Streamway Villa and Burnbrae Gardens engage community at volunteer fair

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The Community Care Northumberland Volunteer Fair was a valuable recruitment and networking opportunity, say LECs

A recent volunteer fair was an opportunity for two OMNI Health Care long-term-care home team members to connect with people, raise awareness of their homes’ presence in the community and develop possible opportunities for people to donate their time in meaningful ways.

Laurie Kracht from Streamway Villa and April Faux of Burnbrae Gardens attended the Community Care Northumberland Volunteer Fair held at the Lions Community Centre in Cobourg on Oct. 18.

The fair attracted more than two dozen local organizations and about 120 people who were interested in volunteering.

Laurie, the life enrichment co-ordinator (LEC) at Streamway Villa, says people stopped by the booth she and April, the administrator and LEC at Burnbrae Gardens, operated at the fair to pick up pamphlets, learn about the homes and discuss opportunities.

“People would come by and we would educate them on what we do and why volunteering in long-term care is important – and it was a good turnout, we had people flowing in all day long,” Laurie tells The OMNIway.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, many organizations had to put their volunteer programs on hold. With restrictions easing this year, many organizations, including long-term care homes, have struggled to bring volunteers back.

The good news is some people who stopped by the OMNI booth expressed interest in volunteering at Streamway Villa and Burnbrae Gardens, including students who were looking for volunteer placements as part of their high school curriculum requirement.

While the event was held in Cobourg, where Streamway Villa is located, April says some visitors to the booth who expressed interest in volunteering were from Hastings, near Burnbrae Gardens in Campbellford.

April adds attending the fair was a chance to explain to people that volunteering in long-term care homes helps enhance the quality of life for residents in many ways.

April and Laurie also explained that homes will create opportunities that match volunteers’ strengths and interests.

“There are lots of opportunities for volunteers in long-term care, and I think we were able to communicate that and explain just how many opportunities are within a home,” April says.

“There were a lot of surprised people who didn’t know we do so many things.”

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Burnbrae residents awake to find a richly decorated Christmas tree, thanks to some community kindness

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When the home tried to hire local tree decorator Rachel Rutherford, she offered her services for free

When the residents of Burnbrae Gardens went to bed on the evening of Nov. 17, the Christmas tree in the Campbellford long-term care home’s lounge was bare. When they awoke the next morning, they were overjoyed to find the tree lavishly adorned with festive decorations.

This was thanks to a kind gesture by renowned local Christmas-tree decorator and hairdresser Rachel Rutherford, who also happens to be the mother of Paige Rutherford, one of Burnbrae Gardens’ dietary aides.

Rachel has a side business decorating Christmas trees. In fact, she even decorated Christmas trees this year for the Royal Winter Agricultural Fair in Toronto.

Recently, while visiting her salon in nearby Havelock, Burnbrae Gardens administrator and life enrichment co-ordinator April Faux asked Rachel if she could hire her to work her magic with the home’s Christmas tree. Rachel kindly offered to do it for free.

“She even offered to donate all the decorations,” April tells The OMNIway.

Rachel arrived at Burnbrae Gardens last Thursday evening, just as her daughter was finishing her shift. Together, Rachel and Paige elaborately decorated the tree April had set up beforehand.

This helped create the perfect surprise for residents the next morning, April says, adding everyone at the home is grateful for Rachel’s kind gesture.

“There have been lots of comments between residents and staff about how beautiful the tree is,” April says.

“They went to bed when the tree was bare, but they woke up this morning to a bright, beautiful tree. The tree got lots of great comments from both the staff and the residents.”

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Gallery opens exhibit featuring Burnbrae resident artist’s work

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Margaret Macmillan’s paintings will be on display at the Arts and Heritage Centre in Warkworth until July 10

Burnbrae Gardens resident Margaret Macmillan is making a splash in the local art community with the recent opening of an exhibit of her paintings at a Warkworth gallery.

On May 21, the Arts and Heritage Centre (Ah! Centre) opened Margaret’s exhibit, called A View From My Window. The exhibit features several of the paintings Margaret has created during the past 70 years, many of which are landscapes and buildings in and around Campbellford and Norwood.

