Seniors

FILE - In this Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 file photo, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, Patron, leaves after attending a Service of Thanksgiving to mark the Centenary of the Royal British Legion at Westminster Abbey, in London. Queen Elizabeth II is Britain’s longest-lived and longest-reigning monarch. But don’t call her an oldie. The 95-year-old queen has politely declined the honor of being named “Oldie of the Year” by a British magazine. The Oldie magazine on Tuesday Oct. 19, 2021, published the queen’s response to its suggestion. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool, File)

Thanks but no: UK queen turns down “Oldie of the Year” title

Queen Elizabeth says she does not meet ‘the relevant criteria’

FILE - In this Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 file photo, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, Patron, leaves after attending a Service of Thanksgiving to mark the Centenary of the Royal British Legion at Westminster Abbey, in London. Queen Elizabeth II is Britain’s longest-lived and longest-reigning monarch. But don’t call her an oldie. The 95-year-old queen has politely declined the honor of being named “Oldie of the Year” by a British magazine. The Oldie magazine on Tuesday Oct. 19, 2021, published the queen’s response to its suggestion. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool, File)
Saanich Volunteer Services Society vice-president Bryan Vermeeren (left) and Mayor Fred Haynes load up a truck with Thanksgiving packages for delivery to older adults in the community. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Saanich volunteers supporting seniors at Thanksgiving

Special packages being delivered include seasonal treats, pet goodies and more

Saanich Volunteer Services Society vice-president Bryan Vermeeren (left) and Mayor Fred Haynes load up a truck with Thanksgiving packages for delivery to older adults in the community. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
B.C. Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie describes the findings of her survey of long-term care and assisted living residents under pandemic restrictions, B.C. legislature, Nov. 3, 2020. (B.C. government)

Seniors advocate to release review of COVID-19 outbreaks at B.C. care facilities

368 COVID-19 outbreaks at B.C. care facilities from January 2020 to September 2021 and 1,092 deaths

B.C. Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie describes the findings of her survey of long-term care and assisted living residents under pandemic restrictions, B.C. legislature, Nov. 3, 2020. (B.C. government)
The five-week program pairs seniors with youth in the name of digital literacy. (WorkLink Employment Society)

Digital literacy program in Langford, Sooke pairs teens with 55+

WorkLink program’s first cohort boots up in October

The five-week program pairs seniors with youth in the name of digital literacy. (WorkLink Employment Society)
Adventurous senior Walter Martens took his first flying lesson as a 101st birthday present, taking off from the Langley airport on Saturday, Sept. 25. (Special to Langley Advance Times)

VIDEO: B.C. Senior, 101, takes first flying lesson

It was a birthday present for ‘adventurous’ Walter Martens

Adventurous senior Walter Martens took his first flying lesson as a 101st birthday present, taking off from the Langley airport on Saturday, Sept. 25. (Special to Langley Advance Times)
Oct. 1, National Seniors Day, is an opportunity to celebrate and show your care for elder adults in the community. (Pixabay)

Show a Greater Victoria senior you care on Oct. 1, National Seniors Day

Community Response Networks on the south Island encourage residents to participate

Oct. 1, National Seniors Day, is an opportunity to celebrate and show your care for elder adults in the community. (Pixabay)
This combination of two undated photos released by Guinness World Records on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, show sisters Umeno Sumiyama, left, and Koume Kodama at separate nursing homes in Shodoshima island, left, and Oita prefecture, Japan. The two Japanese twin sisters have been certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest living identical twins, aged 107 years and 300 days as of Sept. 1, 2021, the organization said Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. (Guinness World Records via AP)

Japanese sisters certified as world’s oldest twins at 107

Pair was born on Nov. 5, 1913, and were separated after elementary school

This combination of two undated photos released by Guinness World Records on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, show sisters Umeno Sumiyama, left, and Koume Kodama at separate nursing homes in Shodoshima island, left, and Oita prefecture, Japan. The two Japanese twin sisters have been certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest living identical twins, aged 107 years and 300 days as of Sept. 1, 2021, the organization said Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. (Guinness World Records via AP)
A COVID-19 outbreak at Sunset Lodge long-term care home in Esquimalt claimed the lives of six residents between Aug. 27 and Sept. 17. (Google Maps)

COVID-19 outbreak over at Esquimalt care home, Island Health says

Outbreak claimed lives of six Sunset Lodge residents

A COVID-19 outbreak at Sunset Lodge long-term care home in Esquimalt claimed the lives of six residents between Aug. 27 and Sept. 17. (Google Maps)
Another three residents at Sunset Lodge long-term care home in Esquimalt have died from COVID-19, Island Health announced Sept. 8, bringing the death toll from the Aug. 27 outbreak to four. (Google Maps)

3 more residents die from COVID-19 at Esquimalt long-term care home

15 staff, 21 residents have tested positive since outbreak Aug. 27 at Sunset Lodge

Another three residents at Sunset Lodge long-term care home in Esquimalt have died from COVID-19, Island Health announced Sept. 8, bringing the death toll from the Aug. 27 outbreak to four. (Google Maps)
Close to 75 protesters with signs marched between FIr Park Village and Echo Village long-term care homes in Port Alberni on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 to advocate for better conditions and management at the facilities. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Supporters protest conditions at pair of Port Alberni long-term care homes

