How time flies, especially as we age. And it’s in those later years getting out and staying connected in your community becomes so important to your overall wellbeing.

For Lorraine and Gerald, retirement called them to a familiar home in Williamstown where they found relaxation and friendship after living in Cornwall for many years. However, it was the people who they bought their home from that opened the door of the Carefor Lan-Char Support centre to them. Lorraine explained, “We had known the homeowners for a long time, and when we were new to the area, they suggested the centre as a way to get out and meet some people.” From there, Lorraine and Gerald became frequent visitors to programs including the Diners Club, the physio classes, and more.

Looking on the past nineteen years of being part of the South Glengarry community, Lorraine thinks of the sense of community that comes from living in a rural area. She shared, “Living in the country, it’s a whole different atmosphere. It’s peaceful. And the people are so different – they don’t’ mind stopping and helping you. We’re all here for one another.” That same sense of community is felt through the Lan-Char Support Centre, with the friends they’ve made over the years.

However, things changed when Gerald had a fall in early 2021, and Lorraine found herself needing support. The couple was offered to take part in the Going Home Program, a service specifically tailored for seniors being discharged from the hospital to help support them and their loved ones in the early days of recovery. Services include meals, transportation, homemaking, etc.

After the first 10 days, Gerald and Lorraine decided to continue to receive healthy meals through the Meal Delivery Program. Lorraine shared, “It just makes life easier. The price is right, and I don’t need to worry about buying groceries to have the kind of meals we do.” As a caregiver, Lorraine sees the Meal Delivery program as a reprieve a few days a week. Lorraine said, “It’s less days that I have to think about what we’re going to have for lunch. A lot of times we just finish breakfast and within an hour Gerald is asking what we’re having for lunch so it’s nice to know I don’t need to worry about it.”

It’s hard to believe that the Carefor Support Centres have been providing services to seniors like Lorraine and Gerald in Lancaster and Alexandria for more than 30 years. Carefor’s Going Home and Meal Delivery programs is just two examples of programs that support people in a time of need. It’s programs like these that are essential to the Glengarry area to help ensure people stay healthy, and it’s been through donor support that we’ve continued to be able to offer them over the last three decades.

For Linda Beimers, transitioning into retirement was not easy. When she lived alone in an apartment, she described the experience as depressing and lonely.

“I was really starting to get depressed. I needed to talk to people,” she says.

Now after nearly three years at Carefor Pembroke Residential Complex, she hasn’t looked back: “I really like it here.” 

Whether it’s her roommate, residents in the hallways, entertainment rooms, communal eating area, or the staff, Linda always has someone to talk to: “That makes me cheerful,” she says.

Theresa Denault, Linda’s roommate, has been at Civic Complex for a couple years, and also considers staff and residents as her extended family. “There’s freedom here; It’s just like home to me.”

While Linda and Theresa’s friendship is special in its own way, it’s not uncommon. For our residents, Carefor is truly a home away from home, filled with laughter, friendship, and a sense of belonging.

Learn more about the changing face of retirement and retirement living in Pembroke.

Seeking high quality care is only the tip of the iceberg when planning end of life care. Patients and their families are also yearning for compassion and could benefit from additional supports.

Faye Watson is familiar with the need for these supports as her husband, Tim, passed away peacefully at Carefor Hospice in July of 2019.

Prior to Tim’s ten-day stay at Hospice, Faye had taken on the role of caregiver allowing her husband to remain at home for three years with the help of home care services. “The nurses would come and see him, and so would Dr. Lee. It was hard on him. He was so used to doing everything on his own, and it slowed him down.”

Like many spouses, Faye wanted to do everything possible to keep Tim at home. “You don’t want to place him in a home, and you want to look after him as much as you can.”

Tim was a hard worker, retiring from a 30-year career at Domtar in 1995. Married to Faye for over 57 years, the couple had two sons who kept them busy over the years coaching the boys in minor football.

Once retired, Tim filled his days by running errands and watching movies. “Because he had a hard time breathing with his COPD and was using oxygen, watching movies was something he could do and enjoy.”

Once Tim’s disease progressed, Faye turned to Hospice to help make him comfortable in his final days. “The girls up there were so good to him. They bathed and shaved him. They even cut his hair. He was really well treated. You couldn’t ask for better.”

Faye found her own comfort by joining the Caregiver Support Group, and later partaking in the Bereavement Group. These programs, along with all other services offered through Carefor Hospice are open to the community with the hope of acting as a support network, creating an open forum for talking about death and dying. “I’ve met a lot of nice people and it was very helpful to me. They would come and pick me up and drop me off at home after the meetings, so it got me out of the house. They do wonderful work up there.”

