March/April 2015 I The Monthly Magazine of Northwood
Pat’s
Wish
Came
True
March/April 2015
Northwood Life
Pat LeBlanc’s
Wish Came
True!
The Jean MacLean and Zillah Bragg Wish Fund
is helping make wishes come true and that’s
exactly what happened for Northwood at the
Harbour resident, Pat LeBlanc.
When recreation programmer Renée Patterson
first heard about the Wish Fund, she knew she
wanted to help make a wish come true for a
resident living on one of her two floors in the
Manor. “Pat is such a wonderful person and I
wanted to help do something special for her,”
says Renée. “When I asked her if she could have
anything in the world, what would it be, her
answer was simple: have all of her family come
together.”
Renée worked with Pat and her family to
complete the Wish Fund application late last
fall and submitted it hoping her wish would
be granted, and it was! On February 7, 2015,
five of Pat’s eight children gathered together
for dinner at Swiss Chalet and a family portrait
(a photo that was long overdue). “It’s so
wonderful to have most of my children here
with me,” said Pat in the moment. “I didn’t
think it was possible.”
Pat’s daughter Patti says she and her siblings
were happy to have the opportunity. “It’s nice
for mom to have us all together. She was so
excited she couldn’t even eat her lunch before
we left.”
The Jean MacLean and Zillah Bragg Wish Fund is thanks to a
partnership with the John & Judy Bragg Family Foundation
and the Northwood Foundation. The Fund grants wishes to
residents living in long term care, both at Northwood and
rural care facilities throughout Nova Scotia. Application
forms are available online at northwoodfoundation.ca or by
calling the Northwood Foundation at 902-454-3069.
Cover photo and family portrait taken by Tammy Barrett Photography.
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Northwood Life
We’re Building Community.
Northwood’s Life magazine is
published nine times per year
by Northwood’s Communications
Office. Life magazine is distributed
to the staff, residents, families,
clients, tenants, volunteers, and
visitors of Northwood. If you have
story ideas, photos or suggestions for
the May/June issue, please call Tara
at 902-454-3342 or send them to
[email protected] by April 24.
Tara Dunn
Editor
[email protected]
Tel: 902-454-3342
www.nwood.ns.ca
[email protected]
Northwood is a not-for-profit,
community based organization.
Northwoodcare Halifax
2615 Northwood Terrace
Halifax, NS B3K 3S5
Tel: 902-454-8311
Fax: 902-455- 6408
Northwood Homecare
Suite 1 South
130 Eileen Stubbs Avenue
Dartmouth, NS B3B 2C4
Tel: 902-425-2273
Fax: 902-421-6313
Northwoodcare Bedford
123 Gary Martin Drive
Bedford, NS B4B 0G7
Tel: 902-407-8500
Fax: 902-407-8501
Northwood - live more
For Advertising Opportunities
call 902-454-3377
March/April 2015
Sharing a Moment with
Janet Simm, CEO
We have completed a major milestone!
Accreditation Surveyors were on site in
late February and out of the 667 standards
we were measured against, we met 643;
achieving a 96.4% compliance rate! This is
a particularly fantastic result given the many
changes we have faced over the last year,
the budget challenges we have encountered
(and responded to with great success) in home
support and the fact that this was the first
accreditation survey for Ivany Place.
Preparing for the survey visit was a
monumental task. You may ask why we do
it. Accreditation is a voluntary process, not
an event; it reflects our commitment to
ongoing improvement. While it was our Out and About, Home Support and In
Care Living programs that were officially evaluated during the survey visit, all of
our programs and services benefit from the accreditation process. We will use the
feedback from the surveyors to improve and grow.
Our values talk about quality. Our goal is for our values to be instilled in every staff
member and volunteer, so everyone recognizes their contribution to delivering
quality services to all of our clients across the organization.
Thank you to Beth Clamp and Kathryn Graves for shouldering the bulk of the
preparation work and keeping us organized. Thank you to those who wore
their Northwood shirts; helping demonstrate our pride in the work of the
organization. I also want to thank the Northwood Staff Choir for helping to make
the accreditation debriefing a celebration of our commitment to quality. Most
importantly, I thank each and every one of you for your ongoing commitment to
improving the lives of those we serve; you are amazing!
Ask your Corporate Leadership Team (CLT)
We have situated our new comment boxes and are reviewing the first batch of
comments. Our Quality Council will review the comments monthly and assign
responsibility for follow up. Items that are of significance to the organization will
be communicated in Life Magazine.
Just a reminder that urgent items should continue to be
reported to your supervisor in the event immediate action is
required to ensure the safety of our residents, tenants, staff,
volunteers and visitors.
One of the messages in the comment boxes said ‘Put on a
happy face!’ I am interpreting that message to mean happiness
is a decision you choose. I have also been told that happiness
is contagious. What power we hold when we can make the
world a happier place just by being happy ourselves!
March/April 2015
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Northwood Life
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Northwood Life
March/April 2015
Volunteer Corner
Submitted by Shaun Bona, Ivany Place Volunteer
What it is to be a Volunteer
To: Rosaria Mabiasan
From: Mervin Smith
I wanted to thank Rose for doing a
double on the night of the storm. She
not only did her assigned duties but also
tidied all the utility rooms and had the
unit looking great. Job well done Rose.
To: Monique, 10 Poplar River
From: Robert, Dietary Aide
Monique is always helpful when I am
on her floor. She gives me lots of tips
on what the residents like to eat. She
has a very friendly demeanor with the
residents and is always looking out for
their best interests.
To: Dorothy, 6 Alder Shore
From: Robert, Dietary Aide
Dorothy makes meals really easy to serve
on 6 Centre. She lets me know what the
residents like to eat and serves the plates
at dinner time which makes the work go
really quickly.
To: Rolanda, 2 Spruce Lake
From: Robert, Dietary Aide
Rolanda helps out a lot at meal times.
She makes the work go really quickly.
To: Steve Bowser
From: Janet Egli
One of our residents on Beech River
wanted to subscribe to Netflix. His
obstacle was that he did not have a
credit card. I approached Steve with
this dilemma. Steve was able to support
the resident in obtaining his Netflix
subscription with the help of Amanda
Lowe in finance. He also went in person
to set up his account. A definite “PCC”
(person centred care) moment!
