Student plans to use skills he’s learned during Frost Manor placement to land a summer job

Student Mack Dixon is pictured here working at Frost Manor. Mack is one of five students from St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School doing a placement at the Lindsay long-term care home.

Mack Dixon says working with tools and learning how to change air filters are among the skills he can add to his resumé

LINDSAY, Ont. – Student Mack Dixon will be looking for a summer job after the school year finishes at the end of June, and thanks to his involvement in a partnership between St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School and Frost Manor, he has some new skills to add to his resumé. Read more

Forest Hill hosts a parrot educational program

Meaghan Keaney-Pearman of Parrot Partners shows Mad Max, a kea parrot, to Forest Hill resident Joan Davis.

Parrot Partners, a training and adoption centre for parrots, brings 3 birds to the home

Forest Hill recently played host to some parrots as part of a program that was both unique and educational. Read more

IMPACT, an interactive art piece, demonstrates relationship between shattered objects and memories

Artist Sara Dalla Guarda is pictured here with IMPACT, an interactive art installation she created to demonstrate the relationship between shattered objects and memories.

OMNI co-sponsored IMPACT’s premiere at the 2019 OLTCA/ORCA convention and trade show. Artist Sara Dalla Guarda explains why she created it

It was last November when Sara Dalla Guarda’s father accidentally broke a ceramic mug that belonged to her grandmother. That mug meant a lot to Sara. Read more

Maplewood’s staff ‘sets us above other homes in the community’

Brighton home celebrates Nursing Week, gives thanks

From a pizza party to a superhero theme day, Maplewood expressed its gratitude recently for its valued nursing staff. The Brighton long-term care home marked National Nursing Week. National Nursing Week ran from May 6-12. Read more

Frost Manor’s partnership with local school continues to flourish

Five St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School students are gaining experience and leadership skills while providing valuable services to the home

LINDSAY, Ont. – Frost Manor and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School are continuing to build upon a partnership they established last year that’s enhancing opportunities for students to learn new skills and develop leadership while giving something back to the community. Read more

‘Easter ducklings’ get treated to a stay at Riverview Manor

Residents enjoy two weeks with their feathery guests

You’ve heard of Easter bunnies but what about Easter ducklings? Read more

Village Green’s new LEC Maddy Hudgins a perfect fit for home, says administrator

Village Green team members are pictured here at the OMNI Health Care Quality Forum at Fern Resort. From left to right, Tammy Newton, Maddy Hudgins and Miranda Ray. Standing, Linda Pierce.

‘It’s such a complement to our home to have such a bright young woman who has chosen to make us the employer of choice,’ says Linda Pierce

Maddy Hudgins started her position as Village Green’s life enrichment co-ordinator (LEC) during a difficult time for residents and staff members at the Greater Napanee long-term care home. Read more

Family member donates another robotic cat to add to Frost Manor’s collection

Lisa Hughes (right) and her daughter Mckenna are pictured here with a robotic cat they recently donated to Frost Manor.

Residents have been enjoying their other two cats so much, Lisa Hughes decided to give them one more

LINDSAY, Ont. – Lisa Hughes and her daughter Mckenna dropped by Frost Manor in April with a surprise for the Lindsay long-term care home’s residents: one more robotic pet cat. Read more

Willows Estates serves tea for 22

OMNI homes celebrate Mother’s Day

Willows Estate was thinking pink when it came to planning this year’s Mother’s Day tea. Read more

It’s all fun and games in OMNI homes

Frost Manor life enrichment team members from left, Amy Whitehead, Kim Williams, Jesse Fraser and Lyndsay Burton, dressed up for National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day.

Theme days, special visitors get nod from residents

From wearing pajamas all day to playing the slot machines and tending to animals, life has been ducky for residents of OMNI Health Care homes.

Frost Manor is just one of the eastern Ontario long-term care homes that’s embracing new ideas for unique activities. The Lindsay long-term care home recently celebrated National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day.

National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day encourages people to go to work in their PJs, nightcaps, gowns, sleep masks and slippers.

Life enrichment co-ordinator (LEC) Lyndsay Burton encouraged residents and team members to wear their nightclothes that day and most did.

“We thought, ‘why not bring this to the residents and staff and have a wonderful spirit day for them?’” Lyndsay says.

“It was a ton of fun, and everybody was asking if we could do this once a week. … It was so fun to see the staff and residents join in on the fun.”

Lyndsay notes that an interesting aspect of the event was that with nearly all residents and staff members dressed in their Pjs, it put everyone on the same plane.

Prizes were awarded to residents and staff members for the “comfy award” and best-dressed.

The LEC tries to create as many programs and activities as she can that centre on themes for special days on the calendar.

Meanwhile, Maplewood embraced its own theme day recently, presenting an afternoon at the casino.

Life enrichment aide (LEA) Lynanne Campbell arrived at the idea of holding a casino-themed afternoon for residents of the long-term care home in Brighton.

LEA Rosanne Blackburn tells The OMNIway that residents enjoyed Lynanne’s unique program.

“It was a success,” Rosanne says.

“We had a penny slot machine, double dice roll table, 21 card game and roulette. We gave them poker chips to play the games they wanted.”

The casino activity ran for an hour and at the end of the 60 minutes, residents turned in their poker chips for prizes, each choosing what appealed to him or her. Prizes included stuffed animals, candy, chips and spring ornaments for

Resident Lillian DeBassecourt poses with one of the ducklings staying at Springdale Country Manor perched on her head.

residents’ bed-side stands.

Recently in Springville, two newly-hatched ducklings at Springdale Country Manor were a big hit with residents and staff.

The ducklings, Larry and Bob, were from Woolley Wonderland Farm in Lakehurst. The pair had only hatched a few days before visiting the long-term care home. Team members from the life enrichment department cared for them during their stay.

“The residents just love them; they have been holding them and petting them and they are just loving them,” Springdale LEC Sonia Murney told The OMNIway recently.

“The residents have been joking around and having a lot of fun with the ducks.”

Larry and Bob, who have now returned to the farm, also had their first swim, with team members setting up a small pool for the pair to get their feathers wet. Residents were invited to watch the ducks frolic in the water, which delighted them, Sonia says.

Springdale Country Manor residents often get visits from dogs and cats, so having ducks come to the home was a unique type of pet therapy, the LEC says.

“It brings the farm to the home, and we’re in a country setting, so this is something they like to see.”

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