community support connections newsletter - summer 2011

Enabling people to live at home with independence and dignity

Aging with Dignity Campaign

T: 519-772-8787 F: 519-742-5523

Community Support Connections

newsletters are published quarterly.

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420 Weber St. N.

Waterloo, ON

N2L 4E7

800 Franklin Blvd.

Cambridge, ON

N1R 7Z1

40 Shirley Ave.

Kitchener, ON

N2B 2E1

Mission Enabling people to live at home

with independence and dignity.

Vision A community where

everyone feels at home-

valued, connected and empowered.

www.communitysupportconnections.org

CSC is generously funded by:

420 Weber Street North, Unit L

Waterloo, Ontario N2L 4E7

The Ontario Community Support Association has officially launched its Aging with Dignity Campaign across Ontario to address important issues surrounding the importance and value of aging at home strategies, as well as the growing need for funding for related vital community supports. The campaign, which launched May 11th at Queen’s Park in Toronto, seeks to build awareness and advocacy for a solution to ensure Ontarians age with dignity in their own homes. The Aging with Dignity Campaign focuses on the following objectives:

• Comprehensive, affordable home and community care services that are available to all Ontarians, regardless of where they live;

• Rebalanced healthcare funding to better reflect the significant contribution home and community care makes and could make to our health system;

• Expanded research and public education efforts on the essential role of home and community care and how it benefits the public health care system;

• Health care planning focused on individual and family needs; and

• Specific plans to address health human resource challenges in home and community care.

In This Issue


Meals on Wheels and More

Seniors’ Month


Cambridge Enjoys New Menu

Mark Your

Calendars…

Don’t miss these

upcoming events!

Seniors’ Month

All of June

Elder Abuse AGM

June 15, 2011

Strawberry Social

June 21, 2011

WALC Picnic

June 21, 2011

CSC Annual General

Meeting

June 23, 2011

Visit our website for

more events/dates

Proper nutrition for our aging population is critical to aging with dignity.

A balanced diet contributes to a healthy lifestyle. It can help manage chronic illnesses, mean fewer injuries, illnesses and trips to the hospital. Eating a balanced diet can be difficult, however, for people living alone or on fixed incomes, or for people who have difficulty preparing their own meals or trying to manage dietary restrictions.

In April, Community Support Connections integrated our Meals on Wheels programs across the Region to enhance hot menu options for Cambridge clients.

In addition to diabetic and low salt diets previously available, selections suitable for renal diets, diverticulitis, cardiac requirements, and celiac diets now form part of the expanded menu. We are also able to accommodate more personal preferences.

“We are very, very excited about this change – and the benefits it holds for Cambridge residents who have specialized dietary needs. We have received many requests from individuals, family doctors and hospitals for therapeutic diets – which we will now be able to meet,” said Dale Howatt, Executive Director, Community Support Connections – Meals on Wheels and More.

More information on page 4

Charity of Choice

CSC Executive Director, Dale Howatt and Joseph Jones , after accepting the first donation from

Sun Life Waterloo Wellington Financial Centre.

Community Support Connections—Meals on Wheels and More is honoured to be named as the Charity of Choice of Sun Life Financial Waterloo Wellington.

In the short months since choosing CSC, the support they have provided has already made a significant impact, not only on the organization, but directly on our clients.

This is what they wanted according to Paul Ingram, Manager at Sun Life Financial: “Rather than doing just a little in a lot of places, we wanted to make

a significant difference with one charity.”

A group of dedicated Sun Life Financial Waterloo Wellington volunteers adopted a meal route.

New Menu 1

Charity of Choice 1

Who’s Who at CSC 2

Unsung Heroes 2

Making a Difference 3

Knights in Shining Armor 3

2010-11 Statistics 4

More than Just a Meal 4-5

Drive to Deliver 6

Our Supporters 7

Aging with Dignity 8

They rotate responsibility internally for delivering meals every week., lightening the workload for any single individual, but offering everyone a chance to get involved. Their staff also volunteered with our annual ‘Drive to Deliver’ golf tournament, helping to make it our most successful tournament to date.

They are supporting CSC financially, starting with a $250 donation, with more to follow as they implement an innovative internal competition that connects productivity to donations.

