News for Agency Staff

News for Agency Staff

The Link-LetterFeb. 6, 2009

v. 4-05

For more information click on the links provided or check out Resources for Agencies and Event Details.

New items arehighlighted.

NEWS FOR AGENCY STAFF

  1. ESCC asked if members have an emergency call back policy for their staff and six seniors centres and senior-serving agencies responded. For results of our survey, go here.
  1. Senior-serving groups and agencies that could put an organ to good use in their music programming are being offered a free one. It’s a Galanti H600 double keyboard organ with Leslie speakers. “It works well but hasn’t been played in a few years. It can be delivered if necessary.” To view the organ, go here. To arrange a viewing, call Carol or Carman at 780-472-9796.
  1. Westend Seniors Activity Centre is ready to donatea large (three burner) natural gas outdoor barbeque and grillto any group that is interested. The centre used the grill at its old site for special event and summer barbeques, and rented it out to other groups for events. “It is in great shape and we are donating it because we cannot get an outdoor gas hook up here for the barbeque.” Anyone interested in this item is invited to call Westend Seniors at 780-483-1209.
  1. To better understand how Alberta’s nonprofits and charities are being impacted by the economic turmoil and what they are doing to address the situation, Volunteer Alberta is collaborating with Alberta Nonprofit/Voluntary Sector Initiative (ANVSI) stakeholders on a survey to determine the Impact of the Current Economic Climate on Alberta’s Nonprofits and Charities. The information gathered will be used to inform Volunteer Alberta's work and the work of other Alberta nonprofit/voluntary sector organizations, and will be shared with communities and the Government of Alberta. The deadline to respond is Friday, Feb. 20 by 4 p.m.
  1. Statistics Canada's recent report, Eldercare: What we know today, examines the pressures on family members who act as caregivers for the growing senior segment of the population. Mostcaregivers are between 45 and 64 years old, the so-called “sandwich generation”. The majority are women balancing numerous demands: marriage, children living at home, work and eldercare. Encouragingly, most report they are able to manage their care-giving role but rely considerably on external support, usually from family and friends.
  1. The Government of Alberta’s new continuing care strategy,Aging in the Right Place includes initiatives enhancing home care through improved assessments, expansion of programs and increased daily personal care hours; providing assistance for individuals to transition from facility care back to home or community living; introducing emergency support programs to identify resources, interim care and accommodations options; increasing support and respite programs for families and community members assuming care on behalf of their loved ones; and introducing technology that will connect continuing care clients with health professionals and provide medical and safety monitoring. To view the full article, click here.
  1. The non-profit sector typically sees an increaseddemand for services during an economic downturn. That means added stress and burnout for frontline staff. For advice from human resources expert Lynn Toupin on how to manage people during challenging times, go here.

PROJECTS ON THE GO

The Dementia Care Training Centre of the Alzheimer Society of Calgary is looking for partnerships that will enable it to respond to requests to deliver staff development workshops and training programs in the Edmonton area. The centre is planning two one-dayworkshopsbetweenApril 20 and 24. Dementia, Depression & Delirium will train staff to understand, recognize and differentiate these conditions. The role of staff in providing appropriate care and aspects of the diagnostic process will also be discussed. Best Friends™ Approach Workshop explores ways in which this framework and philosophy can assist in developing effective person-centred care. The fee for each workshop is $100. The centre is looking for partners to accommodate/host workshops (training room for up to 25 people) and to communicate them to organizations and key contacts in dementia care (residences, continuing care, home care, etc.). If interested, call Frank van den Berg at (403) 290-0110 or email . “We can also plan for an in-house training program or workshop in your organization. This may be particularly interesting if you feel that eight or more staff members in various roles (nursing, care aides, dietary staff, housekeeping, administration) can benefit from training.” For information, go to

EVENTS FOR AGENCY STAFF

1.CHNET-Works, “an evolving infrastructure using innovative information technology to help support discussions and actions on pressing community health issues,” has scheduled a number of “fireside chats”. Upcoming chats include Healthy Aging and Age-Friendly Communities #2: Models of Implementation in Canada on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The session will examine “what’s being done to implement policies, services and structures related to the physical and social environment that are designed to support and enable older people to ‘age actively’.” For information, go here.

