Entertainer’s Spanish music gets Garden Terrace groovin’

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Marco the Musician’s engaging performance attracted several residents who usually don’t attend programming

Garden Terrace recently welcomed back Marco the Musician, a fan-favourite entertainer among residents, who delivered an hour-long performance at the Kanata, Ont. long-term care home.

One of the benefits of having Marco back at Garden Terrace was that his appearance encouraged several residents who normally do not attend programming to stop by and take in the performance, says Rachael King, the home’s life enrichment co-ordinator.

“Everyone seemed very happy and engaged,” she tells The OMNIway, “and people who usually don’t attend programming came out, so there were some new resident faces there.”

Marco plays a wide variety of tunes residents love, but his specialty is Spanish music, Rachael says.

During his March 24 performance, Marco played some Spanish songs for the residents which prompted a few to stand up and start dancing, she adds, noting Marco brings out the festive spirit in residents.

“Marco is one of the crowd favourites,” Rachael says. “He will play anything – he will play Spanish music, but then he will play other music with a Spanish twist and he will sing in English and in Spanish.”

About 25 people in total attended the event, including some who particularly liked the Spanish theme of many of Marco’s songs.

“There are a few Spanish residents who really enjoyed it,” Rachael says.

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Frost Manor goes green for St. Patrick’s Day

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Residents and team members enjoy a fun day of activities, games and green beer

Frost Manor residents and staff members got into the spirit of toasting everything Irish on March 17 when the Lindsay, Ont. long-term care home celebrated St. Patrick’s Day.

The day included crafts, games, and, of course, lots of green beer.

In the morning, the home’s life enrichment team organized a program where residents made St. Patrick’s Day crafts and were provided with refreshments.

In the afternoon, team members played “truth or Blarney”, a game similar to Truth or Fib that saw life enrichment team members read out a sentence related to either St. Patrick’s Day or Ireland, and residents would reply “truth” if they believed the statement to be true or “Blarney” if they thought the sentence was a fib.

Later, a cart offering green beer was brought around to residents so they could enjoy a traditional pint on St. Patrick’s Day.

Since no St. Patrick’s Day celebration would be complete without costumes, residents and team members were encouraged to dress in green or wear St. Patrick’s Day-themed attire.

The St. Patrick’s Day celebration is an annual event at Frost Manor, and it is one the residents and staff members enjoy, says Amy Whitehead, the home’s life enrichment co-ordinator.

“Everyone had a lot of fun,” she says.

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Willows Estate cook proves to be a natural at the job

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Denise Thomas’s adaptability to her first LTC position ‘was so good; it was like she had been working here for years’

While working as a cook at Willows Estate is the first position in a long-term care home Denise Thomas has held, she has mastered the job after only six months, says her supervisor.

Denise says she worked a variety of jobs, including stints at Canadian Tire, a factory and a movie theatre, before starting at the Willows last summer.

She also has a passion for cooking and a certificate in food services, so when Denise heard about a job opening at the Aurora, Ont. long-term care home she decided to apply for the position.

Once she received her initial training, Denise says she transitioned seamlessly into her new job.

“I learn very quickly,” she tells The OMNIway. “I do everything on my own, I do the prepping, I do the baking, and I find learning things easy.”

As much as Denise says she enjoys cooking for the residents of Willows Estate, it’s the reaction she sees from residents when they’re enjoying a meal she’s created that truly makes her job fulfilling, she says.

“I like making them happy and seeing them eat,” she says. “When I see them eat, it makes me happy.”

Asked what her favourite meal is to cook for residents, Denise says she can’t pin down just one. All that matters, she says, is that the residents love the meals they are served.

“I like making everything, and everything I make I think the residents enjoy,” she says.

Denise’s supervisor, nutritional care manager Jeffrey Peters, says Denise is an “excellent” cook and he applauds her ability to learn new things quickly.

