Among the 800 members of Abbotsford at the Glebe Centre is a diversity of ages, backgrounds and needs, but there’s a common thread that weaves many of their stories together: the discovery of a community that helps through the good times and the bad.
The seniors centre, in the old stone house across from Lansdowne Park, offers exercise classes, language and writing courses, social events, crafting, collecting and much more for members who are 55 plus.
Claudia McKeen, 67, was first introduced to Abbotsford when she was invited in as a speaker. The retired pharmacist and former owner of the Glebe Apothecary later found the centre provided a respite when her husband attended the Demetia Day Program a few years ago.
But McKeen says it’s been the caregiver support group for spouses of those with dementia that’s meant the most to her.
“That’s my lifeline,” she said. “It’s so important to me for coping and sharing. We’ve all become good friends.”
McKeen lost her husband last fall, but remains part of the group.
“I feel a responsibility to go and support others. I need to be there for them. There’s a
wealth of wisdom around the room. It’s give and take,” said McKeen.
That group is just one of the reasons that Abbotsford holds a special place in Carol Shipley’s life. Her husband, 93, also suffers from dementia.
“The biggest thing to me is it’s a community,” said Shipley who recently turned 90.
Shipley says she also enjoys the centre’s exercise classes, along with the laughs and conversations in the dining room afterwards.
“We talk about everything from politics, to getting older, to sex,” laughed Shipley.
As a member she’s taken conversational Spanish, Zumba, ukulele lessons and jazz dance with Mary Tsai.
“I adore it,” she said.
Exercise classes were the gateway into the senior centre for Katharine Ham who is both a member and a volunteer.
Ham, a former public health nurse, finds herself at the centre several days a week: working out, playing bridge or volunteering at the reception desk.
“I’d say that Abbotsford House is my saviour,” said Ham, who moved to Ottawa from Kingston four years ago. “It’s not only kept me really busy, but it’s introduced me to a lot of new people.”
Regis Alcorn worked in Ottawa recreational centres throughout her career and knew all about the offerings at Abbotsford long before she retired.
She started out as a volunteer and then, after the COVID pandemic restrictions waned, Alcorn started looking at the programs on offer, including the yoga classes.
“I’m quite active and it’s part of my week to drop by the centre,” said Alcorn who was also involved in the garden tour and working on the garden patch at Lansdowne Park.
Abbotsford volunteer, Barbara Duggan, worked in long term care, including at the Glebe Centre before her retirement.
Now, she works at the clothing boutique inside the senior centre each week.
“It’s a great little spot. We meet clients of the various programs. They come in to look around and browse, or sometimes bring in contributions for us to sell,” said Duggan. “It’s a charity and money raised helps support the centre so that’s very valuable.”
For Duggan, part of Abbotsford’s success is the hardworking staff members who are passionate about what they do.
“You can tell it’s more than just a job for them,” she said. “And I can tell you the people who come in, they appreciate the programing. It handles a lot of issues from acquiring new skills to addressing the lonely factor.”
The Glebe Centre Community Programs and Services at Abbotsford are part of a registered charity; The Glebe Centre Inc., which includes a 254 bed long term care home. Find out more about our services and programming by dropping by 950 Bank Street (the old stone house) Mon - Fri 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, telephoning 613-230-5730 or by checking out all The Glebe Centre facilities and seniors services on our website www.glebecentre.ca