Branching Out Fall 2019 Enhancing Safety at ESS Walking into our South Adult Day Program, you will be immediately greeted by friendly smiles and cheerful waves from staff, volunteers and seniors attending program. Located in a quiet residential area of South Etobicoke, this program provides a welcoming, inclusive and comfortable home-like space which supports the health and daily living needs of adults and seniors living with Alzheimer's and other dementias. Our program is a special place and a much-needed community resource. With the help of funding from the Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) and fundraising dollars from Home Instead Foundation of Canada's 2018 GIVE65 online giving campaign, we have been able to make safety improvements, as well as enhancements to the daily comfort and enjoyment of the individuals attending the program. Using funding received from the Central LHIN, we have: ■ Installed coded security systems to prevent seniors attending the program from wandering outside unattended and emergency call systems in the washrooms; ■ Replaced aging furniture with durable, senior-friendly chairs which are easy for staff to slide and provide assistance, and for seniors to safely move from a seated to standing position; ■ Hired a local artist “Murals by Marg” through Lakeshore Arts to paint a beautiful mural to camouflage door exits and divert seniors seeking an exit. Before After Continued on next page Continued from cover With the donations raised through the support of our local Home Instead Senior Care Chapter (Etobicoke & Mississauga) and GIVE65, we have begun the process of landscaping the back yard to create a safe and usable outdoor program space. Emerald cedars have been planted to create a natural fence, a large sun umbrella and patio set has been purchased and a wheelchair accessible planter will be filled with flowers and vegetables. We look forward to sharing pictures from this project once fully completed. Book ESS for Speaking Engagements Learn more about the resources and services available to seniors and their families in the Etobicoke community. ESS provides complimentary presentations about our programs and services and how to access them. To learn more or to book, contact [email protected] or call 416-243-0127. Help Reduce Our Mailing Costs by Going Paperless As of January 1, 2020 we will automatically convert subscribers who have provided their email addresses to an electronic version of our newsletter. If you prefer to continue receiving a paper copy and do not wish to switch to electronic, please notify Luisa at our Newsletter main office by December 31 by calling 416-243-0127. Programs & Services Your Experience with ESS: 94% surveyed Client Survey Results were “completely We distributed 630 surveys to clients who shared their experience with satisfied – satisfied” with the overall and/or caregivers who actively, us. Please see the graph below support received over the last year, have used at least for a summary of our survey from ESS one of the following ESS programs: results. Adult Day Services, Assisted Living, Based on these results, we are now For more information about our Seniors' Lunch Program, Exercise, determining priority action areas to client experience survey, or to receive Respite Care, Social Recreation and make improvements. For example, a copy of our survey report, please Transportation. A total of 349 surveys follow-up phone calls will be made call 416-243-0127 ext. 240 or email: were completed resulting in a 55% to explore ideas to improve our [email protected] response rate. Thank you to everyone communications. Respecting values, expressed needs, Sharing information, communication, and preferences and education 98% of our clients were “completely 96% of our clients felt sta “denitely satised – satised” with how ESS sta – for the most part” explain things in a treat them. way that is easy to understand. 92% of our clients were “completely satised - satised” with the amount of input they have on the care and support received. Coordinating and integrating services Enhancing quality of life 85% of our clients felt ESS sta have 90% of our clients felt there are enough “always – usually” connected them to activities “always – usually” oered in ESS help or additional services. programs. 