Living Loving Local at Verve this Month: Raspberries
While every province in Canada produces raspberries, in red, black, purple and yellow varieties, the production is just 3% that of blueberries.
A member of the Rose Family (that explains the prickles!) everbearing varieties offer fruit for 4 months of the year starting in July. Most often we eat them fresh but of course raspberries are delicious in a variety of sweet or savoury recipes, on ice cream or your morning cereal.
History:
- Most likely native to Asia, wild raspberries have been eaten since prehistoric times. The Crusaders wrote poems about raspberries “that delicious fruit with the heady perfume” which they discovered on their way to Jerusalem.
- Cultivation began in England and France, probably in the 1600s. While in North America, raspberries were considered a luxury well into the mid-1800s.
Canadian Statistics:
- Raspberries are members of the Rose family. Raspberry varieties produce black, yellow and purple fruit, but it is red raspberries that form the majority of the commercial crop.
- More than 80% of Canada’s red raspberries (that’s about 27 million pounds worth for anyone who’s counting) are grown on just 5,000 acres in the Fraser Valley in British Columbia.
- In Ontario, commercial production is a mere 1.2 million pounds or 1.6 million tarts worth!
Health Benefits:
- Raspberries have high levels of the flavonoids catechin and quercetin, anti-inflammatory compounds which have been shown protect cartilage and may have a positive affect on arthritis reduction.
- Raspberries are higher in gallic acid than many other popular berries. Gallic acid is a powerful antioxidant that may help to reduce oxidative stress which contributes to cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.
- Raspberries are high in fibre – 8 g/cup, almost double of many local and exotic fruits. A diet rich in fibre helps to maintain good digestion, heart health and glycemic control.
Fun Facts:
- Each raspberry consists of around 100 individual tiny fruits, called drupelets, filled with one seed.
- Unlike many fruits, unripe raspberries do not ripen after they have been picked.
- Russia is the greatest grower of raspberries in the world. It produces 125.000 tons of raspberries per year.
Recipes:
This month our Verve properties throughout Canada will feature the following raspberry recipes:
Duck Legs Confit with Citrus Raspberry Coulis
Last month Chef Antonio Diaz took to the road with a cooking demonstration and luncheon at St. Matthew’s Community Church in Richmond Hill. The topic was Healthy Cooking For One.
Antonio’s menu of salmon, rice, carrots and broccoli was purposely chosen to demonstrate how certain foods freeze well and can be portioned into individual meals which are easily heated in the microwave. Antonio recommends planning for a week of meals. Grocery shopping can then be tailored to buy only what is needed and reduce waste and save money. Buy just one chicken breast, or 100g of deli ham. Think of multiple ways to use ingredients. For example, if cooking a broccoli & chicken sauté one-night, unused broccoli can be put in a salad the next day. Soup can be made with bits and bobs of extra vegetables. Extra fruit can be frozen or used in smoothies.
Questions we asked Antonio:
What have people told you are barriers to Cooking for One?
Boredom, routine, not inspired to cook for themselves, feel lack of responsibility, especially when no longer cooking for a family, don’t see the need for healthy cooking.
Antonio’s Top Tips for Cooking for One:
Have fun! Cooking for yourself is wonderfully personalized. You can make whatever YOU like, whenever you like, no need to cater to another’s preference. Spend some time on yourself, cook for yourself, care for yourself. You deserve it!
What inspired you to take your cooking on the road?
I am happy and proud to work for Verve. Food is the reason for our residents to move into our homes. Our Richmond Hill residents are very satisfied with our dining services and we can inspire others as well. The chef is the face of the dining department and it is important for us to be out there connecting with residents – current and future.
Thank you, Antonio!
While you can certainly find Antonio in the kitchen at Richmond Hill Retirement Residence, you can enjoy his catering at various community events or stop in for one of Richmond Hill’s fabulous gala events, holiday buffets or guest nights. You may even get to enjoy some of his fabulous cakes. In November 2018 Antonio won two gold medals at the Icing Inspiration Cake Decorating competition in Kitchener Ontario. In October this year he plans to enter the Cake Competition at the Canadian Baking & Sweets Show in Toronto.
