#ElderWisdom | Stories from the Green Bench
Kathy Buckworth & Evelyn Brindle host the Stories from the Green Bench podcast, a virtual place to share, learn, grow, laugh and more in conversations with a variety of guests. The Green Bench is a symbol of elder wisdom. Physically or virtually, the bench invites us all to sit alongside a senior, share a conversation, or give and offer advice. It challenges the stigma seniors face; the ageism still so prevalent in society. It reminds us of the wealth of wisdom our elders offer and in doing so, helps restore them to a place of reverence. ”The greatest untapped resource in Canada, if not the world, is the collective wisdom of our elders.” -Ron Schlegel Your seat on the green bench is ready and waiting. Hosts 2020-21 - Erin Davis & Lloyd Hetherington 2022 - Erin Davis & Doug Robinson 2023-24 - Kathy Buckworth & Evelyn Brindle
Episodes
Episodes
Tuesday Jan 18, 2022
Trailer - #ElderWisdom
Tuesday Jan 18, 2022
Tuesday Jan 18, 2022
The Green Bench is a symbol of elder wisdom. Physically or virtually, the bench invites us all to sit alongside a senior, share a conversation, or give and offer advice.
It challenges the stigma seniors face; the ageism still so prevalent in society. It reminds us of the wealth of wisdom our elders offer and in doing so, helps restore them to a place of reverence.
"The greatest untapped resource in Canada, if not the world, is the collective wisdom of our elders." -Ron Schlegel
Subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on any network and share your thoughts on social media using the #ElderWisdom tag to help others find us.
This podcast is brought to you by Schlegel Villages, retirement & long-term care homes in Ontario, Canada.
Tuesday Dec 21, 2021
Reflections, gratitude, and tribute to the wisdom of Season 1
Tuesday Dec 21, 2021
Tuesday Dec 21, 2021
Episode #32 - Erin Davis brings us this very special season-ending edition of #ElderWisdom | Stories from the Green Bench.
"In more than 30 episodes, we have hit milestones, grown bigger, gone deeper than any one of us could have imagined back when Ron Schlegel gave his blessing to this idea of amplifying the voices and tapping the wisdom of those most cherished among us, our seniors." - Erin Davis
"The position of co-host has the experience of a lifetime for me. I've grown in many many ways, with friendships, knowledge and a new lease on life." -Lloyd Hetherington
"My favourite part of the podcast is being able to put my headset on and go for a walk with my dad." - Denise Hutchinson
Hear about Erin's favourite episode: #18 with Patricia & Dennis Bayley from The Village of Taunton Mills.
Lloyd shares an episode that resonates with him, it was the story with Sheri Noecker from The Village at University Gates on Episode #27.
What podcast guest's story has resonated with you? Share with us on social media using the #ElderWisdom tag or through our website contact form at elderwisdom.ca
Messages of gratitude for the wisdom and stories shared on these podcasts brought to you by Schlegel Villages team members, podcast production team, and some online reviews.
We love to hear from you whether it is through our social media channels, our website elderwisdom.ca, or in podcast reviews on Apple Podcasts, Podchaser, or the Goodpods App.
We captured some words of wisdom from Centenarians living at Schlegel Villages. Marie Rosa is 106 years old living at The Village of Humber Heights in Etobicoke with her little sister Virginia who is 100. The question asked is 'What advice or words of wisdom would you give your 20-year-old self?'
104-year-old Bessie shares her words of wisdom from The Village of Taunton Mills in Whitby, "Sing more".
Our gratitude:*Lloyd Hetherington*The Village Team Members*Rob Whitehead*Ted Hudson*Memory Tree Productions team, Peter Shannon, Melinda Wilson, Karen Kocher*Our listeners from around the worldand a big thank you to our host, Erin Davis
From all of us at Schlegel Villages and the podcast team, we thank Lloyd Hetherington for his wisdom, stories, and engagement on the green bench. He will be stepping back from the co-host role and will continue to be involved in different ways with the #ElderWisdom campaign.
We will be back in February 2022 with Season 2 and welcoming a new co-host, Doug Robinson, who was our first guest of Season 1 and lives at The Village of Sandalwood Park in Brampton.
