Community News
Hidden Gem Awaits at Lions Place

It’s a tall, unassuming, 18 story apartment building on Portage Avenue where countless commuters drive by it daily. It’s not far from the downtown core, and to most Winnipeggers the building labelled “Lions Place”, looks like any other 55+ residence.

Lions Place, under the Lions Housing Centres umbrella, has a unique and truly one-of-a-kind feature in their building, and you’ll find it tucked away in the back on the main floor, The Greenhouse, a little touch of nature that is also attached to a backyard garden for the resident’s enjoyment.

On any given day, if you wander through the space that boasts tall ceilings and plenty of natural light, there’s a very good chance you’ll find long-time resident Dorothy Wilk. Wilk moved into the building back in 2007, and it was because of this very amenity that she decided to call it home.

“Yes, the Greenhouse is what brought me here,” she laughs. “My son accidentally found this building, and thought yes, my mom would enjoy it here.”

Now, she’s not just enjoying it, Wilk has made it her “baby”.

She heads up a small group of volunteers and has taken it upon herself to make sure the space is attractive, clean, and of course full of foliage. Wilk oversees the buying of the plants, soil, fertilizers, and any supplies needed – all reimbursed, of course, by Lions Housing Centres.

After a new organizational structure was put in place in 2020, Lions Place has seen many improvements throughout the building – but the one Wilk is most happy about is the Greenhouse restoration project, where the renovations are now almost fully complete. A project that began this past summer now sees new cabinetry, flooring, lighting, and paint – the choice of colour an honour bestowed upon Wilk and a few other volunteers. It’s now given the space a new life after years of being overlooked by previous management.

“I was delighted because nothing had been done since I have been involved, which is approximately 15 years,” she muses, “other than what the volunteers had finished on their own.”

While she is never short of volunteers for the greenhouse, it’s the outside garden in the backyard that is a bit more work to recruit help. This area -slated for improvements of its’ own in the summer of 2022 – gets TLC from Lions Place maintenance staff who look after the outside plots, shrubbery, and weeds, all of course under a watchful eye from Wilk who has high standards. Nestled in amongst the shrubs is the Memory Garden, started by the residents in 2012. It’s a space devoted to friends who have passed away at Lions Place. Roses and lilies adorn the area, all courtesy of residents who provided the plants or the funds to honour them.

For Wilk, who turns 92 in February, there is nowhere else she’d rather be, and loves nothing more than taking the time to talk to residents and tour them around the greenhouse. She wouldn’t trade her work in the space for anything.

“It just makes me feel valued as a member of society, that I’m useful,” she smiles. “Doesn’t matter the age you are, you can always be useful.”

If you would like to donate to the Greenhouse restoration project, or the upcoming garden improvements please visit their website at www.lhc.ca.

– Michelle Lissel

Celebrating 100 Years!

It was the third charter in all of Canada to be formed back in 1921, and on November 26th, the Lions Club of Winnipeg officially celebrated 100 years of existence. Hitting the century mark is a big milestone and the service organization celebrated by holding a Gala Dinner at the Hotel Fort Garry on November 20th. The Winnipeg landmark was also the site of the Lions’ very first function, as well as their 50th anniversary. For details to become a member, or to apply for a volunteer position on the Board of Directors with Lions Housing Centres, call 204-784-1236.

Community Announcement: We Have Moved!

Re-New Mobility is excited to announce that its 665 Stafford St. location has moved to its NEW location at Unit 1-940 Lorimer Blvd. (by the Golf Dome), combining the warehouse and retail outlet to serve you better. Re-New Mobility has been helping people gain more mobility for more than 25 years. The business offers new and gently used products such as power chairs, scooters, grab bars, security poles, stair lifts, and much more. Services such as equipment rentals, in-home installation, and modification of products are also available. Shop online or in person and regain your independence with increased mobility!

