We're all grateful for the front-line workers who put themselves at risk, as they deal with the virus first-hand. Within retirement homes, care staff, like personal support workers, do an incredible job of serving care needs while doing all they can to ensure the continued safety of seniors. Here are some samples of gratitude from both retirement homes, and the seniors living there.
Amusing, heartwarming rewards handed out
PeopleCare Communities, including Oakcrossing Retirement Living, handed out awards to seniors at the end of Senior's Month.
Delmanor's team gives thanks
The team at Delmanor Prince Edward can't wait for the day when they may safely reopen their doors to family. In the meantime, though, they wanted to give thanks to the support and encouragement family has given them, during this challenging time. Read more.
Grateful for great days at Verve
One senior's gratitude
Joyce Mendis wrote a letter expressing her gratitude to staff at Granville Gardens in Vancouver. She and her daughter are "thankful for the wonderful job you have done in order to keep us all safe ... [and] implementing the changes required to fight the virus." The letter can be found below.
Earlier in May, they shared support for UBC Hospital
At Verve Senior Living's Roxborough Retirement Residence, in Newmarket, residents took the time to compose a "Thank You Poem" to the "angels" who care for them. In part, it says:
We thank you for your cheery ways
Helping us through these dreary days
The full poem can be found here.
Letter to the editor, from Oceana PARC senior
Ben Nuttall-Smith wrote a letter to the editor of a local paper, to give thanks for PARC Retirement and tell them he is "fortunate to have retired to Oceana PARC." Even though he and friends "miss visits," they're still grateful for "amazing staff [who] look after us." They're also still enjoying "three chef-prepared meals daily" and the availability of increased activities that keep participant numbers within safe boundaries. He and others feel "blessed to live in such vibrant and safely-run communities."
Read the whole letter.
Appreciation for all that's good, at Schlegel Villages
Schlegel Villages is taking time to share its appreciation of volunteers in its communities. “In celebration of National Volunteer Week, Schlegel Villages would like to send many #CheersToVolunteers who have given their gift of time to our Villages. We are waiting anxiously with you to have you back in the Villages with the Residents.”
Posts for the week include shout-outs to some specific volunteers like Allison at Village of Erin Meadows.
Inside Sifton Westhill, "staff has been amazing"
Bill Klos, a resident at Sifton Westhill in Waterloo, tells us that he is spending most of his time in his room, “trying to read,” to be safe. The community is “running as many [indoor] programs as they can” to keep residents busy. If residents leave the building, they must self-isolate on their return, to protect their peers from the virus. While the situation has been challenging, Bill adds, “I will say that the staff has been amazing. They go out of their way to be positive and helpful.”
Wonderful care from Bayshore Home Health Care
Shirley* is one senior getting care at home from Bayshore Home Health Care. She suffered a stroke and came out of the hospital about mid-March. She is still getting some in home help through the LIHNs and hired Bayshore to work different shifts, including overnight. “Staff have been wonderful,” she says. They’re taking necessary pre-cautions by offering the same caregiver for as many shifts as possible. They come into Shirley’s home, wearing all the protective gear required, including masks, gloves, and gowns.
*name withheld for privacy's sake