One of Margaret’s favourite paintings – and the one her exhibit is named after – depicts a winter scene from a window of her house in Campbellford.

Margaret, who is 96, attended the opening with family members and says “there was a very good crowd” on hand to see her work.

“People came and went, and there were a lot of people I hadn’t seen in a while, and that was good,” she tells The OMNIway.

On its website, the Ah! Centre describes Margaret’s artwork as “abstract impression, working with bold colours and lively shapes, in many media including oil, acrylic, water colour and pencil.”

Margaret was introduced to painting and drawing at an early age. She recalls her kindergarten teacher bringing objects to the classroom for students to draw, and this, she says, sparked her interest in art.

“I saw that I could draw, and that (interest) has carried on through the years,” she says.

Margaret began seriously painting in 1949 and studied under two renowned Ontario artists, Paavo Airola and Peter Kolysnik.

Impressed by her “excellent colour sense,” the admissions board at the Ontario College of Art gave Margaret a one-year exemption when she applied for the four-year experimental arts program in 1975, the Ah! Centre states on its website.

Margaret completed the program in 1978. She also completed a BA at Trent University in 1994 and a B.Ed at the University of Toronto in 1999.

Asked what advice she has for aspiring artists, Margaret says they should look for inspiration in their outdoor surroundings.

“If you can’t paint nature at some time during your career, there’s not much point in painting at all,” she says. “That’s my advice for the day.”

Burnbrae Gardens administrator April Faux says Margaret has always been humble about her artistic talent.

She says many of the home’s staff members were surprised to learn such a gifted artist was among them when posters advertising Margaret’s exhibit began popping up.

“Her artwork has been a hidden secret,” April says.

The exhibit of Margaret’s work will be on display at the Ah! Centre until July 10. You can visit the Ah! Centre website for more information.

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PHOTO CAPTION: Burnbrae Gardens resident Margaret Macmillan is seen here alongside one of her paintings, A View From My Window.

Creative team members ensure Burnbrae residents have Easter during outbreak

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With safety precautions in effect, residents enjoyed cookie decorating, a colouring contest and window visits from the Easter bunny

Despite being in the midst of an outbreak, Burnbrae Gardens residents were still able to enjoy an Easter celebration with safety precautions in effect, thanks to the Campbellford long-term care home’s team members tapping into their creativity.

Residents have been in isolation since the outbreak was declared April 8, and staff members wanted to keep spirits high by providing everyone with Easter treats and some surprises to mark the holiday, says Burnbrae Gardens administrator and life enrichment co-ordinator (LEC) April Faux.

Initially, the home planned to host an outdoor Easter egg hunt for staff members’ children, and there was also supposed to be a parade, but those plans were cancelled when the outbreak was declared.

Instead, April and the life enrichment team organized Easter cookie decorating for residents, providing them with cookies, icing and utensils that were delivered to every resident who could participate.

There was a colouring contest where residents were provided with markers and sheets of paper. Team members also made Easter baskets filled with small treats that were customized to each resident’s diet texture that were delivered Easter morning.

Due to safety precautions in effect, residents are being delivered meals in their rooms, but team members provided Easter-themed placemats with their tray service to keep with the holiday theme.

“Staff wanted to ensure the residents had that special touch,” April tells The OMNIway. “The staff really went the extra mile to try to bring a smile to their faces in light of the times they’re facing.”

Capping off the Easter weekend was a visit from the Easter bunny, played by former Pleasant Meadow Manor LEC Chris Garden, who came to residents’ windows for visits.

“That really brought a lot of smiles, and sometimes tears, to their faces,” April says. “She has done this for the past few years, but it was extra-special this year because we were in isolation, and it just meant that much more to have that special touch, so a big thanks to Chris for doing that for us.”

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Burnbrae Gardens helps resident Muriel Hay celebrate her 100th birthday

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A party and greetings from dignitaries marked her special day

Burnbrae Gardens resident Muriel Hay turned 100 on Oct. 29, and team members at the Campbellford, Ont. long-term care home helped her celebrate her special day in style.

