connections: grapevine 2 · 2020-05-02 · for auto insurance renewal, contact your auto broker....
TRANSCRIPT
RMSS- Maple Ridge, 12150 224th Street Maple Ridge BC V2X 3N8 Tel. (604)467-4993 Web: www.rmssseniors.org
RMSS- Pitt Meadows, 19065 119B Ave Pitt Meadows BC V3Y 0E6 Tel. (604)457-4771
Hello members and friends of RMSS!
Here we go for “round 3” of our newly formatted newsletter. Thank you for the many who
have expressed appreciation and submitted material and ideas for this and future issues. We
want this to be a communal effort so that everyone feels involved.
As our new creation continues to develop, ideas form. This issue we will start a feature to
focus on “Around Town” events - experiences we would otherwise be participating in - and
keeping them front of mind is just another way to stay grounded. If you would like to
promote or acknowledge some upcoming (normally scheduled, and now postponed, or being
alternatively experienced) community event, please let us know.
Be sure to check out our
Facebook page for regular
updates and helpful ideas.
Facebook.com/rmssseniors
For submissions email: [email protected]
Thank you to some of our latest dancing squad! Bev, Peachie, Aly, Millie (left to right)
What do you see when you walk in your neighbourhood?
CONNECTIONS: GrapeVine 2.0
Ridge Meadows Seniors Society: Serving Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows
May 2020: Issue 3 Note: RMSS closed May 18
RMSS- Maple Ridge, 12150 224th Street Maple Ridge BC V2X 3N8 Tel. (604)467-4993 Web: www.rmssseniors.org
RMSS- Pitt Meadows, 19065 119B Ave Pitt Meadows BC V3Y 0E6 Tel. (604)457-4771
BC Emergency Benefit for Workers: if your ability to work has been affected due to
Covid-19 you may be eligible for a one time, tax free $1000 benefit. Apply online as of
May 1 and over the phone as of May 4. (Google search the info link; phone number not
yet released)
#ScamAlert If you get a text message saying you received a deposit for the
Canada Emergency Response Benefit, beware - it is a scam! Do not reply or click
on the link; delete the text and warn others. #COVID19 #EconomicResponse.
BC Hydro & Fortis BC are still offering financial relief if unable to currently pay your bill.
There will be no disconnection for lack of ability to pay at this time. DO NOT believe
anyone telling you otherwise. DO NOT give money to anyone at the door, over the
phone, via internet to “keep you from being disconnected”. If you are unable to pay
your bill, contact your provider.
Indigenous food security packages for families available from FRIS 604-458-0151
(Fraser River Indigenous Society); homelessness also addressed
As of Apr 1, Cities of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows implemented agricultural
and recreational fire bans as Covid-19 affects the respiratory system. In order
to be neighbourly, residential wood fireplaces and briquette bbqs are asked
to be on hold.
For dogs of older adults and older dogs who have lost a human companion
due to a residence change, illness or death and are left without a caregiver,
ElderDog works to provide temporary, no cost, foster care in an approved
foster home. Several approved foster homes are waiting to help out.
Email: [email protected] Phone: 604-299-3667
Remember when walking your dogs, they must remain on-leash. There are an
increasing number of unleashed dogs in parks. If you see this call SPCA: 604-463-9511.
With all the talk of using Zoom to video conference, be aware of some security
concerns if no password is required to be a part of the group. “Zoom bombing” refers
to when random people join your group; they may have ulterior motives:
www.cbc.ca/news/technology/zoombombing-fbi-warning-1.5519024
THE GOING’S ON:
RMSS- Maple Ridge, 12150 224th Street Maple Ridge BC V2X 3N8 Tel. (604)467-4993 Web: www.rmssseniors.org
RMSS- Pitt Meadows, 19065 119B Ave Pitt Meadows BC V3Y 0E6 Tel. (604)457-4771
Remember to support your local businesses! Purchase a gift card for
someone to use at a later date. They can be purchased over the
phone, and even left at the store for the recipient - who then calls in and orders something
against the total of the gift card. Many stores offer curb side pick up as well.
