HelpAge International aiding older typhoon victims

HelpAge International is appealing for funds to help older people affected by a typhoon that that caused massive devastation in the Philippines.

More than 4,000 are dead and an estimated 9.5 million people – perhaps 11 million – have felt the impact of Typhoon Haiyan, which ripped through the nation on November 10.

“There is debris and garbage everywhere. Older people and young children are left on their own, wandering the streets. They look frail and sick," an emergency worker reported to HelpAge,

It’s estimated that at least 1.3 million of those affected are more than 50 years old.

According to the organization, during such emergencies older people are particularly vulnerable -- they are less able to flee, and cannot carry their possessions or stand in line for hours waiting for aid parcels.

It is working with the Coalition of Services of the Elderly (COSE), its affiliate in the Philippines, to ensure that older people are included in the relief effort. They are asked what they need and aid packages designed especially for them are delivered.

“The damage caused by the winds and tidal surge of Typhoon Haiyan is truly devastating,” said HelpAge CEO Toby Porter in an online post. “Comparisons to the damage caused by the 2004 Tsunami in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, are not overdone.

“It's a very natural thing to imagine yourself in a flood or a hurricane, and think that somehow you would always be able to keep yourself and your family safe, but events like this remind us that there are some events where this is simply not the case.”

To make a donation in support of HelpAge International’s efforts to aid older people affected by Typhoon Haiyan go to www.helpage.org.

Canada matching donations

Canadians who want to support Philippines relief efforts more generally can donate to campaigns organized by registered charities such as the Canadian Red Cross.

The Government of Canada will match the donations of individual Canadians until December 23. Those funds will go into a relief fund that is separate from the Canadian Red Cross and will be administered by the Government of Canada. Funds raised through this program will support on-going humanitarian assistance in communities affected by the typhoon.

Financial donations to the Red Cross can be made online at www.redcross.ca, at their local office or by calling 1-800-418-1111. Donations should be earmarked “Typhoon Haiyan.” 

NAIT student clinic looking for 200 new denture patients

A NAIT Denturist Technology student works with a patient in the dental lab at Main Campus in Edmonton.

NAIT’s Denturist Technology program is looking for 200 new denture patients.

According to a September 12 statement from NAIT, these patients will receive dentures for roughly one-third of what it would cost elsewhere for the same procedures, while helping second-year students gain hands-on experience.

It’s recommended that dentures be examined yearly, and in most cases replaced every five years.

“Patient participation is essential for this program to run,” said Trena Perrin, an educational lab technologist in NAIT’s School of Health Sciences. “All the work is done in a real clinic setting at NAIT under the supervision of registered denturists.”

 Patients will be seen by the same student denturist throughout the process, until their dentures are complete. Follow-up visits can also be made as required as required. 

 “Patients receive courteous, professional and economical service, while getting complete and partial dentures,” said Perrin. “Our students, meanwhile, get real-world experience which helps them prepare for meaningful careers.”

NAIT’s denturist technology program is one of only four denturist programs in Canada, and attracts students from across the country.

The full-time, three-year program is designed to provide students with the theoretical, technical and clinical experiences required to assess, diagnose, design, fabricate and insert both complete and partial removable dentures. 

The school states that more than 96 per cent of graduates find work within a year of completing the program.

Denture patients interested in participating in the program can contact the NAIT dental clinic at 780-471-7786.

Telus warns of international lottery scam

Telus is warning Canadians about a surge in a common international lottery scam being sent via letter mail to residents of British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba, falsely claiming an association with TELUS and Koodo. 
In a public service announcement issued July 6 Telus urges customers not to send funds or give out personal information in responses to the letters.
An example of an "advance fee scheme," the scam involves letters that claim to be from an organization titled The National Lottery (in conjunction with Koodo Mobile and Telus Corporation). The letter states that the recipient has won a $51,950 cash prize in the World International Consumers and telephone users sweepstakes held in the United Kingdom on July 28.
The recipient is asked to make a bank deposit to cover taxes and processing fees and includes a cheque to cover the costs. However, that cheque is forged and will bounce, while any money deposited will be lost.
Telus states that these letters are fraudulent, and are in no way related to it or other companies the scam artists claim to be associated with. It's recommended recipients "simply throw the letters in the recycling bin."
The RCMP Anti Fraud department and Canada Post are aware of this scam. Canada Post is evaluating and they will work toward preventing these letters from entering the Canadian mail system.

