It’s Valentine’s Day and Cupid’s arrow will strike far and wide. So let’s take advantage of this love-themed month to debunk a few myths about sex and older adults. Sexual feelings do not disappear as you age There are many taboos around sex and older adults. One such myth is that older people should not, cannot, or would not want to have sex. “I typically get lots of questions about sex from clients at my clinics,” says Mary Kjorven, a nurse specialist in gerontology and nurse continence advisor at Interior Health. “Many older adults find it difficult to talk about sex because they feel there is a stigma about having sex at an older age. Their families, who might prefer to think of mom or dad as asexual, often perpetuate this belief. But sex and sexuality is really important to quality of life as you get older.” Sexual experiences and how we express sexuality changes. “As with all stages of life, personal relationships, experiencing joy in life and being present in the moment are very important to older adults,” says Shannon Paul-Jost, a clinical nurse specialist in gerontology. “Sex is a way to affirm these feelings. As people age, the frequency or ability to perform sex may modestly decline, due to physical abilities such as erectile dysfunction or vaginal dryness; however, the majority of older adults are enthusiastic about sex and intimacy.” When Frank and Kathy’s kids left home, the couple discovered a whole new intimacy in their relationship – a side that had been somewhat restricted when teenagers were wandering the house at night. “People assume older adults don’t have sexual desires. That’s just not true. In fact, it’s essential to revive or continue physical intimacy in our so-called golden years,” says Kathy, with a wink at her husband. Illness, medication and health conditions can play a role in changing life in the bedroom. A person’s health, as opposed to their age, can affect sexual ability and experience. Poor health or chronic health conditions, such as heart disease or arthritis, make sex and intimacy more challenging. Certain surgeries and many medications, such as blood pressure medications, antihistamines, antidepressants and acid-blocking drugs, can also affect sexual function. “Many older people feel embarrassed about asking their health-care provider about sex,” says Shannon. “They might feel unsure about the reaction to their questions, or worry there isn’t enough time in their appointment.” While certain health conditions can affect desire and sexual ability, many people still want and need intimacy, and continue to have sexual desires as they grow older. “Often all that’s required is a little more creativity,” says Shannon. “Minor adjustments, such as taking more time, trying a different position or using props may be required to ensure sexual experiences continue to be fulfilling and satisfying.” ”Our decision to honour and protect our sex life is one reason we have such a close relationship even in our 70s,” says Kathy.

While Merle Crawford was in palliative care at Royal Inland Hospital (RIH), the former pediatric nurse did her best to remain bright and cheerful. But there were days when it was a struggle; times when she needed someone to cheer her up. Enter Saylor the therapy dog. Saylor brought a bright smile to Merle’s face, and to her family’s, when he appeared in the room. “The day Saylor went up to her bed, and she was able to pet him, brought her such joy,” says Merle’s daughter Cathie. “As we watched her face light up, our family could only say…thank-you Saylor.” Visits like that are old hat for Saylor the therapy dog since joining the St. John’s Ambulance team of about 60 therapy dogs in Kamloops. Saylor and his brother Tenor have helped many patients through tough times, visiting with young and old when they work at RIH. Arriving at the hospital on one of their typical visits, the two pure-bred poodles begin their day with a trip down RIH’s main hallway, along with their handlers, brothers Don and Greg Garrish. They touch many lives along the way, greeting people in the hallways and travelling to various units including pediatrics, psychiatry, physiotherapy, cardiac care and orthopedics, to name just a few. One of Saylor’s favourite places is the stroke and rehab clinic. “He enjoys spending time with people who are relearning how to walk and talk, and sometimes snuggles with a patient he has been visiting for a number of weeks,” says Don. “The rehab unit even keeps an extra dog leash on hand so patients can help walk Saylor around the floor.” Saylor and Tenor make special visits to intensive care and also receive other special requests for visits. Unfortunately, the dogs can’t be at the hospital every day. But now, with some innovative thinking, Saylor’s soothing skills are available even when he’s not able to physically be there thanks to “nurse call” technology that allows quick voice calls between caregivers. If a patient is in distress and a therapy dog can help, the nurse can simply press a button and say ‘call Saylor the hospital therapy dog’ and the patient will hear a series of pre-recorded barks along with a message wishing them well. The idea came to Saylor’s handler Don one day at the hospital as he was visiting pediatrics. A staff member approached Don and said she wished Saylor could have been there the previous night to help with a patient. Familiar with the nurse-call technology from his volunteer work in intensive care and with the patient and family advisory council, a lightbulb came on. “I realized we could put Saylor on the nurse-call system and he would be available whenever he was needed,” says Don. “I think this is very unique in a Canadian hospital setting.” The response from staff was immediate and positive. The idea received support from the patient and family advisory council and hospital administration. Director of Clinical Operations, Meagan Hanson has witnessed firsthand the positive work of the therapy dog program and says it was an easy decision to