Muriel, who is known around Burnbrae Gardens for always cracking jokes and her sense of humour, was treated to a birthday party that featured a cake, presentations and everyone singing Happy Birthday to her.

Muriel received a certificate from Ontario Premier Doug Ford wishing her a happy 100th birthday, and team members put the wording from the certificate on the home’s big-screen TV so everyone could read it.

Burnbrae Gardens’ newest centenarian also received a certificate from Trent Hills Mayor Bob Crate to congratulate her on her milestone birthday.

Muriel’s son and niece also attended her celebration, and team members created balloon art and decorations that were set up on a wall that served as Muriel’s photo booth for the day.

Life enrichment aide Shawna Booth, who organized the celebration, made a slide show that featured photos of Muriel.

Muriel was presented with a large birthday card filled with happy wishes residents and staff members wrote for her that Shawna put together.

Muriel, who grew up in the Campbellford area with a farming background, recalls “working in the fields baling hay” when she was a girl, but when asked if she thought all that hard work contributed to her longevity, she points to another source: good genes.

“My father lived to be 90,” she tells The OMNIway.

And what did Muriel think of her birthday party?

“It went out with a bang,” she says. “You bet it was (a good party).”

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Community pitches in to ensure a happy Halloween at Burnbrae Gardens

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11-year-old boy among those who made a donation

Community members from across Northumberland County pitched in to help ensure Burnbrae Gardens residents have a happy Halloween.

One of those who made a donation to the Campbellford long-term care home was 11-year-old Hayden Marlatt. His parents, Dave and Sherry, brought Hayden to Burnbrae Gardens on Oct. 9 to drop off 15 pumpkins for residents to decorate.

“Hayden loves to help in the community, and he wanted to make our residents’ Halloween special,” Lauren Farnham, a life enrichment aide at Burnbrae Gardens, tells The OMNIway.

Hayden knew the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for residents so he wanted to do something to “brighten their spirits,” Lauren adds.

In addition to Hayden’s donation, three people from across Northumberland County donated money to help buy supplies to decorate the pumpkins.

Matthew Steven and Colleen C., both of Brighton, and Sarah Lord of Wooler donated money to buy the supplies.

In fact, Sarah’s grandmother was a resident of Burnbrae Gardens more than 10 years ago. She hopes to become a volunteer once pandemic protocols permit her to join the volunteer team, says Burnbrae Gardens administrator April Faux.

Residents got busy decorating the pumpkins. Some were given faces, while others were painted. There are decorated pumpkins on display inside and outside of the home.

“The residents really enjoyed doing the decorations,” Lauren says.

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Two OMNI homes win prizes for videos highlighting the Residents’ Bill of Rights

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Burnbrae Gardens and Village Green will receive $50 Tim Hortons gift cards from the OARC

Two OMNI Health Care long-term care homes have won prize draws for videos they created highlighting the 27 rights listed in the Residents’ Bill of Rights as part of a contest organized by the Ontario Association of Residents’ Councils (OARC).

Burnbrae Gardens and Village Green will be receiving $50 Tim Hortons gift cards which both homes will be using to host doughnut parties for residents.

A third OMNI home, West Lake Terrace, received an honourable mention on the OARC website for the video residents and team members submitted.

The OARC challenged Ontario long-term care homes to work with residents to create videos to teach others about the Residents’ Bill of Rights during Residents’ Council Week, which ran Sept. 13-19.

In the video submitted by Burnbrae Gardens, 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.

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

“Residents were super excited to know that they will receive a Tim Hortons recognition party for all their hard work in putting this video together,” Burnbrae Gardens administrator and life enrichment co-ordinator (LEC) April Faux tells The OMNIway.

April says the prize is a bonus for a project everyone found rewarding to create.

“To be honest, we had so much fun as a group making this video that the gift card we received was just an extra little reward on top of the fun and laughter we had putting it all together,” she says.

The video created by Village Green features the Greater Napanee long-term care home’s residents and team members reading the residents’ rights.