Faye is still an active participant in the Bereavement Group at Carefor Hospice, now communicating with the group on conference calls. She misses seeing the staff and participants and looks forward to returning to the in-person program format down the road.

Carefor Hospice in Cornwall offers an essential support network to your community. For more information on the supports available, click here.

If you’d like to help ensure the future availability of these programs, click here to donate.

Looking back at nearly two years of living in a COVID-19 world, many of us feel as if time has stood still, and we’re eagerly waiting for life to return to normal.

For people in our communities living with dementia and for their care partners, this period has forever changed their lives. Joan Craig remembers her family holiday to Jamaica two years ago as one of the last memories of life feeling like normal.

“It was the only time in our lives we had a winter holiday, and everything went well,” she shared. A few months before, her husband Dann had attended Carefor’s Perley Adult Day Program following his dementia diagnosis, but he didn’t feel like he fit in. “After we came back, I noticed that Dann’s dementia was progressing.”

Dann rejoined the program shortly after their trip. As his dementia progressed, they both found the in-person program life-changing. “The staff knew how to make him feel special,” Joan said.

Much-needed break

Carefor’s program provided not only a special time for Dann, but also for Joan.

“When I dropped off Dann for a six-hour in-person program, those were hours I could pretend to be me again: to get a haircut, meet somebody for coffee, or clean the house. It’s not always the respite people think, but it’s needed.”

While caring for the ones we love is simply second nature, the reality is that no one is fully prepared to be a care partner. The Carefor Perley Program is one of three dementia programs currently offered by Carefor that strives to provide more than respite, but also a support system to lean on.

“They pay attention to each caregiver and their individual needs. They provide valuable information on different topics and teach you how to handle some tricky situations,” Joan said.

Once the pandemic hit and Carefor quickly transitioned to virtual day programs, like many caregivers, Joan felt the strain of caregiving for someone living with dementia amid a pandemic as many resources were put on hold.

“I saw him declining right in front of my eyes. The extra respite we received meant the world to me. They just knew how to reach him. That said, when you’re stuck at home, those special touches from Carefor staff like acknowledging birthdays, holidays, facilitating bingo games, and just finding ways to make people feel good went a long way.”

In early May, as Dann’s dementia rapidly progressed, an incident that would last only six seconds would alter the course of their lives forever.

The transition to long-term care (LTC)

Dann was admitted to hospital after falling from steps in his home. Shortly after, he got pneumonia and had to stay an extra six weeks in hospital. Upon hearing the news, the Carefor Perley Program reached out to support.

“It was the Zoom sessions that saved the day,” Joan admitted. From coffee chats, music, to exercise sessions, the virtual meetings provided something for both people living with dementia and their care partners. “While it wasn’t the same as in-person, it created a routine. It was a time for your loved one to feel special again, which goes a long way.”

In June 2021, Dann moved to LTC. “I needed more help. I needed more respite. I couldn’t do even simple tasks.” Joan described it as a cry for help. “I know Carefor did everything they could do.”

The decision to transition a loved one to LTC is not easy. Carefor’s programs strive to keep loved ones at home for as long as possible. Carefor Program Manager Isabelle Chartrand and Team Leader Erica Miskiman run the Perley program and understand the value of such a support system for this community.

“There are lots of emotions like relief, guilt and anxiety when care partners struggle to support their loved ones and have to make the decision to move them to LTC,” Isabelle said.

Despite the change, Joan has continued to stay in contact with the Carefor team.

She continued to participate in the virtual programming not only for its engaging activities, but also to simply see other people and interact with them during an isolating time.

“The relationship doesn’t end after they’re discharged from our care,” Erica said. “We’ve been part of their lives for so long, so they’ll always be part of and welcome in our community. We aim to reduce their isolation during this transition. We know how difficult this time is for care partners, so we’re there for them until they’re ready to let us go and build trust within another community, like a LTC home.”

Joan’s story isn’t a first, but among many others who have been impacted by the challenges of caring for someone living with dementia during a pandemic. Supporting Carefor’s programs means ensuring essential support systems are there when families need it.

After suffering from a stroke, Eli’s lifestyle changed drastically. Suddenly he required types of supports he had never needed before, resulting in more pressure on his caregiver.

“You never know what it’s going to cost you when you get older,” he says.

But with the help of programs funded in part by generous donations, Eli was able to find something that fit his needs.

Now he attends the Carling Adult Day Program twice a week, which is one of three Adult Day Programs by Carefor that give individuals living with dementia an opportunity to connect and socialize with others.

