Keeping up with Kensington December 2018

KEEPING UP WITH

Volume 2 | Issue 12 December 2018

K E N S INGTON LETTER

FROM THE

CEO

As we approach the end of this year, I want to thank each and every one of you for being part of the Kensington family, and for your commitment to quality care.

The December issue of Keeping Up with Kensington highlights the importance of giving back. Whether through donation or volunteerism, make a difference this holiday season and help a cause that resonates with you.

In other news, Kensington was well represented at last month’s Ontario Long-Term Care Association’s This is Long Term Care conference. I would like to applaud Jamie Wickham, Daisy Wong, Olivia Boukydis, Sasha Johnston and Anna Slawski for their impressive presentations. I would also like to recognize and congratulate Zelda Bernardo, Registered Nurse at Kensington Gardens, for winning the Clinical Support Tool Excellence Award.

I wish all of you and your families, happiness and success as we all strive toward a prosperous new year. I’m excited to see what we can all achieve in 2019, and I’ll see you at our annual holiday party on December 6th!

MEET THE DOGS OF KENSINGTON You can now meet the Dogs of Kensington in our very first calendar for 2019.

Proceeds from every calendar purchase goes toward the Life Enhancement Program at Kensington Gardens.

You can buy your own calendar for $15 at the reception desks at 25 & 45 Brunswick Ave. Our furry friends bring our staff, residents, volunteers and visitors joy year round.

Pictured clockwise from top left: Cooper (Cockapoo) and Tia (Cavachon) are a nine-year-old bonded pair that belong to Christina Black, Social Worker at Kensington Gardens.

Winston, the Whippet is Kensington’s Chief Napping Officer, that belongs to Justine Humphries, Director of Corporate Planning and Communications.

Greta is a miniature Schnauzer that belongs to Carol Montgomery, Governance and Executive Office Liaison.

Gertie-Jayne is an eight month old Labrador that belongs to Brenda Caldwell from Kensington Hospice.

Give comfort and spread joy this holiday season by giving the Dogs of Kensington calendar to friends and family !

JULIE’S STORY

Corinne Rusch-Drutz, CEO, Kensington Health Foundation December is always busy, when in addition to work and family responsibilities we amp it up with the joy – and pressures! – the holidays bring.

Amidst planning and preparation, the holidays also remind us of the many gifts in our lives and the ability to give back. For the Kensington Health Foundation it’s also a moment of gratitude, as we recognize the many ways donations of all sizes contribute to our community.

Julie became the first patient at the Kensington Eye Institute to receive a customized prosthetic device modeled on the shape of her eye. Prosthetic Replacement of the Ocular Surface System (PROSE) therapy for the first time is now available in Ontario at the Kensington Eye Institute.

Fifteen years ago, Julie Beauvais got some hardhitting news. Diagnosed with Pellucid Marginal Degeneration, a very rare eye condition that causes vision to deteriorate, Julie’s cornea was actually shifting and tearing.

Simply put, Julie was going blind.

At the time, there was only one option to stop the degeneration in her eyes, Corneal cross-linking surgery, but back then it cost $10,000.

As a single mother of two, Julie chose the cost of caring for her children over saving her sight.

Julie is the first patient at Kensington Eye Institute to receive PROSE therapy.

“You can’t really understand what it’s like to lose your sight until you go through it. It’s been one of the most heartbreaking experiences of my life.”

PETER’S STORY

Most people outside health care don’t realize that government funding covers basic needs, but we all know that what Kensington offers is anything but basic!

The holiday music that fills the air, along with the fresh aroma of gingerbread, the carolers and multi-faith holiday programs are all a result of people who give to us in gratitude.

My warmest thanks to all of you for creating a community that shares in the universal value of giving -- which we all hold dear no matter how busy we are.

Happy holidays!

Peter McBride is a patient at Kensington Screening Clinic.

Peter McBride is deathly afraid of doctors. Standing a good five inches over most people in the room, at 6’4” he cuts an imposing figure. A gentle giant with a personality twice as large, it seems hard to fathom that at 62 years old, he had built up a debilitating panic.

When Peter was told he required a colonoscopy, he completely ignored his doctor’s advice. And he’s not alone.

“When I put in the lens, I immediately started to cry. I could see my children. I could see the stars at night.”

Becoming the first site in the country to offer PROSE was no easy feat. You can help Kensington Eye Institute give independence back to people just like Julie by becoming a donor.

This holiday, give the gift of sight.

Visit: https://bit.ly/2re91to

Thousands of Canadians avoid screening annually because of the same fears.

As a result, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death by cancer in men and women combined, with 26,800 Canadians dying from colorectal cancer last year.

When a close friend died of colon cancer, Peter got it together to confront his fears and book an appointment at Kensington screening Clinic.

He wasn’t about to let a preventable cancer cut short his life with his children and grandchildren. Take your cue from Peter’s playbook.

The fight for early detection is easy to join.

Your gift will be matched up to $20,000 by the generosity of The Diane and Don McQuaig Foundation.

Diane lost Don, her beloved husband and cherished dad to their four daughters, to colorectal cancer in 2006. She is a champion for raising awareness for screening and early detection and does not want another family to suffer the tragedy they have endured.

Make twice the impact this year and give so that others can live.

FEATURE STORY:

AN ACT OF KINDNESS A little kindness and compassion can go a long way.

Second Mile Club member shares an excerpt of her story.

The Second Mile Club provides community support for older adults and adults living with a disability.

The Club offers a variety of accessible and welcoming programs dedicated to enhancing the well-being of the community they serve.

Programs and services include: • Recreation centres • Adult day programs • In-home support • Caregiver support • Transportation support With five locations across Toronto, The Second Mile Club is home to many immensely talented members.