support. “Having the therapy dogs coming to RIH has become such a wonderful part of our patient care. The dogs are amazing with the patients and with our staff,” says Meagan. “We’re excited to expand the program and include Saylor on nurse-call. This is a great way to provide patients with emotional support.” People like Merle have benefitted greatly from this new tool. “Saylor’s visit brought a measure of comfort and happiness to our mother and our family,” says her daughter Cathie. “It was in keeping with the spirit of compassionate care provided by the health-care team at RIH and much appreciated by all of us.” For now, RIH staff can access Saylor’s greeting with several barks and a message wishing the patient well. But more barks are coming soon, including a Valentine’s Day greeting along with other special messages. Listen to Saylor's valentine greeting “We are constantly looking for ways to enhance patient care,” says Meagan. “Our staff and physicians do a tremendous job each and every day. Having Saylor’s voice handy just gives us one more avenue to help patients.” Merle and Saylor

Two weeks before his 71st birthday, Les Fiedler suffered a heart attack while playing pickleball in his community of Creston. Thankfully, his friends and family knew how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to use the facility’s automated external defibrillator (AED) machine – a medical device that can analyze the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help get the heart back in a regular rhythm. “I went through so many emotions when I got the call about my dad’s heart attack,” says AJ Brekke, Interior Health’s network director of emergency and trauma services. “As part of my role at IH, we work hard to implement best practices for emergency patients so each person gets to the right place at the right time for the right care. I never imagined that one day my dad would be one of the patients we’ve planned for.” A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a section of the heart becomes blocked and the heart muscle can’t get oxygen. If the blood flow isn’t restored quickly, that section of the heart begins to die. Depending on how long the blood supply is cut off, the damage can be mild, severe or cause lifelong problems. In some cases, a heart attack can be fatal. The availability of an AED in his community centre and his friends’ knowledge means Les is spending Valentine’s Day with the people he loves. That’s not the way these stories typically end.  The Canadian Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium notes that almost 40,000 cardiac arrests happen outside a hospital setting in Canada each year. Of those, fewer than 10 per cent of people who are treated by paramedics for a cardiac arrest will survive and go home from the hospital.   In Les’s case, he got the two things researchers know make a big difference in whether someone lives or dies after a cardiac arrest. I encourage everyone to take a CPR course and advocate for an AED in your community. It can mean the difference between life or death for someone. --AJ Brekke Les’s wife Cathy is also advocating in Creston to have more AED devices installed in public spaces. She has seen first-hand how effective they can be and wants to ensure others who suffer a heart attack in the community have a better chance of survival. After his heart was brought back to a regular rhythm, Les was transported immediately to Creston Valley Hospital where he was flown by helicopter to Kelowna General Hospital. He later had a surgical procedure to clear a narrowed artery near his heart. Within that week, he went home to recover with the help of his family. The experience has made a lasting impression on AJ. “It was a wake-up call for me and my two sisters – you can’t take family for granted. We need to put more effort into spending time together, loving and appreciating one another. Most families don’t get a second chance to do things right and we’re going to make the most of ours.”  Les and his daughters (L-R) Lacey, AJ and Tara

As she tells her story, Shelley Rowe’s eyes well up with emotion. Her stress level spikes momentarily, which triggers a slight cough. Yet in spite of an occasional flare-up, her breathing is more relaxed than it’s been in years. Shelley, now 62, started smoking when she was 14 years old. Her doctor diagnosed her with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in 2006. COPD is an umbrella term for progressive lung diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. People with this condition often feel short of breath. In Shelley’s case, COPD often leaves her with a terrible, panicky feeling of not being able to breathe. Shelley managed to quit smoking for a year after her diagnosis. Then, when Shelley was 51, her husband passed away suddenly, and over the next decade other members of her family suffered different physical and psychological traumas. She turned again to cigarettes to help cope with the immense stress of these events.  But the pressure of her personal situation, and the addition of smoking, combined to trigger bouts of bronchitis. “With my health deteriorating, the tipping point came in 2016,” says Shelley. She had remarried years before to her old high school sweetheart, Dave, also a smoker. Witnessing her struggle to breathe one day, Dave called 911. Shelley was admitted to hospital with septic pneumonia and liver failure. Her care team placed her on life support. It was so bad, at one point they discussed with her if she had her affairs in order. But she was able to recover, slowly.  