Phone number update for ComVida Texting Pilot Project in fall

MEMO

To: All Menno Place Employees
From: People & Culture
Date: July 30, 2026
Subject: Upcoming Scheduling Text Message Pilot – Ensure your phone number is correct for text messaging

Fill out the form (below) if you have a new phone number OR to specify best phone number to receive text messages

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve communication with employees, Menno Place will be piloting a new feature within our scheduling software this fall. Through this pilot, employees will receive scheduling-related information via text message.

This trial will include all Menno Place employees and is intended to help us deliver important scheduling updates in a timely and convenient manner.

To ensure that we have the correct phone number on file, we are asking all employees to complete the form below if:

  • You have changed your phone number since the launch of the ComVida app in September 2025, or

  • You have more than one phone number and would like to specify the best number to receive text messages.

Please provide only one phone number – the number where you would prefer to receive scheduling-related text messages.

Thank you for helping us ensure our records are accurate as we test this new communication tool. If you have any questions, please contact the People & Culture team: PandCcares [at] MennoPlace.ca

People & Culture
Menno Place

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Update your phone number for ComVida scheduling via text messages

To support an upcoming scheduling text message pilot, please confirm the phone number where you would like to receive scheduling-related text messages. If you have changed your phone number since September 2025 or have multiple phone numbers, please provide your preferred mobile number below.

Fill out my online form.

You’re Invited: Staff BBQ Aug 13

All staff are invited to join us in the Menno Home courtyard for the staff BBQ on Thursday, August 13th. Wear your denim or plaid (or both!) and come ready for food, fun and a great chance to connect with your team.

Accreditation 2026 – #2 Safety Culture

ACCREDITATION 2026 – SAFETY CULTURE

Safety is one of our Accreditation Quality Dimensions. It focuses on creating a culture of safety at Menno Place. The following are our ROPs (Required Organizational Practices) that form the foundation of our safety culture.

If you would like a copy of this information for your review you can download it by clicking here: Accreditation 2026 #2 – Safety Culture. You will also find practice questions at the end of this post. All past Accreditation Bulletins are linked here: Accreditation 2026

ROP 1: Resident Identifiers

Surveyor Question: Are at least two resident identifiers used to confirm the resident is receiving the correct care, service, or procedure?

Answer: Resident photos are available on medication carts/outside resident rooms. Second verification is facial recognition through other staff members, families (if they are present), or by resident stating their full name, DOB (if resident is capable).

ROP 2: Workplace Violence Prevention Program

Surveyor Question: Does Menno Place have a documented and coordinated approach to prevent workplace violence?

Answer: Yes, Menno Place has workplace violence and harassment policies, conducts regular risk assessments, and provides mandatory staff training.

ROP 3: Resident Safety Incident Management System

Surveyor Question: Are there processes in place to review resident safety incidents, recommend actions, and monitor improvements?

Answer: Yes, incidents are reviewed through team huddles & meetings, trend analysis, and quality improvement processes guided by established policies.

ROP 4: Safety Incident Management System

Surveyor Question: What is the process to report safety incidents such as near miss, workplace hazards, and employer incident investigation reports?

Answer: Staff can report safety incidents on Quality and Risk Management (QRM) on Surge. All resident related incidents are reported on Point Click Care- Risk Management.

ROP 5: Resident Safety Incident Disclosure

Surveyor Question: Does Menno Place have a documented and coordinated approach for disclosing resident safety incidents to residents and families?

Answer: Yes, resident safety incidents are disclosed and documented according to the Disclosure of Harm or Near Miss policy (AP 2.28) in Surge.

ROP 6: Preventing Falls and Reducing Injuries from Falls

Surveyor Question: How does the team identify residents at risk for falls and implement strategies to prevent falls and reduce injuries?

Answer: Fall risk is assessed on admission and every 3 months, with individualized prevention strategies and care plan reviews for residents with recurrent falls.

ROP 7: Optimizing Skin Integrity

Surveyor Question: How does the team identify residents at risk for impaired skin integrity and implement interventions to prevent skin breakdown?

