Guest Post: Another Day in Paradise

For my mom, Nicole, every day at the Perley is a wonderful day for her. From the moment she is awakened by the cheerful chirping of the PSWs on Ottawa 2 West, to her personal breakfast happily brought to her table by support staff and volunteers, the promise of joy awaits! She shares her thoughts and experiences with her friends and table mates while being cared for by the attentive nurses, ensuring she is healthy and unburdened by pain and discomfort.

On Thursday mornings she looks forward to mass with Father Paul, who always greets her with a glowing smile, radiating God's love. The volunteers check us in and ensure we have our missals, are seated together, and have a good view of the altar. Father Paul's homilies are insightful and poignant, leaving us with renewed hope for a better tomorrow. Watching him administer communion to the Perley residents is heart warming - he addresses each of them by name, making sure they are able to receive the host in their hands or by mouth, and those who are sleeping, he silently blesses. One of Mom's favourite things about mass, is the care taken by the choir mistress to ensure French hymns are sung, usually during communion. Mom is proud of her French-Canadian heritage, and is touched by this inclusion.

After mass, we are off to the cafeteria. Meseret is always glad to see Mom and knows exactly what she wants: 2 eggs sunny side up, and a double order of bacon with white toast. She quickly and expertly prepares Mom's favourite breakfast, then wishes us a good day, and happily helps the next person in line.

On the days Mom gets her hair done by Saba, Perley's hair dresser and beauty expert, Mom feels pampered and special. Saba expertly dyes and styles her hair, then it's time for her manicure - making Mom feel like a beautiful queen, and she treats her like one!

Now it's time for the pub, and the astute volunteer remembers that the last time we were there Mom ordered a gin and tonic. Jokingly, he asks Mom if she wants it "Shaken, not stirred", she laughs, recognizing the James Bond reference. With our hands full of chips, the kind volunteer graciously offers to bring Mom her drink to our table. Since it is Thursday and Bingo starts at 2:00, we rush off to get a spot, making sure to leave the unfinished alcoholic beverage in the pub. But, not to leave Mom dry, our volunteer in shining armour finds us at bingo, bringing her open can of tonic for Mom to finish, teasing her with the assurance that this, too, has been shaken not stirred, causing Mom to giggle like a school girl.

Thursday is Mom's favourite day, as Bingo is her most cherished Perley activity! Everyone greets Mom with enthusiasm, even waving to her from a distance. The staff and volunteers work hard to get the interested residents to attend Bingo, pushing wheelchairs and accompanying walkers to ensure the full attendance and enjoyment of the Perley residents. Each table is fully staffed in order to support the attendees requiring extra help with number identification and manipulating the bingo cards. The bingo caller, Ben, is amazing! He brings so much joy and zest to the game. Mom and the others around our table echo his "Sixty-Six, Clickity-Click!" and his B11 chant, "B-11, B-B-11, one-one". We can't wait for the next special number to be called because he makes bingo even more fun and exciting than the game is already!

Back upstairs in her room, we are just in time to be greeted by the ever-cheerful PSW with the snack cart, offering a choice of juices, cookies, cheese and yogurt, proving once again that the Perley keeps their residents well-fed and happy. Their mandate of ensuring an ever-changing, diverse, and tasty menu has Mom looking forward to her next delicious meal!

And with that, it is time for me to depart, in anticipation of my next week's adventure with Mom at the Perley, while seeing her fully supported, respected and loved by the staff and volunteers.

Thank you, Perley, for all you do.

- Josée Arranz (daughter of resident Nicole Arranz)

"For my mom, Nicole Arranz (left), every day at the Perley is a wonderful day for her." - Josée Arranz (right)