When Danny Sinagra lost his wife Maria, his world seemed to stop. “There was no way I was going to get any pets. No way I was going to volunteer. I wasn’t even getting out of bed to check the mail,” he recalls. “I was lost.”

After Maria’s passing, Danny felt frozen in time—his house filled with reminders of her, from her jewelry and purses to the TV shows they used to watch together. “People said, ‘get rid of it,’” Danny says, shaking his head. “But I’m keeping everything the way it is. I still sleep in the same bed. I still watch the same crappy TV shows, and I talk to her picture about what’s happening. It makes me feel closer to her.”

It wasn’t until he connected with Carefor Hospice Cornwall’s Grief and Bereavement Services that Danny began to find a way forward. Shannon Ball, a Family & Patient Support Counsellor with the hospice, met him early in his journey. “Right from the beginning, Danny was open to trying support,” she says. “He came to one-on-one sessions and group meetings. That openness, just being willing to show up, is one of the biggest factors in healing.”

At his first meeting with Shannon, she handed him a small smooth stone that read Hope. “That rock changed everything,” Danny says softly. “I took it home, and from that one rock, I started collecting others, a jasper that says Faith, a tiger’s eye from my sister, and an amethyst, Maria’s favourite colour.” Those stones became part of a small shrine he built for Maria, a place of comfort and reflection.

“It’s all about touch,” Shannon explains. “Grief can be overwhelming, and something as simple as a grounding stone helps keep people present. The word hope reminds them that healing is still possible.”

For Danny, it took time and community. Through Carefor’s group sessions, he found a space where he could talk openly about Maria, his regrets, and his slow steps forward. “At first, I didn’t see it getting better,” he admits. “But every week, people would say, ‘It’s going to get better, Danny.’ And one day, it did.”

Carefor Hospice Cornwall offers both one-on-one counselling and group sessions—some open, some closed six-week programs that explore grief through conversation and education. In those groups, laughter and tears often coexist. “It sounds strange,” Danny says with a smile, “but we actually laugh a lot. You cry, you laugh, you share. It’s comforting.”

Shannon agrees. “People think a bereavement group is just sadness, but it’s also about rediscovering connection,” she says. “You can move forward without forgetting. You can carry your person with you while learning to live again.”

Slowly, Danny began doing just that. He started volunteering, driving for Meals on Wheels and helping at the Agape Centre’s tax clinic. “I love it,” he says proudly. “At first, I thought, ‘Why bother?’ But now I look forward to it. I feel useful again.”

The friendships he’s made through the hospice have also become a lifeline. “We still meet once a month for dinner, even after our six-week group ended,” he says. “We keep in touch. We help each other out—sometimes it’s about grief, sometimes it’s just about who can shovel your driveway or fix your lawn mower.”

That sense of connection, of shared experience, is at the heart of what Carefor Hospice Cornwall’s Grief and Bereavement Services offers. “Some people aren’t ready to talk,” Shannon says. “But just showing up, being in a room where others understand—it’s a start. Grieving is personal, but it doesn’t have to be lonely.”

For Danny, that’s been the biggest lesson. “I used to think healing meant forgetting. But now I know I can move forward with Maria, not without her,” he says. “I talk to her picture, I watch our shows, I volunteer. I still miss her, but I’m okay. I’m really okay.”

He glances at the small purple amethyst that sits beside Maria’s candle. “That first rock Shannon gave me said Hope. At the time, I didn’t believe it. But now? Yeah. There’s hope.”

To learn more about or to access Carefor Hospice Cornwall’s grief and bereavement services call 613-938-2763 or visit https://carefor.ca/programs/bereavement-grief-support-groups/

Remembrance Day Feature

At 85 years old, Jim Speiser still carries himself with the quiet confidence of a man who has spent much of his life above the clouds. A veteran of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Jim now spends his days a little closer to the ground—attending the Friday Men’s Group at Carefor’s Adult Day Program for people living with dementia which he’s better part of for over a year. But his stories, and his legacy, continue to soar.

