CARLTON HOUSE NEWS

spring 2013
Carlton House of Oak Bay | 2080 Oak Bay Avenue | Victoria BC | 250-595-1914 | www.carltonhouse.ca

Whats happening at Carlton House this spring

Paris in the spring
Theres nothing quite as wonderful as Paris in the springtime, but Carlton House will do its best to pay homage to the city of light with a French-inspired feast and entertainment.

Simple, fresh and delicious

At Carlton House, we pride ourselves on an atmosphere that is at once homey and resortlike, and nowhere is this ideal achieved more successfully than in our dining room. Chefs Jeff Chan and Shaune Stokes strive to create a menu that features both the kind of home-style cooking our residents love, as well as elaborate culinary creations that showcase their full talents and experience. Youre not just eating at Carlton House, says Jeff. You get to dine out every night. Combined, Jeff and Shaun have more than 50 years experience in hotel and restaurant kitchens, and they bring with them to Carlton House an exceptional knowledge of food and nutrition. They prepare meals from scratch, using as many locallysourced, fresh ingredients as possible, with the mantra simple, fresh and delicious guiding everything they do.

Armchair Travel
Local outdoor enthusiast and photographer Arthur Kratzman will continue his Pacific Marine Circle Tour this spring, travelling through the farmland and wineries of the Cowichan Valley, Cobble Hill, Shawnigan Lake and Mill Bay.

Chef Jeff Chan hard at work in the Carlton House Kitchen. We dont have a freezer full of pre-fab frozen food weve got fresh stuff coming in several times a week, says Jeff, noting that they develop their menus around whats in season and whats growing right here on Vancouver Island. Carlton House culinary offerings include at least one vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-salt

Happy Hour
A Thursday and Saturday evening institution, Carlton Happy Hour is a great opportunity to catch up with your neighbours, share jokes and sip a glass of Scotch or Chardonnay!

Art on Display
Carlton House resident and accomplished artist Merrill Cook will be presenting a DVD of her paintings and sharing some of the stories behind her artwork.

or cholesterol-conscious option at every meal, and the chefs are eager to expand their heart smart menu in the spring as a bevy of fresh produce comes available. Weve got lots of options for people that are low in cholesterol, fat and sodium, but still taste good, says Shaun. However, even the strictest nutritionist will tell you that its okay to indulge once in a while, and the Carlton House kitchen never disappoints when called upon to create something spectacular. The theme dinners are our opportunity to show off, says Shaun, referring to the monthly soirees that have seen the kitchen prepare everything from traditional Scottish haggis to filet mignon to a barbeque buffet. Be it a light lunch or a decadent four-course dinner, the Carlton House chefs make sure no resident goes hungry, and everyones taste buds are satisfied!

Spring tea and tour

Find out why so many are making Carlton House their home
Please join us Saturday May 25th at 2:00pm for tea and treats in our conservatory. All are welcome to indulge in afternoon tea followed by a guided tour of our residence and suites. There are limited spots available so be sure to call and book yours as soon as possible.

CONNECT WITH C A R LTO N H O U S E ! Follow us on Twitter: @CarltonHouseOB Or look us up on Facebook!

RSVP: 250-595-1914

Safety first: tips for making your home safer

Carlton House in bloom

Many seniors are reluctant to leave their homes, even as their health and mobility wanes. Too often, this leads to debilitating falls and injuries more at home than in any other location. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to make your home a safer one take a walk around your house and consider these suggestions.

Kitchen
Store pots, pans and food staples in easy-to-reach locations, with heavier items below counters and lighter ones above Have a stable stool handy for reaching higher cupboards Install a fire extinguisher in your kitchen, mounted on a wall away from the stove

Bathrooms
Flowers in the Carlton House garden on a sunny April afternoon.

Spring is here and it brings with it warmer weather, beautiful blooms and the reminder to clean and de-clutter our homes and our lives. Spring cleaning is a great way to get a fresh start on the new season, and for seniors, breaking out the broom and dustpan carries extra benefits.

spring cleaning is here

Downsize+reorganize
Spring cleaning isnt just about feather dusting and floor waxing, its also a great opportunity to take stock and reorganize your possessions. If youre planning on transitioning to a retirement residence in the near future, downsizing is especially important as you clean, separate items you no longer need, deciding whether they can be given to family, donated to charity or discarded.

stretching as you make beds, wash windows or do laundry are great for strengthening lesser-used muscles and improving flexibility.

Purchase grip pads for your shower or bathtub floor Install well-anchored grab bars near the tub, shower and toilet Plug in a night light

Living areas
Ensure throw rugs and scatter mats are well-secured and dont curl up around the edges Route electrical cords along walls, not across walkways Dont allow papers, magazines and books accumulate on the floor

Reduce hazards
While youre cleaning, look for ways that you can improve the safety of your home by clearing clutter, cleaning slippery surfaces, and testing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure that theyre working. See the sidebar for more suggestions.

