Mikaela Wilson and Spencer Coombe both started out working as direct care staff in long-term care as teenagers. Now, they’re the co-founders of Senior Support Services of Southern Ontario in Hamilton, Ontario.

Because of their background and the fact many of their clients live in long-term care, Spencer and Mikaela were the perfect people to talk to about the Canadian military report on conditions found in five nursing homes in Ontario as COVID-19 tore through the province.

Mikaela and Spencer first appeared on #140: “We weren’t shocked” discussing the absymal situation outlined in vivid detail in the report.

We continued the conversation, focusing on problems in long-term care in both Canada and the US in #141: “What did you do? What did you say?” All three of us believe bringing problems to the light is the important precursor to solving them, so we talk about some solutions in this episode, too.    

And it’s that solution-oriented mindset that brings us to this episode.

While working as direct carers, they had very different experiences. Comparing notes, they came to believe they could create something that would give clients the best experience possible. But they didn’t stop there.

After co-founding Senior Support Services of Southern Ontario, they also co-authored a book, Any Game for Any Brain, based on what they saw was working for their clients. As Spencer says, “We discovered that when seniors are respected, valued, and cared for, a real difference is created. We wanted to build a business that runs on passion, care and the goal to better someone’s life.”  

Links to order Any Game for Any Brain *and* enter the drawing for one of four complimentary copies generously donated by CIRA Ontario are in the show notes below.

Now, it’s my pleasure to have another conversation with Spencer and Mikaela, two women I’m certain are well on their way to making the world a better place for people living with dementia. 

(33 minutes)

Show Notes