Au petit Bonheur

I am a retired teacher who began part time volunteering as a cook during the covid-19 pandemic. I witnessed with awe and a newly found respect at how Karen Laurin, the owner, and staff worked so diligently to protect the residents and maintain an atmosphere of family, laughter, care and calm at the start of the outbreak and into the summer. The owner and staff remained a limited number, working long shifts and even longer weeks. They were tired but their professionalism took over and each employee implicitly trusted their colleagues to limit their own personal contact with people outside the residence in order to protect the residents and each other. And we all watched with heavy hearts as elders in the 'for profit' homes suffered so greatly. Here is what I witnessed: -Each resident is respected as the person that they are with kindness and intelligence. -Meals are homemade with fresh fruit and vegetables. The meals are always served at the same times and are hot and hearty or cold and comforting. There are three meals per day plus the evening snack time. Residents are fed the same meal with exceptions to dietary restrictions such as glucose intolerance etc. -The house and rooms are spotless. Clothing and bed linens are always clean. -The residents are helped with daily personal hygiene and are not charged extra for assistance dressing, hairdos and so many other things that I take for granted but that are charged by other residences. -Some families remain a part of their elder's life here. Some do not. Karen and the staff take over as their family. I've seen hugs, an employee running errands to the post office for a resident and lots of tiny acts of kindness. -There is a family park a block up the road from the house with benches as well as a tiny park across the road at the river's edge. These are favorite walking destinations. -I do not know much about residences and I've always maintained that when it's my time, I'll do it at home but having volunteered here and experienced the family that makes this house a home, I'm not as fearful. Suzan Porter BA, BEd.