Food is love. It’s what our parents gave us as children to keep us healthy, to show us they cared without saying a word. There is a warmth that comes from sitting down over a hot meal that someone made for you. There is a connection between people that comes from it. This is what Carefor’s Meal Delivery program does.

Since March 2020, the need for food security has increased tenfold in the wake of the ongoing pandemic. Many of the individuals Carefor supports in the Eastern Counties are low-income seniors and people with disabilities. This vulnerable population has been found to be even more susceptible to poor nutrition and as a result can complicate pre-existing health conditions.

Carefor stepped up to the plate and increased their Meal Delivery program capacity by over 88% to accommodate more people in the Eastern Counties. Now a year into the pandemic, the need for nutritious meals is only growing.

With over 37,633 meals prepared by the five Carefor Community Support Centres, each delivered by one of 136 dedicated volunteers who continued to donate their time during the pandemic, the Carefor Meal Delivery program continues to bring the community together.

Every year, Carefor recognizes March for Meals week, an annual Ontario Community Support Association event to increase awareness and community engagement with local Meals on Wheels providers across Ontario. Local politicians and public figures join the effort by speaking out, delivering some meals themselves, and supporting community led initiatives.

Some familiar faces clients may have seen delivering their meals include MP Eric Duncan, OPP Constable Tylor Copeland, Mayor Tony Fraser, Fire Prevention Officer Captain Terry Foley, Dr. David Flowers, South Glengarry Fire Chief Dave Robertson, and Deputy Chief James Walker.

Dianne Kuipers, Carefor’s Manager of Community Support Services shared, “Each year, Carefor joins many other organizations in shining a spotlight on its Meals Delivery program. The pandemic served to highlight exactly how the program is so much more than just a meal. My hope is that the campaign will affirm the importance of the program in our local communities. May it engage people to register for the program or to volunteer to deliver meals or to donate to offset the rising costs of food. The success of the Meals Delivery Program depends on many hands. We are all in this together!”

There are hundreds of people in your community who need your help today. You can ensure the health and safety of vulnerable members in your community by becoming a Meal Delivery volunteer or making a donation towards your local Community Support Centre.

On March 23rd, our Carling Adult Day Program (ADP) attendees were delighted to be joined by a handful of Canadian comedians in town for the annual Carefor Crack-Up Comedy Festival. From the minute the comedians entered the building, there was an overwhelming buzz of laughter and feeling of joy.

The visit began with a game of bean bag toss with the likes of Mary Walsh, Big Daddy Tazz, and Lisa Baker. As the visit continued, the Adult Day Program attendees participated in a game of comedy-themed Jeopardy, led by Big Daddy Tazz. The ADP clients went head-to-head against comics Mary Walsh, David Brennen, Fiona O’Brien and Lisa Baker answering questions about comedy TV shows, movies, and comedians from their younger days! The day program attendees got the better of the comics being quick to answer questions about the Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Odd Couple, and even about guest Mary Walsh. Following Jeopardy, the group sat down for lunch, and spent some time getting to know their special guests, sharing stories about their families and lives.

Between the genuine conversations, sporadic bursting into song, telling jokes and laughing, there was no time to feel anything other than happy. Amazing to see our attendees get to have this experience. Special thanks to Mary Walsh, David Brennan, Big Daddy Tazz, Fiona O’Brien and Lisa Baker for taking the time to come out and spark so much joy.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact many programs in our communities, essential services like Meal Deliveries continue to keep isolated seniors safe, connected and healthy.

Lilian Sayant, 95, has been receiving meals for over a decade since losing her husband. When cooking meals became too difficult, our Meal Deliveries team started delivering home-cooked meals to her and have since become something like an extended family.

Ontario’s order to ‘stay at home’ in response to COVID-19 have been particularly tough for seniors like Lilian: “I haven’t been out of the building in a month now. You stay in your own apartment. I moved here because of all the social activities and now it’s all cancelled,” she shares.

Until such orders are lifted, Lilian looks forward to her meal deliveries and the opportunity to connect with someone each day from the outside world. “Someone phones me from the Carefor Nor-Dun Support Centre every morning to check on my well-being. It’s very nice, and you know they care,” she says. “They’ll knock at my door and step back to the other side of the hallway to maintain distance and set the meal on my little stool out in the hallway next to my door.”

Although Lilian isn’t able to have that face-to-face interaction, staff are striving to reduce that sense of isolation while still providing an essential service to the client.

Lilian admits social distancing from loved ones has been hard, but reminds us, “we’re all in this together.”

