SENIOR LIVING

Caroline Casey and Shelby McConnell are the two recreation therapists who will run the County program. They both agree this program gives residents a chance to get out of their homes, socialize and participate in a variety of activities from social to intellectual to therapeutic. It’s also an equally beneficial program for caregivers to give them a few hours of respite.

ARTC is a unique communitybased adult day program for individuals with debilitating diseases such as stroke, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, as well as frail and socially isolated individuals. Services are provided by qualified recreation therapists, kinesiologists, pathologists, and social workers.

ARTC’s core business is the adult day program but offers many more including (some accessible in Brantford only) the Aphasia Program that hosts supportive conversation groups for people living with aphasia because of a stroke or acquired brain injury, the Brain Warrior Advocacy Group, Stroke Recovery Group, the popular S A FE Zone Seniors, a community exercise and falls prevention program and Care Support Groups amongst others (find a complete list of programs here).

Santilli is proud to recognize that ARTC has always taken an innovative and collaborative approach to its services, which is something that is now promoted and expected in the transformation of today’s healthcare system. Santilli began her career as a recreation therapist at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Brantford. She’s a member of the Brantford Brant Norfolk Community Health Team. She’s been Executive Director of ARTC for over 30 years. The Brantford based ARTC program has operated at several locations since its inception in 1977 Its current location at 58 Easton Road is home to the Aphasia Program, care giver support services, functional exercise programs, foot care clinics, massage therapy clinics (through Mohawk College) and various support groups. ARTC is a not-for-profit organization funded by the HNHB, LHIN and the Brant United Way It’s newest office on Easton Road was a true community partnership among many ARTC supporters including the Rotary Club Sunrise who helped contribute the financial support required to make the move to the larger stateof-the-art building. The extra space and expansion into the county will enable ARTC to continue to provide valuable services to individuals and caregivers but also lends support to an already overburdened healthcare system by helping people remain in their home, healthy and independent. It has long been recognized that the trend continues whereby individuals are living longer, living with a variety of co-morbidities of challenges, and that increased responsibility is being placed on caregivers, said Santilli. “Coupled with the reality of much-needed improvements and better integration in our healthcare system, the collaboration of healthcare partners is even more essential.”

The Brantford ARTC is open Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The Paris program at the Cowan Community Health runs every Thursday from 8:30 am to 4 pm.

The Seniors Active Living Expo will feature many Community Partners as well as demos and classes of some of THE County of Brant Fitness Programs. Lunch will be provided, and transportation can be arranged by contacting parksandrec@brant.ca. Free to attend, no registration required. Community Partners include, County of Brant Recreation Team, County of Brant Fire Department, County of Brant Public Library, Brant Pedalers and Paddlers, Grand River Council on Aging, Kindred Spirits, Adult Recreation Therapy Centre, Paris Seniors Club, Telfer Place & Chartwell

Tranquility Place

Date: Monday, October 2

Time: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Location: Sojourn Church, 112 Scott Ave, Paris

Cost: FREE