2.The Greying Nation Conference Planning Committee invites delegates to submit an abstract for podium or poster presentation. The conference, Keeping Ahead of the Wave, will address how the healthcare sector can prepare for theinflux of baby boomer seniors, who begin turning 65 in 2011. All abstracts must be submitted via email to , using the official abstract form. The form and additional submission information can be downloaded at the Capital Health website. Submissiondeadline:Feb. 15.

3.The next Community Emergency Preparedness: Train the Trainer session will be held on Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. to noon at the City of Edmonton Emergency Operations Centre, 10539 - 105 Street. All material will be provided at the workshop. Street parking is limited in the area but there is an Impark lot east of the building. Access is off the alley. Parking is $3 for the whole day. If you are interested in taking the workshop, let Joanne Sheardown know at 780-496-6724 or fax 780-496-3062 by Feb 11. The class size is a maximum of eight people.

4.A Fundraising Success: Where to Start & How to Build itworkshop will be held Saturday, Feb. 28, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at PCL Hall, 5th floor, Alberta College Campus, Grant MacEwan College, 10050 MacDonald Drive, Edmonton. Facilitator Tim Haak sees fundraising as an invitation for others to join you in making your community better and making a big difference in the lives of others.Register here. The cost is $33.73, including breakfast, lunch and registration. For more information call 780-497-4780 or go to

5.The 2009 Board Leadership Conferenceis Saturday, March 21, at Grant MacEwan College, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It’s geared forboth beginner and experienced board members of nonprofit/voluntary organizations. Learn about media relations, fundraising, board recruitment and succession planning, generative governance, cultural diversity and more. For information,check the program schedule, FAQs and conference poster. Registration is $55.30 per person. Register at Formore information, call the Resource Centre for Voluntary Organizations at 780-497-4780 or email .

6.Working with Complexity: Social Innovation and Evaluation, a one-day workshop with Michael Quinn Patton, will be held April 1, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Chateau Louis Conference Centre, 11727 Kingsway Avenue, Edmonton. Patton is the author of Utilization Focused Evaluation and co-author of Getting to Maybe: How the World is Changed. The registration fee is $60 and includes lunch. Register at Registration deadline is March 13. Registration is limited. For more information, email .

WORK OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SENIOR SERVING SECTOR

Are you passionate about supporting seniors and an excellent relationship builder? Do you have a proven track record in sales or fund development? SAGE (Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton) is seeking a corporate relations representative to work on a contract basis. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with corporations and charitable foundations. Duties include selling advertising, obtaining corporate sponsorships and preparing funding applications and reports. For a full job description and details, visit The deadline for submitting a resume is Feb. 13. Send it to Executive Director, SAGE, 15 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton, T5J 2E5; or fax it to 780-426- 5175. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

SAGE is seeking a home services coordinator to be responsible for day-to-day operations of the program. These include volunteer training and supervision, handling calls when volunteers are not available and/or there is a heavy work load, worker recruitment and screening, developing and implementing a marketing and advertising plan, overseeing satisfaction surveys, and problem solving as required. Responsibilities also include developing and implementing a plan for increased self-sustainability, providing excellent customer service, and innovation in service delivery. For a full job description and more details, visit Submit resume byFeb. 9 to Director of Operations, SAGE, 15 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton, T5J 2E5, or fax to 780-426- 5175. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.

