As the president and CEO of Carefor Health & Community Services, I often reflect on the profound impact of housing not just as shelter, but as a cornerstone of one’s overall health and wellness, especially for seniors in Renfrew County. November 22nd was National Housing Day and an opportunity for society to reflect upon the impact that safe, affordable housing and supports has on the lives of vulnerable seniors and aging adults.

As the cost of living continues to rise, many older adults in our region find themselves at a perilous crossroad: unable to safely remain in their own homes, yet unable to afford the costs of living in a congregate living setting. The story of Melanie Freeman, one of our residents at Carefor Civic Complex, underscores exactly what’s at stake — and what’s possible when we can help people in need.

Melanie’s Journey: From Caregiver to Being Cared For

For 10 years, Melanie cared for her mother, Lucille, after a brain aneurysm left her incapacitated. She gave up much of her own independence to manage her mother’s daily needs: cooking, cleaning, dressing, and providing companionship. When her mother passed away in 2022, Melanie was, in her words, “lost” and ended up moving in with her brother’s family. Despite being embraced in this manner, she still somehow felt alone.

A turning point came through a conversation with her doctor, who told her that while it was good that she was getting support from her brother, she needed a permanent place to live and recommended Carefor’s Civic Complex. She went for a tour, moved in that October, and slowly started to build a new chapter in her life.
Today, Melanie is more than a resident: she’s a leader. She helps coordinate activities, socializes with other residents, and shares something quite profound: “For the first time in years, I’m living for myself.”

Her story is deeply emblematic of what supportive, non-profit housing can do. At Carefor, we don’t just provide people with a place to sleep at night, we give people a community to be a part of, a purpose, and a chance to start a new chapter in life.

Why a Housing Crisis in Renfrew County Hits Seniors Especially Hard

Across Renfrew County, seniors represent more than 23.2 percent of the population (higher than the Ontario rate of 18.5 percent). Yet, affordable, safe and appropriate housing options for seniors are very limited. Most seniors live on limited and fixed incomes, and as housing costs skyrocket, they are increasingly faced with other risks:
food insecurity, social isolation, and premature hospitalization.

Without appropriate affordable and supportive housing, there will be a ripple effect across the healthcare system. Seniors living in unstable or unsafe housing are far more likely to experience chronic illness, mental health struggles, or repeated hospitalizations. These are all major contributors placing increased pressure on Ontario’s emergency departments, hospital beds, and long-term care facilities. For low-income seniors, traditional retirement homes are often financially out of reach.

Monthly fees can run well into the thousands, making them prohibitive for someone who depends on a pension or limited savings. With no viable alternative, many delay leaving home even when their health deteriorates, and that delay comes at a cost, both human and systemic.

The Value of Supportive Housing

As a not-for-profit charity, Carefor’s Civic Complex and Mackay Centre retirement care homes in Pembroke are operated on a cost recovery basis. That means that all fees paid to reside in one of our residences are reinvested right back into the operations of the facilities. For residents like Melanie, that translates into tremendous value and social impact:

• Three meals a day, so no one worries about going hungry.
• edication management, to reduce risk of missed doses or dangerous
  interactions.
• Regular check-ins and housekeeping, to help residents live safely and with dignity.
• Recreation programs and social engagement, so people don’t just live – they thrive.

When people have a safe, stable place to call home, broader healthcare indicators
improve. Emergency department wait times drop. Hospital admissions are reduced. The
burden on our already stressed healthcare system eases, not because we’re limiting
access, but because we’re preventing avoidable crises.

The Bottom Line

Housing in Renfrew County is more than a social policy issue; it’s a public health issue. Without affordable, supportive housing:

• Our seniors face isolation, illness, and declining quality of life.
• Emergency departments carry a heavier load.
• Families are left without options for their loved ones.
• More seniors end up at food banks, hospitals, long-term care facilities and
  homeless shelters.

But as Melanie’s story shows, there is hope. With the right kind of housing, not just a roof
over one’s head, but a caring, connected community, we can help people rebuild
purpose and dignity in their later years.

As Carefor continues to advocate for and provide non-profit housing options, we do so
with concrete proof: stable homes save lives, cut healthcare costs, and restore
community. That’s the vision I carry as CEO — and seeing residents like Melanie thriving
is the greatest validation of all.

To learn more about Carefor’s housing options for seniors in Renfrew County visit
www.carefor.ca/retirement

Steve Perry,

Carefor President & CEO

Melanie Freeman is a bonafide local celebrity. And with good cause. Melanie is a tireless fundraiser and she has just recently kicked off her latest effort which she calls “Care For Seniors With Melanie”

Melanie has been a resident at the Carefor Retirement Home since 2021. She recently celebrated a birthday and she shared with myFM what her birthday wish was…

The money Melanie is raising will support a range of activities and comforts at Carefor, including pet therapy, swimming sessions, music and art supplies, and seasonal celebrations.