To: Shannon, Kitchen
From: Robert, Dietary Aide
Shannon is a very good worker. She
always goes above and beyond to
make sure things I ask for are delivered
properly and on time. She is a very
dedicated and hard worker and inspires
me to do the same.
Award Winning
Codfish
Omelette
To: Janet Simm
From: Robert McCormack,
Dietary Aide
Makes 6 servings
To: Dianna Cooper, 2 Spruce
Lake
From: Robert, Dietary Aide
What you need:
• 1 pound frozen Cod fillets
• 1 medium onion, chopped fine
• 1 medium pepper, chopped fine
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons chopped parsley
• 5 eggs
• ¼ cup sherry or white wine
Janet was very welcoming to me when
my co-worker and I came to her with
some ideas on how to improve customer
service at Northwood. She listened very
intently and made me feel like I was part
of the Northwood team.
Dianna helps me out a lot. Sometimes
when I am really tired, she will help me
clear the tables and wash the dishes,
even when it is not her floor and when
she is on her breaks.
To: Desiree, Dietary Supervisor
From: Robert, Dietary Aide
Desiree is always so cheerful when I see
her. She makes work enjoyable and lifts
my spirits.
To: Kim, Dietary Supervisor
From: Robert, Dietary Aide
Kim is always looking out for me to make
sure I have everything I need to get the
job done. She is very good at making sure
all of the little things are taken care of.
By José Castiñeiras
How it’s done:
1. Place frozen block of fish into
simmering salted water. Poach
about 30 minutes or until fish flakes
easily when tested with a fork and is
opaque. Drain. Flake fish. Set aside.
2. In 12-inch skillet, sauté onion and
green pepper in hot oil until they
are tender. Add the garlic, parsley,
fish and salt and pepper to taste.
Sauté until the fish becomes golden
brown and mixture is dry.
3. Beat the eggs; add sherry/wine and
pour over vegetables in pan. Do not
stir, but cook over low heat until
eggs are set.
4. Place under broiler to brown top.
Flip onto serving plate. Cut into
6 wedge shaped portions.
Upon retirement and at the rear of a 20-year
overseas posting, it (and there) was time to earnestly hit
the volunteer road, to unfetter humour and zeal that more
often than not sprout from interactions with long-term
care residents.
To me, volunteering means extending oneself to others,
impacting on individuals’ well-being, and returning the
many benefits life gives to me. Sharing acts of service has
to do with intent, my predisposition to be where examples
of kindness and compassion prevail, to be surrounded
by individuals at Northwood’s Ivany Place who influence
through their dedication, patience, and professionalism.
Change.” This is exciting and encouraging, something that
should not be kept secret.
I prefer to fly the kites of the caring, friendly, and respectful
staff and volunteers that hold dear the attentiveness they
give to each person that lives and visits Ivany Place. I am
compensated by their acts of charity and service, it being
an honour to stand by people that make such positive sway.
Moreover, helping others heightens your self-esteem and
sense of purpose: hitches on my own mind are forgotten.
“Happiness is thinking of myself; joy is thinking of others.”
~ Author Unknown
When volunteering, I am always guaranteed to make a few
new friends. They may not be your usual crowd but at one
time they were my age, now irrefutably teaching me a thing
or two about life. Undeniably, they bring vigour into my
charges.
It is flattering that, now and then, people see me as kindhearted … but the bar is not that high. Just a few hours
a month puts volunteers in the category of “Being the
Research in Aging,
Continuing Care and Beyond
Congratulations on your
Retirement!
Jessie MacDonald
Environmental Services
Halifax
37 Years of Service
Marilyn Rhyndress
Environmental Services
Halifax
37+ Years of Service
Northwood’s 5th Annual Research Symposium
Friday, June 12
Holiday Inn Harbourview, Dartmouth
Featuring Keynote Speakers: Melissa Andrew,
Sultan Darvesh and Ken Rockwood
To register, call Debra at 902-454-3069
or visit nwood.ns.ca
March/April 2015
4
Northwood Life
Northwood Life
5
March/April 2015
Introducing José Castiñeiras
Resident, 7 Hemlock Haven, Northwood at the Harbour
José Castiñeiras’ 88 years have
been nothing short of remarkable.
His passion for hospitality and cooking
has taken him far in life, both figuratively
and literally.
the deluxe dining room. Soon after, he
was promoted to Night Maitre d’. He
held many holiday banquets and with
his attention to detail, all were very
successful.
José was born on November 11, 1926
in Habana, Cuba. He lived there for 34
years before coming to Canada. During
that time, he was a successful athlete,
having played basketball in the PanAmerican Games, winning silver in the
handball championships and receiving
an invitation to baseball tryouts for
the Washington Senators. Even though
José had great success in sports, his true
passion was cooking.
José’s banquets were so successful that
representatives from the Royal York
Hotel in Toronto came to Halifax to learn
from José’s banquets. José used a new
seating plan, hired a bagpiper to usher in
the special guests (a Nova Scotia custom
he told them), and went the extra mile
to put on a fabulous banquet. At the
end of the night, he received a standing
ovation. He brought all the catering staff
to the front and said, “These are the
people you need to thank.” As José says,
“I was that type of guy.” The banquet
earned José a visit from the president of
Canadian Pacific Hotels.
José‘s career began in a coffee shop
in Cuba, where he washed dishes. He
watched the chef cook and occasionally
filled in as his assistant. When the chef
retired, José took over. Just before
he left Cuba, José was promoted to
property manager of eight restaurants.
Despite his promotion, José wanted to
be in Canada with his first wife, Reine.
He quickly got his papers and left for
Montreal to be with her in the country
he had grown to love.
In Montreal, José took management
courses and, with his restaurant
knowledge, was hired in the kitchen of
the Laurentian Hotel. Later, he worked
in many other restaurants in the city, and
moved into a position in a restaurant’s
head office. José was then transferred
to The Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax and
then the Wandlyn Inn in P.E.I.
