New member
One of the newest members at the Seniors Citizens Association is Dr. Surjit Sandhu, who has come to Fort St. John from Punjab, India, to join his son, daughter-in-law, and baby granddaughter here in Fort St. John. Sandhu is a retired veterinarian with 35 years’ experience working with large animals. He sat and chatted with Oliver Mott and me at the Seniors Hall recently over lunch. Sandhu said he learned English by watching YouTube videos! He and Mott had an instant connection as Mott was born in Bangalore, in southern India. Welcome, Surjit Sandhu!
“Allies in Health” study
Dr. Christiane Hoppmann is studying how social support from a health study partner impacts older adults’ health behaviours and goals. If you’re interested in participating, here are the criteria: 60 or older, BC resident, have a study partner above the age of 18. The study partner should be a person you feel close to, whom you interact with on a regular basis, who cares about your health, who lives close by, and whom you turn to for support. All together, it will take about ten hours of your time (set-up, debrief, etc.), besides whatever exercise you do. After the study, you will each receive a gift card or a physical activity tracker, and a personalized health feedback letter. All the information is at bit.ly/AlliesStudy. Email allies@psych.ubc.ca or call (604) 822-3549 to register.
Bingo! It’s starting Sept. 13, and will be held every second week, alternating between afternoons and evenings. “Last year, we had over 80 people every Bingo,” said Wendy Clayson, president of the Seniors Association. Evening and afternoon times are the same throughout.
Sept. 13 Evening - Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; Bingo starts at 7 p.m. sharp!
Sept. 20 Afternoon - Doors open at 11:30 a.m.; Bingo starts at 1 p.m. sharp!
Sept. 27 Evening
Oct. 4 Afternoon
Oct. 11 Evening
Oct. 18 Afternoon
Oct. 25 Evening . . . Mark your calendars!
Input at the Federal level on Safe Long-Term Care
The Government of Canada has launched an online consultation to inform the development of a Safe Long-Term Care Act.
The online consultation invites people, including long-term care (LTC) residents and their families, to share their perspectives and expertise on how to improve the quality and safety of LTC, foster the implementation of LTC standards, address human resources challenges, and strengthen accountability in the LTC sector.
The online questionnaire closes September 21, 2023. It will take 15-60 minutes to complete, depending on how much you share. Access the questionnaire at https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/programs/consultation-safe-long-term-care.html or send an email to ltc-sld@hc-sc.gc.ca to share your ideas or comments, or to request a printed version of the form to mail in.
By the way, I’ll be away for the next two weeks, and coming back with the column in the Sept. 28th edition! Enjoy the rest of the summer. No doubt, it will feel fall-ish by the time I’m back.
