RESIDENT
Activity director Annelize Malan and Director of Care Kim Jay pose for a photo in front of donated Christmas trees. Andrews of Summerside is hosting its first-ever Light Up
FEEDBACK A
I would like to start by thanking everyone who to Concern Escalation Process Survey” shared throug to share some key highlights from the survey:
97% of respondents understand the process fo or suspected abuse, as well as providing feedb 82% feel comfortable sharing concerns or fee 88% of the team are aware of the whistleblow feel comfortable to share with leadership
95% are aware that the Employee Handbook a 86% team members feel confident in resolvin homes
85% feel they have regular opportunities to sh meetings
The team rated their overall work experience 5
These results are truly encouraging, and it s clear expertise when it comes to communication and th always room for us to grow and improve
Along with Jessica (HR Advisor), I've had the privi members to talk about work and general feedback home yet, we will be there soon! A common them importance of teamwork
As we all know, our primary responsibility is to pr residents and their families This is a trust that th we work together as a team We are all here to en deserve whether we work in dietary, care, house home, we are all working towards the same goal:
It is crucial that we adopt a shared mindset that r one team, and everyone ’ s role is integral to provi When we step into the home, our ultimate respon and this should be reflected in the way we comm
Andrews Senior Care has always been known for t approach, and the kindness we show our resident and this is a reminder for all of us to continue str consistently deliver on the commitment we have
Thank you for your dedication, your hard work, an difference in the lives of those we care for Let's c together to achieve even greater success!
With the holidays approaching, I’d like to wish ev and happy Kwanzaa to all who celebrate! I also w Annelize, Kim and the Andrews of Summerside cr Up Our Lives event This is an amazing opportuni
Sincerely,
It is Andrews Senior to provide a safe and secure env input and feedback related to the care and services we provide; to value the leadership, expertise and contributions of our staff through empowerment that will lead to excellence in service
ChristmasParade
Join us in the Summerside Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 6.
We have a float in the parade and are looking for volunteers to walk in the parade alongside our float. If interested, contact Nathan at nrochford@andrewsseniorcare.com.
Departing from the Credit Union Place parking lot at 6 p.m. and heading through the streets of Downtown Summerside, Santa will finish his evening off by officially opening the grounds of "Yuletide Festival" with its annual tree lighting at Veteran's Memorial Park!
Location: Credit Union Place
Time: Arrive no later than 5:30 p.m. (Parade begins at 6 p.m.)
C H R I S T M A S C R A F T S
Residents at all our Island homes took part in a Christmas decoration swap. Each home made some ornaments to be shared with another Andrews home.
has been working on the Light Up Our Lives project for nearly a year and is excited to see if finally come to fruition this month.
Christmas at home
Andrews of Summerside hosts first ever Light Up Our Lives event
Residents at Andrews of Summerside are getting an early Christmas gift this year as the home hosts the first ever Light Up Our Lives Christmas event and fundraiser.
Initiated by Andrews of Summerside activity director
Annelize Malan, the event will see community businesses and organizations donate decorated Christmas trees to be displayed along the driveway of the home throughout the Christmas season The public is encouraged to visit, with Andrews of Summerside accepting non-perishable food donations to the food bank
“This is an awesome way to bring the Christmas spirit to our residents,” Annelize said “There are so many people that can’t go out to have the opportunity to go look at the lights ”
The project has been almost a year in the works and involved a lot of phone calls and planning
“It’s been a lot of hours,” said Annelize “Making banners, making invitations, talking to people over the phone ”
Annelize stressed that this is a community project, not just an Andrews of Summerside project
CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
Jeanette Gallant and Bill Martin, owner of the Water Street Bakery, pose with their donated tree outside Andrews of Summerside.
Annelize Malan
“I wanted to have community commitment and community participation,” she said “Community involvement is important because it gets people to talk to one another. By bringing in the community, we have the mayor, the minister, people from Sobeys, come in and have a chat with the residents. They get the opportunity to just speak to other people and see other faces that they don’t see every day.”
For resident Adele Gardiner, who was instrumental in starting the Lights for Life at the Prince County Hospital, having a similar event at her residence means a lot.
