News

By Ronda Jalbert, Senior Digital Specialist – Marketing

Our VON brand is more than just a logo or a name—it's a reflection of who we are. It’s the meaning people attribute to us, shaped by our words, our actions, and the care we bring to every interaction.

At VON, the compassion our staff and volunteers bring to work each day is remarkable. This genuine care strengthens our organization and continues to build lasting value for the people and communities we serve.

In December, I had the privilege of visiting several locations throughout Middlesex-Elgin in Ontario. I met nurses, personal support workers (PSWs), administrative staff, coordinators, volunteers, and clients—each contributing in unique ways to the heart of VON.

Among them were two couples volunteering together—a dedicated receptionist and a compassionate driver and a wonderful pair delivering Meals on Wheels. I also met nurses providing care in clients' homes and PSWs supporting overnight respite care and Adult Day Programs (ADPs).

Across every setting, one thing was clear: VON is filled with people who truly care.

One client, Bev, living with Alzheimer’s, proudly showed me how he helps around the ADP—wiping down tables, drying dishes, and keeping the space welcoming for everyone. As I photographed and captured moments of staff and clients together, he beamed and asked me to send a photo to his daughter, wanting her to see how helpful he was.

“We get the opportunity to bring so much joy to the clients while they are here with us and to have the caregivers trust that their loved one is truly cared for during their stay,” says Meghan Lee, Program Supervisor of the Adult Day Program and Life After Stroke at VON Middlesex-Elgin. “We are truly blessed to live in our clients’ world.”

Bev’s family can’t say enough about the ADP and the essential care the program offers to families and their loved ones affected by dementia. “The wealth of information and advice they offer to caregivers is so valuable for us as we navigate this disease,” says Bev’s daughter. “The level of care provided from Meghan and her staff to our loved ones is above and beyond! They genuinely care about their clients’ wellbeing. I have never had to worry about what Dad was doing at the program because I was confident that he was being treated as well there as he was at home.”

The Overnight Respite Program allows family caregivers to take a much-needed break from caregiving responsibilities overnight, with the knowledge that their loved one is safe.

“Even though he can’t put to words just how he feels, you know he has fun with ‘the girls’ and looks forward to seeing them every day,” Bev’s daughter says. “That makes me so happy.”

January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

Bev’s story is just one of many emerging from our Adult Day Programs in Nova Scotia and Ontario. These programs provide a safe, comfortable, and stimulating environment for seniors and adults living with dementia, chronic illness, intellectual disabilities, and social isolation.

Last year, we shared He Always Knows When It's Tuesday, a heartwarming story from Nova Scotia highlighting the impact of these services. In 2023, I met a caregiver who spoke so fondly of the program and the staff, sharing how grateful he was for the break VON provided, giving him time to run errands and care for himself. You can read more in Reflections from an Adult Day Visit.

To meet growing needs, we’ve also expanded our services. Last year, we introduced Two Expanded ADPs in Ontario to address rising demand, and in 2022, we featured the Enhanced Care ADPs in Nova Scotia.

VON’s Adult Day Programs offer an alternative to one-on-one, in-home respite, allowing clients to maintain and improve cognitive and physical skills through activities, entertainment, and discussions in a supportive group setting.

As a trusted home and community healthcare charity, VON provides innovative clinical, personal, and social support services to help people live safely and comfortably in their own homes and communities. Our dedicated employees and volunteers empower Canadians to stay healthy, live well, and remain active—contributing to a better quality of life for clients and their families.

At VON, care is not just what we do—it’s who we are.