Yakimovich Wellness Centre

About the Yakimovich Wellness Centre

The Yakimovich Wellness Centre is a place of learning in a large room that seats 60 people and has a full complement of AV equipment. The Centre offers free health education; self-management and community programs to adult population as well as peer support groups. The Centre can be booked for staff education both within Island Health and community groups. There is no charge to use the space – if interested in using the facility please contact, Liz McCarter: 250-580-3034 or by email: Elizabeth.McCarter@islandhealth.ca

If you need assistance with registering please call Liz at 250-580-3034 

or email: Elizabeth.McCarter@IslandHealth.ca

March 2024 embrace aging Sessions

Date: Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Time: 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Session topic: The Space Between – a play and discussion about Senior Safety to Scam Prevention

Presenters:  Constable Berle Zwaan from the Saanich Police Department Community Engagement Division, presents jointly with Target Theatre, a local society providing a voice for older people using entertaining and informative theatre for more than 30 years.

Session description: This event is in-person only. It features Target Theatre in a play about scams that can impact many seniors and is followed by a presentation from Constable Zwaan. Learn ways to empower and protect yourself and your loved ones from scammers and fraudsters, as well as practical techniques to increase your financial and technological safety.
Registration is required. Click here to register. 
Please note: You will receive a Zoom notification even if  you register to go in-person and it will state that the sessions start 30 minutes before the actual start time and it may even state Vancouver, BC but please know that all in-person sessions are in Victoria at the Yakimovich Wellness Centre.

————————————————————————————————————————————————–


Date: Thursday, March 14, 2024     

Time: 10:30am – 12noon

Session topic: Improve your Strength and Balance to Prevent Falls

Presenter: Karla Marshall, Physiotherapist, Seniors Outpatient Clinic, Island Health

Session description: In this session you will learn all about falls in older adults, the benefits of strength and balance exercises and practical tips on how to get more active and add exercises into your routine.

Registration is required.  Click here to register. 

Please note: You will receive a Zoom notification even if  you register to go in-person and it will state that the sessions start 30 minutes before the actual start time and it may even state Vancouver, BC but please know that all in-person sessions are in Victoria at the Yakimovich Wellness Centre.

————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Date: Friday, March 15, 2024  

Time: 9:30  11:30am

Session topic: Cellular Senescence in Human Aging: An Update

Presenter: Ed Ishiguro, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at University of Victoria.

Session description: Senescent cells are those that remain viable but have irreversibly lost the ability to proliferate. The accumulation of such senescent cells in aging tissues is a hallmark of human aging. Progress in developing therapeutic drugs that target senescent cells will be discussed.

Registration is required.  Click here to register. 
Please note: You will receive a Zoom notification even if  you register to go in-person and it will state that the sessions start 30 minutes before the actual start time and it may even state Vancouver, BC but please know that all in-person sessions are in Victoria at the Yakimovich Wellness Centre.
————————————————————————————————————————————————- 
Date: Friday, March 15, 2024

Time: 1:30pm – 4:30pm

Session Topic: Pen to Paper: Renewal of life through a private, written narrative from your heart

Presenter: Bill Israel, Certified Facilitator, the Intensive Journal ® writing method since 2016 with coordinating and facilitating programs around Greater Victoria such as, Family Caregivers of BC, The Umbrella Society and The New Roads Therapeutic Recover Community (Our Place Society).

Session description: An introduction to the Intensive Journal Program, developed by world-renowned Dr. Ira Progoff PhD (1927-1998) in collaboration with Dr. Carl Jung.  You will learn: background about the Intensive Journal program; practice some writing using prompts. Everyone is welcome and you do not need to be a writer to participate in this experiential workshop.

Registration is required.  Click here to register. 

Please note: You will receive a Zoom notification even if  you register to go in-person and it will state that the sessions start 30 minutes before the actual start time and it may even state Vancouver, BC but please know that all in-person sessions are in Victoria at the Yakimovich Wellness Centre.

————————————————————————————————————————————————–


Date: Monday, March 18 & Monday, March 25 – Two Part Series 

Time: 1:30 – 3:00pm

Session Topic: Introduction to Advance Care Planning 

Presenters: Gabi Townsend, Advance Care Planning volunteer at Island Health and Liz McCarter, Coordinator at the Yakimovich Wellness Centre. 