Talk about contactless shopping! (Psst...Mother’s Day is coming!)
RESOURCES & TIPS:
www.stayathome.spud.ca Spud is a Vancouver based home delivery grocery provider.
They offer pre-set food boxes. During COVID-19, they are offering “stay home boxes” at
cost; order online – two day delivery, including MR/PM.
This is being offered to front line workers and those who are
at-risk in the community.
Following up with Haney Farmer’s Market Pitt Meadows Hub:
place an order online Wed at noon, and then pick up on Sat.
Details at: www.farmersandmore.org/order-direct
Go to Haney Farmer’s Market FB page and check their video
for more details.
Kate Woochuck, who has facilitated many seniors driving workshops for
RMSS, wants to make sure you know the following:
Time to renew your driver’s licence? To renew your licence, call ICBC
(1-800-950-1498) within 6 weeks of your expiry date to apply for a
temporary paper licence (valid 90 days) that will be mailed to you.
A visit to a licencing branch for photo and signature will be required before a physical
card is replaced. (All driving tests are indefinitely suspended.)
For auto insurance renewal, contact your auto broker. Many policies can be
renewed over the phone and email. If experiencing financial hardship,
contact ICBC to see if you qualify to have your monthly payment plan
deferred for up to 90 days with no penalty.
Check out www.canadatogether.com for many suggestions on how to journey COVID-19 with fellow Canadians.
RMSS- Maple Ridge, 12150 224th Street Maple Ridge BC V2X 3N8 Tel. (604)467-4993 Web: www.rmssseniors.org
RMSS- Pitt Meadows, 19065 119B Ave Pitt Meadows BC V3Y 0E6 Tel. (604)457-4771
SELF-CARE MOMENT:
As a child growing up, posture was often mentioned. When singing we were to visualize a string
attached to the top of our head, allowing the head to lift thereby opening up the chest giving us
lung power and volume. My high school would annually crown a posture queen (no king, as I
recall).
As we left school, joined the work force, raised families, posture became background noise and
perhaps was forgotten. Our activities of daily living don’t seem to encourage good posture…
hunched over a desk while on the computer or while driving a car, lazing about while watching
television. Now, as we age, it becomes important once more. Poor posture can start to affect our
mobility and quality of life. Good posture will allow the lungs to expand and work efficiently. Bad
posture can put extra stress on the back. If our muscles are weak, it is more difficult to hold
ourselves in good alignment. So keeping up with a good strength routine becomes even more
important.
There are constructive things we can do to improve posture. Try not to sit for more than one hour.
Every hour stand up, think tall, place your fists on your low back and open up the chest. During
daily activities try to train yourself to correct your posture, perhaps have it triggered by a colour.
When you see the colour red, lift the sternum (breast bone). A regular exercise program will
strengthen and stretch the affected posture muscles, including the muscles for support of the 12 to
15 pound head, the shoulder girdle, midsection (low back and abdominals) and the pelvic region.
Here are some pointers for good posture:
Think tall, lift the sternum, this will then allow the head to lift. Shoulders should be
down, back and relaxed (if your hands are loose, this helps to keep the
shoulders relaxed). The whole body should feel relaxed and aligned.
- submitted by Cathy Driver, RMSS fitness instructor
N.B.: To stay connected with her grandchildren, Cathy is leading them through regular times of exercise over video conference. Way to walk the walk, Cathy!
FITNESS CHALLENGE!
Class members of Stay Fit 3 have started an email fitness challenge. One of the class
instructors, Debbie, got them started with a 10 day squat challenge. Five squats on Day 1,
and add an additional five squats each day, so that by Day 10 you are doing 50 squats!
So...I’m curious - how many of you ‘rose’ to the challenge?
