Susi and Josh Kramer have made their home at Menno Place. When they moved to the Menno Place campus, they didn’t know what obstacles or circumstances they would have to face. They raised five children together when Susi’s health began to decline. That was 24 years ago. With every step, they asked God for strength, for health and riches. Instead, they were given weakness, infirmity, “just enough”. In spite of their struggles, they confidently and sincerely say that among all people, they are most richly blessed… They have found the calm in the middle of the storm – and that calm is together in the comforting care of Jesus.
After moving to Menno Place’s apartments, the journey was difficult and Susi’s health failed rapidly. God provided a home for her in residential care in Menno Hospital. She appreciates the additional care and affectionately jokes with the staff as they meet her physical needs.
Susi and Josh are a couple who have grown to love and depend on each other deeply. “I know that I can trust that he is coming to visit” says Susi. Josh comes to visit her five times each day, walking over from his apartment on another corner of the campus. “I love visiting her”, he says affectionately, “The Lord allows me to care for her. I don’t know how to call it different… this is total dependence and a privilege”.
Susi and Josh benefit from the community of care through spiritual and physical support. They also give their lives wholeheartedly to the people who come into their circle of life, endearing many to themselves. It is in these friendships that others find a joyful encouragement.
Josh smiles and calls Susi, “honey” and “sweetie” as she tells the story of promising her father she would come back to The Netherlands after a short trip to Canada. “Oh well”, she says, “I met Josh and I had to stay.” They laugh, knowingly. When they married 53 years ago, she got the giggles and he was so nervous he couldn’t eat. They are so comfortable together now, it’s hard to believe that they would ever be jittery together. Watching this couple connect, it is easy to recognize the unconditional, genuine, proven love between them.
As it is a privilege for Josh to care for Susi, it is a privilege for the staff and volunteers of Menno Place to love both of them.
Staff Appreciation & Service Awards 2024February 5, 2024 - 10:27 pm
Celebrating 70 Years of Compassionate Care – Watch NowDecember 4, 2023 - 11:19 pm
Menno Place Awarded Exemplary Standing by Accreditation CanadaJuly 18, 2023 - 5:31 am
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation – Sept 30September 30, 2022 - 6:00 am
Josh and Susi
/in CommunitySusi and Josh Kramer have made their home at Menno Place. When they moved to the Menno Place campus, they didn’t know what obstacles or circumstances they would have to face. They raised five children together when Susi’s health began to decline. That was 24 years ago. With every step, they asked God for strength, for health and riches. Instead, they were given weakness, infirmity, “just enough”. In spite of their struggles, they confidently and sincerely say that among all people, they are most richly blessed… They have found the calm in the middle of the storm – and that calm is together in the comforting care of Jesus.
After moving to Menno Place’s apartments, the journey was difficult and Susi’s health failed rapidly. God provided a home for her in residential care in Menno Hospital. She appreciates the additional care and affectionately jokes with the staff as they meet her physical needs.
Susi and Josh are a couple who have grown to love and depend on each other deeply. “I know that I can trust that he is coming to visit” says Susi. Josh comes to visit her five times each day, walking over from his apartment on another corner of the campus. “I love visiting her”, he says affectionately, “The Lord allows me to care for her. I don’t know how to call it different… this is total dependence and a privilege”.
Susi and Josh benefit from the community of care through spiritual and physical support. They also give their lives wholeheartedly to the people who come into their circle of life, endearing many to themselves. It is in these friendships that others find a joyful encouragement.
Josh smiles and calls Susi, “honey” and “sweetie” as she tells the story of promising her father she would come back to The Netherlands after a short trip to Canada. “Oh well”, she says, “I met Josh and I had to stay.” They laugh, knowingly. When they married 53 years ago, she got the giggles and he was so nervous he couldn’t eat. They are so comfortable together now, it’s hard to believe that they would ever be jittery together. Watching this couple connect, it is easy to recognize the unconditional, genuine, proven love between them.
As it is a privilege for Josh to care for Susi, it is a privilege for the staff and volunteers of Menno Place to love both of them.
Family, Friends & Residents Newsletter
/in Family and FriendsBeginning in January 2015, we will be sending out a monthly email newsletter for family and friends of residents who live on the Menno Place campus. This email newsletter will contain information about events and happenings at Menno Place. It will also include updates to policies, messages from the CEO and opportunities for donation to special projects
The Apartments – Walking Club
/in Family and FriendsThe Apartments enjoyed a weekly Walking Club this fall. More than 50 residents were involved at all levels! The recreation team along with the wellness nurse team put together an excellent initiative that motivated residents to walk in groups – many walked around Mill Lake each week. Each certificate celebrated the number of steps recorded by the resident’s pedometer.
Have you discovered the Fireside Cafe?
/in Family and FriendsHave you discovered the Fireside Cafe? Located at the main entrance of the Menno Hospital, the Fireside Cafe serves delicious breakfasts and lunches along with Italian coffees and home made desserts.
What’s on the menu?