While living in P.E.I., José noticed
how quiet the winter was and created
different ways to increase business. He
started “Weekend Specials”, which were
Saturday night banquets, each themed
after a different country. They were
such a great success, that he had one
every weekend! He was applauded for
bringing gourmet cooking to the Island.
After living in P.E.I., José came back to
Halifax where he met his second wife,
Effie, a Lebanese-Haligonian. After
working several jobs in Halifax, José was
hired at Chateau Halifax. He started as
the Manager of Breakfast and Lunch in
The
North Street Singers
in Concert
Sunday, May 3rd at 2:00 p.m.
Shirley Burnstein Hall, Northwood at the Harbour
Other great career accomplishments
include winning multiple North American
cooking competitions, receiving media
coverage in newspapers and on television,
and meeting many celebrities like Tom
Jones and Wayne Gretzky.
Tickets are $10 for Reboom members and $15 for non-members.
Call 902-454-3351 for more information or to reserve your tickets.
José’s reluctant retirement at 65 showed
how much he loved his job. He had a
great relationship with his staff, some of
whom still visit him today.
Besides cooking, José’s resumé is
quite full and includes working for
Immigration, Border Patrol, the RCMP,
CSIS, Spanish interpretation for 9/11
and his position as Armed Forces Food
Coordinator for the Cuban Air Force
(under Fidel Castor, José’s former
basketball nemesis).
After meeting José, it’s clear that his
work ethic, partnered with his warmth
is what brought him such success in
life. José currently lives on 7 Hemlock
Haven, where he is taken great care of
by all the wonderful staff.
~ Written by Amy Spurrell, PR Co-op Student
Life Magazine Needs You
We’re looking for members of the Northwood community (staff, residents, tenants,
volunteers, family or community members), who are interested in contributing to
Life Magazine on a regular or semi-regular basis. If this opportunity interests you,
please contact Tara Dunn, Editor at [email protected] or 902-454-3342.
2015 Life Magazine Schedule
Here are important dates for upcoming Life Magazines:
IssueDeadline
May/June April 24
Community Report May 29
September August 7
October September 4
November October 2
December/January November 6
Distribution
Week of May 19
Week of June 29
Week of August 24
Week of September 28
Week of October 26
Week of November 23
March/April 2015
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Northwood Life
Snow Much Fun!
March is
Nutrition
Month
This year’s campaign focus for Nutrition
Month with the Dieticians of Canada
is Eating 9 to 5! The goal is to inspire
Canadians to eat better at work and make
other positive changes for a healthier
workplace and nutrition environment.
Did you know almost 40% of
Canadians skip breakfast?
Rushed mornings can leave little time for
breakfast, leaving your body and brain
lacking fuel. Eating a healthy breakfast is
linked to:
• Healthy weights and reduced
weight gain over time.
• Improved appetite control so you
can avoid the morning munchies.
• Better intake of key nutrients like
calcium, vitamin D, potassium and
fibre.
Ivany residents from The Points enjoying some
February fresh air on their outdoor terrace. (Left to
right) Pauline Deveau, Fred Mitchell, Alice Fudge, Simone
Pitzel, Ora Slade, Zita Chapman, Ronald MacInnis, Doris
Darer, Gerald Boyce and Hoover MacDougall.
Employee Referral Program
You could receive $300 if we hire someone you
refer for one of our hard-to-fill positions:
• Licensed Practical Nurses
• Registered Nurses
• Continuing Care Assistants
• Personal Care Workers
For more details, call HR at 902-454-3369
or visit the Staff Portal.
In the News
Janice Chalmers, Northwood Homecare’s Staff Educator
was featured in an article called ‘Age-Friendly Communities’
in the January 2015 issue of Canadian Nurse Magazine. She
shares her knowledge on ‘Keeping people with dementia in
mind’ when creating an age-friendly community.
On March 5, John O’Keefe, Northwood at the Harbour’s
Senior Social Worker, was featured in an article entitled ‘Safe
sex over 65’ on The Coast’s website. He speaks about the
emotional issues and the challenges around making it possible
for relationships to happen in an open and healthy way.
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Northwood Life
The Scoop on Caffeine
Too much caffeine can make you lose
sleep, and cause jitters, stomach upset
and increased heart rate. Health Canada
recommends no more than 400mg of
caffeine a day (a medium Tim Horton’s
coffee has 205mg of caffeine while a
591ml bottle of Pepsi has 105mg).
Add healthy eating to your to-do
list!
Eating well at work can boost your
concentration, productivity and vitality.
It can also reduce missed days of work
by helping to boost your overall health.
Fuel your workday with these tips:
• Bring lunch from home so you
don’t have to eat out.
• Take a break away from your desk
or work area to enjoy your lunch.
•
•
•
March/April 2015
Reduce boredom or stress by
taking a brisk walk instead of
nibbling.
Pack smart snacks so you can skip
the sugary and salty treats.
Hydrate with water instead of
caffeinated drinks.
Give your brain a boost with these
smart snacks:
• Whole grain crackers with a hard boiled egg.
• Handful of grapes with a piece of
cheese.
• Veggie sticks or apple slices with
hummus.
• Fresh fruit added to yogurt.
• Handful of nuts with dried fruit.
• Banana with peanut butter.
Because not everyone works 9-5…
here are a few extra tips for our shift
workers:
1.Eat your main meal before going
to work and have a small meal and
health snacks during your shift.
Eating large meals during the night
can cause heartburn and gas, and
make you feel sluggish.
2. Stay well hydrated. Drink plenty of
water to prevent dehydration. It
may help you to stay alert and not
feel so tired during your shift.
3. Have a light snack before bedtime.
It’s hard to fall asleep when you’re
too hungry or too full. If you’re still
hungry after work eat a small
healthy snack before going to
sleep.
4. Stick to your routine. On your days
off, try to eat and sleep around the
same times (if possible) that you
would if you were working your
shift. That way your ‘internal clock’
stays on schedule.
Nutrition Month: Eating 9 to 5!
