Celebrating our seniors!

Allan (left) is Willard's usual Meals on Wheels delivery man.
Willard is sitting. Perth Mayor John Fenik (right).

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to visit with Willard Shaw. He is a wonderful man, with many great stories. He lived on a farm in Drummond Township. His son bought the farm from him, and Willard, and his late wife, moved into his apartment.

His photos are amazing, showing him with his work horses (Belgians or Clydes) and wagon, and an aerial photo of his farm.

A HISTORY OF DRUMMOND TOWNSHIP
published by my publisher, GSPH!

He was a Deputy Reeve for three years, a Reeve for nine years and he was on County Council for twelve years. He was Warden in 1988.

You may wonder why I was visiting...
it was because it was a photo-op!
Yesterday was Mayor for Meals day. This young EMC journalist, Desmond Devoy, and Paige, his photographer, were there to cover the story. Willard has been getting Meals on Wheels since May, 2006. He tells us it is a great way to have personal contact, his volunteers who deliver the meals are his friends and ask after him. Most MoW volunteers are the front line for these clients. They are able to check in on them, ensure they are well, and managing their health issues. It is a vital part of providing Home Care. (Dispatching Meals on Wheels in Ontario)

I was there to take photos for our upcoming Community Home Support Lanark County newsletter (CHSLC.ca). I am the editor, and enjoy volunteering my time this way, as well as doing hospice volunteering on a regular basis (Why do I volunteer in palliative care?). I have written many a newsletter to the parents of my students, as well as being the editor for a number of professional publications during my career. It is enjoyable to be able to volunteer using these skills! It keeps me up on technology, as well!

Local health and senior support services

Yummy cupcakes were served!

I have a friend I visited in LTC in Muskoka,
which began my regular volunteer hospice work.
You can read her Life Review here.
I advocate creating a Life Review for loved ones.

I recently attended a fundraiser presentation!

Madden Hearing Centre, in Lanark County, has presented donations totalling $10,000 to our Lanark County community and healthcare services.

I am proud of the services our local communities offer in Ontario. For more services, visit www.211ontario.ca or call 211 for information. Also, Canadian VirtualHopsice.ca, or HospiceNet.org.

I volunteer with Community Home Support - Lanark County, and we provide the following services:

• Meals on Wheels
• Transportation to Medical Appointments
• Foot Care
• Diners' Club
• Home Help/Home Maintenance
• Friendly Visiting
• Security/Reassurance Contact via phone or personal visits
• Volunteer Hospice Visiting Service
• Respite Care
• Grief Counselling
• Lanark County Bereavement Groups for adults and children

Many are ignorant of local services which allow seniors to manage their Home Care. Most are free or have nominal costs.

Hearing aids are so small!
How many of us argued with parents to get them?!

I was happy to attend the presentation of cheques to local service organisations.
The Maddens presented red envelopes to Perth's Meals on Wheels representatives, The Table Community Food Centre, The Salvation Army, with donations from their recent fundraising campaign.