Long-term care engages residents in worthy causes
Friday November 2, 2007 -- Deron Hamel
Fundraising and charity work are vehicles used in long-term care homes to engage residents in activities which make a difference.

While some fundraising events are held to raise money to benefit a home’s residents, others are held to help the community at large.

Often, these events raise large sums of money.

Between October 2006 and June 2007, residents’ council at Extendicare St. Catharines raised $7,000 to create a tranquil setting in the home’s garden area for residents with dementia to safely spend time on their own or with their families.

The centrepiece of the project is a wandering path, which was constructed in June.

Over the course of seven months, residents’ council raised money for the project through raffles, bake sales, donations and bazaars.

“(The) project idea came about when program staff, residents and family members noticed that we have beautiful outdoor areas that were not being used to their fullest (potential),” says Ron Muir, resident and president of Extendicare St. Catharines’ residents’ council.  

“Also, there are several residents who wander and did not have a safe area to wander around outside.”

On Sept. 28, residents at Meadow Park Care Centre in London raised $274 for the Parkinson Society during walkathon organized by the home’s activity and restorative care departments.

The idea for the walkathon — which saw 35 residents, family members and staff walk 111 times around the roundabout in front of the home — came after the home was approached by the Parkinson Society.

“We were getting exercise, we were having fun and helping out a good cause,” says Michelle Bronsard, the home’s activity co-ordinator. “Everybody had a really good time.”

The event also provided residents a channel to help support a cause that had personal meaning.

Resident Willa Steele, whose husband, Jim, has Parkinson’s disease, managed to raise $100 in pledges.

Another successful charity event was held at Meadow Park in Chatham.

The home’s second annual Terry Fox Roll & Stroll for cancer research. The event was held in conjunction with other events held across the country and around the world honouring Terry Fox, the one-legged Canadian runner who ran his Marathon of Hope to raise money for cancer research in 1980.

Fifteen residents walked around the home Sept. 26, raising $190 for cancer research.

“Rather than just writing a cheque, (residents) wanted to participate,” says activity director Joanne Jones.

— With files from Natalie Miller