As someone who enlisted in the military at 23, you can see the comfort that comes from being part of a community gives Jim as he laughs with the other men in the group. That sense of people part of a group—of belonging—has been a constant throughout Jim’s life. “You feel like you’re part of something important with the military,” says Jim. “Defending our county.”

Leaving the Farm for the Skies

Jim didn’t grow up planning to join the military. Raised in the small farming town of Laird, Saskatchewan, his early life was spent tending fields, not flying planes. “I was working on the farm, five, nine, ten hours a day,” he recalls. “One day I thought, there’s got to be a better way.”

So he decided he’d had enough of working on the farm and seeking a better life with better pay, he made a decision that would change the course of his life. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force, packed his bags, and left the prairies behind.

He laughs at the memory. “I didn’t know where I’d end up. Just thought it would be a better life.”

After basic training, Jim’s aptitude for coordination and quick thinking earned him a place in pilot training. “They’d line up 40 or 50 of us, make us run, lift, march, and see who could handle it,” he says. “Then one day they called out some names and said, ‘Congratulations—you’re pilots.’”

For Jim, flying came naturally. “Once you’re up there, you fall in love with every airplane,” he says. “They were fast, manoeuvrable—beautiful machines.”

He trained on a range of aircraft, from British Chipmunks and Harvards to sleek T-birds, CF101 VooDoo and CF-104 Starfighters. Though his time in service didn’t see direct combat, he played a key role in readiness operations—dogfighting simulations, air-to-ground training, and after retiring from his military career Jim flew strategic reconnaissance missions in Canada’s far north.

“We were always ready,” he says. “You train, you prepare, and you do your job. That’s what being in the military is—doing your part.”

A Family That Flies Together

Jim met his wife during training in Penhold, Alberta. Together, they raised three children while moving between postings including Winnipeg, Bagotville, Quebec, Germany and Ottawa. “The kids learned early that home isn’t a place—it’s the people you’re with,” he says.

Two of those children went on to serve in the Canadian military themselves. His eldest son joined in his twenties, while his youngest daughter attended the Royal Military College straight out of high school.

“My daughter joined the Air Force right out of the RMC (Royal Military College of Canada)” Jim, who retired as a Captain, says proudly. “She’s a few ranks above where I was.” Not only is Jim’s daughter in the RCAF, she is Lieutenant-General Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, the 22nd Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force and the first ever woman to hold this role, something Jim is incredibly proud of jokingly referring to her as “The General”.

Jim’s son Mike joined the military after university serving 31 years, however in the Navy. Mike is now retired and works for the government.

“They both did what they were meant to do,” Jim says. “They saw what the military gave me—discipline, purpose, a life full of adventure—and they wanted that too.”

For Jim, watching his children carry on his legacy has been one of his greatest honours. “It’s not about medals,” he says softly. “It’s about knowing they’ve taken the same path. That they’ve learned the same lessons—work hard, do your job, take care of your team.”

The Bonds That Last

When Jim talks about his years of service, he doesn’t dwell on danger or hardship. Instead, he talks about camaraderie—the shared sense of purpose that comes from serving alongside others.

“The Air Force was like a big family,” he says. “Wherever you went you were surrounded by people who understood what it meant to serve.”

You can see Jim enjoys the Men’s Group at the day program. It offers him that sense of camaraderie that he’s known through his time in the military, which can often be lost in one’s later years.

Remembering the Why

As Remembrance Day approaches, Jim reflects on what the day means to him and his family.

“It’s about remembering the people who gave everything,” he says quietly. “We were lucky, some of us. But a lot weren’t. You think of them.”

He’ll be attending the Remembrance Day Services at his local Legion in Osgoode this year, spending the day with those who served. For Jim, the day is not about grand gestures, but about gratitude—for the opportunities, the friendships, and the life that service gave him.

“I didn’t join for glory,” he says. “I joined to work, to fly, to do something that mattered. That’s all any of us wanted—to do our part.”

And now, decades later, surrounded by friends at Carefor and with two of his children carrying on the mission, Jim’s legacy continues to take flight.

Thank you so much to Jim and to all those who have served in the Canadian Military. We will remember.