Evelyn Collins appreciates the little things in life. The highlight of her day is that singular moment of joy when her husband Fred stops whatever he might be doing to watch her with a steady gaze.
“It’s as if he is aware that I belong to him,” she says.
That feeling of fullness — knowing that the person you love more than anything in the world, loves you back —is enough to make anyone’s day.
It’s particularly gratifying for Evelyn.
Fred Collins is living with dementia. For years, Evelyn did all she could to care for her husband. She doesn’t like to talk about how she may have reached her breaking point. Any questions about why or how this came to be are of little consequence to her. But ask her to tell you about Fred, and what’s important to her today, and you have her rapt attention.
Visiting Your Loved One on the Memory Care Floor
Fred now lives on the Memory Care floor of Credit River Retirement Residence in Streetsville, Ontario, better known as Mississauga, a suburb of Toronto. It is here where the family of five kids and five grandchildren has the chance to visit and savour the life they shared with their father. But for Evelyn, this time is especially precious, and if possible, even dearer than the remarkable life they began building together more than 64 years ago.
Evelyn can still remember the moment she first caught a glimpse of Fred. He was her brother Ray’s chum. Like a typical brother, he had failed to mention Fred’s good looks, the blonde hair and, especially, the intelligent eyes. When they met for the first time in her family’s home in Guelph, Ontario, Evelyn was a 22–year-old office manager; Fred was 26, a grade-school teacher. She knew she was in good hands, but did she know she was about to marry an adventurous man? An artist? A dreamer who wouldn’t be satisfied with a successful tenure as a teacher?
Like most young couples, their early years of marriage were spent raising a family. They relocated throughout southern Ontario as Fred transitioned from teaching grade school students —whom he continued to mentor throughout his life—to teaching high school students. The family eventually set roots in Etobicoke, and both Fred and Evelyn pursued higher education. Evelyn became a librarian at the University of Toronto, after receiving a Master of Arts and a Master of Library Science; and Fred, a Geography Specialist. For 30 years, he served as the head of the Geography department at Mimico High School, where he also taught art and coached the basketball and track and field teams.
At dinnertime, Evelyn leaves her suite on the independent living floor of the Credit River Retirement Residence to visit Fred on the Memory Care floor. On a good night, when she steps off the elevator, Fred will spot her from far away. He follows her with a steady gaze as she approaches him. Other nights, it takes time for Fred to recognize Evelyn. “Are you my wife?” he might ask. “Are you Evelyn?” Evelyn takes solace in the fact that he is always glad to see her. “His humour is still there,” she tells me, “and his intelligence still comes through.” Still, it isn’t easy for her to reconcile the changes in her husband with the man who once upon a time enjoyed a life where everything seemed to come so easily.
At the age of 57, Fred took early retirement from teaching and devoted the rest of his life to his greatest passions: travel and painting. He wanted nothing more than to hop into his beloved blue and white full-size Dodge van and drive across the country — east and west —sketching and taking photos of the countryside. His landscapes adorn the walls of his room on the Memory Care floor —a window into his world. He had been drawing all his life and enjoyed sharing stories of his childhood in St. Thomas, Ontario, where he and his siblings had whittled away their days playing near a pond. Perhaps it was through his art that he had a chance to reconnect with that place and time in his heart. Today, his art is a reminder of the man he once was and a source of great comfort and joy to his family.
Find New Ways to Care For Yourself and Those You Love
Living in the independent living suite has been a quiet oasis for Evelyn. There is a sense of relief that those more capable than her can take care of Fred now. “They’re very good to him,” she says. Not that letting go of the day-to-day caregiving has been easy for her. When she’s not visiting Fred, she likes to go for long walks. She’s the first to admit she’s not much of a joiner. “There will be a day,” she says when she will join others at lunch, but for now, she wants to keep to herself.
Her greatest joy is the fact that Fred’s still with her – he still belongs to her. And she wants to hold on to him for as long as she can.
Arthur Kennedy was born on March 7, 1919, the third son out of seven brothers and three sisters. Next March he will mark his 100th birthday – not our first centenarian at Port Credit Residences, but the first of the male persuasion.