ITEMS FOR SENIORS

  1. An occupational therapy graduate student at the University of Alberta and four classmates are doing a presentation on the meaning and challenges of volunteering for seniors. They would like to speak with senior volunteers (65 years and older) who are willing to share their experiences, views, and opinions. Guiding questions include the following: Why do you volunteer? What does volunteering mean to you? How does it enrich your life? What challenges do you face when you are volunteering? Is it difficult to get to where you volunteer? What do your family members think of you volunteering? Why have you chosen to volunteer at a particular place? To participate in the survey, email ; send mail to Neilin Jaffer, c/o Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Alberta, 2-64 Corbett Hall Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4; or phone 780-292-4976. Seniors can choose to have their responses videotaped if they wish.
  1. The City of Edmonton Office of Environment and Energy is encouraging residents to measure their environmental footprint. Go to and click on Zerofootprint Edmonton to access a calculator. The site also contains information on reducing your footprint through five easy steps: travel smart, be yard smart, save energy, save water, and reduce waste.
  1. For a site set up to help patients, families, professionals and the general public better understand the process of home renovations for seniors and people with disabilities, visit It welcomes you to add your ideas and suggestions.
  1. Seniors and their family members who know someone who has been diagnosed with a life-ending illness are asked to keep in mind that Pilgrims Hospice Society’s Home Hospice Volunteer Visiting Program adds to the care provided by health professionals by offering companionship, personal comfort and assistance, emotional support, respite care, and spiritual support. Services are agreed upon by the patient, his or her family and the PHS manager. For more information call Ana Meger at 780-413-9801 ext. #303 or visit
  1. Action for Healthy Communities is inviting seniors to join other community members for a multicultural spring festival at City Hall on Sunday, Feb. 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. Members of Edmonton’s Chinese and Vietnamese communities will showcase their culture. The free event will feature multicultural performances, variety shows and light refreshments.
  1. Edmonton Meals on Wheels, in partnership with the South East Edmonton Seniors Association (SEESA) and Westend Seniors Activity Centre, is launching a program to help seniors eat healthy and shop better. A registered dietician will lead four sessions on the nutrition needs of seniors; fibre, dietary fats and sodium; label reading; and cooking/shopping for one or two. Each session will include a cooking demonstration highlighting tasty, nutritious recipes and a discussion on the topic of the day. Sessions are Tuesdays, Feb. 10, 17 and 24, 1 to 2:30 p.m. at SEESA, 9350 - 82 St., Edmonton; and Thursdays, Feb. 12, 19 and 26, 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Westend Seniors Activity Centre, 9629 – 176 St., Edmonton. To register, call 780-483-1209. Registration limited to eight participants.
  1. The Jeff Allen Gallery’s February exhibit at the Strathcona Place Senior Centre, 10831 University Avenue, is Across The River. Water and wildlife are dominant themes in the work of artist Darlene Hoblak. She uses overlays, gels and stamping, and superimposes colour over black and white, to create her pieces. The exhibit continues until Feb. 26. A reception will be held Feb. 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Best viewing hours are 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. For information call 780-433-5807.
  1. Public Interest Alberta will hold a meeting on Friday, Feb. 13, at 1 p.m. at the Old Timers Cabin in Edmonton. The focus will be concerns about the inadequate level of care caregivers are able to provide due to under funding. Surveys have revealed“difficulty getting around to toilet all residents, problems getting hot food to the bed ridden, and missing vital baths. The lack of sufficient caregivers, cleaning staff, feeding staff and food preparation staff is one of the major contributorsto this situation.A petition opposing guardianship and the Trusteeship Act is being circulated by elder advocate Ruth Adair.We are hoping to have this legislation rescinded.”Further information on the legislation is available from the Public Guardian at 780-427-0017 or.
  1. Westend Seniors Activity Centre, 9629 - 176 Street, will hold a series of “coffee talks” beginning Feb. 25, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. “This series will bring interesting and knowledgeable visitors from the community to engage participants in lively and informative discussions on a particular topic of interest. The question of ‘aging in place’ kicks off the first meeting. Will you be able to age gracefully in your community? The price of admission is a toonie ($2). You are invited to grab a cup and join the conversation.” To find out more about the Coffee Talks Series, contact Steve Renaud at 780-483-1209 or . Space is limited to 60 participants.
  1. The Edmonton Health and Wellness Show, Feb. 27, noon to 8 p.m. at the Mayfield Inn & Trade Centre, welcomes senior groups to “come for a fun-filled day with sampling, giveaways and more. We have teamed up with the Canadian Diabetes Association and will feature their diabetes expo inside the show. Over 160 exhibits to see and lots of activities to do.” Call Emily Salsbury at 780-424-9224 or email to book your tour group, or visit for more information.
  1. You are Not Alone: A Workshop for Seniors Who Care for Seniors will be presented March 23, 10 a.m. to noon (with lunch to follow), at the Edmonton General, 3Y, 11111 Jasper Avenue. The free session will enable caregivers to meet others who share their experience, gain more self-confidence in their role, and learn new ways of handling difficult situations. Presenter Maureen Osis is also willing to coach those who want to become workshop leaders, and will meet with any who are potentially interested right after the workshop. To attend You are Not Alone, RSVP to Penny Olsen at 780-482-8625 by March 13. Lunch will be provided free to those who attend. The workshop is sponsored by the Adult Learning Knowledge Centre, an initiative of the Canadian Council on Learning.
  1. If you are keen on exploring healthy eating, join Meals on Wheels’ registered dietician and participate in a lively, monthly discussion with a new topic on the table each month. The first session, Colour Your Plate, will be April 7 and will include tips on the benefits of brightly coloured vegetables and fruit. Samples will be provided. “Bring your questions and ideas so you can learn, share, laugh and enjoy. Bring your own bag lunch or enjoy our meal of the day for only $2.25. Tea and coffee is complementary.” The series runs the first Tuesday of each month, beginning in April, from noon to 12:45 p.m. Edmonton Meals on Wheels is located at 11111-103 Ave. Parking is free. Register or receive more information by calling 780-429-2020. Each session is limited to 15 people.

