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.

Chris Bryant, a 79-year-old retiree from Winchester, Ontario, is living proof of the difference meal delivery programs can make in the lives of seniors. For almost two years, Chris has been using Carefor Health & Community Services’ meal delivery program, which has helped him stay in his home despite health challenges. The program has become an essential lifeline, allowing Chris to maintain his independence while ensuring he has access to nutritious meals.

The meal delivery program that Chris uses is run out of Carefor Nor-Dun Support Centre; however, there are four others run out of Carefor’s other senior support centres in Finch, Alexandria, Lancaster and Ingleside.

Chris’s journey with the program began after he experienced a severe arthritis and rheumatism attack in early 2023. He was hospitalized for six months and underwent a heart valve replacement in the fall of that year. During his recovery, his sister helped him connect with Carefor Health & Community Services through a mutual contact. The decision to start receiving meal deliveries came at a time when Chris was struggling with his health and recovery but wanted to stay at home rather than move into a facility.

“I wanted to stay in my house. When I die, I want to be here,” says Chris. “The meal delivery program has made that possible. It allows me to live at home where I’m comfortable, and it’s been a huge help in maintaining my independence.”

The program delivers three meals a week to Chris’s door, and the meals are tailored to meet his dietary needs. He’s particularly grateful for the variety of healthy options available and enjoys meals packed with vegetables. “The meals are well-priced, at $91 a month, and very satisfying. I can’t ask for more,” Chris adds.

Living alone and managing his health has not been easy for Chris. He spent time at Garden Villa in Chesterville during his recovery but chose to return home due to the cost of care there. With the help of the meal delivery program and weekly cleaning services from a dedicated worker named Brenda, Chris is able to stay in his own home.

“The service is fantastic. I get meals delivered, Brenda helps with housekeeping, and I can still go out once a week to get my groceries,” Chris shares. “It allows me to continue living independently while ensuring I have what I need.” Drivers will even do a little more than delivering a meal helping Chris with small things like bringing in his recycling cans in the winter.

Many seniors in rural communities across Eastern Ontario are dedicated to aging in their own homes” says Sheena Stoqua, Supervisor at the Nor-Dun Support Centre. “Meal delivery plays a key role in helping them achieve this by enhancing their nutrition and overall health. Additionally, our service provides a crucial check-in, ensuring they’re doing well, especially when they may not have anyone else looking out for them.”

 As part of the Ontario Community Support Association’s March for Meals campaign, Carefor Health & Community Services is raising money to support programs like Chris’s meal deliveries. The campaign’s goal is to ensure seniors like Chris can continue to live independently and with dignity.

“Carefor’s meal delivery program has been life-changing for me,” says Chris. “It’s more than just food – it’s about independence and health, and I’m grateful for it every day.” To support the March for Meals campaign, please visit Carefor Health & Community Services’ website, www.carefor.ca/marchformeals or contact their local support centre. If you’re interested in being a volunteer driver for our meal delivery program, contact the local centre in your community or visit www.carefor.ca/volunteer

At just 28 years old, Brie-Anne has faced challenges that many would struggle to imagine. Diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in March 2024, her journey has been shaped by resilience, family, and community. One place that has made a profound difference in her life is the Palliative Day Away program at Carefor Hospice Cornwall.

After years of advocacy for her health in Sudbury had been dismissed, but upon arriving in Cornwall, she received urgent diagnostic care. Her diagnosis confirmed the cancer had metastasized to her bones, impacting her spine and liver.

In April 2024, shortly after meeting her palliative care doctor, Dr. Lee, Brie-Anne was introduced to the Carefor’s Hospice’s Palliative Day Away Program. Despite her initial hesitation, rooted in her social anxiety, she found the experience transformative.

“I’m not a super social person,” Brie-Anne admitted. “But once I got here, sat down, and got to know the people, it became something I look forward to every week.”

The program offers more than just a space to gather; it provides a lifeline. Participants engage in crafts, games, and outings, fostering a sense of camaraderie and understanding. Brie-Anne, an avid crafter, contributes crocheted plush toys for donations and delights in the group’s welcoming atmosphere.

“Everyone here is amazing—so kind and caring. It’s nice to be with people who truly understand what you’re going through,” she said.

