The Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) has many programs that enable seniors to live a vibrant, healthy and satisfying life in their own homes and in the community.
One such program is Meals On Wheels (MOW).
Access to a well-balanced diet is important to the support of general well-being at any age, but essential to the health and autonomy of the senior maintaining their home and standard of living.
It is well known that most processed foods have little nutritional value, while MOW meals are made fresh daily and the VON has a strict policy of not using pre-packaged sauces, mixes or desserts.
Chefs for the VON use many fresh herbs and aromatics, while keeping the unhealthy fats and additives out. The MOW cooks are provided with ongoing education and consultations with dieticians to ensure that they are supplying nutrition with every meal they serve.
Although the provision of meals is indeed an invaluable service, the benefits of this program go far beyond just a meal plan. MOW connection to companionship, community resources and security checks ensure the clients’ psychological and emotional needs are addressed along with their physical ones.
One of the many successful examples of users of these VON services is Terry Carney, who became a client rather reluctantly. The stigma of being dependent, a burden or a “charity case” often deters seniors from seeking out the very programs that would help them become more energetic, self -sufficient and independent individuals.
Having been a man full of life who loved to dance, Carney was often seen at the local pubs, venues and dances. In May of 2012, a fall led to a broken ankle, leaving him homebound, isolated, lonely and depressed.
Carney was assessed by the local Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) and his care coordinator convinced him of the value of the MOW program. He was persuaded to have meals delivered to him three times a week.
Immediately Carney made connections with all the drivers and started to enjoy the social visit afforded to him by these individuals.
Some days, the volunteer driver was the only contact he had. Although Carney has two children, they reside in different countries, which allows him little contact with them.
It soon became evident Carney could be aided by introducing him to additional VON services. He was put on the wait list for a volunteer visitor and set up with the SMART (Seniors Maintaining Active Roles Together) in-home exercise program.
The SMART program helped in his physical rehabilitation, while also providing him with an additional hour-long visit once a week.
The program ended after 12 weeks and Carney was once again mobile, capable of making his own meals, but he continued in the MOW program twice a week because he really enjoyed the meals and the social time at delivery.
Because of the shortage of volunteer visitors at that time, the volunteer coordinator set up a match with a telephone reassurance volunteer.
Joseph Clark, a company CEO and father of four, had little time for a visit, but wanting to pursue a charitable endeavor, he offered to phone.
Clark calls Carney at least once a week, often talking for a couple of hours. He calls on his way to work from his hands free device, from his home office or from his cell while waiting at the airport.
In April of 2013 Dave Toccalino, a volunteer driver for MOW, became Carney’s volunteer visitor and now stops in once a week for at least an hour.
Carney says, “Dave is such a great guy, a real friend. We always have a laugh together. His visits are often the highlight of my week.”
Carney has only good things to say about the VON services, particularly Clark, Toccalino and the MOW VON volunteers.
Having felt disrespected and sad before meeting all these amazing folks, he is now thriving in his own home. Carney’s story demonstrates how the MOW promotes clients’ overall independence and well-being.
For more information on Meals on Wheels or other VON programs in Wellington County, contact the Mount Forest office at 519-323-2330 or 1-888-506-6353.
