Gateway & the McCall MacBain Foundation Team Up to Enhance Virtual Supports in Huron County

The McCall MacBain Foundation has made a donation of $35,000 to provide iPads for the use of residents in long-term care homes, hospitals, retirement homes and hospices across Huron County. The endeavour is being facilitated by the Gateway Centre for Excellence in Rural Health, and the devices are currently being distributed to residences and institutions across the County.

“Having been raised in Huron County, the health and well-being of my home community is a priority,” said Marcy McCall MacBain, who co-founded the McCall MacBain Foundation with her husband John. “We are grateful to the healthcare workers and Gateway Centre for Excellence in Rural Health, and are honoured to be working together to ensure this difficult situation of physical distancing becomes just a little bit more manageable.”

Gateway CERH, with the help of their students, is ensuring iPads are programmed properly and distributed to the homes, residences and hospitals where they will be used.  Popular and user-friendly apps such as Skype, FaceTime and Zoom will be available on all of the devices and will make it easy for staff to support residents, and for patients and residents to stay connected with family members and other essential supports.

“Currently, we are all feeling the effects of isolation while following government directions to stay at home as much as possible. There is nothing more heart breaking than to think of seniors in long-term care homes and patients in hospitals, isolated because of COVID-19 and unable to connect with their loved ones,” said Gwen Devereux, President of the Board of Directors of Gateway CERH.

“This is a wonderful example of giving back to your community and we thank the McCall MacBain Foundation for helping our community when it is needed,” continued Gwen. “It is so important for patients and residents to have the ability to see and speak directly, even if virtually, with their children, grandchildren, friends and family during this pandemic.  Gateway CERH is honoured to have the opportunity to partner with the McCall MacBain Foundation and make this a reality.” Early recipients of the iPads are thrilled to put them to good use.

Jennifer Bennett, General Manager at Maplewood Manor had the following to say: “Maplewood Manor staff and residents would like to thank the McCall MacBain Foundation for the donation of iPads. This generous gift will go a long way to keeping our residents connected during these difficult times. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.”
 
Brittany Hamilton, General Manager of Goderich Place added to this by saying: “Goderich Place would like to extend our extreme gratitude and appreciation for the very generous donation of iPads; we feel so fortunately and are very grateful! These iPads will allow for residents to have more FaceTime calls with family and friends in order to stay connected during these difficult times.”
 
The hope is that the arrival of these iPads will free up staff time and enable patients and residents the opportunity to connect with loved ones and the world. Gateway CERH also believes that these iPads will support people's well-being long beyond the end of COVID-19.

“Anything we can do at this time to help our health care workers is important, and please know we appreciate all you are doing to help us get through this,” said Gwen.