#ElderWisdom | Stories from the Green Bench

Bucket Lists, Family Trees and Moving to Glendale Crossing with Ivan Siriani

Episode #44 - A lot of road to cover with 92-year-old, Ivan Siriani, from his love of travel and bucket list plans, family trees, and a chaplain chat that brought some peace to his heart.  Ivan is joined on the #ElderWisdom bench for a conversation with hosts Erin Davis & Doug Robinson. What is on your bucket list? "My bucket list included a train trip across Canada, Toronto to Vancouver.  I went with my son and it was the most wonderful holiday I've ever had." - Doug Robinson Ivan's bucket list includes a trip to Newfoundland with his daughter.  She has always wanted to see icebergs. He also would like to go to visit relatives in British Columbia and Calgary. Before Ivan's wife moved into long-term care, they enjoyed drives all over in the States and Canada, including a lot of the east coast. Not a resident yet, but when the new Retirement phase opens at The Village of Glendale Crossing in 2023, Ivan will move in.  He has his suite picked out, a two bedroom complex.  Family has done cut outs of furniture and created the full layout. "My only wish is that they could move the date up on the opening of The Village of Glendale Crossing." - Ivan Siriani Wife Marjorie lives in long-term care at Glendale Crossing.  Ivan looks forward to being in the same building and being able to see her more often.   "I saw her and I asked her for a dance.  I think I had an hour with her as her guy was getting a little upset, and then we were politely asked to leave the premises." - Ivan Siriani "Everybody's journey with dementia is so different and we've had the honour of people sharing their stories with us." - Erin Davis "I find tracing my family tree keeps me going and is so refreshing. An interesting hobby that fills my time with enjoyment." - Ivan Siriani Ivan put a letter with contact details in a bag at a distant relative's headstone in hopes to connecting with family.  He got an email a couple weeks later sharing family information and growing the family tree. “Some family trees have beautiful leaves, and some have just a bunch of nuts. Remember, it is the nuts that make the tree worth shaking.” – Unknown "Don't worry if the work is hard and your rewards are few. Remember the mighty oak was once once a nut like you." -Unknown Learn more about The Village of Glendale Crossing and it's opening in 2023 contact Carole Metron at 519-668-5600 or visit schlegelvillages.com/glendale-crossing-london   Subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on any network and share your thoughts on social media using the #ElderWisdom tag to help others find us.

Dr. Bob Bell - Expert on healthcare for an aging population and prolific author of fiction

Episode #43 - Author of medical-based thriller fiction, an expert on healthcare for an aging population, and former deputy minister of health in long-term care in Ontario, Dr. Bob Bell shares his Story from the Green Bench with Erin Davis and Doug Robinson. During his years at McGill University, Bob crossed paths with our episode #29 guest, Dr. Rea Brown through sports and medical school.  Stumbled into medicine after a knee injury playing football as a linebacker at McGill- this injury got him interested in bones. Bob's hero is Terry Fox, who suffered osteogenic sarcoma. Terry’s example inspired Bob to pursue a career in orthopedic oncology (bone cancer). Fun Fact: Terry & Bob share the same birthday July 28. Get involved in your local Terry Fox Run and programs: https://terryfox.org/ Author of medical based thriller fiction 1. Hip: A NovelAbout the benefits and risks of medical innovations, when a brilliant but unscrupulous scientist uncovers a breakthrough in hip replacement by coating it in a special substance.  2. New Doc in Maple RidgeThe doctor is injured and returns to America from Afghanistan and has to start over. He chooses Maple Ridge Arkansas, to start a practice. All proceeds from these books support medical research at University Health Network and at Princess Margaret hospital.    Books are available at https://drbobbell.com/ Our aging population is increasing (over 75 years old) by 4% and higher annually as baby boomers reach their golden years.  How will we care for them, how will we afford it, and will that crowd out other spending? "Schlegel Villages, where the most up to date standards in long-term care and retirement living are observed." - Dr. Bob Bell "We can be proud of the way our health system responded to the pandemic." - Dr. Bob Bell What is your hope for the future of healthcare in Canada? "Where have you seen a fax machine except in a doctors office in the past 10 years?" - Dr. Bob Bell   Subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on any network and share your thoughts on social media using the #ElderWisdom tag to help others find us.

