Is it OK to long to go to heaven?

It’s February again and the calendar is telling us that it is time for you to celebrate the love of your life. Since the 15th century, Saint Valentine’s Day has been a day set aside as a day in which lovers show their love for each other.

Working among seniors, I have a front seat to witness “long-love” – marriages that have reached the 60 year anniversary milestone.

Karen Baillie elected to SafeCare BC Board

Karen Baillie, CEO of Menno Place was elected to the SafeCare BC board to serve in the position of Vice Chair. SafeCare BC was established in 2013 as an industry funded, non-profit society that works to ensure injury free, safe working conditions for long term care (LTC) workers in BC. SafeCare strives to be the industry leader in advancing injury prevention and safety training for LTC workers.

Esther Unger

Esther Unger moved to The Apartments before she “quit loving life”. She laughs with energy as she shares her move to The Apartments. Her move was motivated by her good friend, Marion who already was living at The Apartments. Esther was healthy and feeling strong when she moved in. “I’ve never looked back” she says.

Josh and Susi

Susi and Josh Kramer have made their home at Menno Place. When they moved to the Menno Place campus, they didn’t know what obstacles or circumstances they would have to face. They raised five children together when Susi’s health began to decline. That was 24 years ago. With every step, they asked God for strength, for health and riches. Instead, they were given weakness, infirmity, “just enough”. In spite of their struggles, they confidently and sincerely say that among all people, they are most richly blessed… They have found the calm in the middle of the storm – and that calm is together in the comforting care of Jesus.

After moving to Menno Place’s apartments, the journey was difficult and Susi’s health failed rapidly. God provided a home for her in residential care in Menno Hospital. She appreciates the additional care and affectionately jokes with the staff as they meet her physical needs.

Susi and Josh are a couple who have grown to love and depend on each other deeply. “I know that I can trust that he is coming to visit” says Susi. Josh comes to visit her five times each day, walking over from his apartment on another corner of the campus. “I love visiting her”, he says affectionately, “The Lord allows me to care for her. I don’t know how to call it different… this is total dependence and a privilege”.

Susi and Josh benefit from the community of care through spiritual and physical support. They also give their lives wholeheartedly to the people who come into their circle of life, endearing many to themselves. It is in these friendships that others find a joyful encouragement.

Josh smiles and calls Susi, “honey” and “sweetie” as she tells the story of promising her father she would come back to The Netherlands after a short trip to Canada. “Oh well”, she says, “I met Josh and I had to stay.” They laugh, knowingly. When they married 53 years ago, she got the giggles and he was so nervous he couldn’t eat. They are so comfortable together now, it’s hard to believe that they would ever be jittery together. Watching this couple connect, it is easy to recognize the unconditional, genuine, proven love between them.

As it is a privilege for Josh to care for Susi, it is a privilege for the staff and volunteers of Menno Place to love both of them.

Family, Friends & Residents Newsletter

Beginning in January 2015, we will be sending out a monthly email newsletter for family and friends of residents who live on the Menno Place campus. This email newsletter will contain information about events and happenings at Menno Place. It will also include updates to policies, messages from the CEO and opportunities for donation to special projects

The Apartments – Walking Club

The Apartments enjoyed a weekly Walking Club this fall. More than 50 residents were involved at all levels! The recreation team along with the wellness nurse team put together an excellent initiative that motivated residents to walk in groups – many walked around Mill Lake each week. Each certificate celebrated the number of steps recorded by the resident’s pedometer.

Have you discovered the Fireside Cafe?

Have you discovered the Fireside Cafe? Located at the main entrance of the Menno Hospital, the Fireside Cafe serves delicious breakfasts and lunches along with Italian coffees and home made desserts.

What’s on the menu?

Western Regional Professional Caregiver Award

Each person’s caregiving journey is unique, but there is always a common thread: the willingness, patience and dedication that surrounds their commitment to care.

We are pleased to celebrate the 2014 Western Regional Professional Caregiver Award Winner for British Columbia, Bryan Gay.

Bryan is a professional caregiver who provides skilled care and compassion at the Menno Home in the East 1 Lounge and Chalet. He is dedicated, committed and seemingly tireless in his efforts to provide the essential physical and emotional care for the residents who suffer from dementia.

Bryan’s reluctance to be publicly acknowledged stems from his deep belief that professional caregivers work best in teams. He knows that whatever he does in caring for the residents is done in conjunction with team members who are skillfully managing and caring for other residents in the same unit. Bryan

Bryan was presented his recognition award by Canada Cares in Banff, Alberta on November 4th. He was given a complimentary registration by Canada Cares to the Canadian Home Care Summit, “Reaching New Heights” as an expression of appreciation for his services in caring for residents. With over 80 presentations on priority topics ranging from client and family centered care to integrated care, Bryan was in his “happy place” – learning and learning and learning.

Menno Place is proud of the excellent care our caregivers provide for our residents. We are actively seeking out ways to recognize our staff for their compassion and skills.

If you are aware of an opportunity to nominate a caregiver, or would like to suggest a caregiver for future nomination, please drop a line to us and we’ll continue to nominate our care staff for awards that showcase quality, safety, excellence and compassion.

Silver Valet Dental Program at Menno Place

We are pleased to introduce a new partnership with Silver Valet Dental Care effective October 1, 2014.

Silver Valet will be providing comprehensive on-site dental services to our residents and tenants. Silver’s team of dental professionals will come directly to Menno Place and provide preventative and restorative dental care in the comfort of a fully equipped mobile clinic. All dental assessments for residents at the Home and Hospital will take place at the bedside and/or designated room on the unit. Any further dental treatment will be performed in the clinical van unless the resident is unable to transfer to the van.

If you have any questions please contact:

  • Director of Care – Menno Home & Menno Hospital
  • Manager of Housing Operations – The Apartments

Contact information:

Reception: 604.770.4701

Dr. Salima Dadani: 604.761.0069 (cell)

www.silverdental.ca

silver-valet-dental

Silver Valet Dental – Click to watch video

Garden Project 2014

The Garden Project is an initiative made possible through the generous donations of residents who live in The Apartments. This project raised $65,000 to create a peaceful garden to be enjoyed by all residents, families and visitors of the Menno Place campus. Residents will enjoy a walk-around garden, a huge gazebo for special events, two spectacular water features, an abundance of beautiful foliage and many places to rest along the way. Donations are being received to purchase the benches for the garden.