The program supports participants emotionally, helping them navigate the complexities of living with a terminal illness. For Brie-Anne, it has been a key factor in managing depression and maintaining a routine.

“Without this program, I’d struggle a lot more. It keeps me grounded and gives me something to look forward to,” she shared.

As she continues treatments and adjusts to life with cancer, Brie-Anne remains grateful for the hospice, her supportive family, and the community she has found. Her journey highlights the importance of compassionate care, not just for the body but for the spirit.

“This program has truly helped me stay present,” she said. “It’s not just about living with cancer—it’s about living.”

Carefor Hospice Cornwall offers community-based programs that support people dealing with end-of-life issues. These programs include the Palliative Day Away Program, Caregiver Support Groups, and Volunteer Visiting. If you would like to know more about the Hospice and their community-based programs or to purchase one of Brie-Anne’s crocheted plush toys, please call 613-938-2763 or visit the Hospice website. 

At 85 years old, Bev York has learned to the value of her independence, but it hasn’t always been easy. After the loss of her partner in 2023, Bev moved to Petawawa to live with her son, leaving behind the small town of Beachburg, where she had spent 50 years of her life. Though she found solace in her son’s company, she couldn’t shake the feeling of being cut off from the life she once knew.

Before the move, Bev had used a taxi service for medical appointments. The costs were steep—$44 for a one-way trip from Pembroke to Petawawa—making her feel even more isolated, as the expense was a burden. But then, Bev learned about the new transportation program in Petawawa. It was a game-changer.

The program, part of a partnership between Carefor, the Town of Petawawa, and Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation, provides affordable, door-to-door transportation for eligible residents like Bev. It offers a dedicated accessible van that can accommodate up to eight passengers, including those who use wheelchairs. The cost? Just $5 each way in town.

For Bev, this service has been more than just a convenience. It’s been a lifeline. She began using it again for medical appointments after her move, but soon, she realized the van could take her to more than just healthcare appointments. She could visit the Petawawa Civic Centre to meet with her group of friends—ranging in age from 20 to 86—where she goes to play crib once a week. She could also go grocery shopping, get her hair done, and run errands without having to rely on family members who were often busy with work.

“It’s been my saving grace,” Bev says. The transportation service has helped her feel more connected, giving her a sense of independence she feared she’d lost as she aged. It’s not just the convenience, though. It’s the people. The drivers, particularly Michel, have made a lasting impression on Bev. “Mike is an excellent driver,” she says. “He does everything he possibly can. He’s so kind. He’s more than just a driver—he’s a friend.”

This connection with the drivers is what sets the service apart. “They’re genuinely interested in you as a person,” Bev continues. “We all have down days, and they’re always there to listen.”

Bev’s weekly visits to the Civic Centre have also helped her in her grieving process. “The group has been meaningful to me,” she shares. “We all get along so well, and it’s so nice to see people of all ages coming together.” These social interactions, combined with the independence the transportation provides, have helped her combat the isolation that often comes with aging.

Bev urges other seniors to take advantage of the service. “Independence is a great thing, and we lose it as we get older. This service has given me back some of that independence,” she says. “I don’t drive in the winter, and if it weren’t for this service, I would be much more isolated.”

The program is open to those who have a disability, are seniors, or fall within a vulnerable sector, and for only a $5 fee provides a vital service to those without other transportation options. Residents of Petawawa can register with Carefor and begin using the service by calling ahead to arrange rides.

Additional to this program, Carefor offers non-urgent medical transportation services to bring seniors to and from medical appointments in Petawawa, Pembroke and Ottawa with costs varying based on distance.

For more information about the transportation program and to request service, call 613-732-9993 ext. 3234.

Eva Gelbman lived through some of the most horrific experiences of the 20^th Century. She fled Hungary in 1957 with her brother escaping the Russian Revolution. A decade and a half prior to that she lost her parents and four of her five siblings at Auschwitz Concentration Camp.

When she came to Canada, she hoped that one day they would somehow find one another, but they never did. You can see she is still haunted by her past, tears filling her eyes while she speaks of her lost family.

Life went on and she got married and had children, then grandchildren. Now 95 and living largely independently in the basement of her daughter’s home, she is still vibrant with a smile that never seems to leave her face. She talks about the family that is with her in Canada and how much she kisses them.

