Superstar Moms!

Last Sunday was a day of shining stars as mothers, grandmothers and a few great grandmothers were celebrated at All Seniors Care Living Centres across Canada. Mother's Day is always such a wonderful occasion to remind our moms of our gratitude and love for them. Mothers truly are rockstars and ASC even invited a few rockers from the past to come and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon. See some lovely stories and sound bites from seniors across five different provinces.

Manitoba:

All the Moms in our Manitoba buildings enjoyed superstar treatment! At Sturgeon Creek I and II, Elvis had all the ladies blushing as he sang and danced for them, and the men in the crowd enjoyed Marilyn Monroe’s rendition of “Happy Mother’s Day to You”. Seine River’s party saw all the residents falling in love with the Johnny Cash entertainer. Over in Brandon, tenant Mrs. Wanda Meadows won a door prize of 2 dozen roses. When she was presented her prize, she and her daughters started to cry. Mrs. Meadows’ late husband bought her roses every year for Mother’s Day. It was a very special family moment. And, as Shaftesbury tenant Mrs. Chinnick concludes, “I have gone to many classy events in the city, and this celebration is right up there with all the best of them!”

Alberta:

Elvis was in the house for Mother’s Day at our Alberta residences. And he had everyone all shook up! At Summerwood Village, tons of families stopped in for the exciting show, delectable refreshments and fun times. Residences also paid tribute to all the mothers out there by each having their own Wall of Fame, with photos of Superstar Moms on display. Thanks to all the staff for making this such a great event!  We hope all of the mothers enjoyed the special day as much as we did.

Saskatchewan:

It was all about glitz and glamour in Saskatchewan for Mother’s Day. College Park residents and guests were treated to Rory Allen’s Tribute to the King. Mr. Allen provided some memorable moments for tenants, as he serenaded them up close! All of our Saskatchewan buildings were draped in sparkling balloons, stars and flowers. Guests enjoyed a red carpet walk with celebrity treatment. Photos were taken of each residence’s Superstar Moms and displayed on a Walk of Fame. And a fun-filled time was had by all.

Ontario:

Beacon Heights and Cedarcroft Place in Ontario threw lavish, star-studded events for Mother’s Day. Mothers and guests were treated like celebrities and walked the red carpet for a great afternoon of glitz and glamour. Both buildings had large crowds, delectable food and exciting entertainment. A wonderful time was had by all. Elvis visited the building over at Cedarcroft!  One resident was heard saying, “Was that really Elvis?  He can come back anytime!”

Quebec:

The star-studded Mother’s Day events in Quebec were a great success. As one tenant from La Gappe exclaims, “It’s so fun! You make us feel like stars”. Mothers and guests were greeted on a red carpet that led into the dining room. Once seated, the crowd enjoyed exciting entertainment and lavish treats such as Lucky Stars – a lemon square with a mini white chocolate star on top and Shooting Stars – a star cookie bottom filled with sorbet with a mini cookie star on top. A big thank you to the staff for helping to make our Superstar Mom event perfect!

ASC Community Service Scholarship Recipient - Madison Lust

She has traveled to Monaco to represent Manitoba at the International Tourism Case-Study conference. She has represented Canada on an International Girl Guide Tour to Switzerland. She takes on new challenges with determination and enthusiasm. She is a true trailblazer. And she is only 18 years of age. 

Thank you Madison and all the best in University.

Madison Lust has always felt an innate need to be involved in the community and to be of help to others. It’s an amazing quality to find in a teenager and, perhaps even more inspiring, this insightful young lady plans to continue on the path of altruism for many years to come.

Sturgeon Creek II Retirement Residence is among the many organizations Madison gives her time to. Every week at Sturgeon Creek II she leads a walking club, coaches Wii sports games and conducts a current events discussion on Saturday morning. “I learn so much when [the tenants and I] talk about current events,” explains Madison. “We compare ways in which we deal with issues today and how they would be dealt with in the past by a different generation of people…it’s mental stimulation for all of us!” This desire to connect with seniors, as well as her thirst for knowledge, has earned Madison one of the All Seniors Care Community Service Scholarships for 2012.