Arthur, and two of his brothers remained in the Port Credit area all their life. The small park beside the residence is named after his younger brother, Harold, and another park, on the Lakeshore is named after his older brother, Douglas. They were both lifelong politicians, Harold serving on local council and Douglas as a provincial Conservative.
Arthur’s father died young, at age 46, leaving his mother, Evelyn, with a large family to raise. She was a formidable woman and inspired a local author to write a book called “When Lightning Strikes” which describes his mother’s life. The book takes its title from the amazing and tragic fact that both her eldest and youngest daughters were struck and killed by lightning, forty years apart.
Arthur was always handy and had a mechanical aptitude from an early age. He graduated from Port Credit High School and received a scholarship to attend the University of Toronto where he graduated as a Mechanical Engineer in 1943. He remains a member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario to this day. In the summers he had a variety of jobs, one of which was building houses as he was good at carpentry.
Due to the war, he was immediately sent for training with the Royal Canadian Air Force in Dauphin, Manitoba. He volunteered to go overseas and says he was lucky to wind up at the air force headquarters in London. As an engineer, he spent his whole war in England and rejoiced with all the Brits on VE day. He wasn’t through with the service yet, doing 7 more months in the RCAF near Hamburg, Germany.
In 1948, he returned to Canada and met his wife, Margaret Mathews. He and his brother Doug bought land on Camilla Road and each built a house, raising their families, side-by-side. Arthur was the manager of the Public Utilities Commission and was responsible for creating and overseeing the water distribution and purification system that everyone in the Region of Peel uses today, including purchase of the land where the water treatment plant still operates.
Arthur and Margaret had three children; Marilyn, who lives in Penetanguishene, Tom (B.C.) and Neil who lives near Elmira. Tom and Neil are also both engineers as are 2 of his 6 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Education has always been important to Arthur and he continues to support family and his alma mater. Last summer he was privileged to attend the opening of a new Engineering building at U of T where the Arthur P. Kennedy media room was unveiled.
While he remained with the Region until his retirement in 1976, Arthur continued to work and is still involved in businesses that he and his brother, Doug, started in the 1960’s. They sold part of the land where they had built their homes and invested it in more property, this time in Oakville. Eventually those companies bought and developed land in Oakville, Erin and Norland. The companies are still active, mainly managed by his son, Neil, now.
In October 2013, after a major flood in 2013 filled the basement of the house on Camilla, ruining many precious books and 50 years of business records, Arthur moved into Port Credit Residences. His wife, Margaret, had died at age 80 in 2002. He researched and wrote various histories, including an article about the Port Credit Cenotaph, his family’s history in Dixie, his own father’s history, and a history about his uncle, Thomas Laird Kennedy, a former Premier of Ontario, and lifelong Conservative member of the provincial parliament. TLK, as he was known, helped Arthur’s family after his father died. Both Tomken Road and T.L. Kennedy High School are named after Arthur’s uncle and there is a special Premiers monument in Dixie Cemetery for him.
Aside from his interest in genealogy, Arthur has been active in the stock market, both personally and for Trinity St. Paul’s Anglican Church where, until recently, he managed the investments for the endowment fund. He used his engineering expertise for renovation and maintenance projects at the church although now it is more consulting than hands-on. His interest in history includes research about the graves at Dixie Cemetery and he personally restored several of the older gravestones that had been neglected.
Arthur is a keen follower of current events, and particularly those that affect the market which has allowed him to be enjoy some modest success with investments in the stock market. He reads the newspaper daily. He also enjoys his weekly game of bridge and occasionally plays cribbage with his brother Richard, who moved to Port Credit Residences from Peterborough a few years ago.
Port Credit Press
Guest Writer: Janet Kennedy
Living well in your senior years isn’t just a matter of being comfortable and secure, balancing proper care with independence. The best quality of life also includes a chance to discover new things, explore ideas, grow your mind and spirit and keep your body healthy.
“Having a chance to remain creative and continue learning are just as important to seniors as having a well-balanced diet and exercise to keep the mind and body supple,” says Shelley Snoulten.
