Andrews Tribune by Andrews Senior Care

UPDATE FROM ANDREWS

Dear family members and friends of Andrews Senior Care,

October was a wonderful month at our homes. We celebrated Thanksgiving, held pumpkin carving competitions and had some spooky Halloween fun, honoured our volunteers and enjoyed a special dinner at Dalvay by the Sea.

This month we will be observing Remembrance Day and starting preparations for the holiday season While all our homes will be getting into the Christmas spirit, our Summerside home is holding our first ever Light up Our Lives Christmas Tree display This is a project our activity director, Annelize, has been working on for a while and we are very excited to see it come to fruition. We have partnered with a number of local businesses and community organizations who will be donating pre-lit trees to decorate along our driveway. We are all looking forward to it!

We wish you all a wonderful November!

Sincerely,

Andrews Senior Care

Team member Laura MacArthur, an LPN, and resident Anna Doucette share a laugh while walking to lunch at Andrews of Summerside

T H A N K S G I V I N G F U N

Residents at our homes celebrated Thanksgiving in a variety of ways. In addition to a special holiday meal, homes held teas, socials, did crafts and games and enjoyed live music.

A U T U M N A R T & T A S T Y T R E A T S

S I S T E R A N N E R E T I R E S

After two decades of volunteering at Andrews of Stratford, Sister Anne MacDonald has retired. We held a special retirement party for Sister Anne recently. We want to again extend a heartfelt thank you to Sister Anne for all she’s done for our residents over the years. Your time and efforts are greatly appreciated and we wish you all the best on this next stage of life.

V O L U N T E E R S D I

N N E R

We had an excellent turnout at our annual volunteers appreciation dinner recently. Our Stratford home played host, serving a special prime rib dinner as part of an evening dedicated to thanking our volunteers for all that they do week after week and year after year.

P U M P K I N C A R V I N G

Residents at our homes had a blast judging our recent pumpkin carving competitions. Andrews team members competed against each other to carve the most creative, unique jack-o-lanterns. The winner (or winners) were selected by residents. We had some very interesting entries!

Mickey Brennan, a resident at our Stratford home, has been getting the flu shot since 2001 and is a self-described “poster girl” for vaccination.

Staying proactive

Andrews Senior Care residents vaccinated for flu and COVID

It’s that time of year again. The weather is cooler, the days shorter. That’s right, it’s flu season.

Residents at Andrews Senior Care received their flu and COVID vaccinations recently, with clinics running at all our homes throughout October.

Mickey Brennan, a resident at our Stratford home, has been getting her annual flu shot since 2001 At the time, Mickey was undergoing treatment for breast cancer and knowing her immune system was weakened prompted her to start being more proactive about her health

“As you age, not only from previous illnesses, but naturally your immune system gets depleted and it’s not as strong as it once was, ” Mickey said “If you get ahead of serious illnesses like influenza and COVID and seasonal viruses, it’s much to your advantage to have the head start of having vaccinations and your boosters ”

She added, she’s also been getting her annual COVID vaccination since the vaccine became available in December 2020

“I’m the poster girl for vaccinations,” she said “I’ve always had my flu shot, I’ve always taken the advice of the professionals and got boosters, especially when COVID hit I’m 85 years of age and there’s no question my good health at this point is due to being proactive ”

Resident Betty Madren, a retired nurse, got her flu and COVID vaccinations in early October She’s always been an advocate of getting the annual shot and has been the benefits with her own health

Amy, a nursing student from UPEI, preps a needle during the flu shot clinic at Andrews of Stratford in October. UPEI nursing students assisted with the clinic at our Stratford home under the guidance of Director of Care Roxanne Thibodeau.

“I’ve always had flu shots,” she said. “I’ve always had good results. I’ve stayed away pretty well from all flu and bugs that’s have been around. I haven’t had anything serious.”

Betty is appreciative the vaccinations are available in-house at Andrews.

“I’m very grateful for where I am, ” she said. “We get everything we need. We’re treated very well here.”

Seniors are encouraged to get their flu and COVID vaccinations, regardless of existing health.

