NEWS
Upcoming events listed below celebrate seniors aging well. Most events are online, but that is changing! Organizations offering seniors' programs have some in-person programs underway.
A collective listing of virtual (from the Internet) programs for the Metro Vancouver area is available here
EXTREME HEAT
AND
SMOKE
Vancouver Coastal Health
Tips and resources for staying cool in summer heat and coping with wildfire smoke are available so all ages can stay safe. Guides for organizations to coordinate heat check-ins for vulnerable individuals are available and cooling centre maps are updated. Public health recommends downloading the WeatherCAN app for current weather conditions, 7-day forecasts, and alerts from Environment and Climate Change Canada.
VCH heat resources here
Heat Poster synopsis here
WeatherCAN app information here
MOBILIZING TO PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING FOR OLDER ADULTS
Canada Healthy Aging CORE
“Launching a series of monthly 90-minute webinars… to mobilize action on various issues by focusing on effective models and the policies, practices, partnerships, and networks that support them. Through interviews and discussions with practitioners, researchers, and policy-makers, each session will explore a topic and the key issues and challenges.” Q&A + opportunity to join a discussion group.
The first three sessions:
Times: Last Thursday of the month 10:00am-11:30
Dates:
September 29th: Re-orienting Health and Social Services for Older Adults: Provincial Strategies for Community-Based Seniors Services
October 27th: Age-friendly Communities
November 24th: Housing for Older Adults
More information and register here
WORKSHOP ON HEALTHY AGING
UBC Idea Lab
“People living with dementia, caregivers, and researchers…Exhibition of your pictures… Join us and celebrate diversity and inclusion for people living with visible or invisible disabilities…help understand healthy aging practices in a dementia friendly community.”
Location: Vancouver General Hospital, Tapestry Room 2821 Heather St. at 10th Ave., Vancouver
Time: Fri, September 16th 10:00am-12:00pm
Win a prize: By July 31st submit a photo from your neighbourhood - details here
Event information here
RAISING
OUR VOICES
Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST) The Seniors on the Move (SOTM) Initiative created a short ROVING documentary that features interviews with BC seniors and experts from senior-serving agencies. R.O.V.I.N.G. (Raising Our Voices in Support of Non-Ageist Ways of Getting Around) forms the centre of a broad communications campaign and province-wide dialogue in 2022 on seniors’ transportation issues.
Are you or your organization interested in hosting a community dialogue and R.O.V.I.N.G. screening?
To get materials and support to help you through the process:
Send an email to seniorsonthemove@best.bc.ca or sign up for the BEST newsletter here
AGE-TECH & ARTHRITIS
AGE-WELL Public Webinar Series
How Technology Can Help People Living with Arthritis
“For Arthritis Awareness Month, we’ll spotlight two novel technological approaches designed to make a difference in the lives of people living with arthritis…a wearable device that hooks up to a smartphone to help understand and thus manage arthritis pain and flares… a novel device that assists people with limited hand mobility to write, paint, draw and access technology
Date: Tuesday, September 20, 2022 10:00-11:00am PDT
Register here
ACTIVITIES TO KEEP YOUR MIND & BODY HEALTHY
McMaster Optimal Aging Portal
“Many outdoor activities help older adults stay physically and mentally fit. ..Physical benefits include improved strength, better endurance and greater flexibility. Exercise is not only good for the body but your mind too! It can reduce stress, improve self-esteem, and reduce depressive symptoms.”
Ideas here
VALUE OF FAMILY CAREGIVING
Research on Aging, University of Alberta & University of Manitoba
Infographic with statistics about caregivers’ contributions to the Care Economy in terms of FTE, hours, percent of population involved, and economic value.
Document here
FLIPPING STIGMA ON ITS EAR TOOLKIT
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
“The discrimination caused by stigma that accompanies a diagnosis of dementia needs to be ‘flipped on its ear’! The purpose of this toolkit is to recognize and respond to this stigma and discrimination. It has been designed by people with dementia to help others – including other people living with dementia, the people who support them, and those who do research – to address the challenges of stigma and discrimination.” Video clips demonstrate interactions and stimulate discussions.