“I never put money away for programs like this,” Eli says.

Their day consists of playing games, making crafts, exercising, socializing, and enjoying a meal.

These necessary programs that are in high demand help not only individuals like Eli to get the support they need, but they also give caregivers a much-needed break.

“It’s a blessing,” Heather, Eli’s daughter and caregiver, says about the respite service. “If we didn’t have that, dad would not be at home and he’d be isolated.” When a loved one’s health takes a turn for the worse, caregivers are often thrown into a complicated world, not knowing how to access programs that can support them.

The Carling Adult Day Program is one of these programs. Beyond just giving caregivers a break, it helps them maintain the relationship that they have always had with their loved one. “As a caregiver it enables me to have a separate entity and creates our lines so we can still be father daughter,” says Heather.

To learn more about the Carefor Carling Adult Day Program, click here or email us at info@carefor.ca.

Community comes together to bring Christmas joy in the lives of seniors

While Christmas is seen as a time of love and joy, Crystal Tunnoch, a resident of Richmond Village, realized that’s not often the case for everyone.

“I know Christmas can be a lonely, quiet time [for some seniors],” she says. For that reason, Crystal organized a local project called “Hands of Christmas” to spread holiday cheer.  

Local residents like Jen Hastings were excited to give back to the seniors in their community.

“We’re all going to be in that space someday, so you’re hoping that someone will be there to look after you,” Jen says.

Thanks to this anonymous gift giving project, Christmas came early for residents at Carefor’s Richmond Care Home (RCH), a 16-bed retirement alternative designed for women living with dementia and other related disorders.  

The smiles, laughter, and surprise on the residents’ faces were priceless.

“It’s nice to see people that are old, happy,” RCH resident Elsie Black says. “That means a lot.” 

Click here to learn more about our residents’ unique experiences at Richmond Care Home.

Community members band together to create second library at Carefor Mackay Residential Complex

Although the provincial government has eased pandemic restrictions, both members of our communities and Carefor staff are still working hard to ensure the health and safety of our seniors.

“COVID-19 has been an exercise in flexibility and creativity, especially for those of us in the recreation field,” Carefor Recreation Coordinator Megan Shepheard explains. “We’ve had to take a lot of our programs and turn them on their head.  Where we were once gathering people together, we are now trying to keep them apart.” 

It’s without a doubt that the pandemic has changed the way we connect and interact with the world, creating a time of heightened social isolation. With that in mind, members of Pembroke wanted to give back to people in their community who need a little more ray of sunshine during these times. 

Pembroke resident Jamie Shaw heard about the efforts of Carefor staff trying to engage Mackay residents and wanted to make things a little easier by donating bins full of books. “I love to read and every book I’ve ever owned means a lot to me. It broke my heart to think of them rotting in a box untouched. Books are meant to be shared and they are meant to be read. I just wanted them to have a good home,” Jamie says.

With such a great quantity of donated books, Carefor staff decided to create a library on the second floor of the building, allowing for more space and seating options. After announcing to the community that they were looking for bookcases, Pembroke residents Chrissie McMillan and Beth Loach Matasich were quick to donate a few. 

Mackay resident Tony Beulow, who was one of the first residents to enjoy reading a book from the library, says he has enjoyed the new selection: “There’s a lot there that I’ve never seen before. I’m working on a box of ten books now, and then I will bring them back and get some more.”

Now thanks to some very generous donors, Mackay residents are excited to grab a book and travel the world through stories in the safety of our new library.

“In the moments when our current situation feels like too much, the residents are able to escape to other worlds through these books,” Megan adds. “This library is a visual reminder that people in the community are thinking of our residents and care for them deeply. I cannot express just how grateful we are to these amazing ladies who took a minute to think about how one small action can do a world of good for others.”

“Country Roads” brings a little sunshine to Chesterville

Nothing brings a community together better than singing and a little sunshine.

The Carefor Nor-Dun Support Centre team has been missing their Chesterville Diners and decided to bring some joy to their neighbourhood. With the help of Marleen Fawcett, a local singer who generously donated her time, the group put together an impromptu show at the Nationview Apartments in Chesterville.

Marleen serenaded the distanced crowd with old favourites like “Tiny Bubbles in the Wine”, “Country Roads”, and other classics. The group shared smiles, laughs, and some social distanced hugs.

To make the occasion even more special, Dennis and Barb, once regulars at the Nor-Dun Diner’s Club celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with the “Tennessee Waltz”, dedicated to the couple.