Robert Perry was living in what some might call “the worst apartment in Ottawa”. Living in a unit behind seven dumpsters on the ground floor of a 10-story apartment off Montreal Road, his apartment was infested with cockroaches, rats and mice. His apartment was also used as a thoroughfare into the building by some, resulting in Robert being assaulted one evening by a drug addict who broke in. It was also while living in this apartment that Robert had to have his legs amputated, resulting in him being confined to a wheelchair.

This is where Carefor social worker Marc Viau came into Robert’s life. Marc’s role goes far beyond paperwork and referrals. He builds trust, listens deeply, and advocates fiercely for his clients. When he met Robert, he knew immediate action was needed. “No one should live like this,” Marc said, reflecting on the urgency of Robert’s situation.

Marc immediately contacted Ottawa Community Housing and wrote Robert’s City Councillor, MP and MPP resulting in a five-person task force being created to find Robert a safe place to live. That safe place to live ended up being a small hotel room near St. Laurent Mall which was too small for Robert be able to manage in his wheelchair resulting in him not being able to access his bedroom or bathroom and on one occasion ending up on his apartment floor for seven hours waiting for paramedics.

Marc knew his work wasn’t done and continued to work with Ottawa Community Housing to find Robert his current home, a one-bedroom unit with a private entrance and back garden in a peaceful treelined neighbourhood near Hunt Club and Conroy. The impact on Robert’s life has been profound. “I feel like a human being again,” he shares, his voice filled with emotion. He has regained a sense of dignity and hope. “Marc is an angel,” he says. “I don’t know where I’d be without him.”

Marc, in turn, emphasizes that this is what social work is all about—meeting people where they are and walking with them toward a better future. Carefor isn’t known for social work but it’s an important part of the support Carefor provides seniors through some very challenging times. Marc is one of only two social workers at Carefor, both of whom have every increasing caseload with issues that they haven’t seen before.

“We’re seeing more seniors losing their social assistance and housing due to new government rules about submitting taxes on time,” says Marc. “We’re also seeing more issues affecting new immigrants and more gunshot wounds,” he says speaking about a 22-year-old palliative client that he has. As Ontario Health atHome provides Carefor clients four visits from a social worker, Marc has to work quickly and effectively to have a real impact on their lives.

As Robert settles into his new home, he’s already thinking about the future. Carefor Occupational Therapist Jany Bourassa visited Marc at the end of October with a new wheelchair to help him be able to access his old community and social network; and after the passing of his beloved cat Simon, Marc is looking to find Robert a service cat to help provide Robert with some companionship and a sense of purpose. “I need to have something to care for,” says Robert.

In a world where many seniors face isolation and inadequate housing, stories like Robert’s shine a light on what’s possible when care is personal, persistent, and rooted in dignity. Thanks to Marc and the team at Carefor, Robert has not only found a new home—he’s found new hope. “I thought my last place would be where I die,” says Robert, ‘but know I know it’ll be this place.”

Watch the short video of Robert’s story.

Anthony Tse sits across from a friend at Carefor’s Carling Adult Day Program, brush in hand, carefully writing Chinese characters in calligraphy. The two talk about history, Anthony pulling from his deep personal experiences. At 92 years old, the retired surgeon still carries with him a curiosity for learning, and a love of connecting with others.

For Anthony, the Carling Adult Day Program is more than a place to go each week—it helps him stay connected and active, something his blindness and fading hearing can be a barrier to. Carefor’s Adult Day Program is designed for people living with dementia, giving them opportunities to engage socially, participate in activities, and share their stories, while also providing family caregivers a much-needed break. In Anthony’s case, it gives his wife Kathy peace of mind knowing he is in a safe and supportive environment.

Despite the challenges of dementia, Anthony continues to shine in conversations with peers and staff. He loves to speak about a wide range of topics, drawing on his remarkable life experiences. These discussions keep his mind stimulated, while also inspiring those around him. For Anthony, staying socially connected is vital, and the program gives him that space to share, listen, and belong.

