L’Chaim offers respite

LEORA FRIMER

A Romanian violinist and conductor, an Olympic trainer and a judge. These are just some of the remarkable characters that I had the privilege to meet during my summer internship at the L’Chaim Adult Day Centre.

Providing nourishment for the mind, body and soul, L’Chaim establishes, as one client noted, “a second home” for individuals to dwell in three days a week. Besides providing entertainment, nutritious homemade meals, exercise programs for the mind and body, and a place for social interaction, L’Chaim holds a monumental presence in the lives of many individuals. Indeed, it has played a life-changing role in the lives of clients and their families.

Vladimir Levit, who was once an Olympic trainer in Russia, moved to Vancouver 10 years ago with his wife, Ella. In Vlad’s case, it is true that a picture says a thousand words – despite language barriers, Vlad arrives to the program each morning with a smile on his face and a greeting to fellow clients. Pictures of his days as an Olympic trainer in Russia, which were passed around the L’Chaim breakfast table one morning, illuminate the rich stories that these seniors have to share and the fact that L’Chaim offers a place for their stories to be told and acknowledged.

L’Chaim is a respite not only for Vlad, but also for Ella; while Vlad is at L’Chaim, Ella has the freedom and peace of mind to attend to other things, knowing that her husband is in the best of hands. At the end of the day, as clients return to their homes, they can leave with the anticipation of another day with their good friends at L’Chaim.

The L’Chaim Adult Day Centre is run out of the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver and is open on Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Leora Frimer lives in Vancouver and spent her summer as an intern at L’Chaim Adult Day Centre.

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