Former trucker takes in Quebec truck rodeo
Tuesday August 31, 2010
Temiskaming Lodge personal support worker Francine Gaudet led the charge to help a retired trucker who lives at the Haileybury long-term care home attend a truck rodeo in Notre-Dame-du-Nord, Que. recently. “(He) was able to see the new trucks, watch the parade, watch the races, enjoy the live entertainment and be around truckers again,” says Kathy Ruddy, activity/volunteer co-ordinator at Temiskaming Lodge. She credits Gaudet for going above-and-beyond the call of duty. The PSW made arrangements for the van and driver and spent the day with the resident at the event. He enjoyed a weiner from a hotdog vendor and a cold beer. The retired trucker also came home with new T-shirts, a cowboy hat and a large poster for his room.

Carlingview Manor honoured with award for system improving inventory control
Friday August 27, 2010
Carlingview Manor has been honoured with the Revera LTC/SCA Enhanced Personal Care Program Award, an accolade recognizing an initiative by the Ottawa long-term care home to mitigate costs and enhance inventory controls associated with continence product distribution. The award was given at a ceremony during Revera’s recent annual clinical conference. With 300 residents living in the seven-storey home, managing costs related to continence products can be challenging but the home’s TENA team has managed to overcome obstacles. The continence-care team, which is comprised of front-line staff members, has initiated a system that leverages the home’s laundry distribution system. Canvas tote bags, which are used as receptacles for continence products, are hung from coat hooks in residents’ bathrooms. Each bag is labelled with residents’ names. Laundry staff members are then provided with a list of resident’s names and information about products they use. Designated health-care aides will then deliver products to residents’ rooms as needed. The process ensures residents are being provided with the amount of continence product they need, thus simplifying distribution. “The accessibility of the product has been effective in the elimination of hoarding the product, which can have a significant impact on costs and inventory control,” Revera says in a written statement.

Day camps creating connections between residents and children
Friday August 20, 2010
Several OMNI Health Care-owned long-term care homes are once again hosting intergenerational day camps, a weeklong set of activities that engage staff members’ children and grandchildren with residents. Throughout this past week OMNI homes have organized a series of events and fun activities, such as games, arts-and-crafts days and singalongs that encourage residents and children to interact. Many residents look forward to this annual event, which was first held three years ago, says Ann Dillon, the life enrichment co-ordinator at Springdale Country Manor near Peterborough. In fact, the event is often attended by residents who seldom participate in regular programming, she notes. Helping to make the week a success was favourable weather, Dillon adds.

Magic Makers wow residents at Roberta Place
Thursday August 19, 2010
Harry Potter, eat your heart out. Roberta Place’s volunteer services department recently hosted magic classes for young magicians, who performed tricks they learned for residents at the Barrie long-term care home. One of the benefits from this activity was that it increased resident engagement, says Sheila MacDonald, the home’s volunteer services co-ordinator. “Because we were all so new at this we took the show to the residents for practice and all were amazed,” says MacDonald. “Not only did it give the performers confidence it also encouraged more residents to attend the upcoming Roberta Place Idols where the Magic Makers are slated to perform.” Magic acts the children learned and performed for residents included optical illusions, card tricks and sleight of hand.

'Street parties’ encouraging resident participation
Monday August 16, 2010
Staff members at Southampton Care Centre are utilizing a program that’s proving to be successful at encouraging those residents who often stay in their room to participate in activities. “Street parties,” as they’re called, are the invention of longtime staff member Jo-Ann Tomori. The point of these parties is to bring programming to residents, rather than residents to programming. After researching to discover the entertainers a resident enjoys listening to, Tomori and other staff members in the Bruce County home’s activity department will find the music a resident likes and play it outside their room. Adding to the fun, costumes and props are also used to further engage residents and this helps encourage people to come out of their rooms. Tomori says these parties have created a lot of buzz with residents.