Virginia Barry on swimming, canoeing, and being a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi

Episode #42 - Deep diving into some fascinating waters with Virginia Barry to talk about sorority and sisterhood, the importance of safety on the water, and her competitive spirit.  From The Village of Wentworth Heights in Hamilton, our first debutante on the green bench and a life-long member of a worldwide sorority, Beta Sigma Phi. Joining Beta Sigma Phi at the age of 18 in 1952, she loves the sisterhood where she learned about formal table settings, formal greetings, banquets, volunteering and more. Her Toronto Chapter (Beta Omicron) worked with Sick Kids Hospital. She used to go for weekend retreats with her sorority sisters. She named the annual ball, The Yellow Rose Ball. A yellow rose is special, it is what you gift someone who is special in your life. A Debutante is an upper-class young woman making her first appearance in fashionable society.  Learning dances such as the Waltz, Foxtrot, Quick Step and more prior to attended the ball at the Royal York in Toronto.  She is very proud. A swimming champVirginia retired in 1991 from work, and decided to take up swimming at the local pool. There she saw a man who was always swimming lengths, Virginia decided that she would keep up with him. She was counting on this stranger to keep her going… it worked! In 1997, while in Florida she joined a swim team called the Silver Streaks. They were competitive and she ended up at the Huntsman Senior Games – it is like the Olympics for Seniors. There were 4,000 participants and she won a gold and six bronze medals.  "Competition in swimming, badminton, tennis, volleyball and canoeing was for my own enjoyment." - Virginia Barry "The best kind of sport is when you are competing against yourself for your personal best." -Erin Davis Basic Canoe Skills can be found at Paddle Canada, a community of trusted leaders whose aim is to connect Canadians to nature through canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding with certified Paddle Canada instructors. https://www.paddlecanada.com/ Virginia gave her father's canoe to the museum, it is on display in Gravenhurst. On the Red Current River in Missouri, she was tossed out of the canoe in the rapids. The near-death experience did not stop her from getting in a canoe again. "I've had a lot of wise seniors in my life, and it continues. How blessed I am." - Erin Davis   Subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on any network and share your thoughts on social media using the #ElderWisdom tag to help others find us.

Hildegarde Bolter on resilience in life, leaving her husband, and being a German child in the war

Episode #41 - Hilda lives at The Village of Wentworth Heights in Hamilton, originally from Germany, joining to share her story from the green bench with Erin Davis & Doug Robinson.  Stories of growing up during World War II, moving to Canada, having a son, leaving a challenging marriage, writing a memoir, and her resilience in all aspects of life. "We were 6 years old. They told us that the gas masks looked like Mickey Mouse so we wouldn't be scared." - Doug Robinson At 10 years old, she was strafed by machine-gun fire from a low-flying airplane. She locked eyes with the pilot who was laughing. She was rescued when two women ran out and pulled her to safety. It was an English airplane, and she was a child.  "They forced us to go into the Hitler youth, otherwise you wouldn't have any future. They pushed us in the direction they wanted us to go under Hitler." - Hilda Bolter "I saw the danger in which my mother was in to giving the Jewish people food stamps. I took the stamps from my mother and was helping to give them." -Hilda Bolter Hilda is writing her memoir, it is in German, it’s for her son and her granddaughter.  "It is so powerful to what I went through and I want to tell my son that whatever it is, with the lord's help, you will conquer everything. You don't have to be afraid." -Hilda Bolter "I wave to them and say hi.  How happy they are and it costs nothing." - Hilda Bolter “You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it” – Margaret Thatcher When you can help someone, it makes the world better Subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on any network and share your thoughts on social media using the #ElderWisdom tag to help others find us.