“It is important to build a tolerance to mitigate the exponential rate in which the influenza can have effect in a vulnerable population with a higher risk of contraction and a lower recovery expectation that can be related to a lower immune system and recovery time,” said Natacha Landry, LPN and Director of Care at Andrews of Parkhill “Studies have also shown a higher morbidity rate amongst seniors hospitalized with influenza versus the recovery of those that have contracted but have had the vaccine ”

Seniors can take additional steps to guard against infection, including staying active, protecting one ’ s self in high traffic areas or in a community living setting where people congregate by wearing a mask Likewise, regular and frequent hand washing or sanitizing, eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of fluid, maintaining a proper sleep routine and resting throughout the day Rescheduling visits or restricting ill visitors to avoid getting one sick or risking yourself getting sick is also advised

Andrews’ nursing teams administered and oversaw all vaccinations for residents

Betty Madren chats with Amy before getting her flu and COVID vaccinations.

Jeanette Pirkey smiles while getting her vaccinations.

Clyde Pirkey reacts to the needle while getting his vaccinations. Despite being a daredevil in his younger years (he once did a handstand on a chimney) Clyde hates needles.

ABOVE & BEYOND

October 2024

Every month our team and residents recognize one

team member for showing exceptional care

Our Above and Beyond winner for October is Karen Melanson

Karen is always eager to help residents and has a kind and positive manner

You can always count on Karen We are proud to have her on our team

Karen has been a caregiver and dietary aide with Andrews Senior Care for 11 years Prior to joining our team, she worked as a personal caregiver, housekeeper and a secretary

“This is my favourite job, of all the jobs I’ve had,” she said “The relationships with the residents, the appreciation they show, it’s very rewarding ”

Originally from Moncton, N.B., she lived for 35 years in Montreal, Que., before finally moving to P.E.I. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, walking and, in the summer, swimming at her two favourite beaches – Cabot Beach or Shelton

Our Above and Beyond winner for October is Ramanpreet Kaur Gill

Ramanpreet is a wonderful team member with a positive work ethic. She goes out of her way to make residents feel supported We are lucky to have her at Andrews of Summerside Ramanpreet started working as a caregiver just over one and a half years ago Prior to joining our team she worked in the school system in her home country of India

As a caregiver, she enjoys spending time with our residents and making them happy Outside of work, Ramanpreet keeps in regular contact with her family back home and makes time for reading Her favourite genre is historical non-fiction

Our Above and Beyond winner for October is Charlene DelaCuesta Charlene is a caring, kind and wonderful team member She’s helpful, has a good rapport with our residents and is a delight to work with We are fortunate to have her at Andrews of Charlottetown.

Charlene started working as a caregiver with us in 2023 Prior to joining our team, she worked as a nurse in Dubai

For her, the best part of her day is knowing she’s made a resident happy.

“It’s rewarding,” she said Outside of work, Charlene enjoys watching Korean series on Netflix She is also working on getting her Canadian nursing license

Our Above and Beyond winner for October is Shalu Baby Shalu is a dedicated team member, always willing to help where and when she’s needed. We are fortunate to have her at Andrews of Stratford Shalu started working as a caregiver at Andrews in 2023. Prior to joining our team, she worked in India as a biochemist and lecturer

While caregiving is significantly different from her previous career, she’s passionate about her work.

“I enjoy working here,” she said “This is the first time I’ve worked with elderly people I am so satisfied.”

Outside of work, Shalu enjoys spending time with her two children and cooking traditional Indian dishes

Our Above and Beyond winner for October is Naida Bawag

Naida is a dedicated and passionate team member who is always willing to go the extra mile for our residents Her friendly demeanor and easy smile make working with her a pleasure We are fortunate to have her at Andrews of Park West

Naida started working at Andrews of Charlottetown as a home ops coordinator in 2023 In January, 2024 she transferred to our home where she worked as admin support before becoming our activity director

With less than a year in the role, she’s already made a significant impact on the lives of our residents and is a natural in the role.

“Getting thanks from the residents is the most rewarding part,” she said.

“And whenever they laugh with me ” Outside of work, Naida enjoys going on walks with her husband and spending time with their friends

Parkhill

Charlottetown Stratford

Park West

Sudoku

The object of the puzzle is to fill the remaining squares, using all the numbers 1–9 exactly once in each row, column, and the nine 3 × 3 subgrids

Community Cash 50/50

Weekly 50/50 draw in support of support not for profit groups including Murphy s Pharmacies Community Centre and the Holland College Athletics Department Anyone can play for just $2/week