Two years ago Melanie created an event that she called “The Grand Parade” which in her first year took her from the marina in Pembroke to Riverside Park and back again. It should be noted that Melanie walks with the assistance of a cane so this is no small feat. Melanie can’t help but show her pride and her accomplishments:

A familiar face at Carefor Civic Complex in Pembroke is stepping up to support seniors living at two local retirement homes.

Carefor Health & Community Services has launched the Care for Seniors with Melanie campaign, inspired by Civic Complex resident Melanie Freeman, who has set herself the ambitious goal of walking every day between now and the end of 2025 to raise $12,000 in support of residents at Carefor Civic Complex and Mackay Centre.

Freeman moved to the Civic Complex three years ago after the death of her mother, finding both support and a renewed sense of connection among fellow residents and staff.

“I’m so grateful to the staff at Carefor that I want to do something to give back and to help my friends. I don’t know where I’d be without them,” said Freeman.

The campaign kicked off on Oct. 29 at Mulvihill Pharmacy where owner Brian Mulvihill presented Freeman with a $2,500 donation to help start fundraising momentum.

“We’re so impressed with Mel’s spirit and commitment to helping seniors in her community that we couldn’t help but be involved,” said Mulvihill.

Carefor’s two retirement homes offer affordable living options for Ottawa Valley seniors, though rising living expenses continue to challenge those on fixed incomes. As a not-for-profit organization, Carefor maintains affordability but depends on community support to enhance day-to-day life at the homes.

“Melanie is a well-known and well-loved person around Carefor,” said Steve Perry, Carefor president and CEO. “She’s always making people’s days brighter. The money Melanie raises will go toward things like entertainment, pet therapy, and art supplies that make our residents’ lives more joyful, helping them enjoy the retirement they deserve.”

Carefor has been caring for seniors in Eastern Ontario since 1897 and currently supports more than 20,000 seniors each year through retirement living, assisted living, meal delivery and transportation programs.

The Care for Seniors with Melanie campaign continues until Dec. 31, 2025. Donations can be made online at carefor.ca/careforseniors.

Seaway News – JASON SETNYK

Habitat for Humanity Cornwall & The Counties has wrapped up its new Critical Repairs Program with a meaningful beautification project at Carefor Hospice, made possible through a $32,300 Capital grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).

This marked the first time Habitat Cornwall launched a Critical Repairs Program, aimed at helping low-income homeowners stay safely in their homes.

Local MPP Nolan Quinn praised the initiative, stating, “Safe homes and support spaces are critical for the wellbeing of our community. We’re proud to support this important work.”

The program’s final project involved revitalizing the Memorial Rock Garden at Carefor Hospice. Painted memory rocks will now be arranged in a heart-shaped design surrounded by river rock landscaping, a walking path, and a bench recognizing Habitat’s donors.

Funding from OTF and community support made the program possible. Since its founding, Habitat Cornwall has built 21 homes and supported nearly 90 individuals. More info at www.habitatcornwall.org

For a quarter of a century, Richmond Care Home has stood apart as a model of what dementia care can look like when designed around the needs of residents rather than economies of scale. Built on research showing that small, home-like environments promote dignity, comfort, and independence, Richmond Care Home became one of the only such homes in Ontario that focused on women living with dementia.

The vision for Richmond Care Home began with John and Lillian Bosco, who opened its doors on September 5, 2000. John, a longtime social worker and dementia care manager, was inspired by international research showing how the impact of dementia can be lessened when the person with it lived in a retirement home that resembled an actual home rather than something more institutional. John and Lillian brought this idea to life in Richmond, creating a purpose-built home for just 16 women — small by design, and intentionally different from the larger retirement residences that were beginning to add “memory care wings” at the time.

With dementia rates rapidly increasing, memory care homes have become more common in our communities; unlike more institutional models, Richmond Care Home was built to feel like a real home. “The home is designed around common spaces that bring people together,” says John. Being on one floor with an open concept centred on the kitchen and access to a private garden, residents are able to transition from their homes to care more seamlessly.

“Dementia is a growing issue among seniors, especially women. We know that when dealing with dementia care, having people live in an environment that resembles a home reduces stress and confusion and yields the best results for them,” said Steve Perry, President & CEO of Carefor.

Now operated by Carefor Health & Community Services, a not-for-profit with over 125 years of providing care in Ottawa and region, Richmond Care Home continues to embody the Boscos’ original vision. For 25 years it has provided families with a compassionate alternative to large-scale care, showing that intimacy, familiarity, and respect can transform the experience of living with dementia. 

To mark this milestone, Carefor invites the community to join a 25th Anniversary Open House at Richmond Care Home on Sunday, September 28th from 1:00pm – 3:00pm. Guests will have the opportunity to tour the residence, meet staff and experience firsthand the environment that has made Richmond a trusted name in dementia care for a generation.

