2021 AGM Reporting 2020 - Society for Adult Day Programs - ElderCare Edmonton
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Society for Adult Day Programs 2021 AGM Reporting 2020
ELDERCARE EDMONTON
ElderCare Edmonton is a non-profit, community-based organization
serving clients in Edmonton since 1980. We provide therapeutic
recreational adult day programs focused on a client– centered approach.
Our programs foster independence to improve the lives of seniors
affected by social isolation, reduced cognitive function
and reduced mobility.
Mission, Vision & Values
Mission Statement:
“To strengthen Seniors and their caregiver’s independence and
quality of life through excellence in recreational programming”
Vision:
Meaningful living for all seniors.
Values:
Teamwork
Caring and Empathy
Integrity
Inclusion
Fiscal Responsibility
Individual Worth
View our updated Bylaws at www.eldercareedmonton.ca
ElderCare Edmonton is a non-profit organization that offers exceptional services to seniors in
and around the city of Edmonton. The Association of Adult Day Support Programs evolved
from a pilot project in 1979 and was incorporated as a non-profit society on December 20,
1980. The programs were aimed at providing support and care through therapeutic
recreational activities to clients in the program and respite to family members and caregivers.
It all began with one day program held once a week at the Good Samaritan Auxiliary Hospital,
expanding to three programs a couple days a week also operating out of Villa Marguerite and
the Central Lions Recreation Centre. With the expansion of clients and the increased need for
spaces and days offered in the week, our programs eventually moved into the Westend Seniors
Centre and continued at the Central Lions Seniors Centre operating Monday - Friday with 20
client spaces per day. Currently, we have three day programs in the city, our newest one
opened on December 10, 2015 located at Fulton School in the Capilano area and runs Tuesday
- Friday also with 20 client spaces per day.
In 2006 we signed our first formal contract with Capital Health Authority and soon after
changed our name from the Association of Adult Day Support Programs to ElderCare
Edmonton Society for Adult Day Programs.
As well in 2006, we increased our scope of services and began offering specific Caregiver
Support Services facilitated by a Registered Social Worker and continued to offer the program
until 2019. Caregivers Alberta provides caregiver supports to those caring for seniors and all
caregivers, ElderCare works in collaboration with them to offer supports to those
caring for seniors.
At ElderCare we are extremely passionate about what we do and the many clients we serve,
we foster an environment of staff and volunteers who show compassion, kindness, patience
and empathy to our clients and to one another. Our programs are a place where seniors come
to have fun and feel good, and we foster a community where people feel safe and accepted.
Our programs help clients strengthen their independence and quality of life, and have a chance
to socialize and be involved in the community rather than isolated or alone. Our Caregiver
services provide people a place where they are listened to and to feel good about themselves.
Our staff are knowledgeable and will advocate for our clients’ needs while providing them with
information and resources they require. All the services we offer are interrelated, without each
other we could not provide the caliber of services that we do. Our passion is helping people
and we are proud of the growth and changes made to increase the quality and quantity of
services we have been able to provide throughout the years. We continually work toward
learning and growing and look forward to meeting the needs of our current and
future clientele.
A message from our Board Chair Donne Wulf…
Who could have possibly imagined the roller coaster ride 2020 has been? Perhaps our clients who
sat at the feet of their parents listening to stories of the Spanish flu?? But, did they ever imagine
themselves living thru such an event? I speak for baby boomers when I say it wasn’t in my life
plan, but here we are.. Apart, but together like never before, and bravely facing a very different
and unsure future - with attitude.
Passion for supporting seniors’ independence and well-being has been a cornerstone value for ECE,
and we are all so proud to be a part of an organization keeping seniors and caregivers together and
in their own homes. Never before the introduction of Covid-19 has the importance of being able
to stay home and stay well taken on such significance for seniors. We therefore acknowledge our
sincere gratitude to Alberta Health Services for the funding we have continued to receive as our
alternative programming would not have been possible without their sustained confidence and
support for our programs.