Carefor PSW, Marica, stands beside her with her hand reassuringly on Eva’s back while she tells her story. Eva speaks of Marica as an angel and says that the only thing that makes her sad is that when she dies, she will not be able to see Marica because Marica will be in Heaven, while she will be in Hell. Marica reassures her that that won’t be the case and that they will be together forever.

Marica visits Eva every day for one hour helping her with bathing, personal care and dressing. “I’m here to get her going in the morning,” says Marica. However, can you see by the way they interact that the real benefit of her being there is the connection they have. “She is like a member of my family,” says Eva holding Marica’s hand. “I love her,” she says with such tremendous sincerity.

And you can see how much Eva not only means to Marica, but also what her role as a PSW means to her. Marica understands the importance of the work they do. “When somebody thanks you from their heart, that is what we live for,” she says. “That is our work, but it’s much much more than work.” What Marica brings Eva is help with her day to day, but you can see how much she helps her with things that happened to Eva years ago. Every one of the people Carefor staff supports has a story and many have lived long and often complicated lives. The time PSWs spend with their clients and the caring they provide does so much to help heal wounds from the past and replace them with happiness today.

When we think of a retirement home, we often think of it being a home for what it suggests: people who are retired. But that’s not the case for everyone.

Melanie Freeman moved into the Carefor Civic Complex at 50, and while it took her a bit of time getting used to it, has found the feeling of home that she didn’t think she would reclaim following the death of mother.

As is the case for many people in Pembroke, the Civic Complex played a role in Melanie’s life. Formerly the Civic Hospital, Melanie was born there on November 17, 1971, as she proudly states, having an incredible memory for dates. She likely couldn’t have seen that in her 50^th year that Civic would become her home.

But life has a tendency to change and on August 23rd, 2022, Melanie’s mother passed away.

Ten years prior, she had suffered an aneurysm which meant Melanie became her mom’s primary caregiver. She remembers the night she ended up back in the hospital after a fall: “The ambulance came and picked my mom up in their yellow gowns and their blue gloves and their face shield things, too. It was pretty scary for me.” 

After her mom’s passing, she moved in with her brother, but her doctor told her that wasn’t a permanent option for her and recommended Carefor Civic Complex.

At first Melanie was taken aback by the idea. She initially responded “I can’t do that… It’s supposed to be for seniors and I’m only 50”. Still, the doctor told her that wasn’t an issue, and she should at least look into it. Melanie says that when taking a tour of the complex she liked what she saw, and she did end up moving in. It was October 19^th, 2022.

When she moved in, staff helped her with her emotions following the passing of her mother. “They told me to go to the cemetery a lot and to bring a dime,” Melanie says. “They said the dime would protect me.”  20 months later she’s a very familiar face to all the residents and staff at Civic, participating in mostly all the activities and regularly lending a hand to staff, “I’ve always been a helper,” she says. “It just makes me feel special.”

Last September, Melanie put her helping spirit into action as she participated in The Grand Parade to help raise essential funds for our retirement homes in Pembroke. She rallied a team around her of her brother, sister-in-law, nephew, dad and his girlfriend. Together they raised $575 for upgrades to Civic to help make life more comfortable for her fellow residents.

Her efforts even caught the attention of Pembroke City Councillor, Ed Jacyno, who spoke about Melanie’s efforts at a City Council meeting following the event.

Today life goes on and Melanie feels at home at Civic knowing she has a group of friends she can help and staff to make sure she’s doing okay.

To learn more about The Grand Parade taking place in Pembroke on September 21 visit our page. And to learn more about our retirement homes in Renfrew County and how they can help you or a loved one live with comfort and peace of mind, visit our website.

Joan and Bob have known each other for 75 years. They met as five-year-olds growing up next door to one another. “I married the girl next door,” says Bob was a smile. Now, on the verge of their 80^th birthdays, they will be celebrating this milestone together in the fall. The challenge used to be whether or not Joan would be able to attend the party. Now there’s no question. She’ll be there.

Joan lives with Parkinson’s disease and bi-polar disorder, and so too does her family. Like many diseases, they affect more than just the person suffering from them.

