THE CONNECTION
Bruce Peninsula Seniors Connect Inc. Newsletter
Issue 4 - August 2005

To Break the Silence
Do you suspect someone you know is being abused but are unsure how to approach the issue with that individual?
Every situation of abuse is different. There is no set list of questions that can be asked to determine if an individual is being abused. However, asking direct questions often gets direct answers. Even if a person does not honestly answer the first time, you are signaling to him/her that you are a person willing to discuss their concerns when they are ready to do so.
If you would like to discuss a situation where you suspect or know an older adult is being abused, contact Laura Balletta, Senior Abuse Resource Coordinator, by phone at 519-371-2112, Ext. 485 or by email at laura.balletta-hare@gb.ccac-ont.ca or call the SAAN Hotline at 519-371-4357.

What is Elder Abuse?
Elder abuse is any action or inaction by self or others that jeopardizes the health or well being of an older adult. This includes physical, emotional, financial, sexual as well as passive or active neglect. The abuse typically occurs with a person in a position of trust. Many acts of abuse are criminal offences; none are acceptable this includes but is not limited to:
  • Physical abuse
  • Psychological (Emotional) abuse
  • Financial abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Neglect
  • Self Neglect
Services provided in the Grey-Bruce Area
There are services available to help older persons in a crisis situation:
  • 24 hour telephone Hot-line services 519-371-4357;
  • Accommodation for a couple or a single person for up to 2 months;
  • Senior Evaluation and Resource Team (SERT) – will do consultation and advice to service providers who are dealing with difficult cases, when appropriate interventions are unable to be identified.
Elder Abuse Training
Free in-house training to organizations, teams, seniors’ groups and other interested parties on elder abuse located in the Bruce-Grey area.
Volunteer opportunities.
Please call Laura Balletta at 519-371-2112, Ext. 485.


Seniors Connect Events

Drive Wise

The Drive Wise seminars were very well received at the Friendship Club and the Lads & Lassies. The presentation was approximately an hour long. Constable Meyer is an excellent speaker. We are never too old to learn and there are always changes to the “rules of the road”. After all we didn’t get our license yesterday!
A train to ride


We went to Clive Morgan’s house to see his miniature trains. He has a track that runs around his house and goes out over a trestle. These trains sure have a lot of pulling power! They can actually give many people rides. It was quite an impressive display. Their home looks out over Isthmus Bay; we had a very nice time!


Birthday Party

We will be going to Pat Horner’s house on August 17th for a picnic on her patio. She also overlooks Isthmus Bay. While we are at Pat’s place, we will celebrate Hazel Sarnovsky’s 90th birthday, which was on 12 August. We will be having cake and presenting letters from the Prime Minister and our local MP. Seniors Connect will provide drinks and dessert.
A change in the office

You will soon be hearing a new voice on the phone. It is with great sadness that I must tell you that I will no longer be working at Seniors Connect doing administrative functions in the near future. I have enjoyed working here and have met a lot of wonderful seniors and have learned so much. I will be dropping in from time to time and will sign on as a volunteer. At this time, I am not sure of the exact date that I will be leaving. I will keep you posted!
Val Martin

Upcoming workshop

Are you interested in rug hooking? There will be a one day workshop set up either in September or early October. Beginners welcome. Call Seniors Connect at 793-3781 for details.