Visit nutritionmonth2015.ca for tips on eating well at work from
registered dietitians:
•
Get inspiring meal and snack ideas using the free smartphone
app Cookspiration or daily tips with eaTipster.
•
Download eaTracker to review your food and activity choices,
analyze your recipes, plan your meals, and more.
•
Watch videos with advice from registered dietitians.
/dietitiansCAN
www.nutritionmonth2015.ca
@dietitiansCAN
March/April 2015
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Northwood Life
Northwood Life
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March/April 2015
What benefits do residents see in the volunteer
dining assistant program?
“My dining experience is improved when another person’s needs are
being met and they are feeling at ease.”
~ Melanie, Ivany Place Resident
What benefits do volunteers see in the volunteer
dining assistant program?
peoplewho care
A volunteer action is like a stone thrown in a lake:
its effect has a direct impact. At the same time, like ripples,
volunteer efforts reach-out far and wide to improve
communities. Undeniably, volunteers rock!
We celebrate the achievements of Northwood’s
volunteers.
With over 520 volunteers in our locations, Northwood’s
Volunteer Engagement department would like to draw
attention to a few areas that would not be possible without
volunteer involvement.
The Porters
The unsung heroes of Northwood’s group of volunteers we
call the porters, go about their day-to-day business escorting
residents to and from recreation therapy programs, the beauty
salon, physiotherapy appointments and special events at both
sites. Without the volunteer porters, residents would not
be able to participate in many of the programs and services
that Northwood has to offer. These volunteers interact with
residents on a one-to-one basis and give them comfort when
needed.
On Wednesday mornings, you will see Joyce gather her team
of volunteers in Halifax for a little group meeting before
they go to different floors to pick up residents for the church
service. The volunteers know the residents and look forward
to the interaction as much as the residents do.
Some volunteers also help in between portering by assisting
with folding towels, preparing ice packs in physiotherapy
or sweeping in the beauty salon. The valuable service these
volunteers provide often goes unnoticed until the volunteer
goes on vacation or is unable to come in.
The volunteers are trained to provide a safe experience for the
resident. They never lift or transfer a resident, and they always
make sure wheelchairs are equipped with a foot rest before
transport. They are taught to be patient with residents and to
never leave a resident with dementia alone.
Resident Dining Program, Bedford
Members of the in care living team have worked for the past
year to develop the Dining Program to enhance the dining
experience for residents and support staff. Ivany Place has
been the pilot site for the volunteer portion of the project
using the Volunteer Dining Assistant since December 2014.
In the future, the program will expand to the Halifax site with
the help of volunteers.
We asked staff, residents and volunteers to comment on the
benefits of the program:
What benefits do staff see in the volunteer dining
assistant program?
“It is a lovely sight to see. The volunteers are so patient and genuine
and kind to the residents. When the resident is relaxed, the food is
getting in and their nutrition is met. It improves my workday when
the resident is not stressed over dining. I see them happy.”
~ Shi-ann, CSA on Maritime & Blueberry Hills
“The volunteer dining assistant places a resident at ease. While the
nurses are busy in the rooms with other residents, the volunteer can
open things, assist with shirt protectors, and create a conversational
time over the meal.”
~ Joanne, CSA on Lupin & Maritime Hills
“While I am there, they can chat with the other ladies as much as
they want and I can gently remind them to take another bite if they
get off track. They get what they need socially and nutritionally. As a
volunteer my role to be there for them in the dining room.”
~ Heather, Ivany Place Volunteer
In order to have a volunteer in every dining room for every
lunch and supper at Ivany Place alone, the program needs 140
volunteer placements. Reboom
Can you imagine Reboom without its volunteers? We can’t!
Did you know that Bingo, which is run twice a week, is almost
100 percent staffed by volunteers? They call back cards, make
the coffee and tea, call the games and do cash. Upwards of
65 members would not be able to gather and try their luck
without those volunteers. Bingo is not the only program that
relies on volunteers. The Harbourview Lounge would not
be open four nights a week, and the darts, crib and bridge
programs wouldn’t have a leader either.
These are only a few of the volunteer positions that Reboom
relies on to run its operations. Volunteers are a critical part of
our Reboom team. With their help, we can offer educational,
fitness, and leisure programming to our members and the
community at large.
Goody Cart – Halifax
Renée Patterson, Recreation Therapy
The Goody Cart Program was started with a donation given
to Northwood. We have a group of 17 volunteers and staff
that provide the service to residents in care. They purchase
the items and keep the supplies restocked. The cart is taken
to all the care units every month. The residents can take one
item free from a variety of items on the cart and also have a
little visit as well. The residents love the see the cart coming!
A favourite of the cart for the ladies is to look through the
jewellery and pick out something to wear.
We have a volunteer-run bake sale one or two times a month
to support the goody cart. There are four volunteers ready
and willing to man the bake sales.
(left to right) Bev Foley, Bette Goodyear, Mary Boston, Joan Christie,
Jan Chabassol, Penny McKeen & Donna Dodsworth with the
Sunshine Cart.
Sunshine Cart – Ivany Place
Joan Christie, Volunteer
Each Tuesday afternoon, residents at Ivany Place ask if this
is the week the popular Sunshine Cart will visit them. At
the same time, two enthusiastic volunteers eagerly pick up
the roster to see which two neighbourhoods they will visit.
Then they check to see what unique new items are added
to the push cart and wonder what interesting conversations
will follow.
The Sunshine Cart visits two of the 12 neighbourhoods each
week and is loaded with such items as new, plush animals, game
books, picture books, writing materials, jewellery choices,
treats and knick knacks. Two favourite items are greeting cards
and Kleenex. Scarves tied to the push rail are a popular choice
too. As one woman remarked, “It’s just like a little travelling
store - except that you don’t have to pay.”
The volunteers take turns and look forward to the happy task
of offering a “gift” from our well-equipped little cart. People
living at Ivany Place enthusiastically welcome us each week.
What could go wrong when you are offering a program that
involves having residents pick a gift that pleases them, while
volunteers visit and chat?
THANK YOU!
Volunteers will be recognized during volunteer week in a
variety of ways. Take time to thank our volunteers.
