The Link-Letter Dec. 3, 2010
v. 5-48
For more information click on the links
provided.
New items are highlighted.
NEWS FOR AGENCY STAFF
1. “Are you looking for an effective way to promote a new program,
product, service or fundraising initiative? The SAGE Directory of
Seniors Services is now accepting advertising for the 2011 publication.
For more than 25 years, the directory has been a trusted information
source for seniors, caregivers and professionals serving seniors. As a
non-profit organization, SAGE relies on advertising revenues to help
offset the significant cost of producing 50,000 copies of this critical
resource, at no cost to readers." For more information, contact Karen
McDonald 780-701-9008 or kmcdonald@mysage.ca. For an advertising
package, go here. For an insertion order, go here.
2. With the province’s seniors population set to double in 25 years, falls
alone could cost Albertans about $228 million a year by 2031, compared
to $96 million today, says a University of Alberta researcher.
Municipalities need to re-think their approach to urban design to take
this and other health factors into account, says a St. Albert councillor. To
read the St. Albert Gazette’s Nov. 27 article Grey wave to change
streets, go here.
3. A Reuters online article reports that a study published Nov. 22 indicates
exercises combining music and rhythmic movement may help curb
the rate of falls among older adults at increased risk. “Swiss
researchers found that a form of music/movement education known as
Dalcroze eurhythmics seemed to improve balance and walking ability
among 134 older adults who were at increased risk of falls due to frailty,
balance problems or a history of falls.” To read the article, go here.
4. The Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations is connecting
nonprofits with an opportunity to hire post-secondary employees
through the Post-Secondary Employment Program. “P-SEP provides
valuable supports to nonprofits who hire recent graduates, under the age
of 30. These supports include financial assistance as well as helping
nonprofits identify areas necessary for professional development in their
new employees.” For more information Michelle Hanks, program
administrator at 780-441-9805 or employers@ecvo.ca.
5. Edmonton Seniors: A Portrait contains demographic information and
highlights the needs and interests of Edmonton seniors. The portrait
supports Edmonton's Seniors Declaration and its ideals to make
Edmonton a more age-friendly city. To download a pdf copy, go here. To
request a printed copy, email seniors@edmonton.ca.
EVENTS FOR AGENCY STAFF
1. The Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council will hold its seasonal
celebration at 1 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the Santa Maria Goretti Community
Centre, 11050 - 90 Street. Barbara Dart, Vice President Community
Building Strategy, United Way of the Alberta Capital Region, will join us to
talk about Beyond Collaboration. Go here to get a copy of our event
invitation. Email rich@seniorscouncil.net or phone 780-423-5635 by Dec.
3 if you are planning to attend.
2. Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council member agency staff
interested in attending the April 26 to 30, 2011, Aging in America
Conference in San Francisco are invited to use the ESCC’s National
Council on Aging membership number to get a reduced registration rate
(a saving of $106 per registration prior to Dec. 15). In return, ESCC
would like a commitment to share knowledge gained. This could take the
form of a presentation to groups such as programmers, executive
directors, board members etc. For information on conference sessions,
discounts and registration, go here. To discuss the ESCC’s offer, contact
Sheila at 780-423-5635 or sheila@seniorscouncil.net.
3. The Multicultural Coalition will share the results of research from
across different communities during a Solidarity Through Diversity event
on Dec. 16 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Central Lions Seniors
Recreation Centre, 11113 - 113 Street. The focus will be on
“misunderstandings and challenges in our ethnocultural communities”.
Parking is free. Contact Saba to register at 780-760-1973 or
smkidane@gmail.com.
4. The cover of the SAGE Directory of Senior Services 2010 was “a
delightful original painting of seniors by Terrie Shaw from Strathcona
Place Seniors Centre. We are conducting a competition for another
original artwork for the cover of the 2011 directory. The competition is
open to any senior (60+).” For information about requirements, go to
www.mysage.ca, call David at 780-701-9012 or email dloper@mysage.ca.
Entries will be judged at an art show on Dec. 16 at SAGE (Seniors
Association of Greater Edmonton).
5. Leaders and supervisors are invited to complete an Alberta Centre for
Active Living workshop on Jan. 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to qualify to
teach the four-hour Home Support Exercise Program to others who
work directly with older adults. “The HSEP uses 10 simple exercises to
improve the health of older adults and help them maintain their
independence.” For more information and to register, go here. The cost is
$315 (includes tax, manual and lunch). For more information, call 780427-6949 or email active.living@ualberta.ca.