(or did the thighs get too sore?)
Any other groups ready to put out a challenge?
(disclaimer: only participate in what you know you are able to do!)
RMSS- Maple Ridge, 12150 224th Street Maple Ridge BC V2X 3N8 Tel. (604)467-4993 Web: www.rmssseniors.org
RMSS- Pitt Meadows, 19065 119B Ave Pitt Meadows BC V3Y 0E6 Tel. (604)457-4771
The Alzheimer Society offers webinars!
Upcoming seminars include:
Staying Healthy in a Time of Change and Uncertainty:
Tuesday, May 5, 2-2:30 p.m.
Long-Distance Caregiving:
Wednesday, May 13, 2-3 p.m. or 7-8 p.m.
All webinars are free to access. To register, please
visit www.alzbc.org/webinars or call the First Link®
Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033. You can also
review a playlist of pre-recorded webinars on topics
such as:
- Building Caregiver Resilience
- Activities to Do with a Person Living with Dementia
- Long-Distance Caregiving
- How to Support a Friend who has Dementia
or is a Caregiver
- Understanding Behaviour
Alouette Addictions: their full service is open for all support To book an appointment: 604-467-5179 9am – 5pm
Great help for this time with mental health challenges
CAREGIVER SUPPORT
Are you familiar with this phrase?
It refers to an unexpected act of charity or
helpfulness, often done for a stranger.
www.randomactsofkindness.org is a site
full of suggestions, ideas, links to videos, self-care.
Explore and see what you can do for someone else -
it will make YOU feel so much better!
If you know some-
one who struggles
with mental health,
reach out to them
with a call or email.
RMSS- Maple Ridge, 12150 224th Street Maple Ridge BC V2X 3N8 Tel. (604)467-4993 Web: www.rmssseniors.org
RMSS- Pitt Meadows, 19065 119B Ave Pitt Meadows BC V3Y 0E6 Tel. (604)457-4771
So...what have you been doing? How have you been occupying yourself?
PLEASE SHARE with us...it would be wonderful to know what you have been up to!
www.cbc.ca/music Many things to find here: from individual artists pre-recorded songs, a
link to an up-to-date list of live stream performances (this link is in the box on the far right
of your screen), to a varied list of playlists (not just Canadian artists). Explore this website
to find ways to support Canadian artists - some are even offering Skype lessons! (type
Skype lessons in the website search bar)
www.CBCkidsnews.ca This is a news site appropriate for children (and grandchildren)
aged age 9-13. Lots of age appropriate topics and themes.
If movie stars are more your thing, go to www.YouTube.com and search interviews:
SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild) and Actors on Actors (in which two mainstream actors
interview one another). In depth interviews - much more revealing than the five minute
movie promos we see on regular talk show programs. Hear interviews with Helen Mirren,
Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Lopez and many more.
www.getorganizednow.com 101 Things to Do While Staying Home (you may need to give your
email address to receive the free list). Things like swap out chores with your partner, plan a
themed meal and dress the part (i.e. French, music, wine, fake accent, learn a few phrases
to impress…or try a movie theme with your family) , try on ALL your clothes (gasp!) and
set aside those that no longer fit for when donation centres reopen.
Check out www.rmssseniors.org for our Isolation links. We continue to add more fitness
videos. Jane Gallagher has produced two more videos (Chair Yoga using weights, and
Mindful Meditation), and we have added some Tai Chi and aerobic walking videos. Watch
a Zoom tutorial. Learn to sew your own mask. You can also review past activity
suggestions - perhaps you are now ready to try some of them.
NEXT ISSUE: MR Facility Attendant, Joe, also a writer of novels, will share his ideas on
how to start your writing journey. We’ll also address journaling. And consider getting
some art canvases and acrylic paints ready as PM Facility Attendant, Michelle, is preparing
a video art lesson.
