OMNI Health Care is applauding the province for its 2016-17 budget announcement that includes a level-of-care funding increase and a multimillion-dollar injection into the Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO) program. Read more
Pictured above: Some of the artwork Almonte Country Haven LEA Mary O’Reilly has been creating on a whiteboard in the home. These drawings are proving to be excellent resident engagement tools.
One day last May, Almonte Country Haven life enrichment aide (LEA) Mary O’Reilly decided on a whim to draw a picture of a pig on a whiteboard in the Lanark County long-term care home. Residents suddenly began gravitating to O’Reilly as she drew, and she could see that she was on to something. Read more
Ontario long-term care homes are once again being encouraged to join an annual letter-writing campaign to underscore to MPPs the need for additional funding to enhance resident care. Read more
Village Green resident June Walters is seen here chatting with students from Southview Public School’s choir on Feb. 11.
A recent musical program hosted at Village Green proved to be an excellent forum for bridging generational gaps and creating community connections for residents, says Karen Coulter. Read more
Streamway Villa
COBOURG, Ont. – Collaboration among Streamway Villa team members from all departments as well as utilizing outside resources is helping address responsive behaviours in residents with cognitive impairment and improve quality of life, say staff members. Read more
The design to Forest Hill’s refurbished tub room (pictured above) was largely based on input from resident Joan Leclaire.
When Joan Leclaire told Forest Hill’s management that residents’ quality of life would be enhanced if renovations were made to the aging tub room, administrator Susan Bell agreed, then included her in the refurbishment process.
Leclaire, a resident at the Kanata, Ont. long-term care home, says before renovations were recently made, the tub room’s décor was outdated. Fifteen-year-old wallpaper, an artificial tree, overhang curtains and no-longer-used equipment stored in the room were taking away the homey feeling.
Leclaire told Bell that the tub room, with its clutter and outdated furnishings, gave the home a “facility impression.” With the right renovations, she told Bell, the tub room could have a “relaxing, spa-like feel.”
Bell agreed and gave Leclaire free rein to make suggestions about the design process.
The resident chose paint colours. She suggested new photographs for the tub room’s walls. The sink and cabinets were changed. A new clock was brought in. Three silver plant pots were placed on the window sill with succulent plants and cacti added. A wicker blind hung from a black iron curtain rod and white sheer linen curtains flanking the window were the final touch.
Forest Hill’s tub room now looks and feels completely different, Leclaire says.
“The impact of the updated changes made to the tub room is very significant, I feel,” Leclaire says. “Residents (now) have a calming, relaxing, spa-like experience while enjoying their bath and the amenities offered in this room.”
Leclaire also credits Forest Hill management and staff for listening to the suggestions residents make and acting on those recommendations.
“Every resident feels their opinions and wishes are given full consideration when making important decisions affecting the home,” she says. “It is indeed a home where everyone feels proud to say, ‘I live at Forest Hill.’”
She also has kind words for the home’s administrator.
“Forest Hill is indeed very fortunate to have Susan Bell as our administrator,” Leclaire says. “Susan is very resident-focused and she places the resident first.”
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Students from Southview Public School’s choir are seen here performing for Village Green residents on Feb. 11.
A recent trip to Village Green was a valuable intergenerational engagement experience for a student choir and ukulele players from Southview Public School, says the school’s music teacher Kathryn McConnell. Read more
For the second straight year, Forest Hill has achieved the highest rate of flu vaccinations among staff members in OMNI Health Care’s 18 homes. Read more
Riverview Manor’s life enrichment and dietary departments once again collaborated to help couples celebrate an early Valentine’s Day at the Peterborough long-term care home on Feb. 12. Read more
While we know about our work colleagues’ on-the-job lives, we sometimes don’t know about their off-the-job lives, and a recent OMNIway story series has looked at some of the unique hobbies that are important to people working for OMNI Health Care. Read more