Katharina Burns, the heart and creator of Meaningful Connections, has worked within
the health sector since 2011. She began her journey as a personal support worker in
Ontario, completed the licensed practical nurse program in 2016 and has since bridged and graduated as a registered nurse. Katharina’s passion lies within the geriatric population where she is dedicated to avenues that help seniors age in place.
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Katharina first noticed the urgent need for dementia care services, specifically respite
care in Oromocto while working for the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick as a First
Link Coordinator in 2018. She noticed this type of service was not available locally and
families were required to transport their loved one to Fredericton as the VON run Adult
Day Center closed in 2015. Katharina then volunteered her time as member of the Oromocto Age Friendly Community Committee ​offering insight to the topic, advocating for respite care and other structures and services that promote healthy aging in the community. The Town of Oromocto was designated as Age-Friendly in 2022.
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Katharina approached the Department of Social Development regarding the need for
respite care and with their support in conjunction with the Town providing a space,
Meaningful Connections opened in September 2023. Currently, the program has a maximum capacity of 12 participants at one time with hopes of an increase in the future. This program supports care partners in the community and helps them keep their loved one in their home for as long as possible. Katharina believes the key to strong communities is the support systems we build within them. This belief has been instrumental in the collaboration with many ​local organizations such as daycares, high schools, colleges, the Gagetown Transition Centre, local businesses, and individual volunteers. This effort aims to support the program and build a community around its participants.