Resident's act of generosity and kindness could save a life

Automated external defibrillator donated to Almonte Country Haven

July 30, 2012 -- Lisa Bailey

ALMONTE, Ont. - Denise Deguire was moved nearly to tears July 25 when Almonte Country Haven formally recognized her donation of an automated external defibrillator (AED) to the home.

Deguire’s kind eyes grew glassy and her smile broadened from the warm hugs and words of administrator Marilyn Colton and director of care Kim Trombley. They honoured Deguire, a resident, during the home’s weekly barbecue as Deguire’s daughter, Dee Côté, and her husband, John, looked on.

“Our sincere thanks to Mrs. Deguire for her generous donation,” Trombley said.

“Congratulations on making a commitment to the health and well-being of our community, our workplace, our workers, our volunteers and our families.”

Having the AED on site could save a life. Trombley told the gathering that using an AED in combination with CPR increases the likelihood of saving someone from sudden cardiac arrest by 75 per cent or more.

A small, portable device, the AED can deliver an electrical shock to a person to return their heart rhythm to normal.

Colton said the AED is an important device to have on site because it “further promotes the safety and security for anybody that comes on the property,” including residents, staff members, families, volunteers, suppliers and other visitors.

“It’s nice to be able to feel that if something does happen (to someone), if they do have a cardiac arrest, we can help them on the spot,” Colton said.

It was an incident with an entertainer at Almonte Country Haven that led to the idea of the AED. The entertainer experienced what appeared to be chest pain but turned out to be a herniated disk in his back.

Concern for him and the welfare of others, combined with the knowledge that AEDs are already in place in many schools, community agencies, sports facilities and other public venues, sparked Colton’s plan to publicly fundraise for the device.

Deguire came forward with the donation, which was happily received.

Colton told Deguire that her act of generosity and kindness to others is appreciated “from the bottom of our hearts.”

Deguire and her daughter received corsages of a single pink rose from Colton and Trombley on Almonte Country Haven’s behalf. The family also got to see the AED and the wooden housing that it’s kept in. A metal plaque on the front of the pocket bears Deguire’s name.

Colton says all staff, present and future, will be trained to use the AED. It is easily accessible on the wall in one of the home’s main hallways.

Dee Côté says it would be wonderful if Almonte Country Haven sparked a wave of action among other homes to acquire AEDs. She says having the device on hand makes you feel safer and is another example of the home’s care and concern for people.

“People take care of you here,” she says.

If you have a story to share or feedback on this article, please contact the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 25, or e-mail lisa(at)axiomnews.ca.







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