After two weeks she was off the ventilator and breathing on her own. Severely weakened, she returned home equipped with a walker and shower stool. Still smoking and desperate for help, she reached out to the Respiratory Club at Dorchester Retirement Residence, and discovered the Pulmonary Rehab Program. The program consisted of education and exercise, including two gym sessions per week. At one of these gym visits, she crossed paths with Julian Kirschner, a respiratory therapist with Interior Health. “Julian was helping another woman on a treadmill,” says Shelley. “While I was waiting, my pulse started racing. I was seized by anxiety and desperate to leave.” Julian walked over and talked her through her breathing. She didn’t have to do the workout, he said. She could just sit for a while. “If Julian let me leave, I wouldn’t have come back,” says Shelley. She committed to the gym sessions, but she was still smoking. She would put out her cigarette before going into the gym, then light up again when she left. Julian told her if she ever wanted to quit, she could talk to him. However, he was clear that she would have to do the work. Eventually she took him up on his offer and the day after her birthday, three years ago on Sept. 6, she quit. Her husband Dave quit shortly thereafter. Neither has taken a puff since. Fast forward to today and Shelley has newfound health and confidence. Where she would once tire after only a few minutes on a stationary bike, now she can spin comfortably for half an hour. She works out four days a week doing half an hour each of cardio and resistance training. Shelley has also become a mentor and support to others in the program. The program’s close-knit community is a key part of its success. We are like a family in many ways. We know what it’s like to have a bad day and always encourage each other. We pick up the phone when one of us doesn’t show at the gym and accompany each other to doctor appointments. –Shelly Rowe Like other respiratory therapists, Julian is trained to help rehabilitate those in the program. However, he also personally understands how mental health is linked to physical health. Having served as a medic in Afghanistan, he also copes with the trauma of his experience through exercise. In May 2020, he will compete as a veteran in the Invictus Games at The Hague. “We can relate to each other,” says Julian. “When they are struggling, I can empathize with how they feel. But whatever their condition, whether asthma or COPD, it doesn’t define them. They have true grit. In a safe manner, they push themselves past their expectations.” Pulmonary Rehab partners with nine gyms throughout Kelowna, Lake Country, and West Kelowna. At full capacity, Julian and his colleagues see 120 clients every 10 weeks. The clients sport T-shirts with “Straight out of rehab” on the back and “Just breathe” on the front. “Just breathe” is a fitting mantra. To focus on our breath is to focus on our well-being. “Some days it is a struggle,” says Shelley. “But it’s worth it. I probably wouldn’t be here today if not for Pulmonary Rehab.” Julian and ShelleyIf you or someone you love has heart and lung health issues, Respiratory Therapy Services might be able to help. 

At 81, Alan Samuelson is in a unique position to share his story and tell others what he knows about living well with HIV. In the early 1980s, he was admitted to an Alberta hospital with a ruptured stomach artery. After an urgent call went out through the hospital, staff and visitors provided 29 units of blood. But before 1985, no test existed to screen for HIV and he received a transfusion containing the virus. “I am grateful to those donors,” says Alan. “They ultimately saved my life.” His HIV status stayed undiagnosed for close to three decades. The virus stayed dormant initially, but Alan  did experience recurring symptoms over the years: high temperature, headache, nausea and diarrhea. Finally, in 2014, while living in Salmon Arm, Alan had 13 infections over the span of 13 months. A physician told Alan they were going to get to the bottom of it. He was shocked when tests returned a result of HIV positive. When Alan returned home and told his wife of his diagnosis, she said, “I’m so glad to hear that. Now we can treat it, and you won’t be sick anymore.” They informed their four grown-up children of their father’s diagnosis and she went for her own HIV test, which thankfully turned out to be negative. “My family was totally accepting and supportive,” says Alan. “I am grateful for that.” However, Alan was careful about disclosing his diagnosis to his neighbours and friends. Disclosing can have many reactions. People can drop you as a friend. Other people have experienced losing their spouses or families or jobs. —Alan Samuelson To access support and community programs, Alan connected with Interior Health’s HIV and Health Outreach Team. He went on to join an Interior Health committee and a provincial committee working to understand HIV stigma, examine strategies and factors to reduce stigma, and improve services for people living with HIV.  “I was happy to provide my perspective on living with HIV. It’s helped me come a long way disclosing my illness.” The peak of his journey to confront stigma came this past year. Alan had worked as a pharmacist in B.C. for 12 years. After disclosing his diagnosis to a few close colleagues, they encouraged him to share his lived experience with the Pharmacists of BC at one of their upcoming meetings. It took considerable courage for Alan to stand in front of 161 pharmacists in February 2019 and tell his story. He also offered his perspective on how to discuss HIV with a patient, following a prescribed drug program, and potential drug interactions. The feedback from pharmacists was overwhelmingly positive. One pharmacist wrote that Alan’s presentation was “an excellent reminder that we, as health-care professionals, are dealing with people every day and to acknowledge their journey and emotions versus just treating their medical conditions.” Another pharmacist wrote, “I have never experienced a room of people so quiet and captivated by Alan’s story. In those moments, he brought us together as pharmacists and human beings.” For Alan, the event helped him overcome his own self-imposed stigma. “I think I got more out of giving the presentation than they did out of listening to me,” he says. The way I connected with the disease may be different from someone else. But it doesn’t matter how you got the disease. