June 24, 2020
Eldercare Giveaway Winners!
We, at A Bear and Bison Inn, are so thankful for all of the work Eldercare workers do for the elderly community all over Alberta, and the world, especially over the last few months.
We would like to celebrate the heart warming stories shared with us from friends, and family of these 5 winners.
Lois
Lois was nominated by her daughter-in-law Krista.
“Lois is a Director of Care at the McKenzie Lake location for seniors where so many residents passed away from Covid – 19; through all of it she stood by her team and pushed through all the sadness and the constant pressure from media, government, family members, etc about all the negativity and focused on her residents and co-workers to do her job. Because of her, so many residents survived and because of her the staff never got sick. She is an amazing individual with so much heart and love to give. She deserves this so much.”
Zach
Zach was nominated by his loving mother Barb.
“Zach has been serving in the dining room of Canyon Meadows Seniors Residence in Calgary, while he was studying to get a degree at U of C. Now he has graduated with a B. Comm and missed his official celebration last week. Instead he spent the last three months on lock-down to protect his seniors he serves. They were unable to use the dining room so for three months Zach has served their meals to their 107 rooms. Now he also assists with taking their temperatures and taking them for walks because the families are not allowed in. He could easily quit because it is scary and dangerous but he refuses. He doesn’t want to leave the seniors and he has become their family. Thank you for doing this and for being such an amazing lovely Inn run by an amazing family.”
Jasmine
Jasmine was nominated by her long time friend Elizabeth.
“Jasmine has had a huge impact on my life as a result of her work with the seniors at the Wheatland Lodge in Strathmore. We knew each other in our teens growing up in Calgary, and stayed connected from time to time on Facebook. Just before Christmas she sent me a message with pictures of my family. She had started working at Wheatland and was getting to know my grandfather. I had not been able to connect with my Grandfather since my Grandmother had passed, besides sending the occasional letter, but through her, I was able to reconnect with my family. We are not able to visit face to face yet due to Covid-19, but because of Jasmine’s amazing passion for humans and their well being, we have been able to connect my kids with their great grandfather through video chats. I will forever be grateful to her and cannot wait to visit in person.”
Before working at Wheatland seniors Lodge Jasmine spent her time volunteering for the Victim Assistance Unit in Calgary. The transition from VAU to senior care at Wheatland has been amazing for her. Jasmine’s husband’s grandmother and Elizabeth’s Grandmother live at Wheatland.
“She tells me regularly how much she loves her work now, and about all the amazing humans she meets. She talks about all their life stories and how many of them had careers just like hers, working in loss prevention. Some of the resident call her, “My Flower”, both because of her name and because of the affection they feel for her and the care she provides. Even as a teen, caring for humans was just a natural part of who she was, I watched her help my brother as he struggled through some difficult years.”
Mavis
Mavis was nominated by Lisa, on Behalf of the Town of Canmore!
“All Canmore seniors know Mavis! Through her programs Mavis has helped seniors complete their taxes and apply for benefits. She has created workshops to offer support to caregivers; to help individuals with designing their will; and, to support healthy brain development. Mavis has worked with community partners to launch the annual Seniors fair, and to create an elder abuse protocol. Through her Grandpal program, Mavis has connected seniors with youth in our community, and many of these relationships have lasted beyond the program.
COVID-19 has meant that many programs for seniors has had to change. With kindness and creativity, however, Mavis has adapted her programs and has created new programs to help seniors during this difficult time. For example, a friendly caller program was launched, to connect volunteers with seniors. Individuals call seniors regularly to check on them and to simply chat. Mavis has also adapted her income tax program so that seniors can continue to access their benefits. She has adapted her volunteer driver program so that seniors can still attend essential out of town medical appointments in Calgary. And Mavis is currently working community partners to provide seniors with books and puzzles so that minds are still stimulated despite being in isolation.
Mavis continually helps people beyond expectation. I have recently received a letter from an individual whose mother lives in Canmore, thanking Mavis for her kindness and support. This individual called Mavis concerned about her mother, as she lives in Ontario and her mother lives alone in Canmore. Mavis not only signed the mother up for the friendly caller program, Mavis also dropped milk off at the mother’s home because the mother told Mavis that she needed milk. The individual wrote the town to say thank you, because of Mavis she was no longer worried about her mother’s well-being. There are too many examples like this to list. Our town is a better place because of Mavis.”
Rina
Rina was nominated by her friend Rhonda.
“I have known Rina for 19 years, I know her to have an exemplary character. She is always giving 100% in every facet of her life. Rina is an energetic, hardworking, dedicated woman who has works with seniors over her lifetime.
Rina started working with the elderly in 1989 in Magrath Medicine Hat and Calgary. She is currently working in the AgeCare Sagewood facility in Strathmore as the Recreation Therapist. In this position, Rina handles the programming for the residents, she oversees her staff, assuring the seniors get the best experience possible.
Rina truly loves being around the older generation, seeing how appreciative they are, and how they love special care and attention. She enjoys working in the community she grew up in, supporting the people she has known throughout her lifetime. Her positive outlook, and endless hours spent planning, organizing and executing all of the life improving activities makes all the difference for the residents at Sagewood. She takes her job very seriously and loves visiting with seniors everyday.”
Each of these incredible people won a 4-night stay with us, and gifts from local businesses, The Iron Goat, Le Chocolatier, Bella Crusta, Cellar Door, JK Bakery and Café and O’ Canada Soapworks
To read more about our June 2020 Eldercare Giveaway head to https://abearandbisoninn.com/eldercare-giveaway-at-a-bear-and-bison/