The Richmond Care Home is located at 27 Nixon Farm Drive in Richmond, Ontario. If you would like additional information, please send an email to: info@carefor.ca. Should you wish to attend the Open House, please RSVP at: www.carefor.ca/anniversary.

About Carefor:
Carefor Richmond Care Home is operated by Carefor Health & Community Services, a not-for-profit organization that has been caring for Ottawa’s most vulnerable since 1897. As the founding chapter of the Victorian Order of Nurses, Carefor continues to provide home and community support, nursing, and residential care throughout Eastern Ontario.

Cornwall Chaos returned for its fourth year with two full days of heavy music at the Benson Centre on August 16 and 17, raising funds once again for Carefor Hospice Cornwall. The festival featured 26 bands-13 each day-along with local vendors like Peace Machine Tattoo, Odd Posh, Cosmo Den, and Parrot Tee Apparel. Since its inception, the event has donated over $10,000 to hospice care.

“This was the biggest year yet,” said event organizer Ryan O’Neil. “It takes over 100 hours just in prep work and a dozen volunteers to make it all happen, but the support from the community has been overwhelming.”

Despite heavy metal’s reputation for aggression, Cornwall Chaos broke the stereotype by creating a fun, family-friendly environment where children played with Nerf guns alongside musicians-for just $10, youth could even shoot at the performers during sets.

Don’t Tell Sarah headlined on Saturday, while TruthTeller headlined Sunday night. TruthTeller frontman Jeffrey Newton praised the event: “Ryan is a shining light in the music community here in Cornwall and wouldn’t be happier to be a part of such a professional festival.”

With a strong mix of local and out-of-town bands, hundreds in attendance, and over $10,000 raised in the first three years-with the 2025 total still to be announced-O’Neil is already looking ahead to year five.

SEAWAY NEWS

Cornwall Chaos returned for its fourth year at the Benson Centre, raising funds for Carefor Hospice. Organizer Ryan O’Neil led the festival featuring 26 bands, local vendors, and family-friendly fun for the community.

SEAWAY NEWS

Ottawa metal band Feed After Midnite delivered a high-energy set at Cornwall Chaos, showcasing their heavy riffs and stage presence. The band was among 26 acts that performed during the two-day festival in support of Carefor Hospice Cornwall.

The town of Petawawa currently offers a community transportation service in partnership with Carefor Health and Community Services.

By  Hazel Atkins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter North Renfrew TimesThe town of Petawawa currently offers a community transportation service in partnership with Carefor Health and Community Services.

This serves the vulnerable sector only: seniors, those with disabilities, low-income residents, vulnerable youth, and members of Indigenous communities.

In late November 2024, Petawawa council became aware of a program called the Rural Transit Solutions Fund (within the Canada Public Transit Fund), which provides grants of up to $50,000 in support of transit planning for new or expanded transit options.

Council approved a request to apply for funding to hire a consultant to look into the feasibility of expanding Petawawa’s current community transportation service to the community at large using a different service provider.

In March, Petawawa staff received word from the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities that their grant application for funding had been approved.

On August 25, council finally passed a bylaw authorizing the mayor and clerk to receive funding from the Rural Transit Solutions Fund and begin the project, which has a predicted end date of June 2027.

The municipality of North Grenville has an on-demand transit model, and Petawawa council is particularly interested in exploring something similar now that the funding is in place.

Pembroke has also recently launched an on-demand transit system.

Council proposes to use its $50,000 grant for planning and design, and will contribute a further $15,000 toward the execution of the project. 

JASON SETNYK

The community is mourning the passing of Sandy Collette, the first Fundraising Coordinator for Carefor Hospice Cornwall, whose work over nearly 15 years helped ensure the facility’s existence and ongoing impact.

From the Hospice’s founding in 2009 until her retirement in late 2023, Collette was at the heart of its fundraising efforts, raising more than $7 million to support palliative care in Cornwall and area. She played a key role in the capital campaign that built the hospice and continued to secure vital yearly contributions. At her retirement, she said she felt good knowing they had met their fundraising goal that year.

A social media post from Hospice noted: “Sandy was a community link to hospice, working tirelessly as a champion for not only hospice but also the families who benefitted from it. A candle has been lit today in her honour.”

Gabriel Rivière-Reid, who worked alongside her at the YourTV Hospice Marathon, reflected: “Sandy’s spirit is in every brick of hospice… She was the small but mighty force that helped ensure over a half a million dollars was raised yearly for palliative care in our community. They don’t make many like Sandy Collette, and our community and our lives were better for her having been a part of them.”

Trevor Eggleton, Carefor’s Director of Marketing, Communications & Fundraising, once described her as someone who “worked diligently with the community” and built countless relationships, both through Hospice and her earlier work with the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

A lifelong Cornwall resident, Collette will be remembered for her remarkable fundraising achievements and also for her kindness, determination, and the lasting difference she made in the lives of so many.