Partnerships
At Carewest, we believe that our residents and clients can benefit not only from our skills and expertise, but from those of others. That's why we have developed partnerships with a wide variety of organizations across all sectors, from the Alzheimer Society of Calgary to the Youth Volunteer Corp. We aim to provide the most current services available from those most appropriate, while sharing with others the valuable information and knowledge we have to offer.
Our partners include:
Alzheimer Society of Calgary
Through our Carewest Signal Pointe site, the Alzheimer Society of Calgary educates caregivers, families and residents about the disease and help families cope with the admission of their loved one into the care centre. Members of the society are also available on a "drop-in" basis for people in the community who would like information about dementia.
Calgary Health Trust
The Calgary Health Trust fundraises for excellence in health care and contributes to the quality of life for those served by Carewest. While Carewest receives funding from Alberta Health and Wellness, this support only covers basic care. The Calgary Health Trust is currently focused on raising funds for several different programs and projects. One of the Trust's major fundraising initiatives for Carewest at present is the Pain and Palliative Care Consulting Services.
Friends of the Colonel Belcher
The Friends of the Colonel Belcher (FOCB) is a volunteer organization established in the fall of 1998 to support efforts to enhance the quality of life of veterans at Carewest Colonel Belcher care centre. The FOCB, in partnership with the Calgary Health Trust, raised over $2 million to provide amenities that enhance the quality of life for residents of Carewest Colonel Belcher, construction of which was completed in 2003.
With the completion of the care centre, the Friends of the Colonel Belcher was formed to undertake continuing fundraising for additional amenities for all Carewest Colonel Belcher residents. The FOCB works with Carewest Colonel Belcher staff to identify needs and with the Calgary Health Trust to raise funds to provide for these needs.
LINKages (formerly Friends of Seniors Foundation)
LINKages is a non-profit community service-based charity built on the belief that all of society benefits when caring partnerships are developed between teens and seniors. Coordinated by LINKages, students from St. Martha's Junior High School spend their lunch hour twice a month at a Carewest centre interacting with our residents. Staff from the LINKages plan the activity, wherein students are paired with residents to play games or do crafts together.
Huntington Society of Canada
The Huntington Society of Canada supports individuals and families affected by Huntington disease by providing short-term assessment and counseling, information about enchance quality of life, referrals to relevant community services, in-service presentations to long-term centre staff and advocacy. The society also funds a recreation therapist at Carewest Dr. Vernon Fanning, facilitating a day group for individuals with Huntington disease (HD) and providing them cognitive/movement stimulation and social connections. The local HD chapter, comprised of volunteers, maintains a website at curehd.wordpress.com and supports families with volunteers, engages in fundraising, promotes HD awareness and provides peer support.
Recycling Council of Alberta (RCA)
Carewest was the first care facility in Alberta to partner with RCA and be a part of Alberta's strongest voice for waste reduction. Carewest has participated in National Waste Reduction weeks as a partner.
Schools
Several schools throughout Calgary have joined forces with Carewest with mutual benefit. Our partnership with Jack James High School, for instance, is a unique initiative between industry and community. It gives students a chance to work in various positions throughout Carewest to develop marketable skills while earning high school credits.
Our partnership Foothills Academy, on the other hand, allows students to visit veterans of the Carewest Colonel Belcher and hear their stories, giving them a first-hand, personal history lesson. This is also beneficial to the veterans, allowing them to interact with the students and share their stories.
Students at other schools, such as Delta West Academy, Langevin School, Bishop McNally Senior High School and Christine Meikle School volunteer their time to help Carewest residents with arts and crafts and shopping, among other things. Carewest residents also have the chance to visit schools and help students with their reading.
University of Calgary
Carewest and the University of Calgary faculties work together to support postgraduate research work that will contribute to quality care for people in continuing care. We are currently partnering to establish a Continuing Care Research Consortium for Southern Alberta, that will bring in other universities and healthcare providers.
Veterans Affairs Canada
Carewest has the opportunity to partner Veterans Affairs Canada to support high quality programming tailored to the unique needs of veterans, including: health promotion, day support, Designated Assisted Living and supported funding for other enhancements at the Carewest Colonel Belcher.
Youth Volunteer Corps.
Youth from junior and senior high schools across Calgary register with the Youth Volunteer Corps. After completing their training session, the youth choose a volunteer activity registered with the corps. For the past few years, students have helped Carewest with our Calgary Stampede activities. While these students are with us for only a brief time, many come back and sign on for ongoing volunteer roles.
