Ellen Morrell has been a regular visitor to the CBVCC for the past 14 years where her husband is a resident (for seven years.) Before this she visited her father, also a veteran. Ellen is so well known that the staff refer to her as an institution within the Colonel Belcher.

Ellen is actively involved in several committees whose members are working toward the creation of the new Colonel Belcher Care Centre, (CBCC) She started out as a member of the original task force with the CRHA (Calgary Regional Health Authority), over three years ago. She now sits on the CBCC Advisory Committee, which has been meeting for about six months now. This group receives information from several different working groups including operations, design, architects and builders. Ellen also sits as one of the family representatives on the Friends of the Colonel Belcher,(FOCB) a volunteer fund raising group. She is a member of the Allocations and Public Relations committees with the FOCB, soon to launch a major fundraising drive to help equip the new Colonel Belcher Care Centre.

Another important part of Ellen's involvement at the CBVCC is the Spiritual Care Group for the Caregivers. This group is partially sponsored by Veterans Affairs Canada, in recognition of the efforts of caregivers to veterans at the CBVCC. Members meet to provide support and care for each other. Out of this group they have formed an Altar Guild where they do different social activities. They recently held their first retreat, with about fifteen members attending. As testimony to the importance of this group, widows of veterans still attend meetings. Ellen says the retreat was a perfect opportunity to get away for a while.

When Ellen talks about the new care centre, she says her main interest is making sure the care needs of the vets are met. Among the many positive things to come with a new building are private rooms. Each resident will have a private room with his or her own bathroom. The living areas will be home-like, each with a dining room, kitchen and living room. Many amenities at the current centre will be duplicated at the new CBCC. This includes an auditorium for large celebrations like Remembrance Day, a pub and a woodworking shop.

Ellen Morrell is just one of the important planning contributors to the new Colonel Belcher Care Centre. Her experience as the wife of a veteran brings another point of view to the project team. Other family members know they can bring their concerns to Ellen and she knows how to bring them forward.

Watch future issues of Carewrite to meet other members of the Colonel Belcher Care Centre Advisory Committee.

Debbie Hayman, Carewest Communications