Being an essential caregiver ‘makes you feel like you’re a partner’

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Karen Zidenberg says being with her mother at Maplewood has benefited them both

As an essential caregiver, Karen Zidenberg is at Maplewood with her mother, a resident of the Brighton, Ont. long-term care home, twice a week, spending one-to-one time with her mom and assisting with some of her care needs.

This has had a positive impact on Karen’s mother as well as Karen, who, like other family members, could not be inside the home during much of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It has been wonderful; it makes you feel like you’re a partner,” Karen says of being an essential caregiver.

Karen became an essential caregiver for her mother when she became eligible about a month ago.

Karen says she and her mother benefit from being able to see each other regularly. The essential caregiver role, she adds, is unique.

“What the essential caregiver role does is it gives recognition and it gives credence to people who can do as much as they can and be as active with their care as if they were in their own home,” Karen says.

Asked what she has learned about Maplewood throughout the pandemic, Karen says the most important thing has been the reinforcement of knowing her mother is well cared for.

“It has taught me that I don’t have to be there, that I can take care of myself and not burn myself out, and it taught me that things are going to be OK,” she says.

“As an essential caregiver, I can balance my life without worrying because I am not there.”

Karen also says the entire Maplewood team does an outstanding job caring for her mother.

“I am so thankful for everyone at Maplewood; I am so grateful and so thankful for each and every team member because I truly appreciate them,” she says.

Karen adds she has a “great relationship” with Maplewood.

“I will tell you that, hands down, I love the team, and I do what I can to show that appreciation the best that I can because I really think people (working in long-term care homes) are not appreciated enough for what they’re going through and how they have endured,” she says.

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Strong communication with Maplewood has made coping with the pandemic easier, says family member

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‘The staff really came through,’ says Karen Zidenberg

When the COVID-19 pandemic began 16 months ago, Karen Zidenberg recalls the uncertainty and concern she and other family members of Maplewood residents were experiencing.

After all, the world had not faced a pandemic of this magnitude in 100 years, and there was a lot the experts didn’t know about the virus.

Following pandemic protocols, Ontario long-term care homes went into lockdown and residents were unable to visit with their loved ones.

“When it first began, it was a really strange time and it was really hard not to be able to see my mom; that was a real transition,” Karen recalls.

“That was a very challenging time, but I knew (Maplewood was closed) for all the right reasons. I felt it was in everyone’s best interest for the homes to be shut down. We didn’t know enough about the virus and everyone was pretty vulnerable.”

But from Day 1, Maplewood team members were there for family members, Karen says.

Communication between the Brighton, Ont. long-term care home’s staff, led by administrator Rachel Corkery, and residents’ family members helped make a challenging time easier to deal with, she adds.

“The communication was fabulous,” Karen says.

“I was encouraged to call the nursing station any time I wanted to find out how my mom was doing. Rachel was amazing at keeping us as informed as she could, given the circumstances.

“If I had a question, Rachel was always available to help, or I could always call the home. The staff really came through.”

Karen adds that she knew her mother was safe and in good hands at Maplewood and that gave her peace of mind.

“They gave me the sense that I could sleep at night,” she says.

Karen recently became an essential caregiver to her mother at Maplewood. About a month ago, she went into the home for the first time since the pandemic began.

“It was like nothing ever changed,” Karen says. “She is in the best possible hands. I’ve said that before, but I think it has really sunk in.”

– This is Part 1 of a two-part story

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Seven teddy bears have a new home with Maplewood residents

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During a June 25 picnic, residents quickly adopted the teddy bears, who were among the guests

Thanks to an idea from life enrichment aide (LEA) Lynanne Campbell, seven teddy bears now have loving homes at Maplewood.

On June 25, Lynanne hosted a teddy bear picnic in the Brighton, Ont. long-term care home’s garden. As part of the event, residents were given a chance to “adopt” the teddy bears attending the picnic with residents.

When given the opportunity to adopt the teddy bears, residents jumped at the chance, says Maplewood administrator and life enrichment co-ordinator Rachel Corkery.

“Lynanne said she was surprised how popular the adoptions were; (it was) another day filled with fun and laughter at Maplewood,” Rachel says.

To make the adoptions official, Lynanne provided residents with adoption papers for each of the teddy bears.

During the picnic, a table was set up with a centrepiece put together from flowers from the Maplewood garden. The teddy bears had their own bench and picnic blanket set up.

In keeping with pandemic safety protocols in place, social distancing was observed throughout the event.

The teddy bear picnic went over so well with residents, Rachel wrote residents’ family members an e-mail shortly after that included photos from the event.

“As I am putting this e-mail together some residents are still out enjoying the decorations that adorn our garden,” she wrote.

“Who has more fun than everyone at Maplewood? I just had to send you pictures. … Congratulations to all those who adopted a teddy bear today.”

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Maplewood family member reflects on what it has meant to be an essential caregiver

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Patricia Brown also applauds the strong support she and her mother have received from staff

Patricia Brown says being an essential caregiver to her mother, a Maplewood resident, during the COVID-19 pandemic has been important.

