Thank You Volunteers!
Thank you to all our amazing volunteers, you make a difference every day!
NAOSH: Hand Hygiene Day: Clean hands save lives.
Today is our in-person NAOSH Week event: Hand Hygiene games and information sharing in the Hospital Chapel, led by Loveleen, our Clinical Educator.
Hand hygiene is one of the strongest ways we protect residents, families, and each other, and it’s something for which we can be proud.
If your team attends, please take one team photo so we can celebrate participation, and remember to show us your hands in your picture. Please be safe when you take your picture. Send your picture to pandccares@mennoplace.ca by the end of Tuesday, May 5th.
MEMO: Mother’s Day Flower and Gift Deliveries
To: All Menno Place Staff
From: Sharon Simpson, Director of Community Enrichment
Date: May 4, 2026
Re: Mother’s Day Flower and Gift Deliveries
_________________________________________________________________________________
Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 10 and we are expecting a large volume of floral deliveries along with one of the busiest visiting days of the year. We need your help to make sure these gifts get to their intended resident.
Starting Friday, May 8 and throughout the weekend please help celebrate our residents by doing the following:
- Accept any floral deliveries that come to your building provided they meet the following criteria:
a. No lilies or other scented flowers.
b. No loose flowers – Menno Place is not able to provide vases. An exception can be made if you know the resident has their own vase.
c. No large potted plants. Plants that can reasonably sit on a desk or table are permitted.
d. No large gifts that require a cart to transport will be delivered. - If the delivery is for a resident in another unit in your building, please look them up in PCC and arrange the delivery of the gift to them.
- If the delivery is for a resident in the other Menno Place LTC building call:
a. Menno Home 604-853-2411 x 2323
b. Menno Hospital 604-859-7631 x2244 - If the resident lives in the apartments, it’s best to redirect the delivery service to that building to use the enterphone to make the delivery. If you receive a gift that is for a resident in the Apartments, please hold the gift and inform your Nurse Manager.
Thank you for taking the extra time to ensure our residents have a meaningful Mother’s Day. It matters to them so it matters to us.
NAOSH: “May the 4th Be With You”: Safety is strength
Today is our “May the 4th Be With You” day, a reminder that safety is a force of strength and resilience. We keep each other safe by noticing risks early, speaking up, and using the tools we already have.
7 Safety Riddles:
- I’m not a prize, but I’m the gold ribbon that starts the story when something goes wrong. Find me on the home page when you log in, then choose me “on demand.”
- I’m a library with rules that can change. I’m not on a shelf, but I hold the “official” versions.
- I’m not social media, but I’m posted where teams walk by. I help you remember safety without logging in.
- I’m not a relay race, but I have parts. You start me, then you pass me along so others finish their piece.
- I’m a “recipe card” for chemicals. I live both in binders and online.
- I’m free, I’m fast, and I stop invisible hitchhikers. Do me well for about 20–30 seconds to avoid danger.
- I’m not an alarm, but I’m a quiet signal that someone’s status matters for safe care.
How to play:
Solve them as a team. We’ll post the answers tomorrow, and share why each one matters.
You may have noticed that today is our “May the Force Be With You” day — a reminder that the strongest force we have is safety awareness.
In our work, the “Force” is what helps us:
- Notice risks before they become harm
- Speak up when something doesn’t feel right
- Support each other to work safely, every time
As a team, in addition to solving riddles, complete the activities below:
- Identify one real safety risk on your unit today
- Take one small action to reduce it
- Share it with other shifts/units.
Do You Know What To Do In An Emergency?
Natural hazards may be beyond our control, but there are ways to reduce the risk and the impact of whatever emergency we might face.
Emergency Preparedness Week (May 3-9, 2026) encourages people in Canada to take concrete actions to be better prepared to protect themselves and their household during emergencies. This special week is a national effort lead by Public Safety Canada, provincial and territorial emergency management organizations, Indigenous organizations, non-governmental organizations, and private sector.
By taking a few simple steps, you can become better prepared to face a range of emergencies – anytime, anywhere. It is important to:
- Know the risks – Although the consequences of disasters can be similar, knowing the risks specific to our community and our region can help you better prepare
- Make a plan – It will help you and your family know what to do
- Get an emergency kit – During an emergency, we will all need some basic supplies. We may need to get by without power or tap water. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours in an emergency
Visit Canada.ca (or your EMO or local website – the Abbotsford site is here) for more resources to help you and your family prepare for all types of emergencies.
This week, take concrete actions to be better prepared. Please do your part! Experience has shown that individual preparedness goes a long way to help people cope better – both during and after a major disaster. Get an emergency kit now – it can make a world of difference.
Emergency Resources
The following pages go to canada.ca where you’ll find specific instructions and helpful links to help you get prepared and stay prepared. Click on the type of disaster below to go to the safety information.
Happy National Physicians’ Day!
Your compassion, professionalism, and commitment to excellence do not go unnoticed.
COR Update & Reminder
Yesterday officially marked the mid-point of the COR audit, and I’m pleased to share that interviews are continuing to run smoothly overall. However, I wanted to remind individuals about their scheduled interviews. In the event you cannot make an interview or if the auditor is running late, please notify your manager ASAP. If the auditor cannot finish the interviews, that will set the whole audit back.
On a positive note, the auditor continues to provide encouraging feedback about our meetings and the knowledge shared by managers. Staff have expressed that they feel well supported, which is a testament to our ongoing commitment to safety and the well-being of our employees and residents.
There were also some constructive suggestions offered to help us improve. Specifically, notes were made regarding Surge for Injury Management and Near Miss reporting. Kibria has observed that our system is not yet fully operational; that means near misses are being recognized but not reported. Additionally, there is inconsistency in pre-shift meetings and huddles, and risk assessments are currently being conducted by just one individual in each department rather than a team. These insights are valuable opportunities for us to strengthen our processes moving forward.
Thank you for your continued support.
Menno Place at the Vancouver Sun Run
When we move together with purpose and care, we strengthen both ourselves and our community.
Happy Administrative Professionals’ Day!
April 22 is Administrative Professionals’ Day and we want to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to our Executive Assistant Nicole Wiebe and our unit clerks for Menno Home and Menno Hospital: Am Purewal, Anna Hannemann, Aveneet Malhi, Hedy Somes, Judy Booth, Mandeep Kaur, Nilofar Rezaie, Shayla Litwin, Teresa Halovich and Vinitia Hingu.
Thank you for the ways you lead, the ways you support, and all the work you do managing complex and often sensitive information. Resident and family-centred care is all in the details and so many of those details are in your hands. Thank you.
Thank You Volunteers!
Ignite Volunteerism is a year‑long, international initiative that celebrates the power of civic participation and the meaningful impact volunteers have in our community. In recognition of National Volunteer Week, April 19–25, 2026, we proudly celebrate the generosity of our volunteers who dedicate their time, skills, and energy to serving the residents of Menno Place.
Our 150 volunteers support our recreation, rehabilitation, and pastoral care programs, and their commitment enriches lives every day. We extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every volunteer for their dedication, compassion, and unwavering service.
“I’m so thankful for our volunteers, whose heart and compassion are evident every time they engage with and support our residents. I’m always inspired by their commitment and care for our community” – Audrey Mazzei, Volunteer Coordinator
If you would like more information about how to volunteer at Menno Place please go to: mennoplace.ca/volunteers/