June 2011

Continued on page 6

Community Support Connections — Meals on Wheels and More Summer 2011 Newsletter


Our Staff

Business Office Huma Lodhi Jo Anne Eckert Lori Smetaniuk Natalie Kalte Sue Tisdale

Care Coordinators Andrea Lebel Angela Romanick Claire Bentley Erika Lam Heidi Bevan Linda Flemming

Executive Director Dale Howatt

Meals on Wheels & Dining

Beth Attwood Christine Clowes Diane Brillant Donna Bulpitt Hanadi Fourani Jennifer Ball Natalie Hoshing Susan Astley

Program Development Monica Morrison

Reception & Intake

Agnes Arthur

Summer Student Michelle Eastwood

Transportation Emilie Brown Glen Baird Kevin Smith Marie Kaal Ray Berge

Volunteer Coordination & Event Planning Ann Robitaille Joy Smith Rosalind Horne

Worker Coordinator Heather Mason

Board Members

President Monica Himmelman Vice President Karl Kaufman Secretary Valerie Feick Treasurer Joanne King Ryan Bayne Stephanie Ellens-Clark John Hall

Vicki MacDonald Amy McKee Dawn Phillips-Brown Wendy Rose Veronica Strauss Carla Verwijs Mary Wright

Every time we sit down to write our volunteer reflections, we think long and hard about who to profile. There are so many deserving volunteers, and while we want to be able to thank each and every one, not all of our volunteers are so eager to be put front and center.

These volunteers go quietly about their business, not only doing wonderful deeds in our community, but often going above and beyond.

So we wanted to take this opportunity to extend our sincere thank you to all our volunteers. Every day hundreds of caring volunteers make a real and lasting impact on the lives of the people who use our services, and they do this without ever seeking praise or reward. This is to you, our unsung heroes:

To our heroes who always say “yes”, whether it be to taking on a second or third meal route or community dining site, thank you.

To our heroes who spend entire days sitting in waiting rooms with clients after driving them to medical appointments, thank you.

To our heroes who continue to make weekly reassurance calls even after his or her match has moved across the country, thank you.

To our heroes who consistently meet with their friendly visiting matches every week, and brighten the lives of these people who look forward to these special times, thank you.

To our heroes who quietly, and patiently answer phones and support office staff, thank you.

To the heroes who go back out a second time to deliver a meal, when the client wasn’t available the first time, thank you.

To the heroes who deliver an entire meal route and then stay to visit afterwards, thank you.

To the heroes who volunteer an entire day to help clients pack and move their possessions when they are no longer able to remain at home, thank you.

To the heroes who escort clients right to their door and make sure they get in safely, thank you.

To the heroes who are passionate about the fundraising events they assist with, thank you.

There are not enough words nor can we say thank you to adequately convey the appreciation our clients express to us for your acts of kindness.

Your selflessness and generosity truly make the difference in so many lives, and while we may not be able to interview and thank all of you personally, we want you to know that you truly touch the lives of the people in our community.

THANK YOU!

A Thank You to Our Unsung Heroes

It’s AGM Time Again!

We will be hosting our Annual General Meeting on

Thursday June 23rd, 2011

Details are available at www.communitysupportconnections.org or call our office for more information.

Friendly Visiting

We are in need of Friendly Visiting volunteers to make a once a week commitment to spend time with an isolated person in need of some

company.

We currently have 88 people—seniors, adults with disabilities and individuals

with chronic illnesses on our waiting list for this free service, and all it will cost

you is your time.

Please contact Ann Robitaille at (519) 772-8787 x 205 for more

information on what volunteering could do for you.

Page 7 Community Support Connections — Meals on Wheels and More Summer 2011 Newsletter


Thank You to our Generous Donors

*We issue charitable receipts

for the year in which the

donation is received.

� �

The individuals whose names are below generously donated to Community Support Connections - Meals on Wheels and More from February 1st, 2011 - April 30th, 2011. This kind of support is invaluable and the mark of a truly caring community.

Our sincere thanks for helping us to help people live at home with independence and dignity!