Agile canines thrill Roberta Place residents
Friday August 13, 2010
About a dozen four-legged friends, accompanied by their human handlers, delighted residents at Roberta Place with a display of their agility recently. This is the second year that the local Agile Canines team has given a demonstration at the long-term care home in Barrie. Staged under bright sunshine accompanied by a nice breeze, the Sunday show featured border collies, pugs and other breeds of dogs tackling tunnels, hurdles, hoops, weave poles and other elements of an obstacle course trucked in and set up that morning. Co-ordinator of volunteer services Sheila MacDonald says it was a “fantastic show,” with residents cheering and upbeat music pumping as the dogs sped through the course. MacDonald commends this “wonderful group of volunteers who have made this an annual event that brings such joy to our residents.”

Montessori program successfully providing meaningful activities for residents
Thursday August 12, 2010
A Montessori program at Extendicare Guildwood is proving to be successful at engaging residents who have a cognitive impairment with meaningful activities. Staff members at the Scarborough home say these activities, which consist of exercises aimed at maintaining cognition, are enhancing quality of life. Each activity is customized to residents’ specific needs. The idea, say staff members, is to provide residents with tasks they can do independently, which helps boost self-confidence. Using Montessori materials — which often utilize objects of different colours, sizes and shapes — specially trained staff members work with residents individually. To enhance cognition, these activities often require a degree of repetition. While people affected by cognitive impairment may not remember specific facts, they can often remember how to perform a task regularly, says Christina Co, a communications co-op student at Extendicare Guildwood. Resident outcomes have been well-received by staff and families since the program was introduced in 2008, she adds. “Families are always pleased that their loved one is receiving extra attention,” she says. “They are excited to see their loved one is still trying,” she says.

Homes encouraged to register for Residents First Leading Quality kick-off
Tuesday August 10, 2010
The Ontario Long Term Care Association is encouraging its members to join the Residents First initiative, which is holding a Leading Quality kick-off event Sept. 27. The all-day session at the Toronto Sheraton Centre will feature distinguished and inspirational speakers, core quality improvement curriculum and networking opportunities. Each home is invited to bring three participants with an anticipated 1,000 leaders to attend. Three regional working sessions and a final congress will follow. The OLTCA is a partner of the Residents First initiative, which brings together health-care stakeholders to help homes gain new expertise and skills to meet their broader accountabilities and advance quality for all long-term care home residents. To learn more, click here.

Homes reunite sisters after five years
Friday August 6, 2010
By working together two Scarborough long-term care homes reunited sisters who had not seen each other in five years. Gabi and Elizabeth Remenyi are residents at Extendicare Guildwood and Craiglee Nursing Home, respectively. During a visit to Craiglee Nursing Home for dietary consultation, Extendicare Guildwood’s dietary manager Teresa Ferren met up with Elizabeth and saw how well she was doing. Ferren then made it her mission to reunite the siblings, eventually organizing a luncheon for the two at Extendicare Guildwood. The home recently hosted a luncheon in their honour and ordered a Hungarian meal for the sisters that included goulash, pork schnitzel, Hungarian fried cabbage and potatoes, specialty bread, black forest cake and diet pop. The day went well, says Christina Co, a communications co-op student working at Extendicare. “The two sisters were happy to see each other (and there were) some tears in the mix.”

Meadow Park Chatham celebrates 31st anniversary
Thursday August 5, 2010
Meadow Park Chatham marked its 31st anniversary recently, tipping its hat to three retiring employees with a collective 71.5 years of service. The 99-bed home first opened its doors in Chatham in 1979. Dave Van Kesteren, MP for Chatham-Kent-Essex, joined in on the recent celebration, presenting retirees, Ruth Gadd, Beth Crisp and Pat Spears, with a commemorative plaque honouring their commitment to Meadow Park Chatham, a Jarlette Health Services home. Lydia Swant, co-ordinator of volunteers and resident and family services, says several staff members have worked at the home since the day the doors opened. Sometimes when touring potential new residents, a visitor will mention having a relative who previously lived at the home.
“They are often surprised that someone still working in the home remembers their loved one from all those years ago,” Swant says. The home’s official anniversary was July 24.