“Her adaptability was so good; it was like she had been working here for years,” he says. “She is very attentive, very teachable, (and) if you teach her something she will just take it and run with it.”

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Irish eyes were smiling on Rosebridge Manor March 17

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Jasper long-term care home marks St. Patrick’s Day with party

As the saying goes, everyone is a little Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, and that was certainly true at Rosebridge Manor.

Residents and staff at OMNI Health Care’s Jasper, Ont. long-term care home donned green hats and necklaces and enjoyed live music on March 17.

Those who live at the home raised their glasses of non-alcoholic punch served in fancy wine goblets. They also enjoyed a special lunch featuring Irish stew and the appropriate sides.

Rosebridge Manor life enrichment co-ordinator (LEC) Kathy Barr had to close her office door to take a phone call from The OMNIway due to the volume of the joyous celebrations underway.

Being able to consistently have live entertainment back in the home after many interruptions due to the various safety protocols and restrictions of the last two years related to the COVID-19 pandemic has been wonderful for residents, the LEC noted.

“We’re having our big St. Patrick’s Day party,” Kathy said.

“Everybody’s got their hats on and their beads on and we’ve had some family involvement and our nutritional care manager (Kori Bigelow) made an Irish-themed lunch.”

Staff and residents who had green items of clothing dressed for the occasion. Employees also wore headbands with shamrocks or put green colouring in their hair.

“The staff were really good to get involved this year, which was nice,” Kathy said.

Residents also had a second round of live entertainment on St. Patrick’s Day, featuring a trio on saxophone, keyboards and vocals, after their evening meal.

Rosebridge Manor and other long-term care homes were permitted by the provincial government as of Feb. 21 to welcome back entertainers, Kathy noted.

“The last week of February was just full of people coming in and entertaining and whatnot and volunteers. It was great.”

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Country Terrace dietary aide says fast-paced job is ‘a perfect fit’

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‘I’m a person who likes to be always on the go and keep moving,’ says Joy Goddard

Joy Goddard learned about the job requirements long-term-care home dietary aides need from a friend who works as one. She told Joy it was a job that required people to work at a fast pace and have strong organizational skills along with a good memory.

That was all Joy needed to hear.

“I’m a person who likes to be always on the go and keep moving, so I thought this would be a perfect fit for me,” Joy tells The OMNIway.

“My friend told me that if you are working in the kitchen, you have to be organized or else you will fall behind, and I said, ‘I’m an organized person.’ ”

When a job opening for a dietary aide came up at Country Terrace, Joy applied and got the position. Eight years later, she’s still working at the Komoka, Ont. long-term care home.

Joy says she enjoys the fast-paced environment that comes with serving residents their meals. With more than 100 residents to serve during mealtimes, Joy says dietary aides need to be fast and efficient.

This means knowing residents’ specific preferences – for instance, what they like to drink with their meals or how they take their tea – so they can be served quickly.

Speedy service is crucial when there are more than 100 residents who are dining at any given time, Joy says.

“When you are working in the kitchen, it’s a really intense job and you have to be really, really organized and you have to keep up the speed and you have to know the residents,” she says.

As much as she enjoys the fast-paced environment that comes with the territory, Joy says her favourite part of her job is making residents happy.

“I really like working with the residents,” she says. “It’s really nice to see the residents enjoy what they’re eating.”

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Garden Terrace residents get makeovers during spa day

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Getting dolled up not only made residents feel good, it brought back fond memories

A recent spa day at Garden Terrace that helped residents get made up and manicured also brought back fond memories of getting ready to go out and hit the town.

A volunteer named Roxane recently reached out to Garden Terrace life enrichment co-ordinator Rachael King to offer residents of the Kanata, Ont. long-term care home makeovers.

Once pandemic restrictions relaxed, Roxane was able to come to the home and host a spa day for residents that saw them get their nails done and have makeup applied. Full safety protocols were in effect for the event.

