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.

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

Reflections from the Games

A simple message to say thank you to everyone who participated in the 2012 All Seniors Care Games. The 5-day event was a huge success and much fun was had by all.

Follow this link for full results listings from each event.

http://www.allseniorscare.com/en/seniors-games/2012 

See below for video links to news stories and TV reports that covered the 2012 ASC Games.

http://www.youtube.com/user/allseniorscareLC

http://video.citytv.com/video/detail/1437849014001.000000/bt-health-tuesday-february-7-2012/

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/le-droit/actualites/ville-de-gatineau/201202/10/01-4494874-petanque-cartes-et-jeux-videos.php?utm_categorieinterne=trafficdrivers&utm_contenuinterne=cyberpresse_B4_en-manchette_1646213_section_POS1

 See you next year!

Crokinole!

LET THE SENIORS GAMES BEGIN

Welcome to the 2012 All Seniors Care Games

For the third straight year, All Seniors Care launched the All Seniors Care Seniors Games at 16 Retirement Residences across the country. The Games are part of the All Seniors Care commitment to providing seniors with innovative ways to develop and maintain an active lifestyle.

Day 1 of the Games kicked off with a bang and a piper! Excitement and anticipation was in the air as music played, guests were welcomed and the Queen was toasted at the Opening Ceremonies in residences across Canada. In Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Brandon, Winnipeg, Stratford, Ottawa and Gatineau-Aylmer, bagpipers piped in dignitaries and athletes alike, and the Games were officially declared open by the Chefs de Mission.

The Chef de Mission at Sturgeon Creek I in Winnipeg kept the smiles wide and the energy high. “The Games inspire people to unite. It’s so good for people to come together and keep active,” explains Jack Blowers. “It gives us all something to do, to look forward to…plus my wife loves it!”

Ceremonies were opened with letters of Congratulations from the Lieutenant Governor, Governor General, Prime Minister, and Premiers of each province. Participants were cheered on and accompanied by local celebrities, MLAs, city councilors, volunteers, families and friends.

“I have nothing but praise for these Games and All Seniors Care,” states volunteer Fran Rowlin. “My mom lived in [an All Seniors Care Residence] for 6 years. She recently passed away at 105. Volunteering is my way of giving back to the place where she had so much care.”

Since Feb. 6^th coincides with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, during the Opening Ceremony, residents and guests also participated in a singing of “God Save the Queen” followed by a special toast, given by the Chef de Mission.

Later in the day, athletes walked and wheeled their way to fun and better health. An inspiring 1,000+ walkers wheeled, strolled, paraded, and even danced through the hallways, going as far as they could and having endless fun. Throughout the course, walkers chatted with volunteers, encouraged each other on, and read quotes from Her Majesty about Canada. 98 year old Cecil Southgate truly embodies what it means to be an athlete at these Games, “I may be one of the oldest walkers here,” he proudly states. “But I’m still doing it!”

From Alberta to Quebec, hundreds of seniors across Canada will be taking part in the Games this week. The Games run until Feb. 10^th and any spectators and participants are welcome!

For further information, please visit our website at www.allseniorscare.com or contact:Joshua Kuhl, Senior Executive Vice-President of Operations
e-mail: jkuhl@allseniorscare.com or call 416.929.1328

Good times with friends, good deeds for charity.

Meet the Victoria Landing Knitting Circle.

Brandon, Manitoba is home to All Seniors Care's Victoria Landing Retirement Residence as well as a fantastic group of individuals who are putting their skills to work, for the betterment of the community.

Every Wednesday morning, between 8-10 ladies meet to share a cup of tea, lots smiles and plenty  of clothing. These ladies once a week throughout the entire year in order to prepare for an annual sale which they manage.

Sweaters, scarves, toques, mitts and more! The Knitting Circle sells their beautifully hand-made clothes and donates all the proceeds to the local Brandon Community Food Bank. Any clothing items that don't sell are put into hampers for the Salvation Army.

A rare gesture to donate brand new clothes to charity! This past October, they made a $1,356 contribution to the food bank thanks to a year of hard work.

We are very proud of the community spirit present at Victoria Landing and commend the Knitting Circle on the continued generosity of their weekly pastime.

New ASC Residence to serve northwest Edmonton

Mr. George Kuhl, CEO of All Seniors Care Living Centres Ltd. is proud to announce that construction is set begin on our 4th retirement community in Edmonton and 20th across Canada. Located in the Webber Greens sub-division of the Lewis Estates community development, Lewis Estates Retirement Residence has been designed to provide the highest quality services, features and furnishings. Building on our tradition of excellence in retirement living, created by sister residences Rutherford Heights, Summerwood Village, Laurel Heights opening early 2012, Lewis Estates has been designed to meet the highest expectations of our community.

Lewis Estates Community Photo

Residents of this 171 suite, gracious and elegant retirement community will enjoy a safe and active lifestyle both within the building and throughout the neighbourhood. Providing the highest quality of services, amenities and activities are all part of our commitment to Age-In-Place living. Residents of Lewis Estates Retirement Residence and their families can expect enhanced independence, greater peace of mind, and higher quality of life throughout the years at this beautiful complex. The full time Director of Health and Wellness will lead many daily activities designed to challenge, inspire and entertain even the most discerning and active seniors, while our Red Seal certified chef and their team will carefully plan each meal to ensure all residents enjoy delicious, nutritiously balanced culinary creations every day.

Winter Fun Day in the Lewis Estates Community

Our resident’s safety, security and healthy lifestyle are our priority – hallmarks of our commitment to excellence in providing gracious retirement living. Facility Contact Information: Lewis Estates Retirement Residence will be located at 9310 211th Street NW in the Webber Greens sub-division of Lewis Estates. Sandy Lauder, Vice President - e-mail slauder@allseniorscare.com or call 780.399.5049

From All Seniors Care - Press Release - 10/04/2011