"Take the time, relax, unwind your soul and you will find that in every podcast there is a grain of truth just waiting for you to enjoy it and grow with it." -Lloyd Hetherington
Subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on any network and share your thoughts on social media using the #ElderWisdom tag to help others find us.
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
Rita Munro - How does your garden grow? Gardening, Nursing, and Journalism
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
Episode #31 - Rita Munro joins Erin Davis from The Village of Arbour Trails in Guelph, a place she makes more beautiful simply by being there, sharing her outdoor expertise, and bringing people together to grow gardens and friendships.
When Rita moved to the Village, she suggested a need for a garden outside the front of the Village. Pitched the idea to Wendy, Director of Lifestyle Options, and everyone came together to make this happen.
Gardening advice from Rita. "Look at the plants/flowers that you really like and research its requirements. It's not rocket science or difficult at all."
"Don't be intimidated by gardening because it not really a difficult thing at all." -Rita Munro
Rita worked in the operating room all of her career, in a high energy tense state all the time. Coming home to her garden, her own little paradise to enjoy and let the tense or emotional feelings fade away.
"Anyone can benefit from time outside; a green pleasant smelling outdoor spot brings solace." -Rita Munro
From Medium.com:Those who garden regularly have the most benefits from the sensory experience- Exercise- Stress reduction- Decreased risk of dementia- Good dose of sunshine- pulling weeds can burn upto 400 calories an hour- critical thought which keeps you sharp
Featured Poem read by Lloyd Hetherington: God's Garden by Dorothy Gurney
Rita shares about her career as a nurse and how it began in Kingston and enjoyed every moment throughout her life. About her career as a nurse in the operating room, "everything that you are doing is helping someone, there's terrific team spirit, and clear organization." -Rita Munro
"So disappointing that people would use the locations of hospitals to protest trying to undermind this group of people that we need more than ever." -Rita Munro
On journalism, Rita has written a memoire: A snapshot of life in the depressionA story of growing up in the Ottawa valley to share with family
#ElderWisdom
"Patience is so important to going through life." -Rita Munro
"If you can divert your concern into something positive, reaching outside of yourself whenever possible." -Rita Munro
Is there a group you belong to? (Coffee group, Discussion group)
"People don't retire from gardening, they retire to do gardening." - Erin Davis
Subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on any network and share your thoughts on social media using the #ElderWisdom tag to help others find us.
Tuesday Nov 23, 2021
Tuesday Nov 23, 2021
Episode #30 - Felix Rommens is 97 years old. If you are wondering what keeps him young and loving life at The Village of Winston Park in Kitchener, it has to be his art. Erin Davis and guest co-host Doug Reed welcome Felix to the green bench to share in a conversation about his art and about his hearing impairment, which has formed the life is living today.
Nearly 50% of people 75+ have trouble with their hearing.
"Being deaf, I was kind of a loner. So, in order not to get completely bonkers, I started working with my hands and my mind." - Felix Rommens
Felix was working in Belgium at the highest he was able to go in office work (hating office work), so he decided to move the whole family to Canada at the age of 41. A visit to the employment office on the day he landed and went directly into the building process, building homes, working 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. On the 7th day, he would do work at his own home.
When he retired at 71, he looked forward to the arts and crafts that he enjoyed. "The whole idea about my art is to keep something for tomorrow, so you keep going." - Felix Rommens
"I have only one life and I want to live it to the end." - Felix Rommens finds projects he looks forwards to with art and continues to use his hands as he did when he was 20.
Felix has the use of a woodshop at the Village to keep active in his art but also works in his suite, finding a way to continue working on projects.
"Keep on the positive side, think of all the good things that have happened to you." - Felix Rommens
Felix was captured by the Nazis during World War II, made to work in factories, awaiting liberation after 2 years in Germany, and then ran at the age of 18 on foot to make it home. His father was an officer in the Belgian army, shot at 40, and Felix as a child had to take care of him for the next 15 years due to his injuries.
"There are always two sides on a coin - I only took the good ones." - Felix Rommens
Subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on any network and share your thoughts on social media using the #ElderWisdom tag to help others find us.
