At 10 am, residents made salsa from scratch using some of the produce grown in their garden. In the afternoon, they had a Mexican Fiesta where they got to eat the fruits of their labour. For those who wanted it, residents received their own special serving. Some residents wanted their salsa served in the chips. The salsa wasn’t too spicy, but spicy enough to know it was salsa. It had a little sweetness to it as well. Pictured below is one of the dedicated Companions who helped serve the salsa and chips to all residents.
Simkin Centre Receives Gift from Gray Academy of Jewish Education Students. Excerpt from the article: “One of the issues that moved the students this past year was the Simkin Centre’s effort to enhance the lives of residents living with dementia. Specifically, the students provided funds to the Centre’s new Music & Memory Program, which was initially established with a significant donation from a community member.”
“‘We know that music can stimulate positive memories for people living with dementia,’ says Irwin Corobow, CEO of the Simkin Centre. ‘You can’t overstate the role of music in long-term care.'”
“The Simkin Centre has recently been certified as a Music & Memory site, and staff have been trained to execute the program effectively. Customized playlists are carefully developed with residents and their families, and residents will use iPods and headphones to enjoy their selections.”
To make a donation: http://www.simkincentre.ca/giving/
Introducing our Thursday Volunteers from WASO (Work and Social Opportunity Inc.) WASO has been helping adults living with intellectual disabilities since 1981. They do this through innovative programs that involve work, life, social, recreational and employment opportunities.
Spanning several locations, WASO is a thriving resource for individuals seeking recreational, life skills and employment support. Many corporate and nonprofit organizations seek out the talents and skills of individuals supported by WASO.
The group leaders that facilitate our Thursday volunteers are Lorie Fosty and Rey. They assist 5 clients from the community every week from 10am to 1:30pm to help in the kitchen and laundry.
We are so appreciative of the time they dedicate to the Simkin Centre.
Our Direct Care Nursing Resource orchestrated our required annual staff education by developing an in-depth quiz covering a variety of areas. Staff were to go to the education room and do a self-guided education quiz with wonderful examples, information and displays. At the end of the quiz, staff were asked to go to this printed brick wall and, for fun, write a positive message about a co-worker, a thank you, a positive word/message and post it on the wall. “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give” [Winston Churchill]
Bingo is big at the Simkin Centre. Bingo is scheduled twice a week and residents really look forward to it. Pictured below is one of our residents who volunteers to call the bingo twice a month.
