As everyone prepares for the Silver Tsunami, there are a number of new faces and changes in the various retirement communities throughout Chatham-Kent. The CK Senior took a few moments to ask some of the administrators their thoughts on various topics. We hope you enjoy getting to know some of the “best and brightest” involved in delivering quality care to seniors in our area.
KELLY JOHNSTON, General Manager
Eden Villa
190 Stanley Ave. I Chatham, ON N7M 3J9 I 519.354.2273 I edenvilla.ca
BIO: I grew up in London, Ontario and moved to Ridgetown to study Horticulture. I then realized that my passion was in the healthcare field and worked at VON with Community Support Services for five years. At VON, I was very involved in working with their volunteers and it was largely senior based. I could see firsthand the positive effects the services offered by VON and their volunteers had on seniors. Eden Villa provided me with the opportunity to work more closely with seniors and I have been happily employed here since late 2010.
You have done a wonderful job renovating the old Victoria Residence. can you tell us about that experience?
It has been a really interesting and rewarding experience to say the least. There has been an overwhelming amount of support from the community, which is always nice to see! Victoria Residence was a big part of many lives, whether it was volunteer reading with seniors, working as a dietition or nurse, or having a loved one reside here. You can see the memories flood back as they walk into our home and they are always amazed by the changes.
What do you see as a major issue in senior care for the Chatham-Kent area?
Unfortunately, there are a lot of seniors who have families who have moved away with which they have little communication. When this happens, it is hard for the seniors to be aware of what is going on in the community. So it is our job to keep them aware of different events that are going on to ensure they do not become isolated. We have a great group of registered and personal support staff here at Eden Villa to monitor that the seniors stay involved.
ANDREW McCLINTOCK, General Manager
Park Street Place
650 Park Street I Dresden, ON N0P 1M0 I 519.683.4474 I diversicare.ca
BIO: I grew up in the Chatham-Kent area and currently live in Petrolia with my wife and 3 children. My schooling was completed at the University of Windsor where I earned a Bachelor of Human Kinetics and Bachelor of Education. I have been employed in the health care field for the last ten years, most recently as a Recreation Therapist at CKHA’s Sydenham Hospital.
What are some of the challenges/benefits of running a retirement residence in a small community?
The challenges and benefits are actually the same: the size of the community. However, the benefits greatly outweigh the challenges in that the community is very close, supportive, and welcoming, like our community at Park Street Place. Dresden may be a small community and Park Street a smaller home, but both communities have a big heart.
Park Street Place is part of the Diversicare family. can you tell us what drew you to become part of their team?
Working closely with patients in a hospital setting, I heard only positive reviews of Diversicare’s homes, including Park Street Place. The company’s mission and values also mirrored my personal care philosophy: providing an opportunity for independence and only the highest quality care, services, and support.
JESSICA SMITH, Director of Community Services/Acting CEO
St. Andrewís Residence
99 Park St. I Chatham, ON N7M 3R5 I 519.354.8103 I standrewsresidence.com
BIO: After studying Social Work and Gerontology at McMaster University, I returned to Chatham-Kent in 2008 which I am happy to call home with my husband and our two dogs. I have been an employee of St. Andrew’s Residence for over 14 years and I’ve enjoyed working in various departments over this time. Our organization is growing and I’m so thrilled to be a part of it!
How do you think the new Hospice will affect Chatham-Kent?
Chatham-Kent Hospice has a vision of a home-like setting, deeply embedded in our community, where people in end of life transition, and those who love and support them, have access to outstanding care and bereavement support.
The creation of a Hospice in Chatham-Kent will round out the palliative care services that are currently available to our residents. We are fortunate to have first class palliative care services available in both Hospital and Community. Building a residential hospice in Chatham-Kent will offer an alternative for people who do not wish to die at home or in the hospital.
How many meals are forecasted for delivery through Meals On Wheels for 2014?
Meals on Wheels Chatham-Kent will continue to grow in 2014! Right now we are serving Blenheim, Chatham, Dresden, Ridgetown, Thamesville, Tilbury, and surrounding areas. Last year over 30,000 meals were delivered throughout Chatham-Kent, and we have some exciting expansion initiatives underway. As Meals on Wheels C-K continues to grow, our need for volunteers increases as well. Anyone wishing to volunteer with the program is asked to visit www.mealsonwheelsck.com
ANDREA SULLIVAN, General Manager
Maple City Residence
97 McFarlane Avenue I Chatham, ON N7L 4V6 I 519.354.7111 I diversicare.ca
BIO: I have a background in nursing in the Community and Long Term Care sectors in Windsor. In 2011, I moved to the Chatham-Kent area from Windsor, and worked as the Director of Care in a Retirement home. In November of 2012, I joined the Diversicare team as General Manager of Maple City Residence.
Presently, I am persuing a Degree in Gerontology from Laurentian University in Sudbury. I am a member of the Chatham-Kent Alzheimers Board of Directors and a past member of the Chatham Kent Dementia Network and the Chatham Kent Elder Abuse Awareness Committee.
You are the new face of Maple city Residence, the local senior community has been raving about your great energy level and attention to details. How do you stay so motivated?
It is easy to stay motivated when working with such wonderful residents and an amazing staff. There are always new and exciting things happening at Maple City Residence and everyday brings new challenges and opportunities. It is very rewarding to see our senior community thrive while maintaining their independence.
Maple city is part of Diversicare. Are there advantages to having 3 homes located in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent?
There are tremendous advantages in being a Diversicare home. Diversicare is the proud recipient of the Canada Award of Excellence and through our shared philosophies in caring for seniors, we can provide the assurance that the same high standards are upheld in all of our homes. Chatham – Kent’s senior population has diverse needs and having three locations throughout the municipality enables us to meet their individual needs as well as their preference for retirement home living in their home communities . I am confident that when referring to Hudson Manor in Tilbury or Park Street Place in Dresden that the client will receive the same outstanding care and services that are provided at Maple City Residence.