One full year into 100% shutdowns, masks, and social distancing which brought our ‘normal’ world
to a halt, we continue to experience the loss of our usual in-person programming. However, this
abrupt and disruptive change made us conduct an introspective evaluation of our mission, our
values, and our services for seniors in the community. By translating our passion for seniors’
advocacy and wellbeing into proactive, measured responses to the challenges presented to us, we
have also explored new directions and opportunities. As a Star Trek fan, I applaud the work and
enthusiasm our management and staff team have put into seeking out new worlds.
Through the availability of technology, and the phenomenal creativity and effort of our staff we
were able to shift gears and provide recreational programming to seniors in their homes, as well as
maintain a distanced but personal contact during the shutdown of face-to-face interaction. Sandra
will provide more details on what that alternative programming looks like. The Board is very
aware, proud, and appreciative of the tremendous amount of work and learning that went into
successfully maintaining this very important support for our clients. It has also provided a look into
the potential for future hybrid programming even after we are able to initiate resumption of
on-site activities. In addition, it has expanded our connection with other Seniors living in the
community, and strengthened collaborative partnerships with agencies of similar values and vision.
This is a good thing.
We are not without challenges moving forward, and I will speak to 4 of those we addressed in
developing our Strategic Plan 2020:
(1)To continue to engage, support, and advocate effectively for those who are unable to effectively
speak for themselves, or are experiencing the adverse effects of loneliness and isolation at this
time.
We need to explore ways to leverage the technology better, and to be able to maintain effective contact and support for those without technical equipment, assistance or IT knowledge. But, how do we facilitate this enhanced support? We will look to our ED and her team to expand our networking connections, our programming equipment and training, and/or recruitment of millennial volunteers who are much more versed in social media and IT operations to work with our seniors. (2) To evolve and adapt our programs to focus on quality, diversity, choice, and inclusion in planning to ensure engagement and opportunities for meaningful socialization when called on to meet and address not only current needs, but the anticipated needs and interests of baby boomer seniors. We are coming, we know what we want and we will be vocal in telling you what we expect in services from ECE. (3)This was a particularly irregular Casino year, and we were very fortunate to be scheduled within a very tight window. Now facing an unknown future, we must take steps to introduce alternate funding sources by working with our familiar partners, but seeking out new connections and collaborative ventures, and embarking on creative fundraising events with community agencies and businesses. Covid 19 has pervasively altered the social, psychological, medical and economic constructs of ‘business as usual’. We must focus on fiscal sustainability, and be prepared to think and act outside the usual boxes to achieve that objective. I feel confident our ECE team will be able to successfully achieve this goal in the new order of things. (4) Finally, to ensure our clients and their caregivers, staff and volunteers feel safe when programming returns to the sites. We look forward to that day, and in conjunction with AHS and compliance with current guidelines, management has developed comprehensive, detailed resumption plans, and procured appropriate equipment to ensure that incremental re-entry will be proactive, flexible, and most importantly, safe for all clients, staff and volunteers. I’m sure our volunteers are missing us as much as we are missing them. In closing, I have already spoken to the support from our funders, but I have multiple thank yous’ to extend to many individuals that have been great team players throughout the year. I would sincerely like to thank the Board for their dedication, participation and unconditional belief in the work of ECE. To the staff for their fortitude in the face of challenge, their creative adaptation to a wildly significant change in work and life style, and their unwavering commitment to staying connected to the clients they serve. I’d also like to extend a big thank you to Dale Hanson who once again listened, led discussions, and orchestrated the base for our 2020 – 23 Strategic plan in the middle of a pandemic. A big thank you goes to Tony Spencer, a former Board member, who rose to the occasion and returned to efficiently organize our Casino event for us. Last, but not least, we are sad to be saying goodbye to Kim Elliott as Board member and Chair extraordinaire. We are so going to miss her presence at the table, and wish to thank her for her leadership and significant contributions to the wellbeing of ECE throughout the years. You did make a difference, and hope you will keep in touch. Again, thank you all for coming and being a part of our AGM and organization. Respectfully submitted, Donne Wulf, Chair Board of Directors, ElderCare Edmonton
A message from our Executive Director
Sandra Stemmer…
At this time of 2020 hindsight, I reflect on the really tough year we have been through and how we
exemplified the ElderCare Edmonton organizational values in every way. Early in the year we heard about a
virus that was impacting another part of the world, and within weeks it was upon us.