Session description: We plan our birthdays, weddings and even dinner – so why don’t we plan our health care? Advance Care Planning lets you have a say in the health care you will receive if you are unable to speak for yourself. Learn about what an advance care plan is, why it is important, and how to get started. Discussing and documenting your wishes with your loved ones and health care providers mean they will be better able to speak on your behalf when needed.

This is a two part session and registration is required. 

Click here to register for part 1. 

Click here to register for part 2. 

Please note: You will receive a Zoom notification even if  you register to go in-person and it will state that the sessions start 30 minutes before the actual start time and it may even state Vancouver, BC but please know that all in-person sessions are in Victoria at the Yakimovich Wellness Centre.

————————————————————————————————————————————————

Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024

Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm

Session Topic: Taking the Mystery Out of LGBTQIA2S

Presenter: James Gardner, a familiar name for many Victorians as he was a news anchor on CFAX Radio. James began his career in his early 20’s as Sheila Gardner working as a radio broadcaster in Edmonton and Vancouver before coming out publicly as a transgender man in Victoria. James is newly retired after spending 42 years in his chosen field and is happy to share his journey to finding his authentic self. 

Session description: James Gardner will share his coming out story as a transgender man late in life and what it means to live your life as your authentic self. There will be discussion about gender and sexuality and how these concepts differ. What does the acronym LGBTQIA2S and other terminology mean? Why correct pronouns are important. 

Registration is required.  Click here to register. 

Please note: You will receive a Zoom notification even if  you register to go in-person and it will state that the sessions start 30 minutes before the actual start time and it may even state Vancouver, BC but please know that all in-person sessions are in Victoria at the Yakimovich Wellness Centre.

————————————————————————————————————————————————

Date: Friday, March 22, 2024

Time: 10:00am – 12noon

Session Topic:  Keeping your Brain Healthy

Presenter: Danielle Thompson, Occupational Therapist, Seniors Outpatient Clinic and Cognitive Health Initiative and Kristen Nikolejsin, Occupational Therapist, Seniors Outpatient Clinic and Specialist Memory Clinic, both with Island Health

Session description: In this session, you will learn about memory and lifestyle habits to boost your brain power.  

Registration is required.  Click here to register. 

Please note: You will receive a Zoom notification even if  you register to go in-person and it will state that the sessions start 30 minutes before the actual start time and it may even state Vancouver, BC but please know that all in-person sessions are in Victoria at the Yakimovich Wellness Centre.

April 2024 Sessions

Date: Friday, April 12, 2024

Time: 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Session Topic:  Get the Facts about Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)

Presenter: Debrah Beukes, MAiD Coordinator, Palliative and End of Life Care, Island Health

Session description: In this session you will learn about MAID, eligibility for MAiD, and updates on the new laws for MAiD.  

Registration is required.  Click here to register. 

Please note: You will receive a Zoom notification even if  you register to go in-person and it will state that the sessions start 30 minutes before the actual start time and it may even state Vancouver, BC but please know that all in-person sessions are in Victoria at the Yakimovich Wellness Centre.

————————————————————————————————————————————————

Date: Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Time: 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Session Topic:  Seeking Supports: Tips on Having a Good Medical Appointment and How to Access Minor Ailment Pharmacy Services

Presenter: Michael Smith, 2nd year medical student from University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Island Medical Program

Session description: In this session you will learn about your options for care in BC, the minor ailment and pharmacy services, and overview for the medical appointment.

Registration is required.  Click here to register. 

Please note: You will receive a Zoom notification even if  you register to go in-person and it will state that the sessions start 30 minutes before the actual start time and it may even state Vancouver, BC but please know that all in-person sessions are in Victoria at the Yakimovich Wellness Centre.

————————————————————————————————————————————————

Date: Thursday, April 18, 2024

Time: 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Session Topic:  Medicine in the News: Ozempic and Other GLP-1 Agonists for Diabetes and Obesity

Presenter: Michael Smith, 2nd year medical student from University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Island Medical Program

Session description: In this session you will learn about current events and background on diabetes and obesity, treatments including Ozempic, and clinical advice and guidelines.

Registration is required.  Click here to register. 

Please note: You will receive a Zoom notification even if  you register to go in-person and it will state that the sessions start 30 minutes before the actual start time and it may even state Vancouver, BC but please know that all in-person sessions are in Victoria at the Yakimovich Wellness Centre.

 

For more information about the Yakimovich Wellness Centre visit their website:  https://www.islandhealth.ca/yakimovich