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!

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

ASC goes pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

This past weekend All Seniors Care was very active in bringing attention to Breast Cancer Awareness.

Staff members embraced the opportunity and helped in promoting these efforts. Residents could see servers, cooks, and managers wear pink gloves during lunch service as a symbol of support for those who have been affected by breast cancer.

We gave plenty of autonomy to each residence and so initiatives varied across the many ASC buildings.

While some did cakes others had servers dressed in pink blouses. We found flowers, serviettes, dainties, balloons, dessert, and volunteers; all dressed in pink!

Residents also came dressed in pink - a wonderful fellowship.

Many residents are still talking about the powerful showing of support.

Quite a statement!

For more information about breast cancer, volunteer opportunities or to make a donation, please visit this link to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. http://www.cbcf.org/en-US/home.aspx

Executive Director in Winnipeg Needed - Apply Now

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

All Seniors Care Living Centres is now accepting applications for Executive Director. We are seeking a individual with well established leadership skills and experience working within the health care field and with seniors. The ideal candidate will enjoy the creative challenge of operating a retirement residence, team building, ensuring resident services are in place, and participating in and overseeing the leasing and operations of this beautiful new residence. A high level of energy, good public relations skills and strong commitment to ensuring quality service to our residents are required. 

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 
- Degree in a health care related field (RN's welcome) 
- Experience with seniors 
- Related management experience 
- Extensive experience in management of people and budgets with demonstrated ability to motivate diverse groups of individuals 
- Flexibility, excellent communication skills (written and oral), problem solving and the ability to be a positive team builder 
- Computer literacy an asset. 

CLOSING DATE: April 18, 2011 
SALARY: Commensurate with education and experience 
PLEASE SUBMIT APPLICATIONS IN CONFIDENCE TO: 
Email: hmutcheson@allseniorscare.com 

As originally published in the Winnipeg Free Press (ad# 3153320)

Are you attending the Hospice & Palliative Care luncheon?

All Seniors Care is a proud supporter of Hospice & Palliative Care Manitoba. We look forward to seeing you all at their April 8th luncheon at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.
http://www.manitobahospice.ca/