Helpful Information

Helpful Information for Seniors in BC, but I suspect all jurisdictions have similar types of services and support, I suggest doing a Google search for Senior Services (in my community--just put in your location here)

411 Seniors Centre Society

Provide information to seniors about available services and benefits. Staff may be able to help you apply for benefits or appeal decisions.

704 -333 Terminal Avenue

Vancouver, BC V6A 4C1

604.684.8171

contact411@411seniors.bc.ca 
www.411seniors.bc.ca 

Access Pro Bono Society of BC

Provides free legal advice or full legal representation to low and modest income

individuals.

106 — 873 Beatty Street

Vancouver, BC V6B 2M6

604.482.31.95

help@accesspr0bono.ca 
www.accessprobono.ca 

BC Centre for Elder Advocacy Support

BC CEAS operates a legal advocacy telephone line and provides information, referrals, and

legal advocacy to seniors and the people who work with seniors province-wide.

604.437.1940

1.866.437.1940

ceas@telus.net 
www.bcceas.ca

BC Health Coalition

Has several fact sheets available online. Contact them to receive all of the fact sheets in the First Aid Kit for Seniors Health Care in BC.

202 - 211 East Georgia Street

Vancouver, BC V62 1Z6

604.681.7945

inf0@bcceas.cainf0@bcceas.ca
www.bcceas.ca

CARP

A non-profit, non-partisan membership organization for people age 45 and up, and those of any age who love and care for them. It is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for Canadians as we age.

1.888.363.2279

support@carp.ca 
www.carp.ca

Community Centres

Many communities in BC have information and referral centres, senior’s centres, and seniors

one-stop information lines. Look up” Community Services" in the yellow pages. Or call Enquiry BC - 1.800.663.7867

Dial-A-Law

A service provided by the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch. It is a library of pre-recorded tapes about the law in BC.

604.687.4680

1.800.565.5297

www.cba.org/bc

Healthlink BC

Helps you find health services and resources near you. Call them to speak to a nurse, pharmacist or dietitian. Translation services are available in more than 130 languages.

Toll free in BC: 811

Hearing or Speech Impaired: 711

healthlinkbc@gov.bc.ca 
www.healthlinkbc.ca

Immigrant Serving Agencies

These agencies provide orientation and settlement services for newcomers to BC. Services range from classes in English as a second language to providing interpreters or advocates. Look up ”Community Services" in front section of the yellow pages (SuperPages).

Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre and Registry

Provides information, education, and support for people to make and use representation agreements and enduring powers of attorney.

1440 West 12th Avenue

Vancouver, BC V6H 1M8

604.408.7414

1.877.267.5552

info@nidus.ca 
www.nidus.ca

Ombudsperson BC

Receives inquiries and complaints about  the practices and services provided by  public agencies. While not an advocate, the  Ombudsperson can conduct impartial and  confidential investigations to determine if a public agency is being fair.

1.800.567.3247

Victoria: 250.387.5855

2nd Floor, 947 Fort Street

Victoria, BC

www.ombudsman.bc.ca

PovNet

A website and service that provides information on low-income issues and can help you find an advocate.

www.povnet.org

Public Guardian and Trustee of BC

Has information about powers of attorney, committees, representation agreements, wills,

and estates, and can give you information or help in situations in which a person is unable to

manage his or her own affairs.

700 - 808 West Hastings St.

Vancouver, BC V6C 3L3

604.660.4444

1.800.663.7867

mail@trustee.bc.ca 
www.trustee.bc.ca

QMUNITY Generations at BC’s Queer Resource Centre

Aims to increase visibility and awareness of aging and elderly lesbian, gay, transgendered, and bisexual (LGTB) people. It reflects innovative approach to age specific service delivery, education, and community development.

610 — 1033 Davie Street,

Vancouver, BC

604.684.8449

generations@qmunity.ca
www.qmunity.ca/older-adults

Seniors Gateway

A website with online legal information and resources relevant to BC seniors.

info@seniorsgateway.vcn.bc.ca 
www.seniorsgateway.vcn.bc.ca

Seniors Services  Society

Provides information on housing options, referrals, outreach services for seniors who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and advocacy on housing issues.

750 - Carnarvon Street

New Westminster, BC V3M 1E7

604.520.6621

info@seniorsservicessociety.ca

ww.seniorsservicessociety.ca

When Baby Boom Women Retire

The following is taken from a very interesting book called "When Baby Boom Women Retire", it is on Amazon. The book was written by Nancy Dailey. 

