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Day Away Programming at Abbotsford

Day Away Programming at Abbotsford

By Julie Ireton

Two mornings a week, David and Aggi Hutton arrive to Abbotsford Seniors Centre, to the Day Away program for dementia clients. 

Aggi, David’s bride of 53 years, stays for the activities and lunch, allowing David some time to do groceries, errands and chores before he picks her up at 3 pm. 

“Sometimes I’m exhausted and I’ll sleep for part of that time,” laughed David who is Aggi’s primary caregiver as well as the cook and cleaner in their Glebe home. 

The Day Away program at Abbotsford Seniors Centre provides a safe, familiar environment for people with early to mid stage dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, while giving their caregivers some much needed respite.

The program, offered to those who live in their own homes or in a retirement residence, runs from noon to 3 pm on Thursdays and 9:30 to 3 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. 

Three staff members, along with two or three regular volunteers, guide the 12 clients through intellectual, physical and social activities throughout the day. 

“The activities run for about 45 to 50 minutes, considering their shorter attention spans and we change rooms after each activity so they get a change of scenery,” said Cassandra Ford, program facilitator. 

“We offer seated exercise programs, games such as headline hunter, singing, and crosswords. We try to give structure to the day so there are similar activities, there’s a routine and they know what to expect.” 

Each of these days, participants all get a hot meal which includes soup and a main course made in the Glebe Centre’s kitchen. 

“The best part is making a connection with the client, even if it’s brief, and seeing their faces light up when they’re able to contribute,” said Ford. “But the worst part is because you see them every week, you recognize the changes brought by this progressive disease.”

Aggi Hutton, a former intensive care nurse, gradually started to show signs of dementia a few years ago. 

Her husband says it’s now quite pronounced and she can no longer be left on her own. 

“She’s still very cheerful and fun to be with, but she just doesn’t know what happened five minutes ago,” said David. “The program gives her lots of stimulation, more than I can give her, and it gives me time to do other things.” 

She never hesitates to head to Abbotsford, the senior’s centre across from Lansdowne Park.

“She loves it there. The staff are well organized and the program runs like clockwork,” he said.

There were funding cuts to the Day Away program in the spring of 2023, according to Karen Anne Blakely, director of community programs at Abbotsford.

“So we’re creative with the money we still have,” she said. “We cut back on one day of programming and ended virtual programming in September.” 

The catchment area includes the neighbourhoods of the Glebe, the Glebe Annex, Old Ottawa East, Old Ottawa South, Riverside Park, Heron Park, the Hunt Club area west of Bank St. and Carleton Heights.

Caregivers looking for respite for someone with early to mid stage dementia can call Home and Community Care for a referral. There’s currently a wait list and it could take a few months to get into the program, according to Ford.

“I feel very fortunate to have this service. It’s really good for Aggi and it’s really good for me. The only way they could improve it would be to offer more days to more people. But what they give us is great,” said David Hutton.

Abbotsford Seniors Centre is for Adults 55+.  It houses the community programs of The Glebe Centre Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit, organization which includes a 254 bed long term care home.  Find out more about our services by telephoning 613-230-5730 during regular business hours or by checking out all of The Glebe Centre facilities and community programs on our website www.glebecentre.ca  See Abbotsford Seniors Centre’s drop down menu for a comprehensive overview of our services and our current program guide.

Keeping Fit, Keeping Busy at Abbotsford Seniors Centre

By: Pat Goyeche

Abbotsford hosted a Seniors Active Living Fair on Friday, January 5, 2024, funded by the provincial government through the Older Adults Centre’s Association of Ontario network. MPP Joel Harden and Glebe Centre’s Executive Director Emma Tibbo offered words of welcome to the participants and a letter was read from Minister Raymond Cho, Minister of Seniors and Accessibility. 210 older adults took part in free activities throughout the day: fitness classes, hearing tests, water colour painting, needle-felting art, a talk about alerting seniors to frauds and scams, and another talk about the benefits of exercise as we age with Heartwise instructor, Lisa Guadamuz.

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New Leadership at the Glebe Centre

Three and a half years after the global pandemic forced communities to pay attention to the long-term care sector, the Glebe Centre has a new leader with new priorities.