She and Melissa McKee serve as the sales and marketing managers of Holland Gardens by Verve, Bradford’s newest retirement facility. At Holland Gardens, vibrant living isn’t just a tagline. It’s a methodology that’s woven through everything they do.
Spirit
“We believe that part of that vibrancy comes from creating a community of sharing, where new friends can connect over old memories,” says Melissa.
Holland Gardens provides programs like The Java Music Club to help residents build those connections and recall those memories through the love of decades-old tunes.
“This is one of my favourite programs,” says Marisa Jeronimo, General Manager of Holland Gardens. “Music is so powerful. It can so quickly take you back to a memory, and all the senses that surround it.”
In The Java Music Club, each resident is invited to pick a song and play it for others before discussing the memories around it. While the music stimulates the mind, the discussion quickly creates bonds between residents.
But music isn’t the only elixir for stimulating memories and building community. “Fitness can also be a powerful tool,” says Shelley. “Our Go 4 Life program does just that.”
This program groups residents together based on their ability. And while Shelley admits they do have some friendly competitions for goal-setting residents, there are no rules about how fast or how far residents go.
“It’s all about interacting and connecting while being active together.”
Mind
While Holland Gardens is focused on building healthy communities and minds, it also puts a heavy emphasis on stimulating creativity and learning.
“There’s no age limit to knowledge and skill building,” says Shelley. “Our Meet Me at the MoMA program is proof.”
Over eight weeks, Meet Me at the MoMA residents become art students, learning to think and paint like the famous artists featured in New York City’s Museum of Modern Art.
“It’s like one of those painting events that are popular right now, but better,” says Shelley.
Each program presents a different artist before discussing their popular works and painting methods. During each class, residents discuss how the work relates to their lives and how it makes them feel, before receiving a brush and canvas, and the opportunity to paint in the artist’s method.
“They’re not replicating the painting. They’re painting something of their own,” says Shelley. “It’s incredibly therapeutic and so much fun.”
“You wouldn’t believe how many residents discover talents they never knew existed,” says Marisa.
Body
While Holland Gardens is filled with opportunities to challenge your mind and boost your creativity, their staff members are also tuned into each resident’s physical needs.
“We offer a range of fitness programs including dance, chair yoga, line dancing, Zumba and Tai Chi, which can be modified to the abilities of each and every resident,” says Shelley.
Holland Gardens also have a talented culinary team that customizes each meal to the dietary needs, tastes and preferences of our residents.
“Here, there are always multiple choices on the menu, which can be enjoyed in the restaurant or with guests in the private dining room,” says Marisa.
While it’s important for each meal to be healthy and delicious, The Holland Gardens also puts a heavy emphasis on using locally sourced in-season produce.
“Verve’s Living Loving Local program features local foods all year round,” says Marisa. “We use peaches, cherries, squash, corn and onions, and locally farmed produce like carrots and maple syrup.”
While the fitness programs and meals are designed to nourish the body, the beauty of Holland Gardens is its ability to work with each resident and evolve with them as they need more care.
“No one should have to leave their home to go to another residence, just because they need more assistance,” says Melissa. “With Independent Living, Memory Care and Assisted Living all under one roof, our residents and their families don’t have to worry about uprooting once they’re here.”
Experience Vivacious Living
If you or a loved one is considering senior living, the best way to know if it’s right for you is to book a tour with either Shelley or Melissa.
“We’re always here to show you around, answer questions, discuss your options and alleviate any concerns you may have about retirement living,” says Melissa.
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The staff at The Lodge at Valley Ridge go the extra mile everyday to make sure that our residents have a great day, everyday.
One staff member in particular took this to the next level. Housekeeping Supervisor, Shari Tompkins, was spending some one on one time with a resident by the name of Shirley.
Unfortunately, most recently Shirley’s health has not been the greatest and has hindered her from being as active and social as she once was. In conversation Shirley had mentioned that she so eagerly wanted to be able to go to the zoo to visit all the animals, even if there was just a chance. This conversation struck a cord with Shari, and from that moment, Shari made it her mission to make this residents wish come true!