 I would encourage you to read the entire book

The message for baby boom women is clear: baby boom women need to prepare and plan for retirement primarily because they are at a financial disadvantage. They earn less than men, have less access to defined benefit coverage, have more difficulty saving, and carry the caregiving burden for children and the elderly. These differences point to a more precarious financial fixture for women than for men. It is further aggravated by the fact that baby boom women are expected to outlive their spouses by fifteen years

Many believe that Boomer women will do ok in retirement and this is because they make some assumptions:

·       Assumption #l: Baby boom women will be the first generation of women who will have earned their own retirement as a worker, not as a spouse. For some women this will be true but many will be disappointed to learn that their Social Security spousal benefit will be higher than their worker's benefit. Even though they have worked all their adult lives, many will not have “earned" the right to retire on their own.

·       Assumption #2: Baby boom women 's labor force participation will make them eligible for their own pensions. Pension coverage is not pension receipt. The nature of work for baby boom women could very well diminish opportunities for actual pension receipt. lf women do receive pension benefits it will most likely be a small, one-time, lump-sum distribution.

·       Assumption #3: Asset income, the third leg of the income "stool. " will be an important part of retirement income; 90% of baby boomers can expect to receive some form of asset income. Asset income will either be minimal or non-existent for the majority of baby boom women. Baby boom women will have great difficultly accruing personal savings. Home ownership is even at risk given the divorce rates of baby boom marriages.

·       Assumption #4: Baby boom' women will not work in old age. They may not get paid but they certainly will be working as caregivers to the elderly.

Over the years’ female boomers have done much to advance the social slams of women yet their progress is steeped in irony:

·       Baby boom women are redefining the institution of marriage yet marriage, as with their mothers, is their best bet for a secure retirement.

·       Life-long employment for women is no guarantee of an “earned” entitlement to retirement.

·       Working outside the home, even with young children, may not give a baby boom woman any more financial advantages in retirement. For many women, not working at all could prove more profitable in their old age.

·       Just as women become eligible, pension benefits will most likely be minimal for the majority of baby boom women.

·       Investment in human capital and increased labor force attachment offered self-sufficiency and some financial independence. but affirmed baby boom women's social role as caregiver.

Visualization works

As we move into October of our years, and the fall of life, we have faith that the next few years will be filled with laughter, new friends, and far away travel. 

We still dream of exploring wildlife, unexplored jungles, and hidden lagoons. We yearn for adventure, exploring ancient mysteries, and modern cities. We know that our life will be full of challenges, heroes, and passionate love. 

Do you still dream? You should because you deserve it ALL.

Your future starts by visualizing the best future you can imagine, so for your own sake and the sake of those who love you; start your visualization

Heart failure risk increases with waistline.

A body mass index (BMI) over 30 is considered obese, and the connection between obesity and the risk of heart failure has been established in several studies. Now, researchers have conducted a new meta-analysis that shows that a BMI between 25 and 30 kg/m2, which is considered overweight, is also associated with increased risk.

"Overweight individuals had a 35 per cent increased risk of heart failure as compared with normal weight individuals, and our findings indicate that overweight should be considered a clear risk factor for heart failure."

Body mass index (BMI) shows the relationship between weight and height and is used internationally as a measure of body fat. The risk of heart failure rose on average by 41 per cent for an increase of five BMI units, and the increase in risk accelerated the further up on the BMI scale you scored.

Obesity increased the risk two to three times compared with normal weight. The researchers found no differences between men and women in the analysis, which included 23 studies with a total of almost 650,000 participants. Four studies looked at the link between BMI and the risk of death from heart failure, and the results suggested a 26 per cent higher risk for an increase of 5 BMI units.

Meanwhile, the researchers saw that every ten-centimeter increase in waist circumference was linked to a 29 per cent higher risk of heart failure. These analyses were based on twelve studies with a total of just over 360,000 participants.

Researchers found that abdominal obesity - or having an apple-shaped body - is a strong predictor of serious heart disease in patients who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and haven't displayed any symptoms of heart disease.

Apple-shaped bodies are already associated with metabolic syndrome (which includes high blood pressure, high sugar levels and high cholesterol), as well as coronary artery disease and heart failure, but this new study found that waist circumference is also a strong predictor of left ventricular dysfunction in patients.

Metabolic syndrome is often accompanied by excess body fat around the abdomen. "This study confirms that having an apple-shaped body - or a high waist circumference - can lead to heart disease, and that reducing your waist size can reduce your risks."

Lose weight.and reduce your risk of heart failure

The above was taken from a newsletter sent out by David A. Kekich, Maximum Life Foundation, www.MaxLife.org