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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-05-31, Page 16Delivering more than just a meal Meals on Wheels brings hope and independence to many homes in Hensall Ingrid Nielsen TA Staff Is that cupboard a little higher to- day than it was yesterday? Of course not, I'm just being silly. I seem to feel just a little too tired to- day for preparing the vegetables, perhaps I'll just go without. What's that smell? Burning? Oh dear, I for- got to turn off the stove. These thoughts could run through anyone's mind on a hectic day or in a brief moment of confusion. For some people in the com- munity, these are not fleeting mo- ments but are tiring predicaments or dangerous situations that mean the difference between staying in their own home as they get older or deal with a disability, or being forced to move to an institution. And no matter how nice that in- stitution may be, there are many people who are grateful for any op- portunity to stay in their own home for just a little longer. Meals on Wheels pro- / vides that opportunity. "Who the hell is it today'?" Mary Broadfoot calls out from her quiet apartment. The loud greeting is fol- lowed by a girlish giggle, as she opens the door for Kay Mock. Mock is a volunteer with Meals on Wheels, a service run out of Queensway Nursing Home in Hen- sall. The service is for people who are able to function at home, but find it too much of a strain or dif- ficulty to prepare nutritious meals. "Let's see what we have today," says Mock to Broadfoot, as she lifts the warm meal from the cooler and starts to open it up. Meatballs. Mashed potatoes. Green beans. Turnips. Bread and butter, and dessert. The meal is al- most complete. "Tea. I need my tea," says Broad - foot. "Oh yes, we must plug in the kettle for my hot water. That's it, plug it in." Mock gets the tea ready, after she butters the bread and opens all the containers. Broadfoot and Mock talk about friends and famil Kay Mock puts the meals on wheels, as she gets ready for the first delivery. the meal is being laid out. After everything is set up, Mock leaves taking the garbage with her. The clients eat by themselves, and the volunteer tries to be as un» oft sive as possible. Each person is different, some like to talk a little more, some a little less, says Mock. Mock is very careful to respect clients' privacy and be as consider- ate as possible. The meal is always delivered at 5:OOpm; not earlier and not later. That way the client is ready for her. As Mock walks out the door, Broadfoot calls out, "Thank you kindly." Climbing into her car, Mock heads back to the nursing home. There are only four people using the service right now in Hensall, and this was Broadfoot's day. "She's a very different little bud- dy, isn't she?" asks Mock with a warm smile and a laugh, referring to Broadfoot. "She's a real char- acter." Meals on Wheels has worked out of Queensway for approximately six years. The service costs $3.50 per meal, and all the deliveries are made by volunteers. The main goal is to provide warm, nutritious meals on time. The number of people using Meals on Wheels varies every week due to a variety of reasons. An older person's family may be out of town, or someone may be feeling too ill to prepare a meal. The service is sometimes a gift from family members living too far away to care for their parent or rel- ative. The meal is prepared in the kitch- en at Queensway along with the dinners for the other tenants. The kitchen staff say they don't mind preparing the extra dinners. "What's two or three more meals a day when you are already making over 70," says Sandra Consitt with a chuckle. She is one of the cooks at Queensway. The meal is packed in a cooler each day, and put by the door for the volunteer. She delivers them. and leaves the cooler by the same door afterwards. The meals are pri- marily delivered during the week, but occasionally a volunteer will be asked to deliver a meal on the weekend. Mock insists that her work is Enlarge family or team photos to 8-1/2x11 or even 11 x 17 instantly with our outstanding results. Ideal for business presentation materials, even colour transparencies ,1 very easy. "I don't mind it in the least," she says. "You just have to make sure you are available at 5:OOpm. It keeps me busy, now that I live alone. I felt so that I needed some- thing to do now that I have lost my husband. I needed something worthwhile." That sentiment is clear as Mock talks about her deliveries as if she is visiting old friends. "You really feel for them," says Mock. Some days it is a little more difficult if one of the clients is feel- ing a little down or ill. Another client in Hensall is Bill Clark. He is a younger man, who is blind. Mock brings him his meal and is extra careful to lay it out and let him know where everything is. "Have you been playing your gui- tar today'?" asks Mock, as she sets up Walker's meal. "No, I've been fiddling since 3:OOpm. My arm was getting sore," says Walker. He starts his meal and Mock leaves quietly. "He enjoys them a lot," says June McKenzie, a Health Care Aid at Queensway and Walker's daughter. "He likes the people and the food. He is going to come in and play his fid- dle for the volunteer appreciation night here at Queensway on June 1." There are 4 volunteers with the Meals pro- gram. Mock is only scheduled for one night a week, but is always ready to help if someone needs to reschedule. She has lived 40 years in Hensall, and enjoys her contribu- tion to the community. "I just wish there was more to do - so do the other girls," says Mock. That enthusiasm and dedication is the key to the success of the pro- gram. "It is a very im- portant service," says Consitt. "There are people 1 in the community who need us - without us, who would they have?" sx Mary Broadfoot (left) and Kay Mock share a smile as Mock lays out the warm evening meal. ANNOUNCING OUR RED TAG SALE. (What Other Color Would You Expect?) For a limited time, prices on quality Case IH equipment have been reduced for our Red Tag Sale. • Planting and seeding equipment • Soil -preparation equipment • Hay and forage equipment • Materials handling equipment See us today for details on eligible equipment. The color, of course, you already know Sall FARM EQUIPMENT - EXETER, ONTARIO Sales, Service & Rentals Since 1932 1-800-265-2121 (519) 235.2121 FAX (519) 235.2791 CASE IN