The Elim Connection, December 2022
The Elim Connection is a community publication distributed three times per year to all residents of Elim Village, across two campuses. It is also shared with subscribers to our mailing list and those visiting our communities. The Elim Connection focuses on the stories and lifestyle of those living and aging in place at our two retirement communities.
The Elim Connection is a community publication distributed three times per year to all residents of Elim Village, across two campuses. It is also shared with subscribers to our mailing list and those visiting our communities. The Elim Connection focuses on the stories and lifestyle of those living and aging in place at our two retirement communities.
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
<strong>2022</strong> HEALTH &<br />
WELLNESS FAIR<br />
STAFF SPOTLIGHT<br />
WRITTEN BY<br />
ALVIN KLASSEN, RESIDENT CONTRIBUTOR<br />
On a Friday morning in October, <strong>The</strong> Oasis at <strong>Elim</strong> Village Fleetwood was<br />
the site of a large gathering of residents (including a bus load from Garrison<br />
Crossing), friends, and neighbours. Event speakers Patricia Morgan, Nicola<br />
Bartel, and Angela Doell gave cogent advice related to the event’s theme<br />
of Love Your Neighbour, Love Yourself.<br />
Alvin Klassen at the<br />
Health & Wellness Fair<br />
Patricia gave a humorous, animated, and captivating presentation teaching<br />
us to laugh at our aging selves and encouraging us to take healthy action<br />
steps towards resilient aging. Nicola Bartel encouraged us to be good<br />
Samaritans and presented on two organizations that provide opportunities<br />
to give and receive love (Mercy Canada and NightShift Street Ministries).<br />
Pastor Angela of Relate Church offered pastoral advice to reach out and<br />
be a community person: be curious, ask questions, be conversational and lead<br />
with your ears!<br />
In addition to the speakers was a lunch break with sandwiches, finger food,<br />
and a myriad of sweets. It was also a time of renewing old acquaintances<br />
and making new friends. In the afternoon, attendees were treated to a<br />
beautiful musical duet of a pianist and violinist and for a bit of fun, there<br />
was also a fabulous fashion show, presented by Malary’s Fashion Network.<br />
<strong>The</strong> show featured a wide variety of fashion garments modelled by both<br />
professional models and our very own <strong>Elim</strong> models!<br />
All attendees left with an increased wellness of soul and spirit.<br />
DID YOU KNOW?<br />
50% of those aged 75+ have hearing loss, which<br />
can lead to isolation. Patricia shared this, encouraging<br />
attendees to be purposeful in loving their neighbour.<br />
Who can you be purposeful with?<br />
NIDCD (2021). Quick statistics about hearing. National Institute of Deafness and<br />
Other Communication Disorders. Retrieved from https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/<br />
statistics/quick-statistics-hearing<br />
SUZANNE<br />
My name is<br />
Suzanne, and<br />
I’ve worked at <strong>Elim</strong> Village Fleetwood since July<br />
2017 as the Volunteer Coordinator. I love working<br />
at ELIM and aspire to be a friendly, approachable,<br />
positive team member. It’s important to me to<br />
help create inclusive environments for residents,<br />
families, volunteers, and staff. I always want to be<br />
helpful and upbeat, helping out wherever I can.<br />
One thing I love about working here is how<br />
everyone smiles at you. No one knew me on my<br />
very first day, and yet everyone was so friendly and<br />
smiled at me! I also love the teamwork and the<br />
opportunity to work with wonderful people every<br />
day. With residents, I love how you share your<br />
life stories and past experiences, reminding us to<br />
learn from the past, live in the moment, and look<br />
forward to the future. You’ve also shown me that<br />
you can give back to your community at any age.<br />
Outside of work, I’m a mom of three and a Nana<br />
to five. I’ve been married to my best friend for 34<br />
years and we love travelling together. My home<br />
is multi-generational with four generations living<br />
under one roof—what a blessing! I also recently<br />
learned how to ride a motorcycle, so if you see a<br />
Can-Am Spyder (three-wheel motorcycle) around<br />
the village, that’s me!!<br />
SUMAN<br />
Hello! I’m Suman. I just<br />
passed my four-year mark<br />
working at <strong>Elim</strong> Village Fleetwood. I started off in<br />
<strong>The</strong> Emerald Assisted Living before coming out to<br />
work in Independent Living. I work as a Wellness<br />
Assistant with Community Life.<br />
When I think about what is special about ELIM, I<br />
think about how no matter which building I enter<br />
or path I walk, everyone greets me with a big<br />
smile (I promise Suzanne and I did not compare<br />
answers…it must be true if we both said it!) What<br />
I like about working here is that there are so many<br />
stories to hear. Every individual has experienced<br />
and gone through different things before meeting<br />
together here, a place that is home to so many.<br />
If we get the chance to meet (and maybe we<br />
already have), I hope you’ll find me easy to<br />
approach. That way if you need help, you’ll feel<br />
comfortable enough to reach out (so please do!)<br />
In my spare time I enjoy cooking and baking. My<br />
go-to cookie is peanut butter chocolate chip (there<br />
shouldn’t be any other cookie in the world—this<br />
one is the most amazing!) I also like to read, spend<br />
time with family and friends and, when able, I go<br />
to the island to visit Oak Bay and Tofino; that’s my<br />
happy place.<br />
WINTER <strong>2022</strong> THE ELIM CONNECTION 11
Change language