Western Regional Professional Caregiver Award
/in CEO, NewsEach person’s caregiving journey is unique, but there is always a common thread: the willingness, patience and dedication that surrounds their commitment to care.
We are pleased to celebrate the 2014 Western Regional Professional Caregiver Award Winner for British Columbia, Bryan Gay.
Bryan is a professional caregiver who provides skilled care and compassion at the Menno Home in the East 1 Lounge and Chalet. He is dedicated, committed and seemingly tireless in his efforts to provide the essential physical and emotional care for the residents who suffer from dementia.
Bryan’s reluctance to be publicly acknowledged stems from his deep belief that professional caregivers work best in teams. He knows that whatever he does in caring for the residents is done in conjunction with team members who are skillfully managing and caring for other residents in the same unit. Bryan
Bryan was presented his recognition award by Canada Cares in Banff, Alberta on November 4th. He was given a complimentary registration by Canada Cares to the Canadian Home Care Summit, “Reaching New Heights” as an expression of appreciation for his services in caring for residents. With over 80 presentations on priority topics ranging from client and family centered care to integrated care, Bryan was in his “happy place” – learning and learning and learning.
Menno Place is proud of the excellent care our caregivers provide for our residents. We are actively seeking out ways to recognize our staff for their compassion and skills.
If you are aware of an opportunity to nominate a caregiver, or would like to suggest a caregiver for future nomination, please drop a line to us and we’ll continue to nominate our care staff for awards that showcase quality, safety, excellence and compassion.
Silver Valet Dental Program at Menno Place
/in Family and FriendsWe are pleased to introduce a new partnership with Silver Valet Dental Care effective October 1, 2014.
Silver Valet will be providing comprehensive on-site dental services to our residents and tenants. Silver’s team of dental professionals will come directly to Menno Place and provide preventative and restorative dental care in the comfort of a fully equipped mobile clinic. All dental assessments for residents at the Home and Hospital will take place at the bedside and/or designated room on the unit. Any further dental treatment will be performed in the clinical van unless the resident is unable to transfer to the van.
If you have any questions please contact:
Contact information:
Reception: 604.770.4701
Dr. Salima Dadani: 604.761.0069 (cell)
www.silverdental.ca
Silver Valet Dental – Click to watch video
Garden Project 2014
/in Family and FriendsThe Garden Project is an initiative made possible through the generous donations of residents who live in The Apartments. This project raised $65,000 to create a peaceful garden to be enjoyed by all residents, families and visitors of the Menno Place campus. Residents will enjoy a walk-around garden, a huge gazebo for special events, two spectacular water features, an abundance of beautiful foliage and many places to rest along the way. Donations are being received to purchase the benches for the garden.
Concert in Care – September 2, 2014
/in EventsDOMAGOJ IVANOVIC, violinist
Mr. Ivanovic moved to Canada in 2007 from Croatia. He began his studies in Croatia and then went on to perform and recorded in Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Austria, France, Spain, Hungary, Canada, and the United States. He was a professor im the Music Department at the University of Miami before moving to Vancouver. In Vancouver he performs with many of the chamber groups in the city, and also with the Vancouver Opera Orchestra. He is a dedicated teacher as well, working not only with his own private students, but also with the young players of youth orchestras in the greater Vancouver area.
Dominic J Ivanovic, Violinist
KAREN LEE-MORLANG, chamber musician, pianist
In demand as one of Western Canada’s top chamber musicians and accompanists, Karen Lee-Morlang has been a fixture on the Canadian musical scene for the past 15 years. Performer, educator and impresario, Karen is well loved for her boisterous and charming personality as well as her brilliant programming. She has become particularly well known in the province of British Columbia for her pianistic skills and for championing art music for new audiences. Immediately after graduating with her second degree in music from the University of British Columbia, she taught at the University for four years. During that time, she also won numerous international and local awards that enabled her to travel to Europe and other parts of North America for further studies. In the spring of 2007, Karen created and hosted a new mini-series called Nuts & Notes on CBC Radio One as well as guest hosting on Westcoast Performancefor CBC Radio Two. In addition to directing and hosting a variety of outreach programmes all over the Lower Mainland, Karen sings with The Lady Larks-a 1940s vintage vocal quartet.
Karen Lee-Morlang, Chamber Musician, Pianist
Donations of Flowers? Gladly accepted! Call 604.851.7631 x260
/in Family and FriendsSpring is in the air! Let’s make our grounds beautiful with donations of plants! We are putting out hanging baskets and planting our gardens with lovely flowers. We are accepting donations of hanging baskets or bedding plants. You can drop them off at the Menno Hospital main entrance – 32945 Marshall Road or call Diane Urquhart, Recreation Manager to arrange your donation: 604.851.7631 ext. 260
This is a photo of the tractor taking hanging baskets all around our campus. Our groundskeepers are amazing!
Treasures Received – Working with the Elderly
/in Articles, Sharon SimpsonFor the past several months, I have invited those who work or volunteer with the elderly to participate in video interviews about their experiences. I have been deeply touched by the grace and kindness of those I interviewed…