Shari and I got together with the health team and tried to make this residents wish come true. My heart swelled with the efforts that everyone put into this. Nurses volunteered their time to be with her at the zoo to make sure she was safe, arrangements were made for transportation, and other staff volunteered to support this mission.
To everyone’s dismay we could not proceed forward as the residents health was too unstable. This crushed the team but hope was not lost yet. If they could not bring Shirley to the Zoo, they would bring the Zoo to her. With a matter of a few phone calls and conversations, Cobb’s Adventure Park (a local kangaroo petting zoo) graciously agreed to come and visit with their Kangaroos right in Shirley’s suite.
The visit was a hit! Shirley’s words “thank you so much I will never forget this, it means so much”. Hops around the suite, cuddles and laughter were all shared in this special moment. Thanks to the amazing team at The Lodge at Valley Ridge.
Sincerely,
Jenna Ouellet
(General Manager, the Lodge at Valley Ridge)
For countless individuals, the words ‘Alzheimer’s’ and ‘dementia’ aren’t merely medical terminology, but rather an everyday reality. Their impact is felt not only by the person diagnosed, but by family, friends and other caregivers as well. At times, the challenges may feel overwhelming, isolating and even unmanageable. Yet, as a Dementia Consultant and Educator, I have also witnessed first-hand how supportive tools and resources, better understanding, and creative strategies, can have a powerfully positive effect. In navigating the journey, here are some helpful tips to think about:
Caring Communication
Good communication and mindful communication go hand-in-hand. When talking to someone with dementia, be mindful of tone, body language and words. Be patient, use a gentle tone, avoid asking questions that rely on their memory, and give the person time to express themselves. Avoid condescending or criticizing statements, and instead use validating statements. Don’t hesitate to use props and visual cues either.
In the later stages of dementia, adopt approaches that further emphasize clarity. This may involve using shorter sentences; approaching the person calmly from the front; avoiding vague words; and asking ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions instead of open-ended ones.
Remember that communication is not only about what’s said but what’s unsaid. Be mindful of the reactions of the person you are communicating with and attuned to not only what they’re saying, but their body language as well.
Put on Your Detective Hat
This may seem like puzzling advice for caregivers (after all, where does one find a detective hat?), but it actually points to a simple truth—that people, despite having Alzheimer’s, are still people—with their own unique motivations, past experiences, likes and dislikes.
When I encourage caregivers to think of themselves as detectives, I’m asking them to investigate what may be motivating a behaviour. The first step in this process is asking the central question: Why? If a person, for example, is sitting at the dining room table but not eating—is it simply because they have Alzheimer’s, or is something more specific motivating their behaviour? Their reluctance to eat could be due to some form of physical discomfort, such as an upset stomach or ill-fitting dentures. Perhaps, they dislike the food or think they’re at a restaurant and have to pay. If the person may be unable to directly communicate the reason, a caregiver can transform into the role of detective in asking the person some key questions such as: Are you feeling okay? Do you like the food? Are you worried about anything? etc.
By being a detective, caregivers can engage in a process of better understanding the person they’re caring for.
Find Creative Solutions
Once you understand why a behaviour is occurring, you can then tailor a creative personalized solution to address the problem, instead of a one-size-fits-all approach.
Take the earlier example of not eating at the dinner table—let’s imagine that the caregiver’s detective work determined that the person’s behaviour was because they found the lighting in the room too harsh. Perhaps the light was getting in their eyes, distracting them from eating and causing discomfort. The solution may be as simple as shifting the person’s chair to a different position, moving the dining table to another room, or adjusting the lights by dimming them.
In Conclusion… Caregivers Also Need Care
Being a caregiver is an incredibly meaningful role, but it can also be incredibly exhausting, which is why self-care is vital. Take breaks, incorporate relaxing and enjoyable activities into your routine, and, in short, take time for yourself. Consider also joining a caregiver support group where you can exchange ideas and connect. If you feel you may be experiencing caregiver burnout, visit your healthcare professional. Remember that you are not alone, and that help and support is out there.