Hilltop Manor residents, staff say ‘I do’ to bridal party
Wednesday August 4, 2010
Residents and staff members at Hilltop Manor were able to celebrate fond memories of summer weddings during a recent bridal party hosted by the home’s activity department. Bridal gowns, bridesmaid’s dresses, and coveted mementos adorned the dining room, where the event took place due to hot temperatures outside. Several of the staff members granddaughters attended, dressed as flower girls, as well as one grandson, dressed as a ring bearer. The children assisted the residents in making party favours that included tissue-paper flowers and cupcakes that were served at the party. Activity aide Mariah Miller came dressed in her mother’s wedding gown and brought along friends dressed as bridesmaids. The event was a big hit for everyone involved, says Sandy Van Dam, Hilltop Manor’s activity director. “I don’t know who enjoyed it more. It was great to share these special memories by all.”

Residents, volunteers working hard to beautify home’s garden
Tuesday August 3, 2010
A weekly gardening program at Roberta Place is providing residents at the Barrie long-term care home with a meaningful activity they enjoy, while beautifying the area around the home. Volunteer services co-ordinator Sheila MacDonald says the Garden Angels program has encouraged residents to take ownership of the home’s garden area. Resident Jon Skinner, for instance, is a long-time gardener and the home’s “garden guru.” MacDonald says “nothing takes place in the garden unless we check with him. Jon’s expertise is what we rely on,” she says. Much of the program’s physical work is done by a team of volunteers from Simcoe Community Services. Each Wednesday the group visits the home to dig up flower beds, move rocks, weed, sweep and keep the area tidy. “Residents and families alike spend time in the garden and enjoy what the Garden Angels have created,” says MacDonald.

Elvis spotted at Collingwood Nursing Home
Friday July 30, 2010
Elvis Presley — actually two of them — were spotted at Collingwood Nursing Home July 22 when impersonators gave a colourful performance for 40 of the home’s 60 residents. Activity director Bev Cloutier says the artists, one of whom was blind, were in town for the popular Collingwood Elvis Festival. Their hour-long afternoon show in the activity area decked out with Elvis posters and disco balls set toes tapping and hands clapping to the upbeat rock ‘n’ roll music, Cloutier says. The artists also interact with residents, handing out scarves, holding hands and later obliging requests for photos. Cloutier says the annual show at the home thrills residents as the music brings back memories and they feel they’re part of the community.

Home hosts car rally for residents
Tuesday July 27, 2010
Meadow Park Centre London recently hosted a car rally that was a huge hit with residents. Owners of about 40 classic automobiles, ranging from a 1937 hotrod to muscle cars from the 1970s, gathered at the home July 19 for the event. “The weather was beautiful and nearly half of our 122 residents were able to participate,” says Mary Ellen Sharp, the home’s volunteer and nutritional co-ordinator. “Life enrichment (staff) decorated for the ’50s and had music to match. They even wore poodle skirts,” she adds. Sharp notes that residents “had smiles from ear to ear” and they spent time talking about their memories about some of the cars they had owned. “It was exciting to see them so engaged,” says Sharp. The event also included hot dogs and ice-cream cones for attendees. Sharp says the event went so well that the rally’s organizers say they would like to hold the event again in the future.

20 staff members graduate from training program
Friday July 23, 2010
Twenty staff members at OMNI Health Care-owned long-term care homes recently graduated from the organization’s new managers’ training program. The program, which is led by corporate partner Silver Meridian, aims to arm staff members with the skills needed to be a manager at one of the provider’s 17 homes. Through the six-day course, which is offered throughout the year, staff members learn about everything needed to be an effective manager. As part of the program, participants choose a managerial discipline to focus on and then spend a week shadowing a manager to learn more about the position. This program is important to OMNI’s dedication to internal promotion, says chief operating officer Candace Chartier. In 2009, OMNI earned a spot on Mediacorp Canada Inc.’s Top 100 Employers in Canada list. Chartier says she believes this program played a factor in the organization being awarded this honour. “I really feel that our promotion from within was an integral part of OMNI being awarded the Top 100 Employer status, due to our ongoing commitment to our people and our endeavour to ensure we live by our mission, vision and values, which marry-up with this program,” she says.

