The cover shot was taken at St. Andrews Residence during the “Senior’s Day Out Program,” which runs every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. This program provides a wide range of social, physical, and recreational activities for seniors within Chatham-Kent, and includes snacks and a nutritious hot noon meal. For over 20 years, this program has been operating to serve seniors (60 years or older) who may be experiencing difficulty managing the activities of daily living, require caregiver support, or simply wish to expand their social circle! We spoke with just a few of it’s many attendees about the program, and here is what they had to say….
Cora Logan recently turned 94 and has been a long time participant of the Senior’s Day Out Program. She and her friend, Juanita, attended every Tuesday and Thursday for 12 years. Cora was one of the original members! After Juanita’s passing a year ago, Cora still makes a point of coming out, and uses the services of CHAP to get to and from her home, here in Chatham.
Cora was the oldest child in a family of seven children. She was married in 1940 to James Logan, and they raised seven children together. Coming from and raising such a large family, interacting with people becomes a way of life. So it was no surprise that when we asked Cora what her favourite part of the Senior’s Day Out Program was, she quickly answered, the “social aspect”. And she loves playing cards too!
Cathy Weir is an 86 year old great-grandmother of one, grandmother of three, and mother of one. She was born in Montreal and currently resides in Chatham. Cathy belongs to St. Andrew’s United Church, which is where she first learned about the Senior’s Day Out Program.
Cathy enjoys the program so much! “The program is well put together and the staff here is fantastic.” She is able to get a ride from her daughter for the most part, and otherwise arranges with CHAP for transportation.
Born legally deaf, Cathy says she often likes to keep to herself, due to the complications of communicating with the other seniors. One thing she stressed was how much she really enjoyed the staff…“If I am not in the mood to participate, the staff is not too pushy, and when I do feel like participating, they are always there to encourage me.”
Jennifer Deneau is very happy to be part of the ever growing Senior’s Day Out Program. Jennifer has been brought on board to provide some general care and to provide baseline vitals for participants in the program. “It is an amazing service that is being provided by the Senior’s Day Out Program. Participants can ask me about their medication and receive foot care, and I act as a liaison between patients and their physician. We can directly provide information to patients and their physicians cutting down on ER visits and improving the general care patients are receiving.”
Jennifer is impressed with the level of staff interaction with the Seniors Day Out participants. She says the program is very unique because participants can come out for a great day of activities and receive some basic healthcare at the same time. The social interaction improves the well being of the participants and cuts down on senior isolation.
Participants receive a meal, play cards, watch movies, enjoy trivia games, and exercise, and every day has a different theme. With their numbers ever increasing, they hope to expand the program from the current three day service, to a five day service.
Bonnie Lobbestael is a 72 year young active senior and resident of Chatham.
Bonnie attends the Senior’s Day Out Program three days a week, and uses the CHAP services to get to and from her home. She is blessed to have her daughter, Michelle, living nearby, which allows for a few extra visits with her daughter while she is there.
Her sister, Joan, was the one who first brought Bonnie to the program, after she suffered a nervous breakdown 14 years ago. Bonnie mentioned that she was becoming depressed and housebound, and needed the push to get out and socialize.
She is very grateful for the Senior’s Day Out Program, for helping her through a rough time in her life. She has made some wonderful friends and developed a strong support system along the way. A few years ago Bonnie lost her husband to a heart attack and this program allowed her to keep a positive mind-set, stay involved, and, most importantly, made her feel like family.
Jean Blondeel, 74, is a Chatham-Kent resident who resides in her home with her husband of 42 years. She is a proud mother of five and grandmother of nine. Two of her daughters work at St. Andrew’s Residence in the kitchen and in housekeeping.
Jean was introduced to the Senior’s Day Out Program by her close friend and says it only took one visit to know that she made the right choice. She is very fond of the program and speaks highly of the staff and activities provided. She attends the program once a week and her favourite part is the musical entertainment. Jean is especially impressed by one of the St. Andrew’s Residence staff members who often sings for the group. And don’t forget the food…the hot meals provided for lunch was at the top of her list of favourites as well!
Jean feels she has met a great group of friends with whom to interact, as a lot of them are in the same position as she is, so they have a lot in common. She enjoys walking in the door and having everyone call her by name. Jean rates the Senior’s Day Out program with a 10/10 and looks forward to coming each week.
If you can relate to some of what you have read in the above testimonials or if you or your loved one is looking for the opportunity to spend time with friends in a safe and engaging environment, our Seniors Day Out program is right for you!
Seniors Day Out provides older adults across Chatham Kent with physical frailties or cognitive challenges an opportunity to socialize, be active, and have fun in a safe and caring environment. The daily activities are led by trained and caring professional staff who provide: lively group activities, light chair exercise programs, spiritual wellbeing sessions, hot nutritious lunch and snacks, musical entertainment, arts, crafts, and so much more.
Seniors Day Out gives caregivers an opportunity to catch up on errands, attend to personal needs, or take a much deserved rest.
Drop by for a warm welcome and tour of our comfortable program space in St. Andrews Residence and find out firsthand why Cora, Cathy, Bonnie, and Jean pick the Senior’s Day Out Program for their overall wellbeing.