I first moved into Seniors’ Health Centre (SHC) two years ago when I could no longer live on my own safely. Though personal support workers were helping me at home, my vision was deteriorating. I was blind in one eye and had minimal vision in the other. I was also living with multiple sclerosis (MS). With these conditions, it was becoming increasingly difficult to do daily tasks and live by myself.

It was time to move to a long-term care home. I wanted to find one where I felt comfortable and confident in the care I would receive. SHC was at the top of my list because NYGH is my hospital.

I lived in the North York community and over the years, I received care at the Charlotte & Lewis Emergency, and as an inpatient and as an outpatient at NYGH. During each visit, I felt grateful to receive high-quality, compassionate care. I was confident that SHC would provide an equally high standard of care. It also helped that my granddaughter gave SHC a stamp of approval after taking a tour. So when space became available, I moved in.

Even though I didn’t know anyone when I arrived, I soon became friends with other residents, and close with the staff. I am a social person, and my friends remark that I have a natural warmth and a good sense of humour. In the summertime, I like to sit out on the patio engaging in conversation, discussing current events, and telling stories about my younger days in Jamaica.