Snoezelen rooms engage senses, create positive response
Thursday July 22, 2010
It took the scent of orange peels to put a spark in a resident who had been significantly withdrawn. That’s an example of what a snoezelen space is all about, using items and activities to engage the senses and trigger a positive response, particularly from residents who have dementia. Extendicare Tecumseh and Extendicare Mississauga are two long-term care homes that are experiencing significant benefits through their snoezelen rooms. Staff members are saying they notice residents are less agitated and have improved self-esteem and social behaviour as they participate in the multi-sensory environments. Aromatherapy oils may hook a pleasant memory or bubble machines provide soothing sights and sounds. There are also opportunities to relive happy childhood moments through scrapbooking or baking. Extendicare Tecumseh program manager Alina Sirbu, who was a participant in the orange-peel case, also shares how residents with social isolation issues have become much more relaxed and confident after experiencing several snoezelen sessions.

Event brings Extendicare managers together
Friday July 16, 2010
Administrators and directors of care from Extendicare long-term care homes across Ontario recently attended the organization’s 2010 eastern operations business meeting. Discussion centred on future changes to the long-term care sector, with respect to new regulations and implementations of resident care. The event was also an opportunity to bring together managers from across the province to network, as well as to learn more about the company. “Putting names to faces was certainly evident during the two-day meeting,” says Christina Co, a communications co-op student with Extendicare. The meeting also saw Extendicare president and CEO Tim Lukenda and president Paul Tuttle provide updates from the company perspective, while vice-president of eastern operations Chris McKey discussed the Ontario perspective of long-term care. “I think that this sort of gathering gives us the opportunity to appreciate how many great people it takes to accomplish the things that we do every single day,” said McKey.

Home raises $270 for cancer research
Thursday July 15, 2010
Temiskaming Lodge recently hosted a charity event that saw $270 raised in support of cancer research. The July 2 event, coined Highlight For Hope, featured on-site hair stylists who put pink streaks in people’s hair to raise awareness about cancer research, education and support. In total, 27 residents, staff members and visitors had pink streaks put in their hair. Francine Gosselin, the New Liskeard long-term care home’s administrator, characterizes the event as “a great community event for a delightful cause.” The event coincided with the annual New Liskeard Bikers Reunion, a three-day cancer-research fundraiser.

Algonquin Nursing Home a learning site for community helpers
Wednesday July 14, 2010
Wanting to demonstrate the diversity of a community’s organizations and people, a Grade 1 teacher took her students on an educational field trip that included a stop at Algonquin Nursing Home (ANH). "I want the students to recognize that communities consist of various facilities that meet human needs and show that everyone is important and has something to offer to the community they live in," said Estelle Lafrenière. The students were given a quick tour of the home and visited with residents, who they later joined for lunch. One child’s grandmother lived at the home while another was proud to say her mother worked there. According to Angie Douglass, ANH resident and family service co-ordinator, the event was not only beneficial for students, who can learn about their elders, but also the residents. “It is always a pleasure to welcome young people here. Their cheerful enthusiasm always brings smiles to our residents’ faces,” she says.
— A version of this article was originally published in the Mattawa Recorder.

Caressant Care Arthur residents enjoy Geri Olympics
Friday July 9, 2010
Residents from Caressant Care Arthur Nursing Home enjoyed a fun and social outing at the third annual Geri Olympics June 11, organized by Activity Directors on the Move. Wearing tie-dyed shirts they enjoyed making, the Arthur home’s six-member A Team travelled to Wellington Terrace in Elora for a friendly competition with residents from six other homes in the region. Six events were staged, including a javelin throw using a pool noodle, trivia, a toonie toss, hockey pass and long jump, which added up the length of participants’ feet. Program manager Jennifer VanBeek says all participants received a certificate and ribbon from the games, which featured Olympic rings and an Olympic torch this year. She says residents “look forward to the event every year” as it is a chance to have some fun and socialize.

