A note from Monica Martinez, a daughter and grateful member of St. Pat’s community…
December 2025
This Christmas, I will be saying a prayer of thanks because my mother, Gladys, who is nearly 89 years old, is living at St. Patrick’s Home, well-supported and with an abundance of festive activities and kindness surrounding her.
It’s hard to think back on the months before her admission to St. Pat’s when she was ‘stuck in limbo’ in a shared hospital room, staring at a blank wall, hour after hour, day after day, with very little to do.
You see, after a series of health challenges – that she faced and overcame year after year – dementia was the one thing she couldn’t beat. And eventually, this led to her admission to hospital, and the long, difficult wait for a long-term care bed.
When this happened, my sister and I scheduled a visit to St. Pats, where we met Claire, a member of the social work team; and right away we knew that St. Pat’s was our first choice for mom. But with long wait lists, and so many seniors in need, what were the chances?
Somehow, we were blessed!
Now we’re comforted to know that Mom – who was a young woman when she moved to Canada from Santiago, Chile to pursue a career as a professional accountant with the law firm, Cowlings & Henderson, and build a beautiful family – will live out her days in our loving care, and the amazing staff at St. Pat’s.
The intake process at St. Pat’s was so thorough. Every person on her team (the attending physician, RN, PSWs, dietician, physiotherapist, spiritual care manager, and recreation director) was interested in knowing her story; her personality, habits, favourite activities, health history, triggering behaviours, and more!
Every detail was important and helped to make her transition to long-term care as smooth and happy as possible.
As a family, we’ve been impressed by the communication between us and her care team, and how St. Pat’s delivers on its mission to provide person-directed care.
I can tell that the staff at St. Pat’s love their jobs and are well-trained to carry out their duties. They treat each resident with respect, compassion, kindness, and patience; and have shown a genuine interest in getting to know my mom and our family.
They’ve made us feel welcomed, and part of St. Pat’s community.
I want to thank everyone who gives to St. Pat’s, because you ensure that staff have the resources they need to provide such exceptional care.
For my mom, whose life has been rooted in her Catholic faith, the spiritual care programs have provided her with a familiar, solid foundation. The music programs have lifted her spirits (not to mention my and my sister’s spirits), and helped us to connect with her, the other residents and their families.
Thank you for bringing comfort and joy to our mother, and to every person who lives and works at St. Pat’s.
Sincerely,
Monica