'We want all residents to have the best possible Christmas'- Barr
Wednesday, December 20, 2006 -- Craig Anderson
The Catholic church in Merrickville surprised Rosebridge activity staff and residents alike last Friday by hosting a big Christmas party, giving gifts out to each of the home’s 78 residents.

This event, which featured food and live musical entertainment, was organized by church member and long time Rosebridge volunteer Dianne Lockett.

The surprise event, coupled with gift boxes from both the Anglican and United churches (cookies from the former and chocolate and fruit from the latter), has helped Rosebridge meet its objective of ensuring that everyone gets a gift and is remembered on Christmas, says Kathy Barr, LEC and supportive measures specialist.

“We want all residents to have the best possible Christmas,” she says.

Barr, pointing to an upcoming multiple-church ecumenical service, is delighted by their collective support in 2006.

“The churches have been unbelievable,” she says.

Volunteers like Lockett have helped significantly in the home’s Christmas endeavours, says Barr. In addition to arranging the church Christmas party, Lockett also recently hosted ten residents at her home, treating them to a full Christmas dinner.

This type of home-like care and attention is a perfect tie-in to supportive measures dementia care methods, she says.

To achieve its objective of ensuring all are remembered on Christmas day, staff have solicited families to give gifts, which will then be placed in the residents’ rooms on Christmas morning. For those who don’t have families, staff have chipped in to buy gifts.

The sister of one resident, says Barr, has fashioned home made dolls and is sending them out in fancy, decorated boxes.

“We’ve had a lot of support in making sure that everyone has a good Christmas,” says Barr.