Tuesday Nov 09, 2021
Tuesday Nov 09, 2021
Episode #29 - Dr. Rea Brown shares his story from the green bench of a career nothing short of remarkable, from growing up with a critically ill brother to finding himself in the world of medicine surrounded by pro athletes and on December 6, 1989, in Montreal saving the lives of several women after the École Polytechnique Tragedy (Montreal Massacre). He joins us from his home at The Village of Humber Heights in Etobicoke.
Erin Davis is joined by our guest co-host Doug Reed (Episode # 9) at The Village of Arbour Trails in Guelph while Lloyd takes the rest he needs.
Dr. Brown shares the story about his brother's illness after having pneumonia - learning about a new antibody that was coming available now that the war coming to an end - Penicillin was the drug spoken of which helped him within a week at the Montreal Western Hospital.
"My first successful surgery was on a cob of corn." -Dr. Rea Brown
His education in a one-room school shared stories that encouraged him to read. What is one book that you remember reading while growing up?
1954 - Dr. Brown was accepted into McGill University with the goals of getting a degree and playing football. Drafted by the Tiger-Cats in 1957, but didn't want to play professional football, and decided he wanted to be a doctor. 1958, joined the faculty of medicine students and continued to play football winning the 1960 Churchill Champions. Graduate in 1962 and applied to a training program for surgery and segued into sports medicine and many accolades and awards.
December 6, 1989 - the day of the massacre at École Polytechnique in Montreal, Dr. Rea Brown was present and available to support as the women came in for care. In 1991, the Parliament of Canada declared 6 December to be a National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. It is also known as White Ribbon Day.
Doctor for the Montreal Alouettes and shares a couple of stories along with one he recalls with the quarterback, Turner Gill.
Erin Davis asks, 'who was your favourite patient?' Dr. Brown names John Beliveau (Montreal Canadiens from 1950 to 1971) as his favourite patient - hear why at the 24-minute mark
Advice to listeners to have hope: "I HOPE it is going to be better tomorrow." -Dr. Rea Brown
Dr. Brown reflects on funding a residents space on the 18th floor of the Montreal General Hospital called 'The Brown Room'
Subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on any network and share your thoughts on social media using the #ElderWisdom tag to help others find us.
Tuesday Oct 26, 2021
Tuesday Oct 26, 2021
Episode #28 - Erin Davis & Lloyd Hetherington welcome the CEO for the Ontario Long-Term Care Association, Donna Duncan to the green bench. A passionate conversation about what aged care is, building community, combatting ageism, and reimagining what long-term care can be in the future.
Donna first experienced long-term care in the 1980s with her grandmother and then again with her father living with alzheimers in 1999. She brings a personal view to what it is and what it can be as we look at some of today's challenges in front of us:
Staffing challenges
Older buildings
Higher care needs
"We dream of a day that it is okay to go into long-term care, where people aren't frightened, families don't feel guilty, staff take great pride, and they are physical living environments where people want to be." -Donna Duncan
"Let's reimagine it (long-term care), let's rebuild it and rethink it with residents, families and staff. Anything is possible, especially if we work together." -Donna Duncan
What is a home with dignity and what is a care environment?
The pandemic has brought Mental Illness and Long-term Care to the forefront, two topics that Donna has a passion to work with.
"Aging is visible and I think it's time we take pride in the aging process and that we don't isolate people as we age." -Donna Duncan
"Honesty, integrity, genuine interest in people - we've got to bring these to the forefront and take the lead in sharing these concepts." -Lloyd Hetherington
"There has to be so much more WE in this and less compartmentalizing in the whole demographic picture." -Erin Davis
What does a community model look like for long-term care?
"You are never too old to set a new goal or to dream a new dream." -C.S. Lewis
Have a listen to this podcast by OLTCA
Coming of Age: Meeting the needs of our ageing population
The pandemic was driving many stories of darkness coming out of long-term care, rather than focussing on the people and their stories.
The podcast anchors us in hope and broadens the conversation of what aged care is and what it can be. Conversations with like minded individuals to build a movement.