Home helps resident celebrate 100th birthday
Thursday July 8, 2010
Extendicare York recently hosted a party to help resident Mary Denmark celebrate her 100th birthday July 2. More than 40 of her family members, including her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, attended the event, many of whom travelled from out of town to be with her. The celebration included a birthday cake, a gift of flowers and, perhaps most notably, her first manicure. “This is the first time I’ve had painted nails in 100 years,” she joked. Denmark’s fellow residents stood in line to shake her hand and ask her about her secret to longevity. Her response? “Be happy each and every day.”

Residents enjoy music that brings back memories
Tuesday July 6, 2010
In celebration of Seniors’ Month Moira Place, a new 128-bed long-term care home in Tweed, brought the big-band sound back to the Kiwanis pavilion in the park on the shores of Lake Stoco. Residents from Moira Place, along with other seniors from the community, were treated to a performance by the La Salle Community Concert Band from Kingston. As the orchestra played the familiar songs of Tommy Dorsey, Glen Miller and Frank Sinatra, the many memories of summer evenings spent dancing by the lake began to resurface throughout the crowd, says director of resident and family services Tracey McKichan. “Hands clapped, toes tapped and bodies swayed in time to the music, as the quiet pavilion in the park was transformed back into the lively dance hall that it once was,” she says. “(Residents) were taken on an emotional journey as the songs unlocked distant memories of days gone by, all while the band played on.”

Wedding fashions on parade at Caressant Care homes
Monday July 5, 2010
Residents at two Caressant Care homes enjoyed a wedding fashion show June 5. The second annual event, which pays homage to June as the most popular month for weddings, featured 25-30 dresses from the 1970s to today modelled by staff, families and friends of activity co-ordinators at sister homes in Arthur and Fergus. Debuting in Fergus that morning, the show moved to Arthur in the afternoon. Jennifer VanBeek, activity co-ordinator at Caressant Care Arthur Nursing Home, wore her wedding dress and emceed the event. She says the show was a “way to show residents how things have changed” and for staff to include them in their nuptials. Residents also had a hand in the event by arranging bouquets for the models. An archway and other floral pieces added to the ambiance. Cake was served as a special treat to end the show.

Extendicare Brampton’s family fun day building community
Friday July 2, 2010
A family fun day at Extendicare Brampton June 19 attracted all ages while helping foster community. The eighth annual event featured a carnival theme and a host of entertainment, including clowns and a live band. Children were able to bounce on a blow-up castle and watch a live animal show that featured a baby tiger, snakes and spiders. A dunk tank that dropped 36 participants in 45 minutes and a pie-throwing contest were also among the highlights. Money raised from raffle tickets raised $1,000 for the home’s residents’ council, which helped organize the event along with the activation department. Program manager Carolyn Childs says other staff members pitched in to make the event a success, including kitchen staff, who prepared the barbecue, housekeeping, which kept the property clean, and personal support workers, who portered residents to the activities.

Roberta Place’s hygiene campaign features familiar faces
Tuesday June 29, 2010
A program on proper hand hygiene likely contributed to the fact that Roberta Place had no cold or flu outbreaks this spring, says co-ordinator of volunteer services Sheila MacDonald. The program is part of the Jarlette Health Services’ home’s ongoing effort to control infection and the spread of germs. Components included educational sessions led by the nursing team at the Barrie long-term care home. Environmental services added more hand washing stations throughout the home of 139 residents, and a poster campaign featured very familiar faces. Staff, residents and volunteers were photographed sanitizing their hands and are framed by the motto, We do …. so should you. About 40 posters were strategically placed by sinks, elevators and other areas throughout the building. “The residents not only got a charge out of seeing their faces (on the posters), it was a good reminder,” MacDonald says, adding knowing the people on the posters makes them and the message memorable.

