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!  

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

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

Minister of Seniors praises Summerwood Village

Minister of Seniors, George VanderBurg, visits with residents

George VanderBurg, Alberta's recently appointed Minister of Seniors, visited an All Seniors Care residence last week. 

The Edmonton suburb of Sherwood Park is home to our own Summerwood Village Retirement Residence. Below is an excerpt from a Sherwood Park news article, written about the minister's visit.

* * * * *

The casual social event gave residents a chance to visit with VanderBurg and discuss any concerns, or simply socialize. VanderBurg has been minster of seniors for four months and said any time he can visit seniors’ facilities is a beneficial opportunity to share best practices.

“By far this is a facility I haven’t seen anywhere else in the province,” he said of Summerwood, adding that the level of care in different parts of the province has been amazing. “We want different options for seniors and this is an option that is pretty appealing, I’ll tell you that.”

Aspects of Summerwood that set the bar for VanderBurg were its suites, which he was given a tour of prior to the social, the facility’s system of support in regards to health care and the overall safety of the building.

Read the rest here.

Source URL: Sherwood Park News - by Meaghan Baxter

Ring the Bells! - It's an All Seniors Care Wedding.

By Danny Hooper

Doris Mahon, 89, and Clarence Thompson, 94, will wed Saturday at Rutherford Heights Retirement Residence.

He’s Counting The Sleeps.

And for good reason. Saturday night, 94-year-old Clarence Thompson will finally get to sleep with his sweetheart, 89-year-old Doris Mahon. The couple will wed in the afternoon in a small chapel at the Rutherford Heights Retirement Residence in south Edmonton, where they both now live, but in separate suites.

The twice-widowed Doris moved into the complex back in the summer of 2008, the long-retired meteorologist Clarence showed up roughly 6 months later, and was quickly smitten. Unable to eat, unable to sleep, he set his mind to marrying the lovely Doris, but how to go about it? Meteorologists, after all, tend to be a shy lot.

His early attempts at courtship went unnoticed, thanks in no small part to the competition from other men at Rutherford, all better shuffle-boarders, bridge players, and dancers.

But somewhere along the way all that changed and Doris finally noticed Clarence, who proposed earlier this summer, shortly before her birthday.

A man of many tributes, what Doris loves most is his sense of humour. On their first date she asked if he’d ever been married. After pondering the question awhile he replied, with a twinkle in his eye, “I don’t remember.”