June Campbell on Newfoundland joining Canada, 2 marriages and lots of traveling

Episode #40 - June Campbell is a resident at The Village of Riverside Glen in Guelph, shares with Erin Davis & Doug Robinson on the green bench.  She has lived a life that has not only witnessed history as it happened but in which she even rubbed elbows with Gordon Pinsent with whom she went to school.  June was born in St. John's, Newfoundland before it was even a part of Canada, learn more by listening to her story from the green bench. June lived a proud moment in Canadian history and remembers when the premier, Joseph Smallwood, signed the documents on March 31st, 1949 when Newfoundlanders to become Canadians. "Joseph Smallwood did not want any jokes about April fools, so he had the papers signed on the 31st. And then we all became naturalized citizens." "We had our own currency, our own stamps, and paid duty from everything we ordered from Canada, even from the Sears catalogue." - June Campbell In her first marriage of 22 years, she experienced a challenge with religious differences and her parents not accepting the mixed marriage between Catholic and Protestant.  "I got used to it after a while" June went to a girls school which was very strict, having to walk in a crocodile line when walking past the boys school, and not allowed to look. "The boys school was Bishop Field, the girls was Bishop Spencer, and never the train should meet." - June Campbell Come From Away - the story of 911 when the air traffic had to find a place to land and ending up in Newfoundland.  Show details at https://comefromaway.com  40 Years old, 3 children and love strikes again. "I hadn't heard his voice in 25 years, but I recognized it. And this is the man I married the following year." -June Campbell Her second husband of 30 years, Gordon, was the youngest of 10 children. "Yes, we had 10, but they stopped when they attained perfection." A Travel Conversation including: Australia, Barbados, Russia, Estonia, UK and more "I married him for his Air Canada pass, and he married me for my underground parking." -June Campbell Book: In a Sunburned Country, Bill Bryson Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24.In_a_Sunburned_Country  "It's all about making the new connections where you are." - Erin Davis A great idea to share who you are by posting a photo outside your door in the retirement and long-term care home of when you were younger.  We would love to see a photo of you when you were younger. "So important to remind people that we are the same spirits, the same soul, the same people.  It's just that our suits have gotten a little wrinkled over the years." - Erin Davis "You can't beat a nice cod steak.  It makes good fish & chips." - Doug Robinson If you could travel somewhere tomorrow (no limits), where would you go? Book: Mourning Has Broken by Erin Davis - https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443454636/mourning-has-broken/ Subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on any network and share your thoughts on social media using the #ElderWisdom tag to help others find us.

Joyce Stankiewicz on caring for a loved one with dementia and the buddy system at University Gates

Episode #39 - Formerly of New Hamburg now living at The Village at University Gates in Waterloo.  Doug & Erin welcome to the green bench, Joyce Stankiewicz, as they chat about the buddy system, caring for a loved one with dementia, and the importance of forgiveness, humour, and memories. Sharing marriage stories from 70 years with her husband Bill and the tough conversation when required to take away someone's car keys.  A journey through dementia as Joyce cares for her husband through this process. What is aphasia?  Aphasia is a language disorder caused by damage in a specific area of the brain that controls language expression and comprehension. Aphasia leaves a person unable to communicate effectively with others. Bill was diagnised with Nonfluent Variant Primary Progressive Aphasia. People with nonfluent variant primary progressive aphasia (nfvPPA) tend to come to the doctor’s office with complaints about pronouncing words or increasing trouble getting words out. Their speech may sound slurred, or their voice may change. As time goes on, people with nfvPPA have more trouble putting sentences together, and they eventually begin to speak slower and slower. Doug's wife also lives with dementia sharing his experience as he noticed changes at home. "If you have a problem and cannot find out how to solve, then get someone to help you solve it." -Joyce Stankiewicz "The buddy system: to connect a person who lives at University Gates and knows the routine with someone who just moved into the Village." -Joyce Stankiewicz Joyce has published two books about her mother. 1. My Journey, by Aida Sauder 2. Famous quotes and quips from Mother Sauder and others Saying such as, "you get more flies with honey than vinegar", and more quotes shared by Joyce. Advice for someone who cares for a loved one living with dementia.  "A comfort to be able to talk about it and to know that other share your pain." -Joyce Stankiewicz "Joy shared is multiplied and pain shared is divided." -unattributed   Subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on any network and share your thoughts on social media using the #ElderWisdom tag to help others find us.

