Family that celebrates together stays together

Frost Manor community prides itself as an extended family for residents and staff members

December 16, 2011 -- Ryan Rogers

Whether light- or heavy-hearted, residents and staff members at Frost Manor celebrate together to honour each other and the issues they share.

Life enrichment aide (LEC) Vi O'Leary can attest that in her time of need the crew at the Lindsay home were there for her.  

When her husband recently passed away, she says the support from her colleagues at Frost Manor and home office was "very touching."  

"That's why a person stays with a job for 29 years," she says. "It's like an extended family.

"I really feel that the support from OMNI was unbelievable. I do believe that if there was anything in the world I wanted or needed, if I had made a call, I would've gotten it," says O'Leary.

While they rally in times of sorrow, the Frost Manor community is always looking to rally around a good cause as well. Personal support worker (PSW) Bruce MacKay, for example, knew he could count on his colleagues during Alzheimer Awareness Month in February, when he hosted a fundraiser. 

He raised $715 for the Alzheimer Society's Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton chapter.

Eunice Howe can speak for the home's support during a walkathon for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in June, when the home raised money towards new exercise equipment for residents.

The home is always looking for something to celebrate to bring the community closer together.  

Whether it's testing out nutritional care manager (NCM) Jean Chilton's new seasonal menu changes, Christmas in July, or "crazy hat day," they find a way to come together.

A case in point was during National Nursing Week, when the home opted instead to celebrate everyone for Caregivers Week, honouring the entire team.

"We really feel that we want to not centre any one person out," says administrator Connie Daly. "We really wanted to focus on the entire team."

And to strengthen those bonds, the management team hosted its inaugural summer barbecue, inviting family, community and staff members (and their families) as more than 100 attendees enjoyed the summer celebration at the 62-bed home.

Children and grandchildren, ranging in age from three to 11 years old, brought joy and enthusiasm to the barbecue, generating a rousing response from the residents.

Do you have a story you would like to share with the OMNIway? If so, please contact the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 29, or e-mail ryan(at)axiomnews.ca.






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