A whirlwind of change followed. Our programs and offices closed on short notice. We were in continuous
contact with Alberta Health Services as well as our clients and their caregivers. We needed to pivot to a
new way of delivering programs and services – and we did!
The good news is that everyone came together bringing their ideas, experiences, skills and partnerships to
successfully create “Well Connected” an online podcast where staff, clients and others come together for a
variety of online activities and chat. Activity Booklets were created and distributed both online and through
Canada Post. These were discovered by other organizations that sought our authorization to further
distribute the booklets. Regular wellness calls were put into place to stay in touch one on one with our
clients.
Staff are looking to continue some of the new initiatives even after in person programming resumes.
Interactive programming is an example of where we can continue to be even more inclusive through the
application of technology. Our Client and Caregiver satisfaction survey results will also inform program
assessments for building on client favourites and introducing new initiatives.
Behind the scenes, even more was happening in 2020. Our head office relocated to the Jerry Forbes Centre,
a non-profit hub where we are establishing relationships with organizations that compliment our mandate.
Working in the same building as Caregivers Alberta, for example, allowed us to fully collaborate on the Well
Connected events. We continue to build bridges with other groups co-located at the Centre and to partake
in the collaborative learning events and other engagement opportunities offered through the collaborative.
Although 2020 was hectic, it was also dynamic. We are stronger for it and look forward to a post covid
relaunch with our beloved clients returning for in person programming soon.
I would like to conclude with a HUGE THANK YOU to all ElderCare Edmonton staff. Clients needed you,
ElderCare Edmonton needed you, I needed you – and you came through.
-Sandra Stemmer
Financial Overview
*Financial Statements audited by Peterson Walker Chartered Accountants, who expressed an unqualified opinion on
the draft Financial Statements. Financial Statements are available upon request.
ElderCare Vitality, Daybreak and Connections
Day Programs
2020 began as most other years, the Day Programs at ElderCare were in full swing with
New Year celebrations, entertainment, exciting programs, and Valentine’s Day.
Preparation for St. Patrick’s Day and Easter had begun, when on March 5th, 2020 Alberta
announced its first presumptive case the novel Coronavirus known as COVID 19.
On March 12, the City of Edmonton
announced the temporary closure of
recreation centers until further notice, and
on March 16, Alberta Health Service
advised that due to the unfolding COVID-19
situation and in order to reduce the risks
associated with transmission, Continuing
Care Edmonton Zone would be temporarily
closing its onsite program attendance at
CHOICE Day Centers & Adult Day
Programs effective Tuesday, March 17th, to
protect client and staff safety.
Immediately our Day Program staff began connecting with clients through wellness
telephone calls to support our clients from a distance socially and emotionally. Staff were
able to provide social engagement, assess client needs, and provide information for
addition community supports available.
ElderCare staff wanted a way for clients to
stay engaged in cognitive programming and have
access to quick at home activities. With this idea in
mind, the creation of a weekly activity book
promptly began. The weekly book included pro-
grams such as word puzzles, at home art, recipes,
at home exercises, music/audiobooks, resources
for community programs and resources for
caregiver support. The ElderCare Activity book
continues to be sent weekly to Day Program
clients and has grown in popularity for community
use in Edmonton and surround areas.
