West Lake commemorating National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with events and presentations

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‘This is going to be a good learning day for everybody’

In honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, West Lake Terrace is dedicating today to both celebrating the contributions First Nations communities make to Canada as well as raising awareness of the issues Indigenous Peoples face in this country.

Life enrichment co-ordinator Janie Denard and administrator Darlene Copegog-Hamilton came up with the idea to raise awareness of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation for the Prince Edward County long-term care home’s residents and staff members.

For lunch, residents will be served a mix of contemporary and traditional First Nations food including three sisters soup, which contains squash, corn and beans, as well as fried tacos and sweetened bannock with berries for dessert.

The home’s display case is featuring photos highlighting aspects of First Nations culture such as hoop dancing and powwows. Also in the display case are a traditional medicine pouch and a pair of moccasins owned by RAI co-ordinator Amy Harper from when she was a baby as well as a pair that belonged to her daughter.

Given that there are First Nations residents and staff members at West Lake Terrace, the day also celebrates diversity at the home, Janie says.

Before changing the name to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Sept. 30 was called Orange Shirt Day.

The colour orange has significance. In 1973, Phyllis Webstad, a then-six-year-old First Nations student from B.C., had an orange shirt taken from her by teachers at the residential school she attended.

Orange Shirt Day was first acknowledged on Sept. 30, 2013, to raise awareness of the injustices First Nations, Inuit and Métis people faced in residential schools.

Orange has been designated as the colour of remembrance of the children who didn’t return home from residential schools.

Canada’s former residential school system has been a major issue this year after more than 1,300 graves were found near the sites of former residential schools in Western Canada this summer.

While this discovery sent shockwaves across the country, it also highlighted in bold print the mistreatment the people of Canada’s First Nations faced during the era of the residential school system.

“It’s really important to include the residents and to raise awareness about some of the issues (affecting the First Nations people) in our community and in our country,” Janie tells The OMNIway.

“With the recent discovery of the graves in the residential school system, we thought it was important to bring this to light and to give the residents some opportunity to talk about it and to learn from it.”

To show solidarity with the people of Canada’s First Nations, West Lake Terrace residents and staff members are being encouraged to wear orange shirts today.

The West Lake Terrace team has also hoisted an Every Child Matters flag outside the home.

In the afternoon, Darlene is going to deliver a presentation to residents focused on the First Nations of Canada. Janie is going to show residents YouTube videos highlighting First Nations culture and explain some of the many traditions celebrated by Indigenous Peoples.

“This is going to be a good learning day for everybody,” Janie says.

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Streamway team creates fall fair for residents

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Autumn is definitely in the air. If you live in a small Ontario town, that means fall fair time has arrived.

At Streamway Villa, team members created a festive fall fair for the Cobourg, Ont. long-term care home’s residents.

While some towns have cancelled their fall fairs this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Streamway Villa was able to host a safe event with protocols in effect.

Like all fall fairs, Streamway Villa’s event included a midway, with a variety of stations for games, and there were lots of treats for residents to enjoy.

There was also a barbecue with a fall fair favourite, corn on the cob, served to residents. No fall fair would be complete without a big stick of candy floss, and there was lots of that too, thanks to a new addition to the home.

“I bought us a cotton candy machine which the residents loved,” life enrichment co-ordinator Laurie Kracht tells The OMNIway.

Laurie adds the day was perfect for a fair.

“It was beautiful, not too hot, a nice breeze, and happy faces.”

Looking ahead, Laurie says she hopes to see the Streamway fall fair taken to a new height.

“We wanted to do more, but with the pandemic still out there, we were limited,” she says. “Maybe next year we can have the zoo animals or a horse and buggy ride.”

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Pleasant Meadow residents gearing up for in-home baking contest

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Residents and staff will compete for bragging rights at the home’s in-house fall fair

Pleasant Meadow Manor residents have been working hard on Saturdays to get ready for an upcoming baking contest at the Norwood, Ont. long-term care home that will see them compete against staff members for bragging rights.

Residents have been baking cookies, brownies, squares and cupcakes which are being stored in the home’s freezer until the second annual Pleasant Meadow Fall Fair on Oct. 12.

