Resident is grateful to long-term care home
‘It has improved my life’
Tuesday, May 29, 2007 -- Deron Hamel
When Charlotte Graydon came to Burnbrae Gardens in October 2004, she was in a wheelchair and a little wary about moving into the Campbellford long-term care home.

“When I first came I was quite sick,” Graydon reminisces. “I had my own place, came here and didn’t know what I was getting into.”

But things soon changed for the better.

Although Graydon gets around with the help of her walker, she no longer requires a wheelchair. The transition from living on her own to Burnbrae Gardens changed her life for the better, she says.

“It has improved my life,” says Graydon, 91. “I’ve met a lot of people (here).”

Graydon credits Burnbrae Garden’s staff for her rejuvenation.

“It’s a very enjoyable place to be,” she says.

“You feel at home. Everybody goes out of their way to make you feel loved and they think about you a lot.”

But it wasn’t just staff members who helped her feel better again. Graydon herself played a big part in her recovery.

“You have to change your way of thinking,” she says. “There are people in a nursing home who are much worse than you.”

“You have to be of good cheer. If you don’t help yourself, then your cause is lost.”

April Anderson, the home’s life enrichment co-ordinator, attests to Graydon’s recovery.

“She’s a different person now.”

An only child, Graydon says most of her friends have passed away. She has a son and daughter-in-law who live in Norwood. She says they have been a big source of support for her over the past 2½ years.

“They have visited me every Sunday since I’ve been here.”

Keeping active and continuing to enjoy her favourite hobbies – knitting and quilt-making – has also played a role in her happiness. She’s always on the go and participates in all home’s programs and activities, says Anderson.

Graydon also serves as resident council president at the home. Serving in this role allows her to help other residents. Graydon encourages residents to be vocal about their concerns and to raise their hand whenever they have an issue.

“She’s like a second mother to other residents here,” says Anderson. “She’s my right-hand man.”