Our mother is age 84 and up until September 2007 lived in a four level home by herself. She has been widowed for the past 10 years, and was in good health for the first five years, then has been failing gradually. Our Mum is very independent, and used to be very social. During the last five years the winter months had started to take a toll on Mum. Every winter she would become ill and we would have to stay with her taking turns on shifts. She started to not want to join in activities, or have anyone come to the house. Her eating habits became scarce, as well as confusion with taking her medications. This past May Mum failed her drivers license. We hired VON to take her to her regular appointments, with the exception of medical appointments which her family was with her. Four winters ago Mum started to say that she saw fairies on her shoulders and thru her home. The visions increased to an unhealthy level, where the fairies were now people and scaring her in her own home. We had taken her on a tour of a retirement facility and she had agreed to try it out, but we were uncertain of the care she needed. Mum is very determined and it was definitely a challenge for the family as we did not know how to handle the situation or where else to look for a residence. The family was getting very worried , concerned, and yes stressed out tired!

I was given Michelle Gatt’s  name of Seniors Access London  by a colleague of mine, so I called Michelle and explained our situation. Honestly this call was the relief we needed. Within two days my sister & I met with Michelle. I had typed out a background of Mum’s medical history etc.  Michelle set up appointments for us to tour some facilities.  Then all of our brothers and sisters met with Michelle. She made us feel at ease as this was a very difficult situation as Mum had been so independent and lived in her home for 34 years.  Deep down you feel torn and guilty but Michelle helped us realize that this move was the safest thing for Mum, and she also helped us realize more about her condition which we feel could be dementia.

A very funny thing happened- we were going to tour a facility and we had told Michelle we did not think we would like it etc etc. She said that was fine, but just come and see what this particular facility had to offer. Guess what we all chose this facility including Mum!!  On September 15/07 Mum moved to her new home. The transition was so calm, comforting, and actually easy due to the professionalism of Michelle.

I am very happy to report that Mum settled in within the first week. The lady that had been living alone for many years frowning and negative has now turned into the vibrant, social, happy, positive woman we once remembered our Mum to be. It means so much for her to eat three meals a day, to have her medications monitored, and to be in a stimulating environment.  As well she is on a waiting list for an assessment at the Aging Brain and Memory Clinic. Michelle visits Mum on a weekly basis to make sure she is feeling settled and accepting the move.

I have to say that without the professional help of Michelle Gatt, Mum would never be where she is today. We the family are all very content and feel happy and relieved from guilt, worry, and stress that once was a large part of our lives. It is so good to visit Mum, take her out, and return her to the facility knowing she is safe and sound and smiling!

Darlene, Garnet, John, Lynda, Nancy