“I’m coming in with a fresh set of eyes,” said Emma Tibbo. “For me as a new executive director, I want to make the Glebe Centre the home of choice and the employer of choice.” 

The not-for-profit organization runs the 254 bed long-term care home across from Lansdowne Park, along with the adjacent seniors’ centre, Abbotsford House.  Abbotsford provides services and programs to engage the 55 plus community and help seniors stay in their homes longer. 

Tibbo takes over from recently retired executive director Lawrence Grant, who was in charge at the centre for the past 15 years. 

“The last executive director went through the pandemic, but the staff and organization is ready for revitalization and we need to look at the models of care for the future.” 

Tibbo started her new role in September. 

Originally from Scotland, Tibbo’s job experience includes forensic work as a crime scene analyst in the UK and New York City. Since coming to Ottawa several years ago, Tibbo has taken on roles in strategy and performance at two area hospitals.

While her role at the Glebe Centre is her first in the long-term care sector, Tibbo says she’s eager to dive into the new challenge of managing elderly care. 

Her priorities include creating a new strategic plan for the centre, which she says hasn’t been updated since 2019. 

“We want to keep staff engagement and morale and make sure the Glebe Centre can continue to provide great care with all the rapid changes in the sector,” said Tibbo.  

Volunteers are key members of the team, yet the base of volunteers dwindled after the necessary precautions and restrictions started in 2020, she said.

“We’re such an amazing community. We want to encourage people to come in and volunteer, take part in programs. We also want to make sure we’re linked to the community which was a challenge during the pandemic, but we now need to ramp that up again.”   

At an open house on her first day on the job, Tibbo met with front-line workers, residents, families and board members. She says her plan is to go on regular “walkabouts” to engage with staff and the people they care for. 

“I always say, ‘once an adult, twice a child’. How do elderly residents keep their identity? It’s a challenge and something we need to address, because the number of people requiring long-term care is on the increase,” said Tibbo.  

There is one “huge concern” as Tibbo settles into work in the heart of the Glebe. She foresees challenges with plans for Lansdowne 2.0, including future road work, parking issues, traffic tie ups and a lack of sufficient public transit — all of which will have an impact on residents’ families, Abbotsford members, volunteers and staff. 

“It could impact the ability to carry out programs,” she said. 

The Mystic Carnivale gala on Oct. 12 was a huge success and raised necessary funds for Abbotsford House and programming. The staff and management at the Glebe Centre thank everyone who contributed from tickets buyers to donors, sponsors and volunteers. It truly was an evening that left everyone spellbound.  

Abbotsford is your community support and seniors active living centre for adults 55+.  We are the community programs of The Glebe Centre Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit, organization which includes a 254 bed long term care home.  Find out more about our services by dropping by 950 Bank Street (the old stone house) Mon- Fri 9-4 pm, telephoning 613-230-5730 or by checking out all of The Glebe Centre facilities and community programs on our website www.glebecentre.ca

Fall Back into Abbotsford Seniors Centre

Conversational Spanish Class in Abbotsford Seniors Centre

By: Pat Goyeche

The evenings are starting to cool and we begin to remember feelings of ‘back to school’. Fall always seems like a fresh start full of new beginnings.  You might want to get yourself a new pencil case or perhaps a new set of watercolours, weights, yoga mat or deck of cards!

Finding your artistic, intellectual, and social side are all possible at Abbotsford this fall.

Our ever popular fitness classes, favourite instructors and well loved arts courses are returning to Abbotsford this fall, alongside new programming such as Beginner Tai Chi , Beginner Bridge, Learn to ‘Jam, Beginner Piano, Highland and Scottish Dancing, Beginner Spanish and Beginner Pottery.  

Lunches are available to members on a first come-first served basis on Tuesdays and Thursdays. $10 gets you a sandwich, soup, salad, fruit, dessert and coffee or tea.

Abbotsford has a Trishaw, a three-wheeled electric powered passenger bike to take older adults on rides on the pathway near the Rideau canal. Thanks to a New Horizons for Seniors grant, we are equipped to have volunteers pilot the passenger bike so members and clients can view the fall colours. Many have enjoyed the Trishaw experience so far and we will continue to offer rides into the fall until the snow flies.