Wind tunnels are unforgiving things, as you well know. Finally, fighting the snowy blasts, I made it to Roehampton.

Doreen Tuomola is a member of the Second Mile Club.

I took a shaky breath and looking around, saw a strong looking man at my elbow. Cranking up my confidence, I said, “Excuse me, are you crossing the street here?”

“I am,” he replied.

Doreen regularly partakes in the different events and activities at “Could I please take your arm?” I the Orchard View branch. She asked. enjoys writing different stories for all to enjoy.

“Of course,” he answered with a smile.

Last winter, after a challenging trek during a January blizzard, As I eyed him gratefully, his face Doreen was inspired to write a looked both protective and proud. story dedicated to senior ladies Extending his arm, I took it and called Chivalry. This story was together we made our way across influenced by the generosity the intersection. of others during her journey through the storm. Doreen was “Watch out for that puddle!” he ecstatic to share her latest story cautioned. with Kensington:

An excerpt of ‘Chivalry’ by Doreen Tuomola

Thanking him for his help, I was on my way.

Attention all senior ladies!

This story is for you. Yes, indeed!

“That was easy.” I thought, “Now that I’d taken THE BIG STEP, I just knew I was onto A GOOD THING.”

Now pay attention, because I’m going to make your winter walking much, much easier at no cost to you.

Walking in winter is scary; walking in snow is scarier; walking in snow and wind is scariest – wouldn’t you agree?

It takes real confidence (or desperation) to take on all three. And yes, having been housebound for many days, I really needed to go out.

The nearby bus would not take me directly to my destination, so I struggled along Erskine to Redpath, lurching south toward Eglinton East and the bus bound for the subway. Battling the mighty wind and grasping a steel fence, I went hand over hand until I could reach a car handle at the curb.

Senior ladies, take note: in winter, take a male arm for support when crossing the street. You will be kept safely on your feet.

Of course, you could fall for each other.

To learn more about Second Mile Club, visit: http://bit.ly/2DmkXk8 Interested, or know someone who can benefit, in joining the Second Mile Club?

Register today: http://bit.ly/2KaVU53

As a volunteer, Anna wanted to find a place where she could support people who are vulnerable. When she found the Kensington Hospice volunteer posting online, she knew it would be the right fit.

HUMAN CONNECTION

“I have had loss and sickness in my family, so I know how isolating grief can be,” said Anna who knows first-hand how important it is to be part of a community with support.

Anna McElcheran was a kitchen volunteer at Kensington Hospice before moving away in November.

Anna McElcheran was a kitchen volunteer at Kensington Hospice before moving away in November. She shares her incredible experience as a hospice volunteer for five months.

“Giving that little bit of a human connection can make a trying time more bearable.

This, combined with my love of cooking for others meant that it really was the perfect place for me. Every time I walked in the doors, it felt like I was coming home.”

Anna has many special memories at the Hospice that will stay with her for the rest of her life.

“It’s so hard to boil down my experience with this group of truly wonderful people into just a few words,” “My biggest takeaways are that there’s joy to be found even in difficult times. It’s important not to shy away from connecting with people because their pain makes you uncomfortable. A little kindness and compassion can go a long way.”

For more information about volunteering at the Hospice https://bit.ly/2zjbdlV

UPCOMING EVENTS Help us warm 2,000 people with socks

Kensington’s Annual Holiday Brunch - December 15

Join the W.R.A.P. Committee in their goal of collecting 2,000 pairs of socks for the St. Felix Centre. Socks are the most needed, but least donated article of clothing in homeless shelters. Bring your donations to reception at 25 & 45 Brunswick until December 7!

We expect a full house for this event, so extra hands will help to provide a wonderful holiday brunch for residents and their families. Help us spread holiday cheer!

Gingerbread House Competition - December 11

Christmas Caroling and Gift Giving for Residents

Join in for a friendly competition. We would like every one at Kensington to participate and represent their department.

Please pick up your gingerbread house from the south reception desk. Judging will take place at 1pm.

Join us during the Week of Dec 17 at 25 & 45 Brunswick Ave. for our annual Christmas Caroling and gift giving for Kensington Gardens residents.

Stay tuned for more details.

WELCOME NEW STAFF Christine Maclean,PCA Kensington Gardens Raquel Paul, PCA Kensington Gardens Kunsang Chodon, PCA Kensington Gardens Tenzin Rigsang, PCA Kensington Gardens Elizabeth Santos, PCA Kensington Gardens

HUMANS OF KENSINGTON

Sienna Nanji, Client Services Coordinator Kensington Gardens

Zerone O’Gilvie, Homemaker Second Mile Club

Nelson Felgueiras, Landscape Supervisor Kensington Gardens

Randall Black, RPN Kensington Eye Institute

Delia Gonzales, PCA Kensington Hospice

Natallia Lashevich, Clinical Application Support Specialist Kensington Health

Christina Lu, Assistant Eye Bank

Tenzing Tsogyal, PCA Kensington Gardens

Samantha Arsenau, RPN Kensington Gardens

Bita Cheshmnian, Nurse Practitioner Kensington Gardens

Maria Suarez, RPN Kensington Gardens

Stephanie Woodall, Receptionist Kensington Health Karen Bahal, Admin Assistant Kensington Screening Clinic

“I have been working at Kensington Vision and Research Centre (KVRC) for six months now and it has been the greatest experience! I absolutely LOVE interacting with patients and listening to their experiences and stories. I enjoy the fast-paced, welcoming vibe of KVRC. It has made me realize how much I enjoy learning about the importance of eye health and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me next.

I play the flute and violin. It’s great conversing with patients who bring their guitars to their appointment!” Bhranavi Arulratnam , Clinical Assistant, Kensington Vision and Reserach Centre