Care Centre Residents Stay Connected

NEWS photo Mike Wakefield Sandy Croley (left) and Inger Henriksen enjoy the patio at the Inglewood Care Centre in West Vancouver.

Program helps seniors to help animals in need

Joanna Habdank

newsroom@nsnews.com

Often when somebody has a debilitating illness such as Alzheimer's disease or another kind of dementia, their capacity to contribute to the community is sometimes limited, but a program at a North Shore care facility recognizes that they still have the power to make a difference.

Seniors who become increasingly frail and forgetful can often feel lonely, helpless and bored, the three plagues of nursing homes, suggests Dr. Bill Thomas, an American doctor and founder of the Eden Alternative.

It is a philosophy that focuses on what people can do rather than their limitations, says Sandy Croley, a geriatric co-ordinator at Inglewood Care Centre in West Vancouver.

Although she was first introduced to the concept a few months ago when she began working at Inglewood, the care facility has been implementing the concept for years by encouraging residents to become involved in different activities that give back to the community. They include working in the garden to make their own environment more beautiful, making dog cookies for the SPCA or quilting.

Croley says she believes that the philosophy breaks down the myth that the seniors have done all they can in life and need to rest. "Everybody wants a job and a purpose," she explains.

Her love for animals and for her job convinced her to link the two passions by setting up a new program in June. She thought that some of the 235 seniors at the facility would enjoy the interaction with abandoned cats who crave a personal and loving touch.

Croley organized trips for a handful of the residents to the West Vancouver SPCA to pet and play with the dozens of felines that are temporarily housed there.

"It gives them a sense of pride and an opportunity to give as well as receive care," she says.

The seniors who come to the SPCA usually socialize with the cats in the wheelchair-accessible communal cat room where about 60 cats live.

Croley reports that the seniors become more verbal in the non-threatening environment. She explains that people who have different forms of dementia often realize that their words don't come out right. They realize that the cats won't judge them like people do.

"The smiles on people's faces is incredible. It does bring tremendous amount of joy to their faces. It also gives them something to talk about with their families, with their friends because it gives them a purpose (and a) meaning," she says.

The visits make the cats much calmer and happier, says Debbie Heiliger, manager of the SPCA. Despite efforts to make it comfortable for the felines, they are often stressed because it's not a home setting, she explains, adding that they love the weekly visits when they get more attention.

"Some cats just want to be held, others just want to play. Unfortunately, there is enough cats for all seniors to engage," notes Croley.

She says her work makes her pretty popular at thecare centre.

"Some people who have very mild dementia, they will come up to me and ask if we will go out and see the cats. They have something to look forward to as well, which is very important."

While they may not always remember what day they actually go, they definitely want to go back, adds Croley.

published on 09/24/2006

North Shore News:
http://www.nsnews.com/issues06/w092406/095106/seniors.html