Karen Tyrell CDP, CPCA, CDCP, is a Dementia Consultant, Educator & Author, and Founder of Personalized Dementia Solutions Inc. (www.dementiasolutions.ca). Karen offers her expertise on dementia care through speaking engagements, workshops and by working one-on-one with families and caregivers to provide emotional support and practical solutions.
DISCLAIMER:
The contents of this column are provided for information purposes only. They are not intended to replace clinical diagnosis or medical advice from a health professional. For any health-related issue, always seek medical advice first from a trained medical professional.
On Saturday, April 27th, 2019, Richmond Hill Retirement Residence raised $700 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation!
Richmond Hill organized a Spring Market with so many awesome craft vendors that came out to help. With everything from essential oils to jewellery, there was something for everyone.
It was a huge success! Thank you so much to everyone that came by and donated to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Living Loving Local at Verve
We’ve had a lot of fun at Verve with our signature Living Loving Local program over the years. From fantastic family meals to gala events and ice cream socials, farm field trips, special speaker series and creative activities there is always something unique and entertaining going on in our homes to celebrate the local harvest.
See for yourself, watch our video here:
Dependence or interdependence? Is it best to stay at home or move to retirement living? When is the right time to consider moving to retirement living? While the answer to this is based on individual needs, the failure to plan ahead can leave people with fewer options. More importantly, your health and happiness may depend on it.
Human beings are innately social creatures. Throughout most of history we have belonged to a larger community network. As long as we are able to remain connected to that community, retain social relationships, finding meaningful things to do and are healthy enough to do them, then staying at home is an option.
When things begin to slide
But when an individual begins to lose those connections with others, feels isolated and lonely, they are more likely to have less energy, be less active, be at nutritional risk, and that state of being puts them at a greater health risk. Dr. Karl Pillemer, a leading gerontologist and researcher says a growing body of evidence now shows a direct mind- body link between isolation and loneliness and problems like heart disease and depression. While we think that by staying at home we are being “independent,” I would argue that over time we, in fact, increasingly rely on the aid of others to manage our essential requirements of life.
In Canada and the U. S. our communities are experiencing a high degree of change. Higher density and transitional neighbourhoods are contributing to the feeling of being disconnected, thus we feel less safe as we age. Add a lack of affordable housing, inadequate transportation and a shrinking workforce can mean that help when you need it, may not be as accessible as you think.
Choosing options and staying in control of your life
Seniors should be planning for their future needs. From downsizing, deciding on whether to be close to family, choosing a large or small community and even deciding on the timing of your transitions lets you be in control. It is a process. Decide where you will be at each stage in the aging process. Visit various communities, do trial stays, then place your name on a waiting list until you are ready.
The failure to plan ahead can be devastating. As we age in place we often do not recognize the safety risks around us: Fridges that don’t get cleaned out regularly; snacking vs eating nutritionally balanced meals; safely navigating stairs and avoiding clutter; bathing; fire hazards and being prey to unscrupulous people. It is not until a catastrophic event happens, a fall, a theft, or the death of a spouse that the problem rises up, gets highlighted or is exacerbated. You may find yourself feeling hopeless in what feels like an overwhelming situation.
Memory or physical disability are the two leading factors that necessitate a transition to a seniors’ community. Unfortunately, for many individuals it may be too late to choose a location. Supportive housing for seniors usually has three levels; independent living, assisted living and complex care. All three provide accommodation with various levels of support in meal preparation and housekeeping but, whether you can function safely, and accommodation availability will be the determining factor on whether you qualify.
Like many businesses, community life for seniors has changed in the last few years. It has moved away from the old nursing home model to upscale and boutique style living. In some incidences this social model is similar to moving to a club-style model. The reason? It is the customers. Renting an apartment, having access to hospitality services is more reminiscent of resort style living. It frees one from the domestic responsibilities to enjoy life with the people you care about. Where you live matters…take the time now to do the planning!
Wilma Atchison is general manager of Granville Gardens located at West 49th Avenue, Vancouver, BC. Her storied journey set her along a path to wanting to create environments where people feel they belong, with people who care, doing things that matter and are purposeful. She can be reached at (604) 563-3540.