Pleasant Meadow held its own fall fair in 2020, due to the Norwood Fall Fair being cancelled to protect volunteers and attendees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Norwood Fall Fair’s board of directors decided to cancel this year’s event as well, so Pleasant Meadow Manor will once again be hosting its own version of the event.

“We are doing baking groups on the weekend because the residents are going to be competing with the staff for the baking contest,” says Kim Williams, Pleasant Meadow’s life enrichment co-ordinator.

“We are starting to make our decorations and getting everything prepared.”

Before the pandemic, Pleasant Meadow residents and staff members would visit the Norwood Fall Fair annually and submit baked goods and crafts in contests the fair hosts.

Since attending the fair is so important to residents, the Pleasant Meadow Manor is keeping the tradition going in-house.

Last year a baking contest was held for staff members, with Jeanette Davis winning first place in all categories and named Pleasant Meadow Manor’s Baker of the Year.

The team wanted residents involved in this year’s contest, so they will be competing against staff members.

Kim says last year’s fall fair was a big hit with residents and she expects a repeat in 2021.

“It went really well and there was a lot of participation from both staff and residents,” she says.

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Pet therapy returns to Garden Terrace

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‘It was nice for them to get to see the dogs again’

It has been a long time coming, but a pet therapy program has returned to Garden Terrace, and the Kanata, Ont. long-term care home’s residents were happy to be reunited with two of their favourite canines.

On Sept. 14, residents had their first pet therapy session since the COVID-19 pandemic began 18 months ago. Two trained therapy dogs – a Labrador retriever and a Shetland sheepdog – visited Garden Terrace with their handlers from Ottawa Therapy Dogs.

To keep everyone safe during the pandemic, the program was kept outside, and mask-wearing and social distancing protocols were in effect.

Garden Terrace life enrichment co-ordinator Rachael King says residents were overjoyed to be able to visit with the dogs. The therapy dogs had been to the home before the pandemic began.

“They haven’t had pet therapy in over a year and a half, and a lot of the residents adore animals,” Rachael tells The OMNIway. “It was nice for them to get to see the dogs again.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization in March 2020, non-essential visits to Ontario long-term care homes were halted. This meant pet therapy programs were suspended.

But with high resident vaccination rates and eased restrictions, Garden Terrace residents were able to enjoy an outdoor visit with their furry friends.

“A few of the residents recognized the dogs,” Rachael says. “It was a nice day and the residents loved it.”

Rachael says outdoor visits with therapy dogs will continue for the rest of the year as long as the weather permits.

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Craft helps residents express what they love most about themselves

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An activity on Self-Awareness Saturday also helped Pleasant Meadow staff learn more about residents

Pleasant Meadow Manor residents recently enjoyed an activity where they had an opportunity to do some soul searching and discover the things they love most about themselves.

As part of the activity on Self-Awareness Saturday (Sept. 4), residents made paper cutouts of hearts with two arms on both sides. On the hearts, they wrote the things they love most about themselves.

The program was hosted by the Norwood, Ont. long-term care home’s life enrichment team members. Life enrichment staff visited residents in their rooms to make the hearts and help residents tap into their self-love, explains life enrichment co-ordinator Kim Williams.

Kim says aside from being an excellent way for residents to think about their favourite qualities, it was also an opportunity for team members to learn more about residents.

The newest life enrichment team member, Natalie McDade, especially found the program rewarding, Kim says.

“It really helped my newest staff member to make new connections and get to know our residents,” she tells The OMNIway.

“The residents enjoyed it as well; they have taken a real shine to Natalie. It was nice for the residents to focus on the positive aspects in their life.”

Residents wrote many different aspects of self-love on their hearts. Some wrote about how they love their children and grandchildren. One resident had worked as an engineer and he wrote that he loved his job as an engineer.

Kim says there is one resident craft that stands out for her.

“One gentleman wrote that he loved the fact that he is handsome,” she says.

Kim says the beauty of this program was how well it allowed residents to explore their lives and honour themselves with healthy self-promotion.

“It was a really great one-on-one activity because (life enrichment staff members) went around to their rooms, sat with the residents and got to know the residents better as well,” she says.

“It gave residents a chance to think about what it is they love about themselves because that’s not an easy question to answer. I think this was a great opportunity for them to look at themselves.”

