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The Better Living Foundation has always written the story and asked for support. This time Helen wants to write her own story on behalf of her family, and more than 6,700 clients, members, residents and their loved ones at Better Living.

Hello <Enter First Name>,

I am going to tell you MY STORY…

It’s a story about my family, Better Living, Thompson House and how our lives changed. My parents are Portuguese Newcomers who met in Canada and married in 1964. They lived happily together and in 2002 they retired and called Don Mills home. They enjoyed the fruits of their labor for the �rst nine years, but then mom suddenly changed. At �rst, it seemed she was occasionally forgetful, something I assumed was typical aging. However symptoms became more pronounced – she would get lost, retell stories and even hallucinate. I wasn’t aware of the extent of mom’s decline because dad was dismissing these issues as minor and “no big deal”.

My children, Katie and Derek often stayed over at their grandparent’s home, and informed my husband and me of their observations. One day, I visited my parents’ home and found the stove on, but nothing in it. I was also surprised to �nd an untidy kitchen and staple groceries weren’t in the refrigerator or pantry. Food was putrefying in the fridge so I knew something was de�nitely wrong as my mom had an acute sense of smell. Dad, with

a heavy heart, acknowledged mom’s change when I confronted him. He said mom was sleeping at irregular times and often wandered. She frequently got lost in the condominium common areas and forgot about meals. From what I saw, she was happy, carefree,

and somewhat aloof – a bit “spaced-out”, but in a tender way, unlike the stern mom I knew growing up. Dad halfheartedly agreed to get mom cognitively assessed.

The mind is complicated and my mom’s actions didn’t always re�ect what was truly going on. It was hard to explain to mom that she

appeared to have some cognitive issues. After all, in her mind she was �ne. While no surprise, it

still came as a shock when we learned my exceptionally

brilliant mom su�ered

from early dementia. I was concerned about my mom’s welfare and I was hesitant about the upcoming challenges. I didn’t want to regret not taking action, and decided this must be the time to move mom to a safer place. But where or what? This is when I �rst learned about Better Living and their exceptional client services.

I used their In-Home Services, Social Work Services and Adult Day Program (ADP). I had great hopes that ADP would get my mom into a much needed daily routine to keep her stimulated and delay the progression of her dementia. Unfortunately, my mom resisted the program’s bene�ts, so it didn’t take long before professionals strongly recommended for my mom to go to Long Term Care. We began the process to �nd mom a new home and were advised that there are long waitlists. To our surprise, my mom was accepted at Better Living at Thompson House just seven weeks after our application.

Jackie Miller, Program Manager, advised me how to navigate the admissions process. Soon after, we made the very hard decision to bring my mom to her new home away from my dad, her husband and best friend of 51 years. She was admitted straight to the 4th �oor. If there's one emotion that nearly anyone caring for an at risk parent can count on, it is guilt. We feel guilty about a decision to take action. We feel guilty about a decision to wait. We feel guilty about asking others to help or not asking for help.

share; and enable the younger generation to become rooted in what makes us a strong community. Caregiving carried with it the extraordinary opportunity to GIVE BACK what my parents gave to me. I believe empathy doesn’t stop developing in childhood. We can nurture its growth throughout our lives. I have witnessed that children seemed naturally drawn to elders. There’s symmetry between them, each in life stages that leave them a little vulnerable. We may be the person in that wheelchair or bed, and will want visitors. We will want to know that people love you enough and will overcome their feelings of guilt. I am asking you with an open heart, to make a Commitment to Care and pledge to change someone’s life. Your generosity will inspire caregivers and help Better Living to continue to o�er programs and services such as: Better Living Centre, Meals and Grocery Delivery, Transportation, Volunteer Companionship, In-Home Services, Hospice Services, Home Maintenance and Repair, Caregiver Support, Social Work Services, and Long Term Care Services.

I hope that you and your loved ones have a wonderful New Year in a safe, warm and joyous home. From my heart to your home,

Helen Aubreynext page...

1963

1963

1968

1985

2007

2008

A Family Affair...

