HOW DO YOU MANAGE?

Elderly people recognized

The world’s population is aging. The proportion of older persons, defined by the United Nations as 60 and over, will increase over time from one in 14 to one in four.

In recognition of this demographic trend, the UN General Assembly has declared 1999 the International Year of Older Persons. Its purpose is to foster international awareness of the importance of seniors’ role in society and the need for intergenerational respect and support.

Canada’s senior population is among the fastest growing in the world. Seniors today make up 12 percent of Canada’s population and will account for an estimated 23 percent of all Canadians by 2041.

Read Also

Producers face the reality of shifting grain price expectations

Significant price shifts have occurred in various grains as compared to what was expected at the beginning of the calendar year. Crop insurance prices can be used as a base for the changes.

This shift will affect families and alter the economic, social and cultural fabric of our country. The year of older persons is an opportunity for Canadians to think about these changes and how we can respond to them as a society.

Canada’s participation is designed to dispel myths about aging and promote a more realistic image of aging between generations. The specially designated year also provides an opportunity for Canadians to recognize and benefit from seniors’ talents, energies, life experiences and contributions to society.

By fostering greater knowledge of seniors and greater understanding and appreciation of their role in society, the year aims at building a better Canada for all citizens.

Canada’s theme for the 1999 International Year of Older Persons is “Canada, a society for all ages.” The theme was developed by representatives of the federal, provincial and territorial governments in consultation with seniors and their organizations.

The UN has a visual identity for the year. The logo features rotating concentric lines representing vitality, diversity and interdependence, as well as movement and progression.

During 1999, we will use the logo in this column to identify a small section where we will include “Did You Know?” items about seniors’ contributions, activities and roles, myths about aging and quotes on aging. If you have information about seniors’ contributions or quotable quotes, please share them with us.

For information on planning activities in your community to celebrate the International Year of Older Persons, a community kit has been developed. To receive a kit contact one of the following:

Manitoba Seniors’ Directorate, 822 – 155 Carlton St., Winnipeg, Man., R3C 3H8, 204-945-7729; fax: 204-948-2514.
Saskatchewan Social Services, Sturdy Stone Office, 122 – 3rd Ave., North, Saskatoon, Sask. S7L 2H6, 306-933-5023; fax: 306-933-8228.
Alberta Senior Policy and Programs, Department of Community Development, Standard Life Centre, Box 3100, 10405 Jasper Ave., Edmonton, Alta. T5J 4R7, 780-427-2705; fax: 780-427-1689.
British Columbia Office for Seniors, Ministry of Health, Ministry Responsible for Seniors, 1-2, 1515 Blanshard St., Victoria, B.C. V8W 3C8, 250-952-1241; fax: 250-952-1159
Division of Aging and Seniors, Health Canada, Jeanne-Mance Building, 8th Floor, Address locator: 1908A1, Ottawa, Ont. K1A 1B4, 613-954-5815 ; fax: 613-957-1176; website: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/seniors-aines.

An old dish

Dear TEAM: Could you please tell me what Finnan Haddie is? -A.F., Wolseley, Sask.

Dear A.F.: Finnan Haddie is smoked haddock, which comes whole or in fillets. It is best broiled or poached in milk. Smoked fish should be handled and stored as fresh fish. The smoking process adds flavor but does not preserve it.

Finnan haddie

2 pounds finnan 1 kg

haddie or smoked fillets

2 tablespoons butter 30 mL

1 cup milk 250 mL

Cover fish with boiling water and simmer 10 minutes if fresh, 20 minutes if frozen. Drain.

Add butter and milk to fish and bake 15 minutes at 350 F (180 C), or simmer on top of the stove until fish is tender and flakey. Serves six.

How to broil fish

Fish fillets, steaks or split whole (thick) fish are suitable for broiling. Small fish or thin pieces of fish are better pan-fried to prevent drying.

Prepare fish for cooking. Sprinkle with salt and a few drops of lemon juice or vinegar and place on a wire rack or greased broiling pan. If fish is very dry, as is whitefish, brush with melted butter or extra-virgin olive oil. Preheat broiler.

Broil. Thin fish should be broiled on one side only; thicker fish may need to be turned and broiled on the second side. Turn carefully to prevent breaking. Cook six to 10 minutes, depending on the thickness. Serve on a heated plate; garnish with minced fresh parsley and lemon wedges.

From Nellie Lyle Pattinson’s Canadian Cook Book, McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited 1977.

Did you know?

Retirement from the workforce doesn’t mean retirement from life for Canada’s seniors. Seniors are physically active. In 1995, close to half of all people aged 65 and older engaged in regular physical activity, while 14 percent occasionally took part in physical activity.

A community death

Tragedy struck Rosetown, Sask., when our high school principal and his wife were killed on Valentine’s Day night in Saskatoon.

The driver of a stolen car ran a red light and broadsided them. Trevor and Verne Nordholm leave three young adult children, a school of teens and teachers and communities grieving.

Trevor was the type of principal who cared about kids. He came to our school in September 1998 and started the year by establishing some firm rules that he expected students to follow. If they didn’t, there were consequences.

He also had a sense of humor and enjoyed interacting with the students. I can’t help but wonder whether, if the youths involved in this fatal accident had had firm rules more strictly enforced, their paths may have taken a different direction.

From the police press conference, you could see the frustration officers had in knowing the young man charged with the offences was a habitual offender.

Our justice system hadn’t enforced firm penalties for his actions and the Young Offenders Act had not provided redirection or rehabilitation for him as a youth. In light of this tragedy perhaps there is a need to reevaluate how our justice system handles repeat offenders.

Nordholm had also been a teacher and principal in Biggar, Sask., and Eston, Sask. The tragedy of his and Verne’s deaths will be greatly felt in the west-central Saskatchewan area.

Our hearts go out to their family and all of his former and present students and teaching colleagues.