The purpose of the Scholarship is to provide financial help to talented and dedicated student volunteers. The Scholarship is open to any Manitoba student who has met the ASC Community Service Scholarship application criteria and is enrolled in post-secondary education. Even as she continues on with her schooling, Madison hopes to stay involved with Sturgeon Creek II for many years to come.

Wii Bowling action at ASC

“It is a great experience where you learn so many different skills. I used to be a very shy person. The tenants have welcomed me with open arms. This made me feel safe and helped me overcome my shyness.” She even recounts a story where a tenant told Madison she reminded her of her granddaughter. “It made me realize that we all lead such fast-paced lives, and sometimes families can’t visit their loved ones as often as they’d like. I realized then how valuable my volunteer work is.” Definitely a young woman wise beyond her years.

On behalf of All Seniors Care and the staff and tenants of Sturgeon Creek II, congratulations to Madison, and thank you for caring. You’re terrific!  

Outstanding Volunteer Award - Logan Ross and Enrico Capriotti

Old or young, male or female, quiet or outgoing, anyone can volunteer. Whether you want to explore interests and passions in a fun atmosphere, or learn and develop new skills for a job search, the benefits of volunteering are enormous. Just ask Logan Ross and Enrico Capriotti, two volunteers with All Seniors Care Living Centres. These two gentlemen are quite opposite in age and personality, but both share a singular goal of making a difference in the lives of the seniors they come in contact with, as well as enjoying the many benefits that come with volunteering.

Thank you Enrico

Enrico is an outspoken Italian with a passion for soccer, who also enjoys a friendly game of poker now and then. In fact, it was his knowledge of poker that brought him to Sturgeon Creek II Retirement Residence. When tenants expressed an interest in playing once a week, Enrico agreed to lead the game. The popularity of the event has grown by leaps and bounds. There is even a waiting list to participate, no doubt due to Enrico’s enthusiasm and friendliness. “The key,” says Enrico “is to just be like the people you are with. When we’re together, I’m just a friend visiting, having fun, playing a good game of cards…the time goes so fast and before I know it the game is done.”

Thank you Logan

Across the street at Sturgeon Creek I, high school graduate Logan Ross helps out weekly with bingo and bocce. Quiet, caring and committed, Logan loves to be involved, and bring smiles to the faces of the tenants he encounters. The tenants, in turn, are just as appreciative of his enthusiasm. As one resident states, “it’s so nice to see someone so young come out and give of his time the way Logan does.” Logan is eager to point out that he likes to volunteer at Sturgeon Creek I because, “the atmosphere here is great, everyone is so nice and easy to talk to…it’s fun!” Originally, Logan chose to volunteer in order to complete a high school requirement and earn a certificate. However, he developed such strong relationships with the tenants and staff that he continued on past graduation and plans to volunteer there for many years to come.

“What makes Enrico and Logan stand out is their unwavering commitment,” states Anna Dell’Acqua, Regional Volunteer Coordinator for All Seniors Care. “They are trustworthy and, most importantly, our tenants know they can count on them, no matter what.” This commitment, reliability and enthusiasm are only a few of the reasons why they were both selected to be recipients of the All Senior’s Care Outstanding Volunteer Award. “You have to care. You have to be there with your heart. You have to feel it,” Anna concludes. “These gentlemen have it!”

On behalf of All Seniors Care and the staff and tenants of Sturgeon Creek I & II, congratulations to Enrico and Logan, and thank you for caring.

Outstanding Volunteer Award - Josef Bader at Shaftesbury Park

It’s not every day you meet someone who you truly think will one day change the world. Yet, at Shaftesbury Park, an All Seniors Care Retirement Residence in Winnipeg, there is one such young man, a volunteer, who has many believing he just might.

Thank you Josef form everyone at ASC

His name is Josef Bader. To see the light in his eyes and feel the energy of his words when he talks about his life and, specifically, his volunteer work, you can’t help but feel that this is a person who embodies the term ‘inspiration’.

