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News of Canadian Abbeyfield Societies
Abbeyfield Alberni Valley Society, BC
Camil Dufort, Chair, BC Chapter, and I had the good fortune to be in Port Alberni, BC, for the official presentation of their gas fireplace. The House, created from the retained extended care unit of the demolished hospital, opened on September 1 with a full house of 18 residents.
“It was clear as soon as we entered that the higher number of residents (the usual number is 9–12) did not take away from the Abbeyfield atmosphere. This came about through the efforts of Terry Whyte, the Chairman, who was made Port Alberni Citizen of the Year. He has master-minded the way the House is run: there is a Social Director, Orlando Delano; a chef and a cook; a House Coordinator who lives in but runs her own consulting business from her quarters; a relief and one other staff member. (We are beginning to see innovative alternative ways of staffing).
The Hostess for the evening was Toni Nelson, a legally-blind resident. A band played. The Alberni Valley Community Foundation were there in strength as the donors of the fireplace. (I was amazed to hear that Lionel Wace of Kelowna, BC, was the catalyst, together with Terry, for the formation of the Foundation). Afterwards, 16 of the 18 residents gathered in the dining room for a question-and-answer session.
Terry has acquired a 14-seater bus for $1.00 and there are nine volunteer drivers. It will be borrowed by Abbeyfield Duncan for the BC Chapter Meeting on Friday/Saturday, April 11/12, 2003.
St. John the Divine Abbeyfield House, Courtenay, BC
The next morning, Camil and I set off for Courtenay, where we met the new president, Stuart Baines, a retired RCAF Colonel, and several committee members. The House is doing well… full, with three male residents, and with a waiting list of three. Some residents would be interested in becoming pen pals with other Houses. A group of ten 8th and 9th graders on a leadership course come to the House weekly as part of their program... a resident is teaching them to play poker.
“It was suggested that the dining area should have enough space to park walkers ... at Courtenay half the residents use them. Houses do vary... there is one where half the residents still drive cars. The House has a hairdresser’s sink and a hydraulic bath seat. Three residents subscribe to Lifeline.
“Grieving the death of residents was discussed, and I suggested copying Abbeyfield St Martin’s practice of having memorial plaques on the arbor.
Abbeyfield House of Armstrong Spallumcheen Society, BC
Liz Seaton, past President of Vernon, accompanied me on a visit to Armstrong. Patti Jo Ferguson was away, but Gavin Hall, a Rotarian and our first contact with the donor of the House, Peter Unrau, greeted us. Gavin designed and installed glass-doored wall cabinets outside each room to hold residents’ treasures.
“Washrooms are two-piece. Nearly all residents have care workers coming in. There is a computer room with a donated computer, but no residents are using email yet. A good reason to encourage email pen pals.
