Submitted by: Swan River & District Community Resource Council Inc.
Service to Seniors
We had a great plan for our April Coffee and a Chat, the plan was to get together to “chat” and do our mending. Yes I said it, we will take a needle and thread and do some mending. We always have a loose button, a fallen hem, maybe a torn or worn out spot on a shirt. It seems that there are people out there that do their own mending and in a timely manner. There was only a few pieces of mending brought to the Coffee and a Chat.
We did have lively discussions about what we mend and what can be repurposed. If you don’t have the proper color of thread for your button sewing, use white and color with a permanent marker. Surface mending can be done with a fancy stitch or flower to cover the hole. A stapler or packing tape makes a quick repair on a hem or strap. Long pants with holes can be cut off for shorts, cheaper too! Less material in shorts but ready made shorts cost more than a pair of full length pants.
Mrs. Turton escorted 5 high school students and a helper to our Swan River Chat. We had a challenge, “Who can thread the needle the fastest.” Young eyes can definitely thread a needle quickly. The students had a chance to practice sewing an overcast stitch and chat about how they could do simple mending on their and their family’s clothing and bags. Mrs. Turton will put hand sewing on her high school class agenda, as it is a skill everyone should know. Thank you to the SVRSS staff and students for coming out!
Marg Frasier with PEAM, Prevent Elder Abuse Manitoba, prepared a PowerPoint presentation and answered questions to an attentive audience. One of the important topics discussed was fraud and ways to prevent it. If you think the phone call is fraudulent, just hang up. If it is really is someone you know, they will call back and ask “Why did you hang up on me? It will be good for a laugh and a conversation!
Be aware of the signs to look for if your loved one may be the target of abuse. Marg discussed how to keep yourself safe with the knowledge of the different kinds of abuse.
Financial -someone tricks, threatens or persuades you out of your money, property or possessions.
Emotional -someone threatens, insults, intimidates or humiliates you or does not allow you to see your family or friends
Physical -someone hits you or handles you roughly, even if there is no visible injury
Sexual -someone forces you to engage in sexual activity, verbal or suggestive behavior, not respecting personal privacy, sexual touching
Violation of Rights and Freedoms -someone interferes with your ability to make choices
Neglect -someone fails to provide the necessities of life, such as food, clothing, a safe shelter, medical attention, or personal care and supervision. Neglect may be intentional or unintentional.
Seniors’ abuse support line 1-888-896-7183
A & O support services for older adults 1-888-333-3121
Protection for persons in care office 1-866-440-6366
Prevent Elder Abuse Manitoba 204-669-7531 www.peam.ca
We look forward to May Coffee and a Chat with Laura Rowan with PMHealth to talk about Breast Check and Colon Screening. There will be home test kits available. Caroline Foster will come to Birch River to walk us through the many steps to Sourdough making. Karen Shykita will be in Benito to talk about natural remedies. Rhonda Rusk will be in Swan River to talk about natural supplements available.
Looks like we finally have spring. Yay! Enjoy! See you May 26, 27, 28th 2026.