Anthony’s path to medicine was shaped by perseverance and faith. Born and raised in Macau, China, he graduated high school shortly after the Communist revolution in 1949, a time when opportunities were scarce for young people. In 1951, he left Macau for Southern China to begin studying medicine under prominent U.S. doctors and professors who had escaped Beijing. He then traveled to Eastern China for five years to complete his surgical training under a Chief of Surgery who was an English missionary. Fluent in English from his experience in Missionary-led Christian churches, Anthony often found himself the only student using Western medical journals, which shaped his understanding of modern medicine.

By the early 1960s, Anthony had relocated to Hong Kong, where the city’s population had exploded and many refugees were living in overcrowded settlements. He worked as a physician for the Refugee Medical Service, a U.S.-funded program run by a doctor from California. Anthony oversaw six doctors, collectively seeing more than 300 patients a day, and worked in this demanding role for five to six years.

Anthony’s career and community leadership then brought him to Canada, arriving in St. John’s, Newfoundland, with his first wife and two children in the late 1960s. While practicing medicine, he also helped welcome Chinese students at the University, opening his home for a Wednesday prayer group, holding fellowships on Fridays, taking groups sightseeing and fishing on Saturdays, and hosting Sunday afternoon services at a local church. He later financed the building of a church, nurturing the community for 15 years before returning to Macau to care for his mother after his father passed away.

Every person who comes to Carefor’s adult day programs comes with a life of stories and experiences. Our staff are blessed to learn from all those who have come into our lives. Whatever their circumstances are today, our clients bring with them a lifetime of memories.

Now retired, Anthony’s days may look different, but through Carefor’s Adult Day Program, he continues to find connection, purpose, and joy. He captured that feeling in a poem he wrote for the program, which reads:

Carefor is love

What is love?

Love is patient and kind

Love is not jealous, not boastful

Love never ceases

At 89, Neil McLelland still had a lot of plans for his life. Holding him back was his body. Aging can take its toll and after a fall that left him in the hospital for three months, it had taken its toll on Neil.

On March 4th he was discharged home where he was supported by the Bruyere atHome program. This innovative partnership between Carefor and Bruyère Health is reducing the likelihood of hospital readmissions by offering a concert of wrap around services including personal support, physiotherapy, dietetics, social work, transportation, homemaking and meal delivery.

On May 5th, Carefor celebrated one year of supporting the Bruyère atHome program. In that time, our staff have supported 350 client offering either 8 or 16 weeks of coordinated care based on their needs.

Visits in the first year:

• 889                       Nursing     
• 705                       Occupational Therapy
• 609                       Social Work      
• 4,427                   Physiotherapy        
• 108                       Dietetics   
• 10,128                Personal Support        

 In the 16 weeks that he is part of the Bruyère atHome program, Neil has been supported by a physiotherapist offering exercises, an occupational therapist helping with equipment, a PSW helping with bathing and social worker helping Neil and his wife find a retirement that suits their needs.

Neil’s goal is simple: he wants to walk outside again, and he works hard at it, his face straining with the effort he puts into each exercise. With his spirit and Carefor staff, it looks like he has a good shot at success.

For the Haramis family, death was not a journey anyone faced alone. It has always been shared with love, togetherness, and honouring life in its final moments. Through the experiences of losing their beloved uncle, Father Rudy Villeneuve, and more recently their parents, the 10 Haramis siblings have come to understand the deep meaning of what it means to be truly present at the end of life. Peggy and Harry Haramis and their sister Cathy Malyon say that much of that understanding was made possible by the compassionate care they received at Carefor Hospice Cornwall.

Their first experience with Hospice came in 2011, when the mother’s brother Father Rudy, was diagnosed with cancer in his 80s. He was more than just an uncle. “He was a big part of our lives from the day we were born to the day he died,” the family recalls.

Walking through the hospice doors for the first time felt overwhelming. “It was really sad,” says Peggy. “It felt like a living funeral. He’s going to walk in and not walk out.” But within minutes, that feeling shifted. “It felt like a resort. We just knew he was going to be well cared for.”

Father Rudy’s three weeks at Hospice were filled not with sorrow but joy, humour, and connection. The family reminisced, laughed, and spent time just being together. “Rather than focusing on his care, we were able to focus on him. He had a great sense of humour. We had some really happy and funny times,” remembers Harry.