Explore the website here
CREATIVITY AS A FORM OF SELF-CARE
Family Caregivers of BC
The latest in a series of 14 Caregiver Out Loud podcasts: “engaging with creativity is a form of self-care that can benefit both a caregiver and a care recipient in many ways…This is a conversation with a caregiver about how being creative has helped her deal with some of the ups and downs in her caregiving journey.”
Listen here or subscribe to the series where you get your podcasts.
SOCIAL ISOLATION & LONELINESS
National Institute on Ageing
Understanding Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Older Canadians and How to Address It
“Social isolation and loneliness are increasingly recognized as important public health concerns. Globally, as well as in Canada, these issues have significant implications for the health and well-being of older persons.” This is one of many reports and other resources (news, National Seniors Strategy) of concern to seniors, some offered in many languages.
Explore here
COURAGE:
ACTION FOR BETTER AGING
SE Health and the Covenant Family
“The pandemic has had a devastating impact on Canada’s older adults… shone a public light on many important issues at the heart of aging: safety, independence, quality of life, human connection, and well-being.COURAGE: Action for Better Aging invites Canada to get involved… look at where we are today and at models and practices that help older adults stay in their homes and communities.”
A discussion paper here
MOVE AND CONNECT WEBINAR SERIES
Active Aging Society
“Features wide-ranging health promotion and healthy lifestyle topics...series aims to connect older adults to information and services to support their physical, social, and mental health…learn strategies and set goals.”
Example: A Prescription for Nature: Connect to Better Health Through Nature in collaboration with BC Parks Foundation. Ask your healthcare provider for a ParX Prescription – hand them
this flyer
Recording here
LIVING MY
CULTURE
Canadian Virtual Hospice
“Quality palliative care helps you honour your culture, spirituality and traditions…people from various cultures share their stories and wisdom about living with serious illness, end of life and grief to support others.” Also videos and insights from representatives of eight global cultures.
Indigenous cultural safety training: Advanced illness, palliative care and grief and “Coming full circle: Planning for Your Care a booklet to ensure Indigenous Peoples’ choices for their future healthcare are known and respected.”
Information here
BC BRAIN WELLNESS PROGRAMS
BC Brain Wellness Centre, University of British Columbia
"BC Brain Wellness Program...provides learning opportunities for medical professionals and the general public on brain wellness practices. Wide range of free programs…from interdisciplinary collaborations with UBC's Physiotherapy, Kinesiology, Occupational Therapy, Neurology, Psychiatry, Neurosciences, Sports Medicine, Nutrition, Psychology and the School of Music as well as several community partners." Fall registration in August.
More information and registration here
CHOOSE
TO
MOVE
Active Aging Society and Province of BC
A free and flexible program to provide you with motivation and support to become more active. Great for anyone 55+ regardless of ability. Plan with a trained activity coach and integrate activity into your daily schedule.
Dates: Thursdays July 28 - September 15, 2022
Time: 10:30am -12:00pm
Contact Thais Lopes at Kitsilano Neighbourhood House to reserve a spot thaisl@kitshouse.org or phone: 604-736-3588 ext. 161
More information here
GLOBAL CAMPAIGN TO COMBAT AGEISM
World Health Organization (WHO)
“This campaign aims to tackle ageism by changing how we all think, feel and act towards age and ageing…A toolkit to learn about ageism, initiate your own conversations about this important topic in your community, organize events to raise awareness, and spread the word through social media to create #AWorld4AllAges.
Tookit here
Related information here
FREE AND LOW-COST FOOD RESOURCES
IN VANCOUVER
Vancouver City Food Programs
There are many opportunities throughout the city - grocery deliveries, meals, community fridges - mapped with contacts and availability.
Information here
Ongoing. Check back here for periodic updates as programs may expand or change.
HOP ON BOARD!
Active Aging Society, TransLink, Choose to Move
Learn about multi-modal transportation options available to seniors and newcomers in an engaging webinar. Hop on Board! is an up-to-date review of various ways it can be easy to use public transit in Metro Vancouver. You might qualify for a HandyCard to get out and about this summer. If so, care partners are free!
Webinar is available here