#ElderWisdom | Stories from the Green Bench

BONUS | Resident Voices in Long-Term Care with OARC’s Melissa McVie & Devora Greenspon

Bonus Episode - Erin Davis and Doug Robinson are joined in this special episode with the Ontario Association of Residents' Councils, Melissa McVie, Director of Education and Communications, and Devora Greenspon, LTC Resident and REAL Group Co-Chair.
Barry Hickling was our guest in Episode #5 speaking about ageism, living in long-term care, and his role with the OARC. We encourage you to revisit this conversation.
Devora was encouraged by the staff at her Long-Term Care home to participate in the Residents' Council.  Feeling of chaos in the meeting and not being shy, stepped in.  Before she knew it she was the president of their residents' council.
"There was absolute chaos during the meeting.  I'm not shy so I just took over.  Next thing I knew I was president of the Residents' Council." - Devora Greenspon
Devora’s Residents’ Council has adopted a Shared Leadership team model with residents from different parts of her home comprising a team that leads the work of Council based on individual strengths. She uses this inclusive team model in place of the traditional Executive model with a President, Secretary etc.
"Residents' Council is a great place for residents to express their hopes, their goals, their concerns with no fear of retribution." - Devora Greenspon
Residents' Councils are mandated to exist in every long-term care home.  A vehicle through which residents can speak about the good, the bad, the ugly, and collaborate with the leadership in their home.
"Residents' Councils welcome an open dialogue with the leadership team in their long-term care home." - Melissa McVie
"Council is a place for residents to meet one another and develop relationships.  So important when you live in long-term care." - Devora Greenspon
Learn more about OARC and access their newsletter, Season’s Magazine: https://www.ontarc.com/ 
"Everyone has a story, we cannot paint all residents with the same brush.  Take a little extra time to get to know one's story." - Melissa McVie
Doug learns how to say 'good morning' in different languages to be able to greet each resident.
"I did not go into long-term care to die, but to live.  To have a fruitful, happy, quality of life." - Devora Greenspon
What are your hopes for the future of long-term care?
Devora - To make quality of life better and better for each resident.
Erin Davis hears in our conversation, 'I'm still me, I will be heard, I want to be part of my community, and I want to help plan for the future.'
What is REAL “Resident Expert Advisors and Leaders”? Is comprised of members who are resident leaders living in LTC homes across Ontario. It is an advisory group; REAL members bring their own lived experiences and perspectives as residents helping to inform and guide OARC’s work
 
*An OARC legacy program is in the works to award a long-term care home in Ontario a green #ElderWisdom bench each year in memory of Sharron Cooke.
 
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Critical thinking, long-distance relationships and reading with Evelyn Brindle

Episode #46 - Evelyn Brindle lives at The Village of Erin Meadows in Mississauga with her husband David.  A conversation about critical thinking, long-distance relationships, and unexpected travel with Erin Davis & Doug Robinson on the Green Bench.
"If you just stop and talk with somebody. Everybody's got a story.  You don't have to have a movie of the week or a book made about you." - Erin Davis
The Village has a library that is well used.  The continuous increase of books that are brought in and mixed around.
Evelyn always snuck a book into her grandchildren's stockings at Christmas to encourage reading.
What are your book recommendations?
"It's so important to have the ability to read and to enjoy what you are reading." - Evelyn Brindle
Evelyn has 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren, with one daughter living in Hong Kong.  A conversation about staying in touch and how that has changed over the past 25 years.
“Everyone is a person, everyone is beautiful, and everyone has something to contribute.”  - Evelyn Brindle
Sharing some laughs as Evelyn shares about her honeymoon travel stories.
Reading the newspaper has been an enjoyment for husband, David living with dementia.  With discussing what he is reading and encouraging it, he has reclaimed his ability and joy to read and has moved onto a variety of books.
 
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Public Speaking and Being a Grandma with Shirley Arthur

Episode #45 - A pleasure to have Shirley Arthur from The Village of Tansley Woods Long Term Care in Burlington join Erin & Doug on the Green Bench to share her #ElderWisdom about public speaking, being in the Salvation Army, and the role of a grandmother.
At the age of 14, Shirley joined the Salvation Army in Montreal.  Public Speaking came easy for her, speaks freely from the cuff.  Singing as part of a Trio all over her community
"You can't beat love." - Doug Robinson
Shirley shares about being a hands-on grandma to 5 grandchildren.
"I taught my grandchildren many many things, from the birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees." - Shirley Arthur
"There is no other great love than the love of a grandma." - Shirley Arthur
An honest conversation on the difference between a grandma and a great-grandma.
Shirley was a Girl Guide Captain for 17 years with a favourite camping grounds at a lake in the Laurentians. A great experince in 1943-1952.  A lesson to the Girl Guides to "Always be an example." 
If you had to stand up and speak for 5 minutes on anything, what would your topic be?
Shirley has shared her advice and wisdom with future PSW team members and students.
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Bucket Lists, Family Trees and Moving to Glendale Crossing with Ivan Siriani