The Ontario Ministry of Health defines essential caregivers as “persons providing direct care to the resident (in ways such as) supporting feeding, mobility, personal hygiene, cognitive stimulation, communication, meaningful connection, relational continuity and assistance in decision-making, per Ministry guidance.”

Currently, residents are allowed up to two designated essential caregivers. Patricia and her sister are their mother’s designated essential caregivers.

As an essential caregiver, Patricia is able to visit her mother, an eight-year resident of the Brighton, Ont. long-term care home, and assist with her care.

Before the ministry allowed long-term care homes to have designated essential caregivers for residents, Patricia, like other family members, was not able to visit Maplewood.

This was a challenging time, Patricia says. Being at Maplewood has been comforting for both her and her mother, she adds.

“As far as our role now, it’s mainly making sure (our mother) is comfortable,” Patricia tells The OMNIway. “It’s mainly letting her know that we’re still there for her. We want to make sure that she knows that we’re there for her.”

Patricia is also applauding Maplewood team members and administrator Rachel Corkery for the care they provided her mother when she and her sister couldn’t be there.

For example, when Patricia’s mother’s birthday was approaching, life enrichment aide Lynanne Campbell trimmed her hair for her birthday photo, which was important to Patricia’s mother.

Acts of kindness like this add up, and the kindness Maplewood team members have shown Patricia’s mother has been comforting to Patricia and her family.

“It has meant an awful lot,” Patricia says.

– This is Part 2 of a two-part story. Click here to read Part 1.

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‘When we walked into Maplewood, we could smell dinner cooking’

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Family member Patricia Brown discusses why Maplewood has been the right long-term care home for her mother

Patricia Brown recalls visiting Maplewood for the first time with her sister when they were looking for a new long-term care home for their mother.

When they stepped inside Maplewood, Patricia says it instantly felt “like home.”

“When we walked into Maplewood, we could smell dinner cooking,” Patricia tells The OMNIway. “There were people in the hallways – they weren’t in their rooms, they were walking around. … That was why we put Maplewood as No. 1 on our list.”

Located in Brighton, Ont., Maplewood is an older long-term care home. With 49 beds, it’s also a small home. Patricia says she and her family look at Maplewood’s size and age as attributes that give it the homey feel her mother wants.

Patricia’s mother moved into Maplewood eight years ago. Since then, Patricia says Maplewood has continued to feel like home for her mother.

When the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in March 2020, family members could not visit their loved ones living in long-term care homes for safety reasons.

While this sudden change was challenging for residents and their families to adjust to, Patricia says Maplewood administrator Rachel Corkery kept families updated, and staff members continued providing residents with top-notch care.

“I must say, I have absolute respect for Maplewood as a whole,” Patricia says. “Their staff has gone way beyond trying to make things work and understanding the situation. I think a lot of that is because they are a small home.”

Patricia says one thing the pandemic has taught her about Maplewood is the lengths the home will go to for family members.

“They went beyond what I was expecting,” she says. It wouldn’t matter what it would be, we could always approach Rachel.”

Maplewood’s front-line staff members, Patricia adds, have also “been fantastic” – both before and during the pandemic.

“The staff at Maplewood rolls with the punches,” she says. “They have been fantastic.”

– This is Part 1 of a two-part story.

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Special theme day gives Maplewood residents a taste of the Wild West

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The walls of Maplewood were recently covered with Wild West-style wanted posters featuring photos of residents and staff members at the Brighton, Ont. long-term care home.

It was part of a Western-themed day organized on June 18 by Rosanne Blackburn, a life enrichment aide (LEA) at the home who is often coming up with creative, fun and engaging programming ideas.

In addition to the wanted posters was a “cowboy photo booth” where people could have fun pictures taken. Residents could also enjoy a drink while playing horseshoes.

For lunch, the nutritional care team prepared a Western-themed meal.

“The kitchen staff prepared ‘cowboy casserole’ and chicken chili for the menu,” Rosanne tells The OMNIway. “Staff also dressed up and the residents wore cowboy hats.”

A group of team members, dressed in their finest cowgirl gear, did a dance for residents after being ushered in by Maplewood administrator and life enrichment co-ordinator Rachel Corkery.

“Rachel introduced us cowgirls with our special cowgirl names just before lunchtime,” Rosanne says.

Rosanne adds that the fun continued over the weekend, with LEA Lynanne Campbell making banana splits for everyone on Father’s Day.

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Local community and staff help create a happy Easter at Maplewood

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‘It was a team effort on Easter Sunday’

Maplewood residents had a happy and memorable Easter, thanks to the generosity of the local community and the creativity of staff members at the Brighton, Ont. long-term care home.

People from the community donated Easter gift baskets to Maplewood, and staff members delivered these to each of the home’s residents.