“You see a lot in 95 years. The world has changed. I remember the Great Depression and that was hard times. We will get through this.”

In 2018-2019 alone, nearly 55,000 meals were delivered to more than 2,000 clients across Eastern Ontario. To learn more about Meal Deliveries in Eastern Counties, click here. If you’d like to support seniors who need it the most during this time of crisis, donate here.

Many people decide to volunteer with Carefor as a means of staying active and passing time in their retirement. However, sometimes volunteers find themselves needing Carefor’s services. Paul was one of those people.

Paul MacMillan and his late wife June have shared their laughter with the North Dundas community since 2007. New to the area at the time, Paul and June decided to start volunteering delivering meals to seniors living in South Mountain and began attending the social and congregate activities offered in South Mountain by the Carefor Nor-Dun Support Centre. Paul explained, “It was a good way to meet our neighbours and help out in the community. We met many folks and made lifelong friends as a result.”

The couple continued volunteering until June was diagnosed with cancer, and sadly passed away in 2017. Although Paul stayed in their home, delivering meals and attending the congregate and social activities became a means of breaking up his days. Paul shared, “I’ve made a lot of friendships over the years. These programs are a nice way to meet people and it gets you out of the house. It’s nice getting to learn how others are doing in their retirement.”

Shortly thereafter, Paul began to experience his own health challenges and made the decision to move into a small suite attached to his family’s home on a horse farm closer to Winchester. This decision allowed Paul to remain independent and enjoy having his family close by.

Now, Paul uses the Meal Delivery program along with other Carefor services like footcare and social activities to keep active and healthy. The centre’s cooks make sure he has well-balanced meals while being mindful of Paul’s dietary restrictions. Paul explained, “I am so appreciative the staff who make the meals, and of the friendly faces and caring volunteers that have delivered the meals to my doorstep. You can’t get a better meal in town!”

Caroline Rooney, the support centre Supervisor shared, “We love seeing Paul and other seniors at the centre – he always has a great sense of humour and a story to share with you. We can’t wait till we can welcome everyone back like the good old days. It will bring so much enjoyment to us all.”

Monique has been receiving personal support care in the community from Elizabeth (Liz) for about 3 years now. With the help of Liz, Monique says “It makes my life a whole lot easier knowing that she is there to help me for an hour and half each day.”

Without the vital help of PSW’s, individuals in the community would have a much harder time completing daily tasks. “Her being here has greatly increased my quality of life,” says Monique “I don’t have to worry about falling, I don’t have to worry about injuring myself when Liz is around.”

The relationship between a worker and client is very special, “We get along more like sisters than like client and PSW,” says Monique a comment that her mother often makes. It gives peace of mind, for her family knowing that “Liz is there to help when they can’t.”

To learn more about Personal Support Services and how it can meet the needs of you or your loved ones click here or contact info@carefor.ca

When Butch Gratton was admitted to Carefor Hospice Cornwall four years ago, his family was told he would likely last only a few days. “He lasted four months,” says his wife, Judy. “That’s how amazing it is here.” “He plateaued with the amount of care,” says his daughter, Kim “and from that we got four months with him we wouldn’t have had at home.”

While the philosophy of care in palliative care may shift away from healing, the client remains at its centre. “There’s a level of dignity my dad was given when he was here,” says Kim. “He didn’t just die here; he became part of the place and they showed him great respect even in his final minutes.”

When working people who are palliative the focus shifts to quality of life. Staff understand that residents and families are going through a process while at Hospice that involves coming to terms with their situation, while doing everything they can to embrace these final moments as well as possible. The meaning of simple acts like being able to go home for a day become so much more meaningful for residents and families, and when appropriate and possible, Hospice staff work with families to make these acts possible.

“One thing he really liked was the fireworks,” says Judy. “And he got to see the fireworks before he died.” “They weren’t quite sure he’d be able to go,” says Kim. “One of the nursing staff said I’m off work tonight and I’ll go to make sure you’re okay. Right there. That’s Hospice.”

To donate to Hospice Cornwall, please visit https://carefor.ca/donate. 

To learn more about Hospice Cornwall, click here or contact infoeasterncounties@carefor.ca.

With Father’s Day having just passed, we find ourselves thinking about fathers, their caregivers, families, and loved ones.

Daniele is a husband and a father. He and his wife, Erin met in Florence, Italy in 2002 while Erin was studying there. She returned to Canada in 2005, and Daniele joined her in 2006. They got married and started their family here; originally thinking they would make their way back to Italy, but ultimately stayed here so their children could have more opportunities.

