KAWARTHA LAKES – For Marion Donnelly, 97, life has given her many ups and downs but Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes.
Donnelly grew up in England during WWII, as a result, she personally witnessed a great deal of devastation. Eventually, she fell in love with a Canadian soldier and an English Naval Officer and married them both 50 years apart. As a war bride, Donnelly settled in the remote community of Haliburton with her first husband Harold Kirkpatrick. Eventually, they welcomed three daughters and a son. After 50 years of marriage and a move to Bobcaygeon, Donnelly’s husband passed away.
Donnelly eventually remarried and relocated to the West Coast. After nine years of marriage, Donnelly’s second husband passed away and she returned to Lindsay.
And with the help of Community Care and their personal support workers, Donnelly is now able to continue to successfully live independently.
“The PSWs are so nice and friendly. They take the time to sit and talk with me,” said Donnelly. “With this pandemic, I can’t socialize with my neighbours, or attend community dinners. I look forward to seeing them in the morning and evening. They make it so easy to live on my own.”
According to the Community Care, through the Assisted Living Services for High Risk Seniors program, a PSW visits Donnelly twice each day. They help her with compression stockings, medications, showers, and provide regular reassurance checks and health and safety assessments.
Donnelly has access to over 40 services that enable her to have a safe and independent life. Her Care Plan also includes the use of our Volunteer Transportation Services to get to appointments and relies on the Lifeline service to keep her safe when she is alone.
“It is my choice to live on my own, without Community Care, I couldn’t do it and I’m not ready to move on,” said Donnelly.
And even though the pandemic continues to halt various services and bog down the health care system, many seniors like Donnelly continue to reply heavily on personal support workers.
“We were always worried and anxious about her being alone at home,” recalls Susan and Lyle Cully, Donnelly’s daughter and son-in-law and primary caregivers. “It is a godsend to know we can rely on Community Care to help. It takes the stress and worry off our shoulders.”
While Covid-19 cases continue to climb, the personal support workers at the Kawartha Lakes Community Care Foundation have continued to push through and fight for seniors who rely on their help and devotion on a regular basis.
“We advocate for clients’ health by connecting them to additional services based on their evolving needs. We are the missing link that ensures no one falls through the gaps. We believe in quality care, personally delivered,” says Michal Wallen, Manager of Personal Support Services.
Community Care’s personal support workers are on call 24/7 and they assist clients with daily living activities such as dressing, personal hygiene, assisting with mobility, housekeeping, meal preparation, laundry and shopping. The foundation also coordinates health care needs through health assessments, medication monitoring, referrals to additional care, and safety checks.
Last year, the Kawartha Lakes Community Care provided 40,000 hours of care to its clients. According to the foundation, their efforts lower healthcare costs by reducing hospital admissions and stays, lessen the demand for long-term care homes, stabilize seniors’ physical, psychological wellbeing, increase life expectancy with better health outcomes, and improve quality of life for both clients and caregivers.
And to continue to offer their much needed support and services, the foundation is seeking financial support from the community with the Do Twice the Good with One Donation program.
According to Community Care, donations enable them to continue to provide care to those who are in need, struggling to maintain their health and independence.
This year, local sponsors will be matching donations for up to 10,000 dollars.
“Please take advantage of this matching gift opportunity before it’s too late and ensure your donation goes twice as far,” said Community Care officials.
For more information or to donate, visit http://www.ccckl.ca/support-us/foundation
