I’d like to first wish everyone the best of the year ahead.
Come to think of it we have to make the best of each day and each moment. The older we get the faster time seems to go and I don’t know where to find the control to make things slow down.
Seniors in the Quesnel area are very fortunate in many ways.
We have the Indoor Soccer facility in West Quesnel to use and avoid walking on icy paths and in inclement weather.
I’ve told people about it, but I get exercise on the home front to mostly satisfy my needs. I miss the social aspect though.
Another plus for those more than 80 years is the free admission to the pool in the Arts & Recreation Centre.
Some times of the day there is a real hubbub of activity in the pools, fitness centre, scheduled meetings, displays in the art gallery, which changes each month. It may not be front and centre of your route but is certainly worthwhile.
I’m proud of this facility too. I know many seniors are swept up in curling during winter months, as well as seniors bowling but I know the sports editor will keep track of those activities.
January is Alzheimers Month
The Alzheimer’s Society of B.C hosts a dementia caregivers group meeting every third Tuesday of the month at the G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital upper board room from 1 to 3 p.m. For information, call Leanne at 1-866-564-7533 or Pete 250-991-0058.
They have provided much needed support for caregivers to members of their family in the community for more than five years.
Voice for North Cariboo Seniors
At their monthly meeting Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. in the Quesnel Legion, there was a discussion arising out of concern regarding a patient who was flown to Vancouver quickly.
When she was later discharged she discovered she had no clothes nor money.
This is one of the many problems the Northern Health team are working on.
Guest speaker Debbie Strang spoke about the large Primary Care and Home Support services, Long Term Care, bringing a rheumatologist from Prince George and Meals on Wheels.
She said that some of the problems are unique to the north. When concern about seniors who live alone and are not able to take care of themselves properly in cases, such as when they are convalescing, they have only to ask for help.
I know a member of the family, friend, or neighbour will give a hand. I can name a couple, but they do not advertise.
Quesnel
Wordspinners
Quesnel Wordspinners is calling for stories about families and individuals who lived in Quesnel and area prior to 2000.
A previous book Tribute to the Past was made possible with a New Horizon’s grant through Old Age Pensioners’ Organization Branch 77, Quesnel in 1985.
At that time, a group of about seven volunteers collected, typed, and edited stories that were submitted. That book covers the years 1808 to 1929 and we would like to bring it more up to date to the year 2000.
We are using School District 28 as a boundary. One of our members can help if required, but it would be great if most of the submissions could written or recorded by a family member or perhaps young person recalling stories about their grandparents.
Tell us when your family arrived from where and what brought them here, where they worked, contributions they made to the community, some memory that comes to mind while living here.
Phone 250-992-1567 for more information.
Ruth Scoullar is a seniors advocate and regular Observer contributor.