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By Tatiana Golovanova
The festive season comes
to the Regional long-term care facilities well
before Christmas. In late November, staff begin
decorating the residents’ rooms, nursing
stations and halls. Many people and organizations
stop by to donate small necessities, goodies and
gifts for the residents.
While most of us are off during the holidays,
some staff at long-term care facilities have to
be at work. They celebrate Christmas and New Year’s
together with people they care for and their co-workers.
And they do it the fun way by dressing up as Santa
Claus and elves, singing carols, opening gifts
and reading Christmas cards together with the
residents. Every year, employees fill Christmas
stockings for all residents with small items such
as toothpaste, soap, cookies, all donated by the
Salvation Army and employees.
“On Christmas day, we dress the residents
in their nicest clothes and make them look their
best,” says Salome Todd, Personal Care Aide
at Sheridan Villa. “The holidays bring a
lot of joy and warmth to all of us. The feeling
of one big family is especially strong during
this time.”
Sandy Clarke, a Registered Practical Nurse
at Peel Manor says: “Sadly, some of our residents
don’t have families. So, during
the holidays, we make sure they have a good
time and don’t feel lonely.”
Working in shifts makes the task of balancing
family life and work during the holidays especially
challenging for staff.
One can only wonder when they have the time to
cook a festive meal, open gifts and spend time
with their children, family and friends.
“We make arrangements with our families.
Sometimes it’s difficult to leave home and
go to work on Christmas, but we know we are making
so many people happy by being with them. Working
during the holidays is not a chore,
it’s a joyful and fun-filled rewarding
experience,” says Sinceray McCabe, Health
Care Aide at The Davis Centre.
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