Yes, I want to help! � � � � Enclosed is my donation*

� � � � Please send me information about volunteering

Name: ____________________________________________________________

Address: ________________________________City: ______________________

Postal Code: ___________ Phone #: ____________ Donation Amount: _______

�� Cheque Enclosed Cheque #: _____________ Date: ________________ (Please make cheques payable to Community Support Connections - Meals on Wheels and More)

�� I prefer to use my credit card

Number __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Exp: Mo ____ Yr ________

�� I would like to make this a monthly donation �� on my credit card (number above) �� from my bank account (void cheque attached)

Signature: _______________________________ Date: ____________________ For Office Use Only: CL WK DN 1st X Entry Date: Receipt #:

Douglas (Doug) Adams John Baer Gerda Bauer Ryan Bayne Florinda Bazon Lori, John, Matt & Eric Beck Patrick Berg Anne-Marie Bettschen Erik Binga Ormond & Ruth Boan B. Joanne Brooks Dale Brown John Brown Donald Bryson Carol Buchanan Janet Caravaggio Margaret Cassidy Al Clark Ken Clarke Helen Cleghorn Margaret Conner Ken Cook Robert (Bob) Cooper Wilfred Coutts Paul & Karen Critchley Elva Crowe Gertrude Cullen Robert & Heather Cullen Douglas Day Marta De Sousa Adams Gordon Dearborn Les Diplomates Michael Dowling Edward (Eddie) Dupont Stephanie Ellens-Clark Bonnie Fagan Victor Feeney Derek & Williamina Ferguson Anton & Julie Fischer David Fromer Pat Fryer

Rolando Gonzalez Yolanda Grant Vincent Greenaway William & Janet Groff Brian & Gabriella Groff Valerie Hammer Dorothy Hammond Mary Joan Hartleib Murray & Merle Hasse Ruby Hathaway Rose Mary Hawthorne Margaret Hibbard Sandra Hill Amber Hillis Edna Hilton Monica Himmelman Douglas Holland Harold (Harry) Hurst Catherine Imhof Harold Ingram Myrna & Bert Ingram John Kapshey Joseph Keating Rosie Kellendonk Cameron Keller James Kempel Bertha Kennedy Joanne Klausnitzer Henry Klingspon Gary Kowalsky Christine Kraemer George Krebs Janet Krul Mary Kucik Maria Lai Homer Langford R. William Lavigne Steven Lubczuk Vicki MacDonald Mary MacKenzie Jerry Majich

William Marks Debra Martz-Melanson Anthony May Margaret McCuish Slava McIntyre Bob McKee Kay McRae Steve Menich Orval Miller Elizabeth Mitchell Colonel & Jean Moser Thomas Motz William & Doreen Motz Jean Murray David Nicholl Mary Oakes Margaret Oberlander Barbara Ortner Bob Pagan Howard Parliament Marguerite Plaatjes Dave Pooley Mary Porter Elmer Potz Harry Preston Robert Prus Marg Puttock Audrey Reitzel Anne Rektor Alice Richards Donna Robertson Shoukry Saleh Bette D Schmidt Elenor Schmidt Marie Schnarr John Schneider Sebastian Schoenhoeffer Ted Scholzhaur Leonard Schwartzentruber Raymond Seal Pearl Seibert

Ken Seiling Ross Shantz Laurie & Peter Shaw Luella Slee Robert Snelgrove Guenther Sprenger Hazel Stager Isabelle Stauffer Marlene Stuart Christine Sturrock Brad Svorkdal Sean Takacs June Thibeault John Thompson Yvonne Thomson Robert (Bob) Thorpe Carl Totzke Jack Tripp Kate VandeVen Geraldine Waechter Rev. Carl & Jean Wagner Juliet Wahba Doris Waring Hryhoi (Harry) Wasyluszko David Westfall Jacquie Whalen Elizabeth & Cameron Witmer Linda Witzel Larry Ziegler Harold & Carolyn Zister BDO Canada LLP Strassburger Windows & Doors Allen-Bradley Employees Charitable Fund Manulife Financial

Drive to Deliver Golf Tournament



Page 6

Charity of Choice continued

The Drive to Deliver Golf Tournament was held Tuesd ay May 10 th at Rebel Creek.