“They saw us, not just the patient. If they saw you needed it,
they would hug you. They treated the family, too.”

A Wedding at Hospice

A moment that defined the hospice experience came when their friend Margaret’s partner, Jim Campbell—also in hospice at the time—expressed a final wish: to marry Margaret. Though at first hesitant, Margaret agreed, and in a beautiful, intimate ceremony held in Father Rudy’s room and officiated by Father Rudy himself, they were married. Peggy sang at the wedding. Staff at Hospice even arranged a reception. “There was so much love,” the family remembers. “Hospice didn’t just make it happen—they made it beautiful.”

The staff were extraordinary. “They knew the end was coming, and they helped us take advantage of that time,” says Cathy. “They saw us, not just the patient. If they saw you needed it, they would hug you. They treated the family, too.”

Care for Their Mother in Her Final Days

That same care and compassion guided them again in February 2024, when their 98-year-old mother, Marion, spent her final days at Carefor Hospice Cornwall. “Mom held on until all of us could be there,” says Peggy. “She said what she needed to say to each of us. That wouldn’t have happened in a hospital.”

Each moment with her was a gift. “She shared special memories with each of us,” says Cathy. Years before, their mother told her grandson, Nicholas, that if he was ever scared that he could imagine her arms around him. During their final phone call from New York City with his grandmother at Hospice, “Nicholas said the same thing to her, that if she was scared she could feel his arms around her.”

Their mother’s passing came after a hard decision. She developed a gallbladder infection, and the family had to decide whether to treat her. “It would have extended the process in a way that was unnatural,” says Harry. “Having her die with dignity and love was very important to us.”

“She’d be 100 this year,” Cathy adds. “Letting her go was hard. We all had some doubts if it was the right time. But in the end, the support we received from Hospice felt like a gift from God.”

Today, the family continues to reflect on how much Hospice meant to them. “Our lives changed the day she passed,” says Peggy. “Everything we did was to take care of Mom. Hospice gave us a place to begin that transition.”

The Caring Continues

Even now, the connection to Carefor Hospice continues. The family has been welcomed back for memorial events, and staff still reach out. “Some of the conversations we had with the nurses were amazing,” says Cathy. “They didn’t just look after Mom—they looked after us. It takes a special kind of person to do that.”

Faith has always been central to the Haramis family, and the hospice honoured that too. “They embrace what’s important to each family,” Peggy says. “They learn your story. They support it.”

In the end, their journey through death was one of life, love, and connection. “Death doesn’t just happen to the person dying,” says Cathy. “It happens to the whole family. And at Hospice, we were never alone.”



Forty per cent of Carefor Hospice Cornwall’s services are provided through donor support. If you able to help us continue to provide compassionate end of life care to people in your community, we would be very grateful if you would consider a donation: https://carefor.ca/donate-cornwall-hospice/

22. To many, it can be a small number. To seniors, however, 22% of them have been diagnosed with depression, which can often be caused by some of the realities of aging such as isolation or deteriorating health. That’s nearly one in four people over 65 living with a mental health challenge. It’s far too many and the resources available to them are far too few.

The Mental Health Commission of Canada makes it clear that there are many seniors – our loved ones – who are struggling with mental health. Christine, a member of Carefor’s Let’s Get Together Club, is one of them.

Christine has been attending the Let’s Get Together Club since 2022. She says she loves it, and that she looks forward to it every week. She described how she is often unable to sleep much the night before because of how excited she is to get up in the morning to go to the Club.

Christine lost her husband about twenty years ago, and since she has been struggling with depression. She doesn’t have many friends in her life. She lost them during COVID, along with two of her neighbors whom she was very close to, leaving her broken hearted.

During COVID, she was cut off from her doctor and social worker, leaving her that much more alone. While she had her dog and cat for company, they weren’t enough. For years, Christine’s doctor tried to convince her to go to a social group to find support, but she resisted. Eventually she relented and attended a group at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. Just a few weeks was enough to make her realise how valuable a group focused on mental health is.

When the group shut down, she moved to Carefor. The Let’s Get Together Club is the only one of its kind in Ottawa that supports seniors living with mental health challenges. Not only does it help people build friendships and community, it also allows staff to refer clients to  other community programs.

