By Ken Hirter
This month finds me at one of my favorite places to visit in downtown Hamilton. – beautiful Queen’s Garden Long-Term Care Residence, an established, welcoming and caring local neighborhood community. Managed by AgeCare, Queen’s Garden Long Term Care Residence was built with investments by the Ontario Superbuild Corporation and LIUNA Local 837 Nursing Home (Hamilton). The doors opened in 2002. It is home to many former residents of the North End, where some of my friends call home today. The residence is sectioned into Neighbourhoods, Durand, Gage Park, Jamesville, Mountain Brow and Westdale & Durand. Each neighbourhood has its own facilities for dining, group activities and nursing stations
l chatted with the delightful Christina Barrientos, PSW Coordinator and a North End resident. I asked, “What is a Personal Support Worker (PSW)”? A personal support worker (PSW) help individuals with their daily activities, providing personal care, mobility assistance; and companionship, often in homes or health care facilities and much more. Christina describer her role: ” Being a PSW Coordinator is more than just a career – it’s a calling. Every day l have the privilege of supporting both our residents and the frontline staff who care for them. Person centered care means seeing beyond tasks and routines; it’s about honoring the individuality, dignity and the life story of every resident. Even in their final days, we ensure they are surrounded by compassion, comfort and respect, because they are not just residents; they are family. When someone passes, we don’t just lose a resident; we lose a piece of our community as well. It is in those moments that we are reminded of the profound impact we have on one another. This work is challenging, but it is also deeply fulfilling. Knowing that we can bring comfort, joy and dignity to someone’s life – no matter how long or short their time with us may be making every effort worth it. I am honored to be part of a team that believes in caring for people not just as residence, but as individuals who deserve to be seen, heard and loved.
I asked Christina for a quote that resonates with her. ” Lift as you climb, care as you lead.”
What causes do you support and hold dear to your heart? ” Queen’s Garden and Habitat for Humanity “
Christina would like to thank her family and friends as well as her 2nd family of co-workers and friends here at Queen’s Garden.
About AgeCare,
OUR MISSION Create a home where residents are honored as individuals and where we provide the best quality of Life experience with the support of team members and family.
OUR VISION Transform and lead quality, services, and innovations in the publicly funded Long-term sector in Canada.
OUR VALUES & GUILDING PRINCIPLES
TRUST Act with integrity and fairness.
RESPECT Treat everyone with dignity, kindness and compassion.
QUALITY Pursue excellence in person-centred care and service through continuous learning and best of practices.
TEAM WORK Lead with passion and uplift each other with positive energy and support.
CARING, COMPASSION AND EMPATHY
AgeCare Social Media Accounts,
https://www.facebook.com/agecare
https://www.instagram.com/agecarecommunities/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/agecare/mycompany/
https://www.youtube.com/@agecarecommunities
Queen’s Gardens Long-Term Care Residence, 80 Queen Street, North, at the corner of Queen and Market streets. Phone: (905) 972-8889, https://www.agecare.ca/communities/queens-garden/
Thanks to Christina Barrientos for taking time out to chat.
I would also like to thank my 3 senior advisors and friends who assisted with my Walkabout Elizabeth, Margaret and Marne who give all staff here 2 thumbs up.
Thanks to Queen’s Garden and all the staff across the board. Thanks for providing the love, compassion, care and support that is shown to my friends and loved ones living here.
Queen’s Garden Long-Term Care Residence where Friends become Family.
Till next month, take care of you and those around you.