In some segments, Village Green residents and staff members act out residents’ rights so viewers can see examples of residents’ rights in action.

Village Green LEC Ulana Orrick says residents were overjoyed when they learned they would be having a doughnut party thanks to their work on the video.

Ulana says when she asked residents how they felt about being recognized for their work, the most common reply was “I feel proud.”

“Our residents were thrilled to be one of the winning homes, and we will be having a party soon to celebrate with our Tim Hortons Gift card,” she says.

“This was such a great way for residents to express themselves and to feel some ownership of their home.”

The video created by West Lake Terrace, called Through Our Eyes Bringing the Residents’ Bill of Rights Alive, features a slideshow of residents and team members holding cards with each residents’ right explained as a rendition of the Beatles’ In My Life plays.

Click here to watch the Burnbrae Gardens video.

Click here to watch the Village Green video.

Click here to watch the West Lake Terrace video.

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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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Hot dog hat brings lunchtime fun and laughter to Burnbrae residents

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Nutritional care aide Nikki McAleaney commended for her idea that made hot dog day even better for residents

Burnbrae Gardens nutritional care aide Nikki McAleaney had been looking for a chance to wear a hot dog hat she owns.

When hot dogs were on the lunchtime menu at the Campbellford, Ont. long-term care home recently, Nikki decided this was the perfect opportunity to provide residents with some mealtime fun and laughter.

With Nikki working in Burnbrae’s nutritional care department, her friends and family started giving her food-themed hats. Last Christmas, Nikki’s aunt gave her a turkey hat. A friend then gave her the hot dog hat.

When hot dog day at Burnbrae Gardens was approaching, she got the idea to wear the hot dog hat over her hairnet to serve residents.

“With me working in the dietary department, I just thought it would be a really cute idea and bring some laughter to the residents by wearing a hot dog hat on hot dog day,” Nikki tells The OMNIway.

Her plan worked.

“It brought them lots of laughter,” she says. “It felt really good to make residents so happy.”

Burnbrae Gardens administrator and life enrichment co-ordinator April Faux says Nikki’s idea to wear a hot dog hat while serving residents hot dogs is a great example of a team member’s strong resident focus.

Residents have been dealing with a lot of changes for the past 18 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Nikki thinking outside the box to deliver some extra fun to the home was meaningful, April says.

“It’s a great example of fun and laughter that has been incorporated into a tough year,” she says. “The residents had a really great time.”

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Burnbrae residents get home ready for Canada Day decorating contest

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Residents are ‘very excited’ and hopeful the home will be in the winner’s circle

Canada Day isn’t for another six days, but Burnbrae Gardens is already decked out to celebrate the country’s 154th birthday on July 1.

That’s because the Campbellford long-term care home has entered the Trent Hills Canada Day Decorating Contest, a decorating challenge for homes and businesses in the region organized by the Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce.

Life enrichment aide Lauren Farnham organized the decorations at Burnbrae Gardens and got lots of help from residents Jean Bradshaw, Florence Casselman, Helen Earl, Diane Partridge, Karen Phillips, Jim Pollock, Tom Robbins and Marie Shearer.

Together, they decorated the front of the home with Canadian flags and a wide array of other red and white decorations with Canadian motifs.

When the decorating was done, Lauren snapped a picture of the front of the home (see photo above) and submitted it to the chamber of commerce to be entered in the contest.

According to contest rules, participants must have their decorations up by June 26 at noon and they must remain on display until July 4.

Burnbrae Gardens, along with other participating homes and businesses, will be part of a driving route for sightseers.

This is the first year Burnbrae Gardens has participated in the contest.

“They are doing (the contest) this way because of COVID precautions; it allows people to keep their distance from their cars, but they still get to see all the decorations,” Lauren says.

The contest winners will be announced July 2, and residents are hopeful Burnbrae Gardens will be in the winner’s circle, Lauren says.

“The residents are very excited,” she says. “They loved putting up the decorations, and I keep hearing compliments about the decorations from inside and outside the home.”

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