Christine has found a community at Club which has enriched her life. The friendships she’s made don’t just stay within the walls of the Club as she and her friends from the Club often go on outings together to the mall and bookstores.

 “For most of us,” Christine said, “there’s been a reason why we ended up here. That reason doesn’t matter. We’ve ended up here.” She said it with such certainty in her gentle voice that it was clear to see how much the Let’s Get Together Club meant to her. Without this Club, where would she be?

If you would like to know more about the Let’s Get Together Club, please visit our website. To donate to support the Club and people like Christine, go to: www.carefor.ca/donate

Caring for a loved one with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or any progressive deteriorating disease is incredibly challenging. It can consume your life, leaving little room for self-care and often leading to caregiver burnout. The constant demands can make it feel as though your choices are slipping away. But for Lynn Legree, support came through two life-changing programs offered by Carefor—giving her the strength to continue caring for her husband while also taking care of herself.

Nearly twenty years ago, Lynn’s husband, Terry, was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease—a progressive condition that gradually took away his independence. For Lynn, his diagnosis changed everything. Overnight, she became the primary caregiver, carrying the weight of their daily lives alone. The responsibilities were relentless, leaving little time for her own well-being.

As Terry’s condition worsened, so did Lynn’s stress and exhaustion. She poured everything into ensuring his safety and comfort, but in doing so, she neglected her own needs. Over time, the emotional strain led to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression.

Then, in 2019, things began to change. Terry joined the Carling Adult Day Program in Ottawa, offering him a safe and engaging space while giving Lynn the chance to breathe. And in 2023, Lynn found even more support when she joined the Let’s Get Together Club—a community where women like her could reconnect, share experiences, and focus on their own well-being.

These programs didn’t just provide assistance; they restored Lynn’s sense of choice. They gave her back the ability to care for herself while still caring for Terry.

Now, twice a week, when Terry is at the Carling Adult Day Program, Lynn has peace of mind. She knows he’s safe, comfortable, and well cared for. Those precious hours allow her to handle errands, attend appointments, or simply rest—without guilt or worry.

On Fridays, the Let’s Get Together Club offers her something equally valuable: connection. In a welcoming space, she gathers with other women who understand the struggles of caregiving and mental health challenges. It’s a place to laugh, make friends, and momentarily set aside the weight of responsibility.

“As women, we’ve been nurtured to take care of others,” Lynn reflects. “But we [also] need to be looked after.” She acknowledges the difficulty of stepping back but emphasizes its importance. “We can always give advice, but we don’t give it to ourselves.”

Caregiving can be overwhelming, but as the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Carefor’s programs help caregivers like Lynn fill their cup — allowing them to continue caring for their loved ones while also caring for themselves.

This National Caregiver Day, we recognize caregivers across our community like Lynn who are working hard to keep their loved ones at home, while doing their best to also care for themselves.

If you’d like to learn more about the Let’s Get Together Club, please visit our website.
For more information on the Carling Adult Day Program, click here.

For ten years, Melanie Freeman dedicated her life to caring for her mother, Lucille, after a brain aneurysm changed both of their lives forever. Today, on National Caregiver Day, we honour Melanie’s journey—not just as a caregiver, but as someone who has now found a new life and community at Carefor Civic Complex in Pembroke.

A Sudden Change in Life

On January 17, 2012, Melanie’s world turned upside down. She was watching a hockey game on TV when her mother, complaining of a headache, went to bed early. Moments later, she collapsed. Melanie called an ambulance, and Francis was rushed to the hospital, then transferred to Ottawa for emergency surgery.

After three weeks in the hospital, Francis returned home, but life was never the same. Suddenly, Melanie found herself in a role she had never prepared for—cooking, cleaning, helping her mother dress, and managing all of her care needs.

“It was scary,” Melanie recalls. “I didn’t know what to do or how to do it. But I learned. My mom needed me.”

For a decade, Melanie devoted herself to her mother’s care, giving up much of her own independence. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the isolation made things even harder for both of them. And as the years passed, Francis’s health declined further.