Answer: Residents are assessed using the Braden Scale, with individualized interventions, treatment plans, and interdisciplinary supports implemented as needed.

 

Safety Culture: Sample Surveyor Questions

Question: Do you feel Menno Place promotes a just and no-blame culture?
Answer: Yes, staff are encouraged to report concerns and incidents openly to support learning and improvement.

Question: How are resident safety concerns discussed within your neighbourhood or team?
Answer: Safety concerns are discussed during huddles, meetings, and quality improvement reviews.

Question: What can you tell us about the incident reporting process at Menno Place?
Answer: Staff report incidents promptly on QRM on Surge. We can fill out Near Miss, Incident Report, Employer Incident Investigation, and Workplace Hazard Report.

Question: Can you describe an improvement initiative that has been implemented in your area during the past year?
Answer: A few of the initiatives that took place in the past year are new call bell system, new full lifts, and safety huddles.

Question: Why do you think Near Miss Reporting is important?
Answer: Near misses are reported so potential risks can be addressed before harm occurs.

Question: How would you define a harmful event?
Answer: A harmful event is an incident that results in physical, emotional, or psychological harm to a resident.

Question: How does your team learn from incidents and use that information to improve care?
Answer: We review incidents, identify contributing factors, share lessons learned, and implement actions to prevent recurrence.

 

 Visit our website for more information on each of these ROP’s

 

MEMO: Book Outstanding Vacation for 2026 by August 4th

To: All Menno Place Staff
From: Staffing Office
Date: July 28th 2026
Re: 2026 Vacation

Please book all vacation between September 16- December 7th 2026.

If you have any vacation hours outstanding (except 37.5 hours) the staffing office will be booking your 2026 vacation hours for you and there will be no changes made.

You are allowed to leave 37.5 hours outstanding. If you have outstanding vacation after Aug 4th, staffing will also book them for you.

Please be aware of how many hours you are entitled to and how many hours you have booked so you don’t overbook, as it will result in LOAs.

If you see you are over booked please email the staffing office to let us know which dates you want cancelled.

Please do not call the staffing office regarding cancelling over booked vacation. All requests must be done through email.

There will be no exceptions after these dates. We appreciate your cooperation.

Thank-you,

Staffing Office

July 25 UPDATE: Absence Reporting for Evening and Night Shifts

As of Saturday, July 25 individuals working in the Home and Apartments can report any absences, day, evening, or night by calling the staffing office and following the instructions provided. 

The Home & Apts staffing office can be reached at:

604-851-1345

Welcome Jasreen Kaur Sidhu – Payroll Business Partner!

We are excited to have her join the Menno Place family and look forward to the many contributions she will bring.

MEMO: Absence Reporting for Evening and Night Shifts UPDATE – Please Read

UPDATE:

There was a change to this procedure effective July 25. See new details here: https://mennoplacestaff.com/july-25-update-absence-reporting-for-evening-and-night-shifts/

 

Apartments, HOME, Important Update

Effective immediately, employees who need to report an absence for the HOME or APARTMENTS only, for an evening or night for the current day must contact the Staffing Office directly at:

778-982-0036

When reporting an absence, please provide:

  • Your name
  • Department/work area
  •  Scheduled shift
  •  The anticipated duration of your absence, if known

All other absences, including all absences requests for the HOSPITAL can be made using the regular phone number for the Hospital staffing office, and follow the instructions.

Please continue to follow this process until further notice.

Thank you for your cooperation.
People & Culture / Staffing Office

Staying Safe in Hot Weather

With elevated temperatures, the risk of heat related illness increases, particularly in seniors and those more vulnerable.

Since 2022 Menno Place has made significant improvements the our air conditioning across our campus, especially in our long-term care buildings. Along with these improvements all staff are reminded to work together to keep residents and buildings cool and take extra care to stay safe during these hot days.

Temperatures in excess of 26 degrees can result in increased physical strain in seniors, particularly if those temperatures continue over a period of days.

