Inside the Circle – May 3, 2022

Congratulations to this week’s Champions of Care nominees:

• “A client wants to express how grateful they are to have Viktorya Trileshinsky answer their calls. They cannot stop praising the excellent customer service they always receive and went on to say that Viktorya is patient and caring and they feel as though Viktorya has their best interest at heart. Excellent work Viktorya! Your hard work and dedication to our clients is greatly appreciated and our team appreciates you!” – Sheonne Harris
• “On behalf of my mom and I, we would like to take a moment to commend PSW Odeth Campbell for her continuous outstanding work that she provides my mom. Odeth is kind, compassionate, patient, loving, warm, nurturing and let’s not forget a hard working individual. She comes to our home every day with a smile on her face, EVERY DAY, even during these turbulent times (a contagious smile, I might add). She exudes such positivity and great energy and has the outmost respect not only for my mom but for her work as well. She helps my mom maintain as much dignity as possible, which is not such an easy task at times, but she does it. So many of the little things she does goes such a long way and it is important that you know this. You also need to know that she never complains, she always comes to work ready and willingly and always makes my mom look beautiful and clean, something my mom takes great pride in. I realized that I left out one adjective, and that is CARING – a word she totally encompasses. She is the very definition of a PSW. I truly hope Odeth realizes what an incredible human being she is and what an impact she has on the people she takes care of. She plays such an important part of our lives and please know that she is truly loved and adored by my entire family. Thank you and all the PSWs for continuously providing optimal care and for all your services during this pandemic.” – Client’s family member
• “PSW Tessie Lumitap is number one with everything, including her work. She’s very pleasant with her clients, always willing to help. She’s a good friend and a good team worker. She also never says no, she’s always available, and never late to see her clients. All PSWs respect her as a person.” – PSW Nona Slutsker
• “Kapil Divakaran teaches virtual exercise classes for our clients. At the end of the classes, Kapil takes the time to thank each person by name for joining him. I received this email from a client which perfectly captures the nature of Kapil’s kindness: ‘Just want to let you and Kapil know how nice it is to hear him acknowledge every participant in his class. Kapil makes us feel special.’ Thanks Kapil for going the extra mile to treat our clients with respect and kindness!” – Laura Tichonchuk

Over the last few months, six massage therapy students from Humber College prepared their stations to help bring relief to Circle of Care hospice clients and their caregivers every Friday morning.
“I felt very relaxed after the massage. I had a broken arm, and my shoulder and neck often hurt from helping my brother,” explained the caregiver of one of our hospice clients. “But, the massage really helped release some tension and helped me relax.”

In 2002, May was officially declared Asian Heritage Month. But, the contributions that many Asian-Canadians made and continue to make has been celebrated since the 1990s. The Official Declaration recognizing Asian Heritage Month touches on the importance of diversity to Canada, and the positive impact that diversity has on communities, and on every aspect of daily life in Canada.

The theme of Asian Heritage Month in 2022 is ‘Innovation and Perseverance’, so this May, take the opportunity to learn more about the history of Canadians of Asian descent, and celebrate their contributions across the arts and literature, science and architecture, business and politics, sports, fashion, and other areas.

There are several ways to celebrate Asian Heritage month:

• Expand your knowledge: learn about events in Asian Canadian History and learn about noteworthy Canadians of Asian descent
• Engage with content from Asian creators: Toronto Public Library Reading List
• Fight against Anti-Asian Racism: report acts of racism when you witness them or experience them yourself. Donate, or volunteer with organizations that work to end racism, and seek to educate yourself about the history of Anti-Asian racism in Canada.

For more resources, here are some upcoming events:

Government of Canada: Anti-Racism Event Series
Date: Friday, May 6th
Time: 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Toronto Public Library: Have you eaten yet? Stories from Chinese Restaurants around the World
Date: Wednesday, May 11th
Time: 6:30pm – 7:00pm

Advance care planning helps prepare you to communicate and talk with your loved ones about would be most important to you in a health care emergency.

If you’re interested in learning more on Advance Care Planning, join our webinar on May 18!

This week is Mental Health Week. The 2022 Canadian Mental Health Association Mental (CMHA) Health Week Theme is #GetReal. #GetReal is about having open conversations about mental health, and findings ways to support individuals who are struggling with mental health issues. They key to having open conversations, and the driving idea behind #GetReal is empathy.