We have many opportunities to volunteer. If you have a special
skill or would like to hear more about the volunteering at
Northwood, please contact Volunteer Engagement at 902454-3353 or [email protected]
10
March/April 2015
Power Mobility
Power mobility devices (PMDs) such as electric
wheelchairs and electric scooters are becoming
more commonplace in our facilities and in the
community at large. Along with the benefits
of PMDs in our facilities, there are also risks
associated with their use.
At Northwood, we support the
safe use of PMDs through
assessment and training. We
have a process for assessing
the safe use of PMDs using a
standardized assessment,
The Power Mobility Indoor
Driving Assessment (PIDA).
We have developed the guidelines below for the safe use of
power mobility devices.
Guidelines for Safe Driving of Power Mobility Devices
Driving a powered mobility device (PMD) is like driving a car.
You must respect it and be in control of it at all times.
1. Drive at a safe speed for your surroundings. A safe
driving speed is the average walking speed of the people
in that area.
2. Alcohol and some drugs impair your ability to safely drive
your PMD. To avoid putting you and others at risk if you
are impaired, make arrangements for a non-impaired
person to assist you back to your room safely.
3. Skillful joystick control is key to driving safely. Always be
in control and make sure that your speed is appropriate
for the location and driving terrain.
4. Make sure people are aware you intend to pass them
BEFORE doing so. You can use your voice, a bell, or a
horn to get their attention. Make sure you have lots of
room before passing.
5. Always pay attention to things going on around you as
you drive.
6. Slow down to make turns and when going around corners.
7. Do not try to use your feet or hands to stop the machine
manually. Keep your feet on the footrest(s) when driving.
8. Never stop on a ramp unless it is absolutely necessary.
9. Before backing up, come to a complete stop and do
shoulder checks.
10. Turn the power off before getting on or off your machine.
11. Turn the power off when you are just sitting in one place
and when you have arrived at your destination.
12. Do not allow anyone to ride with you and do not tow
anyone.
13. Remember to charge your battery nightly.
Northwood Life
14. Park your machine in a safe place out of others’ way.
15. Keep the motor and battery covers in place when
operating your machine.
16. Never lend your machine to anyone, especially children.
Others will not look after it like you do.
17. Plug the charger into a wall outlet, not into a power bar.
18. Don’t drive when the battery indicator shows red.
19. Keep your tires pumped up to the recommended
pressure.
20. If any liquid gets into your joystick/tiller, report this as
soon as possible to Occupational Therapy.
21. Report any faults with the machine to Occupational
Therapy as soon as possible.
22. Know the abilities of your machine and drive accordingly.
Indoor Driving
23. Turn the power off when in the elevator and when in the
dining room.
24. Pause at corners and when coming through a doorway. Someone may be coming on the other side that cannot
see or hear you.
25. Allow pedestrians and manual wheelchairs to proceed in
front of you. They have right of way.
Outdoor Driving
26. Attach a safety flag to the machine so others can notice
you when driving in the community.
27. While driving your machine you are considered a
pedestrian in the eyes of the law. Drive it accordingly
(e.g. use crosswalks, no driving on the street, when there
is no sidewalk drive on the left).
28. Avoid driving your machine in rain or wet conditions.
Water can enter the electronics and cause loss of control
and brake failure.
29. Drive straight up and down the middle of all curbside
drops in elevation and do not cut corners.
30. Care needs to be taken not to wander off the edge of a
sidewalk/path. These situations can cause the machine
to upset or get stuck.
31. Give way to pedestrians.
32. Look ahead from time to time to see what hazards and
obstructions are ahead. Driving over objects and holes
should be avoided.
33. Driving at night should be avoided. If it is necessary to
drive your PMD at night, it is recommended that you
wear light or reflective clothing, have reflective strips on
your PMD and have a light on your PMD.
34. Know who to call in an emergency. Take a cell phone if
you have one.
35. Always wear a lap belt when driving outside.
~ Submitted by Gail Giffin, Manager, Restorative Care
11
Northwood Life
Reboom registration line: 902-454-3351
Signature Event!
The Maple Lovers Mini Getaway
Shake off those last winter snowflakes
and join us at Acadian Maple Products
in Upper Tantallon, for a maple lover’s
delight. The day includes a presentation
on the maple industry, sample tasting and
an all-you-can-eat maple brunch featuring
maple and blueberry syrup, toast, maple
sausages, bacon, maple beans, tea, coffee
and maple cookies.
When: Thursday, April 9
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
departing and arriving from
2615 Northwood Terrace,
Halifax
Cost: $35.00
Register with payment by March 31
Lunch Bunch
Good food in a relaxed atmosphere with
great company and conversation! We
make the reservations and provide the
transportation from Northwood or you
can meet us there.
When: Wednesday, April 15
Where: Tess, 5687 Charles Street. Halifax
Cost: $8 p/p for transportation plus
cost for lunch
When: Wednesday, May 27
Where: Mic Mac Bar & Grill,
219 Waverley Road, Dartmouth
Cost: $10 p/p for transportation plus
cost for lunch
Register no later than the day before
each outing
March/April 2015
Outdoor Active Program
A friendly Nordic Walking class designed
to keep you active. Must be able to walk
30 minutes without getting out of breath
and be comfortable climbing/descending
stairs. Equipment is supplied or bring your
own.
When: Fridays, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Meet in the Penthouse,
Northwood at the Harbour
From: April 10 to May 22
Cost: $25.00/members
$40.00/non-members
Register with full payment by April 2
Evening Card Socials
Spend an informal and friendly evening
playing cribbage or 45’s with old friends
and make some new ones. All welcome,
no partner required.
When: Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
until May 28
Where: Shirley Burnstein Hall,
Northwood at the Harbour
Cost: $2.00 drop-in fee
Annual Spring Craft Market
Crafts, baked goods, preserves, knitted goods, jewellery and more!
When: Thursday, April 30, 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Shirley Burnstein Hall, Halifax
When: May 1, 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Where: The Great Room Ivany Place
Vendors please contact Reboom at 902-454-3351 to register your table. Table Rental:
$30 for Reboom members and $50 for non-members. Discounts available to vendors
who participant in both markets.