Kennedy Lodges has fun clowning around
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The Wonderful World of Circus, a Toronto-based circus troupe, recently paid a visit to Kennedy Lodge to entertain residents, staff members and the local community with performances that included clowns, musicians and a dog show. Local vendors and staff members had the opportunity hawk their wares at the Marketplace, a collection of information booths and kiosks set up in the Scarborough long-term care home’s parking area. All proceeds from the Marketplace will be donated to the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign. The June 19 event was held in conjunction with Seniors’ Month, which is being celebrated in long-term care homes across Ontario.

Sarnia home's Family Advisory Council strong and active
Monday June 21, 2010
Vision Nursing and Rest Home's Family Advisory Council has existed for more than 20 years, long before family councils were provincially mandated. Posters placed around the non-profit home in Sarnia recently saluted the strong and active group in honour of Ontario's first Family Council Day June 12. Administrative assistant Nancy Theoret, who's worked with the council for more than 10 years, notes most of the 17 members volunteer at the home in other ways. She wanted to ensure these residents' family members and friends are recognized for their council work as well. She also wants all families to know who members are so they feel free to approach them with questions or concerns as "family-to-family" contact may be more comfortable for them. Advocating for all of the home's residents, the council provides education to families as well as input to the home's board and management staff on various matters. "We're really proud of the fact that our council is so well attended and everybody is interested," Theoret says.

Colleges, community join forces to celebrate new gazebo
Friday June 18, 2010
Teamwork from two post-secondary institutions recently helped build a gazebo for staff members at Caressant Care McLaughlin Road in Lindsay. The specialist high skills class from Loyalist Collegiate Vocational Institute, along with their teacher Richard Lucas and Ben Leckie from Fleming College, visited the home June 11 to complete the outdoor structure. A local Boston Pizza restaurant also pitched in by donating time and pizza to those working on the project. “We celebrated the completion of the gazebo, not only to show appreciation to the students and teachers, but also for our staff, for the awesome care that is given to our seniors each and every day,” says administrator Nancy Rooney. “We had a wonderful time with a great turnout.”

Gazebo built as outreach project
Wednesday June 16, 2010
Residents of Extendicare Southwood Lakes in Windsor are enjoying a gazebo with a view. The structure was selected by the area Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse as its Community Outreach Project and built in about three days last October. C. Teno Construction also donated their time, energy and materials to create a concrete pathway running from the gazebo to the sidewalk. Wheelchair accessible and outfitted with a bench, the gazebo was celebrated June 7 with a barbecue and ribbon-cutting attended by residents, families, staff and about a dozen Lowes representatives. “It’s something that we wanted to provide for the families and residents, to have a nice area outside,” resident program manager Dana Truant says, adding the gazebo is enjoyed daily by residents who “absolutely love it.” She says it fosters a feeling of being part of the community as it looks out onto nearby homes.

Car show to raise money for orphaned children in Africa
Tuesday June 15, 2010
Versa Care Centre Brantford is gearing up for its annual car show, which will raise money for the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign, an initiative that supports orphaned children in Africa. The Revera-owned long-term care home is expecting about 300 guests at the June 18 event, which will feature more than 50 classic cars and hotrods on display in the home’s parking area. The event, which has engaged residents, family members, staff and the local community for the past five years, will also include a barbecue and entertainment. Anyone looking for more information can contact the home at 519-759-1040.

Extendicare cyclists Ride for Heart
Friday June 11, 2010
Four Extendicare (Canada) Inc. employees were part of a record-setting year for the Becel Heart & Stroke Ride for Heart. Held June 6, the 23rd annual fundraiser for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario raised about $3.3 million to surpass its goal, and reached its capacity for participants at 13,000. Among them were Louie Rodriguez, Jing Cai, Chirag Gandhi and Michael Lai of Extendicare’s head office in Markham. Braving wind and cool temperatures plus a rainy start, the four rode 25 kilometres along Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway. Rodriguez, whose family participated in past rides and was the only repeat rider of the four, supplied the bicycles. The senior program analyst in Extendicare’s IT department notes fellow staff supported the riders with pledges and the company paid their registration fees. Rodriguez notes music supplied by organizers, the scenic route and a post-ride event with entertainment, stretching session and information booths, added to the fun and enjoyment of the ride.

