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People living in OMNI Health Care long-term care homes demonstrated commitment to their fellow residents and to their homes in 2018 in a variety of ways that were meaningful and enhanced quality of life.
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Riverview Manor resident Patricia Fader is pictured here alongside her granddaughter, Sonia, who is sitting with Santa.
The Riverview Manor team served 188 Christmas dinners on Dec. 4 and Dec. 6 to the Peterborough long-term care home’s residents and family members.
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Pleasant Meadow Manor hosted one of its most successful Christmas bazaars to date, raising $2,200 that will be put towards buying Christmas presents for each of the Norwood long-term care home’s 61 residents and providing funding for extra entertainment and special food over the holidays.
The bazaar, which was held Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, included sales of crafts such as knitted and wooden items residents made. There was also a wide array of baked goods residents helped make that were sold at the event.
Life enrichment co-ordinator Chris Garden says residents worked hard in the weeks leading up to the bazaar.
“We were baking for a good month beforehand and putting everything in our freezer to get ready,” she says. “Then, just before the bazaar, we took (the baked items) out, trayed them and priced them.”
The bazaar also included a 50-50 draw, and residents sold tickets for the draw a few weeks in advance “and did a really great job,” Chris adds.
There was also table with 18 donated items for sale that included wreaths, blankets and signs.
Chris attributes much of the success this year’s Christmas bazaar had to the fact there are many new family members who have been active at the home and who helped pitch in and spread the word about the event.
Chris adds this year’s Christmas bazaar raised the largest amount of money she can recall.
“It was the largest this decade, anyway.”
Photo cutline: Pleasant Meadow Manor’s recent Christmas bazaar raised $2,200 to buy presents for residents to open Christmas Day.Pleasant Meadow Manor’s recent Christmas bazaar raised $2,200 to buy presents for residents to open Christmas Day.
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Garden Terrace resident Cathleen Lavoie (middle) was presented with the home’s 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award at a recent ceremony.arden Terrace resident Cathleen Lavoie (middle) was presented with the home’s 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award at a recent ceremony.
Garden Terrace resident Cathleen Lavoie has overcome a lot of challenges in the past 10 years. Her perseverance and continued compassion for others following a life-altering incident was recently acknowledged by the Kanata long-term care home.
Cathleen was the victim of a horrific act of domestic violence in 2008 that made national headlines when her ex-boyfriend shot her in the neck. The mother of three survived the attack but was paralyzed from the chest down. As a result of her injury, Cathleen required long-term care and moved into Garden Terrace more than seven years ago.
But this is not what Cathleen’s story is about.
Her story is one of redemption, compassion and not allowing the circumstances of a tragedy to dominate her life, say Garden Terrace team members.
“(Cathleen) is someone who has struggled to come back from certain death in an extremely traumatic occurrence. She has not only succeeded in that but has made her time on this earth dedicated to making her family and friends and acquaintances feel appreciated and loved,” says Garden Terrace director of care Chris Ritchie.
For her triumph in dealing with challenges, Cathleen has been named Garden Terrace’s 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. The award, which is presented to people living in OMNI Health Care long-term care homes who have demonstrated commitment to others, their home and country, was presented during a Nov. 8 ceremony at the home.
Cathleen, Chris says, stays in touch with family and friends, and she has made many friends at Garden Terrace. She is “always dressed beautifully, and her smile is so infectious,” Chris adds.
“This amazing woman is strong and wise and sets the bar very high for women who come in her path as she has overcome hardships most of us can only imagine,” Chris says.
“She not only paves our way to follow in her example of strength, love and compassion, but she shows us how to be great and lead our community here at Garden Terrace.”
Administrator Christine Schyf commends Cathleen for her positive outlook on life. Cathleen, who continues to work part time, has chosen not to be bitter about what has happened to her but is instead forgiving.
“She has made the choice not to live with bitterness but to treat others how they would want to be treated: with compassion and respect,” she says.
If you have feedback on this story, or a story you would like to share with The OMNIway, please contact the newsroom at deron(at)axiomnews.com.
Country Terrace registered nurse Christina Kissoondath has been named the Komoka, Ont. long-term care home’s 2018 recipient of the Inspired Leadership Award.
Frost Manor life enrichment co-ordinator (LEC) Lyndsay Burton organized her first Christmas Craft and Bake Sale at the Lindsay, Ont. long-term care home, and with “many weeks of preparation” and help from residents, families and staff members, the Dec. 1 event raised $3,000 and the money is still coming in.
OMNI Health Care’s core value of creativity flourished in 2018, resulting in innovative programming that enhanced quality of life for people living in the organization’s long-term care homes.
In early 2018, the Woodland Villa team bought a Triobike to help residents of all physical abilities go into town for a safe, enjoyable bike ride with others. By June, the Triobike, a three-wheeled bike with a two-seat carriage at the front, was ready to hit the streets. The bike was used this year to take residents for rides around Long Sault, to Tim Hortons and even to stop in on family members.
“(The Triobike) gives anyone and everyone the right to wind in their hair,” said Woodland Villa administrator Janna Sabourin.
Knowing that the 1950s is a decade that brings back fond memories for many residents, the Rosebridge Manor team decided to host a ’50s-themed diner at the Jasper, Ont. long-term care home in early autumn.
The team displayed printed photos of Elvis Presley and set the tables with red tablecloths and checkered napkins.
The meal was served by a waitress – Rosebridge Manor’s nutritional care manager Kori Bigelow – who was dressed for the role in an ensemble that included a pencil skirt complete with a poodle embellishment.
Residents enjoyed whistle dogs and french fries served in baskets, along with milkshakes and sundaes. Music from the decade accompanied the meal held in the dining room, which was named Elsie’s Diner for the occasion.
“It’s something different for (residents),” said life enrichment co-ordinator (LEC) Kathy Barr. “It brings back memories from a different time of their life.”
Kim Williams, a new member of the Frost Manor life enrichment team, demonstrated her creative flair during Halloween this year. She came up with a craft idea to create pieces of art with masks for Halloween.
She got 15 residents in on the fun creating these unique masks that reflected each resident’s personal taste. The masks were assembled using glitter, paint, foam shapes and paper cutouts.
The masks were worn on Halloween evening for the Halloween party where the residents got to dress up and compete for the best-dressed.
“Kim’s energy and enthusiasm for this event (spread) throughout the home and residents (were) very excited for the Halloween Party,” said the Lindsay long-term care home’s LEC Lyndsay Burton.
If you have a story you would like to share with The OMNIway, please contact the newsroom at deron(at)axiomnews.com.
If you have feedback on this story, please call the newsroom at deron(at)axiomnews.com.
Village Green turned 40 this year, and on Sept. 21 the Greater Napanee long-term care home hosted a celebration to mark this special anniversary. Read more