Foundation Stories

I am 77 years old, and this time last year, I was living, very happily, in a townhouse in Dundas. I had no thoughts of moving. And then, within a short period of time, I fell, twice. I was not seriously injured, however my thinking changed. I became concerned. What if I fell again and was seriously hurt?

Perhaps it was time to think about a different living situation?  I knew of Shalom Village, and arranged a tour of their apartments. Soon thereafter, I sold my townhouse and prepared to move into a Shalom Village apartment. A place where I could move closer to care, while still living life on my own terms.

I have now moved and have a large living/dining room, which accommodates my dining room table and chairs, and living-room furniture. I have a separate bedroom, fully equipped kitchen and bathroom with shower and bath, and I have my own reserved parking space. My family and friends express surprise at how pleasant the accommodation is.Shalom Village is an Assisted Living residence. In what way am I being Assisted?

Firstly, I am served a meal every evening in the shared dining room, which I thoroughly enjoy. My rent also includes weekly housekeeping. Nursing care is on hand and medical support is provided as needed. There are many onsite activities offered daily, including: art activities, musical-performances, bingo, card games, social outings, and more! We are also lucky to have a senior’s only gym open weekdays from 8am to 4pm, while the MilliMobile bus provides us with free transportation to shopping-centers, banks, and on outings.

While Shalom Village was founded by the Jewish Community, about half of the residents are not Jewish, and many senior’s who participate in our community programs are also not Jewish. It’s a wonderful place where Jewish residents can attend the onsite synagogue, and residents who practice different faiths are able to experience regular non-denominational services, as well as special services (like Communion) in their own faith. Oftentimes you’ll find Jewish and non-Jewish residents attending each-other’s services. It’s a great opportunity to share and learn about each other.

What do I enjoy most about living at Shalom Village? I like the sense of community, the friendly, positive attitude of residents, and the wonderfully caring and supportive staff.

One never feels lonely here, but you always have the option of privacy in your apartment. The resident group is varied, and I have found it energizing to meet and engage with new people that I would otherwise not have met. Having so many activities on site is also a real advantage, especially during inclement weather.

People who hear that I moved to Shalom Village often ask in surprise, “How do you find it”?  An easy answer! It has been an excellent and worthwhile decision for me. I can honestly say that it has enhanced my quality of life, in addition to helping me feel safe and secure.

To learn more about Assisted Living at Shalom Village, contact Madelaine Steller-Cain
at maddi.steller-cain@shalomvillage.ca or 905-529-1613 ext. 391
Author ~ Helen Metz, Shalom Village Resident

Pat Vinton’s life took a drastic turn when she was hit by a vehicle in the fall of 2015. Sitting in her parked car, she had removed her seatbelt when a driver rammed into her vehicle. She suffered a broken pelvis, broken foot and fractured knee. For five weeks, she stayed in the hospital to slowly repair the damage done to her body. When her time to leave finally arrived, she learned that she was not able to return to her home. The hospital informed her that she would need to stay in convalescent care until she was recovered enough to return home.

“Since I was in a wheelchair, I would need a ramp,” says Pat. “I was given options on places to go for my recovery. Shalom Village was mentioned and I was told that chances of getting in there were slim because it was ‘the place to go’.” This peaked Pat’s interest and, after further investigation, she made it her mission to get into the convalescent care program at Shalom Village for her recovery.

“I had little control over where I could go,” admits Pat. “But the social worker wrote down my wishes.” When she later learned that she had been admitted into her top choice, she was over the moon.

Upon Pat’s arrival at Shalom Village, she immediately felt comfortable and welcome.The staff were compassionate and professional, helping her progress from wheelchair to walker, and eventually, back to full mobility so she could return to her home.

“You learn the discipline,” says Pat of her recovery. “I had help in performing all the things required to get me stronger and move closer and closer to returning home.” When the day of her departure finally arrived, Pat knew she wanted to remain a part of Shalom Village. The atmosphere throughout the Village was always supportive; and, the staff was always helpful in keeping her positive during a trying time in her life. Shalom Village was her 2nd home.