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Seniors Cruises returns to Springdale for car show

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Car club members bring back fond memories of classic cars for residents

A local car club returned to Springdale Country Manor Aug. 31 to display their wheels to the Peterborough-area long-term care home’s residents and bring back some fond memories for everyone.

Members of Seniors Cruises stopped by Springdale for two hours with more than 20 classic cars and trucks for residents to see during the Yesterday Memories car show.

The Seniors Cruises car club, which hosts car shows at long-term care and retirement homes across the Peterborough area, visits Springdale Country Manor most years.

Residents had a chance to look at the hot rods and chat with car club members about their vehicles. This brought back fond memories for many, says Springdale life enrichment co-ordinator Sonia Murney.

“The residents had so much fun, reminiscing and touring around the cars,” she tells The OMNIway.

“The weather was wonderful and the residents loved being outside, and they even had a chance to watch some planes fly over, as we are close to the Peterborough airport.”

The club members had some interesting stories, Sonia says, adding one member brought the 1947 Mercury he has been driving for 40 years.

In addition to the cars, Seniors Cruises supplied music – golden oldies, of course – for residents and community members to enjoy during the show.

To keep everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, safety precautions, such as mask-wearing and social distancing, were in effect.

Sonia notes some residents’ family members brought their classic cars to the show and combined the car show with an outdoor visit with their loved ones.

“We had two families participate in the group with their cars, and they made it great for a visit as well,” she says.

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Frost Manor residents enjoy first live, outdoor entertainment since the pandemic began

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Keith Kirkpatrick’s one-man show delivered an engaging performance the residents enjoyed

After a year and a half without live music at Frost Manor, residents were overjoyed when Keith Kirkpatrick brought his one-man show to the Lindsay, Ont. long-term care home for an Aug. 5 outdoor performance.

Keith is a long-standing favourite entertainer among residents, so it was fitting he would be the first live entertainer to perform at an outdoor show since the pandemic began, says Frost Manor life enrichment co-ordinator Amy Whitehead.

“He had reached out to us and I thought he would be a great (performer) to try our outdoor entertainment with,” she tells The OMNIway.

To keep everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, Keith performed from the Frost Manor parking lot while residents sat socially distanced on the patio.

Keith performed two 45-minute sets for separate groups of residents in order to keep the gathering small. He had a microphone and speakers so everyone could hear, Amy notes.

The show was all residents had hoped it would be, Amy says, adding Keith always plays the songs residents want to hear.

“Keith has a really good mix (of music), and he tailors his act to the crowd,” she says. “We have residents who love Elvis, so he threw some Elvis in there, and we have residents who love Charley Pride, so he did some Charley Pride songs.”

Keith is also an engaging performer, Amy says. He has a large repertoire of songs, and he always tries to keep the music upbeat and will play numbers residents recognize so they can sing along, she says.

“He does a good mix of everything and he knows what the residents like.”

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Groundbreaking ceremony marks the start of Country Terrace redevelopment project

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Renovations will add 50,518 square feet and eight beds to the Komoka, Ont. LTC home

A groundbreaking ceremony was held at Country Terrace Sept. 17 to mark the start of a redevelopment project to add 50,518 square feet and eight beds to the Komoka, Ont. long-term care home.

Construction began in August on the project that includes replacing a wing at the rear of Country Terrace with a three-storey addition and renovating the remainder of the 120-bed home.

The $32-million redevelopment and expansion will be completed in phases and is expected to be finished by June 2024.

Patrick McCarthy, OMNI Health Care’s president and CEO, says the redevelopment project, once complete, will enhance quality of life for residents and improve the working environment for staff members.

Once renovations are complete, Country Terrace will house four spacious, 32-bed neighbourhoods for residents. The project will replace all three- and four-bed wards with one- and two-bed rooms. The more spacious home will also improve capacity for infection prevention and control, McCarthy says.

Each neighbourhood will include its own dining room, lounge and activity space. Outside, the renovated Country Terrace will include gardens, a whole-home gathering area and a chapel.

“We are really happy to be underway, and we are looking forward to the new Country Terrace meeting the needs of residents in accommodations that offer greater privacy and meet updated design standards,” McCarthy said.

“We acknowledge and express appreciation for the support of the Province of Ontario, and the Municipality of Middlesex Centre and the County of Middlesex in supporting this redevelopment.”

Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton could not attend the event, but he issued a statement praising the redevelopment project for the value it will deliver residents and the community.

“Congratulations to OMNI Health Care and Country Terrace on starting construction, the result of hard work and dedication by everyone involved,” McNaughton said.

Attending the event were Middlesex County Warden Cathy Burghardt-Jesson and Middlesex Centre Mayor Aina DeViet, who have also shown strong support for the Country Terrace redevelopment project.

In addition to Country Terrace, construction on redevelopment projects at three other OMNI long-term care homes – Almonte Country Haven, Pleasant Meadow Manor and Woodland Villa – is well underway.

OMNI has also received approval from the province to rebuild three of the organization’s other long-term care homes: Riverview Manor, Streamway Villa and Village Green.

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Trivia and small celebrations mark Residents’ Council Week at Forest Hill

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Trivia to reinforce the important role residents’ councils play in long-term care homes as well as small celebrations to honour residents who advocate for themselves and others marked the second annual Residents’ Council Week at Forest Hill.

Residents’ Council Week was Sept. 13-19.

The week, organized by the Ontario Association of Residents’ Councils (OARC), aims to raise awareness of the role residents’ councils play in long-term care homes.

Forest Hill life enrichment co-ordinator Craig Forrest organized a week-long trivia for team members focused on residents’ councils and the Residents’ Bill of Rights.

Staff members at the Kanata, Ont. long-term care home were asked questions to test their knowledge about councils and about the bill of rights. They submitted their answers to Craig.

The three staff members with the most correct answers will be awarded gift cards in the coming days.

Craig says the idea behind the trivia contest was to help keep the Residents’ Bill of Rights top of mind and to reinforce the importance of residents’ councils in long-term care homes.

“There are a few questions they’ll definitely have to look up, and this is a way to get them learning more about the Residents’ Bill of Rights as well as our residents’ council,” Craig tells The OMNIway.

On Sept. 17, there were small celebrations among residents and staff on each floor of Forest Hill, with cookies, tea and coffee offered to everyone.

OARC explains the crucial part councils play in the lives of long-term-care home residents.

“(Residents’ councils) bring residents together as peers to discuss issues of importance and to stay connected and engaged in home operations and decision-making,” the website states.

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Burnbrae Gardens residents make educational video on Residents’ Bill of Rights

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The video has been submitted to the Ontario Association of Residents’ Councils as part of a contest during Residents’ Council Week

Burnbrae Gardens residents have submitted an educational video focused on the Residents’ Bill of Rights to a contest organized by the Ontario Association of Residents’ Councils (OARC).

The OARC is challenging Ontario long-term care homes to work with residents to create videos to teach others about the Residents’ Bill of Rights. The contest is being held in conjunction with Residents’ Council Week, which runs Sept. 13-19.

Life enrichment aides Lauren Farnham and Shawna Booth, along with Burnbrae Gardens administrator and life enrichment co-ordinator April Faux, helped residents create the video. The video features residents explaining the 27 rights all people living in long-term care homes are guaranteed.

In the video, residents are wearing T-shirts listing the 27 rights. Each T-shirt is embossed with two residents’ rights – one on the front and one on the back. Residents had their photos taken wearing the T-shirts, and the photos were made into a slideshow accompanied by music.

The idea to make the video got immediate buy-in from residents, Lauren says.

“We thought it would be great for the residents to get involved with this,” she tells The OMNIway.

Lauren created the T-shirts on her own time using a Cricut, a computer-controlled cutting machine. The T-shirts were distributed to residents who “loved them,” she says.

The video includes a speech on the Residents’ Bill of Rights from Burnbrae Gardens residents’ council president Frank Trombley.

In his speech, Frank outlines why the Residents’ Bill of Rights is important to residents and staff members, and he commends the home’s staff members for upholding those rights.

Shawna notes that resident Jeannine LeClerc, who is fluent in French, provided a translation in the video for every resident right.

“We wanted to up the ante by asking a resident who speaks fluent French to provide a translation,” she explains. “We wanted to make it bilingual for both English and French-speaking people.”

All video submissions will be entered into a prize draw. Prizes include an iPad with a $50 Apple gift card and a Google Home device.

Contest winners will be announced Sept. 19.

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