VOLUNTEER/WORK OPPORTUNITIES FOR SENIORS

  1. SAGE is seeking income tax preparers to assist in its income tax program for low income adults during March and April. Volunteerswill assist clients in the preparation of their annual income tax return, and must have computer skills, good communication skills and an understanding of preparing income tax returns. A 3.5 hour shift during a weekday morning is needed. Contact the volunteer coordinator for information by emailing or phoning 780-701-9015.
  1. Habitat for Humanity Edmonton is looking for volunteers to answer phones and do other light duty office work. Shifts are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Volunteers must make a commitment of one day per week. If interested in this position, contact Angela Robichaud at or 780-479-3566 ext 223 to apply.
  1. The Community Services Advisory Board(CSAB) is seeking a volunteer to join its Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Committee. The committee is responsible for recommending annual funding allocations and providing advice on related policies. The committee primarily reviews applications for funding, visits agency sites, listens to agency presentations, and holds monthly meetings to discuss issues, recommend actions, and review and formulate funding recommendations. Committee members need to be residents of Edmonton; knowledgeable about community-based social service delivery, social planning, outcome evaluation and non-profit organizational governance; and willing to spend the six to 10 hours per week from September to mid-November reviewing funding applications. Regular meetings take three to four hours per month. Some flexibility during the day is desirable. Submit a resumé or letter summarizing qualifications by Feb. 13 to Alba Valderrama, FCSS Liaison Team, Community Services Department, P.O. Box 2359, Edmonton, T5J 2R7; drop off at the 14th floor, CN Tower, 10004–104 Avenue; fax 780-577-3525; or email . For additional information, call 780-496-4677 or 780-496-4933.
  1. An Edmonton woman is looking for a part-time nanny for her two children. The oldest is six years old and in school all day in Grade 1. The youngest is a five-month-old chubby baby on the verge of learning to eat real food. The family also has two active small dogs that need bathroom breaks throughout the day and a little food and water too. “We’re looking for someone reliable and willing to make a commitment for 12 to 18 months. Hours are 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Salary is $1,175per month to start. We would consider combining nanny and housekeeping duties to increase the salary. The flexibility to do occasional overnights would be a bonus.” If you are interested in this position, call Sunny at 780-461-0982.
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