Although my father missed his true love, he accepted our new reality and looked forward to making great memories, with us, especially the kids. Our family visited Thompson House every week, sometimes daily. We visited not only my mom, but also bonded with the other residents. My children played the piano during our visits, something all the residents enjoyed. Occasionally we joined in with some of the recreational activities. My dad would often visit on his own, usually during the day when the kids were at school. Gradually mom began to speak less, the acknowledgment was always there, through mom’s smile and in her eyes. My dad needed more socialization, ideally with seniors his own age. Staying active and engaged is important for everyone and dad decided to enroll in the Better Living Adult Day Program. Our routine of visits and interaction continued for two more years until my mom contracted pneumonia and struggled with swallowing.

Our daughter, Katie, who was 13 showed a very nurturing side wanting to feed my mom using the spoon we used for Katie when she was an infant. She asked if she could become a volunteer to not only help her grandmother, but other residents too. It was just after my mom’s passing in November 2012, that she was o�ered a volunteer position for the Sunday Hymn Sing with Deanna. My dad attended and drove Katie to the Hymn Sing.

After her grandfather’s sudden passing in May 2016, Katie’s passionate care for elders, led to her being o�ered a Recreation Assistant position at Thompson House. Katie had the most amazing learning experience working with sta� like Jackie, Michelle, Rosemarie, Christine, Susan, and

Alex, and also making close friendships with the residents. She enjoyed it so much that she still continues to visit. Our son, Derek has been inspired and is now following his sister’s footsteps.

In hindsight, after my mom’s passing, I believe as sad as it was for us to see her dementia progress, her end of life was her last “life lesson” and gift to me and my family. The empathy and comfort that my children exude around

seniors today, clearly is something they got from Better Living at Thompson House. If it weren’t for my mom calling Thompson House home, and my dad using Better Living programs and services

while living with us, I don’t think we would have appreciated what Better Living is all about, and the continuum of life changing programs and services o�ered. We

saw �rsthand how children and elderly could better each other’s lives.

Like my dad, grandparents, can help children learn about their family, help keep our history

alive through the stories they

The Better Living Foundation has always written the story and asked for support. This time Helen wants to write her own story on behalf of her family, and more than 6,700 clients, members, residents and their loved ones at Better Living.

Hello <Enter First Name>,

I am going to tell you MY STORY…

It’s a story about my family, Better Living, Thompson House and how our lives changed. My parents are Portuguese Newcomers who met in Canada and married in 1964. They lived happily together and in 2002 they retired and called Don Mills home. They enjoyed the fruits of their labor for the �rst nine years, but then mom suddenly changed. At �rst, it seemed she was occasionally forgetful, something I assumed was typical aging. However symptoms became more pronounced – she would get lost, retell stories and even hallucinate. I wasn’t aware of the extent of mom’s decline because dad was dismissing these issues as minor and “no big deal”.

My children, Katie and Derek often stayed over at their grandparent’s home, and informed my husband and me of their observations. One day, I visited my parents’ home and found the stove on, but nothing in it. I was also surprised to �nd an untidy kitchen and staple groceries weren’t in the refrigerator or pantry. Food was putrefying in the fridge so I knew something was de�nitely wrong as my mom had an acute sense of smell. Dad, with

a heavy heart, acknowledged mom’s change when I confronted him. He said mom was sleeping at irregular times and often wandered. She frequently got lost in the condominium common areas and forgot about meals. From what I saw, she was happy, carefree,

and somewhat aloof – a bit “spaced-out”, but in a tender way, unlike the stern mom I knew growing up. Dad halfheartedly agreed to get mom cognitively assessed.

The mind is complicated and my mom’s actions didn’t always re�ect what was truly going on. It was hard to explain to mom that she

appeared to have some cognitive issues. After all, in her mind she was �ne. While no surprise, it

still came as a shock when we learned my exceptionally

brilliant mom su�ered

from early dementia. I was concerned about my mom’s welfare and I was hesitant about the upcoming challenges. I didn’t want to regret not taking action, and decided this must be the time to move mom to a safer place. But where or what? This is when I �rst learned about Better Living and their exceptional client services.

I used their In-Home Services, Social Work Services and Adult Day Program (ADP). I had great hopes that ADP would get my mom into a much needed daily routine to keep her stimulated and delay the progression of her dementia. Unfortunately, my mom resisted the program’s bene�ts, so it didn’t take long before professionals strongly recommended for my mom to go to Long Term Care. We began the process to �nd mom a new home and were advised that there are long waitlists. To our surprise, my mom was accepted at Better Living at Thompson House just seven weeks after our application.

