Support and services

Recreation and therapy

Dearness Home’s Recreation Professionals strive to encompass a holistic approach and to provide opportunities to meet the needs of each resident through meaningful programs and therapies. Thanks to student and volunteer supports, we are able to help enable our residents to find success in their recreation and leisure pursuits.

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Dearness Home resident and worker participating in a fall craft activity.
Recreation and Leisure programs

Recreation and Leisure programs include:

  • Special therapies (music, horticulture, pet)
  • Exercise groups
  • Community programs (bowling, shopping, dining)
  • Inter-generational programs
  • One-to-one visits
  • Men’s groups (games, breakfast club)
  • Knitting club
  • Horticulture
  • Discussion groups
  • Bingo/games
  • Spiritual programs
  • Pampering hands
  • Physiotherapy & occupational therapy
  • Spiritual care
Social and interactive activities

Along with the many diverse programs the recreation team provides, residents have the opportunity to partake in a variety of additional social and interactive activities including:

  • Cozy Corner Library:  Our Resident Library, partnered with London Public Library Services, is open 24/7. In this space, our residents can access many forms of library and media resources including accessible communication resources.
  • Dearness Pub:  Open every Saturday, this is a welcoming place where residents can bring family and friends to enjoy music, laughter and a zero proof beverage.
  • Dearness Home Friendship Centre Theatre: For the young at heart, we host a movie night once a week for our residents' choice Oscar Night.
  • Family Party Room:  Available for residents to host family get-togethers or celebrate special occasions with family and friends. Contact Manager of Community Life to make reservations at extension 8271.
  • Snoezelen Room:  Used for either a stimulating or relaxing  intervention, this multi-sensory environment uses trained therapeutic interventions that can help reduce anxiety and agitation with calming music, visual vibrancy, aromatherapy and more.
  • Mobii magic surface interactive table/floor inclusive system: This multi-award-winning portable system will project onto any flat surface, enhancing accessibility to ensure our Recreation Team can deliver highly engaging visual activities that encourage physical and mental participation, and provide many opportunities for social enjoyment and shared laughter.
  • The Quiet Space is an inclusive space for all residents, staff, volunteers and family of any cultural background to use for supportive moments, prayer, meditations, remembrance or simply some quiet time of reflection. The space has also been designed to support our Indigenous Residents for smudging for cultural and/or religion purposes.

 

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The Quiet Room at Dearness Home.

Spiritual Care

Spiritual Care is an important and meaningful part in Dearness Home residents’ lives.  Dearness Home is very fortunate to have the support and involvement of our local faith groups/churches who regularly volunteer and help maintain meaningful linkages for our residents to their own faith groups.

In addition to our spiritual care volunteers, we are pleased to have our Health & Wellbeing Practitioner and Social Worker to advocate and assist with needs in the area of Spiritual Care.  Our Health & Wellbeing Practitioner, in partnership with our Volunteer Coordinator, coordinates our spiritual resources, programs and spiritual care volunteers. They also serve as chair of our Spiritual Care Committee and are a vital member of our Palliative Care Committee and our Diversity Committee.

Spiritual Care Programs

Spiritual Care Programs include:

  • Sunday Worship Services
  • Hymn Sings
  • Bible Studies
  • Individual Visitation by Faith Groups, and Volunteers
  • Home Area Worship Services by local Faith Groups
  • Active Spiritual Care Committee
  • Palliative and Bereavement Support
  • On-Call List of Local Clergy as may be requested
  • Roman Catholic Mass and Communion
  • Praying the Rosary
  • Non-Denominational Communion
  • Special Events on Holidays
  • Quiet Room
  • Annual Memorial Service
  • Fellowship Groups 

 

Social work and support

Social work at Dearness Home includes advocacy on behalf of the resident and their family. It focuses on the social and emotional impact of physical and/or mental impairment, preservation and enhancement of physical and social functioning, and the promotion of physical and mental health. Dearness Home works on the theory of building upon existing strengths, enhancing adaptations and modifying risks that interfere with optimal quality of life.

The social work team is here to help residents and their families by providing support and guidance through admissions and adjustment to Dearness as well as developing, with other members of the Dearness Home team, a plan of care – to name a few.  The team is here to help answer any of your questions and looks forward to working with the resident and their family to live life at Dearness to the fullest.

 

Last modified:Friday, July 10, 2026