Stress Handling With Bioenergetics

Supply chain shortages, new restrictions, inflation – these are just a few of the distressing things that we are bombarded with every day. Add to that, the “normal” stresses of daily life, and there is no doubt that even the strongest can feel overwhelmed. Unmanaged, stress contributes to many health issues such as anxiety, exhaustion, insomnia, depression, and a weak immune system. An alternative approach such as Bioenergetics is highly effective in handling stress. It detects imbalances, or weaknesses, in the stress handling areas of the body, and in turn, stimulates the affected areas to help the mind and body process and handle stress better.

Avoid the Winter Blues

The Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines suggest adults should perform at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week, as well as two sessions of muscle and bone strengthening activities, to achieve physical AND mental health benefits. With winter coming, and the challenges of leaving home, this can seem daunting! Your physiotherapist can tailor an exercise program designed specifically for you to do inside with minimal space (to help avoid the cold weather!), and with equipment everyone has around their home. At 30 minutes per day, the benefits of exercise are countless, while the side effects are minimal.

Holidays with Dementia

Many older adults with Alzheimer’s or dementia enjoy and want to be included in holiday festivities. However, the added activities could cause increased agitation and confusion, unpredictable behavior, or mood swings. To create a stress-free, happy holiday season, try to scale things back and modify activities so they’ll feel calm and safe. Focus on a few of the most meaningful traditions. Ask which activities they value most. That could mean trimming the Christmas tree, lighting the menorah, singing songs, or baking special holiday treats. Even if your older adult might not remember these holiday activities later, the warm feelings they’ll have is a different kind of memory their body will carry for a while.

Phones for Hearing Impaired

There is nothing sweeter than the sound of a loved one’s voice even if it is only on the telephone. Unfortunately for someone with hearing loss, using the telephone can be a frustrating experience. Suffering from hearing loss not only affects your hearing in live conversations, it makes using the telephone a real challenge. Because of today’s inclusive technology, phones and other useful hearing aid accessories for communication for people hard of hearing are now available. Hearing aid phones are a great gift that will help your loved one live life normally despite the hearing loss.

Importance of a Flu Shot

A seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to protect against flu. Flu vaccination has been shown to have many benefits including reducing the risk of flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and even flu-related death. For some people, the flu can bring serious health risks. Seniors and those with medical conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, for example, may have a hard time fighting the virus. Now more than ever, it is imperative that everyone protects themselves as much as possible. Given the pandemic world we are all currently living in, the flu shot is one more way to decrease your risk of complications that can come along with it.

Cherish the Memories When Downsizing

Downsizing is often a stressful process — both emotionally and physically. When the time comes, give yourself plenty of time for the process to make it seem less overwhelming. As you go through and sort things, recognize and acknowledge the sentimental value of a once-prized stuffed bear and decades-worth of Mother’s Day cards. Grandma’s bone china will remind you of all the happy family times. It is ok to get lost in nostalgia. Remind yourself that the memories will always be there, but the future holds an infinite number of new memories and possibilities. Trust the process and enjoy every moment.

Workplace Wellness This Holiday Season

The holidays bring plenty of joy, but it can also be a stressful season for many. Focus on workplace wellness to help employees maintain healthy habits and mental health. Choose healthy options for holiday events and give gifts of wellness to employees this year i.e., onsite massages or stress management lunch and learns. Encourage employees to stay active by hosting onsite yoga classes. Support employee’s financial wellness with minimal budgets on events and partnering with local business for discounts and promotions. Be mindful of your decisions and the impacts it may have on your employees. Healthy & Happy New Year!

Honour Yourself During the Holidays

The holidays can be a time of loving reunions, catch-ups, heartfelt connections, and joy, or they can be filled with obligations, expectations, and old patterns with emerging drama. When we can empower ourselves to know we have a choice as to where to best put our energies, what to let go of and forgive, and where to take a stand and set boundaries, we honour ourselves. Despite the illusion of social media, the “perfect family” does not exist where all things look “wonderful and together” all the time. Instead, the holidays offer us the perfect opportunity to stay true and nurture ourselves in the midst of giving and receiving.