Josef grew up in Recife, Brazil. At 16 years, with only beginner English under his belt, he moved to Winnipeg on his own to attend an International School. Two years later, his parents and two brothers made the move to join him. Along with the educational reasons, the Bader family chose Winnipeg because of its strong Jewish community. At a time when they saw the Jewish population and influence decreasing in Recife, their faith, and desire to keep strong ties to their heritage, made the choice to move a relatively easy one.

It was, in fact, Josef’s religious traditions, plus a memory of a conversation with friends, that prompted him to cold call Shaftesbury Park to find out about volunteer opportunities. “I remember it was the Christmas holidays, and because my family and I don’t celebrate Christmas, I was looking for something to do other than just hang around home, watching TV.” Josef remembered some of his high school friends talking about how their grandparents live at Shaftesbury Park. So, he picked up the phone and called, hoping that maybe he could help out for a few hours one day. Little did he know that over the two week holiday he would be at Shaftesbury Park almost every day. And, that he would have many profound experiences that would solidify his desire to help people, particularly seniors. In fact, it was through his work at Shaftesbury that Josef became certain that medicine was the future he wanted to pursue. He is currently finishing up his second year of pre-med with plans of becoming a doctor. “The residents here tease me that I’m going to be their visiting physician one day,” he laughs.  “But I hope it’s true!”

Because of his selfless spirit and unwavering commitment, Josef is the recipient of an ASC 2012 Outstanding Volunteer Award. As well, because of his enrolment in post-secondary education, he is a recipient of an ASC Community Service Scholarship. The purpose of the Scholarship is to provide financial help to talented and dedicated student volunteers who, through thoughtful balancing of time available while pursuing academic studies, contribute their talents and skills to an All Seniors Care Living Centres Community.

In Josef’s case, to complete the scholarship criteria, he participated in a wide variety of volunteer activities; everything from helping tenants in the dining room, to teaching a group of seniors how to use Skype, to leading Jewish prayer services. “Every day is different and that’s what I love about it. And everyone is so friendly and they always smile and say thank you. I can tell that the time I’m putting in is being appreciated.”

His commitment to helping the community doesn’t stop there. Josef has also received numerous awards and honours including The Province of Manitoba’s Youth Leadership Scholarship in 2010 and was the Student Ambassador of the International Student Program from 2008-2010. He truly is a trail-blazer. One we are sure to hear much more about in years to come.

On behalf of All Seniors Care and the staff and tenants of Shaftesbury Park, congratulations to Josef, and thank you for caring.

Outstanding Volunteer Award - Joaquin Valdez at Seine River

A 13 year old with a heart of gold is somewhat of a rarity in this day and age. Add to that an abiding respect and love for seniors, and one can’t help but feel that a true gem has been uncovered.

Thank you Joaquin from everyone at ASC

Joaquin Valdez was born and raised in Peru. The deep appreciation he has for his elders began at a very young age, while growing up at the feet of his grandfather. Close ties through the generations are very important to his family. However, this made it extremely difficult to say goodbye when his parents decided to move the family to Canada. Yet, through his volunteer work at Seine River Retirement Residence, Joaquin has found many surrogate grandparents. And surprisingly, it happened almost by accident.

After his dad missed picking him up from school one day, Joaquin decided to walk over to Seine River where his mother was volunteering in order to get a ride home. Work was being done for Elder Abuse Awareness Day, and rather than just wait around for his mom to finish, he jumped right in to help…and has volunteered there ever since.

Because of his selfless spirit and unwavering commitment, Joaquin is a recipient of an All Seniors Care Outstanding Volunteer Award for 2012. The award seeks to acknowledge and thank outstanding individuals who donate their time and talent to an All Seniors Care residence. Joaquin will be receiving his award at ASC’s volunteer appreciation brunch - “Did anyone tell you today, You’re Terrific!”.

Some of Joaquin’s more memorable volunteering moments occurred when he helped out as a dog-walker for the residents with pets, “A dog got away from me once. Luckily he was still inside the building so I tracked him down,” he laughs. He’s also assisted with lawn care, office work, field trips and friendly visiting. “The field trips are fun, plus I get to see a lot more of the city and learn where things are.” He also recounts a very touching moment when he went to deliver some mail to a resident who had had to move to a different location. “I remember I got there about 4pm to drop the mail off, and didn’t leave until 7pm…we just spent the time talking.” 

