Rest, comfort, and security in the autumn years of life: a natural impulse. Indeed, an obligation rests on us, in this too-quickly moving world, to offer our elders a place of stability, vested with the knowledge that they are nurtured and protected.
The Three Links Care Centre’s new Community Open House pursued just that: the first of a series aimed at improving seniors’ quality of life both within, and without, the Centre. This Open House took place June 16th at the Three Links Manor (2898 East 22nd Avenue, Vancouver).
The event centered on connecting attendees with the reality of, and services dealing with, senior issues; familiarizing the Renfrew-Collingwood community with their service providers; and vesting seniors with a renewed trust in these services. The session focus was “Elder Abuse Awareness and Dementia Leading to Isolation and Abuse”
The event was MC-ed by Volunteer Coordinator Martina Holblingova and hosted by Three Links Community Liaison Amber Webber. This Open House was privileged to count members from key organizations within BC as speakers, offering advice on continued comfort and safety both on residence grounds, and in seniors’ homes.
First speaker, and Regional Mentor, Susan Moore from the BC Community Response Network highlighted warning signs indicating senior abuse, stressing to loved ones: “listen to your instincts: when you get the feeling in your gut and the hairs on the back of your neck[s] start to stand up…something’s wrong.” She noted a free, confidential, multilingual, 24/7 referral number – 211 – offering support during harmful situations.
Second speaker Sandra Medina – Coordinator of Better at Home at Collingwood Neighbourhood House – discussed services the organization offered, including visitations, transportation, light housekeeping, and grocery shopping. Her approachable demeanour and wealth of information allowed attendees to associate a welcoming face with Better at Home support services.
Third speaker Laura Feldman from the Alzheimer’s Society of BC offered a condensed, overview on the types of Dementia, and warning signs hinting at its development. The succinct, well-crafted presentation garnered especial success, with many attendees reaching out for further information ever since.
Finally, Three Links’ own Director of Care Faria Ali reintroduced Three Links’ services, stressing the importance of the Person-Centered Care Model, touching on points concerning safety and violence prevention, and reasserting the high quality of life Three Links strives to provide for its residents.
CEO David Hurford, on behalf of all Three Links, then presented Faria Ali and Director of Support Marie Ollson with bouquets, thanking them for their respective 16 and 18 years of outstanding devotion to the organization: exemplars of Three Links’ aim in care and service.
A decided success (hopefully the first of many!), the Open House concluded with a question period and informal information exchanges. The Three Links Care Centre now looks to its next Open House Session, and to bettering lives passing into those autumn years.
Contact Information:
- First Link® Dementia Helpline: 1-800-936-6033 (Monday-Friday, 9AM- 4PM)
- Better at Home – For registration or information, please: call 604-435-0375; e-mail smedina@cnh.bc.ca
- Three Links Care Society – https://www.threelinks.com/