ACTIVITY IDEAS:
What ideas have you come up with? Share them! [email protected]
RMSS- Maple Ridge, 12150 224th Street Maple Ridge BC V2X 3N8 Tel. (604)467-4993 Web: www.rmssseniors.org
RMSS- Pitt Meadows, 19065 119B Ave Pitt Meadows BC V3Y 0E6 Tel. (604)457-4771
Missing your usual activities? This section will feature some of the classes RMSS offers.
If you would like to promote your activity, or give us a taste of what a class is like, what
one might learn (i.e. using photos, diagrams, brief explanations), please send info to:
Congratulations! to our
Ukulele group, led by Lillian B.
Her resolve to remain in
contact with her group and
continue to make music
together has been rewarded!
Each Wednesday at 1pm
those who are able
participate in a live class using
zoom. Despite some tech
challenges, they have had up
to 19 members participating!
So proud of you all!
Ukulele regularly occurs on Wednesdays at 1:30pm PM centre and 7:00pm at MR centre.
(note: G&G Music on Lougheed Highway is offering curbside pick up. If you order a ukulele through them,
try mentioning Lillian’s name - and her RMSS lessons - for a chance of some savings.)
Next issue: would you like your activity featured?
Create a write up to promote your activity
Give us a sample card hand and explain the how’s and why’s of your game
Explain the strategy of a well played Scrabble word
What is a basic dance step we can start practicing for: Hawaiian, Line, Ballet, Ballroom
What project can we start working on for your craft group?
Contact: [email protected] or call 604-477-0425
Whale Shark, Vermeer, Voice over Internet Protocol, Cuba, Gone with the Wind, Algeria, Napoleon, Israel
ACTIVITY FEATURE:
Some of the Ukulele members during a Zoom class.
RMSS- Maple Ridge, 12150 224th Street Maple Ridge BC V2X 3N8 Tel. (604)467-4993 Web: www.rmssseniors.org
RMSS- Pitt Meadows, 19065 119B Ave Pitt Meadows BC V3Y 0E6 Tel. (604)457-4771
Ridge Meadows Home Show: This event normally occurs the first
weekend of each May. It is a venue of countless renovation and
garden improvement ideas, housewares and wellness topics, etc. The
Family Fest occurs simultaneously with carousel rides, entertainment,
and food trucks. Check out www.ridgemeadowshomeshow.com for
full details on NEXT year’s plans. Meanwhile…
consider how you can change out the look of your own home: can you rearrange your
furniture, if not able to do so on your own, what reconfiguration might you think could work?
is it time to change out the photos in your frames? Or switch out the artwork you have on
your walls?
check out www.getorganizednow.com for 101 things to organize and clean
get going on that “honey do” list...really...what ARE you waiting for?
Kathleen H: Something I have been working on is sorting and culling old photos. I have mounted
about 20 black and white ones of my grand-parents and other family members on a display in my
hall. Looks fabulous! Might be a suggestion for others to do. I think everyone has photos they
mean to go thru….. London Drugs will scan and resize of only 39 cents each.
Mother’s Day: We may need to be creative (and perhaps
forgiving) of how we celebrate Mother’s Day this year!
You could have your mom’s favourite flowers or meal
delivered; you could drive by and do a distanced visit; you
could write mom a letter or poem; you could mail her a
card; you could sing her a song! Just let her know how
much you care. (and if your mom has passed, find a way to remember her that is meaningful to you)
Alzheimer’s Walk to Remember: This annual event has gone virtual for 2020. You can still walk
to remember those you have lost to this disease. It will be on May 31 and celebrated nationwide.
This is their biggest annual fundraiser. For registration details go to: www.walkforalzheimers.ca
Vistas Run: Has been postponed
AROUND TOWN:
RMSS- Maple Ridge, 12150 224th Street Maple Ridge BC V2X 3N8 Tel. (604)467-4993 Web: www.rmssseniors.org
RMSS- Pitt Meadows, 19065 119B Ave Pitt Meadows BC V3Y 0E6 Tel. (604)457-4771
Trivia Questions
(answers on bottom of activity feature page, two pages back)
Believed to grow as large as 60 feet (18 meters), what is the largest species of shark currently living in the ocean?