In April 2020 the opportunity presented itself for collaboration with Caregivers Alberta
to provide a virtual At Home Day Program and thus began the Well Connected at home
Day Program. Each week Well-Connected provides group-based social, cognitive and
physical (seated-exercise) recreation therapy programs. The current program also includes
a healthy meal segment, guest speakers, and entertainment from new and past
entertainers. The Well-Connected program operates Wednesday mornings from
10:00am- 11:00am and as of February 2021, Thursday afternoons from 1:00pm-2:00pm.
With the closure of in-person programs, staff have also the opportunity for increased
education including training on Seizure First Aid, Personal Protective Equipment,
Fall Prevention, Mental Health in the Workplace and have completed our annual CCHSS
education. Staff education gives our staff the necessary knowledge to better support our
clients ever changing needs.
In September, staff returned to on-site
locations in preparation of 1:1 in-person
program visits. Staff had the opportunity to
clean and organized program spaces,
implement new practices, complete program
space renovations, and begin 1:1 in-person
visits. It was at this time, that we also sadly
said good-bye to our Connections Day
Program Manager Lindsay Plant.
Due to the significant increase in COVID 19
cases in October/ November, programs once
again closed for in-person visits and returned
to virtual programing. While we were not able
to spend the holiday season together in
person, were happy to celebrate together
virtually and enjoyed sending Christmas cards
to our Day Program clients.
2020 brought its fair share of challenges for our Day Programs, however these
challenges allowed us to grow as a team, explore new programming possibilities and
provide support to our clients through a variety of new avenues. We look forward to what
lies ahead in 2021 and re-connecting in person with our program teams, clients,
caregivers, and families. We feel hope on the horizon, as cases decrease, and
vaccinations increase. We have every confidence that we will get through this together
and emerge more diverse, more connected, and stronger than ever.
Volunteer Program
……………………………………
2020 was a year of change and innovation for the Volunteer Program at ElderCare Edmonton.
With the closure of in-person programming and public health measure introduced to reduce risk
of transmission of COVID 19, our volunteer program quickly pivoted to provide opportunities for
volunteering virtually and began collaborating with commonly funded community organizations.
Our volunteer coordinator connected with Caregiver’s Alberta to provide support for the
increasing need in Caregiver Support Programs. Community Service-Learning Students from the
University of Alberta, helped with social media, and led online programming as part of
Well-Connected. We maintained our partnerships with community agencies and organizations
including, Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council, Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary
Organizations, The University of Alberta Community Service Learning Program, Volunteer
Alberta and Caregiver’s Alberta.
In September, ElderCare Edmonton was fortunate to proceed with the casino fundraiser as
planned and we greatly appreciate Tony Spencer for organizing and coordinating this event. We
also thank all the volunteers who took time out of their busy schedules to make the Casino a
huge success.
In 2020, we sadly said goodbye to long-term volunteer Claire Zubick, in her memory ElderCare
Edmonton created the Claire Zubick Volunteer of the Year Award. This award will be presented
each year to an outstanding volunteer in recognition of their dedication and contribution to
ElderCare Edmonton.
Finally, wish to acknowledge our Board of Director who have fearlessly led our organization
during these unprecedented times. Thank you for your leadership, guidance, and support as we
navigated and continue to navigate this journey together.
December 2020 unfortunately saw the conclusion for the funding of the Volunteer Coordinator
position with ElderCare Edmonton. Our Volunteer coordinator Mariam Ahmad will be greatly
missed, and we wish her all the best with her future endeavors.
The volunteer program will continue at ElderCare Edmonton in 2021 with responsibilities
allocated to other position within our team. We look forward to continuing to work with all our
volunteers. Thank you for your dedication, commitment, and contributions to our organization.
You have donated to us your most precious thing, your time, and your talent.
Thank you for volunteering.2020 – 2021 Nominating
Committee Report
Report prepared for the ElderCare Edmonton Annual General Meeting on March 22, 2021.
