Autumn 2014 Newsletter - 411 Seniors Centre Society

AUTUMN EDITION 2014
411
Seniors
Centre
Society
Seniors Staying Connected
411 IN ACTION
411 members rekindling old friendships and
making new ones at our Harvest Lunch.
411 members in Saris during our Diwali
celebration.
411’s Yogis preparing for their weekly Dru
Yoga class with Carol Irene.
Dancing to great music at our Mexican
Festival celebration.
The Thankful Tree created by our members &
volunteers at the Harvest Lunch.
411 Seniors Centre Society, Suite 704-333 Terminal Ave., Vancouver, BC, V6A 4C1, Tel. (604) 684-8171, Web: www.411seniors.bc.ca
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AUTUMN EDITION 2014
Message from the President, Stuart Alcock
We are entering the winter season, that time of
year that sees many cultural and religious
festivals. So, regardless of whether you celebrate
Hanukkah, Christmas, Hogmanay, the calendar
New Year or Lunar New Year or something else, I
send my wishes for happiness, health and bonds
of family and friendship for your celebration. I
also want to take a moment to acknowledge
and thank the volunteers and staff whose gifts of
time and energy are so very important to 411.
Recently, I attended a forum on Seniors’ Health sponsored by Dr. Hedy Fry, the MP for
Vancouver’s West End, and the Canadian Medical Association. In the presentations and in
the following discussion, it quickly became apparent that many people do not want a
“divide and conquer” fight between different population groups for resources. Seniors need
more affordable housing and so do families, younger singles and others. We all need a
health care system that remains responsive to our health care needs and puts resources into
various forms of preventative and educative health programs and requires adherence to
national standards. At the same time, some issues are more relevant to seniors. We need a
more extensively supportive approach to home care to help people stay in their own homes
as long as possible. We need greater access to affordable supported living and long term
care.
By this time in 2015 we will be in the midst of a Federal Election Campaign, unless it happens
earlier. In preparation for that, I hope all of us will consider taking the time to meet
with or write to every candidate for every party
in your area to acquaint them with the needs
of seniors and to ask them what they and their
parties will do, if elected to government. We
can do this with the participation of family,
friends and neighbours. It is imperative that
every one of them know that the voters are
watching carefully.
With my warmest wishes,
Stuart Alcock
411 Seniors Centre Society, Suite 704-333 Terminal Ave., Vancouver, BC, V6A 4C1, Tel. (604) 684-8171, Web: www.411seniors.bc.ca
AUTUMN EDITION 2014
PAGE 3
Upcoming Municipal Elections
Municipal Elections are just around the corner. Make your voice heard.
Upcoming All
Candidates
Meetings
29th
Oct
7p.m. – 9p.m.
False Creek Residents
Association
1 Athletes Way
Nov. 3 7:30 p.m.
Billy Bishop Legion
1407 Laburnum St.
Nov 6th 7p.m. – 9p.m.
St. George’s Greek
Orthodox Cathedral
4500 Arbutus St.
Ready to vote?
WHEN
November 15
8:00am to 8:00pm
WHERE
For locations closest to
you, call 311 & dial 3.
There are nearly 120
locations this year
including: Vancouver Art
Gallery, Carnegie
Centre, & International
Village Mall.
If you have any
questions call 311 and
dial 3 or email
info@vancouver.ca
Questions for Municipal Candidates
The following are examples of questions that seniors could ask
of candidates for municipal government.
Q: How do you plan to address comprehensive transportation
services for the City/municipality?
Q: Do you agree it is time to make major investments in
special transit for handicapped and frail seniors? How would
this be done?
Q: Do you support the mayor’s modest proposal to include a
HandyDART service increase of 10% over five years in a
Provincial Government referendum package?
Q: How would you address the issue of safety for seniors on
public transit?
Q: How would you support programming to end social
isolation of seniors?
Q: What is your view regarding the downloading of
ambulance services to the Fire department?
Q: Would you make buckling sidewalks a priority and allocate
more money from your Engineering Budget to address this
High Risk concern? How would you ensure timely
repairs/improvement to sidewalks when needed?
Q: Given that many immigrant older people find it difficult to
learn English, what steps would you take to increase their
current access to information?
In 2013 the Federal Government changed the Old Age
Security System Law and changes will mean many more
immigrant seniors in Canada will have to live 10 more years in
poverty and will have to rely on local services for help.