Story Corner

My brother-in-law, Ephram, lives in Nottinghamshire, England. In a town which borders Sherwood Forest of Robin Hood fame. Close by is the city of Nottingham, where the wicked sheriff did his castle keep, not that either Robin Hood, or the wicked Sheriff play any part whatsoever in my story, but I thought that mentioning them would help pin-point the location and at the same time, stimulate the imagination of you the reader.
With precise regularity Ephram’s birthday falls on the first day of April, some call it All Fool’s Day, while others, April Fools Day, but to me it will always be – ‘Ephram’s Birthday’.
I did mean to send a card in time for his Birthday, but although my intention was to post it early, first one thing, then another took priority over the sending of his card. I had to find the address, and get some oversea stamps – must do that tomorrow. So sound were my excuses that the card still sat on the kitchen table, unwritten, on the first day of April.
That was when my eldest daughter, Vanity, came to visit me. She had called in on her way from work, and seeing the unwritten card on the table, seemed somewhat amused, for she laughed and laughed and laughed – and then she laughed some more. “Forgot to post it eh! Dad.” Vanity managed to say when her laughter had subsided enough for her to speak.
“I didn’t forget.” I replied. “I was just waiting for the moon to be in the right place in the heavens for mailing a card to England – which will be” – (I did some rapid make-believe calculations and imaginary drawings on the table before proceeding) – “this very evening, at exactly two minutes past seven – British Standard Time. Just in time for it to catch the midnight flight out of Toronto and be on Ephram’s door-step in the morning. Ah! The wonder of modern technology amazes me.”
“The wonders of modern technology are one day too late Dad, I posted my card last week – you will need a miracle now.” And Vanity started to laugh again. “Of course you could –" and she reeled off a number of excuses I could use, each one making me out either a total idiot, or someone who didn’t know his own name and which planet he was on. Having subjected me to a taste of her wit, Vanity left, chuckling at my demise – bless her heart, she does love a joke – hopefully! Left on my own I began artfully planning. Obviously someone other than myself had to take the blame for my lack of effort.
Not that it really mattered in the whole scheme of things, but I had been emotionally injured by Vanity’s wit and justifiable candour. There was the matter of principle too.
I wrote out my card, wishing Ephram every happiness and a hope that he would have a wonderful birthday – when that day arrived. I then added a P.S. – I do hope that you receive this card in time for your birthday Ephram, I am giving it Vanity to mail. I well remember the last time I entrusted her with a letter to mail, she used it as a coffee mug coaster on the dash of her car for almost two weeks until one day I saw it sitting there. Let us hope that this time she is more mindful of her mission and my confidence in her is not misplaced.
Placing the card in a stamped addressed envelope, I took a coffee mug, wet the base and smeared it with instant coffee grounds, then made coffee rings with it all over the back of the envelope, also two rings on the front for good measure and mailed it to Ephram the next day – the stage was set.
A week later I had a phone call from Ethram thanking me for the card. I told him he was welcome and trusted he had received it in time for his birthday. At this he laughed. "I received it all right,” he replied, still laughing, “in an envelope covered with coffee rings – more than a week late.”
“Oh dear! I feel almost partly to blame Ephram,” and I went on to tell him of my unswerving faith in Vanity mailing it for me, and all about the coffee mug coaster, omitting to mention my part in the proceedings. But Ephram knew me well enough, knew that I was the real culprit of the hoax, and that Vanity was the ‘Fall Guy’, and no matter how often, in her innocence she denied mailing his card, he never let her off the hook.
“Trying to put the blame on your Dad, Vanity,” he would chide her. “We had the coffee rings matched against your mug – your Dad and me, just as sure as if they were a set of fingerprints.” And he would laugh at his own humour.
The next Christmas I received a writing set from my daughter. Each envelope and each sheet of writing paper was covered with coffee rings. That was so nice of her!

John Byard



The Alzheimer’s Society of Grey Bruce has a number of special events during the year. Walk for memories, The Hottest Yard Sale, Forget Me Not Tree, Tag Days and Coffee Break. If your organization is interested in having a coffee break fund raiser this September, contact the Alzheimer’s Society Grey Bruce.
The Alzheimer’s Society holds support group sessions at the Gateway Haven, 671 Frank Street, Wiarton, on the 1st Tuesday of the month, from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. For more information, please call 376-7230.
They will also take credit card donations.


September is Arthritis month

Go to the web site at www.arthritis.ca. They have a number of tips for living well, such as; eating healthy, exercising well, managing pain & understanding medications. To donate to the Arthritis Society call 1-800-321-1433.