6. CapitalCare’s 2011 People and Progress Continuing Care
Conference, Dying Well – Living through the End of Life, will present
sessions Feb. 3 that “encompass and go beyond the purely clinical
aspects of dying”. The conference will include four keynote speakers and
an end of life ethics panel. For more information, go here.
7. The Alberta Human Rights Commission has scheduled a human
rights in the workplace public workshop in Edmonton on Feb. 9. The
fee is $125 plus GST. The full-day event is intended for managers,
supervisors and team leaders, and will provide participants with an
overview of Alberta's human rights legislation, information on preventing
harassment in the workplace, information from the workshop module
Duty to Accommodate (go here for an explanation) and an understanding
of respectful and inclusive workplaces and strategies to create these
workplaces. For more information, go here.
8. Registrations are being accepted for the Alberta Centre on Aging’s
eighth annual Research on Aging: Nibble, Nosh and Network event on
Feb. 11 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. in the Maple Leaf Room at the Lister
Conference Centre on the University of Alberta campus. This poster and
discussion session is open to community members and external agency
staff. For more information and register, go here.
WORK OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SENIOR SECTOR
1. Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton (SAGE) is looking for a
social work services assessment coordinator. “This position is
responsible for assessing client needs and providing short term one-onone counseling to individuals, addressing the social and emotional needs
of older adults and their families. This position will also provide
assessments for the housing, Safe House, and This Full House
programs.” Applicants need to be registered social workers. “This is a
temporary full-time position to April 30, 2011 with the possibility of
extension.” For full job descriptions and details visit www.MySage.ca.
Submit a resume with salary expectations by Dec. 10 to Director of
Operations, SAGE, 15 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton, T5J 2E5;
fax 780-426-5175; or email jnoonan@MySage.ca.
ITEMS FOR SENIORS
1. Did you know one in three Alberta seniors fall each year? And that fall
related injuries are the leading cause of hospitalization for Alberta
seniors? Physiotherapy Alberta has announced that the webcast
recording of a falls seminar held at SAGE on Nov. 24 is now available.
Don't let a fall get you down: a webcast on improving balance can be
accessed by going here. “The good news -- falls are preventable. Learn
some key strategies to improve your balance and stay on your feet.” The
webcast is one hour in length.
2. Becoming the Best: Alberta’s 5-year Health Action Plan will drive further
improvement in the health care system, a provincial government news
release states. The plan calls for reduced wait times for hip surgery
(60 per cent reduction), access to radiation oncologists (70 per cent
reduction) and treatment at emergency departments (90 per cent of
patients to be treated and admitted to hospital within eight hours);
more spaces for continuing care (68 per cent increase in the number of
people moved out of a hospital bed and into a community care setting);
and, an emphasis on wellness to keep Albertans healthy (32 per cent
increase in child immunization rates). To read the plan, go here.
3. “Don’t want to forget to meet your friend for lunch? Need to remember
to take your medicine? Create an image that associates the task with
something else happening around the same time, and then picture
yourself following through when you see that cue.” This is one of six
memory tricks favoured by brain experts, according to an article posted
on the Care 2 Make a Difference website. To read it, go here.
4. The CNIB is seeking support for its efforts to secure funding from the
federal government that will enable it to continue to provide alternate
format materials to other libraries. These materials are thus available
to anyone with a print disability. To link to a sample letter that can be
used to communicate with your MP and federal cabinet ministers, go
here. For a backgrounder on the issue, go here. To contact the CNIB,
email cathy.moore@cnib.ca or call 613-563-0000 ext. 5004.
5. The Writers Guild of Alberta will host its first Book Lovers Christmas
Sale on Dec. 4 from 12 to 5 p.m. at the Stanley A. Milner Library
(Centennial Room, 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square). “Meet authors from
across the province, listen to book readings, enter for door prizes, and
purchase signed copies of Alberta books at this free event!” For more
information, call 780-422-8174, email mail@writersguild.ab.ca or visit
www.writersguild.ab.ca.
6. Friends of Medicare will hold a Rally for Public Healthcare at the
Alberta Legislature, 10800 - 97 Avenue, on Dec. 4 at 1 p.m. The event
is intended to protest “the barrage of crises that have arisen in the past
few months”. For more information, call 780-423-4581 or visit
www.friendsofmedicare.org.