Albertans urged to protect themselves in hot weather

With warm weather and high humidity forecast this week, Albertans heading outdoors are being urged to protect themselves and look out for others who may be feeling the effects of heat.
“We want to remind Albertans to take the proper precautions to stay healthy and safe during this stretch of hot weather,” said Dr. Martin Lavoie, deputy chief medical officer of health, in a recent information bulletin.
 “It’s extremely important for people to stay hydrated and stay cool. Normal activities that you may do during cooler weather can pose serious heat-related illnesses under these conditions.”
Sections of central and southern Alberta are expected to be hardest hit today and this week with temperatures that feel like the mid-thirties.
Alberta Health provides these tips for avoiding sunburns and heat-related exhaustion:

• Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least (SPF) 30, at least 20 minutes before heading outdoors. Be sure it screens out UVA and UVB rays, and reapply frequently (as directed on the product label).
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses (with a UVA/UVB CSA certified seal).
• Wear light-coloured long pants and long-sleeved shirts that cover skin.
• Drink plenty of water and other non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages to stay hydrated, even before you feel thirsty.
• Consider rescheduling activities to cooler hours of the day.
• Take frequent breaks from heat, spending time inside cool buildings (like malls or libraries) or indoor pools.
• Keep an eye on weather forecasts, as weather conditions can change quickly.

Hot weather can also cause heat stroke. Symptoms include high body temperature, lack of sweat, disorientation, fainting, and unconsciousness. If a person shows symptoms of heat stroke, get medical attention immediately. While awaiting medical attention, the person should be moved to a shaded area, and outer clothing and shoes should then be removed. Wrap the person in a cool, wet towel until medical care is provided.
“We’re asking the public to pay close attention to vulnerable people, including young children, older adults, those with pre-existing medical conditions, and people who are socially-isolated to make sure they are cool and hydrated,” said Lavoie.
Albertans are also reminded never to leave vulnerable adults, children or pets alone in a vehicle -- even with the window down -- as the temperature inside can be several degrees warmer than the air outside.

Driftwood tree shot wins photo contest

That’s some piece of driftwood.

This shot by “Vicki” of a giant tree thrown onto a beach by the waves is the winner in the Senior Travel Photo Contest that ended June 30. “Vicki” wins a prize of $50.

You too could win a $50 by entering vacation photos in the Senior Travel Photo Contest. A winning entry is selected every three months. The deadline for the new contest is September 30.

Mail your photographs to: Senior Travel Photo Contest, #112, 25 Chisholm Avenue, St. Albert, AB T8N 5A5.

To enter online or to view pictures submitted, go to www.seniorsGOtravel.com and click on “Travel Photo Contest.”

Two charged in robbery of Edmonton senior

Two young men are facing charges in connection with the beating and robbery of an 86-year-old man in Edmonton yesterday.

The Edmonton Police Service charged David Kendall Williams, 18, and a 17-year-old who cannot be named in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act, with robbery, aggravated assault, two counts of possession of stolen property under $5,000, theft under $5,000, break and enter to commit theft, and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public.

Williams was charged with an additional charge of assaulting a peace officer related to his arrest.

The charges followed an incident in which Mike Madarash was assaulted by two males while working in the backyard of his home near 120 Avenue and 36 Street about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

They demanded money, struck Madarash with a weapon that may have been a collapsible baton and stole his wallet.

Police responded to the incident at 10:47 a.m., treated the victim and transported him to hospital. They later arrested the two males charged and a woman.

While the nature of the crime is certainly alarming, statistically seniors are less likely to become crime victims then the general population.

“It’s alarming, it’s rare,” said Insp. Joel Whittaker of the Edmonton Police about Tuesday’s violent robbery.

“I think we’re just as shocked as everybody else with this incident,” he told Edmonton Metro.

Flooding prompts New Horizons deadline extension

The flooding in southern Alberta has prompted the federal government to extend the application deadline for New Horizons program funding in the province.
Alberta seniors' organizations in Alberta now have until July 19 to submit applications for 2013-2014 New Horizons for Seniors funding.
"The call for proposals in Alberta has been extended by two weeks in response to significant damages caused by flooding in June 2013," stated Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors) on July 3. "It is important that all regions in Canada have the opportunity to benefit from projects led or inspired by seniors who make a difference in the lives of others and in their communities."
Seniors' organizations may receive up to $25,000 in New Horizons grant funding per year for projects that address one or more of the program's five objectives: volunteering, mentoring, expanding awareness of elder abuse, social participation and capital assistance.
Since its beginning, more than 12,200 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada have been funded through the program. The 2012-2013 call for proposals resulted in the approval of some 1,750 community-based projects.
More information about apply for funding is available at seniors.gc.ca.