Avalon Care Centre Go-Getters Pam Kippermann and Joe Fischer show the certificates they received as enthusiastic and engaged participants in restorative-care programming.

Avalon’s Go-Getters flourish in restorative care
Monthly program recognizes positive attitude, willingness to be active
Monday March 19, 2012 -- Lisa Bailey
Joe Fischer has undergone “a complete turnaround” since coming to Avalon Care Centre a few years ago, says restorative care co-ordinator Dawn Busby.

His spirits low and unable to walk or even sit himself up following a massive stroke, Fischer came to embrace the Jarlette home’s restorative-care programming and is now mobile with a walker and enjoying outings in the community.

“For the most part he’d doing really well, he’s much happier, and he’s got a great sense of humour,” Busby says.

For his hard work and determination, Fischer was the recipient of the Avalon Go-Getter Recognition Award for February. The ranks of honourees grew in March when Pam Kippermann was selected for the award.

Presented monthly, the Go-Getter award celebrates the involvement and achievement of residents in restorative-care programming. It was revived in February after a hiatus of about five years because it is a positive reinforcement to residents, Busby says.

Recipients are generally very motivated, have a positive attitude and demonstrate a willingness to remain active working towards specific goals.

“It’s that they’re choosing to be active and remaining healthy in their life,” Busby says.

She notes that Fischer attends every restorative-care programming session. She’s seen his determination grow as he’s progressed.

“He started realizing that he was getting better and that it does work to come and do some activity,” Busby says.

Fischer’s focus shifted from what he couldn’t do to what he can do.

“He’s much more positive now,” Busby says.

Kippermann’s positivity has been constant since coming to the Orangeville home last fall after fracturing her left arm and suffering mini strokes that affected her mobility and balance.

“She has a can-do attitude,” Busby says, adding Kippermann is always praising and encouraging other residents.

Like Fischer, she’s attending restorative-care programming daily, and does physiotherapy too.

“Any sort of exercise you give her, she’s really into it,” Busby says.

Kippermann is now walking with a walker and realized a big accomplishment when she began walking with staff to meals.

Kippermann recently hurt her left arm but Busby says it hasn’t set her back because she is so motivated. She holds to her goal to return home which, Busby says, is a possibility.

Kippermann and Fischer were very excited to receive the Go-Getter award. As recipients, they are featured in Avalon’s staff and family newsletters as well as on a display board. Their photos will also appear in a local newspaper.

Busby hopes the Go-Getter program is a source of inspiration for residents.

“I hope they take away from it that it is important to stay active and it does have a lot of positive outcomes, and that their hard work is important. We recognize that and we’re proud of them.”

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