Earthquake Drill – October 15, 2026

On Thursday, October 15 at 10:15am, Menno Place will be participating in the annual Great British Columbia Shake Out.

This will be a 10 minute Code Orange Earthquake Drill.

A 2 min audio/video announcement will broadcast via the overhead PA system, desk speaker phones and live streamed on Ch59 (Home/Hospital Menno TV) and Ch10 (PG/TE/TW)

Instructions for Staff

When you hear the Drill announcement (2min):

•  Drop, Cover and Hold On where ever you are.
•  Here’s a how-to video if there’s a desk or table nearby.
•  Here’s a how-to video if there’s NO table or desk nearby.

After the drill (5min):

• Sign Attendance sheet at the nearest nurse station or with the Leadership Observers in your area.

Debrief

•  Look around and think about what could fall or move in the event of an earthquake.
•  What utilities/services could fail?
•  What to do if you a caring for a resident?
•  Are you prepared? Your family? More resources can be found at The Great British Columbia Shake Out

Instructions for Leadership Team:

Leadership Team will be assigned to various locations as Observers and document participation of staff. All documentation should be forwarded to David Janzen.

Resources:
For information about any of the Menno Place Code policies log into Surge Learning and search for “Code” in Courses Library.
Earthquake actions for Healthcare Providers and Patients
Earthquake actions for People with Disabilities

Announcing the Fireside Café Pop-up!

For four weeks starting Oct 15th hot lunch will be available on Thursdays at a pop-up Fireside Café from 11am to 2pm. The menu will feature a main dish, soup and dessert and will change each week. Pre-order your lunch and skip the line. Order the combo and save! Meals will also be available for walk-ins on the day. Debit or credit card only for in person orders (no cash option).

Go to https://mennoplace.square.site/ to place your order.

Accreditation Countdown: 4 Weeks to Go

There are four weeks left until Accreditation begins on October 26th. We will be ready!

Let’s take a moment to celebrate the tremendous work everyone has done to meet the Accreditation Standards and continue providing safe, high-quality care and services to our residents. Watch for a quiz (with a prize!) each Friday and an update every Tuesday until the survey begins.

Where Can You Find Accreditation Information?

✅ Menno Place staff website
Accreditation has its own page on the site: https://mennoplacestaff.com/accreditation2026/

✅ Accreditation bulletins posted on your unit

✅ Team huddles

✅ Unit visits from the educators

Thank you for your care and support in making this Accreditation Survey another successful one!

Curious about the answers to last week’s quiz?

Quiz 1

  1. A resident’s family member asks where they can find information about residents’ rights. What is the best response?
    B. The Resident Bill of Rights is included in the Resident Handbook and posted at Menno Place front entrance
  2. According to Menno Place’s Workplace Violence Prevention Policy, staff are supported through:
    A. Regular risk assessments, mandatory onboarding training, and ongoing education
  3. What is the purpose of informing families of resident safety incidents?
    B. To ensure residents and families receive information about safety incidents according to policy
  4. What is included in Menno Place’s Resident Safety Plan?
    A. Monitoring quality indicators such as falls, medications, pain, and restraints
  5. How does Menno Place support pressure ulcer prevention?
    A. By assessing risk and implementing preventive interventions
  6. What should be done if a resident expresses suicidal thoughts?
    B. Refer the resident for professional assessment, provide close monitoring, and develop an appropriate care plan
  7. Which statement is true regarding high-alert medications?
    A. They require special safety processes because of the risk of significant harm if used incorrectly
  8. Why is it important to double-check medication orders?
    B. To help ensure medications are accurate and reduce the risk of medication errors
  9.  What measures are included in Menno Place’s Falls Prevention Strategy to help reduce the risk of falls and injury?
    A. Fall risk assessments, individualized prevention strategies and devices, Care plans and ongoing evaluation

  10. Why is Near Miss reporting important?
    A. It helps identify safety concerns early and improve resident care

 

October Wellness Hub Newsletter

This monthly resource brings together practical tools, reflection prompts, and meaningful guidance to help staff invest in their health, finances, relationships, and personal growth. The October 2026 issue is online now.

Accreditation Quiz #1

Take the quiz and be entered to win a $10 gift card. Quizzes must be received by noon on Oct 5 to be eligible for the prize draw.

Happy National Seniors Day! October 1, 2026

Today October 1, 2026 is National Seniors Day!

It’s a day for Canadians to recognize the profound contributions and value our seniors bring to our families, communities, and workplaces. It’s a day to celebrate our seniors and let them know how much we respect them and care for them.

Here are some things you can do for National Seniors Day:

  • Call a senior in your life and have a chat either by phone or video call
  • Send a card or postcard in the mail and surprise them with a letter
  • Visit that important senior in your life and go for a walk outside, play a game of cards, or have lunch together
  • Do something kind for a senior in your life. Do chores, run errands, or cook them dinner
  • Sit down with and look at old photos together and remember some good times!
  • Learn more about your family history. Speak with your elders and learn about their lives. Learn where you come fromSmile and just say “hi”

THANK YOU, to our seniors for your wisdom and love and for the impact you have in all of our lives!

How have seniors positively impacted your life this year?

Cybersecurity Awareness Week 1: Recognize Threats

The theme for #CyberMonth2026 is Your best defence is you.

In a world powered by artificial intelligence (AI), cyber threats can look more real than ever. Phishing emails and AI-generated scams can make it harder to know what is real and what is not.

The good news is that staying safe online doesn’t have to be complicated.

This Cyber Security Awareness Month, we are helping Canadians build simple cyber security habits that can make a big difference. Many cyber incidents can be prevented with everyday actions. These include checking suspicious messages, turning on multi-factor authentication and using strong passwords.

Week 1: Recognize Your Cyber Threats

Cyber criminals use tricks to make scams look real, and AI can make those scams harder to spot. This week, learn how to recognize phishing, fake messages and AI-powered scams. You will also learn why it helps to pause and check before you click, reply or share information. Learn more with these resources:

Purple Lights Nights 2026: Standing with Those Affected By Intimate Partner Violence

October is Domestic Partner Awareness month and once again Menno Place will be participating in the Purple Lights Nights campaign – lighting our campus purple to stand with those affected by Intimate Partner violence.

If you are a victim of intimate partner/domestic abuse, we encourage you to seek help. There are supports available to you through these channels:

  • Those in immediate danger should call 9-1-1
  • Those seeking help in the form of therapy, strategies, and safety, can call the Employee Family Assistance Program at 1-800-667-0993 or visit Mennoplacestaff.com/mentalhealth
  • Women seeking shelter can contact the Ann Davis Transition Society (Chilliwack) at 604-792-2760 or SARA for Women (Abbotsford) at 604-852-6008 (24-hour access)
  • Those who are seeking Mennonite support can call 604-850-6639 or toll free at 1-888-622-6337
  • Gentlemen who wish to improve their relationships and be part of a Men’s Support Group may wish to explore the MCC Home Improvement Program by emailing endabuse@mccbc.ca or call 604-850-6639

Please remember that you can also speak to one of our own Chaplains who can provide spiritual support.

There is no place for intimate partner/domestic abuse in our communities. Please be kind to those around you as you don’t know what others are experiencing. If someone confides you and tells you that they are being abused, please encourage them to get help, listen without judgment, and build their confidence.

Please come see the People & Culture department for additional information.