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. —Alan Samuelson   Through his personal experience and his involvement with programs aiming to end stigma and the HIV epidemic, Alan has become a strong advocate for testing. “Once you convert from HIV to AIDS, your immune system is significantly damaged and you may not live as long,” says Alan. “My early diagnosis saved my life.” Thanks to his treatment, Alan will not develop AIDS. His HIV status is U=U. It stands for undetectable equals untransmittable. That means, according to research evidence, the amount of HIV in Alan’s blood is so low, it can’t be detected. It also means he can’t pass on HIV. “Testing and counselling are key elements in the effort to control HIV,” says Alan. “The only way to know you have HIV is to get tested. If you know you have HIV, you can get the treatment and care you need.” If you or someone you know is in need of HIV services, please see HIV Testing or HIV and Health Outreach.

Ever wonder what goes into caring for a person who arrives at the emergency department with a serious and time-sensitive medical condition? The answer is a lot of heart, expertise, and a great deal of practice. One way doctors and nurses at Kelowna General Hospital get the opportunity to practice and build their skills is through simulation. Simulation (or SIM if you want to sound tech-savvy) is an imitation of a situation or process where real life emergency situations are played out with care-givers responding in the best way they know how.  It is a powerful tool, and one that’s particularly effective in health care. “SIM enables us to practice working together as a team, learn or practice procedures, test new treatment pathways, and even test new buildings and clinical spaces prior to opening them to the public so that we can discover any safety concerns and rectify them beforehand,” says Dr. Jared Baylis, an emergency physician at Kelowna General Hospital. A monthly simulation program for the emergency department has been ongoing at KGH  for the last five years. Life-size simulated patients are used in a variety of real-world scenarios, allowing staff and physicians to gather valuable experience in a safe setting.  “We recently completed our first multi-phase simulation at the hospital where we started in one section of the hospital and finished in another,” says Jared. “It was an opportunity to test our latest treatment plan for people who have suffered a stroke. As part of the SIM, we had a patient (even the patient was simulated) start out in the emergency department, presenting with stroke-like symptoms. We went through the process of this person moving to the radiology department for a treatment called endovascular therapy, where the blood clot causing their stroke is removed using a clot retrieval device.” It’s these kind of scenarios that allow care-givers to respond in real time before they can go back and evaluate the response of the team and identify any issues moving forward. “Regular simulations help us improve patient care,” says Jared. “They increase our team communication skills, help us identify safety concerns, and help us ensure we have the right equipment in the room, before we need it.”

When Vanessa, Kris, Sheila, and Beth met as a working group for the first time, something just clicked. “We found that we worked really well together,” explains Aboriginal health lead Kris Murray. “We had great chemistry, we got a lot done, and there was a lot of laughter.” Each woman brought her unique lived experience and career journey to their collaboration—a collaboration that led to a bi-weekly podcast, Interior Voices. “This is heart work—not just hard work,” says Vanessa Mitchell, a member of the Okanagan Nation. She believes in doing this work for the people and adds, “When I say ‘for the people,’ I am speaking about all Aboriginal people.” She has two distinct roles with Interior Health. Vanessa is the program manager for the Journey to Cultural Safety program and serves as an Aboriginal lead for the St’at’imc and Nlaka’pamux Nations. Kris Murray also serves as an Aboriginal lead, supporting the Letters of Understanding (LOU) with the Okanagan (Syilx) and Ktunaxa Nations. Additionally, Kris supports the Aboriginal Patient Navigator (APN) program and the links between Primary and Community Care Planning and Aboriginal Health. Kris identifies as Métis and lives and works in Kimberly. As a regional practice lead, Sheila Lewis brings an Aboriginal mental wellness lens to the conversation. Sheila’s goal is to “pull back the curtain,” and give community members a firsthand look at the work underway within Interior Heath that supports Aboriginal Health and Aboriginal Mental Wellness. Sheila identifies as Plains Cree and Skeetchestn.    Beth Blew supports the Aboriginal Health portfolio through IH communications. She edits each conversation to fit the half hour format. “Paring down the wonderful discussions is often difficult,” she says. “There are so many gems in each episode.” Beth is an American who spent several years living in Indigenous communities—first in Alberta and later in northern B.C. She identifies as a White settler. In each episode, the team invites others to join their conversations. And while the podcast covers a range of sometimes difficult topics, spending a half hour with Vanessa, Sheila, and Kris sounds like a chat at the kitchen table. “We were looking for opportunities to communicate with our colleagues in new, accessible ways,” says Sheila. Each episode provides resources to help listeners navigate the next steps on their own journeys. This year, the team will expand their conversations to include the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and how implementation will impact health care. For new listeners, Episode 24: Celebrating Our First Year offers a great introduction to the series. Subscribe to Interior Voices on iTunes or listen online.  