Jackie Miller, Program Manager, advised me how to navigate the admissions process. Soon after, we made the very hard decision to bring my mom to her new home away from my dad, her husband and best friend of 51 years. She was admitted straight to the 4th �oor. If there's one emotion that nearly anyone caring for an at risk parent can count on, it is guilt. We feel guilty about a decision to take action. We feel guilty about a decision to wait. We feel guilty about asking others to help or not asking for help.

share; and enable the younger generation to become rooted in what makes us a strong community. Caregiving carried with it the extraordinary opportunity to GIVE BACK what my parents gave to me. I believe empathy doesn’t stop developing in childhood. We can nurture its growth throughout our lives. I have witnessed that children seemed naturally drawn to elders. There’s symmetry between them, each in life stages that leave them a little vulnerable. We may be the person in that wheelchair or bed, and will want visitors. We will want to know that people love you enough and will overcome their feelings of guilt. I am asking you with an open heart, to make a Commitment to Care and pledge to change someone’s life. Your generosity will inspire caregivers and help Better Living to continue to o�er programs and services such as: Better Living Centre, Meals and Grocery Delivery, Transportation, Volunteer Companionship, In-Home Services, Hospice Services, Home Maintenance and Repair, Caregiver Support, Social Work Services, and Long Term Care Services.

I hope that you and your loved ones have a wonderful New Year in a safe, warm and joyous home. From my heart to your home,

Helen Aubrey

2010

2010

2011

2016

2016

2014

We are honoured the Mount Pleasant Group is a Better Living Proud Supporter.

We are proud that Better Living takes great care and responsibility in managing every donor dollar we receive and the fact that over 93% of donations go directly to support programs and services.

Distribution of Support in 2015 P.S. BY THE WAY...

7%

33%Community

ServiceProgram

Adm

inist

ratio

n

60%Long Term

Care

PRIVACY STATEMENT: Better Living Charitable Foundation respects your privacy. We do not rent, sell or trade our mailing lists. Your personal information will be used to keep you informed of our activitieswithin both Better Living Charitable Foundation and Better Living Health and Community Services including programs, services, special events, funding needs, opportunities to volunteer or to give. If you do not wish your personal information to be used for this purpose please notify Better Living Charitable Foundation by writing to 1 Overland Drive, Toronto, ON M3C 2C3 or e-mail krever@betterlivinghealth.org and we will gladly accommodate your request.

A Family Affair...

Although my father missed his true love, he accepted our new reality and looked forward to making great memories, with us, especially the kids. Our family visited Thompson House every week, sometimes daily. We visited not only my mom, but also bonded with the other residents. My children played the piano during our visits, something all the residents enjoyed. Occasionally we joined in with some of the recreational activities. My dad would often visit on his own, usually during the day when the kids were at school. Gradually mom began to speak less, the acknowledgment was always there, through mom’s smile and in her eyes. My dad needed more socialization, ideally with seniors his own age. Staying active and engaged is important for everyone and dad decided to enroll in the Better Living Adult Day Program. Our routine of visits and interaction continued for two more years until my mom contracted pneumonia and struggled with swallowing.

Our daughter, Katie, who was 13 showed a very nurturing side wanting to feed my mom using the spoon we used for Katie when she was an infant. She asked if she could become a volunteer to not only help her grandmother, but other residents too. It was just after my mom’s passing in November 2012, that she was o�ered a volunteer position for the Sunday Hymn Sing with Deanna. My dad attended and drove Katie to the Hymn Sing.

After her grandfather’s sudden passing in May 2016, Katie’s passionate care for elders, led to her being o�ered a Recreation Assistant position at Thompson House. Katie had the most amazing learning experience working with sta� like Jackie, Michelle, Rosemarie, Christine, Susan, and

Alex, and also making close friendships with the residents. She enjoyed it so much that she still continues to visit. Our son, Derek has been inspired and is now following his sister’s footsteps.

In hindsight, after my mom’s passing, I believe as sad as it was for us to see her dementia progress, her end of life was her last “life lesson” and gift to me and my family. The empathy and comfort that my children exude around

seniors today, clearly is something they got from Better Living at Thompson House. If it weren’t for my mom calling Thompson House home, and my dad using Better Living programs and services

while living with us, I don’t think we would have appreciated what Better Living is all about, and the continuum of life changing programs and services o�ered. We

saw �rsthand how children and elderly could better each other’s lives.

Like my dad, grandparents, can help children learn about their family, help keep our history

alive through the stories they