Several years ago, Erin noticed that Daniele was not acting like himself. He would forget where he put day to day items, forget basic tasks, he also disengaged emotionally, and expressed very little interest in his wife and children. At this point, Erin was concerned so she contacted his doctor, who ended up blaming it on stress. This progressed for a few more years, to the point that they went back to the doctor insisting that there was something more that was wrong. The doctors and specialist ended up ordering several brain scans, tests and examinations, with the results ultimately ended up pointing to Dementia, and then Alzheimer’s.  

One main effect that the Dementia has on Daniele and his family, is the disconnect between he and the family. Unfortunately the Dementia has led Daniele to lose his memories of his two younger children. He likes that they live in the house with the family, knows that they are Erin’s children but does not understand that he is their father as well. He has begun to depend heavily on his oldest son Niccolo, whom he does remember. While he is sceptical of the rest of the family at times, Niccolo is able to calm his anxieties and lift his spirits when needed. 

Although the relationship between Daniele and his family has changed dramatically, they still find moments to appreciate each other and the time they have together; even if it’s just dancing around in the living room. Even though the familial roles are different now, Daniele is still a husband and father and the love in the family is still strong.

It’s estimated that 1 in 4 Canadian seniors are living with mental health. Carefor’s unique local mental health support group, the Let’s Get Together (LGT) Club, gives participants the opportunity to socialize, develop friendships, and engage in leisure, education and wellness activities in a safe, structured and supportive setting.

That said, the program is more than just a day to connect with others, it’s a lifeline for the near 50 seniors that use the community support service every week.

For Helen Arendt, this program at Carefor’s Carling office means the world. She attends the program once a week, and has been a member for over a year: “As soon as I walked in the door, I thought this is where I belong.”

Press on the video below to see just how much of an impact the LGT Club has has on the lives of seniors, like Helen.

For Let’s Get Together (LGT) Club participants who depend on connection, laughter, and group activities, Carefor’s Day Program is their lifeline. When our Carling Day Program location had to shut down in-person visits last year, this weekly mental health support group was faced with a difficult reality.

Before the pandemic, the building was referred to as the ‘Fun House’, where seniors living with mental health would get together, staff and peers helping them pull through some of the most difficult periods of their lives. It gave participants an opportunity to socialize, develop friendships, and engage in leisure, education, and wellness activities in a safe, structured, and supportive environment.

“I live alone and suffer from depression and anxiety. Not having face-to-face interactions has been very hard for not only me, but for everyone here,” Rachel said. She has been a LGT client for more than two years and can’t rave enough about how the program has positively impacted her life.

Carefor is one of the few places these individuals visit and the people they meet at the program are one of the few faces they see. “Many of our clients live in isolation in good times, so during the pandemic they’ve been feeling more isolated than ever,” Program Staff Joanne Peach said.

And while the fun never ended, it just changed with the circumstances. The quick transition to phone or virtual meetings was another lifeline for dozens of participants who rely on our external support systems.

“It has been wonderful; they’ve helped me a lot through these times,” Rachel said.

Now after a year and a half apart, some members of the group have been given the opportunity to reconnect. Last Wednesday was the first time a small group of LGT Club members were welcomed back to safely engage in the things they love to do most as a group. It was also a great day because the ice cream truck rolled around, and they had a chance to enjoy some delicious treats!

While staff would love to bring back everyone and to resume operations like normal, they’re grateful to be able to reconnect safely in the meantime. “It’s great to have them all back and hear the sound of their laughter again in this building,” Carefor Day Program staff shared in unison.

Carefor’s Day Programs need support now more than ever. You can make a lasting difference in the lives of many by making a gift today.

Gillian is a frequent guest at the Respite House, a short-stay respite facility for people living with dementia.

The Respite House allows individuals dealing with the challenges of dementia to stay active and socially connected, which also gives their caregivers a well-deserved break.

Gillian’s caregiver, her daughter Julia, is well-acquainted with the brain illness. Not only is her mother diagnosed with dementia, so was her father. “There are so many people suffering without getting the help they need,” she said, encouraging people to reach out for support.

Julia says dementia programs like the ones at the Respite House has been “one of the critical pieces” to help organize her life: “It fits the bill for the both of us.”

“We love my mom, she loves us, but sometimes you need a break. It’s not because we don’t care about each other, it actually helps you care more about each other because you have a break. You get to a point where you are exhausted from taking care of everybody’s needs.”

Carefor changes lives and the Respite House help both people living with dementia and their caregivers a chance to live more fully. To learn more about the facility, click here or email us at info@carefor.ca.