Girl with a Pearl Earring is an oil painting by which Dutch Golden Age painter?
When referring to phone calls made over the internet, what does the acronym VoIP stand for?
The mojito is a traditional rum cocktail from which country?
What film did Carol Burnett parody as the character “Starlet” in a costume made from tassels, drapery, and a curtain rod?
In terms of geographical area, what is the largest country in Africa?
In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, what was the name of the pig leader?
In 1952, Albert Einstein was offered the presidency of which country?
ACTIVITY PAGE:
The YMCA has twice partnered with
RMSS to offer FREE tech workshops.
Currently, classes are held virtually over
Zoom. (Instructions would be emailed to
you ahead of time)
Help with the following is available:
Basic Computer Skills
Surfing the Internet
Online Safety
Corona-virus useful contacts and apps
iPhone Basics
Effective Emailing
WiFi and Cookies
Google Advanced Search
Grocery Shopping online
Microsoft Office Word
Email or phone to register.
RMSS- Maple Ridge, 12150 224th Street Maple Ridge BC V2X 3N8 Tel. (604)467-4993 Web: www.rmssseniors.org
RMSS- Pitt Meadows, 19065 119B Ave Pitt Meadows BC V3Y 0E6 Tel. (604)457-4771
CONNECTIONS: STAYING IN TOUCH
To submit a message or photo, email: [email protected]
Hello to our community!
We want to assure you all that the
Ridge Meadows Hospice Society
supports are still available to everyone. Our
office is closed to the public but we have staff
available to speak to via 604-463-7722, or email:
We are providing phone and virtual support to
those who require grief support or counselling
on a one-to-one basis. We are also currently
working on our grief groups and relaxation
circle which will be offered via Zoom
conferencing. We recognize that this time of
COVID-19 has a great impact on our general
sense of isolation and connection, and there is
no need to be alone in your grief and loss,
please reach out.
-Lindsey Willis Executive Director
to: You!
from: Lindsey of RM Hospice Society
Hello all, hope you are keeping well
with the situation we find ourselves
in. Staff are trying very hard to keep
in touch with everybody, be it by
phone, email or Facebook, with
information and ideas on how to keep
busy. Don’t be afraid to pick up the
phone and talk to a friend. If there is
something you need, pick up the
phone and call us. We will try to help.
Unfortunately, as we have mentioned
previously, the cost of food is rising
plus we have additional costs of
packaging for our take-away meals.
This is necessitating a modest price
increase in our meals. This will take
effect Tuesday, May 19. New prices
will be posted at both centres starting
next week. These prices will be
reviewed once we reopen and may
necessitate a further increase, but we
are keeping it to a minimum at this
time.
Be safe out
there and
remember your
social distancing.
-Don Mitchell, RMSS President
Board members, Don & Fran at at BEAwards
ceremony 2019
RMSS- Maple Ridge, 12150 224th Street Maple Ridge BC V2X 3N8 Tel. (604)467-4993 Web: www.rmssseniors.org
RMSS- Pitt Meadows, 19065 119B Ave Pitt Meadows BC V3Y 0E6 Tel. (604)457-4771
RMSS- Maple Ridge, 12150 224th Street Maple Ridge BC V2X 3N8 Tel. (604)467-4993 Web: www.rmssseniors.org
RMSS- Pitt Meadows, 19065 119B Ave Pitt Meadows BC V3Y 0E6 Tel. (604)457-4771
RMSS- Maple Ridge, 12150 224th Street Maple Ridge BC V2X 3N8 Tel. (604)467-4993 Web: www.rmssseniors.org
RMSS- Pitt Meadows, 19065 119B Ave Pitt Meadows BC V3Y 0E6 Tel. (604)457-4771
A PROJECT FOR YOU!