12
March/April 2015
Northwood Life
Northwood Life
13
Over the past 12 months, I have been participating in Steps for Safety: a
Violence in the Workplace working group co-led by WCB (Worker’s Compensation
Board) and Aware-NS. Aware-NS is our safety association for Health and
Community Care.
The goal is to prevent and respond to incidents of violence in the workplace. The
group has developed four steps for employers with one more step to come. At
Northwood, we have been implementing the first two steps: a Perception Survey
and Risk Assessment. The following has been completed:
Bobby’s Trip of a Lifetime!
As most of you know who live and work
at Northwood at the Harbour, Bobby
Desmond is Northwood’s biggest
Toronto Maple Leafs fan. He proudly
wears his new jersey, flies the blue and
white flag from his wheelchair, and
knows every Maple Leafs statistic.
On April 5, thanks to an anonymous
donor, Bobby will be flying all expenses
paid to Toronto (along with caregivers)
to see the Maple Leafs play the Ottawa
Senators at the Air Canada Centre! A
team of staff from In Care Living and the
Foundation have been working hard to
make all the arrangements and take care
of every detail.
See the full-length story of Bobby’s trip
of a lifetime in the May/June Life issue!
Northwood Halifax and Ivany Place: The Risk Assessment was completed by
the OH&S Committee. Risks have been rated in terms of probability and severity.
A draft action plan to address identified risks will be discussed at the March OH&S
committee meetings. The next step is to hear from staff through a Violence
Perception Survey. This will be completed in March 2015.
Northwood Homecare: The perception survey was completed with 10% of all
field staff. Valuable feedback has been received and a report has been provided to
Homecare managers. The report will be presented at the OH&S committee meeting
in March. An action plan will be developed and presented to the Management
Team. The next step is to complete the Violence Risk Assessment with the OH&S
committee members.
It is wonderful to have staff and managers on our OH&S committees working
to improve the safety of our employees. Discussions have been collaborative
and positive. This work offers an opportunity to reflect on the proactive services,
policies, practices and strategies that Northwood has in place to support the health
and safety of employees.
Stay tuned for your opportunity to complete the violence perception survey. We
need to hear from YOU!
~ Submitted by Shelley James, Manager, Organizational Health & Safety
Coming Soon. A new staffing/scheduling system.
Northwood will be introducing a new staffing/scheduling
system later in 2015. The system is called Kronos.
What impact will I see?
• Phase One will see Nursing, Environmental Services and
Food & Nutrition in Halifax and Nursing and Support
Services in Bedford introduced to the new system.
• Shift times for the Nursing staff in Halifax will change to
start and finish on the hour. This will ensure consistency
across all departments.
•
•
New punch clocks that will be more user friendly.
In Phase Two, staff will have online access to information
on things such as your schedule and your vacation time
through the staff portal.
Look for further updates in upcoming issues of LIFE.
The Big Lift - Macdonald
Bridge Redecking Project
The Angus L. Macdonald Bridge,
which was built in 1955, is getting
a “Big Lift”. Halifax Harbour Bridges
is starting the $150-million project
to replace the decking and raise the
March/April 2015
How will this affect Halifax Transit
users? Currently, buses are not using
the bridge after 6:30 p.m., Sunday to
Thursday. To help bus commuters get
across the harbour, shuttle service is
being provided by Halifax Transit. This
service requires regular bus fare. Going
to Dartmouth, the shuttle services all
stops along Gottingen from Scotia
Square to North Street. Coming from
Dartmouth, the shuttle services all
stops along Barrington from North
Street to Scotia Square. On the
Dartmouth side of the bridge, the
shuttle stops at the Bridge Terminal
and, when using the MacKay Bridge,
at Highfield Terminal. In addition to
shuttles, the Alderney to Halifax ferry
is now offering departures every 15
minutes on weekdays from 6:00 to
11:45 p.m. and every 30 minutes on
Sundays from 6:30 a.m. to 11:45 p.m.
How will this affect the Halifax
Northwood community? Noise
bridge by approximately two metres. pollution may become an issue. The
The decking will be replaced, starting predicted level of noise from the
on the Dartmouth shore, 10 to 20 construction will be anywhere from
metres at a time. The raising will moderate (55 decibels) to loud (75
happen after the redecking is finished. decibels). This means there will be
noise on top of the everyday sounds
When will the redecking take place? we’re used to. To reduce noise
Staring March 1, redecking will take pollution, residents near the bridge
place Sunday to Thursday night from can close windows and increase
7:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. As well, there will background sound.
be 10 to 12 full weekend closures of
the bridge. All closures are scheduled For more information, please visit
to end by fall 2016.
www.thebiglift.ca or www.halifax.
How will this affect drivers? The
bridge will officially be closed to
vehicles at night starting August 2015.
How will this affect pedestrians?
From June 2015 to December 2016,
the bridge’s sidewalks will be closed.
During this time, Halifax Harbour
Bridges will offer free, 24-hour shuttle
service. Pick up and drop off locations
will be on either side of the bridge, in
sheltered areas.
ca/transit/bridgeredecking.php
March/April 2015
14
Northwood Life
Hello, my name is Muhammad
Northwood Life
15
March/April 2015
Iqbal
and I’m a Production Supervisor at Northwood at the Harbour.
I was born and raised in
Pakistan. My passion for food
unfurled when I enrolled in a
Hospitality Certificate in 2000
and during my specialized training in
food and beverage; I fell in love with
the kitchen. After completing a two-year kitchen
management course from one of the
best luxury hotels, ‘Pearl Continental’,
I climbed up the first step of the
kitchen management ladder to Chef
De Partie. I worked my way up to
Sous Chef before I moved to Canada in 2007.
I was mentored by one of the
best chefs in the world during my
kitchen management training and
the standards were so high that
‘no’ was a word that didn’t exist
when it came to satisfying the needs
of the guests. I was taught to go
the extra mile with the approach
of ‘yes we can do it’ to win over
their gastronomic senses. I learned
everything I could about becoming
a chef from scratch. The experience
was very tough and some days I felt
like I was living a life chained to oars,
but it turned out to be a blessing in
disguise when I earned the title of
Departmental Champion of Food and
Beverages in 2006. This was one of the
best moments of my life.