Our Community Support Services staff continue to help older adults and caregivers in our surrounding neighbourhoods navigate challenges to remain at home safely. Call or email us, if you have any questions about drives to medical appointments, dementia day programs, Luncheon Club for those who need extra support to socialize, friendly visiting or service arrangements to connect to businesses and home supports. 

The fall guide is available on-line at: www.glebcentre.ca see Abbotsford Seniors Centre and drop down menu to Current Program Guide.  Check out the full complement of programs for Adults 55+ online or pick up a paper copy at the centre.

New beginnings have never been easier than it will be this fall, so join in and participate in all that we have on offer that interests you.  Meet new friend and old friends alike and Loiter With Us at your leisure.

Memberships are half price currently and are valid until December for new members trying Abbotsford for the first time. All members and friends of Abbotsford receive emails outlining upcoming events and interesting programs. Be sure to open those emails from us as we promote special events to all the members. Watch for free coffee time and bingo games with prizes, new this fall.

Abbotsford is dedicated to forging new partnerships in our community, implementing new programming through grants and fundraising. We continue to work with our governments, business partners and sector networks that help keep our centre viable, sustainable and our 55+ population active and engaged. 

Fundraising is a necessary aspect of our charitable organization. We rely on memberships, sponsorships, donations, fees for services and engagement with the greater Ottawa community to keep Abbotsford thriving. It is key to ensuring our programs are interesting and affordable to our members and services meet the needs of clients.

This year we have a magical fundraising event to be held the evening of Thursday October 12 in the Horticultural Building, Lansdowne Park.  The theme is Mystic Carnivale!  Be prepared to be dazzled by performers, beguiled by delicious cuisine, delighted with games, prizes and marvelous auction items.  Take a turn on the dancefloor, take in the fun and festive atmosphere and support seniors in your community.  Bring your mom or let her bring you and your friends. It is guaranteed to be an entertaining and memorable evening.

Check out website for our current gala sponsors, businesses that get behind Abbotsford Seniors Centre and all that we do to support older adults. It takes an entire community to support our seniors’ centre.

It is ‘cool to be in school’ so join in and participate in all that we have on offer.

Abbotsford Seniors Centre is your community support centre for Adults 55+.  We are the community programs and services of The Glebe Centre Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit, organization which includes a 254 bed long term care home.  Find out more about our services by dropping by 950 Bank Street (the old stone house) Mon- Fri 9-4 pm, telephoning 613-230-5730 or by checking out all of The Glebe Centre facilities and community programs on our website www.glebecentre.ca.

Abbotsford Has Butterflies and 3-Wheeled Passenger Bike

By Shirley Lee

Abbotsford has been the home of 20 painted lady caterpillars and now butterflies.  The clients in the Abbotsford Adult Day Program and Luncheon Club have enjoyed watching the caterpillars transform into chrysalises and eventual emerge as butterflies of the course of a few weeks.  Just before the painted lady butterflies were release, the clients had an opportunity to get up close and personal with the butterflies.  The butterflies will be released into our patio area where we hope that they will lay more eggs and produce the next generation of butterflies for all to enjoy. 

Next month we will be caring for Monarch caterpillars in an effort to increase the Monarch butterfly population in Ottawa. As part of the effort to attract butterflies, Abbotsford will be growing butterfly friendly plants and milkweed.

Rolling soon into Abbotsford House will be our Ami Trishaw as part of our Cycling Without Age program.  Thanks to a grant from New Horizons for Seniors, Abbotsford House has purchased a special Trishaw, a 3-wheeled electric powered rickshaw, designed to give older adults and people with disabilities rides piloted by volunteer pilots. The 500-watt electric motor and gears will allow volunteer pilots to ride up steep hills such as the overpasses with ease.

Abbotsford House is fortunate to be located steps away from the Rideau Canal bike path with access to Ottawa’s beautiful inner-city lake, Dow’s Lake, and other beautiful vistas along the canal.

We have partnered with a business called RentABike to assemble the Ami Trishaw. Special thanks to Jill Messier, Fleet and Shop Manager at RentABike, and her crew for hearing about this challenge and enthusiastically agreeing to assemble the Ami Trishaw which was a 6-8 hour endeavour.  RentABike is located at 2 Rideau Street, under the Plaza Bridge downtown.