Not all healing happens through health care. Sometimes what’s needed is more about healing the soul than the body. That’s what happened last year in Grand Forks, a community struggling to overcome the devastation caused by flooding in 2018. “The idea for the murals started out as part of an effort to bring back visitors to our community,” says Donna Thibeault, local resident. B.C. artist Archer was commissioned to create airbrushed murals on the walls of several local businesses and landmarks. But as these beautiful images started showing up around the city, the community quickly realized they are gaining much more than a potential tourism opportunity. They are reviving a sense of hope and inspiration. “After seeing several of these beautiful murals throughout Grand Forks, we decided to have one painted on the outside of our hospital auxiliary thrift shop,” says Willy Triveri, president of the Grand Forks Auxiliary to the Boundary District Hospital, which has donated more than $2.7 million since 2000. From nostalgic scenes to angel wings, chess boards, and fishing, the murals offer some unexpected colour and Instagram worthy views. “The theme of hands and heart was chosen because it has meaning for the work we do and the purpose of our auxiliary, which is providing comfort and aid to patients and their families,” says Willie. Although the community continues to work at regaining what they lost in the flood, they have discovered that art is good medicine.

In the film "Cast Away," Tom Hanks plays a business executive who crash-lands on a deserted island. He copes with years of social isolation in part by befriending a volleyball, which he names Wilson. Wilson becomes someone to confide in, to tell jokes to, and to even argue with. When Wilson is swept away in an ocean current, Hanks is devastated at the loss. Many of us have had fantasies about living alone on a tropical island, far from the chaos and pressure of modern life. But research shows we would fare just as poorly as Tom Hanks in such isolated conditions. Social isolation is a negative experience that includes painful feelings of not belonging and not feeling connected to others. It happens because there is a difference between the amount and quality of social relationships we want, and those that we actually have. It’s a growing problem in Canada and one that’s particularly an issue in many communities in the Interior Health region. Some researchers refer to the socially isolated as hidden citizens because it can be difficult to identify those who are experiencing it. “Although people of any age can be socially isolated, seniors tend to be more at risk because many live alone, and, as people age, they may have smaller social networks and experience mobility issues,” says Shannon Paul-Jost, Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist. These factors can be compounded for those living in rural or remote communities, where travel to other communities can be challenging and winter months can leave many feeling additionally isolated. Health risks Research has found that social isolation is associated with a number of health risks, including: increased chance of premature deathlower general well-beingdepressiondisability from chronic diseasespoor mental healthreduced quality of lifecaregiver burdenpoor general health Making improvements Health and social organizations are working to improve social connections for these hidden citizens. One such effort is a project led by the non-profit Kalein Centre in Nelson. CLICK! is an intergenerational program that connects high-school students and older adults in the Nelson community. Participants in the program discuss a variety of topics, including social isolation, resiliency and gratitude, and then take photos in their community that capture what they’ve learned. “CLICK is the sound of a camera shutter releasing. It’s also that warm feeling you get when people truly connect. That’s what people are often missing in their lives in an age where communication technology can often isolate,” says Mike Stolte, Director of Dialogue and Education at Kalein. Vicki Huva, a participant in CLICK!, says the program is a step in the right direction of creating a stronger connection between youth and elders in the community. “What many people don’t realize is that you can become invisible as you age,” says Vicki. “That lack of connection hurts. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have that connection in their lives. People feel better when they feel they belong and these programs help to break down some of those barriers”.