To protect our residents and tenants, we pro-actively monitor for heat-related conditions, following our Heat Preparedness Plan.

We mitigate risk by:

  • ensuring hydration to all those who receive care services
  • providing water / hydration stations in all buildings for staff and tenants
  • providing cooling cloths to all who receive care services
  • closing blinds/curtains and ask tenants to do the same
  • ensure those in care are wearing light-weight clothing and reminding tenants to do the same
  • encouraging apartment tenants to seek out air-conditioned spaces or get an air-conditioner installed

Staff can help keep the residents cool by:

  • Offering residents lots of water and other fluids
  • Monitoring residents, especially ones with ‘sun stickers’ often for heat related illnesses
  • Disposable cooling pads are available at the nursing stations
  • Gel packs for residents are located in the Home & Hospital kitchen freezers. Use for resident heat emergencies only.
  • Relocate residents to cooler areas if their rooms get uncomfortably hot.
  • Fans may not effectively reduce body temperatures or prevent heat-related illness in people at risk. Therefore, fans should be used to move cool air around and not be used as a primary cooling device.

Staff, keep the buildings cool:

Ensure air conditioners are ON at all times. (report any problems to maintenance right away)
Windows and blinds closed in the hot day times. Open windows in the cooler evenings (if safe to do so)

Quick Tips for Extreme Heat

How to keep your body cool and comfortable:

  • Drink plenty of water
  • Put on sunscreen when outside
  • Wear loose fitting, light coloured, breathable clothing
  • Avoid being in direct sunlight for too long
  • Place a cold, wet towel around your neck
  • Keep your apartment cool by closing the blinds, using AC, and limiting oven use
  • Shower, bathe, or sponge off with cool water

And if you experience symptoms of a heat stroke (high body temperature, dizziness or fainting, confusion, and very hot and red skin), call 9-1-1.

Heat Exhaustion Symptoms

  • Skin rash
  • Heavy Sweating
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Rapid Heartbeat and breathing
  • Muscle cramps
  • Extreme thirst and/or dark urine or decreased urination

Anyone with one or more of these symptoms should move to a cool space immediately and let someone know they are not feeling well.

Heat Stroke Symptoms

  • High body temperature
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Confusion
  • Lack of coordination
  • Very hot and red skin

Anyone with any of these symptoms should call 911 immediately.

Upcoming Door Access Changes to Enhance Resident Safety

Dear Team Members,

Resident safety remains our highest priority. Over the past several months, we have experienced incidents where residents have exited the building and entered potentially unsafe environments despite staff vigilance, reminders, and existing safety measures.

To further strengthen our resident safety practices and reduce the risk of unsafe wandering, we will be implementing additional access control measures at selected exits in both Menno Hospital and Menno Home.

The following doors will be updated with keypad-controlled exit access:

Menno Hospital

  • W1 Hospital Hallway – door located near Staffing and the Communications Office leading to the exterior.
  • Door opposite the face scanner and Maintenance Room leading to the parking area.

Menno Home

  • W1 Employee Exit located next to the Laundry Room.

How the new system will work:

  • Employees will continue to use their swipe cards for entry through these doors.
  • A keypad code will be required for exit through the designated doors.
  • Keypad codes will be provided to employees closer to the implementation date.

These changes are being introduced to support resident safety while maintaining employee access to the building. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we implement these important safety enhancements.

Further details, including implementation dates and keypad codes, will be shared in advance of the changes taking effect.

Thank you for your continued commitment to the safety and well-being of our residents.

 

Memo: Staff Appreciation – Name or Site Changes

To all team members,

As we prepare for our upcoming Staff Appreciation event, we want to ensure everyone is recognized accurately and respectfully.

If you have had a legal name change or a site/location change (Home/ Hospital/ Apts/ MBS) on or before 2021, please let us know so we can update our records ahead of the event.

Kindly send an email with your updated information to People & Culture at pandccares@mennoplace.ca.

Thank you for helping us keep our records current and for everything you contribute to Menno Place.