#ElderWisdom | Stories from the Green Bench
Society & Culture
Episode #36 - A conversation that is raw in its emotions, very honest and open with Jack Paleczny of The Village at University Gates in Waterloo. A beautiful example of the connection among us all as he shares his story from the Green Bench.
Jack lives at The Village with and cares for his wife Diana Lynn who lives with both dementia and Parkinson's disease. He lives a life of service first as a leader to his community, serving God, serving the people around him, and today, serving up a whole lot of wisdom and perspective.
The 12s in Jack's life:
12 Years of Education
12 Years of Graduate Studies
12 Years as a Priest
12 Years as a Hospital Chaplain
12 Years as a Pastor of the United Church
His sister is a nun who just returned back from 12 years in Africa.
Learn about the decision Jack made to leave the priesthood and how his mother stood up for him among his 8 siblings.
"The big part of chaplaincy training is that although you are grounded in your own faith, you are able to walk with others in their faith." -Jack Paleczny
"Chaplaincy is a beautiful experience." -Jack Paleczny
"Our higher power is GOOD." - Erin Davis
"The meaning/value of life is the very goodness of people and the desire of people to do good." -Jack Paleczny
When Jack first got to The Village at University Gates, everybody he met he would ask them their name. "It was important to greet people by name and to hear their stories at The Village at University Gates."
Jack shares his tips to being an effective listener.
"If you can stay with the person and ask a question that unfolds their story a little bit more. They feel a connection, a bond, and trust in sharing their story." -Jack Paleczny
How do you remember people's names?
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The Green Bench is a symbol of elder wisdom. Physically or virtually, the bench invites us all to sit alongside a senior, share a conversation, or give and offer advice.
It challenges the stigma seniors face; the ageism still so prevalent in society. It reminds us of the wealth of wisdom our elders offer and in doing so, helps restore them to a place of reverence.
"The greatest untapped resource in Canada, if not the world, is the collective wisdom of our elders." -Ron Schlegel
This podcast is brought to you by Schlegel Villages, retirement & long-term care homes in Ontario, Canada.
#ElderWisdom | Stories from the Green Bench is produced by Memory Tree Productions
Learn more about our host, Erin Davis, at erindavis.com
Learn more about #ElderWisdom at elderwisdom.ca
Benefits of #ElderWisdom and the Role of a DLO with Branka Matijevic
Raising a musical family and quirky gardening with Angela Willis
BONUS | Resident Voices in Long-Term Care with OARC’s Melissa McVie & Devora Greenspon
Critical thinking, long-distance relationships and reading with Evelyn Brindle
Public Speaking and Being a Grandma with Shirley Arthur
Bucket Lists, Family Trees and Moving to Glendale Crossing with Ivan Siriani
Dr. Bob Bell - Expert on healthcare for an aging population and prolific author of fiction
Virginia Barry on swimming, canoeing, and being a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi
Hildegarde Bolter on resilience in life, leaving her husband, and being a German child in the war
June Campbell on Newfoundland joining Canada, 2 marriages and lots of traveling
Joyce Stankiewicz on caring for a loved one with dementia and the buddy system at University Gates
Recipes, memories, pasta and the past with Anna Piccoli & daughter Franca
100 Years of Wisdom with Aunt Reta
”Who are you, anyway?” with The Right Honourable David Johnston
A part of our Family - Pam Wiebe’s story of changing careers and family culture at Schlegel Village
Corrine Richard on meeting the Dionne Quintuplets, working the carnival and family relations
Trailer - #ElderWisdom
Reflections, gratitude, and tribute to the wisdom of Season 1
Rita Munro - How does your garden grow? Gardening, Nursing, and Journalism
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