Walter's first delights those in twilight years
Birthday held at Avens to boost senior spirits
Simon Whitehouse
Northern News Services
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
As one young Yellowknifer marks his first year of life and Aven Manor residents see the twilight of theirs, a fascinating crossing of paths took place between two generations Sunday.
Aya Burshan, left, watches as her son Walter celebrates his first birthday party at Aven Manor. Cuddling Walter is manor resident Mary Shea. - Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo
|
Walter van Bochove celebrated his first birthday at the manor after his mother Aya Burshan sought out the retirement centre as the setting for the special occasion. Burshan said she had been volunteering with Walter at the regular Tuesday night bingo in September when she thought it would be a great idea to not only host the party but invite children from the day home her son attends and other friends' children.
"It was more about getting the seniors socialized because ... I really enjoyed the bingo (night) and the seniors really enjoyed Walter," said Burshan, who was joined by her husband Dingeman van Bochove.
"Walter is probably not going to remember but I hope the elders had a good time and maybe when Walter is older he will appreciate that his first birthday was at a senior centre."
Aven Manor officials said older people can feel isolated when they don't get to socialize.
Carol Norwegian, a new recreation supervisor said the manor has kids come in from Tara's Day Home regularly and area schools from time to time. But a birthday party is different.
"For me, it is integrational to have the seniors and young children coming together and it is uplifting to the seniors," she said. "Being able to bring members of the community in increases their quality of life."
Norwegian counted about 22 residents who came out of their rooms to attend the birthday party, which included a cake that mistakenly read 'Happy 1st Birthday Willy!!', triangle sandwiches, coffee and other non-alcoholic drinks. A number of big banners, tablecloths and Dutch slingers were decorated by recreation co-ordinator Jenna McCrindle.
"It was an extremely good turnout today and above and beyond what we thought," McCrindle said, adding it literally brings out the seniors' "inner child."
"It brings out their spirits and I love seeing their smiles."
Aline Euchner, a resident at the home said the party was a good thing for seniors at the manor.
"This is the first one I've been to and holy hannah there are a lot of people," she observed.
"I do think the manor is trying to integrate families with residents. It is quite easy for residents just to stay in their rooms."
Another senior, Josie Chaykowski, was all smiles as she shared some time with granddaughter Amanda and her great-granddaughter Victoria Mierke, 3.
"It is quite nice and the kids are all quite small," she said of the party while beaming.
A couple of the older kids who were present - Noa Jackson-Grau, 6, and her brother Inais Jackson-Grau, were making the rounds formally introducing themselves to seniors.
"It is cool (to mingle with seniors) because they know stuff we don't," Inais said. "They can tell stories about stuff they know and how they used old machines like telephones."
Asked how he compared the birthday party to ones he has attended, he said the volume was different.
"It is not as loud," Inais said. "My birthdays have a lot more screaming but probably because it is in the summer and has a waterslide and bouncy castles."