Episode #44 - A lot of road to cover with 92-year-old, Ivan Siriani, from his love of travel and bucket list plans, family trees, and a chaplain chat that brought some peace to his heart.  Ivan is joined on the #ElderWisdom bench for a conversation with hosts Erin Davis & Doug Robinson.
What is on your bucket list?
"My bucket list included a train trip across Canada, Toronto to Vancouver.  I went with my son and it was the most wonderful holiday I've ever had." - Doug Robinson
Ivan's bucket list includes a trip to Newfoundland with his daughter.  She has always wanted to see icebergs. He also would like to go to visit relatives in British Columbia and Calgary.
Before Ivan's wife moved into long-term care, they enjoyed drives all over in the States and Canada, including a lot of the east coast.
Not a resident yet, but when the new Retirement phase opens at The Village of Glendale Crossing in 2023, Ivan will move in.  He has his suite picked out, a two bedroom complex.  Family has done cut outs of furniture and created the full layout.
"My only wish is that they could move the date up on the opening of The Village of Glendale Crossing." - Ivan Siriani
Wife Marjorie lives in long-term care at Glendale Crossing.  Ivan looks forward to being in the same building and being able to see her more often.  
"I saw her and I asked her for a dance.  I think I had an hour with her as her guy was getting a little upset, and then we were politely asked to leave the premises." - Ivan Siriani
"Everybody's journey with dementia is so different and we've had the honour of people sharing their stories with us." - Erin Davis
"I find tracing my family tree keeps me going and is so refreshing. An interesting hobby that fills my time with enjoyment." - Ivan Siriani
Ivan put a letter with contact details in a bag at a distant relative's headstone in hopes to connecting with family.  He got an email a couple weeks later sharing family information and growing the family tree.
“Some family trees have beautiful leaves, and some have just a bunch of nuts. Remember, it is the nuts that make the tree worth shaking.” – Unknown
"Don't worry if the work is hard and your rewards are few. Remember the mighty oak was once once a nut like you." -Unknown
Learn more about The Village of Glendale Crossing and it's opening in 2023 contact Carole Metron at 519-668-5600 or visit schlegelvillages.com/glendale-crossing-london
 
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Dr. Bob Bell - Expert on healthcare for an aging population and prolific author of fiction

Episode #43 - Author of medical-based thriller fiction, an expert on healthcare for an aging population, and former deputy minister of health in long-term care in Ontario, Dr. Bob Bell shares his Story from the Green Bench with Erin Davis and Doug Robinson.
During his years at McGill University, Bob crossed paths with our episode #29 guest, Dr. Rea Brown through sports and medical school.  Stumbled into medicine after a knee injury playing football as a linebacker at McGill- this injury got him interested in bones.
Bob's hero is Terry Fox, who suffered osteogenic sarcoma. Terry’s example inspired Bob to pursue a career in orthopedic oncology (bone cancer). Fun Fact: Terry & Bob share the same birthday July 28.
Get involved in your local Terry Fox Run and programs: https://terryfox.org/
Author of medical based thriller fiction
1. Hip: A NovelAbout the benefits and risks of medical innovations, when a brilliant but unscrupulous scientist uncovers a breakthrough in hip replacement by coating it in a special substance. 
2. New Doc in Maple RidgeThe doctor is injured and returns to America from Afghanistan and has to start over. He chooses Maple Ridge Arkansas, to start a practice.
All proceeds from these books support medical research at University Health Network and at Princess Margaret hospital.    Books are available at https://drbobbell.com/
Our aging population is increasing (over 75 years old) by 4% and higher annually as baby boomers reach their golden years.  How will we care for them, how will we afford it, and will that crowd out other spending?
"Schlegel Villages, where the most up to date standards in long-term care and retirement living are observed." - Dr. Bob Bell
"We can be proud of the way our health system responded to the pandemic." - Dr. Bob Bell
What is your hope for the future of healthcare in Canada?
"Where have you seen a fax machine except in a doctors office in the past 10 years?" - Dr. Bob Bell
 
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Virginia Barry on swimming, canoeing, and being a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi

