Meet Our Team
Ontario Senior Services was founded by Lori Flaxy, CPCA. Lori's inspiration to start a home care agency came from spending time with her remarkable grandmother Mary, who was living independently in her own home at 101 years of age. She was not only taking care of herself but was landlord to a multi-unit apartment building with three tenants. Mary absolutely did not want to leave her home but was experiencing some health issues along with a few falls that had the family concerned for her safety.
A vision of creating a compassionate care service that would treat people with respect, dignity, and first-rate care was born out of daily visits to a fiercely independent woman. Mary needed so many different services for herself and the apartment building, but due to a hearing loss she could not communicate on the telephone and with much frustration in person. In the winter Mary would not leave the house so bringing outside sources in to help explain and communicate to her was essential. "My primary role was to advocate for this incredible woman and since then I have never looked back. It was the most rewarding role of my life - granddaughter and caregiver."
"There definitely is a need for a one-source service for seniors. Someone they can trust. " A service that can coordinate all aspects of the activities of daily living ... as the aging society brings a burden on families that are working and have very little time to meet their own needs.
Lori's past employment in the hospitality industry has taken her all over Niagara and Ontario for work. Her business experience is extensive as she has held positions as a senior operations manager, general manager, human resources training manager, programs and events manager and veterinary hospital manager for more than 25 years in various hotels, casinos, restaurants and a small animal hospital. She exhibits a true commitment to caring for others and has many awards and commendations for her exceptional service. Lori has been very passionate about providing excellent service. "I love being able to care for people in their home environment. I believe it supports vitality and allows our seniors to live with dignity and comfort." As a past director for the United Way in Sarnia/Lambton, Lori spent many hours fundraising and volunteering for the organization. "One of the United Way's specific goals was to keep seniors safe and independent and the desire to make a difference in Niagara, my home, ignited from there."
Lori is a proud member with the CPCA designation of the Certified Professional Consultant on Aging group at Academy of Age-Friendly Business, a member of CARP, Welland/Pelham Chamber of Commerce, Age Friendly Niagara and the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee for Welland. She is trained in First Aid/CPR and had maintained government licensing through the AGCO for 11 years for integrity and key security clearance. Highly motivated to make a difference in the lives of her senior clients and friends, she is a Toastmaster, a member of the Wellness Centre in Welland, the Ontario Equestrian Federation and the Greater Niagara Boating Club. She graduated from Niagara College Journalism and Canadian Business; completed continuing education through the Rotman School of Business Executive Programs at the University of Toronto; and Langevin Learning Services for a Director of Training designation.