As a result, Pat stayed as a member of the Shalom Village fitness club and as a Shalom Village volunteer. The Club had been integral to her healing, and her social life, so she was thrilled to discover that anyone over 65 could join the Fitness Club at Shalom Village. The Club trainers understand the unique challenges faced by seniors. Each member’s training is tailored to achieve the best possible results for the seniors who depend on the club to keep them healthy, happy and living life to its fullest.

“I made friends here and met people that changed my life and I value that,” says Pat. When asked what she would tell someone who is considering joining the Shalom Village Fitness Club, Pat has no problem singing the praises of the Club & Shalom Village.

“I would say come and talk to me and I’d give my heartfelt opinion and experience,” she says, adding that she’s not ready to move into the independent living apartments quite yet. “But when I do, I have my name on the Shalom Village list and in the meantime, I enjoy my time here as a Fitness Club member & volunteer. It’s like a second home to me now.”

Bobbi McGill is an infectiously happy woman, with a smile for everyone, and a great love of life. Bobbi is an active woman who loves people. She participates in a senior’s glee club, plays games and loves going on outings. However, doing these things isn’t always easy for Bobbi.

Bobbi suffers from a degenerative spinal cord condition that causes her extreme pain, and in 2005, after a major surgery, her doctors said that she would likely be unable to walk in two to three years.

Bobbi isn’t the kind of woman who gives up, so she looked around to find ways to keep herself mobile and her life as active as possible. Initially, she discovered an exercise and fitness program for seniors at McMaster. She gave that her best, but she found that her condition continued to deteriorate, and overall she felt that the fitness regimen was too aggressive for her fitness level, so she left that program

During this time, Bobbi sold her home and moved to an apartment so that she could remain independent, but minimize her burden at home. Shortly after moving, her previous fitness trainer discovered The Club at Shalom Village and they called Bobbi and encouraged her to give The Club a try. Bobbi jumped at the chance to preserve her ability to keep walking, and she made her way over to Shalom Village and joined the fitness club.

It’s been more than a decade since Bobbi joined the Fitness Club at Shalom Village, and while her condition remains a struggle, Bobbi is still able to walk.

Bobbi credits her ability to walk, to the care and support she received from the expert team at Shalom Village. The club trainers understand the unique difficulties seniors face; their fitness training is tailored to getting the best possible results for the seniors like Bobbi, who depend on the club to keep them healthy, happy and achieving their fullest potential.

Although Bobbi had moved to her apartment, and she was able to maintain her mobility, she experienced a couple of falls while living alone. She grew concerned that one day she would fall and be unable to get up – and be left lying on the ground with no help available. After spending many years as a member of the Fitness Club at Shalom Village, Bobbi already felt like a part of the family, and she decided that it would be ideal to take an apartment at Shalom Village. When asked why she moved to Shalom Village, Bobbi says: “I already loved everyone at Shalom Village, and there’s so much to do that you can’t possibly get bored. I have all the independence I want, but I also have someone here to help me at a moment’s notice, if I need them.

Moving here was the best possible thing I could’ve done. When you feel like you’re with family, you want to be with them as much as possible” Bobbi wishes more seniors knew about the Fitness Club, as well as the
supportive living apartments and day programs offered at Shalom Village.

She wants more seniors to be able to laugh more and worry less, like she is able to do, thanks to the great
programs and services offered at Shalom Village. If you’d like to meet Bobbi or other Shalom Village fitness
club members, feel free come out and join our walk/run community event, the Hustle 4 Health, on May 27th.

You can support seniors and celebrate family by participating in the walk, or cheer on the participants and enjoy the free activities. To learn more about the Hustle 4 Health, contact Laurie Pringle at 905-529-1613 x 227 or visit: www.Hustle4Health.ca