Episode #42 - Deep diving into some fascinating waters with Virginia Barry to talk about sorority and sisterhood, the importance of safety on the water, and her competitive spirit.  From The Village of Wentworth Heights in Hamilton, our first debutante on the green bench and a life-long member of a worldwide sorority, Beta Sigma Phi.
Joining Beta Sigma Phi at the age of 18 in 1952, she loves the sisterhood where she learned about formal table settings, formal greetings, banquets, volunteering and more. Her Toronto Chapter (Beta Omicron) worked with Sick Kids Hospital. She used to go for weekend retreats with her sorority sisters. She named the annual ball, The Yellow Rose Ball. A yellow rose is special, it is what you gift someone who is special in your life.
A Debutante is an upper-class young woman making her first appearance in fashionable society.  Learning dances such as the Waltz, Foxtrot, Quick Step and more prior to attended the ball at the Royal York in Toronto.  She is very proud.
A swimming champVirginia retired in 1991 from work, and decided to take up swimming at the local pool. There she saw a man who was always swimming lengths, Virginia decided that she would keep up with him. She was counting on this stranger to keep her going… it worked! In 1997, while in Florida she joined a swim team called the Silver Streaks. They were competitive and she ended up at the Huntsman Senior Games – it is like the Olympics for Seniors. There were 4,000 participants and she won a gold and six bronze medals. 
"Competition in swimming, badminton, tennis, volleyball and canoeing was for my own enjoyment." - Virginia Barry
"The best kind of sport is when you are competing against yourself for your personal best." -Erin Davis
Basic Canoe Skills can be found at Paddle Canada, a community of trusted leaders whose aim is to connect Canadians to nature through canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding with certified Paddle Canada instructors. https://www.paddlecanada.com/
Virginia gave her father's canoe to the museum, it is on display in Gravenhurst.
On the Red Current River in Missouri, she was tossed out of the canoe in the rapids. The near-death experience did not stop her from getting in a canoe again.
"I've had a lot of wise seniors in my life, and it continues. How blessed I am." - Erin Davis
 
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Hildegarde Bolter on resilience in life, leaving her husband, and being a German child in the war

Episode #41 - Hilda lives at The Village of Wentworth Heights in Hamilton, originally from Germany, joining to share her story from the green bench with Erin Davis & Doug Robinson.  Stories of growing up during World War II, moving to Canada, having a son, leaving a challenging marriage, writing a memoir, and her resilience in all aspects of life.
"We were 6 years old. They told us that the gas masks looked like Mickey Mouse so we wouldn't be scared." - Doug Robinson
At 10 years old, she was strafed by machine-gun fire from a low-flying airplane. She locked eyes with the pilot who was laughing. She was rescued when two women ran out and pulled her to safety. It was an English airplane, and she was a child. 
"They forced us to go into the Hitler youth, otherwise you wouldn't have any future. They pushed us in the direction they wanted us to go under Hitler." - Hilda Bolter
"I saw the danger in which my mother was in to giving the Jewish people food stamps. I took the stamps from my mother and was helping to give them." -Hilda Bolter
Hilda is writing her memoir, it is in German, it’s for her son and her granddaughter.  "It is so powerful to what I went through and I want to tell my son that whatever it is, with the lord's help, you will conquer everything. You don't have to be afraid." -Hilda Bolter
"I wave to them and say hi.  How happy they are and it costs nothing." - Hilda Bolter
“You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it” – Margaret Thatcher
When you can help someone, it makes the world better
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June Campbell on Newfoundland joining Canada, 2 marriages and lots of traveling

Episode #40 - June Campbell is a resident at The Village of Riverside Glen in Guelph, shares with Erin Davis & Doug Robinson on the green bench.  She has lived a life that has not only witnessed history as it happened but in which she even rubbed elbows with Gordon Pinsent with whom she went to school.  June was born in St. John's, Newfoundland before it was even a part of Canada, learn more by listening to her story from the green bench.
June lived a proud moment in Canadian history and remembers when the premier, Joseph Smallwood, signed the documents on March 31st, 1949 when Newfoundlanders to become Canadians.
"Joseph Smallwood did not want any jokes about April fools, so he had the papers signed on the 31st. And then we all became naturalized citizens."
"We had our own currency, our own stamps, and paid duty from everything we ordered from Canada, even from the Sears catalogue." - June Campbell
In her first marriage of 22 years, she experienced a challenge with religious differences and her parents not accepting the mixed marriage between Catholic and Protestant.  "I got used to it after a while"
June went to a girls school which was very strict, having to walk in a crocodile line when walking past the boys school, and not allowed to look.
"The boys school was Bishop Field, the girls was Bishop Spencer, and never the train should meet." - June Campbell
Come From Away - the story of 911 when the air traffic had to find a place to land and ending up in Newfoundland.  Show details at https://comefromaway.com 
40 Years old, 3 children and love strikes again. "I hadn't heard his voice in 25 years, but I recognized it. And this is the man I married the following year." -June Campbell
Her second husband of 30 years, Gordon, was the youngest of 10 children. "Yes, we had 10, but they stopped when they attained perfection."
A Travel Conversation including: Australia, Barbados, Russia, Estonia, UK and more
"I married him for his Air Canada pass, and he married me for my underground parking." -June Campbell
Book: In a Sunburned Country, Bill Bryson Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24.In_a_Sunburned_Country 
"It's all about making the new connections where you are." - Erin Davis
A great idea to share who you are by posting a photo outside your door in the retirement and long-term care home of when you were younger.  We would love to see a photo of you when you were younger.
"So important to remind people that we are the same spirits, the same soul, the same people.  It's just that our suits have gotten a little wrinkled over the years." - Erin Davis
"You can't beat a nice cod steak.  It makes good fish & chips." - Doug Robinson
If you could travel somewhere tomorrow (no limits), where would you go?
Book: Mourning Has Broken by Erin Davis - https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443454636/mourning-has-broken/
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