06/10/2024
Happy Senior’s Month!
At this time of year, I am reminded as to why I started Aging Well Nutrition Services.
For those who’ve been with me on this incredible journey, you might recognize parts of this story. But if you’re new to my page, I’d like to share my “why.”
During my time in school, my grandfather’s health began to decline. His frequent hospital visits, difficulty swallowing, and poor appetite were heart-wrenching to witness. What struck me most was that no one recognized his risk of malnutrition during his hospital stays, and he never had a Dietitian follow up with him in the community. As a student of nutrition, I wanted to do something, anything, to help. I’d visit him on weekends, brainstorming ideas to help him eat—Ensure, even baby foods and smoothies to aid with his swallowing difficulties.
Despite my best efforts, my grandfather passed away, alone in the hospital, after our goodbyes, and we were told to go home for the night.
This memory has never left me. It’s the driving force behind my passion for working with older adults and their caregivers. I want everyone in these situations to feel heard, to know someone is fighting for them, and to be a catalyst for change in our healthcare system.
My original plan was to spend 3-5 years in each sector of continuing care, beginning with long-term care. Fast forward 8 years, and I was still in long-term care. I was about to return to work after my maternity leave.
At that moment, I thought of my grandfather, as well as my two living grandmothers, and all the seniors that I have had the pleasure of caring for over my time in long term care. My desire to make the world a better place was stronger than ever, but I realized that to create the change I envisioned, I had to take the leap and start my own business.
That’s how Aging Well Nutrition Services was born. My mission is pretty big: to touch as many lives as I can, to be a voice for our older adult population, to support those who care for them, and to provide guidance and recognition as we navigate the golden years.
Thank you for letting me share my story with you. Together, we can make a difference. 🌟