Merry Christmas!
In this Christmas Season, we thank God as we reflect on the past year of bringing God’s love and presence to the 700 residents entrusted to our care.
This is a season where JOY is celebrated in the birth of Jesus Christ.
Our staff and volunteers experience great JOY in their work as they provide compassionate care to our residents throughout each day.
What makes working at Menno Place meaningful for our staff?
It’s the knowledge that our skills, expertise and kindness bring joy-filled moments to our residents. We find delight when we see a resident enjoying their meal, their recreation, their spiritual life and their friendships.
In 2015, we opened the Living Waters Garden which is a perfect example of how delighted our staff are to create opportunities for JOY-filled moments for our residents. From design concept to daily use, our staff continue to find deep satisfaction as they create opportunities for residents to enjoy the garden space and beautiful fountains. Thank you to all who donated to this inspiring garden!
This past September, we threw the biggest party in the history of Menno Place to celebrate National Grandparents Day! More than 600 people experienced joy and laughter that day! The stories of JOY-filled moments on the Menno Place campus would fill a giant book if we could tell all of how our team takes the initiative to create moments of joy and connection.
One way we create JOY-filled moments is to focus on “person-centered care”. Increasingly, our emphasis is on person-centered care. This continues to shift our daily routines from doing activities “for” a resident to doing activities “with” a resident. Families are increasingly included in the processes and decisions that impact resident’s care and their lifestyle. When we understand what each resident desires, we bring true joy in their life.
Secondly, we create joy by moving toward a more homelike environment and away from an institutional environment. In the coming year, we will crate a more homelike environment beginning with Menno Home east side. A homelike environment is a comfortable place to find peace and joy.
Our third way of creating JOY-filled moments is to ensure opportunities for smiles and connection on the Menno Place campus. Christmas time is a particularly meaningful time to create JOY-filled moments. Many seniors are isolated and would love to connect through a personal visit at this time of year. Would you take some extra time to visit with a senior this Christmas season?
With your help, in 2016, we will create more opportunities for JOY – we plan to build a mini golf course, giant outdoor chess board and purchase three specialty bicycles for residents and their families to enjoy Mill Lake Park.
Residents and families have already donated $26,000 toward this $90,000 JOY-filled initiative!
Will you join with us in increasing JOY-filled moments by giving a tax-deductible donation to Menno Place this Christmas Season?
As another year comes to a close, we want to take time to sincerely give thanks to all the individuals who bring JOY-filled moments to Menno Place seniors – and to God, who is the instigator of JOY! It was at the birth of His Son that He announced His desire to bring JOY to all people.
May God grant you and your family His peace and blessing for Christmas and the coming New Year!
Gerd Bartel, President, Mennonite Benevolent Society Board
Karen L. Baillie, CEO, Menno Place
Aging Together Abbotsford 2016 – Friday, February 12 & Saturday, February 13
/in Family and FriendsAging Together Abbotsford 2016 is a conference for baby boomers and seniors. It takes place over 2 days on Friday February 12, 2016 and Saturday February 13, 2016. The conference will offer educational workshops, expert speakers, as well as vendors and exhibitors that promote a full and healthy lifestyle for older adults.
Location: Seven Oaks Alliance Church (2575 Gladwin Road)
Keynote Speakers:
Isobel MacKenzie – Seniors Advocate of British Columbia
Dr. Rob and Dr. Dave, former hosts of WiseQuacks
Dr. Darryl Plecas – parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health for Seniors
For more information and to register, Click Here
#BellLetsTalk – Depression in the Elderly
/in Family and FriendsDepression among seniors is a result of “factors such as loss of control and independence as the result of illness and/or disability, loneliness, and lack of social support” – Fact Sheet: Depression Among Seniors, Canadian Psychological Association
It is critical to remember that depression is NOT the unavoidable fate of older age. Statistics say that about 15% of older persons over 65 report significant levels of depressive symptoms.
At Menno Place, we seek to reduce depression in elderly seniors by providing a full social calendar of recreational opportunities; spiritual care including Bible Studies and one-on-one pastoral care visits; friendship care through one-on-one visits; medical intervention as recommended by a doctor; music therapy; bus trips and so much more.
Depression in elderly seniors can be difficult to detect. The symptoms of depression such as sleep problems, feeling fatigued and lack of energy naturally occur in older adulthood.
The Canadian Psychological Association suggests several psychological approaches that are particularly useful for people who are unable or unwilling to take antidepressant medications:
These psychological treatments are safe and effective alternatives to medications for mild to moderate depression, with combined drug and psychological treatment often used for complex cases
For the past 2 years, Menno Place has been pleased to participate in providing an immersion exercise for the Family Systems: Advanced Marriage and Family Therapy course (CPSY 616) for the Masters of Arts Counselling Psychology degree at Trinity Western University. This involves setting up two one-on-one interactions per student with an elderly senior who lives on the Menno Place campus to increase the student’s understanding of issues faced by the elderly.