It hard to believe this is a young man of only 13, who forges strong relationships, regardless of age, by simply caring. “Joaquin is the perfect example of how strong relationships, where all stereotypes about age are dissolved, can be formed,” states Heather Mutcheson, Vice-President, Manitoba Region. “He has such a respect for the wisdom of his elders, no doubt from the relationship he had with his grandfather.”

Beyond his volunteer work, Joaquin likes to play in a band, do lighting work for school productions, and hang out with his sister. Both Valdez kids hope to go into medicine one day. And if Joaquin’s compassion and maturity are any indication, they will go extremely far, blazing trails the whole way.

On behalf of All Seniors Care and the staff and tenants of Seine River, congratulations to Joaquin, and thank you for caring. You’re terrific!

ALL SENIORS CARE VOLUNTEERS ARE TERRIFIC!

A wave of heartfelt gratitude will sweep through the All Seniors Care Residences this week, as buildings host many exciting Volunteer Appreciation events; with this year’s special theme being, “Did anyone tell you today, you’re terrific!” 

In Manitoba alone, over 350 volunteers are being celebrated by staff and tenants alike. From the youngest at 13, to the eldest in her 90s, each volunteer at every residence will be reminded how terrific they are. Among the many acknowledgements, special recognition will be given to those who have volunteered at an All Seniors Care Residence for more than five years.

Volunteerism is an essential element for healthy communities, and All Seniors Care actively supports and greatly encourages it in all of its beautiful residences; especially since a family-like atmosphere is one of the hallmarks of an All Seniors Care community. “It’s so nice to see so many young people come out and give of their time the way they do,” is how one tenant at Sturgeon Creek I describes her appreciation of the volunteers.

“We try continuously, but especially during National Volunteer Week, to acknowledge, thank, and appreciate the many individuals who contribute their time, talent and skills in our residences,” states Heather Mutcheson, Vice President of Manitoba Region for All Seniors Care. “Our seniors experience greater social interaction through the sharing of wisdom, values, experiences and resources with our volunteers.”

Anyone committed to volunteer service to seniors is always valued and appreciated in an All Seniors Care building. “The list of opportunities is endless!” adds Anna Dell’Acqua, Regional Volunteer Coordinator. “Computer coaches, pet walkers, entertainers, readers, bocce score keepers, Wii games assistants, there is definitely something for everyone to enjoy…and our tenants so appreciate it.”

About All Seniors Care Living Centres

All Seniors Care is dedicated to creating and operating the best senior’s facilities in Canada, while providing the highest level of care to our residents. Residents and their families enjoy enhanced independence, greater peace of mind, and a higher quality of life throughout the years at every one of our beautiful facilities. Our Manitoba Residences are: Shaftesbury Park, Seine River, Sturgeon Creek I & II and River Ridge in Winnipeg, and Victoria Landing in Brandon.

For more information, please visit our website at www.allseniorscare.com

Retirement Age rises from 65 to 67

Thursday's announcement appears to have solidified all the talk about raising the retirement age. For all individuals under the age of 54, collecting Old Age Security will begin at 67, up from 65. What do you think?

See an excerpt from a CBC article below.

* * * * *

Budget makes late retirement the new normal

By Kazi Stastna, CBC News

The news was not unexpected, and for those of Generation X age or younger, it was simply more confirmation of what they've been told most of their lives: expect to work longer and retire poorer than your parents.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced in Thursday's federal budget that the government is raising the age of eligibility for Old Age Securityfrom 65 to 67. The government had already hinted it would do so earlier this year, but made it official in the budget, saying it will phase in the changes over six years starting in April 2023 and won't apply the new rules to anyone born before April 1,1958.

See the rest of the CBC article here.

Source URL: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/taxseason/story/2012/03/29/f-budget-old-age-security--interview-woolley.html