOS. Corporate members may nominate
an individual associated with that business to stand for nomination through the PGCOS election process.
ASSOCIATE MEMBER: An individual with an interest in the objectives of PGCOS. An Associate member may be
nominated or stand for nomination through the PGCOS election process.
Name of PGCOS Member making this nomination______________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone #_______________________________________ Cell #____________________________________________
Email address___________________________________________________________________________________
I am a paid-up member of _______________________________________________________________________
(Name of PGCOS Member Organization – see above classes of members)
I am an associate member of PGCOS.
I am nominating this person _______________________________________________________________________
Their address____________________________________________________________________________________
Phone #______________________________________ Cell # ___________________________________________
Email address ___________________________________________________________________________________
This individual has been informed about my nomination.
This individual understands this nomination is for a two-year position.
This individual agrees to stand in nomination through the PGCOS election process.
Submit completed Nomination Form to PGCOS, 721 Victoria Street, Prince George BC V2L 2K7
FAX 250 564 9155