Happy Care Aide Professionals Day – October 18th!
Thank you for all the moments of care, the smiles you share, and the love you bring to your work each day. You make a world of difference!
Cyber threats are evolving – Are you?: Cyber Month week 3
It isn’t always obvious when someone is trying to trick you online. From text messages that look like they’re from your bank to phone calls that sound like they might be from your boss, staying ahead of phishing is all about being vigilant.
Week 3 of Cyber Month is all about helping you recognize evolving cyber threats and how to stay ahead of them. We’ll discuss how taking a few simple steps today helps protect your identity and finances now and down the road.
Phishing, smishing, and vishing
Phishing messages are designed to make you react quickly – either negatively or positively – so cyber criminals can attempt to steal your money or information. They are often disguised as emails, text messages (smishing), phone calls (vishing) and even direct messages (DMs) on social media from places or people you trust – like a delivery company, your bank, a friend, and even your job. They may threaten you by insisting that you need to click a link to get out trouble or offer you a deal that’s too good to be true if you give up sensitive information. But acting on suspicious messages can cause you to lose your finance or even your identity.
This week, we’ll discuss how to identify suspicious messages and delete them, how to report texts by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM), and when to be cautious and hang up on suspicious calls so future you will thank you.
AI and sophisticated threats
Artificial intelligence can help us achieve things faster than ever before, like summarizing research, detailing important meetings, and even writing funny song lyrics for friends. Unfortunately, cyber criminals are using it too. AI generated phishing messages, deepfake voice calls, and even realistic fake videos are making it harder than ever to tell what’s real and what isn’t.
The good news is that you don’t need to outsmart robots (yet) – you just need to be a little more skeptical online. This week, we’ll discuss how to spot the signs of AI generated text, images, and videos and how cyber criminals are using new technology to make their scams more believable. We’ll explore how staying cautious today can even help you outsmart tomorrow’s most complicated scams.
Looking ahead
Cyber threats are evolving, but so is your knowledge! Take time this week to learn more about spotting suspicious messages, AI generated content, and how to protect your digital identity. With a few simple steps, your future self will thank you for not clicking that phishing message and getting your hopes up for that fake vacation.
Paper Incident Forms No longer Accepted
To: All Menno Place Staff
Date: October 14, 2025
Re: Paper Incident Forms are No longer Accepted
_________________
This is a reminder to all staff that that paper incident forms, near misses, or other workplace hazard reports are no longer accepted. Moving forward, all incident reporting must be completed via QRM (Quality Risk Management system) on Surge.
A quick guide on where to report incidents based on location (LTC/AL/IL) can be found here: https://mennoplacestaff.com/paper-reports-no-longer-accepted/
Full instructions are here: https://mennoplacestaff.com/surge-qrm-announcement/
To access the QRM go to iLinks > Surge > QRM.
Work Life Pulse Survey: Task for all staff
Each team will work on an action plan based on the feedback from the Work Life Pulse survey.
October is Occupational Therapy Month!
This month, we celebrate our incredible Occupational Therapists (OTs), Physiotherapists (PTs), and the entire Rehab. Team for the essential role they play in supporting our residents’ independence, mobility, and overall well-being.
Your compassion, creativity, and dedication make a world of difference — helping residents regain confidence, adapt to challenges, and live life to the fullest. We truly appreciate all that you do each day!
💛 Appreciation Wall Launch – Friday, October 10 at 10 AM
To show our gratitude, we’re bringing up an Appreciation Wall outside the Learning Centre, in the hallway leading to the Hospital Chapel.
We invite all staff to stop by and use the blue post-its to leave a message of appreciation or a note of thanks for our amazing Rehab Team.
Let’s take this opportunity to celebrate their commitment and the positive impact they bring to Menno Place every single day!
World Mental Health Day – October 10th
In the spirit of World Mental Health Day, we’re reminded that mental well-being is an essential part of our overall health. There are times in life when we may be managing more than workplace stressors — when it would be helpful to talk with a friend, reach out for support, or seek professional care.
If you ever find yourself not feeling quite like yourself, please remember: you are not alone. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as caring for your physical health. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength.
We invite you to listen to two of our very own team members as they bravely share their personal journeys and insights on mental health:
🎧 Podcast 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgD9p_8kgjU
🎧 Podcast 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8FKvaq61M8
Let’s continue to foster a workplace and community where compassion, understanding, and open conversations about mental health are part of how we care for one another — every day, not just on October 10th.