Residents raise $2,300 to fight animal cruelty
Wednesday June 9, 2010
Residents at Avalon Care Centre have raised more than $2,300 during a June 4 “walk-a-dog-a-thon” to fight animal cruelty. As part of the event, residents at the Orangeville long-term care home were sponsored by their families, staff members, volunteers and friends to walk or wheel with a dog around a safe route set up behind the home. The event ran 12 straight hours, with residents walking and wheeling at different intervals. Family members and staff replaced residents during meal breaks. The event attracted the attention Orangeville Mayor Rob Adams, who presided over the opening ceremonies. All money raised from the event will be donated to the local chapter of the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “Our residents are really proud to have once again helped the community by raising money for a great cause,” says activity director Sarah Murray.

Extendicare Lakefield Warriors battle cancer
Tuesday June 8, 2010
Extendicare Lakefield Relay Warriors trekked 12 hours around the track at Peterborough’s Crestwood Secondary School May 28-29 in aid of cancer research and local support programs. It’s the second year the long-term care home has participated in the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, but the 12-member team raised $2,453.16. Office manager Janine Ernst spearheaded the team’s formation after being involved with a friend’s entry since the overnight relay began in 2001. Most of the Warriors have been touched by cancer, she notes, adding they were further inspired this year by a long-serving co-worker living with the disease. “It brings home exactly why we’re here,” Ernst says. She adds that “team morale was huge.” The home’s residents supported the team with words of encouragement and by buying tickets on a 50-50 draw and raffle for a container filled with donated picnic and beach items. The Warriors also raised money with a car wash and bake sale.

Fundraiser with flair honours late resident
Friday June 4, 2010
What began as an in-house activity at Extendicare Tecumseh four years ago has grown into a fashionable fundraiser honouring a resident who was “everybody’s sweetheart.” The Helen McLaughlin Fashion Show, held May 30 at the Tecumseh Knights of Columbus Hall, featured 16 residents and other adults, plus 21 children from St. Peter’s Elementary School modelling clothes donated by The Bay. Paired up, they all sported big hats for added flair and fun. The crowd of 210, including residents’ and students’ families, as well as staff and volunteers from the long-term care home and the public, also enjoyed a sit-down pasta dinner. Profits from the butterfly-themed event were split, with the Alzheimer Society of Windsor-Essex County and the home’s resident’s council receiving $760 each. The council also raised another $687 from prior in-home sales of tickets on a raffle table. Resident program manager Alina Sirbu says the event originally began at the home with Helen McLaughlin, a kind, well spoken and charismatic resident who took great pride in her appearance. Sadly, she passed away a month before the very first show. It became an annual fundraiser honouring her and grew to the point where a community venue was needed. Residents at the show, Sirbu says, were “glowing” and families were “so happy” to see their loved ones take part in the event, which also reinforces partnerships with the community.

Elmvale home celebrating Seniors’ Month
Thursday June 3, 2010
Sara Vista is celebrating Seniors’ Month in June with events that promise to be fun and engaging. The Revera-owned long-term care home in Elmvale kicks things off June 8 with Grade 5 and 6 pin pals from the local school walking and wheeling with residents to church for the Sara Vista Annual Tea. Residents, students and community members will enjoy entertainment, homemade pie and ice cream, as well as some great conversation. On June 17, residents will board a bus for a Mystery Tour of Simcoe County, which highlights the history and scenery of a number of towns. Music is also part of the festivities, with The Country Rogues performing at Sara Vista June 24. The celebration concludes June 29 with a barbecue lunch and afternoon of education. Guest speakers will discuss managing behaviours and the importance of family councils. Seniors’ Month acknowledges and honours the contributions of seniors.