84% of our clients felt ESS sta “always – usually” do everything they can to help them feel comfortable in their own home. Programs & Services continued New “Staying Fit and Reaching Out” Program In May ESS launched a new wellness program in the Daystrom- Humbermede community. Staying Fit and Reaching Out is aimed at improving the physical health and social well-being of older adults living in this neighbourhood. Program activities include light exercise, cultural and holiday celebrations, active games, wellness presentations and walking groups all at no cost. Programming space is supported by a partnership with Woodview Park Toronto Public Library and Finch Main Gardens apartments. ESS gratefully acknowledges funding support from the City of Toronto. If you're an older adult living in this community and wish to join our program, you are welcome to contact our main office to register at 416 -243- 0127. Respite Care: Helping short break to restore energy and ■ A personalized home care You in Your Home promote balance in your daily plan life. Our Respite Care service will Do you know a senior who could ■ Personal care send a trained and experienced benefit from having a helping hand ■ Medication assistance Personal Support Worker to provide at home? Or, are you providing ■ Meal preparation compassionate and reliable care care for a family member and are and support in the comfort of ■ Companionship in need of additional support? home. Caregivers can have peace- ■ Light housekeeping In-home respite care could be of-mind knowing their family ■ the right support system to help Laundry member is receiving care. you stay safe and independent For more information or to book at home or to provide you with a Respite services include: this service, please call ESS at 416 -243- 0127. Announcements New Website We have updated our website with the goal of making it easier to navigate and to find the information you are looking for. To take a tour of our new website please visit www.esssupportservices.ca. We encourage you to share your feedback and experience using our website by contacting [email protected]. Announcements continued Going the Extra Mile Congratulations to Andrea Douglas, recipient of this year's Laura Kennedy Sapphire Award of Excellence. Inspired by an ESS Board Member, this annual award is granted to staff members who go above and beyond their job descriptions by providing outstanding service. As a Personal Support Worker with ESS for 19 years, Andrea has worked tirelessly to provide the highest quality of Right to left: Lindsay King, Senior Manager of Client care to our clients. She is dedicated to the clients Services, presents PSW Andrea Douglas with the we support and is always willing to “go that extra Laura Kennedy Sapphire Award. mile” to help whenever needed. This is evident in feedback received from clients and their families. In one family's words: “She always showed up, no matter what. We could always count on her to provide the care and support that my father needed. We absolutely adore her”. Also recognized, was the Villages of Humber Heights with our annual Honour Roll Award. Over the past 9 years, a collaborative and mutual partnership has emerged that has helped provide further services. They have supported many Left to right: Erica Teklits, ESS Board Chair, presents of our fundraising efforts since the beginning, the Village of Humber Heights with the ESS Honour including our annual Dine for Dignity Gala and Roll Award. Staff members Sheral and Adelina were the Toronto Challenge. present to accept the award. Fundraising ESS Stepped Up to the Challenge The sun was shining and spirits were high! On Sunday, June 9, a team of 35 staff, volunteers and family members walked in support of ESS in the annual Toronto Challenge walk/run for seniors. We are thrilled to announce that, with your help, we raised $15,994 towards our programs and services. Many thanks to everyone who supported our campaign - from the people who walked and made a pledge in support of our team to those who helped us fundraise. Special appreciation goes out to ESS Board Member, Michael Lu, for his generous matching donation of $5,550. His commitment to match donations made over and beyond our $6,000 fundraising goal kept us motivated to beat our goal. For more event highlights, please see the News and Events section of our website. Volunteering Volunteers are Priceless Volunteers are an invaluable part of our team here at ESS. Not only are they a needed source of support and friendship for staff and the seniors attending our programs; they also can come up with the perfect creative solution. Jackie and Joan have been loyal volunteers for nearly 20 years; combined. During a tricky situation in which one of the seniors attending one of our Adult Day Programs could not be persuaded to return into our program room, Jackie and Joan stepped in. Noticing groceries were waiting to be taken into the program, they kindly asked if he could help carry them inside and he more than obliged. By giving him a simple sense of purpose, they were able to easily redirect him. Bravo Jackie and Joan! Adult Day Program volunteers Charles and Sally-Ann went above and beyond when we were required to suddenly relocate our clients to another location due to flooding. Working with program staff, they ensured our clients remained calm and safe during the rain storm. They were outstanding and flexible team players during the two weeks the program was relocated.