Volunteers will be trained throughout the summer and depending on their availability they will take older adults and adults with disabilities for rides. Gary Bradshaw is a member of Cycling Without Age, a global initiative, and we are pleased to have him assist with the training.

If you are interested in volunteering as a pilot contact Bridget MacInnes at 613 238 2727 ext 353. If you want more information on the Cycling Without Age program contact Shirley Lee at 613 230 5730 ext 309.

Abbotsford is your community support centre for Adults 55+.  We are the community programs of The Glebe Centre Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit, organization which includes a 254 bed long term care home.  Find out more about our services by dropping by 950 Bank Street (the old stone house) Mon- Fri 9-4 pm, telephoning 613-230-5730 or by checking out all of The Glebe Centre facilities and community programs on our website www.glebecentre.ca

Living Well and Luncheon Club March 2023

Luncheon Club at Play!

Julie Ireton

As Roberta Brown gets set to celebrate her 109th birthday this spring, she has no secret to longevity to share, but she says being a regular member of Abbotsford’s Luncheon Club helped her stay active throughout her “younger” senior years. 

Brown, who now lives at the Ottawa Grace Manor long-term care facility, grew up in a small farming community in the Outaouais called West Templeton. She was born just a couple months before the start of the First World War, in June 1914.

While Brown says there are a few people at Grace Manor who are over 100, she’s definitely the oldest.

“I don’t know anyone that old,” laughed Brown.

And while being isolated from family over the past three years hasn’t been pleasant, she said to date, she’s made it through the pandemic without getting COVID-19.

“Am I ever glad that’s all over,” said Brown. 

Over the years she’s survived two husbands, a daughter, many friends and family members. But she takes pride in having six grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren. 

“We’re just happy to have her every day,” said her son, Maynard Dunn. 

While she stayed home with her three children when they were small, she later got a job in downtown Ottawa. 

“I was a sales lady at Murphy Gamble’s on Sparks Street,” said Brown, referring to the now long-gone department store. “That’s where I worked for 12 years. I sold clothing and pretty much everything. It was considered one of the best stores in Ottawa.” 

In her retirement in the mid-1990s, Brown lived in the south-end of Ottawa and a neighbour convinced her to come along to Luncheon Club at Abbotsford House at the Glebe Centre. It’s the old stone farmhouse across from Lansdowne Park. 

Brown remained part of Luncheon Club for about 25 years. 

“On Tuesdays at the centre we’d watch a movie, play cards, or trivia and games,” said Brown. On Fridays we went to one of the shopping centres.”

The club offers a gathering space for seniors considered ‘socially isolated’, people who might benefit from the interaction with a group of peers.

“Currently, the Luncheon Club program meets Tuesdays,” said Kirsten O’Brien who facilitates community support services for Abbotsford at the Glebe Centre. “It fosters caring and support to each of the clients, provides activities of interest and then lunch.”

Roberta Brown now uses a walker and hearing aids, but she still plays cribbage and enjoys visits from her family. 

Along with her birthday celebration this spring, she said she’s looking forward to spending time in the Grace Manor garden with its flowers and birds. 

For more information on how to qualify for the Luncheon Club please contact Community Support Services: outreachservices@glebecentre.ca or call 613-230-5730.

Referrals are accepted from Champlain Home and Community care. To initiate a referral please contact 613-745-5525.

Abbotsford is your Seniors Active Living Centre for Adults 55+.  It houses the community programs of The Glebe Centre Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit, organization which includes a 254 bed long term care home.  Find out more about our services by telephoning 613-230-5730 during regular business hours or by checking out all of The Glebe Centre facilities and community programs on our website www.glebecentre.ca

Winter Wonderland

Snow Moles meet at Abbotsford House and report to Councilor Shawn Menard

Winter Wonderland

By Pat Goyeche

Snow & Snow Moles

Such a snowy winter to date with accumulations in January alone surpassing most of our expectations!  There are many benefits of snow, brightening the landscape, softening city noises, snowshoeing and skiing but…it can be a hazard as well.

With the snow comes slippery, unploughed sidewalks and dangerous conditions for walking.  Out come the ‘Snow Moles’ lead by The Council on Aging, auditing the people pathways and pointing out the problems.