Our participation in this course has supported professor Martin Bartel in bringing into focus the issues elderly seniors and their families face.
With this involvement in educating future Family Counsellors, Menno Place is bringing the issues of mental health and family dynamics into the conversation. Our goal is to provide support in the area of mental health for elderly seniors and their family now and in years to come.
Karen Baillie Elected Vice-President for BCCPA
/in CEO, Family and FriendsThe BCCPA is pleased to announce that Karen Baillie, Menno Place CEO, has been elected as our new Vice-President. Baillie is now slated to become the next President of the BCCPA. The next AGM will be held in conjunction with our Annual Conference being held in Whistler on May 29-31.
“It’s great to have someone with Karen’s experience and background take over as our new vice-president,” says Elaine Price, President of the BCCPA. “Under her leadership our organization is poised to build even further on the incredible momentum we have generated over the last few years.”
Baillie is the Chief Executive Officer of Menno Place, a campus of care operated by the Mennonite Benevolent Society in Abbotsford, British Columbia since 1953. Menno Place serves more than 700 seniors with a staff of 600. Karen has more than 35 years experience in geriatric care including executive and senior management positions in administration, staffing, resident services and nursing.
Prior to joining Menno Place, Karen served as the Executive Director of Laurel Place in Surrey and at Vancouver’s first campus of care, Haro Park Centre. She also participated in opening St. Vincent’s Langara in 1991 for Providence Health Care. Karen began her leadership in the residential care sector in a 30 year-old family-owned business which operated three small care homes.
“This is an incredible honour for me to be in a position to lead an organization I feel so passionately about,” says Baillie. “The BCCPA has a proven track record of being an extremely positive influence and catalyst in helping to shape the future direction of BC’s continuing care sector.”
Baillie has worked extensively with non-profit Boards and with private ownership facilities. Her association with the BC Care Providers began in 1980 when it was organized as Pri-Care. She is currently the vice-president for the Board of SafeCare BC. She is also the recipient of the 2015 Chapter Award for Distinguished Service for the Canadian College of Health Leaders, BC Lower Mainland Chapter. In 2011, Karen was awarded the prestigious Surrey Women in Business Award in the Professional Category.
As Vice-President, Baillie automatically assumes the role as Chair of the Governance Committee. The Committee is tasked with the responsibility of recruiting new board directors for the BCCPA.
“We are always on the lookout for members who are interested and willing to contribute back to the sector by volunteering on our board,” says Baillie. “Anyone interested in joining the BCCPA Board next year should reach out to us as soon as possible.”
Refuge for the Refugees
/in Articles, Sharon SimpsonRefugees are all around me here at this seniors’ campus of care. They walk through the café with their coffees and bundles of bananas from our campus grocery…
Family and Friends Network – January 14
/in Family and FriendsCome and join us to discover how family and friends can be supported and involved in residents’ lives at Menno Home and Hospital.
Thursday, January 14th, 2015
1:30 – 2:30pm
Menno Hospital Chapel
We are looking forward to seeing you!
Facilitators:
Dan Janzen – Social Worker
Ruth Neufeld – Social Services
Joy Jump – Click for Joy-Inducing Quote
/in Family and FriendsBringing JOY to the residents at Menno Place
/in Family and FriendsMerry Christmas!
In this Christmas Season, we thank God as we reflect on the past year of bringing God’s love and presence to the 700 residents entrusted to our care.
This is a season where JOY is celebrated in the birth of Jesus Christ.
Our staff and volunteers experience great JOY in their work as they provide compassionate care to our residents throughout each day.
What makes working at Menno Place meaningful for our staff?
It’s the knowledge that our skills, expertise and kindness bring joy-filled moments to our residents. We find delight when we see a resident enjoying their meal, their recreation, their spiritual life and their friendships.
In 2015, we opened the Living Waters Garden which is a perfect example of how delighted our staff are to create opportunities for JOY-filled moments for our residents. From design concept to daily use, our staff continue to find deep satisfaction as they create opportunities for residents to enjoy the garden space and beautiful fountains. Thank you to all who donated to this inspiring garden!
This past September, we threw the biggest party in the history of Menno Place to celebrate National Grandparents Day! More than 600 people experienced joy and laughter that day! The stories of JOY-filled moments on the Menno Place campus would fill a giant book if we could tell all of how our team takes the initiative to create moments of joy and connection.