“She did lipstick, blush, eye shadow, eyeliner, and they did eye pads, nail polish and hand massages,” Rachael tells The OMNIway, adding that about 15 residents were able to participate.

“The residents loved it. To get dolled up and look glamorous to go out and about is nice because some of them have been doing outings with their families, so they’re all dressed up and ready to hit the town.”

After their makeovers, residents asked to have their photos taken to show their new look.

Rachael says many of the residents have always enjoyed getting dressed up and having their makeup done, so there was a valuable reminiscing aspect to the spa day.

“It’s thinking about the good old days in a way; getting ready to get dressed up to go out and meet people and spend time with friends,” she says.

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‘Golden Girls’ find new home at Forest Hill

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Three guinea pigs, who have become permanent guests at the home, were each named after a character from the hit TV series

Forest Hill recently welcomed Golden Girls Dorothy, Blanche and Rose as permanent guests.

But these aren’t the famed television Golden Girls you’re probably thinking of but rather three guinea pigs who have been adopted by the Kanata, Ont. long-term care home, thanks to a collaboration with Guinea Pig Rescue Ottawa.

Guinea Pig Rescue Ottawa, a shelter for guinea pigs needing homes, launched a project to help bring the small animals to long-term care homes to serve as therapy pets.

Forest Hill is the first long-term care home to partner with the shelter.

“We just happened to contact them at the right time because that was when they were starting this initiative,” life enrichment co-ordinator Craig Forrest tells The OMNIway.

“We were the first home for them to try this with.”

The shelter provided Forest Hill with the guinea pigs as well as two cages – a large one that houses the Golden Girls and a smaller one for transporting the pets between floors.

Hay, water bottles and food dishes were also provided at no cost. To thank the charity, Forest Hill made a donation to help Guinea Pig Rescue Ottawa continue its service.

Craig says residents are enjoying their new housemates, who moved to Forest Hill shortly after Golden Girls cast member Betty White passed away on Dec. 31, aged 99.

White, who played Rose Nylund on the hit TV show, was a renowned animal welfare advocate, so residents and staff decided to name the guinea pigs after three of the Golden Girls characters, Craig says.

Craig notes the guinea pigs get excited at feeding time and make chirping noises, which residents get a kick out of.

“Residents congregate around the guinea pigs – they really enjoy seeing them, especially around feeding time or when they are getting treats,” he says.

“It has been a really big success so far and the residents have really enjoyed it.”

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PHOTO CAPTION: Forest Hill resident Ieta Van Heukelom is pictured here with guinea pigs Rose and Dorothy.

Dietary aide brings cruise-ship-style hospitality to Willows Estate

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Roseann Evans brings the skills she learned on the high seas to the home’s residents

Before starting a position as a dietary aide at Willows Estate a year ago, Roseann Evans worked as a supervisor on a cruise ship, and she has taken the skills she learned on the high seas to the Aurora, Ont. long-term care home to enhance residents’ dining experience.

Like many long-term care homes, the Willows serves residents with diverse dietary needs. Some residents require pureed meals, while others have food allergies. Some residents also require meals that are halal, meaning the food adheres to Islamic law.

During her 17 years working on cruise ships, Roseann served many guests who also had special dietary needs as well. As a supervisor, it was her job to relay information about special diets between guests and the chefs to ensure guests’ needs were met.

Whether working in a long-term care home or on a cruise ship, the job is “hands-on,” Roseann says.

“You have to know your guests, know their preference, read their body language, but (in long-term care) you also have to be very patient,” she says.

“(On a cruise ship) you want your guests to be satisfied, and here you want the residents to be satisfied.”

Making the shift from working on cruise ships to working in a long-term care home has come with rewards, Roseann says, noting working at the Willows has given her the opportunity to ensure residents receive high-quality meal service.

And there’s also that personal touch that comes with working in a long-term care home.

“It’s a rewarding job, especially when you see the smiles on the residents’ faces and they call you by your name, that’s the thing for me,” Roseann says.