Caroline Rooney, the Team Leader at the Carefor Nor-Dun Support Centre shared, “We believe we bring added security to their lives during this pandemic.  We genuinely care about each of our clients and know what they are going through at this time. Clients know that we are just a phone call away!”

Following the show, the Carefor Nor-Dun team took to the streets of Chesterville and drove by the homes of their clients, who were greeted by a convoy of vehicles with signs reading “Carefor Cares for You” taped to the windows, accompanied by exhilarated waving and the honking of car horns.

Staff and clients were happy to see one another and look forward to seeing each other in the future once the Support Centres reopen for public use.

A bittersweet Mother’s Day at Richmond Care Home

The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t made life easier for anyone, especially for individuals who have loved ones in long-term care homes. While it’s hard for families to not be able to have close contact with their parent or grandparent, it’s even more difficult for those whose loved one is living with dementia. And as Mother’s Day approaches, this special day just won’t be the same. 

At Carefor’s Richmond Care Home, a 16-bed home uniquely designed for women living with dementia, Mother’s Day might be rather bittersweet for some. Staff are working around the clock to keep residents healthy and connected, and loved ones are finding ways to give back.  

Jean O’Connor brought her mother, Bernice, to Richmond Care Home approximately six years ago. While she can’t see her mother as often as she used to amid the outbreak, she spends her time connecting with her virtually and donating items to staff.

“I donated 1,500 masks because I want the staff to be able to change their masks more often and feel more at ease.” Jean has also sewed buttons on dozens of headbands so that staff feel more comfortable when wearing masks. 

Jean’s generosity has sparked a movement in Richmond Village, encouraging other local residents to participate in paying it forward during the coronavirus pandemic.  

She says people have been contacting her on how they can donate more masks and where they can drop off their homemade headbands. The community is also coming together to drop off DVDs of classic movies for movie night. 

Despite staying busy with these tasks, she admits not being able to hug her mother is incredibly difficult, but understands that she is in a safe environment.

“With everything going on now, I can’t boast enough about how grateful I am that she is at Richmond Care Home. It takes special people to work there.” she says. “At least with virtual chats and the calendar I wrote of each person in my family phoning every day, this will help to keep my mother’s memory in there during this difficult time where we can’t visit her.”

(Click here to see the video of Bernice’s face lighting up when virtually chatting with her family.)

That being said, Richmond Care Home staff are working hard to ensure residents are occupied as often as possible, keeping them physically and cognitively engaged to slow the advancement of the disease.

“We’re doing things like Zoom calls with families and our volunteer babies, exercise sessions like mini golf, planting seeds, and much more,” Activities Coordinator Katie Hamill says.

The reality is that for our staff, the residents are like their extended family. While Mother’s Day won’t be like other years, it will be special in its own way.

“We have taken a vow to take care of these women,” Richmond Care Home Supervisor Amy England says. “We are their surrogate family.”

 

To learn more about Richmond Care Home, click here or email us at info@carefor.ca. Support our Carefor Heroes and their families by giving at carefor.ca/donate.

A Christmas wish come true

After diagnosed with terminal cancer, Arthur Coughlan arrived at Carefor Hospice Cornwall to spend his final days in a home-like setting surrounded by his loved ones and a team of caring staff.

Like many people nearing end of life, Arthur has pondered on memories,  and unrealized dreams. 

The Palliative Day Away Program at Hospice hoped they could bring some joy into the lives of their patients by giving them the opportunity to have some experiences they might have missed. This Christmas, Arthur received an early Christmas present by being able to see a place he’d always wanted to visit.

One of Arthur’s biggest wishes was to visit London, England. His eyes lit up when he spoke about his love for history. He says he has always dreamed of visiting iconic landmarks, museums, and castles. However, he and his family never had the opportunity to visit London due to financial or time constraints.

Thanks to Wishplay, a company that uses virtual reality to give everyone the opportunity to live beyond their limitation, Arthur was able to feel like he was walking down the streets of London for the first time.

“If someone always wanted to do something and wasn’t able to because of their health or finances, they can do it now,” says Shannon Ball, Patient & Family Supportive Services Coordinator. “It can also help decrease boredom or depression.” 

It’s not only the virtual reality experience that made this Christmas special for Arthur, but also all the people around him.

“There’s so much that goes on [at Hospice] that people don’t know about,” he says. “Out of all the places that I’ve been in, this is the only place that I’ve felt welcome. The minute you walked in you were treated with respect. They’re there to give you comfort and pride.”

“It’s hard to believe that this is supposed to be a place of death … This is a place of luxury, a place of living,” Arthur adds.

You can help us bring quality support programs that enrich the lives of our clients and their families by donating at https://carefor.ca/donate.