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.
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 .
Masks Are No Longer Required!
You could hear the cheering down the hallways of Menno Place today as Dr. Bonnie Henry announced that she has lifted the mask mandate for Long Term Care and Assisted Living effective immediately! You can read the BC Government announcement here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HLTH0039-000473
What Has Changed?
STAFF
- Masks are no longer required to be worn by long-term care and assisted living staff
- Staff masking scaled back to Point of Care Risk Assessment
- Staff may choose to wear a mask if they wish – highly recommended during Enhanced Monitoring
- No longer required to actively screen upon arrival at work
- Potlucks celebrations are a GO (if not on Enhanced Monitoring) with safe infection control practices
VISITORS
- Lifting of visitor proof of vaccination
- Removal of visitor Rapid Point of Care Testing
- Lifting of visitor universal masking requirements
- Removal of screening practices for visitors
- Visitors may visit more than one resident and in all common areas
- No restrictions on gatherings indoors or outdoors
- Visitors no longer have to be screened in Independent Living, Assisted Living or Long Term Care
What Has Not Changed?
STAFF
- Hand hygiene practice essential
- Masks use based on Point of Care Risk Assessment and standard precautions
- Mandatory Immunization for staff
- Staff to stay home if ill
VISITORS
- Visitors to stay home if ill
- Hand hygiene practice essential
- Sign-in and Sign-out at each visit
Thank you to all staff for wearing your masks for all this time and working with us to keep our residents, families, visitors and staff safe!
The BC Office of the Seniors Advocate’s 2022/23 Long Term Care Survey
| The BC Office of the Seniors Advocate’s 2022/23 Long Term Care Survey will be carried out at Menno Home between Jan. 31st and Feb. 16th. The surveyors are volunteers that ask residents about their quality of life, their experience of care, and their satisfaction with the quality of care and services they receive. |
Immunization Clinic for Home & Hospital Staff on November 2 & 23
Immunization Clinic
Nov. 2 – 9:30am – 12:00pm for Home staff in Learning Centre
Nov. 2 – 1:00pm – 3:30pm for Hospital staff in the Hospital Conference Room
Nov. 23 – 9:30am – 12:00pm for Hospital staff in the Hospital Conference Room
Nov. 23 – 1:00pm – 3:30pm for Home staff in Learning Centre
Apartment staff immunizations will take place the week of Nov. 14th. Stay tuned for a confirmed date and time.