Then, on August 19, 2022, Melanie’s caregiving journey came to a heartbreaking end. Her mother fell out of bed, and paramedics rushed her to the hospital. Four days later, on August 23, Francis passed away.

A New Chapter Begins

In the wake of her mother’s passing, Melanie faced an uncertain future. She moved in with her brother’s family, but she felt lost. “They had their lives, and when they went to work, I was alone,” she says.

It was a doctor’s appointment in September that changed everything. Her doctor suggested she move into Carefor Civic Complex. “I thought, ‘That’s for seniors. I’m only 50!’” Melanie laughs. But the doctor assured her that Civic Complex was for people just like her—people who needed a community and support.

On October 19, 2022, Melanie moved in. The transition wasn’t easy. Due to COVID-19 protocols, she had to stay in her room for five days. “I didn’t bring any of my puzzles or books. It was tough.”

Then, on her first day out of her room, she saw a familiar face—her Aunt Betty. “That made me feel better right away,” she says. With Betty’s help, Melanie found her way around and started getting involved in activities.

A New Purpose

Today, Melanie is thriving. She participates in activities with the recreation coordinator three times a week and has even taken on a leadership role. “I’m like a junior activity coordinator,” she smiles.

For the first time in years, Melanie is living for herself. “When I was caring for my mom, I had to put my life on hold. Now, I make my own decisions.” She’s more social than ever and has formed strong bonds with the staff and residents.

Reflecting on her journey, Melanie acknowledges the pain of losing her mother but is grateful for where she is today. While it’s obvious that Melanie wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere other than caring for her mother during her time of need, she is embracing life in ways that she never had before and learning things about herself. “I’m much happier now,” she says. “I have friends, I have purpose, and I don’t feel alone anymore.”

On this National Caregiver Day, we celebrate Melanie Freeman—not just for the care she gave her mother for a decade, but for her strength in embracing a new chapter of her life.

To learn more about how Carefor’s retirement homes can care for you, visit our website or call 613-732-9993.

After the death of his wife a couple of years ago, Ernest Boutilier, an 83-year-old widower from Petawawa, faced a challenge many older adults experience: cooking for himself. For decades, his wife had been the cook in their household, preparing meals with love and care. When she passed away, Ernest found himself struggling to maintain a balanced diet.

Not being much of a cook himself, he turned to quick fixes like hot dogs and bologna, but “living on hot dogs and bologna was not very healthy,” he says. “I started gaining too much weight, and I was concerned about my nutrition.” It became clear that something had to change.

Seeking help, Ernest contacted Veterans Affairs, who connected him with Carefor’s frozen meal delivery program. Since last summer, he has been using the service, receiving a variety of nutritionally balanced meals that have made a significant difference in his life.

Food insecurity is a pressing issue for many in Renfrew County. Recent statistics show that approximately one in four families in the region experience food insecurity, with the rising cost of food and accommodation being key contributing factors. An additional burden for many seniors is the lack of accessible transportation and having to live on a fixed income. As a result, many seniors find themselves relying on inexpensive, but unhealthy food options, which can lead to poor nutrition and health problems.

While Carefor operates the program, the meals are prepared by local producer Griffith Farm who uses their own pasture-raised beef and free-run chickens in their meals. The program delivers meals right to his door once a week, and Ernest now receives one meal per day, six days a week.

For Ernest, the frozen meal program has been a lifeline. “After my wife died, I wasn’t doing so well,” Ernest admits. He has a son who lives in Ottawa but for the most part he’s on his own having to look after himself. Now he has Carefor driver, Michel, to help him out by bringing the meals to his door.

Meal delivery programs are a lifeline for many seniors providing them access to nutrition that they might not get as age reduces their access to the community. Carefor is participating in Ontario Community Services Association’s March for Meals Campaign to bring awareness to and raise money to support meal delivery programs for people like Ernest. To donate visit www.carefor.ca/donate.

Living on his own, Ernest is grateful for the support the program provides, and it’s clear that it has made a significant difference in his quality of life. Now, instead of worrying about what to eat, he can enjoy his meals with the peace of mind that he’s aging well with proper nutrition.