Councillor Shawn Menard joined a group of intrepid ‘senior’ auditors this year to see for himself the barriers many seniors face daily in their day-to-day activities.  Unplowed crosswalks, bus stops with mounds of snow between the sidewalk and the door of the bus and slippery pathways make for dangerous conditions for everyone but these can be insurmountable for seniors.

Thank you to the snow moles for dropping by Abbotsford for a warm drink and cheer on their quest to audit the conditions in early February.  Your trepidation will help ensure the City is aware of the dangers and will now target known areas that pose particular barriers to seniors in our City.

Retirement

The Executive Director of the Glebe Centre, Lawrence Grant retired late in January after 15 years of service.  The Glebe Centre long-term care home held a party for him to celebrate his accomplishments and wish him well. 

The search is now on for a new Executive Director who too, will oversee both the long-term care home at the Glebe Centre and Community Programs and Services through Abbotsford Seniors Centre.  Susan Zorz, the Director of Operations for the Glebe Centre will ‘keep the ship on course’ as Acting Director in the interim.

Spring Programming through Abbotsford

Spring weather brings new programing through Abbotsford Seniors Centre.  As the snow, slowly melts and we seek out crocuses and snowdrops we can renew plans to join in the varied activities offered through Abbotsford. 

The spring guide will be in circulation by mid-March, make sure you check out all that is on offer by looking at the website:  www.glebecentre.ca  Abbotsford Programs & Services and Current Guide.

The spring Learn & Explore ‘Speaker’s Series’ will have a special three part series on seniors housing in late May in conjunction with volunteers with SWOOS (Seniors Watch Old Ottawa South) who are interested in exploring the Abbyfield model of housing.  Dates and topics will be available in the spring guide, which can be seen on-line or picked up in person at Abbotsford house by mid-March.

OTF Grant Helps Senior Stay Connected Virtually

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                 January 9th, 2023

Abbotsford House Seniors Active Living Fair $96,300 OTF Grant helps Seniors Stay Virtually Connected

Ottawa, ON – On Thursday, January 5th, local MPP Joel Harden of Ottawa Centre joined the Abbotsford House team and local community gathered at the Abbotsford Seniors’ Fair as the organization recognized the $96,300 Resilient Communities Fund grant received from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). The funding has been used to connect older adults to online programs, family, friends and volunteers using tablets on loan from the Tablet Project. 

“Abbotsford House has done an amazing job supporting seniors in our community by giving them a place to socialize, learn new skills, and stay active,” said Joel Harden, MPP for Ottawa Centre. “The staff and volunteers at Abbotsford House did incredible work in keeping their programs going with proper COVID-19 regulations, and I am excited to see how they have used their Ontario Trillium Grant to combat the social isolation many seniors have felt throughout the pandemic.”

Powered by the OTF grant, Abbotsford House has been able to rebuild and recover from the impacts and challenges of COVID-19. This was achieved by hiring staff and procuring 100 tablets for member use. This project started in May 2022 and gives older adults in the community improved access to online programs at Abbotsford House, reducing the social isolation that many seniors have experienced at an increased rate since the start of the pandemic.

Karen Anne Blakely, Director of Community Programs stated, “Many older adults have found that using the tablets was not as hard as they first thought. With the help of Shirley Lee, the Abbotsford House Program Facilitator, seniors connected with their adult children and grandchildren through video chats, shared emails and photos and participated in fitness and yoga programs online. Some learned to do online grocery orders, video chats with their doctors and participated in online art classes. Winter storms may stop some people from going outside but with the tablet knowledge they have gained, older adults will continue to connect, enjoy the company of others and continue to be active in their leisure activities in a virtual way.”

Abbotsford House is a vibrant community centre for adults 55+. Abbotsford House is the community programs of The Glebe Centre Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit, organization which includes a 254-bed long term care home.  Find out more about programs and services by dropping by 950 Bank Street in Ottawa, Mon- Fri 8:30 to 4:30 pm, telephoning 613-230-5730 or by checking out all The Glebe Centre facilities and community programs on our website www.glebecentre.ca.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations celebrates 40 years of grantmaking in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested nearly $209M into 2,042 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

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Organization Contact for Media Inquiries:

Karen Anne Blakely, Director of Community Programs

Abbotsford House

The Glebe Centre

613-230-5730 ext. 322

kablakely@glebecentre.ca

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