Advance Care Planning – Who will speak for you?

“Who will speak for you when the time comes where you cannot speak for yourself?”

Advance Care Planning is important for every adult to consider and an important part of overall life planning.  In this session, Central Okanagan Hospice Association’s specially trained hospice palliative care volunteers and staff present information and facilitate a discussion aimed to help you understand Advance Care Planning; what it is and what it is not.  Participants learn why it is important to reflect and speak out values, beliefs and wishes with family and friends, in regard to future health care decisions.  COHA invites you to be brave and join us to begin a conversation that matters!

Presenters
Iona Reitsma, Central Okanagan Hospice Association
Patty Walker, Central Okanagan Hospice Association
Donna Rubadeau, Central Okanagan Hospice Association

Strategies to prevent falls and fall-related injuries: From fundamental evidence to real-world implementation

This presentation discusses new evidence in factors that affect the risk for falls and fall-related injuries, and how you can apply these lessons to avoid getting hurt from falls.

Presenter:
Vicki Komisar, PhD
Assistant Professor,  Mechanical, School of Engineering, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UBC Okanagan

Okanagan Men’s Shed and Helen’s Acres Open House

This event was postponed because of a Public Health Advisory

This Open House is an opportunity to learn about the Okanagan Men’s Shed and the activities at Helen’s Acres Community Farm.

• Okanagan Men’s Shed displays and small group tours of the Shed to learn more about how this group is supporting men in the community
• Tours of the Helen’s Acres Community Farm and the new green house to learn how community partners are helping to provide food for our community
• Learn about the Food for Thought Garden Project and explore opportunities to support local children

Leaving a legacy with planned giving

Learn from an expert how to effectively maximize your gift and impact, while maximizing the tax benefits.

Guest Speaker:
Geoffrey W. White, Lawyer with Geoffrey W. White Law Corporation

Andrea Manifold, Habitat for Humanity, Okanagan

Scam protection: Knowledge is power

Presenter:
Paula Naka, Manager, Risk Management
Interior Savings Credit Union

Paula has lead the ISCU Risk Management team for many years and works closely with the RCMP and colleagues across the country to help reduce fraud. Paula’s favourite resource is The Little Black Book of Scams.

Bee Ambassador Workshop

Become a Bee Ambassador !! Get expert advice about how to support pollinators.

Building a balanced meal – A virtual cooking demonstration

Please join us for a virtual cooking demonstration in celebration of  Nutrition Month where we will learn how to build a healthy, balanced meal following the new Canada’s Food Guide recommendations.

Salmon burger and lemon garlic green beans with quinoa recipe for 2

Cooking with
Sarah Dalman, UBC Dietetics Student

Staying nimble: Healthy ways to keep moving with aging

A discussion about common changes in mobility and balance that are seen with aging, touching also on limitations in activity and mobility in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Concepts about the benefits of activity and exercise for healthy brain function later in life is reviewed.

Presenter
Dr. Daryl Wile, MD, MSc, FRCPC (Neurology)
Neurologist, Interior Health;
Clinical Investigator, UBC Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Southern Medical Program;
Clinical Assistant Professor, UBC Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology

Sleeping better for fall prevention

Hear about how sleep is not only an important part of a healthy lifestyle but also helps to prevent falls.  Research related to how sleep quality and quantity affects balance is presented as well as plans for ongoing research in the field.

Paige Copeland, BHK, MSc Student,
School of Health and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Development, University of British Columbia Okanagan campus

Traditional Métis Floral Beadwork Workshop

One of the most distinctive symbols of Métis culture is floral beadwork. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to learn the basics of Métis beading by making a flower pin. You’ll also learn about Métis culture and how the Metis came to be known as the Flower Beadwork People.

Presenter: Linda Van Wieringen, a passionate teacher, and President/Elder and Region 3 Women’s Representative for the Vernon & District Métis Association. Linda is also the Elder/Cultural Educator for the Nobody’s Perfect Peetigway and Headstart programs, and Canadian Mental Health Association.

Gut health: A key to unlocking better health and wellbeing

Gut health is fast becoming one of the most important factors in healthy aging, and could stave off chronic diseases such as cancer, Type 2 diabetes, and chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Gut health has even been linked to mental health and neurological conditions like schizophrenia and dementia. Hear about the latest research on the ways the millions of microbes that live in the digestive tract affect our body and our mind, and how a healthy lifestyle can sustain gut health and prevent chronic disease.

PANEL EXPERTS
Dr. Deanna Gibson, Associate Professor
Biology, Irving K Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, UBC Okanagan

Ms. Natasha Haskey, PhD candidate and Registered Dietitian
Biology, Irving K Barber Faculty of Sciences, UBC Okanagan

Mr. Gerald deVeer, Patient Perspective
Past-president, Okanagan Chapter, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada

Why staff relationships in Long-Term Care homes matter

When relationships between co-workers in long-term care homes are strained, it significantly impacts their ability to work as a team. Dr. Cooke shares the results of a study describing relationships among front-line care staff and their impact on the well-being of staff and residents.

