One act of kindness can lead to another in these days of COVID-19.
When Domenic Maccarone, president of Home Care Assistance of Barrie/Simcoe County read an article about the ‘Caring Cards’ dropped off by volunteers to the residents and staff at Lakeside Retirement residence in Alcona, he was touched.
And when he read that Lakeside’s Director of Community Relations, Tony Imtiaz was hoping that someone would donate ice cream, to cheer up residents who have been cut off from family and friends by the pandemic, he was moved to act.
“If you can make a difference, make somebody happy – why not? It’s about giving back,” Maccarone said.
Which is why, on Friday morning, Maccarone, Tammy Forsyth and Director of Care Deborah Vollett of Home Care Assistance stopped by Lakeside and delivered five boxes of Mega Ice Cream Sandwiches – 150 ice cream bars in total.
“It’ll cover all our residents, and staff!” said Rosanne Trovato, General Manager at Lakeside as she accepted the gift, outside the doors of the retirement residence.
Home Care Assistance has a special connection to seniors, Maccarone noted.
“We provide personal support workers to people who have a need, in the home, in the hospital,” he explained. “We are also a staffing solutions company,” supplying staff to retirement homes, and long-term care.
But the company does more than provide basic care. It also includes a focus on ‘cognitive engagement’ for its clients, through its Cognitive Therapeutics Method and programs like the ‘MindFit’ series, which was offered at Lakeside a couple of years ago.
“If you exercise your brain, you create new brain cells. It creates neuroplasticity,” he said, which can help offset the cognitive losses of aging.
The company's model is based on life in Okinawa, Japan - an island famous for the longevity of its residents.
“They have the greatest number of centenarians… They eat healthy, they exercise, they socialize, they practice cognitive engagement, calmness and a sense of purpose,” Maccarone said, which has become the inspiration for his company’s ‘Balance Care method.”
“We don’t just do what other companies do,” he said. “It’s great to wake up in the morning, doing something that makes a difference in people’s lives.”
And something as simple as donating the ice cream for an ‘Ice cream party’ can make a difference, especially during a time of increased isolation and stress.
“Maybe we can actually do it again some time,” Maccarone told Trovato.
“Maybe it will be inside,” replied Trovato - when pandemic restrictions are lifted, and the community can be welcomed back to Lakeside.
