St. Andrew’s Residential Centre
St. Andrew’s
The history of our Foundation is proudly rooted in the creation of what is now the St. Andrew’s Residential Centre (CIUSSS Centre-Ouest de Montréal). While now operating as a public CHSLD (click here to visit their webpage), the Foundation’s program further enhances the quality of life for the 70 residents who call St. Andrew’s home. We work with staff, volunteers, and family members to ensure that our residents are able to age with respect and dignity. We accomplish this by raising the funds needed to:
provide specialized therapy and equipment
facilitate services and activities for the happiness and well-being of all residents
carry out capital improvements on the home to improve residents’ comfort.
Examples of our support include but are not limited to:
the purchase of furniture to make shared areas and bedrooms more comfortable and homey
the enlistment of music, dance, and massage therapists to treat mental health issues and illnesses related to aging
the purchase of an audiovisual entertainment system and portable physiotherapy equipment
the support of a myriad of recreation activities.
Our initiatives are varied, but they have one thing in common: they leave residents feeling happier and more cared for.
Funding at St. Andrew’s
The Foundation is pleased to offer dance movement therapy, massage therapy/aromacare, music therapy, clown therapy and a new oral hygiene clinic to residents at St. Andrew’s. The Foundation also provides additional funding to the recreation department to complement their events calendar and to finance resident day-excursions. These therapies and services combined greatly add to the resident’s experience and quality of life at St. Andrews.
Dance Movement Therapy
We partnered with the National Centre for Dance Therapy of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal to offer an exceptional dance movement therapy program.
massage therapy and aromacare
We also partnered with Trish Rolls, a massage therapist who uses aromacare in her Touching Lives with Care practice. The benefits of this therapy have reminded us that touch, human connection and sensory stimulation are essential components to the quality of care and life of an individual.
music therapy
Residents are also transported in time and a deep emotional connection is made during our music therapy sessions with Charlotte and Elizabetth. Whether it be the humour of a song, a favourite tune, or music which reminds them of their youth, residents go on a weekly musical voyage.
ORAL HYGIENE CLINIC
The Foundation is exited to announce the start of a new program at St. Andrews. Funded by the Foundation, donors like you, and with the important support of a grant from the Grace Dart Foundation, the clinic aims to enhance the oral hygiene care received by residents of St. Andrews and to provide additional support to caregivers and staff. While residents will continue to benefit from the dental care provided by the government funded program, additional regular bi-monthly visits will be made by Joy Maderazo of Tooth to Tooth Mobile Dental Hygiene Clinic. Learn more about Joy and her work by visiting her website here. The Foundation is very happy to launch this new program and is looking forward to seeing lots of smiles around St. Andrews. We will keep you updated on the progress of our new clinic in the news section of our website.
CLOWN THERAPY
The Foundation is happy to have a new partnership with the Dr. Clown Foundation to fund a series of monthly “Belles Visites” to St. Andrew’s Residential Centre. A geriatric therapeutic clown program geared towards seniors in long-term care residences, residents are visited each month by clowns dressed in costume from the 1930s to 1950s. This visit to the past prompts giggles, conversation and aims to empower the residents by placing importance on their life experiences. To learn more about the Dr. Clown Foundation and the Belle Visite program, please click here.
Recreation Department Support
The recreation department at St. Andrew’s plays a key (and fun!) role at St. Andrew’s.
Activity programming, entertainment and holiday celebrations are plentiful and make St. Andrew’s more than just a long-term care centre, but a home.
The Foundation built the Lawrence G. McDougall Solarium, refurbished the Grace Henry Lounge and purchased audio-visual equipment to enhance activities and holiday gatherings. The Foundation provides funding and materials for celebrations, as well as funding day trips and other needs of the department and residents. We are happy to collaborate with the recreation department to help provide a fun and stimulating environment for the residents of St. Andrew’s.
Volunteering at St. Andrew’s
You are encouraged to volunteer at the St-Andrew Residential Centre. The support of caring people who lend their time, energy and talent to enriching the lives of our seniors is invaluable.
Volunteering at the St-Andrew Home enriches your own quality of life as well. As a volunteer, you can:
connect with and learn about the elderly
learn new skills that may lead to new career options
develop new skills that may strengthen your resumé
develop leadership experience
make new friends and contacts
and have fun!
To learn more about volunteering at St. Andrews, contact Elaine Grant, Recreational Technician, at 514-484-7878 ext. 65309 or click to consult the CIUSSS resource: Volunteering at St. Andrew Residential Centre.
What our volunteers are saying
“My time as a volunteer at the St-Andrew Residential Centre has been a special experience. Knowing I have positively impacted the lives of seniors in my community has inspired me and brought me much fulfillment.”
- Roberta Bolton
“My mother lived in a residence before she died and I appreciated the care she received from staff and volunteers. When I retired I promised myself that I would give back by volunteering in a home. As a volunteer at the St-Andrew Residential Centre, I have personally grown from learning about the elderly. I feel a deep sense of personal satisfaction from helping to brighten their lives.”
- Grace Roberts