Presenter:
Dr. Heather Cooke, Post-Doctoral Researcher, UBC School of Nursing

Virtual solutions for caregiving at a distance

With COVID-19 restrictions in place, it is harder to see friends and family, especially those in long-term care. The good news is that there are creative, virtual solutions to support loved ones and stay social. Join Naomi as she provides tips on how to continue to deliver care, even when you cannot be physically present.

Presenter:
Naomi Mison, Founder and CEO of Discuss Dementia,
Public advocate and speaker for those living with dementia and their caregivers

Stroke care and you: Innovation and research in Interior Health

Learn about some of the advancements in stroke care and research that are happening in Interior Health that are leading the way for stroke care in rural and remote populations.

Presenters:
Dr. Aleksander Tkach, Vascular Neurologist, MD FRCPC
Medical Director for Stroke and EVT, Interior Health

Marie McClelland, RN
Clinical Research Coordinator and Stroke Nurse, Interior Health

Homecare vs Long Term Care – Where will I live?

One of the biggest decisions we face as we age is “where will I live?” Please join the Central Okanagan Hospice Association and community partners Vantage Living Communities and Jumpstart Communications share from a healthcare and a quality-of-life perspective, the joys and challenges, and the pros and cons, of aging in place in your home, or a transition and move into long term care.  Tips on how to prepare for these transitions are discussed along with strategies to stay in place in your home for as long as possible.

Presenters:
Sharon Hughes-Geekie, Owner, JumpStart Communications and Business Development; Health care representative on the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission’s Advisory Council; Vice-chair of the Okanagan branch of Women in Leadership

Melanie Reinhardt, Vantage Living; Board Member of the BC Care Providers Association; Chair of the Engage BC Member Council

Welcoming Spring – Online painting classes

Presented by CMHA Kelowna’s Artworks Studio and Interior Savings

CMHA Kelowna’s ArtWorks Studio is a comfortable and welcoming space for an adventure in learning new skills and to have an avenue for self-expression. The studio is a place where we nurture the creative spirit and honor the whole person. Many participants of the ArtWorks Studio have overcome isolation, achieved a sense of belonging and built a stronger connection to the community. The studio offers art classes taught by local artists and covers a wide variety of techniques and mediums that are put to practice during open studio sessions. During the pandemic, we’ve adapted the ArtWorks Studio into a virtual space where participants can follow live instruction from the comfort of their own home. Using Zoom, the instructor will discuss and demonstrate different skills to bring your art to life.

Painting instruction by the award-winning artist and educator Tina Siddiqui.

Estate planning essentials – What you need to know

Estate planning may seem like something only millionaires do, but the truth is, everyone needs an estate plan, no matter how much money you have. Learn how you can avoid the common pitfalls and how to maximize the benefits of planning your estate. Experts in law from Fulton & Company will help make the complexities of estate planning seem clear and answer your questions.

Panel Experts:
Interior Savings Credit Union
Host Moderator: Brendon Coe, QAFP™ professional, BBA, RIS

Fulton & Company LLP
Leah Card, Lawyer, specializes in helping people plan for their futures. With a broad business and property law background plus over a decade in Wills & Estates law, Leah has the experience and insight to devise planning for the most complex successions with ease.
Tyson McNeil-Hay, Lawyer, resolves estate disputes. His experience with finding solutions to difficult situations provides an invaluable, unique insight into potential risks and their repercussions in estate planning.

Unlocking the future of healthcare treatments: How volunteers can help by participating in clinical research

Interested in participating in clinical research? This session is designed to provide clarity on how clinical trials are developed and implemented in a healthcare setting, what it looks like to be a participant and how this can lead to new and improved standards of care.

Presenters:
Coleen Adderley, BHSc, LPN, MCAP (c), MHA (c)
Manager, Clinical Research Department, Interior Health

Marie McClelland, RN
Clinical Research Coordinator and Stroke Nurse, Interior Health

MyHealthPortal – Electronic health records and you

MyHealthPortal provides patients with 24 hour access to their health information via their phone, tablet or computer through a secure portal from the Interior Health website. Features include the ability to view Interior Health lab results, diagnostic imaging reports (such as X-ray, CT and ultrasound), certain upcoming appointments, recent hospital visit history, and the opportunity to update address and phone number information.

Walking your way to good health workshop

Build a Mason Bee Home Workshop

Not all bees live in hives! Get an introduction to the rich diversity of wild bees in the Okanagan and their importance to our environment. Build a mason bee home with easy to get materials and start your own bee friendly garden. A great activity for everyone.

Hearts beating out of time: The experiences of patients before and after an atrial fibrillation diagnosis

Recent study findings about the challenges experienced in perceiving, evaluating, and responding to the varied symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation (AF) are presented. Self-care strategies after an AF diagnosis, the use of technology in AF detection, and ways to respond to an irregular pulse are some of the AF issues discussed.

Presenter
Dr. Ryan Wilson, School of Nursing, Faculty of Health and Social Development, UBC Okanagan