Parkinson’s causes a deterioration of one’s physical ability over time, many common activities more challenging. Barriers to previously accessibility activities becomes greater as the body’s mobility lessens. The client becomes more isolated and so does the family as it becomes easier to just stay home.

We often take our mobility for granted. A trip to visit friends or a concert requires a little planning but not much more. But as the body weakens so too can the mind. We all saw what feeling trapped in our homes did to us through the pandemic. Imagine if this was your every day.

But Joan’s husband, Bob, never gave up hope. Joan qualified for the High Intensity Supports at Home (HISH) program which provided her with personal support services three times a day. But when they really saw a difference was when Carefor physiotherapist Thu Roan brought PWR!Moves to their home.

PWR!Moves is short for Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery and is a higher intensity exercise program which leads participants through a series of movements which mimic the types of movements one might do regularly in their lives. Reaching up, to side, bending, leaning movements are all exaggerated to be able to help the brain draw connections that become lost with Parkinson’s. Through repetition, the body starts to reconnect with the brain and maintain ways of moving that might otherwise be lost.

Before PWR!Moves, Joan’s daughter, Paula, said she was “was unresponsive, not engaging, hardly moving.” The talk around Joan moving into a retirement home was becoming more real. “Six years ago, we were looking at her going into a home. She was going like this,” says Bob, his forearm angling downward. “Now there’s no way” he says with confidence. “People talk about the change in Joanie. They can’t believe it.”

“Everyone mentions the last 6 months, they’re aghast at the improvement,” says Bob. “She’s perky. A different person. It’s made a huge change in our lives because it makes it happier.”

You can see the energy in the family. There’s hope. Not too long Joan’s condition had them isolated and now they’re out in the community together. “We thought, now that she can stand on her own, where can we go?” remembers Bob. The first place was to church. “[Joan] was looking around at who she wanted to talk to. You’re too isolated in the home. Now you’re out in the community. You go from house to community. It’s a massive change.”

Carefor offers physiotherapy as part of our home care services to people living in Ottawa. To find our more about our physiotherapy and home care services, please visit our website.

Often when someone falls ill with a disease it doesn’t just impact them, it affects the whole family. With a dementia diagnosis this can be even more so due to the care required by loved ones to support someone living with dementia as their ability to care for themselves diminishes as the disease progresses.

For Eric Booth and his sister, their priority was to help their mother, Norma, live as independently as possible as long as possible. For 12 years, Norma lived on her own with dementia. As Eric will admit, it wasn’t easy but nothing important ever really is. “Dementia doesn’t stop someone from living on their own,” says Eric, “but you have to adapt to see if they’re able to live on their own.”

The family understood the value of her mother maintaining her independence throughout her dementia journey so worked diligently and creatively to adapt to her circumstances. ”As they change you as a caregiver have to react as well,” says Eric. What this looked like changed over time and included things such as installing cameras to monitor her safety, delivering meals to avoid her having to cook and laying out medicines for her every day.

Eric points out the importance of remembering the person: “You have to treat them like they’re still there,” he says. “Keeping her involved in the process made things easier…Trying to force things on someone living with dementia isn’t going to make them happy, which isn’t going to make you happy.”

Eventually, the risk of Norma living alone outweighed the benefit and they had to consider a retirement home for her. The trouble was that while she had a plan for her financial and health needs, she didn’t have anything articulated about the type of retirement home she wanted to live in, leaving Eric and his sister to discuss what they felt was the right environment for their mom.

With each having their own version of the ideal home for her they debated about the importance of room size vs. common spaces, cost vs. quality of care and the hundreds of other things to consider. Fortunately for them they found Richmond Care Home which ticked most of their boxes in terms of quality of care, affordable all-inclusive pricing, being an exclusive dementia care retirement home and being easily accessible.

Also, the fact that it was located close to Eric in Richmond, Ontario just 15 minutes from Kanata and 30 minutes from Ottawa, meant they could see her whenever they wanted.  Often for people caring for those living with dementia it can be a challenge to find a home for their loved one that offers them the same level of care they gave. One of the benefits of Richmond Care Home is that it’s a retirement home exclusively for women living with dementia that feels like a home.

What’s more, by the fact that it’s run by Carefor, a not for profit, the cost is much lower than other comparable memory care retirement homes.