The Great British Columbia Shake Out – October 16, 2025
On Thursday, October 16 at 10:17am, 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
Advanced Care Planning Education for Nursing Team – Menno Home and Hospital
We want to have as many of our LTC nurses as possible attend this training.
Why is ACP training important?
Nurses in long-term care are empowered to initiate and facilitate Advanced Care Planning (ACP) and serious illness conversations proactively. They recognize triggers and create opportunities to discuss values and wishes. This education will help our nurses be more confident in completing documentation, using the correct tools (MOST), ensuring substitute decision makers are identified, and advocating for the client’s wishes. It will also lead to a more integrated team approach: when everyone is aware of ACP, we can use consistent language and workflows which leads to increased cooperation between nurses, physicians, allied health, and support staff so that ACP is part of regular care.
Times and location
This is a three-part training. Each of the three parts will be offered twice to maximize availability to staff.
- Day 1: Oct 27 OR Oct 29 — 13:30–14:30
- Day 2: Nov 3 OR Nov 5 — 13:30–14:30
- Day 3: Nov 13 OR Nov 14 — 13:30–14:30
All sessions will take place in the Menno hospital chapel and learning center (as per availability).
How to attend
All LTC nurses interested in this training are asked to contact their managers/coordinators to sign up. There are no prerequisites. This training is for LTC nurses only and is not paid education time.
Bringing your devices up to speed: Cyber Month week 2
These days, your daily routine likely revolves around multiple smart devices. Whether you’re ordering groceries through your smart speaker, getting directions from your phone, or streaming the latest series on your smart TV, the time you spend now and, in the future, is directly tied to the technology you use.
When those devices are secure and running smoothly, your day will follow suit. That’s why week two of Cyber Month is all about device security. Whether it’s setting up strong passcodes, backing up your files, or knowing how to be safe connecting to public Wi-Fi , securing your devices now will be something your future self will be grateful for.
Securing your smart devices
Your phone and laptop are important but certainly aren’t the only devices that need to be secured. Smart devices like your speakers, watches, thermostats and other appliances are all connected to the internet – and if they’re not secured, they can be used to snoop, steal data, or even break into your home network.
This week, we’ll discuss small steps you can take to secure your gadgets like changing your default passwords (yes, even the one on your TV!) and disabling features, like Bluetooth, when you aren’t using them. We’ll also discuss setting up new devices, updating privacy settings, and how a few small steps can make a big difference in your future.
Storage and backups
We all have important files, from photos to personal documents and work projects. But what happens if your device is lost, stolen, or compromised by malware? Backing up your files ensures you won’t lose your documents if something unexpected happens.
There are many backup options available to you that rely on cloud storage or external hard drives . We recommend using a combination of at least two storage options for your most important data, to be extra safe in case one fails. This week, we’ll discuss how regular backups can protect you in the future, like making sure stressful situations – like your computer crashing before a project deadline – a lot more manageable.
Private and public networks
When you think about protecting your devices, you might not be thinking about those running your home network, such as your router . Since your Wi-Fi network is a gateway to all your connected devices, it’s extremely important to protect it from potential intruders (and possibly your next door neighbours). One of the easiest ways to stay safe is to change your default network name and password .
If you’re on the go, connecting to public Wi-Fi can be tempting. But public networks aren’t always safe. They can be easy targets for cyber criminals looking to steal your data or information. To protect yourself, avoid accessing sensitive accounts like banking or email on unsecured networks. And if you do need to access those accounts, consider using a virtual private network (VPN) for added privacy and security.
This week, we’ll talk about protecting your networks and your devices with simple steps to reduce disruptions now and later.
Looking ahead
We rely on our devices to stay connected so taking steps to make sure they’re secure can ensure they aren’t putting your data at risk. Take a moment to review your devices and make sure they are backed up, updated, and connected to secure networks.
New Menu Options at the Fireside Café
Looking for a quick and delicious option for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a hearty snack? Come and see the new offerings in the bento machine at the Fireside Café (located in Menno Hospital just off the lobby).
Hot breakfast options now include:
- Bacon, egg and cheese on an English Muffin
- Spinach and egg white wrap
- Egg, sausage and potato breakfast wrap
We’ve also added savory and satisfying vegetable noodles along with these favorites:
- Shrimp fried rice
- Chicken souvlaki
- Roast beef
- Butter chicken
- Dal curry rice
- Chicken biryani
- Lamb curry
- Chicken fried rice
Prices start at $6.99. Items can be heated at time of purchase, or served cold to reheat at break time. Grab yours today! Coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks and ice cream are also available.
