Victor Sinclair works on the Extendicare York’s newsletter in his room. He carries a notepad and camera, and covers events in the home.

Computer savvy resident takes over home’s newsletter
Well-equipped room ‘like a cockpit’
Monday November 14, 2011 -- Deb Bartlett
Feeling the messaging at Extendicare York was too detailed and dull, Victor Sinclair took it upon himself to start writing the home’s newsletter.

“We need something that will reach the people. Something short and sweet,” says the 83-year-old resident.

The home’s manager of resident programs and volunteer services Vickie Perreault says Sinclair is “editor-in-chief of the resident newsletter. Honest to God, the man walks around with a little pad in his shirt pocket and across the pad it says ‘Press.’ And if there’s something going on, Victor’s got his camera.

“He captures a lot of things that go on in the home,” she says.

Sinclair says “everybody reads it.”

Administration submits information to him, and he covers events around the home. He writes about staff members who have become parents or grandparents, education for residents, and peppers the newsletter with jokes and riddles.

He puts the newsletter together in his room, which “looks like a cockpit,” he says. He has a computer, two printers, a fax machine and scanner.

The only clear space in his room is the spot he uses for portrait backgrounds.

He emails copies of the newsletter, sometimes at 3 a.m., says Perreault.

Sinclair is active in the community. He recently bought a brand new car, and still attends his former neighbourhood church. He edits his church’s monthly newsletter.

A retired high school teacher who was trained as an industrial designer, Sinclair is president of Extendicare York’s residents’ council.

Perreault says he is a great advocate for the home and residents. He has a good relationship with the administrator and brings issues to the table.

Sinclair started learning about computers and photography about 10 years ago.

He really enjoys photography, and gifting residents with four-by-six-inch prints of portraits he takes.

“Many of them are very flattering,” he says.

“The joy on their face, that’s my reward,” says Sinclair.

To comment on this story, or to share stories of people who are making a difference in your home, contact Deb at the Morning Report at 800-294-0051, ext. 30, or e-mail deb(at)axiomnews.ca.