Falling down a rabbit hole is a well-known phenomenon. As a child one of my favourite
stories was Alice In Wonderland. I wandered through the encyclopedia, and the shelves
at the library. The Internet offers family historians endless possibilities for wandering the
warrens of trees and documents. And our own memories can lead us off track too.
I try to capture my own memories in little pieces of writing, knowing that those colours
and scents and sounds will be forever lost if I decide to weed the garden instead. My siblings
are a few years younger, and they simply don’t have the same recollections I do about our dogs, our
houses, our friends and neighbours. Even when we do share a memory, we have different points of view.
Give your memory a poke. Memories are triggered by sights and smells: a snatch of music, the sound of a
voice, the taste of candy. I like to stimulate recall by looking at photographs and books I have read in the
past.
It’s MY memory. When I put a story on the page, I don’t worry about spelling, or remembering all the
details in particular order, or about what anyone else might think. I try to summon the textures of smell,
touch, and colour. I am interested in laying down exactly what I remember.
Give your memory a name. I often start with a title: Aromas of Christmas, Mother’s Pride, When Geof Ran
Away From Home. The title gives me a starting place and helps me shape my story. I am not writing a book,
maybe only a few paragraphs or a couple of pages.
Give it a rest. Once I have written the piece, I go weed the garden, or make a cup of tea. Later I go back
and re-write to tighten the language and to re-think the order of events, remember more details. Then I
put it in a folder called “Brenda’s Stories” and leave it for a while. Unless I want to share it, or torture my
sister by sending it to her daughters.
Share your story. Find someone who might like to read, or listen to you read your memory piece. Ask for
impressions and encourage requests for clarification. By sharing my mother’s memoirs I learned that she
had written them to me with my understanding, but that the context of a girl growing up on a homestead
in the 1930s was a bit of a mystery to my son’s generation. Sharing helped me see where I needed to
supply explanation to make her story more accessible.
Over the years I have accumulated quite a store of recorded memories. Not the book of my life. More like a
basket of vegetables, each with its own colour and flavor, but all from my garden.
For the month of May, ancestry.ca has offered library cardholders access to Ancestry
Library Edition. (Remember, you can apply for an e-card online.) Once on the FVRL website,
www.fvrl.bc.ca/index.php from the menu bar select digital content, databases, then ancestry
library edition.) To whet your appetite on family history, Brenda Smith has written some
articles we will feature over the next issues to encourage and inspire your journey.
RMSS- Maple Ridge, 12150 224th Street Maple Ridge BC V2X 3N8 Tel. (604)467-4993 Web: www.rmssseniors.org
RMSS- Pitt Meadows, 19065 119B Ave Pitt Meadows BC V3Y 0E6 Tel. (604)457-4771
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION!
We want to recognize some of RMSS’
amazing volunteers.
Please send your acknowledgments to:
“Pam L., Jeanette H., Doris B. and Joys S.
have all been sewing face masks that may
be available at either centre over the lunch
hours (inventory dependent).
There are different styles,
patterns, colours and sizes.
Much appreciated!”
STAFF DIRECTORY:
Executive Director, Maria Perretta 604-477-9985; [email protected]
Administrative Coordinator, Nancy Markham 604-467-4593; [email protected]
Activity Coordinator, Carmen Tischer 604-477-0425; [email protected]
Outreach Coordinator, Bev Schmahmann 604-380-0516; [email protected]
Volunteer Coordinator, Kara Matthew 604-380-0517; [email protected]
A take-away lunch is available at BOTH MR & PM centres Mon-Fri 11:30am-12:30pm
Phone ahead for menu. Cash only.
Be sure to check out our Facebook
page at facebook.com/rmssseniors
Watch the volunteer appreciation
video. Thanks for this memento, Vanessa!