VON expansion whittles waiting list
By Cecilia Nasmith
The expanded space at Cobourg's VON Adult Day Program has gone a long way toward reducing the waiting list for admission.
The newly enlarged centre at 700 D'Arcy St. was showcased Thursday at a summer-afternoon barbecue that drew close to 100 clients, family members, volunteers, supporters and community partners to enjoy the food, the fellowship and the music by the Heartlight Band (who sometimes drop in just to entertain).
The weekday service is offered to those diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, dementia and Parkinson's disease as well as those recovering from a stroke. The aim is to provide a stimulating program that builds capacity in these clients, keeping them engaged and out of long-term-care or hospital as long as possible. As it does so, it also offers a respite period for their caregivers.
The original premises featured a large lounge and dining area. The additional 1,200 sq. ft. almost doubles that space, providing a second lounge and dining area, plus two large walk-in bathrooms (one of them with a walk-in shower equipped with grab bars and bench), as well as an enlarged kitchen to allow for such culinary activities as making jam.
And as a result of the extra space, they can take up to 45 clients a day.
The premises is leased from the Town of Cobourg, and the program has additional support from upper levels of government as well as the town. The large congratulatory cake that awaited cutting was on the counter next to certificates of congratulations from MP Philip Lawrence and MPP David Piccini.
Care and Service Manager, Community Support Services Lisa Corkery recalls that the Cobourg program was first set up “in a small plaza on Spring Street, serving six to eight people a day. It didn't take long to realize we had outgrown the space.”
The move from Spring Street happened about eight years ago.
“We found this building and knew, with some creativity and hard work, we could turn it into a lovely space for our members to call a home away from home.
“Thanks to the Town of Cobourg for listening to our ideas and agreeing to be our partner in providing something for the seniors of their community,” Corkery said.
“We support their families and quality of life, while they continue to live under the same roof and continue their every-day activities together.”
She praised the crew that work these wonders and Supervisor Jennifer Evans.
“This team works every day as if no other day matters – absolutely every detail is thought of and planned out.”
A wall display with the caption “What we love about Cobourg ADP!” contains such glowing comments as “spirited friendship and good food,” “lots of good conversation,” “the people, the staff and the cooking,” and “keeping busy makes my brain work.”
“We have a beautiful team here,” Evans declared, “helping keep these individuals staying at home as long as they want to, or as long as they can manage.
“When they are socially more active, it gives people a little bit of their life back, a little independence, when they can come and create and make new connections with new people and new friends.”
The key cause for celebration on this occasion is that this addition has taken them from 25 clients a day to being able to accommodate as many as 40 to 45.
This means alleviating the waiting list they gave for this service. This is distressing to her team since, while someone with Parkinson's or dementia waits to get into the program, that condition progresses further.
“When people need this program, they need it right now,” Evans said. “We want people to be able to start the day they need it.”