“It takes me back to when I was doing it at the hospital,” she said. “We had a lot of cold fingers.” She added, the effort was worth it when she was with the hospital and it’s worth it today at Andrews of Summerside.
“It keeps the community together,” she said.
Trees were donated between November 23 and November 29 The official lighting is scheduled for Monday, Dec 2 at 6 p m The trees will remain up and lit until January 5
Local businesses and community organizations gathered at Andrews of Summerside on Saturday, Nov. 23 to erect their donated trees. The official lighting is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m.
Making a connection
Men’s groups aim to get male residents socializing more
Men living at Andrews Senior Care homes have a new outlet for socializing – a monthly men ’ s group
The idea for the group was initiated by Andrews of Stratford activity director Sharon Woods-Bryenton, who saw a need for more social opportunities for the men at her home.
“The population is heavily female at senior’s homes,” she said “We always have a good turnout of men at our activities but I thought it would be nice to have a time just for them to get together and talk about sort of men ’ s stuff.”
According to research, including a 2018 study published by the National Institutes of Health, male seniors are at a particularly high risk of experiencing loneliness and are often less likely to engage socially than women
“Some of them were living alone (before moving to Andrews) and this is a way for them to connect and make friends,” she said. “If you go into a Tim Hortons or a McDonald’s early in the morning, you’ll often see a group of men, five to six, sitting around and there’s this comradery and I thought that would be nice to start for our men at Andrews of Stratford ”
The group, led by Nathan Rochford, content manager and Andrews’ story-teller, started in January 2023. The first meeting had about four residents but now averages more than 12 participants. Each meeting residents are encouraged to talk about their lives, their careers, their families while enjoying coffee, tea and a sweet treat. Often, the group will try a board game or cards, something simple that they can play while carrying on a conversation
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Nathan Rochford, Andrews Senior Care’s storyteller and content manager, plays cards with a group of men at Andrews of Stratford.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” said Nathan “I love hearing their stories They’ve led such interesting lives We have guys who grew up during the Blitz in London, former farmers and teachers One guy ’ s father was an old-school cowboy in the mid-west in the 1920s. It’s amazing what you can learn just chatting.”
Michael Morrison, whose parents Ivan and Anita live at Andrews of Stratford, is a regular at the men ’ s group.
“I always call it the meeting of the generations because I’m so young and I get to hear what life was like for a lot of these residents,” he said “It’s a living history lesson for me ”
The response from the residents has been positive as well.
If you go into a Tim Hortons or a McDonald’s early in the morning, you’ll often see a group of men, five to six, sitting around and there’s this comradery and I thought that would be nice to start for our men at Andrews of Stratford.”
“We had a few men move in recently and when I tell them there’s one morning that’s just for the men ’ s club their eyes light up, ” said Sharon.
She added, some residents would like to see the men ’ s group expand.
“I have some that ask for it more than once a month, so that might be something we look at doing eventually,” she said. “I think it could grow, too. I think it could grow to some outings together, maybe some sporting events, movies, we could go fishing. I think whatever we find that they have in common or would enjoy doing, I think we could grow the program for sure. ”
Currently, there are men ’ s groups at all five Andrews Senior Care homes Charlottetown, Park West and Stratford are led by Nathan and meet monthly, while Summerside hosts a regular men ’ s breakfast
Andrews of Summerside residents take part in the men’s breakfast club, a regular event aimed at getting more male residents socializing with each other.
“It
makes me relaxed”
Andrews resident has been doing embroidery for over 75 years
Gonda Visser has been doing embroidery art since she was six years old and at age 84, she’s showing no signs of slowing down
“I makes me relaxed,” said Gonda, a resident of Andrews of Stratford. “If I have a very busy day, then I always, through my whole life, in the evening I would take (a project) and work on it. It’s wonderful to do that.”
She learned the craft in grade school in her home country of the Netherland and was infatuated it from day one.