Thanks to our dedicated Drive to Deliver Golf Committee, the annual tournament reached record numbers this year as we raised almost $37,000—enough to subsidize 16,000 meals!

All money raised goes directly into CSC’s meal subsidy program, which experienced a 28% increase in demand over last year.

Thank you also to the 50 sponsors we had on board this year, including many new ones recruited by our inspirational committee chaired by Lawrence Bingeman.

Lori Bordessa, John Emrich, Kevin Mills, and the latest addition to the committee Dave Arjune, also gave selflessly of their time and expertise to ensure the tournament was a success for another year.

From Page 1

“We wanted to engage as much of our team as possible to develop culture and enthusiasm in our office towards a common goal” says Paul. Internal competitions motivate and reward Sun Life Financial representatives to the benefit of the community.

The idea came when they were looking at their advertising budget for the year:

Father’s Day Special

For the dad who has everything...Feed a senior for $15 for one week, or $60 for one month by offsetting the cost of their Meals on Wheels subsidy.

This unique gift is available for Father’s Day on June 19th, or any other special occasion on your calendar!

Contact Rosalind Horne at 519-772-8787 x 225 to order or for more information.

“We thought there must be a more productive way to spend that money, develop our profile while also doing some good.”

CSC staff are hearing more and more from organizations and their employees looking to connect directly to their community.

“We wanted to actively participate—to become part of the charity,” Paul finished.

Dinner Sponsor - BLM Transport Lunch Sponsor - Pillers & Sara Lee Wine Sponsor - Blair Fingland -TD Waterhouse Investment Advisor Cart Sponsor - Roberts Onsite

Platinum Sponsors Arjune Engineering & Manufacturing Inc. Jay Fencing Melloul-Blamey Construction Safegard Medical/Response Scientific Summit Foods Service Twin Cities Dry Storage TD Canada Trust

Silver Sponsors AMJ Campbell Best Western St. Jacobs Country Inn Menno S. Martin Royal LePage Scharf Realty

Bronze Sponsors Activa Group Albrecht Reinforcing Inc. Ball Service Group Bast Tire & Auto Service Bunnell Hitchon Insurance Brokers Caudle's Catch Seafood Ltd. City Management & Appraisals Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty Conestoga-Rovers & Associates Ltd. Cook Homes Ltd. Cowan Insurance Group Custom Leather Don's Produce Ernst & Young Flanagan Food Service Inc. Frey Building Contractors Henry Walser Funeral Home Hercules Tire International Josslin Insurance Ken Snider Electric Ltd. Libro Financial MacNaughton Hermsen Britton Clarkson Planning Ltd. McCarter Grespan Beynon Weir LLP Jamie Martin - Miller Thomson MTE Consultants Inc. Nelco Mechanical Sandvine Incorporated Swanson Home Hardware The Walter Fedy Partnership The Waterloo Inn Union Gas Voisin Development Zehr Group

Soup’s On

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR OCTOBER 15!

Plans are already underway for our second annual Mayor’s Souper Sampler for Meals on Wheels and you can help! We are looking for individuals to join our team who are interested in helping with anything from approaching sponsors, to more hands-on activities, to volunteering at the event itself.

Anyone interested in volunteering on our Souper Committee can contact Rosalind at (519) 772-8787 at extension 225 or [email protected].



Supports Make a Difference

Sitting in Annabelle Ritchie’s spacious and spotless kitchen, you would never know she has difficulty getting around her two story home, nor that she has been struggling with Multiple Sclerosis for 30 years.

Annabelle’s home is something in which she takes pride, something she loves and values dearly. It is clear by the way she speaks of it: “staying here...that’s all I live for” she says while casting her eyes around her well organized kitchen. “I’ve been living in this house for 40 years now, since 1971.”

It is also apparent that without the supports she receives, from both CSC and the MS Society, remaining in her home, surrounded by the things that are comforting and familiar to her, would be impossible: “I can't get out anymore...but I’m pretty well accessible here,” she says jovially, going on to share how her friendly visiting volunteer Dolores Sedlmeir purchases her groceries for her as well as visiting with her.