For more information about Richmond Care Home visit our website.

Two hands sit submerged in a bucket of silicone, fingers clasped together, forming a symbol of love enduring the way only love can. The hands belong to 62-year-old Violet Mitchell and her husband Todd. In March of 2023, Violet was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. Over the course of the last year, the cancer has advanced to stage four and spread to her spine and brain.

Knowing that they don’t have much time left together, Violet and Todd decided to create a mold of them holding hands, a tangible symbol of the love they have for each other. Todd plans to keep it so, “I’ll always have something to remember her,” he says. This is the second one they have done. The first one Todd plans on giving to their daughter whose sister passed away at Carefor Hospice Cornwall eight years ago.

Since her diagnosis, Violet has been receiving support in the community from Carefor Hospice Cornwall. Violet also attends Hospice’s day program once a week where together with 10 – 12 other people she plays games, does crafts and participates in community outings. But more than anything for Violet it’s the chance to connect with people going through something similar.

“It offers you a feeling,” says Violet, “I can see what [the disease] is doing to me. I can see what it’s doing to them.” Violet suggests that this allows her to see different perspectives of what experiencing hospice is like: “We talk about how long we have left. I go home and think maybe I have it better than some people. Maybe worse than some.”

Todd also participates in a caregivers’ support group at the Hospice, where caregivers and family members are able to connect with the support of the Hospice staff around the emotions and struggles of caring for a loved one nearing the end of their journey.

Often when people think of Hospice, they think of the building and the care provided within. In response to the pandemic where Carefor Hospice wasn’t able to provide services in the building for our community clients, community programs were enhanced to fill a need for palliative care in people’s homes. “We just continued to offer these services after the pandemic,’ says Hospice Manager, Angela Labelle. “It allows us to reach far more people and families in the community than we were prior to the pandemic.”

Knowing that Violet’s journey may be nearing its end, Violet and Todd continue to set short-term goals for themselves in order to make the absolute most of the time they have left. These goals include the intimate experiencing of renewing their vows at Niagara Falls, and the exciting opportunity to see the upcoming total solar eclipse together. Todd says the journey has been tough, making it important to live life to the fullest. Or, as he stated, “you never know, so live every day.”

Carefor Hospice Cornwall’s services are available to people like Violet and Todd thanks in large part to donor support. It with through the help of donations that we have been able to pivot to create the Community Palliative Care program and to help dozens of more people each year. To contribute, please visit the Carefor website and to join our upcoming Hike for Hospice, please find more information here. 

Within Canada, many seniors are feeling the impact of being socially isolated as they continue to weather the COVID-19 pandemic from home. However, some seniors receiving homecare services are fortunate enough to have PSWs break up the solitude while receiving the essential care they need to remain home.

Albert Duffy has been receiving homecare and PSW support from Carefor for over a year now after a vehicle accident made it challenging for him to care of his wife, Janine. Albert (92) and Janine (89) are doing everything they can to remain happy and healthy at home. However, with COVID-19 limiting their outings, the couple relies on PSWs and close family to fill the gaps.

Diane Villeneuve, a Carefor PSW helps make staying home possible by providing essential care to Albert twice a week and being a friendly ear. With her vibrant personality, it is safe to say the couple looks forward to her visits and it gives Albert a much-needed break. “I do my best professional healthcare with Albert, and then I do light housekeeping and it makes them smile.” says Diane. She also makes a point of having chats with Albert to keep his mind active. “They become like family. Although we cannot share anything personal, we are good listeners. Mental health is so important especially when you need to stay home.” says Diane.

Above all else, Albert can’t wait for the day social distancing restrictions are lifted. “It’s the freedom. We usually go for a car ride on the weekends. It’s nice to go for a walk in the street but I can’t be six feet away from my wife as she has a walker.” Albert says. Until then, Albert and Janine will continue to stay safe at home, keeping updated on the pandemic by watching the news.

Before leaving the Duffy’s to make her way to another client, Diane makes it a point of leaving the couple with smiles on their faces. “It’s my goal to see they’re happy, continuing their routine and living in their home.” says Diane.

Help seniors receive the homecare they need so they too can stay safe in their homes. Donate today by clicking here.

Interested in becoming a Carefor Hero like Diane?  Apply today.