Long-time staff member Louise Cleary-Murray shares her memories of Extendicare Medex during the Ottawa home’s 40th anniversary celebration.

Extendicare Medex celebrates 40 years of caring
Hundreds of residents, families and staff gather at Ottawa home
Tuesday, August 7, 2012 -- Lisa Bailey
It was a perfect day for a garden party as hundreds of residents, families, past and present staff members and volunteers celebrated Extendicare Medex’s 40th anniversary.

“It was a big day and it was great,” resident program manager Louann Sayeau says.

The June 15 festivities had something for everyone, reflecting what lies at the heart of the Ottawa long-term care home.

“Our slogan is that we care, and we really do care,” Sayeau says. “There’s been 40 years of solid caring here for residents, family members, staff and our volunteers.”

Sayeau’s heart is on her sleeve when she describes the best part of her work.

“It’s the residents that I love,” she says. “To come every day and sit and talk with them, it just makes their day.

“It’s very rewarding to help keep residents active and happy. It makes me feel good every day when I go home.”

The Extendicare (Canada) Inc. home also collaborates regularly with its sister homes in Ottawa and area to share resources and learn from one another. Recreation teams, for instance, brainstorm on new programs for residents during peer group meetings and an education day.

“We all work together, and we’re always here to help each other,” Sayeau says.

Built in 1972, Extendicare Medex is the home of 193 residents. Its large activity room and salon recently underwent some changes to enhance the homelike, relaxing atmosphere. Nursing stations have also been relocated, creating new sitting areas for residents to enjoy.

Residents, and their families, also enjoyed the recent anniversary celebration which featured delights for all ages including a local band, a not-for-profit petting zoo supported by the home, face painting, a barbecue lunch and other tasty treats of popcorn, sundaes and snow cones.

Staff members from Extendicare Medex’s sister homes in the area came to offer their congratulations. Extendicare (Canada) Inc. representatives addressed the gathering, along with the home’s administrator Tina Nault, director of care Chebet Chemjor and its long-time medical adviser.

Staft member Louise Cleary-Murray, who joined Extendicare Medex just a few months after it opened, also spoke.

Blessed with beautiful weather, the outdoor celebration took place in Extendicare Medex’s front garden. It was followed that evening by a wine-and-cheese event for staff members.

This was the hallmark event to mark Extendicare Medex’s anniversary. The home is also giving tote bags to staff and volunteers in appreciation of their contributions. Filled with a variety of goodies, the totes feature a special logo commemorating the anniversary.

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