“I couldn’t stay here without these services.”

She also mentions how her lawn has been reliably taken care of by Jerry Bernoski, one of our brokered workers. “I couldn’t stay here without these services,” she says. She goes on to share how the entire community has come together to help out, as her hairdresser, home maker and physical therapist all make house calls. “I just love it here; I have everything that I need.”

Having lived in Kitchener for 55 years, Annabelle has had plenty of time to make friends. She moved here from

her home town of Formosa, Ontario to live closer to her two older sisters who had settled in the region. At the time, she had a job lined up for her at Snider Furniture as an upholsterer, a trade she spent 20 years developing.

“More than anybody, your organization has helped me.”

“I had an industrial sewing machine in my basement until two years ago, but it just came to be too much for me” she finishes while rubbing her hand affectionately over a kitchen chair she upholstered herself.

Though she struggles, she isn’t quite ready to consider a retirement home yet. “I know I could go [to a retirement home]...I know they treat you well, but it is in my mind that you go there to die,” she finishes, looking away.

She offers to show me the rest of her home, and excitedly tells me about the pieces of furniture she made. As I prepare to leave, she thanks me for all the work our volunteers do: “more than anybody, your organization has helped me.”

Volunteer Service Awards

The Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration honoured more than 300 volunteers in Waterloo Region on April 28th & 29th, and we were pleased to send six deserving volunteers to join in the celebrations. Our six representatives were being recognized for 110 years of combined volunteering with Community Support Connections—Meals on Wheels and More.

Among those honoured were Elfriede and Henry Bergman, who have been volunteering with us for 10 years each; John Brown, who has been volunteering for 15 years; Donna Robertson who has supported us for 20 years; John Scheele, who is celebrating his 25th year with CSC; and Fran McConnell, who has been volunteering with us for more than 30 years.

Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers who support the organization and the clients we serve. We could not do what we do without you!

Knights in Shining Armour

Presenters from left to right - Grand Knight M. Martin Hickey; Ontario State Deputy Art Russell; and Past State Deputy

Grant Ertel.

Thank you to the Waterloo Knights of Columbus Council 5135 who celebrated their 50th Anniversary this year by making a $1,000 donation to CSC.



For more information, call 519-772

CSC offers a 5 week rotating menu—with

daily alternates to accommodate special dietary needs and personal preferences.

Each menu is carefully crafted to ensure that

not only are people’s nutritional needs met,

but that the meals are wholesome, appetizing and varied. Consider the following samples

from our most recent menu:

Cheese

Potato & Sausage Soup or Cranberry Juice

Spring Mix Salad & Dressing

ROSEMARY ROASTED CHICKEN LEG & GRAVY

ALFREDO PENNE PASTA

GREEN & YELLOW BEANS

Alternate: Vegetable Barley Soup & Creole Flounder

LEMON SQUARES

Milk

Cream of Carrot Soup or Apple Juice

Caesar Salad

ROAST BEEF & GRAVY

MASHED POTATOES

HARVARD BEETS

Alternate: Chicken Pot Pie Soup & Turkey with Cranberry Sauce

MACAROON MADNESS BAR

Cheese

Chicken Chipotle Chowder or Prune Juice

Garden Salad

LASAGNA

MIXED VEGETABLES

Alternate: Split Pea & Ham Soup

Baked Chicken & Vegetables

CARROT MUFFIN

Alternates are based on pre-determined preferences or dietary requirements. A sample five week rotation is

available on our website.

2010-11 Services

at a Glance

Our Clients: 3,372

9% increase in client numbers

from last year

72% female, 28% male

51% > 80 yrs old

90% live alone or with a spouse

Our Volunteers

700 volunteers contributed

63,254 hours

(that’s 35 full time jobs)

Our Services

80,710 Meals on Wheels

78,540 Care Coordination

Calls & Visits

57,768 Hours of

Homemaking,

Yard Work & Snow

Removal

16,316 Rides

11,845 Friendly Visits &

Calls

4,616 Hours of Exercise

2,226 Community Meals

1,154 Crisis Calls & Visits

MORE THAN JUST A MEAL Most people know that Meals on Wheels means friendly, caring volunteers delivering nutritious meals, but it is much more tha

300 meals a day. Our meals meet the nutritional requirements of a 70 year old male. We offer both hot and frozen selections

Variety & Choice A variety of therapeutic diets and texture modifications can be accommodated. Some of the following diets can

also be combined:

Diabetic: Low sugar or sugar free desserts (may contain aspartame or their sugar substitutes). Standard starch items are included. The clients need to monitor their own caloric and carbohydrate intake.