"Fear of dying is human, but fear of aging is cultural." -Ashton Applewhite
"We are in it together. We have a message to get out and the more voices we can find, the better is it." -Lloyd Hetherington
Subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on any network and share your thoughts on social media using the #ElderWisdom tag to help others find us.
Tuesday Oct 12, 2021
Tuesday Oct 12, 2021
Episode #27 - A sudden stroke caused Sheri Noecker to move into The Village at University Gates long-term care in Waterloo. While not being able to move, she was inspired by her friends and the team at the village to build an exercise plan and work with the Program for Active Living team in her determination to move again as she use to. Hear this inspiring and motivational story as Sheri sits on the green bench with hosts Erin Davis and Lloyd Hetherington.
Sheri shares about her life when she experienced a stroke at the age of 51, the wake-up call that motivated her to get better. Although she is unable to remember all the details of the time she shares as others have told her.
Today, she is committed to doing exercise every morning. Inspired by her nephew who experienced a tragic accident at the age of 18 and worked to be able to walk again.
"You say you are going to be a motivational speaker, but I want to correct you. You are a motivational speaker now." -Lloyd Hetherington to Sheri Noecker
Sharing supports she receives from participating in Chair Exercises with Caroline Jordon & Paul Eugene on YouTube
The goal of the Michael T. Sharratt Program for Active Living (PAL) is to improve our residents' life quality and maximize independence through individualized exercise programming and a more active lifestyle. Learn more. Sheri is one of many who receives the support from Kinesiologists, exercise therapists, physiotherapists and more.
"The Program for Active Living team has helped me in so many different ways. Coming to the Village as a full hoyer lift and after two years, I am able to stand without supports." -Sheri Noecker
"I did not really care about myself before. Learning what happened to me, I am now fighting for everything I am doing. I am not a person that gives up on anything, and not giving up on myself either." -Sheri Noecker
One day, when Sheri is recovered, she plans to go out to be a motivational speaker and supporter. She would also like to become a PSW and return back to University Gates to work with the team. Focusing her life on helping others.
A stroke is a medical emergency. Learn more from Heart & Stroke Canada.F - Face, is it drooping?A - Arms, can you raise both?S - Speech, is it slurred or jumbled?T - Time, to call 9-1-1 right away?
"Blood, sweat and respect. First two you give, last one you earn." - Dwayne Johnson
Subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on any network and share your thoughts on social media using the #ElderWisdom tag to help others find us.
Tuesday Sep 28, 2021
Tuesday Sep 28, 2021
Episode #26 - Korleen Schmidt loves to talk about the weather and explain it to those who want to know about it. She joins hosts Erin Davis & Lloyd Hetherington on the green bench from The Village at University Gates in Waterloo, a widow, mother of 4, grandmother of 11, talks about the full circle of her life, combining her loves of geography and theology.
"If not for the weather, we'd have nothing to talk about."
"In her study of theology she's learning and teaching how to go to heaven, and in her study of meteorology she teaches us how the heavens go." -Lloyd Hetherington
An elementary school teacher in Toronto
A degree from Western in Geography
A teaching degree and a masters in theological studies
and so much more
Pastor Korleen Schmidt - worked 5 years for the United Church in Hanover as the assistant minister. She grew up in Elmwood, went to a one-room school, and found it to be a great experience.
"Sometimes we listened and sometimes we didn't, you know how that goes with kids." -Korleen Schmidt
A decision to move in with (and be adopted by) her aunt & uncle after her parents divorced and she attended the Brantford Collegiate Institute. "I was always open to opportunities. It could not have been better in every way."
"It's quite an eye opener to be able to look at the vegetation to absorb what's going on. The snakes, the toads, the fish that we became familiar with in the forest." -Korleen Schmidt
What are words of advice your parents gave you when heading out to play?
What fascinates you about the weather? "Changes, constant changes."
"Our weathermen do a fantastic job giving us a good picture of what's expected in the day. Going into detail that a lot of us just sort of gloss over." -Korleen Schmidt
We've been around the world, visiting close to 50 countries.
"Doesn't travel broaden your horizons and your understanding of your fellow human in so many ways." -Erin Davis
Subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on any network and share your thoughts on social media using the #ElderWisdom tag to help others find us.