Make it fun!
The thought of scrubbing your home from top to bottom may seem daunting at first. But many hands make light work, so invite friends and family over and turn the overwhelming task into a chance to catch up and have fun! Make sure to return the favour though next week, you can tackle someone elses pantry or den!

Bedrooms
Have a phone and list of emergency phone numbers next to your bed Make sure that there is a clear path from your bed to the bathroom Have a lamp close to the bed and a flashlight in the nightstand if you live in an area where power outages are common

work it out
Take spring cleaning as an opportunity to get some exercise without even leaving your home. Mopping and vacuuming burn almost as many calories as an hour of moderate paced walking! And bending and

National Volunteer week

April 21 - 27, 2013
Every day, Canadians young and old lend a hand to their neighbours and friends, not realizing that in doing so, theyre volunteering. National Volunteer Week is a chance to recognize and celebrate the tremendous impact of these incredible people, whether they dedicate their time to signing and sharing petitions, organizing school dances, training guide dogs or even just cooking a weeknight meal for a busy neighbour. The Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor lieve that it can and should be done, he says. National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to thank volunteers not only for the contributions they make in our communities and around the world, but for inspiring us all to do more and to be more caring in our everyday lives. No matter how big or how small, whether it helps one or one thousand, volunteer work is making a difference. Thank you volunteers, for your caring commitment to improving our world.

Facts: The power of volunteers

13.3 million Canadians contribute 2.1 billion hours each year, equivalent to 1.1 million fulltime jobs 47 per cent of Canadians volunteer The average volunteer contributes 156 hours per year Canadian seniors volunteer an average of 223 hours per year - more than any other age group

General of Canada, calls us a smart and caring nation, thanks in large part to a strong spirit of volunteerism. Those who give their time, talent and resources create a better country because they be-

Resident profile: Muriel Fairbarns

Muriel Fairbarns recalls the disappointment she felt upon learning that her husband John had been appointed to a NATO position in Canada, of all places. I wanted to go to Australia! says Muriel, who grew up in England and wasnt too fond of the prospect of moving somewhere wet, cold and unknown. Muriel had no idea then the many joys her move to Canada would bring. there after then-premier Joey Smallwood persuaded her to take a position at Memorial University teaching accounting and business math. She also ran theatre workshops at schools across the province, managed the make-up department at the St. Johns Arts and Culture Centre, and taught piano. In 1988, Muriels son-inlaw accepted a job with the B.C. Ministry of Health and her daughter Linda asked her if shed consider moving out west. Again, she was resistant, and again she came around, eventually settling with her husband in Cadboro Bay. Sadly, John passed away not long after the move, and Muriel was on her own for a while. Id take my dog out for walks every day, she says. Thats how I met David. David was her neighbour, a very nice man who had recently lost his spouse, and who, as it turned out, shared many of Muriels interests. They attended concerts and

We didnt even consider anywhere else. I came and had a mushroom omelette and I thought, This is the place for me!
She remembers her first home on the water in Halifax, a magical summer holiday to New York, and children playing hopscotch on the Trans Canada Highway before it connected St. Johns to the rest of the country. I loved Newfoundland, says Muriel, who ended up

Muriel Fairbarns, Resident theatre productions together, shared picnics, and were eventually married. Years later, when Davids health became a concern, he and Muriel visited Carlton House. We didnt even consider anywhere else. I came and had a mushroom omelette and I thought, This is the place for me! In February 2008, they moved into their two-bed/twobath apartment. I wanted to have my piano and David was

always on his computer, so it was perfect for us. David and Muriel shared many happy years at Carlton House, making fast friends with their table mates at dinner and participating in the full gamut of activities. Eventually though, Davids health declined, and within a few months, he was gone. Carlton House was so good to me through all of that, says Muriel. We had a celebration of life in the Oak Bay room and invited everyone the room was packed, absolutely packed. Muriel still has the posters of photos the staff made for the event hung on her wall. Where else could you find kindness like that? she asks. Despite her loss, Muriel finds joy in life at Carlton House. You dont get the feeling that people stay cooped up in their apartments. This isnt a lonely place. Theres always someone to talk to, something to do. Its just wonderful.

Carlton House of Oak Bay 2080 Oak Bay Avenue Victoria BC V8R 6w2

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Carlton House of Oak Bay is one of the most sought after retirement homes in western Canada. Centred in the highly desirable community of Oak Bay, near downtown Victoria, Carlton House combines quiet elegance and unparalleled amenities in a secure and supportive environment. Built in 2005, the residence features 87 private apartments, many with balconies overlooking manicured gardens and a courtyard. Living at Carlton House also includes a complete package of services ranging from weekly housekeeping to nutritious meals to exercise classes and even an in-house hair salon! Call Alanna Hardinge-Rooney, Community Relations to learn more and book your tour. 250-595-1914