Breezing Through the Challenges of 2021

Heaton Place Residents Breeze Through the Challenges of 2021!

19 Months of challenges and the residents of Heaton Place are still smiling! 

“Looking back to the beginning of COVID-19, I am amazed at the way that everyone coped with the all the uncertainties and changes. We navigated uncharted territory with such diligence and tenacity,” says Carrie O’Neill, Resident Relations Coordinator. The seniors walked through with grace and gratitude, while the staff at Heaton Place kept the spirit of service alive and well! The dedication and commitment from everyone was relentless. Staff continue to show up and do their best at making a difference in the day to day lives of our residents. 

Our seniors powered through a year of many ups and downs. We maintain diligence in following Dr. Bonnie Henry’s  which has contributed to the overall wellbeing of everyone.  What didn’t change throughout this crazy time are the steadfast positive attitudes of everyone. “It just goes to show you that despite changes in the outside world, what truly matters is the attitude within; that is what gets a community through a rather difficult time,” says O’Neill.

More recently, like many others in British Colombia, we have had to face the constant threat of wildfires. With the warm temperatures in the Okanagan, and the lack of rain, the fires and heavy smoke had a strong presence in our community. Bags were packed and unpacked a few times as Evacuation Alerts were issued.  Some of the family members were amazing, showing up for their loved ones with gratitude for the staff and how things were handled in an unprecedented time. 

Heaton Place is nearly full, a testament to the warm and caring home, lovely staff, and the all the wonderful amenities it has to offer. There are always positives that come from hard times. At last week’s sharing circle, the residents shared that when they were recently evacuated they were able to see great grandchildren that they had never met, and some returned to their old home towns which they had not been back to in a long while. To top it all off, the love bug hit and two of our very own fell in love and are planning a wedding!

Fran Yasinki, the Activity Coordinator is always thinking of new things to add to the social calendar. In the month of September, Personal Touch Fashions will be setting up in-house with clothing lines from TanJay, Wrangler and others,  D Dutchmen Ice Cream Truck will serve their delicious ice-cream cones, the Bagpipers are going to be playing for a birthday party and a wonderful slide show of the Northwest Territories and the Yukon will be shown. So there is never a dull moment at Heaton Place! 

“There was a question posed to the seniors last week that if there were no restrictions due to pandemics or wildfires, what would you be doing?” says O’Neill. I am happy to report to you that the overall answer was ‘everything we are doing now!’ 

Never underestimate the power of trials and tribulations! Just like the old saying goes: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass ...it’s about learning to dance in the rain!”

And this is exactly what the seniors at Heaton Place are doing!