Community News
Making New Holiday Traditions

The first holiday season after a move to a senior community can sometimes be stressful and difficult for your senior loved one. Creating new traditions can help with the transition and make the holiday season less stressful for everyone. Although your family holiday events may have been held at your senior loved one’s home in the past, holding gatherings at another family member’s home going forward can make things easier. Have your senior loved one help with one or two tasks that keep them involved without overwhelming them, and take advantage of the many holiday events.

Staying Healthy in Winter with Diet

Winter is characterized by coldness, darkness, and dormancy, and we must adapt to it by using
more energy to stay warm and maintain homeostasis. Our mood tends to be more subdued
due to a decrease in sunlight, causing a drop in serotonin transmitters. Winter is an ideal time
to use food for nourishment and supplementation. Eat foods with a warm nature such as beef,
lamb, potatoes, yams, squash, ginger, cinnamon, apples, and pears. Eat more and rest more
which will preserve your energy for more fun in the summer and reduce the chances of getting sick or feeling depressed

December Events

Fit 55+ Online Fitness Class– December 7, 14
Virtual Caregiver Support Group – December 7, 21
In-Person Caregiver Support Group – December 8, 13, 22, 27
Cloverdale 55+ Coffee Social – December 14
Annual Christmas Dinner – December 6
Gain knowledge + skills + confidence courses w/ Self-management of BC – December 5, 7

Start Changing Lives Now

We are meeting a need in the community, and we can’t do it without you. Please give generously and make a difference in the quality of life for our seniors.Your donation will go a long way to continue providing just the right programs and services and help people reconnect with the community in a safe way. Every $100 donated provides an hour of services to three older adults and caregivers. Ways to donate:Online: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/36058/donationMail: 15008 26 Ave. Surrey, B.C. V4P 3H5
By Phone: 604-531-2502 Ext. 209.

Self-Management BC

Self-Management means having the skills and confidence to live well with one or more chronic conditions. Examples of skills include problem solving, decision-making, and action planning (an approach to moving towards your goal). To learn more about self-management, visit selfmanagementbc.ca/CommunityPrograms.
Self-Management BC offers a menu of self-management programs available to British Columbians virtually, online, by telephone and by mail. Programs are for adults of all ages living with one or more ongoing health conditions, and there is no cost to participate and we will be having workshops here at Brella! (December 5, 7). For Registration, contact Charles Labun
Phone: 604-940-6585
Email: [email protected]

Social Prescribing

Social prescribing is a way for local agencies to refer people to a Seniors Community Connector. Seniors Community Connectors give people time, focusing on ‘what matters to me’ and taking a holistic approach to people’s health and wellbeing. They connect people to community resources and services for practical and emotional support. Your Community Connector will work with you to develop wellness goals and will provide ongoing support that meets your individual needs and enables you to achieve your goals. Your Community Connector can support you to gain information, advice, guidance, support, as well as assisting you to access a range of services that meet your needs. For more information, contact our Seniors Community Connector, Janice, at [email protected] or call 604-531-9400 ext. 204.

Tech Buddies

Our Tech Buddies Program is currently in high demand! Individuals requiring assistance using their technological communication devices are set up with one-on-one sessions with professional volunteers. The sessions are tailored to help clients achieve their personal goals when using their device. Sessions are offered in our Community Services office as well as libraries within South Surrey/White Rock. Please contact Isaiah Clemente at [email protected] or 604-531-9400 ext. 220 to book an appointment.

Caregiver Support Groups

Brella is excited to welcome back our in-person caregiver support groups. We understand being a caregiver can be difficult, but we are here to help. Come together with caregivers on a similar journey to yours to share, listen, and learn. The Caregiver Support Group is beneficial to caregivers in all stages of their caregiving journey. This group focuses on providing education, support, camaraderie and relaxation. There are 2 sessions being offered on a bi-weekly basis on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s from 12:30 PM to 2 PM. For more information or to register contact our Care Coordinator, Nisa, at [email protected] or call 604-531-9400 ext. 219.

Fuss-Free Holiday Celebrations

The arrival of the holiday season means a ton of celebrating with friends and loved ones, but what if you’re not feeling up to prepping, cooking, and cleaning this year? La Baia Restaurant offers the perfect venue to host your seasonal family gatherings, private holiday parties, or corporate events, with seating capacity for 72 guests. Experience a whole new way to celebrate with local award-winning Italian cuisine, turnkey service, easy planning, and incredible wine pairing. Chef Jose will help create the perfect menu for your group. Check out LaBaiaRestaurant.ca for daily updates.

The Gift of Wellness

Instead of gifting more material things this holiday season, why not give the gift of healing and wellness? A gift card for SALT Wellness Centre makes the perfect gift for your family, friends, and co-workers. A unique, alternative healing centre featuring Flotation therapy and British Columbia’s first dry SALT therapy bed. Offering both wet and dry SALT therapy, SALT has two sensory reduction float tanks, a float therapy room, a dry salt bed and dry salt room, an infrared sauna, an ionic detox foot bath, counselling and somatic trauma therapy, as well as both relaxation massage and Registered Massage Therapy (RMT) services. Take advantage of our first time and package discounts we offer. Have extended health benefits? We offer direct billing for RMT services!