Q: How would you respond to the Federal Government
doubling the time some sponsored parents and grandparents
live without OAS? Do you consider it important that a council
officially respond to the Federal Government about these
changes; why and how?
Q: Do you think this will improve or be detrimental to the
purposes of social services? Explain why.
For a full set of questions, visit our website at 411seniors.bc.ca
or call 604-684-8171 and ask for Lynda.
411 Seniors Centre Society, Suite 704-333 Terminal Ave., Vancouver, BC, V6A 4C1, Tel. (604) 684-8171, Web: www.411seniors.bc.ca
PAGE 4
AUTUMN EDITION 2014
Flu Clinic at 411
Do your part to stop the
spread of germs. Get your flu
shot.
This year’s flu shot will give you
protection against three strains of
influenza viruses specified by the World
Health Organization.
411 Seniors Centre will be hosting a Flu
Clinic on November 12th at 1:30 p.m.
Changes to Flu
Shot Legislation
There was a recent change in the Vancouver
Coastal Health Policy regarding the
administration of the publicly funded flu
vaccine. Anyone over the age of 65 would be
eligible to receive the vaccine at no cost.
Special circumstances apply to individuals
under the age of 65. Call us at 604 684 8171 to
see if you qualify for a free vaccination.
Blind and Deaf-Blind
Accessibility Features
Quest Food Exchange is introducing a
new system in their grocery store to help
those who are blind or deaf-blind to
shop for groceries independently. In the
past, people who have visual
impairment have had difficulties finding
the food they want in grocery stores.
Now, Quest Food Exchange is
introducing braille labels and audible
scanners to increase accessibility. The
braille labels help tell the products apart
from each other. Meanwhile, the
audible scanner is hand-held and reads
the names of the products. Quest Food
Exchange is also introducing a braille
map at the entrance of the shop, so
blind and deaf-blind customers can
identify the layout of the shop. So far,
these accessibility features are only
available in Quest’s Dundas Street
Market, but they are planning to adapt
these features to more locations.
411 Seniors Centre Society, Suite 704-333 Terminal Ave., Vancouver, BC, V6A 4C1, Tel. (604) 684-8171, Web: www.411seniors.bc.ca
AUTUMN EDITION 2014
PAGE 5
A Special Thank You to…
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Java Hut Express (Catering)
To Dine For (Catering)
Danz Gourmet (Catering)
Cavell Gardens (Event sponsorship)
Canadian In-Home Care (Event
sponsorship)
Dahl & Connors (Event sponsorship)
Bandidas Taqueria (Event prize)
Buy-Low Foods (Event prize)
Columbia College (Volunteer
Source)
Kingsgate Mall (venue)
Receptionist Volunteers
Host Volunteers
Program Volunteer Facilitators
Event Lead & Assistant Volunteers
Fundraisers
Administrative Support Volunteers
Donors (money, white elephant
table, and books)
Interns
 Government of British ColumbiaGaming (Funder)
 United way of Lower Mainland
(Funder)
 City of Vancouver (Funder)
…and last but not least we would like
to thank our members for enjoying
themselves with us. We appreciate
each one of you.
1st Annual Book Sale
A big thank you to the donors, movers,
customer service representatives and
Kingsgate Mall for helping out at our
fundraiser.
We raised $650 because of the incredible
teamwork and support we received. Thank
you.
Cheers to our Volunteer!
Aida is new to Canada
and to 411 Seniors Centre
but has been a very active
member and volunteer
since she joined four
months ago. She is our
crochet instructor, creating
items for our Charity Craft
Fair, and helps out at
special events. She finds
pleasure in
communicating and
interacting with staff and
the other members. She
also finds appreciation in
those who attend her crochet
class.
Aida joined 411 Senior Centre
because she wanted to
extend her love, knowledge,
and warmth to everyone. As a
result, she has been engaging
more in Canada’s life and has
found a community where she
is embraced by the “warm
smiles of our members and
staff.”
411 Seniors Centre Society, Suite 704-333 Terminal Ave., Vancouver, BC, V6A 4C1, Tel. (604) 684-8171, Web: www.411seniors.bc.ca
PAGE 6
AUTUMN EDITION 2014
Autumn’s Special Events
Join Us for our Fall Programs & Events at 411 Senior Centre Society
All programs listed here with the exception of Out & About Vancouver will be held at
411 Seniors Centre Society at:
704 – 333 Terminal Avenue, Vancouver
To register for an event or program, or to simply find more information, you can e-mail
len@411seniors.bc.ca, or phone at 604-684-8171
Out & About:
Confederation
Community Centre
November 7th
10:30AM-3:00PM
$20 for everyone.