One way we create JOY-filled moments is to focus on “person-centered care”. Increasingly, our emphasis is on person-centered care. This continues to shift our daily routines from doing activities “for” a resident to doing activities “with” a resident. Families are increasingly included in the processes and decisions that impact resident’s care and their lifestyle. When we understand what each resident desires, we bring true joy in their life.
Secondly, we create joy by moving toward a more homelike environment and away from an institutional environment. In the coming year, we will crate a more homelike environment beginning with Menno Home east side. A homelike environment is a comfortable place to find peace and joy.
Our third way of creating JOY-filled moments is to ensure opportunities for smiles and connection on the Menno Place campus. Christmas time is a particularly meaningful time to create JOY-filled moments. Many seniors are isolated and would love to connect through a personal visit at this time of year. Would you take some extra time to visit with a senior this Christmas season?
With your help, in 2016, we will create more opportunities for JOY – we plan to build a mini golf course, giant outdoor chess board and purchase three specialty bicycles for residents and their families to enjoy Mill Lake Park.
Residents and families have already donated $26,000 toward this $90,000 JOY-filled initiative!
Will you join with us in increasing JOY-filled moments by giving a tax-deductible donation to Menno Place this Christmas Season?
As another year comes to a close, we want to take time to sincerely give thanks to all the individuals who bring JOY-filled moments to Menno Place seniors – and to God, who is the instigator of JOY! It was at the birth of His Son that He announced His desire to bring JOY to all people.
May God grant you and your family His peace and blessing for Christmas and the coming New Year!
Gerd Bartel, President, Mennonite Benevolent Society Board
Karen L. Baillie, CEO, Menno Place
Menno Place Welcomes SimpeQ Nurses
/in NewsThe difficult decision to contract out RN and LPN positions at Menno Hospital was made in the face of a $1.62 million deficit. The Mennonite Benevolent Society Board made the decision, giving notice of layoff to the 11 full-time and 18 part-time nurses at Menno Hospital.
The positions were contracted out to SimpeQ Care, Senior Services (www.simpeq.ca) and the transition to the new nursing team has gone smoothly. SimpeQ is an award-winning provider of value-added staffing within the senior health care industry and shares many of Menno Place’s values with their own acronym: SIMPEQ: Service – Individual – Meaningful – Positive & Proactive – Energetic – Quality.
We were delighted that many of our nursing staff have applied to work with SimpeQ moving forward. This has created a smooth transition with familiar faces for our residents. The nursing staff have regular shifts (lines of work) ensuring consistency in care for the residents.
Health Care Aides, who provide the care at the bedside and assistance with daily living have not had any change in their work schedule. Their consistency at the bedside has been an additional source of familiarity and comfort for the residents and their families.
Thank you to our residents and families for the support we’ve received throughout this transition.
Wishing you a Joy-filled New Year!
/in Family and FriendsEvery Tuesday at 9am, staff and residents from across the campus meet in the Menno Hospital Chapel for a time of prayer. You are invited to join us!
A short devotional is led with a reminder of God’s Word and prayer requests are shared. Following the sharing, prayers are lifted to God – silently and in spoken word. One by one prayers are shared. Often a tear slides down the cheek of one who is sharing in the prayer circle. Sometimes as God’s love and kindness touches their heart, sometimes as they allow themselves to feel the suffering of others, sometimes for their own sufferings.
As we prepared for the New Year, Ingrid Schultz, Menno Place chaplain led us in the devotional and to the heart of God. She reminded us of how the Psalmist opened his heart to God in Psalm 103 and found gratitude for life…
Bless the Lord, O my soul…. and all that is within me bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul… and forget not all His benefits,
We then shared with each other our gratitude for experiences, people and understandings with each other and then we prayed -for those in the circle, for those whose names were brought forward and for all whose lives are touched by the service and care at Menno Place. We prayed for you.
Here is a New Year’s Prayer for you…
God,
bless this year
giving us
time for the task
peace for the pathway
wisdom for the work
friends for the fireside
love to the last.
Amen
From The Mothers’ Union Anthology of Public Prayers
January – Alzheimer Awareness Month – What Can You Do?
/in Family and FriendsLife doesn’t end when Alzheimer’s begins. People living with dementia can continue to participate in life and contribute to their communities in their own way, even as the disease progresses.
Three ways to be there:
Become a Dementia Friend – someone who learns a little bit more about what it’s like to live with dementia and then turns that understanding into simple actions that can help people with dementia live well. Learn More
Do you think it’s possible to live well with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias? Take the Quiz
Donate to fund research into the causes and cure for Alzheimer’s disease; Donate to provide services and support to people living with dementia; Donate to educate Canadians about the needs of people with dementia, their families and caregivers. Donate Now
#StillHere
Watch the video and join the conversation – Twitter.com/#stillhere