Jeffrey Peters, the nutritional care manager at Willows Estate, praises Roseann for the service she brings residents, noting she is always putting the residents first.

“Roseann always goes above and beyond to make sure the residents are always getting what they want,” he says.
 
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PHOTO CAPTION: Dietary aide Roseann Evans is pictured here during a recent shift at Willows Estate.


Ides of March celebration takes residents back to ancient Rome

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Residents and staff mark March 15 by acting out a day in the life of Romans

Pleasant Meadow Manor became an arm of the Roman Empire on March 15 when the Norwood, Ont. long-term care home’s residents and staff members celebrated the Ides of March.

The Ides of March was the day in ancient Rome marking the deadline for settling debts, but it became more famous as the day Roman dictator Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC.

In honour of this day, Pleasant Meadow Manor life enrichment co-ordinator Kim Williams and her team organized an Ides of March party, which saw everyone dress up in togas and enjoy foods popular in the Mediterranean region, including mozzarella and feta cheeses, olives, cherry tomatoes, Italian flatbread crackers and grapes.

The snacks were washed down with non-alcoholic wine and grape juice.

The life enrichment staff shared famous quotes by Julius Caesar. The residents donned togas and became Julius Caesar or Roman goddesses to have their pictures taken in front of the Roman columns team members created for a backdrop.

“I was looking to do something different with the residents and came up with the idea of celebrating March 15th and the Ides of March,” Kim tells The OMNIway.

“The residents really enjoyed themselves and got quite a chuckle with the staff costumes and when they dressed up. One gentleman was quite impressed with his picture, exclaiming, ‘now that’s a handsome picture of me.’ ”

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PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above, Pleasant Meadow Manor resident Frank Bischof plays Julius Caesar as “life enrichment goddesses” Emily Gerow (left) and Sheila Fleury feed him grapes during a celebration of the Ides of March.

Cooking at Streamway Villa is a chance to enrich lives every day, says team member

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‘Putting a smile on residents’ faces – there is nothing more rewarding than that,’ says Litsa Christodoulou

Each day when Litsa Christodoulou walks into Streamway Villa to start her shift in the kitchen, she knows she’s making a difference in the lives of everyone she cooks for at the Cobourg, Ont. long-term care home.

Being served high-quality meals is one of the most important aspects of life in a long-term care home for residents, and Litsa does everything she can to deliver the quality meals residents want.

It can be something as simple as plating meals colourfully or by making a happy face out of bacon and eggs, she says.

“I know it might sound a little bit kooky, but they love it; they will think that is the greatest thing,” Litsa tells The OMNIway.

Litsa has been doing “kooky” things like this for residents for seven years, and she says there’s no other job she can imagine doing.

“The thing I love about working in long-term care is the residents,” she says. “Putting a smile on residents’ faces – there is nothing more rewarding than that.”

It’s fitting that Litsa would gravitate to a career cooking for long-term-care home residents.

When she was a high-school student in Toronto, Litsa participated in an adopt-a-grandparent program through a Scarborough long-term care home. This experience had a positive impact on her and introduced her to the long-term care sector.

Additionally, Litsa’s parents owned restaurants, and Litsa grew up helping in the kitchen and working in restaurants, so Streamway Villa has been a perfect fit for a career, she says.

Litsa says the best part about her job is the residents she serves.

“At the end of the day, if I can make the residents happy, then I have fulfilled my duty,” she says.

So, what’s the difference between working in a long-term-care home kitchen and a restaurant kitchen?

“Foodwise, it’s all the same; whether I’m working in a restaurant or a long-term care home, I am giving 110 per cent every day, no matter what,” she says.

“The difference is the people. Sometimes in restaurants, the customers make you feel like they’re doing you a favour by coming in; but here (at Streamway Villa), the residents are always thanking you and telling you that your food is delicious. It’s constant, and I think that that’s the difference and makes it more rewarding.

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