Serving seniors and their caregivers at SFCSC

Mar 24, 2011

Photo:  Program coordinator Lorraine Creighton with clients Anne Haddrall, Glen Ritchie and staff member Wendy Fairbairn at Rural VISIONS

Since March 2010 seniors in South Frontenac and the surrounding area have been taking advantage of the Enhanced Adult Day program offered at the Rural VISIONS Centre in Sydenham. The program is so popular that a third day has been added to the existing two and the program will now run Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9AM-3:30PM.

The program, which costs $20/day, can serve up to eight seniors per day and is specifically geared to the frail elderly, those with Alzheimer’s Disease, or who have suffered a stroke, as well as to those with other ongoing heath concerns. The program aims to reduce the social isolation of these seniors by providing them with a stimulating social program while simultaneously offering their caregivers and families some much-needed respite.

A typical programmed day includes a morning greeting/ social hour, with coffee, tea and snack, followed by an exercise class designed to be fun but also to help keep seniors healthy and strong so they can remain independent. Daily movies, games, and other stimulating activities such as bingo, sing-alongs, cards and puzzles are offered daily. New this month will be poetry writing and clients are also free to nap whenever they feel the need. Hot lunches are prepared on site and can be tailored to meet the needs of special diets. Crafts are a major part of the program and Nancy Kennedy, a retired nurse from Kingston, leads that aspect of the activities. Projects have included bird houses, colourful Easter baskets, bookmarks and more. Currently the group is working on beeswax candles, just one of many products they will be selling at their upcoming flea market in May.

The facilities at the Rural VISIONS Centre are bright, clean and roomy, with comfy armchairs and ample windows providing natural light.

The caring staff includes PSWs and nurses who are trained to assist clients with personal needs - toileting, bathing, feeding, transferring and other personal care. Program coordinator and RPN Lorraine Creighton understands that it can be especially difficult for caregivers to trust others with their loved ones but Creighton knows her staff are well suited for the task. “The staff here at the centre are compassionate and caring and understand that theirs is a special kind of job where patience, respect and dignity are first and foremost.”

Lorraine also ensures that the program is designed to meet the individual needs of each participant. For that reason gardening and bird watching have been added to the regular daily program.

Lorraine has been coordinating the program since its inception and has been working with seniors for close to 15 years. She is a strong believer in the benefits the program brings both to the seniors and their caregivers. “Participants really get a sense of independence and self worth since they are able to make their own choices in a stimulating environment.”

Equally important to Lorraine is the respite it gives caregivers, who often are working around the clock and who themselves can end up overworked, isolated and in need of support. “Unfortunately caregivers often do not get the rest they need and can suffer from burn out. This program gives caregivers a chance to rest and to attend to their own personal needs such as house keeping, shopping and seeing friends and other family members. It's really important that caregivers take care of themselves - and by enrolling their family member in a program, both parties will greatly benefit.”

Lorraine also points out that caregivers can avoid a crisis situation by being pro-active and enrolling earlier rather than later. “I have a great deal of respect for caregivers - their job can be a very demanding one. Unfortunately though it is all too common that they start out by coping very well but as their duties increase, they can very quickly become overwhelmed. I really want to stress to caregivers that there is help out there for them.”

There are still spots available in the program. To enroll in the Enhanced Adult Day program at SFSCS, contact Lorraine Creighton at 613-376-6477 ext.24.