Page 8 - GR_March_2017_web

ABBOTSFORD
8 Glebe Report March 10, 2017
Abbotsford program gives needed support to seniors

by Julie Ireton where the staff leads the group in
songs, games, discussions and some-
The hard, crusty February snow was times crafts.
much more than senior Margaret Pick “She thinks it’s wonderful. She
could handle with her own shovel. loves it there. Everyone is so kind and
She turned to the Glebe Centre and friendly,” said Kathryn Kingston,
its community support programs at Shirley’s daughter.
Abbotsford to help her out. Before dementia, Kingston said her
Now she has a young man, vetted mother was outgoing and able to leave
by the centre, who comes and shov- the house by herself but now she’s not
els her steps after a snowfall. But she able to get out as much. “Day Away
didn’t stop there. allows her to be social again, have
“I have a housekeeper,” said Pick. some friends in the same situation. It
“She’s just a sweetheart and the cen- really lifts her mood,” said Kingston.
tre also helps me find a gardener in the She also knows her mother is safe.
summertime.” In January, Shirley became weak and
The community support programs Abbotsford staff was quick to call an
allow seniors like Pick to stay in their ambulance. The doctor at the hospi-
own homes longer and with little tal realized she had low hemoglobin.
assistance. She pays for the cleaning, “They caught the problem and acted
shovelling and gardening, but all the right away,” said Kingston.
service providers are cleared and rec- Contact Reception at 613-230-5730
ommended by Abbotsford staff. to find out more about the community
“I pay them individually for support programs offered at Abbots-
what they do,” said Pick. “It’s not ford and how to access them.
astronomical and they’re very accom- Abbotsford is your community sup-
modating, cheerful and nice.” port centre for Adults 55+. We are the
Other seniors, including Zandra community programs of The Glebe
Stickland, welcome a check-in call Centre Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit
every morning. Strickland lives by organization that includes a 254-bed
herself and she says it’s a comfort to long-term care home. Find out more
know someone will give her a ring Photo: Pat GoyeChe about our services by dropping by 950
to see how she’s doing. “Brian calls Bank Street (the old stone house) Mon
me every day to see if I’m still stand- – Fri, 9 – 4 p.m., telephoning 613-
ing or not,” laughed Stickland. “He’s Roberta Brown and Nick Bermudez enjoy a cup of tea and the welcoming atmos- 230-5730 or checking out all of The
a sweetheart. I’ve never met him, but phere at Abbotsford. Glebe Centre facilities and commun-
he’s very nice.” ity programs on our website www.
Stickland, who’ll be 81 on her next thanks to the community support pro- Stickland, who’s had a hip replace- glebecentre.ca.
birthday, also has two daughters who gram. ment, cancer and other health issues.
check on her, but she says they’re also “I have to go downstairs for the Abbotsford’s Day Away program Julie Ireton is a broadcast journalist,
busy with their work and lives. laundry and my family doesn’t want also helps seniors living with demen- educator and writer who contributes
Like Pick, Stickland has her drive- me to do that anymore. So the house- tia. Shirley Kingston, who is 90, never frequently to the Glebe Report on
way cleared and her house cleaned keeper comes twice a month,” said misses her day away at Abbotsford, Abbotsford programs.

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