Staff
Volunteers have been regularly coming to the Meaford Long Term Care Centre since it was built in 1977 hoping to offer help.
Volunteers share their gifts and lives with residents. In 1977 having Life Enrichment Staff was not as common as today, therefore there was a need to have volunteers to provide activities and show that the community cared about their seniors who could no longer live independently. Music, crafts, friendly visits, and games were provided.
In that same year, a small group of volunteers came together to form the Meaford Nursing Home Auxiliary.
Through the years, they continued to assist the Life Enrichment Department with programs such as music, games, bingo, and crafts. The Meaford Nursing Home Auxiliary sponsored and held fundraising activities: Strawberry Teas, Christmas Bazaars, and Yard Sales. It was the Auxiliary’s responsibility for the Tuck Shop Cart and Sunday afternoon Coffee Shop.
The Meaford Nursing Home Auxiliary has been a charitable organization since 1993. Memorial Donation and Fundraising efforts has purchased specialized tubs, lifts, furniture, electronics of all types, art, books, a fish tank and programs for residents who cannot enjoy other entertainment. A popular program is the para bath hand wax treatment – melted wax is used to ease arthritic joints.
Another valued amenity at the nursing home is the Comfort Room, where family can be with their loved ones as needed. The Auxiliary is responsible for this important room. The Auxiliary has also contributed to the Quiet Room, where residents may enjoy the space with their families. The Life Enrichment Department entertainment budget is supplemented so that entertainment can be brought in and residents can go for outings in the Handi-van. All of our gardens around the Meaford Long Term Care Centre are memorial gardens, which the Auxiliary has funded for the enjoyment of residents and visitors.
A new program to the Meaford Long Term Care Centre is ‘Fine dining’, for the enjoyment of all residents; once a month a special menu and theme is created. Family and special guests are invited to attend.
Looking forward to the future, the Auxiliary decided to make a monthly commitment of providing the residents and their families with WiFi capabilities throughout the Long Term Care Centre. This is a new idea for many of our residents: as time passes, more and more people will be communicating via WiFi with tablets for email, Skype, and social media.
“We are a small group, but we are very proud of what we have been able to accomplish for our friends who live in Meaford Long Term Care Centre. We are always glad to welcome new members to the Auxiliary and thank the community for their support over the years,” say Auxiliary organizers.
Auxiliary meetings are held the third Wednesday of the month at 1:30pm in the Albert Place multi-purpose room. For information about the Auxiliary please contact Sandy Sewell, Volunteer and Community Coordinator at 519 538 1010 ext. 27, or email volunteer@meafordlongtermcare.com.
