megram - Index

megram - Guide To Spring Fun In Ottawa's West End - Index

For those who are unable to provide for themselves, the friendly face of the delivery
person who brings a meal to the door is one of life’s moments of happiness. A brief visit
and a nutritious meal is a great assist in keeping individuals in their homes. The new
Champlain Local Health Integration Network’s vision of “aging at home” has incorporated
the idea of home meal delivery as an integral part of its success story. Clients of
Meals on Wheels are people of all ages who are frail, convalescing, or have disabilities.
By receiving nutritional support, they can maintain their independence and well-being
while living in their own homes. As the baby boomers approach retirement and aging,
the demand for such services will certainly increase. And as the demand increases, the
need for individuals to step forward and volunteer to take the meals to the clients will
also increase.
Delivering Nutrition with a Smile
MEALS ON WHEELS is all about caring
BY MADELINE KALLIO
Richard and Helen
with the meal bags.
The first organization to offer this service was The King’s Daughters Dinner
Wagon. Now known as Meals on Wheels Ottawa, it has serviced the central core of the
city since 1968. Since that time six other organizations have sprung up from east to west
to look after those who need a helping hand.
Healthy, well-balanced meals are provided by long-term care homes, seniors’ centres,
hospitals, and individuals. They can be delivered hot for immediate consumption
or frozen for future use. Diabetics and people on special diets can order special meals.
Asian and kosher meals have been added to the list. The cost per meal is under $5 and
clients are billed monthly. Frozen meals are delivered
to people who prefer to heat them up in
their own time. Ingredient labels and heating
instructions are included.
Every weekday, volunteers deliver hot
meals, visit briefly, and check to make sure that
the person is all right. We met the volunteers at
The Good Companions Seniors’ Centre. Helen
told me that she chose to do this because she
wanted to do something meaningful after she
retired. After Richard recovered from heart surgery,
he wanted to give back to the community.
They invited us along on their Friday run. The
meals for all the runs were ready in insulated containers
and, after checking the list and ensuring
that the items were there and the dietary needs
met, we loaded the thermal containers in Helen’s
van and set out.
Everyone was home to receive the meals.
Some did not come to the door or greet us
because they were not dressed, they were shy, or they wanted privacy. Mary-Anne met
us at the door and told us how pleased she was with the service. Claude invited us in
and was pleased to have his picture taken with his meal. The meals today consisted of
meat, potatoes, vegetables, soup, dessert, and fruit. Phyllis’ daughter, Karen, is happy
that Meals on Wheels is “more than just a meal.” The service not only allows her mother
to continue living in her own home with the support of nutritious meals but provides
the peace of mind that comes with knowing someone else is also looking out for her
Due West/Due East Magazine • Spring 2008 Ottawa Page 24