As most people who do knitting, crocheting or other kinds of needlework art, she started with the basics. But, over the years her skills improved and she decided to devote more time to the craft. She went on to study the art in school in Rotterdam and has attended seminars around the world
“I love them,” she said of the seminars “So fantastic All likeminded people ”
Today, Gonda specializes in needle painting, an advanced form of embroidery that mimics the brushwork of oil painting, adding shade and volume to the work An average piece done in this style takes Gonda approximately three weeks to complete
Gonda is a member of the Needlework Guild of Canada
ABOVE & BEYOND NOVEMBER
WINNE
ALEX ROWELL : STRATFORD JOINED IN 2018
Alex was recognized for going above and beyond
Our Above and Beyond winner this month is Alex Rowell
Alex is a kind, creative and efficient team member who goes the extra mile for our residents every day We are lucky to have her at Andrews of Stratford
Alex started working with us as a caregiver in 2018 Prior to joining our team, she had no healthcare experience However, she adapted quickly to senior care and after about a year she was promoted to shift supervisor, a role she remains in today
For Alex, the most rewarding aspect of her job is helping the residents
“I like being able to comfort them when they’re not feeling well,” she said.
Outside of work, Alex enjoys spending time with family She’s also currently upgrading courses with the goal of studying to become an RN
OUR OTHER HOMES
Joscel Tanaquin : Parkhill
Muskan Muskan : Park West
Heather Campbell : Charlottetown
MARKING MILESTONES
Every month we will be highlighting team members who've reached significant milestones with us.
Cherry has been an Andrews Senior Care team member for 10 years
Cherry started working as a caregiver at Andrews of Charlottetown in 2014 Prior to joining our team, she taught economics at a college in her home country of China
She enjoys the interaction with the residents, the routine and the work environment provided at Andrews of Charlottetown
“You get to know the people here, know the culture and the residents are so friendly,” she said
She added, her team members have always been supportive and friendly as well.
Outside of work, Cherry maintains an active lifestyle filled with hiking, exercise, gardening, cooking and reading. She’s currently working her way through the classics with a special focus on Victorian era writers like Dickens, the Bronte Sisters.
“I try to read every day,” she said. “Maybe only 10 minutes, maybe an hour. I try to read almost every day.”
Rachael Handley has been an Andrews of Summerside team member for five years.
Rachael started working at Andrews as an LPN in 2019. Prior to that, she worked as a hairdresser
Originally from Ontario, her experience at Andrews has been positive both professionally and personally
“I came to the Island with just my husband and no friends and I’ve built a good foundation of friends here,” she said “We have a really good, tight friend group Nurses, RCW’s, activities, we do life together outside of work ”
Professionally, she’s never felt more rewarded than when she’s working with our residents
“Being able to advocate for people who don’t get to advocate for themselves,” she said “These are people who have lived through traumas that we would never even understand They’ve been through wars, things like COVID They deserve to have the best at the end of their life ”
She added, her experience at Andrews opened her eyes to the unmatched value in family.
Are You Feeling Stressed or Overwhelmed?
Take advantage of our Employee Assistance Program through Lifeworks This program is available 24/7 online or over the phone and services to help you with work, family, health, money, and life The following is information on how you can access the program:
Toll-free support line: 1-877-207-8833
TTY: 1-877-371-9978
Through their website login.lifeworks.com
Username: murphy
Password: eap
Are you, a friend or family member looking to buy or sell a property?
You could earn up to $250. Read below to learn how.
We are pleased to offer a new Referral Program between Provincial Realty and Andrews Senior Care The Referral Program will work as follows:
Each employee that retains a Provincial Realty real estate advisor, or refers a friend or family member who uses their service for selling or purchasing properties over $150,000 will receive a gift card as a token of our appreciation
For more information, please contact Provincial Realty at 902 892 2266 or email us directly office@provincialrealty ca
Jessica Gauthier Human Resources Advisor hr@andrewsseniorcare com 902-368-8520
If you have any questions for our HR team about benefits, ADP support, Immigration Program support or any other questions please contact me
Cash 50/50
DON'T MISS OUT ON THESE BENEFITS
Paid vacation time starting at 4% per year (Approximately 2 weeks)
Health and dental coverage, of which we cover 50% of the costs
A pension plan where we match your contributions of up to 4% of your salary annually
A fitness subsidy of up to $250 annually
Discounts with local companies, including pharmacies, home heating oil providers and restaurants