2007 Archive

Honouring our Veterans

Children love visiting their "grandparents"

To most of us, veterans are heroes who have put their lives on the line to fight for our country.

To the YMCA daycare children located on-site at the CapitalCare Kipnes Centre for Veterans (more), these men and women are simply "grandma" or "grandpa."

The day care visits are a part of the programming that is offered at the CapitalCare Kipnes Centre for Veterans.  The philosophy of care is based on a people centre model where there is an atmosphere of home.  And even though these aren't the children's actual grandparents – they are encouraged to call them "grandma" or "grandpa" to create a supportive atmosphere.

"I don't have grandchildren of my own," says Howard McKenzie, World War II Veteran. "The children deliver the mail everyday and to me – that is a good thing."

When children walk into Mr. McKenzie's room his face lights up – there are many veterans like Mr. McKenzie that don't have grandchildren – or they do but not in Edmonton.
 
Mr. McKenzie was part of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles and fought in London, France, Belgium and Holland.  He has been at the CapitalCare Kipnes Centre for Veterans since 2004 and really enjoys the daycare children.

The children from the YMCA daycare visit daily with the elders and enjoy activities such as mail delivery, story time and sing songs. 

"Having the children visit with our veterans is hugely beneficial.  It is just amazing to see the relationships that they build," says Sherry Schaefer, Community Liaison Manager, CapitalCare Kipnes Centre for Veterans.

Some of the children don't have their own grandparents so these relationships are important to them. 

In addition to its homelike environments, the CapitalCare Kipnes Centre for Veterans honours the importance of traditions and commemoration.

This Remembrance Day, the veterans from the centre will attend ceremonies at the
University of Alberta Butterdome. 

The CapitalCare Kipnes Centre for Veterans (more) is one of the many Long Term Care options for people living within the Capital Health region. 

For more information, please visit the CapitalCare website.