After I earned my Red Seal with the
Nova Scotia Department of Labour and
Advance Education in 2011, I enrolled
to earn the title of Chef de Cuisine; the
highest rung in the career ladder for
chefs. However, after working in long
term care facilities, I realized I could
do a lot better with my experience
and skills by serving and working for
seniors. So in 2014, I completed a
two-year Food Service and Nutrition
Management (FSNM) diploma from
HealthcareCan (formerly Canadian
Healthcare Association), where I also
serve as a member of the advisory
committee for the FSNM program.
Linda Verlinden’s
Winning Caramilk
Fudge Recipe
Here at Northwood, we have been
blessed with an excellent team of
employees with different educational
levels, skills and expertise. Each and
every person in the department plays
a vital role, and there is no doubt that
with 100 percent dedication and focus,
we can further enhance our services
and exceed the expectations of our
residents, who are the ‘raison d’être’
of our job.
Northwood is the best company I’ve
worked with since I moved to Canada. I
am both humbled and honoured to be
entrusted with the noble responsibility
of serving seniors. Even though it’s just
been two years, it feels like home now.
I love seeing the smiling faces of the
residents, and feel lucky and fortunate
to be working here instead of in a
restaurant or hotel.
I have taken a humble approach
in my role to understand different
personalities. I believe we all are
equal, just with different roles to
play in our professional and personal
life. I believe you can win people’s
hearts with humbleness, kindness and
forgiveness. I have learned that with
patience, professional propensity and
positivity, you can achieve whatever
you want in life. But one must focus
Introducing Northwood’s New Staff Portal:
A website just for staff
As a staff person, you play a critical role in Northwood’s success. Whether you work
in an office, provide support services, work at the bedside or in the home, you make
a difference every day. That’s why it’s important you have access to the information
you need to do your job to the best of your ability.
With a workforce of over 1,700 spread over three facilities and located in
communities throughout the Capital District, it’s not always easy to connect people
in a timely manner. We want to change that!
wholeheartedly to the goals and
objectives, and have steely nerves and
innate assertiveness to support the
determination. Do not give up in life;
change your strategy and approach,
not objectives or goals. Finally the time came to smell the
roses when I met my wife Jo-Anne in
2009. We were married and now have
two sons; Dayyan who is five years old
and Myer who is two. I’ve enjoyed
teaching her how to cook Pakistani
food (though it is difficult to give your
wife cooking lessons) and she now
makes excellent dishes. I also love to
fish and go skating; both things I only
started doing when I moved here.
Welcome to Northwood’s New Staff Portal; a one-stop resource centre for
staff working at Northwood. You’ll find information on:
• Current job postings and how • Corporate policies
to apply online
• Emergency planning
• Benefits
• Ethics
• Employee/Labour relations
• SMART Committee
• Education calendar
• Your homecare mail out
• Educational opportunities
• A phone list
• EAP information
• The latest issue of LIFE
• Organizational health
• And lots more!
In the future, we hope to link with scheduling and payroll software as well!
How to access the Staff Portal
The Staff Portal is web-based and can be accessed on any device that’s connected
to the internet. You can get to it through Northwood’s main website site at www.
nwood.ns.ca (top right-hand corner) or directly at staff.nwood.ns.ca.
Once you’re on the site, you will be asked for a login and password. This information
is posted at the time clocks and in the staff rooms, and has been sent electronically
to those with access. If you have questions or aren’t able to locate this information,
please speak directly with your supervisor.
Any feedback should be sent to [email protected].
What you need:
• 1 cup butter or margarine
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups icing sugar
• 6 Caramilk chocolate bars
How it’s done:
1. Mix first three ingredients together
and microwave on high for eight
minutes stirring every two minutes.
2. Remove and quickly beat in vanilla
and icing sugar with mixer.
3. Pour half of mixture into a greased
8” x 11” pan and layer with Caramilk
bars (you don’t need to break up
but if you do four bars will be
enough).
4. Cover with remaining fudge.
5. Cover with wax paper and allow to
cool/set before cutting.
** Also good with peanut butter cups
if there are no allergies around!
Follow Northwood
on Facebook at
Northwood – Live More
16
March/April 2015
Northwood Life
Out in the Field
Submitted by Rebecca MacDonald, CCA, Northwood Homecare
Emotional Intelligence
I couldn’t help but think back to the first time I walked
in to NSCC. I was nervous, apprehensive, full of fear in
general and determined to stick to myself. My safe place. Over
the next several weeks, I met so many new personalities and
created some amazing connections! I was surrounded with
intelligent feedback, positive support; all in an environment
that had become comfortable and safe for me. But because of
my own level of nervousness (little did I know), I was giving off
the impression of being unapproachable.
Leaving the college on my way to begin my first clinical
placement, I felt the same as I did on day one at NSCC.
I was nervous to leave and go out into the unknown. I had
no idea of who I would be working with, nor what would be
expected of me. My first week, I was full of self doubt. I used
those feelings to push myself into areas that filled me with
the most fear. I was completely unaware that I was transferring
my negative energy over to my clients! They were picking up
on my sense of anxiousness and in turn were shutting down
and somewhat cool toward me. My facial expressions, body
language and tone of voice all had a massive impact on how
I was received upon entering a room or a home. My clients
weren’t overly warm toward me nor were they as receptive as
I had witnessed between the same clients and other staff. My
co-workers seemed to keep a safe distance. I was completely
confused as to why. I would soon come to realize, while being
out in the field, the reactions I received were as a direct result
of my own behaviour.
During our times of trials and tribulations, we all need to be
far more mindful of our own emotional intelligence. Through
times of company changes, adjustments and challenges of
various levels; these are ours alone to deal with. We need
to learn to leave the emotions that are attached to them, in
our cars or outside the residents’ rooms. Whether we are
verbally voicing them (although this should never be the
case), or displaying the strain in our tone, or physical stance,
this is putting added and unfair stress on our clients. It is
their environment and well-being that is paramount and our
ultimate goal to maintain.