Witness a ceremonial marching in of
the colours, entertainment and lunch.
Transportation included. Register by
November 3rd. (Ask how you can get
a discount.)
Flu Info Session
November 12th
11:30AM–1:30PM
Free for members.
$5 for non-members.
Pharmacist, Jenny will dispel some
common myths and address the
controversy of the flu shot. Lunch
included. Followed by a on-site flu
shot clinic, free for members over
the age of 65.
Hearing Clinic
November 12th.
Call for an appointment.
Free.
Did you know that 1 in 10 people
have some sort of hearing loss?
Get your hearing checked with
Connect Hearing.
Out & About:
Vancouver
International Airport
November 21st
11:00AM-1:00PM
Lunch and Tour is free.
When travelling through North America’s
#1 airport, we’re often in such a hurry to
catch our flight that we don't get to
experience all the amazing things around
us. Highlights include world-renowned First
Nations art, innovative environmental
programs, unique architecture & airport
operations, and handy travel tips. We will
get there by Skytrain.
411 Seniors Centre Society, Suite 704-333 Terminal Ave., Vancouver, BC, V6A 4C1, Tel. (604) 684-8171, Web: www.411seniors.bc.ca
AUTUMN EDITION 2014
PAGE 7
Lunch and Learn Program
Financial Abuse
Prevention
November 19th
11:30AM–1:30PM
Free for members.
$5 for non-members.
Financial abuse is the most common form
of elder abuse – but it can be difficult to
recognize. Vancity and the BC Centre for
Elder Advocacy and Support team will
speak about what is it, why it happens, who
is involved, and what to do to avoid falling
victim.
Childhood in
Wartime Prague:
Illustrated Talk
November 11th
11:30AM-1:30PM
Free for members.
$5 for non-members.
Listen to the extraordinary experiences of
a boy in Nazi occupied Czechoslovakia –
the son of a Resistance member and
eventually of an Auschwitz survivor. School
teacher, author and diplomat, Jan
recounts his story. Lunch is included.
Veteran’s Week:
November 10th
11:45AM-1:45PM
Donations for our local Legion
accepted.
A member from the Canadian Armed
Forces will be speaking to raise
awareness and share experiences.
Registration required.
Young Seniors
Dialogue: Finding
Your Passion Part II
November 26th
11:30AM– 1:30PM
$7 for members.
$10 for non-members.
Part II of an interactive workshop that
explores the element of creating an enriched
retirement with guest speaker Sheila Wex.
Jumble
Sale
November 28th, 2014
10 aM – 2 PM
Jewelry
Home Decor
Books
Silent Auction
DVDS
Clothes
Home Made Foods
And Much More!
411 Seniors Centre Society, Suite 704-333 Terminal Ave., Vancouver, BC, V6A 4C1, Tel. (604) 684-8171, Web: www.411seniors.bc.ca
PAGE 8
AUTUMN EDITION 2014
411
Seniors Centre Society
Location
Suite 704-333 Terminal Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V6C 4A1
Contact Information
Tel.: (604) 684-8171
Email: contact411@411seniors.bc.ca
Web: www.411seniors.bc.ca
411Seniors
facebook.com/411seniors
Operating Hours
The Centre
Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Information & Referral
9:00 a.m. to 3:30pm Monday to Friday
Membership
Eligibility: Must be 55+ years of age
Benefits: Member prices for classes, trips
and social events; participation in drop-in
activities; voting rights.
Fees:
$10.00 annually
For more information please contact
Monica at mmurguia@411seniors.bc.ca or
call 604-684-8171.
411 Seniors Centre Society
2014-2015 Board of Directors
Stuart Alcock (President)
Elsie Dean (Past President)
Mohinder Grewal (1st Vice-president)
David Yorke (2nd Vice-president)
Devinder Sekhon (Treasurer)
Staff List
Charmaine Spencer (Secretary)
Sandra Gebhardt
Executive Director
Charan Gill
Suzi Kennedy
Manager of Operations
Patsy Craig
Janis Kaleta
Office Manager
Linda Forsythe
David Handelman
Renee Poley
Monica Murguia
Coordinator of Volunteers & Members
Lynda En
Coordinator of Programs
411 Seniors Centre Society, Suite 704-333 Terminal Ave., Vancouver, BC, V6A 4C1, Tel. (604) 684-8171, Web: www.411seniors.bc.ca