Video conferencing continues to be a hit with Forest Hill residents and families

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Forest Hill resident Sandra Presley is pictured here enjoying a video chat with her daughter Lori.

Time slots for Skype and FaceTime calls are being booked solid almost every day

Since Forest Hill began offering video conferencing calls to keep residents and their families connected during the COVID-19 pandemic, Craig Forrest, the Kanata, Ont. long-term care home’s life enrichment co-ordinator, says bookings are full nearly every day. Read more

Willows Estate team gets residents in the Canada Day spirit

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It was a sea of red and white at Willows Estate on July 1 as the Aurora, Ont. long-term care home’s residents and staff members celebrated Canada Day together. Read more

Village Green residents enjoy first live entertainment since March

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Village Green residents practise social distancing while enjoying a performance from Breaking Chains on June 30.

‘People were smiling for days’ after a June 30 safe outdoor performance from a local band

A live outdoor performance from the musical group Breaking Chains on June 30 was a much-needed change for Village Green residents. Read more

Pandemic planning and staying ahead of the COVID curve

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While the COVID-19 virus has presented the greater health-care sector with a level of challenges unseen during other pandemics in recent years, having a strong pandemic plan in place has helped OMNI Health Care navigate these difficult times. Read more

Village Green’s resident feline fills an important position during the pandemic

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Roxy, Village Green’s resident cat, is pictured here relaxing on a desk at the Greater Napanee long-term care home.

Roxy, a cat the home adopted in February, has developed a routine to visit residents and staff

The value our furry friends bring to people living in long-term care homes is well documented, and during the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic Roxy, a cat Village Green adopted four months ago, is proving to be a big asset to residents during this time. Read more

Friday barbecues, special breakfasts and modified activities keeping spirits high at West Lake

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Staff members are tapping into their creativity to keep the quality of life high during the pandemic

West Lake Terrace staff members have been coming up with ideas, such as offering special meals and modifying activities to meet safety requirements, to keep residents’ spirits high during the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

Pet therapy can change the ‘energy’ of a long-term care home: Streamway volunteer

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Duffy, a British golden retriever, is a St. John Ambulance therapy dog who has visited Streamway Villa with his owner, Lisa Denvir. Due to protocols to keep residents and staff safe during the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, there is currently no pet-therapy programming at OMNI Health Care long-term care homes.

Lisa Denvir, who has visited Streamway Villa with her therapy dog Duffy, says animals bring many benefits to residents

When dogs and cats visit a long-term care home with their handlers for pet therapy programs, residents often develop a connection with the animal that remains after the session has ended, says Lisa Denvir. Read more

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown LTC homes’ strengths

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If you’ve been reading the papers or watching the evening news in recent months, you’ve probably noticed a narrative emerging that questions the safety of long-term care homes during the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

Doughnuts and safe family time mark Father’s Day at Country Terrace

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Pictured above, Country Terrace’s resident dads were treated to coffee and doughnuts on Father’s Day.

‘For Father’s Day we wanted to make sure every dad got a treat as sweet as they are’

Although there were no family gatherings to celebrate Father’s Day at Country Terrace on June 21, the life enrichment team at the Komoka, Ont. long-term care home still managed to make the day “sweet” for all the dads. Read more

Frost Manor celebrates Canada Day with photoshoots for residents

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Frost Manor resident Mary Lee Digiacomo, who was named Frost Manor’s 2020 Ms. Canada, shows her Canadian pride on July 1.

Team members name resident Mary Lee Digiacomo Frost Manor’s 2020 Ms. Canada

Canada Day celebrations were different at Frost Manor this year, but despite protocols in place to keep everyone safe during the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, the Lindsay long-term care home’s residents still celebrated Canada’s 153rd birthday with lots of fun and laughter. Read more