Each visit should be as pleasant and warm as possible. If we
conduct ourselves in a confident fashion, it’s likely we will be
trusted and those relying on us will do so with full faith in our
professionalism and ability.
I’ve learned that I need to make myself better understood or
others will draw inaccurate conclusions about me. This would
be my own doing as a result of being too independent and not
asking for direction. Learning this about myself has helped me
develop and grow as a CCA.
My emotional intelligence was lacking.
Despite the level of care needed and knowing that the goal
is to give “client-based care,” this is far too often replaced by
cutting corners and being more concerned about speed. This
could relay the message to a client, that he/she is undeserving
of our time. While that is clearly not the message you intend.
your emotional intelligence and your body language could say
something totally opposite. For example, going into a home
without a sincere smile, dragging one’s feet, using a monotone
voice, and yawning loudly will not give the impression that you
are pleased to be there. The entire experience is negative from
that point forward.
I’ve learned many techniques on how to assess situations and
people, read body language and look for signs and symptoms
of illnesses or ailments. Most importantly I’ve learned the
value and importance of being emotionally intelligent!
Knowing how to display personal confidence and warmth will
always open the door to a great visit. I once thought I was a
confident person; however, when I was challenged outside of
my comfort zone, the confidence ceased to exist. I learned
how to overcome that and ask for direction, support and help.
My clients enjoy my asking for their help and direction. We
both benefit!
Remember that we are often the only social outlet that many
of our clients know. They actually look forward to seeing us!
Make their experience as pleasant and enjoyable as you can.
Give them a reason to talk about their home care in a positive
way. Regardless of the pending/possible changes we face as
the Northwood Family, be confident that together, we will
grow. If we continue to be emotionally intelligent, and mindful
of how we are responding to any inquiries, we could be putting
fires out and easing minds instead of adding to the concerns
and stress. Let’s continue to give them the confidence that we
will continue to provide the best possible care for them.
Northwood Life
Winning
Employee Numbers
for March & April
Sponsored by your SMART Committee
Northwoodcare:
303, 6276, 6787, 6954
If one of these numbers matches
your ID number, you’ve just won $20!!
Take your ID and a copy
of Life to the Business Office
to collect your prize.
Northwood Homecare:
30006, 31008, 32104, 32624
If you see your number, leave a
message for Christine Bowman
at 902-421-6380 and we will
mail you your $20 prize.
Northwoodcare Bedford:
55037, 55155
If this is your employee number,
please see Bill Ryan in the
Business Office to collect
your $20 prize.
17
Appetite for Life
Saturday, May 2
Cunard Centre,
Halifax
This year’s event will feature a
dance with music by Spectacle!
For tickets, call Debra at
902-454-3069 or purchase online
at northwoodfoundation.ca.
Staff*, tenants, Reboom members,
volunteers and residents –
$100 (max two tickets each)
General public – $150
*Payroll deduction is available for staff.
Help the Silent
Auction Grow!
Mary Laba
This year’s event will feature the
popular silent auction with more
than 100 items to bid on! Help us
create the best auction yet by donating
a unique item or service. If you have
an idea for an item, contact
Faye LeBlanc at 902-454-3378 or
[email protected].
The Northwood Foundation’s Hedley G.
Ivany Senior of the Year
Enter for a Chance
to Win Tickets!
The SMART Committee is purchasing
15 pairs of tickets for staff to attend
the 2015 Appetite for Life dinner.
All staff are eligible to enter their
name for the draw.
New Staff/Volunteer Discount
Menchie’s Halifax – Frozen Yogurt
1715 Barrington Street, Halifax
20% Discount on Frozen Yogurt purchases.
Present your employee/volunteer ID
to receive the discount.
March/April 2015
To enter, please call 902-493-5600
between March 30-April 13, and leave a
message with your name, position and
employee number. Winners will be
randomly chosen and notified
by email/phone.
Each year at the Appetite for Life Dinner,
the Hedley G. Ivany Award is presented
by the Northwood Foundation to a senior
who has made a lasting contribution
to our community. Whether as an
entrepreneur, business person or
volunteer, they will have contributed to
the betterment of society, shared their
knowledge and insight with others and
invested time, talent and energy to a
number of worthwhile projects.
For years Mary has been has a dedicated
friend and neighbour to our Northwood
Community. As an extremely successful
entrepreneur and North-End business
owner of Fancy Lebanese Bakery, Mary
has embraced diverse cultures with her
kindness and generosity. She is a devoted
member of her church community, and
has a quiet, philanthropic heart for many
non-profit organizations.
Northwood and the Fancy Lebanese
Bakery were both established as
prominent North-End icons in 1962.
Their missions and values both speak to
reaching out to help their community.
We are more than proud to be honouring
Mary this year!
Happy Spring!
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Custom made puzzle created by Tara
Across
1. A small pool of water that settles on the ground after
rainfall.
5. An object made of thin material that flies with the use
of a string and wind.
6. Garland’s Easter ___________________.
9. Melts in your mouth.
10. Collect your eggs in it.
11. Spring foot attire.
12. Who sang in the rain?
13. You are my ___________________.
15. The colour of spring.
18. A bulbous plant that typically bears bright yellow
flowers with a long trumpet-shaped centre.
19. To produce flowers.
23. A brief fall of rain.
24. Take time to smell the ___________________.
25. Lays chocolate eggs.
Down
2. A small portable cover that provides protection from
the sun or the rain.
3. ___________________ showers bring May flowers.
4. The Ides of ___________________.
7. The larva of a butterfly or moth, having a segmented
wormlike body.
8. He hops down the bunny trail.
10. An insect with two pairs of large wings that are
covered with tiny scales, usually brightly coloured.
14. An arc of colours that appears due to the correlation
of raindrops and the sun’s backdrop.
16. Spring holiday.
17. In like a lion, out like a ___________________.
20. Tip toe through the ___________________.
21. It’s where flowers or veggies grow.
22. To change from a frozen solid to a liquid by gradual
warming.