The Nominating Committee is pleased to report that progress continues in building a diverse, talented and
passionate Board of Directors committed to serving and advocating for Seniors in the community. Over
the 40 years of its existence ElderCare Edmonton has sought out this passion as a critical element in a
potential Board member in order to effectively support seniors and their caregivers‘ independence and
wellbeing in their own homes.
This year Eun Jin Kim joined the Nominating Committee, and with her knowledge and experience we have
been working diligently to introduce potential new members to ElderCare Edmonton, and refresh and
improve the Board Recruitment Plan. Facilitating the development of a strong, operational board also
requires significant work to maintain an effective Orientation Plan for new members. This project has also
been in progress for the past 6 months and has included an updated electronic Orientation Manual for both
new and older Board members, and the first in-house Board Governance/Development workshop. This was
enhanced by a presentation from ECE management on the operational aspects of the organization with the
plan to have it incorporated into the orientation program.
The most significant loss to the organization will be the retirement of Kim Elliott after 7 years of service
including __ years as Chair and 1 year as Past Chair. She was our rock during times of upheaval bringing us
order from chaos to stability, calm to anxious staff and volunteers, and strong leadership in directing the
organization through the advent of Covid-19. Always putting the clients first, she ensured that the programs
met the mandates of our funders and the needs of our clients and caregivers. We thank you from the
bottom of our hearts for your unwavering commitment to Seniors, your generous donation of time and
energy to ElderCare Edmonton, and your dedication to ‘service above self’. In all this you have made a huge
difference.
The Nominating Committee is pleased to present the slate of nominees for the AGM which includes board
members remaining: Curtis Dorfman 6 years, Donne Wulf 4 years, Andrew Abey 3 years,
Janine Alfred 1 year, Eun Jin Kim 1 year, and Nichole Aichinger 1 year.
It is my honour at this time to introduce the following names of new members to be formally inducted at
the AGM: Sandy McFadyen and Arzina Allibhoy. Please welcome them as we welcome them to our Board.
Respectfully submitted,
Donne R. Wulf, Chair, Nominating Committee.
ElderCare Edmonton is extremely grateful for
all of those who provided their support in 2020!
The support we receive from our community allows us to continue developing
and expanding services to the health of seniors in Edmonton.
Your investment in our agency is an investment in your community.
Thank you for your generosity, and we look forward to strong
partnerships in the future.
2020 Individuals
Elizabeth Holt Tsion Abate
Donne Wulf Rose and Ron Oswald
In Memory of Ron Oswald: In Memory of Ron Oswald:
Joan and Daniel Prowse John and Jeanette McKinley
2020 Corporate
Canada Helps United Way of Alberta Capital Region
Accurate Networks has been a significant
Accurate Networks
contributor to our technology innovations.
2020 Funders
City of Edmonton, Community Investment Operating Grant (CIOG)
Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis CommissionCommunity Collaborators
Central Lions Seniors Centre
Halls Remedy Pharmacy
Board of Directors Head Office Staff
Donne Wulf, Chair Sandra Stemmer, Executive Director
Kimberly Elliott , Past Chair Melanie Estacio, Office Administrator
Katelyn Poulin, Program Manager
Curtis Dorfman, Treasurer
Krista Mulbery, Program Manager
Andrew Abey, Director
Jennifer Brownridge, Bookkeeper
Janine Alfred, Director
Nicole Aichinger, Director
Eun-Jin Kim, Director
Sandy McFadyen, Director
Arzina Allibhoy, Director
Program Facilitators
Johanna Izteck Tsion Abuhay Leah Anthony
Karrie–Anne Tollenaar Ramandeep Kaur Jessica Greene
Debby Bigelow, Food Services Facilitator Leah McKinney Jane Tirol
Jenny Urayan, Mat Leave Steven Krahn, Casual Esther ValeraOffice: (780) 434 - 4747 Fax: (780) 433 - 3758 Jerry Forbes Center #23 12122 -68 Street NW Edmonton, AB T5B 1R1 www.eldercareedmonton.ca
You can also read
