Thank You Health Care Aides!
We put a call out to friends and families to see if they wanted to pass along their thanks to our staff. Here’s what they had to say.
Concerts in Care – Oct 25th
The next Concert in Care is Oct 25 at 10:30in the Menno Hospital chapel featuring Domagoj Ivanovic on violin and Karen Lee-Morlang on piano. All are welcome to join us.
Current 2023 Protocols for Respiratory Illness
Current 2023 protocols are now in place. Please note that these are updated from when we were in the COVID pandemic.
Showing care and concern for each other is our overarching approach.
The procedures vary depending on which apartment building you live in.
Click here for Protocols for Respiratory Illnesses in Independent Living (TW, PG, PAV)
Click here for Protocols for Respiratory Illnesses in Assisted Living (TE)
Staff are required to wear medical masks in common resident areas of all buildings.
Medical masks are optional for residents who have NO symptoms.
Visitors are asked to wear medical masks in all common areas (masks are available at the front entrances of each building).
As we stated at the beginning, showing care and concern for each other is our overarching approach. Let’s all do our part to avoid spreading illness. Thank you for your commitment to doing your part in following our protocols.
Smitha Varghese, Interim Manager of Assisted Living (604.851.1337)
Leonard Klassen, Interim Manager of Independent and Supportive Living (604.851.4006)
Current 2023 Protocols for Respiratory Illnesses in Independent Living
Current 2023 protocols are as follows. Please note that these are updated from when we were in the COVID pandemic.
Showing care and concern for each other is our overarching approach.
If you have any of the following symptoms (fever/chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle/body ache, headache, new loss of taste/smell, sore throat, congestion/runny nose, diarrhea/nausea/vomiting), please do the following:
DINE IN YOUR SUITE: Inform us so that we can deliver your meals. Do not come to the dining room while you are sick.
During office hours, please contact Reception – 604.851.4000
On weekends and statutory holidays, please call the kitchen in your building after 9:00am.
Pavilion: 604.851.1373 Terrace: 604.851.4011 PG: 604.851.7398
MASK IN COMMON AREAS: Wear a medical mask when in common areas of the building (for example, if you are on your way out to an appointment).
NO GROUP ACTIVITIES: Do not attend any recreation activities while you have the above list of symptoms.
INFORM FAMILY/CAREGIVERS: Contact your family/care givers for any necessary support; call 9-1-1 if in medical distress.
COVID TESTING: COVID test kits are available from Judith (LEA) or Angela (Reception). COVID testing will be self-administered or with assistance from your family or caregiver.
POSITIVE COVID TEST: Notify Reception (604.851.4000) or LEA (604.851.4021) to inform Menno Apartments of COVID positive test result.
We will provide a PPE (personal protective equipment) cart outside your apartment door for 5 days. This is for the purpose of protecting Menno staff and/or home care workers who need to enter your apartment to provide service while you are sick. You can rejoin dining and activities on the 6th day after your positive test, provided your symptoms have cleared up.
Staff are required to wear medical masks in common resident areas.
Medical masks are optional for residents who have NO symptoms.
Visitors are asked to wear medical masks in all common areas (masks are available at the front entrances of each building).
As I stated at the beginning, showing care and concern for each other is our overarching approach. Let’s all do our part to avoid spreading illness. Thank you for your commitment to doing your part in following our protocols.
Leonard Klassen,
Interim Manager of Independent & Supportive Living
604.851.4006
Current 2023 Protocols for Respiratory Illnesses in Assisted Living
Current 2023 protocols are as follows. Please note that these are updated from when we were in the COVID pandemic.
Showing care and concern for each other is our overarching approach.
If you have any of the following symptoms (fever/chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle/body ache, headache, new loss of taste/smell, sore throat, congestion/runny nose, diarrhea/nausea/vomiting), please do the following:
DINE IN YOUR SUITE: Inform care staff so that we can deliver your meals. Do not come to the dining room while you are sick.
MASK IN COMMON AREAS: Wear a medical mask when in common areas of the building (for example, if you are on your way out to an appointment).
NO GROUP ACTIVITIES: Do not attend any recreation activities while you have the above list of symptoms.
