She Is Like A Friend

When Anna Storr's health started to deteriorate, the Brampton resident feared her future was about to derail.

After a 27-year career as a chartered accountant, Anna retired in 1989 and threw herself wholeheartedly into volunteer work. Feisty and engaging, she was recognized as Brampton's Senior Citizen of the Year in 1997, especially for her work with Peel Memorial Hospital and the Knights' Soup Kitchen.

That year, still living in her own apartment, Anna was diagnosed with breast cancer. Surgery helped to beat it, but then her heart and circulation problems began.

Anna Storr with Spectrum support worker Marie Lewis

Her family worried about her staying alone and looked into senior housing options. By 1999, her health had worsened. "Suddenly I could barely cross the room," reflects Anna, 81.

Now, thanks to Anna's positive attitude and teamwork with her supportive family, the Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) case manager and home-care help, Anna is back on track.

Soon after a quadruple bypass, she got the go-ahead to move into an apartment at Holland Christian Homes, a Brampton seniors community of 1,400. It was a perfect solution to maintain her independence and, with extra care at home, she hoped to avoid moving into long-term care.

Part of Anna's salvation came by way of the community care centre, which approved the funded home support, first with post-op nursing care, then with a personal support caregiver. "She's doing fine now with two one-hour sessions each week," says CCAC case manager Shobha Bansal, who tries to see Anna twice a year to make sure conditions haven't changed.

The caregiver angel in Anna's life who helps her stay independent is Marie Lewis, a 20-year veteran personal support worker with Spectrum Health Care. Marie comes to bath and massage Anna, wash her clothes and tidy up the apartment. They giggle, laugh and cajole each other. Anna enthuses: "I've been with Marie for four years. She's like a friend and so efficient."

Accreditation Canada
Member of the Ontario Home Care Association
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