Staff shortages are compromising care, says Echo Village resident

Close to 75 protesters with signs marched between FIr Park Village and Echo Village long-term care homes in Port Alberni on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 to advocate for better conditions and management at the facilities. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
A new seniors housing facility is planned for the former Alberni District Secondary School site on Anderson Ave. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

‘Shovel-ready’ non-profit seniors’ housing coming to Port Alberni

Vancouver Resource Society purchases 2.5-acre lot from District Group

A new seniors housing facility is planned for the former Alberni District Secondary School site on Anderson Ave. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Another staff member at Sunset Lodge long-term care home has tested positive for COVID-19, Island Health announced Sept. 3, bringing the outbreak’s total to 15 staff members and 20 residents, one of whom died. (Google Maps)

Another Sunset Lodge staff member in Esquimalt tests positive for COVID-19

15 staff, 20 residents at long-term care home have tested positive, one death recorded

Another staff member at Sunset Lodge long-term care home has tested positive for COVID-19, Island Health announced Sept. 3, bringing the outbreak’s total to 15 staff members and 20 residents, one of whom died. (Google Maps)
Hedy Sutulov, seen here on Aug. 12, 2021, turned 107 on Aug. 18, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

‘Feisty’ Chilliwack woman who continued to hike at age 95 celebrates 107th birthday

Hedy Sutulov hiked Mt. Cheam at age 90, lived on her own until 101, had driver’s licence until 104

Hedy Sutulov, seen here on Aug. 12, 2021, turned 107 on Aug. 18, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
The landing page for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit is seen in Toronto, Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. An internal government document is shining a light on how low-income seniors were abruptly cut off from monthly federal payments based on which bureaucratic body handled their emergency benefits last year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini

Lost seniors’ income supplement hinged partly on what agency handled their CERB

Unknown to most, supplement was coming from two streams, one of which can be excluded

The landing page for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit is seen in Toronto, Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. An internal government document is shining a light on how low-income seniors were abruptly cut off from monthly federal payments based on which bureaucratic body handled their emergency benefits last year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini
Ayre Manor staff are fundraising for a motion sensor projector they say will help people with dementia keep their brains engaged. (Zoe Ducklow/News Staff)

High-tech projector aims to help patients with dementia

Sooke long-term care facility launches $10K fundraising to purchase equipment

Ayre Manor staff are fundraising for a motion sensor projector they say will help people with dementia keep their brains engaged. (Zoe Ducklow/News Staff)
Chris Sherlock, a 65-year-old resident of British Columbia’s Cowichan Valley, is seen in an undated handout photo. Sherlock, who relied on the CERB last year, says he was never told his monthly income would drop by nearly $500 as a consequence. New Democrats say they’ve have been flooded with calls from seniors who suddenly find themselves cut off from monthly government payments due to emergency benefits they received last year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Chris Sherlock, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

Seniors cut off from federal income supplement after receiving emergency benefits

$2,000 a month in Canada Emergency Response Benefit has rendered some ineligible

Chris Sherlock, a 65-year-old resident of British Columbia’s Cowichan Valley, is seen in an undated handout photo. Sherlock, who relied on the CERB last year, says he was never told his monthly income would drop by nearly $500 as a consequence. New Democrats say they’ve have been flooded with calls from seniors who suddenly find themselves cut off from monthly government payments due to emergency benefits they received last year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Chris Sherlock, *MANDATORY CREDIT*
A health care worker leaves after finishing her shift for the day at the Eatonville Care Centre in Toronto on Friday, April 24, 2020. A report published this morning by parliamentary budget officer Yves Giroux estimates ending wait lists, increasing staff pay and benefits, providing more hours of care each day and expanding home care could cost around $13.7 billion. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Fixing long-term care in Canada could cost $13.7B, budget watchdog estimates

Pandemic infected more than 1/4 of Canada’s 205,000 long-term care residents, killing over 15,000

A health care worker leaves after finishing her shift for the day at the Eatonville Care Centre in Toronto on Friday, April 24, 2020. A report published this morning by parliamentary budget officer Yves Giroux estimates ending wait lists, increasing staff pay and benefits, providing more hours of care each day and expanding home care could cost around $13.7 billion. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Sidney Care Home hosted a butterfly release Friday, held as a symbolic event for people who passed away from COVID-19 and those who survived. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Sidney butterfly release honours seniors lost to COVID-19, plus survivors

Release said to symbolize rebirth and transformation

Sidney Care Home hosted a butterfly release Friday, held as a symbolic event for people who passed away from COVID-19 and those who survived. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Minister of Seniors Deb Schulte speaks during a press conference on Parliament Hill during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ottawa on Thursday, June 4, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

One-time payments to seniors over 75 likely to also go to the dead

Government wouldn’t seek to recoup the deposits made to the deceased, documents say

Minister of Seniors Deb Schulte speaks during a press conference on Parliament Hill during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ottawa on Thursday, June 4, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Alexander Mackie Lodge garden club members relax in the sun. Seated (from left) are Ted Buchanan, Mary-Lou Konrath and Ted McMaster; standing are Gordon Knill and Elsa Bryan. (Photo Gary Wilson)

Garden’s bounty a delight for residents of Langford retirement community

Residents at Alexander Mackie Lodge create a growing concern

Alexander Mackie Lodge garden club members relax in the sun. Seated (from left) are Ted Buchanan, Mary-Lou Konrath and Ted McMaster; standing are Gordon Knill and Elsa Bryan. (Photo Gary Wilson)