COVID TESTING: COVID tests are available and care staff will administer a rapid test if you have any of the above list of symptoms.
POSITIVE COVID TEST: We will provide a PPE (personal protective equipment) cart outside your apartment door for 5 days. This is for the purpose of protecting Menno staff who need to enter your apartment to provide service while you are sick. You can rejoin dining and activities on the 6th day after your positive test, provided your symptoms have cleared up.
Staff are required to wear medical masks in common resident areas.
Medical masks are optional for residents who have NO symptoms.
Visitors are required to wear medical masks in all common areas (masks are available at the front entrance from the Visitation Host).
As I stated at the beginning, showing care and concern for each other is our overarching approach. Let’s all do our part to avoid spreading illness. Thank you for your commitment to doing your part in following our protocols.
Smitha Varghese,
Interim Manager of Assisted Living
604.851.1337
Retirement Announcement – Leanne Tanner
From: Bas Kervel, Director, Support Services
To: Menno Place Team
Re: RETIREMENT – Leanne Tanner, Manager, Housekeeping and Laundry
I am writing to officially announce the retirement of Leanne Tanner, a valued member of our Menno Place team, effective March 30th, 2024, with her last working day on February 16th, 2024. Leanne has made an indelible mark on our organization over the past 30 years since she joined us in 1994. Her contributions will be missed.
Throughout her remarkable journey with Menno Place, Leanne has held various roles that highlighted her versatility and dedication. She began as a housekeeper and receptionist at Menno Home where her commitment to excellence was evident. In 2012, recognizing her exceptional skills, Leanne was promoted to the position of Housekeeping and Special Equipment Coordinator.
In 2013, Leanne played a pivotal role in the expansion of our department into the apartments, where she also contributed to the successful implementation of the computerized housekeeping management system, TheWorxHub. Her passion for her work and unwavering commitment to supporting our high standards were evident throughout this transition.
In 2015, Leanne took on the role of Housekeeping and Laundry Manager for Menno Place, further displaying her leadership abilities and dedication to ensuring the comfort and well-being of our residents. As Leanne embarks on this new chapter in her life, I want to extend my heartfelt wishes for a rewarding and fulfilling retirement. Her grandchildren are truly fortunate to have a devoted Grandma like Leanne, and I have no doubt that she will continue to make a positive impact in their lives.
Leanne has been both a colleague and a friend to many of us. Please join me in congratulating Leanne on her retirement and in thanking her for her invaluable contributions to Menno Place over the years. We will celebrate her achievements and wish her all the best in this well-deserved next phase of her life.
A Tea for Leanne will be help on Feb 16th, 2024.
Bas Kervel, Director of Support Services
ShakeOut BC – Thurs October 19, 2023
On Thursday, October 19 at 10:19am, Menno Place will be participating in the annual Great British Columbia ShakeOut.
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 MennoTV) 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 ShakeOut
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
Summer Camp for Residents – Aug 24th
Residents can join us for Summer Camp in the Menno Home courtyard Thurs, Aug 24 from 11:30 – 1:30. There will be shuttle service provided between the apartments and the courtyard and entertainment by Garth Johanessen.
Increased Water Restrictions in Abbotsford
Due to prolonged dry weather the city of Abbotsford has raised the water restrictions to level 3. This will not cause any changes to resident care – showers, meals, and laundry remain the same – but residents and visitors will notice some changes to the campus grounds.
These changes include:
- All fountains on campus have been turned off
- Grass will not be watered and will go dormant and turn brown
It’s important that we all work together to follow the guidelines and help conserve water. What can you do to help?
For Residents:
- Please let staff know right away if any of the taps in your apartment are dripping or leaking
- You can still water plants on your balcony/patio using a watering can
For Staff and Families please remember to follow the city guidelines:
- Lawn sprinkling is prohibited
- All water features must be turned off
- No washing cars or boats
- No filling or refilling pools
The hanging baskets by the main doors of each building are on a drip system so they will not be affected by these changes. Thank you for working with us to be good neighbors. If you have any questions about water restrictions please contact Leonard Klassen – Leonard.Klassen@mennoplace.ca .