Maplewood life enrichment aide Rosanne Blackburn, who is well known at the home for coming up with creative ideas for engaging residents and staff, dressed up as the Easter Bunny.

Before lunch was served on Easter Sunday, Rosanne and all of the Maplewood staff members did the chicken dance for residents. As an added touch, they wore chicken T-shirts and chicken headbands that were made by nutritional care staff members Jackie and Linda.

Residents were also served a special Easter breakfast of fried eggs and bacon that was plated to look like bunnies, with the eggs for the face and bacon strips for the ears.

Rosanne is commending everyone working at Maplewood for pulling together to make Easter special for residents.

“It was a team effort on Easter Sunday,” she tells The OMNIway. “It was a fun day full of laughs.”

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Resident handyman has been a big help to Maplewood maintenance department

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Harry Mitchell has put his experience in maintenance work to great use at the Brighton, Ont. LTC home

Harry Mitchell is an active resident at Maplewood who is also a big help when it comes to assisting with repairs that need to be done at the Brighton, Ont. long-term care home.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic began 11 months ago, Harry was often out and about in town, visiting with friends and neighbours. But since the pandemic was declared, Harry has used his work experience helping Maplewood maintenance manager Calvin Tracey with projects.

Harry, who has experience working in property maintenance, has his own tools which Calvin stores for him and is working on finding Harry his own tool bag.

Last Thursday, after helping Calvin with some lift repairs, Harry visited Maplewood administrator and life enrichment co-ordinator Rachel Corkery in her office to present her with a bill for his service.

“Harry is quite the Character,” Rachel says, adding she played along and presented Harry with his “payment” — an image of the back of a $5 note and a letter thanking him for his service.

Rachel says the help Harry provides Calvin is valuable on several levels.

“Calvin goes above and beyond to include Harry in his daily work, and (this) makes a world of difference in Harry’s quality of life,” Rachel says. “But I think Harry also makes a world of difference in Calvin’s life, too.”

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Fun-filled week at Maplewood includes a ‘deer hunt’ and a travelling food cart

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Activities like this ‘help with the loneliness we all may be experiencing during this pandemic,’ says administrator

The Maplewood team recently hosted a fun-filled week for the Brighton, Ont. long-term care home’s residents that was highlighted by a “deer hunt” and the life enrichment team transforming a mobile snack cart into both a hot dog and banana-split stand.

Life enrichment aide (LEA) Lynanne Campbell saw a Facebook post recently about a mock deer hunt that was organized by a long-term care home on Manitoulin Island. The activity had staff members dress up as deer and residents were tasked to “hunt the deer” with Nerf guns.

Lynanne gathered the needed supplies, starting with her own costumes which include many animals. She then transformed the dining room into a “forest”. She enlisted the help of residents and staff.

“What followed was genuine happiness,” Maplewood administrator and life enrichment co-ordinator Rachel Corkery tells The OMNIway.

“It was truly awesome.”

Rachel says Lynanne and fellow LEA Rosanne Blackburn also harnessed their creative flair and dressed up as food-cart vendors to serve hot dogs and banana splits during the week of Jan. 3 to Jan. 9.

Not only was Maplewood’s mobile snack cart transformed to match the theme of the day, there was also music played to match the theme, Rachel notes.

Rachel underscores the difference activities like this make to residents and Maplewood team members.

“It truly is amazingly creative,” she says. “(These activities) help with the loneliness we all may be experiencing during this pandemic and all the restrictions.”

Rachel also commends the life enrichment team for adapting so well to the changes that have affected the home since the global COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020.

“Yes, our activities have changed, yes, we all wear masks, we miss our families, but the fun and laughter hasn’t changed,” she says.

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Maplewood residents treated to in-home Christmas parade

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The event went over so well, plans are in the works to host another parade next holiday season

Life enrichment aide Rosanne Blackburn and her colleagues at Maplewood are known for coming up with creative ideas to enhance the quality of life for residents at the Brighton, Ont. long-term care home, and just before Christmas they organized another engaging event that put smiles on lots of faces: an in-home Santa Claus parade.

On Dec. 23, Rosanne and the life enrichment team decorated an antique crib to look like a sleigh. Inside the sleigh was a Santa Claus figure with lights along with snowmen and wrapped gift boxes.

One resident, dressed in a Santa Claus outfit, walked behind the sleigh, while another resident, dressed as Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, led the procession in a motorized scooter that was fitted with Christmas lights.

The parade went down a hallway and into the dining room, just before lunch was served. Traditional Christmas band music was played as the parade made its way through the home. There were seven participants in the parade.

Rosanne says the sight of the Santa Claus parade drew lots of cheers from residents as they watched the procession.

“All the residents enjoyed the parade as they waved with smiles,” Rosanne tells The OMNIway, adding the parade was planned for lunchtime to ensure most residents could watch.

Rosanne says the parade went over so well with residents she plans to make the event a Christmas tradition at Maplewood.

“This was our first Christmas parade, and it was such a success that we will continue it next year,” she says.

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