Recipes, memories, pasta and the past with Anna Piccoli & daughter Franca

Episode #38 - Erin Davis & Doug Robinson sit on the virtual green bench with Anna Piccoli and daughter Franca Smith to continue the conversation on our theme of connection, family, and service. Anna lives with her husband of 62 years, Aldo, and her sister Josephine at The Village of Glendale Crossing in London, Ontario. "I love everybody, especially my children and my grandchildren ...  and nobody smokes." -Anna Piccoli Anna left Italy to live with her sister Josephine in Canada.  While writing back and forth with Aldo for a year, she convinced him to come over to Canada and got married. Why Canada?  Tony and Josephine moved to London, Ontario as there were lots of job opportunities.  As more family arrived in Canada, the whole family stayed close in the same neighbourhood. “Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city” - George Burns What is your favourite Italian dish to cook/eat? Anna's answer - Lasagna. She continues to cook at The Village of Glendale Crossing with the recreation team. Il pane apre tutte le boccheBread opens all mouths. If you want to get to know someone, invite them to eat with you. Good food can bring good conversation. Everyone gives Anna yarn so that she can crochet items for them. Franca shares about the Art Show: Home and Away, asking local artists to share their art about where they came from and what brought them to Canada asking the question which felt like home and which felt like away. Interested in getting a book?  Reach out to elderwisdom@Schlegelvillages.com and we will connect you with Franca. "Family comes first. Everything revolves around family, and food."  -Franca Smith "When you learn about where your family came from and what they have been through to get us to where we are.  It is quite amazing." -Franca Smith Anna shares scary memories from being 14 years old and living through the war. Her uncle understanding the German language supported them to be able to get away as they jumped home to home to survive. Grazie   Subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on any network and share your thoughts on social media using the #ElderWisdom tag to help others find us.

100 Years of Wisdom with Aunt Reta

Episode #37 - Reta Baechler is the first centenarian guest to join Erin Davis and Doug Robinson on the green bench-as she shares her many years of wisdom and wit with us.  Aunt Reta as we know her is the Aunt to Ron Schlegel who you heard from in episode 7. A Prestigious Club:The number of centenarians in Canada rose to 12, 822 as of July 1st, 2021. Aunt Reta is the sister to Wilfred Schlegel who is the father of Ron Schlegel.  Five siblings with 3 older brothers and one younger brother and one younger sister, grew up on the farm outside Tavistock, Ontario.   "Every Saturday morning we had to trim the wicks to make sure they would burn evenly." - Reta Baechler A large German presence in Southwestern Ontario - Aunt Reta talks about growing together as a community, speaking Pennsylvanian German and learning English.  Growing to know each other. "I felt so good being at home and having my neighbours around me so there was never a barrier.  We were all like one people." - Reta Baechler Reta shares stories of her family connections with her father Wilfred and with her Grandmother. Jump rope: Aunt Reta loved skipping when she was young. Her brothers made her jump ropes, and she fondly remembers receiving her very first store bought skipping rope. It had wooden handles, and she would skip her way to the barn to do chores, and then all the way home again.  What was the invention that made your life easier?  Reta shares about the light switch being a fantastic invention with electricity.  "I remember when we turned on the light tap for the first time. This is so incredible, all we have to do it push a button and the light will come on." - Reta Baechler A tradition of always having an extra plate set at the dinner table for a guest to join.  Reta remembers a plaque over the table that read “Christ is the head of this home, the unseen guest at every meal, the silent listener to every conversation.” Very important to her, and can picture it to this day. She says it is so important to have faith.  “Well, I woke up again in the same bed I went to sleep in last night. There must still be a plan and a purpose for me today.”  - Reta Baechler “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift- that’s why we call it the present.” – Alice Morse Earle Subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on any network and share your thoughts on social media using the #ElderWisdom tag to help others find us.