Elder Care in Toronto, Ontario

Hello, My name is Erika. I am 22 and currently finishing my diploma in Activation Coordinating for Gerontolgy at George Brown College. I have now finished a student placement in a long term care facility and am currently in my second placement in an adult day program. My interest in and love for working with seniors has always been a part of my life through my time with my grandparents and their friends, but really became prominent during my university career. I attended Wilfrid Laurier in Waterloo and took the Sociology of Aging course where I volunteered in a Dementia unit at a local nursing home. I really enjoying working with seniors and hope to one day attain a career in the geriatric field upon the completion of my schooling. I'm currently a George Brown student in the Activation Coordinator Gerontology program. Taking this has given me the experience working with seniors as a part of my student placement. Last year I worked in a long term care facility where I worked with the Life Enrichment department. I was responsible for portering resident to and from programs and activities as well as implementing and leading some of my own programs. I worked closely with seniors in the dementia unit and lead some specific programs for in the Alzheimer's and behavioural ward. This year I am currently working in an Adult Day Program with senior stroke survivors. This is giving me experience in group exercise, intellectually stimulating activities, sitting and standing assistance, etc. The Activation Coordinator Gerontology has allowed me to learn, basic Restorative Care, Exercise for Seniors and frail adults, client assessments, biology of the aging, Alzheimer's and related dementia, and Therapeutic and Alternative Therapeutic programs. During my university experience at Wilfrid Laurier, I completed a sociology of aging course that required volunteer community service hours. I chose to volunteer at a retirement and nursing home in the Waterloo Region. I was placed in the Dementia wing and helped during meal times with feeding. Some days I helped out with their daily activities as well going for walks with the residents.