7. Dec. 5 is International Volunteer Day, established in 1985 by the
United Nations General Assembly to “commemorate the contributions
and dedication of volunteers worldwide”. To learn more, go here.
Volunteer Alberta points out that more than 1,445,000 volunteers
strengthen communities across the province. “Did you know the average
hours volunteered per Albertan was 172 hours, and the volunteer rate
increased from 48 per cent in 2004 to 52 per cent in 2007?” To join an
international discussion about volunteerism, go here.
8. Many immigrant and refugee seniors will have tables at a Winter World
Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 11 at McCauley Gym, 9538 107 Avenue. The event, supported by the City of Edmonton, Multicultural
Health Brokers Co-op and multicultural parents groups, will include
clothing, crafts, gifts, baked goods and a cooking demonstration.
9. The City of Edmonton Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Community
Services Department will host another Immigration and Settlement
Community Gathering on Dec. 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Central
Lions Senior Recreation Centre, 11113 - 113 Street. A light breakfast,
lunch and childcare will be provided. “The objectives of our gatherings
are to build strong, constructive relationships with immigrant and
refugee communities; gain increasing awareness of the challenges facing
these communities; identify ways that the city can help address issues;
and inform and educate immigrant and refugee groups about the city's
services.” Call Nita Hayer at 780-496-5779 or email her at
nita.hayer@edmonton.ca to register for this free event.
10. The Jeff Allen Art Gallery at Strathcona Place Senior Centre,
10831 University Avenue, holds its Christmas Show and Sale,
featuring paintings, fabric art, pottery and woodwork produced by 2010
exhibitors, until Dec. 22. Best viewing hours are 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
and 3 to 4 p.m. For more information, call 780-433-5807.
11. Artists are invited to display and sell their work during the 2011 Deep
Freeze: A Winter Byzantine Festival, Jan. 8 and 9 at Alberta Avenue
(118 Avenue) between 92 and 94 Street. For more on the festival, go to
www.deepfreezefest.ca. Artists selected will not be charged a fee. If,
however, their work sells, a 20 per cent commission will be collected.
Artists can also rent a table at the art market, Jan. 8 and 9 from 12 to 6
p.m. The fee is $45 for a 5 feet x 2 feet table with space for back wall
supports. Go here for more information and submission guidelines.
12. Need some seasonal gift ideas for seniors? Check out the Edmonton
Seniors Coordinating Council’s suggested Gift Items for the Senior(s)
in Your Life. Go here to get the document.
13. “Anyone can be a Snow Angel. All you need to do is shovel snow for
a person in need in your neighbourhood. By doing so, you will help
create a safer community for everyone to enjoy. You will also help
people in need meet their responsibility to remove ice and snow from
their sidewalks within 48 hours of a snowfall under the Community
Standards Bylaw.” For information, go here. The brochure tells you how
to nominate someone who is shovelling snow for you as a Snow Angel.
VOLUNTEER/WORK OPPORTUNITIES FOR SENIORS
1. The Society of Seniors Caring About Seniors is in need of a
volunteer office worker. “We require one day a week or a half day to
answer the phone, do mailings, some computer data entry and other
office duties.” SSCAS office hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to
Friday. The office is located near Bonnie Doon Shopping Centre. Call
Bernice or Val at 780-465-0311 for more information.
2. Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival held on Alberta Avenue
(118 Avenue) Jan. 8 and 9, 2011, needs volunteers to help organize
and support events such as ice carving competitions, snow sculpture, ice
skating, jam jar curling, horse and wagon rides, an ice slide for kids,
Cabane a Sucre, cultural dance, street hockey tournaments, artisan sale,
Mummers Friendly Contest and a Strong Man Competition. To find out
more, email deepfreezevolunteers@gmail.com.
3. “Winter doesn’t have to feel so long if you dress warmly and get outside
into the sunshine!” In January, the Ice on Whyte Festival will celebrate
the 25th anniversary of Edmonton’s twinning with the Chinese city of
Harbin, “perhaps the most renowned of all the ice-carving cities in the
world”. Festival organizers would be “delighted if hale and hearty seniors,
and their families and friends”, volunteer to “help out at this spectacular
event. There are different roles to play and we’ll help you find the right
one for you.” To sign up, go to www.iceonwhyte.ca and click on the
“Volunteer” link.