Low Sodium: suitable for a 3 to 5 gram sodium restriction

Reduced Fat: avoids high fat and fried foodsRenal : reduced in sodium, potassium and phosphorus

Cardiac Diet: specifically designed for congestive heart failure patients; suitable for a sodium restriction of less than 2000mg and severe fat restrictions

Vegetarian: lacto-ovo - no beef, pork, poultry, fish, shellfish or animal flesh of any kind, but includes eggs and dairy products

Celiac - gluten free diet

No Dairy— for individuals who are lactose intolerant

Diverticulitis - avoids skins, seeds and raw vegetables

Modified Textures – cut meat, minced meat, pureed meals

More that just a meal—our caring volunteers also deliver a very important message: the community cares about you. With every m

check in on our client’s well-being, chat for a couple of minutes, care. Some of our volunteers have been delivering the same rour clients well, notice small changes, and enable us to offer additional supports. Pictured above, from left to right, are

McIntosh, Verna Martin, Javier Perez, Carol Snelgrove, John McCormick, Ida Francis and William (Bill) Robinson.

A Commitment to Wellness

Mission: Vision: A community where everyone feels at home



Page 5

772-8787 or visit www.communitysupportconnections.org

MORE THAN JUST A MEAL — Meals on Wheels Most people know that Meals on Wheels means friendly, caring volunteers delivering nutritious meals, but it is much more than that. Community Support Connections—Meals on Wheels and More delivers over

300 meals a day. Our meals meet the nutritional requirements of a 70 year old male. We offer both hot and frozen selections, alternative and therapeutic meals—so there’s something for everyone.

A variety of therapeutic diets and texture modifications can be accommodated. Some of the following diets can

Low sugar or sugar free desserts (may contain aspartame or their sugar substitutes). Standard starch items are included. The clients need to monitor their own caloric and carbohydrate intake.

suitable for a 3 to 5 gram sodium restriction

avoids high fat and fried foods : reduced in sodium, potassium and phosphorus

specifically designed for congestive heart failure patients; suitable for a sodium restriction of less than 2000mg and severe fat restrictions

beef, pork, poultry, fish, shellfish or animal flesh of any kind, but includes eggs and

for individuals who are lactose intolerant

avoids skins, seeds and raw vegetables

cut meat, minced meat, pureed meals

Hot or Frozen

CSC also offers delivery of frozen meals

which can be used evenings and weekends to supplement the hot mid-day meal. Clients

can order complete meals or entrees only.

Menu options include: Beef Bourguignon, Chicken Tortellini, Apple Braised Pork,

Seafood Casserole, and much, much more.

Traditional Pot Roast, Breaded Chicken,

Meat Lasagna and Salmon in Lemon Sauce are the current favourites.

Frozen meals can be ordered in minced and

pureed textures—and to accommodate each of the therapeutic diets noted to the left.

Subsidies

are available.

our caring volunteers also deliver a very important message: the community cares about you. With every meal they deliver, they also

being, chat for a couple of minutes, care. Some of our volunteers have been delivering the same route for decades—so they know our clients well, notice small changes, and enable us to offer additional supports. Pictured above, from left to right, are Meals on Wheels Volunteers George

McIntosh, Verna Martin, Javier Perez, Carol Snelgrove, John McCormick, Ida Francis and William (Bill) Robinson.

Friendly Faces and Caring Inquiries

A Commitment to Wellness—Therapeutic Diets

Mission: Enabling people to live at home with independence and dignity. A community where everyone feels at home—valued, connected and empowered.

community support connections newsletter - summer 2011

Documents

dignity aging

dignity cambridge

community care services

affordable home

home strategies

dignity campaign t

related vital community

essential role of home