February newsletter

February 2020 kensingtonhealth.org

KEEPING UP WITH

KENSINGTON LETTER FROM THE

CEO

RECREATION THERAPY AT KENSINGTON

Program Coordinators at Second Mile Club (from left to right): Carl Heindl, Jennifer Dong, Becca Buttigieg, Robert McIntosh and Ken Zhang.

John Yip President & CEO Kensington Health I am so pleased to let you know that construction for the hospice expansion project kicked off on Friday, February 7!

The project will transform underutilized space at 45 Brunswick Avenue to create nine new beds for the Kensington Hospice and a new space for the community day hospice program.

For more information about the expansion and its phases of work, please read the frequently asked questions on the back of the insert in this newsletter. We are also taking this opportunity to upgrade and enhance some of the common areas at 45 Brunswick. A new staff lounge and Multipurpose Room will be ready in May 2020.

To stay up-to-date on the project, visit kensingtonhealth.org/ construction.

I hope you share my excitement about this new chapter for our growing organization!

Recreation therapy recognizes leisure and play as integral components of quality of life. This month, we celebrate our Program Coordinators who plan therapeutic recreation activities for Kensington’s Second Mile Club.

The Second Mile Club has been providing community support services to the City of Toronto for more than 80 years by offering safe, recreational spaces with accessible, welcoming services for older adults and adults living with disabilities.

The Second Mile Club is open to those who live in the community, providing them with an opportunity to make connections, be creative and have fun.

Some examples of recreation therapy that are used at Second Mile Club include arts and crafts, board games, meal preparation, ping pong, line dancing and much more.

We sat down with Second Mile Club Program Coordinators to learn more.

Why is recreation therapy important?

Ken: Program Coordinators use recreation therapy to help maintain our clients’ physical,

mental and emotional well-being. Our individual and group recreational programs are designed to reduce stress and social isolation, which can lead to a variety of physical and mental conditions.

Becca: Life changes as you grow older — many of the seniors in our communities are isolated or are potentially struggling to maintain independence.

Recreation therapy connects those seniors with a community, enables them to live fully, and gives them the space to be active and engaged.

What do you love the most about working at Second Mile Club?

Carl: I truly enjoy any chance I have to help better someone’s day. I love working with people and serving my community.

Jen: The clients are wonderful. I enjoy the diversity of it all. Working with our clients makes me feel like I’m making a positive and impactful contribution to the community. I know that at the end of each day I truly did something meaningful and important.

Robert: I love providing our clients with programs and services that help promote good quality of life, and helping them navigate services that will allow them to continue to live at home.

Learn more about Second Mile Club Visit bit.ly/SecondMileClub or call Becca Buttigieg, Day Program Manager, at 416-963-9640 ext. 3620.

AN UPDATE TO THE EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN On January 1, 2020, our benefit provider Great-West Life got a new name: The Canada Life Assurance Company.

Rest assured, nothing has changed about your benefit plan, but you will start seeing Canada Life on the member site and on other plan materials.

All other information about your plan — password, member policy number, access portals and drug card information — will stay the same.

If you have any questions, contact Jessie Macandog, Payroll and Benefits Administrator, at jmacandog@kensingtonhealth.org.

More information can also be found at canadalife.com/welcome.

AN EYE-OPENING EXPERIENCE Last November, Darlene McGuiney’s cataract surgery at Kensington Eye Institute (KEI) was an experience she won’t soon forget. From the moment she entered the building, she was impressed by the dedication and care she received from Kensington employees.

“The day started with me entering the wrong door,” said Darlene. “A KEI employee saw me struggling and helped me get to where I needed to go. She did this with a smile on her face and was happy to help.”

After she arrived for her surgery, Darlene was brought into a preparation area, and three nurses worked with her to prep for her surgery.

“What impressed me was the personality, speed, knowledge and efficiency of the staff at KEI,” said Darlene. “I felt like my surgery was done in the blink of an eye.”

Darlene arrived at 10:45 a.m. and was on her way home at 12:40 p.m.

Darlene McGuiney was diagnosed with cataracts and underwent surgery at Kensington Eye Institute last November.

Working in Human Resources for more than 25 years has helped Darlene recognize remarkable organizations, something that she can see in Kensington.

“Efficiency today is paramount to both the organization and the client,” says Darlene.

“I can sincerely say that Kensington is a well-oiled piece of machinery that could teach other organizations a thing or two. Thank you all for a wonderful experience.”

To learn more about Kensington Eye Institute, visit bit.ly/KensingtonEyeInstitute.

KENSINGTON LEADERSHIP UPDATE In December, we welcomed Allyson Nowell as the new Director of Clinical Services at Kensington Hospice. Allyson brings extensive experience both as a Clinical Nurse Specialist and a leader in palliative care system planning. Nadine Persaud and Allyson will collaborate on the oversight of Kensington Hospice under Bill O’Neill’s executive leadership.

Nadine will also continue in her role as the Director of Client Services for all programs in the Residential and Community Care division of Kensington Health.

“One of the things that I enjoy about working in palliative care is that it’s very interprofessional; you become quite connected with the people that you work with. I really look forward to getting to know the whole hospice team and working with Nadine,” said Allyson.

MEET ALLYSON Allyson has worked in palliative care for more than 18 years. Her career has taken her from Calgary to Toronto and to the United Kingdom where she spent six years at Princess Alice Hospice.

While she has chosen Kensington as the next stop in her professional journey, Allyson also has a very personal connection to the organization.

“My dad previously had eye surgery at Kensington Eye Institute, and he recently moved into Kensington Gardens,” she said. “He moved to Toronto from Newfoundland as a young man, and that’s where he lived most of his life, so it’s nice that he will be able to spend his next chapter living in the city.”

Allyson Nowell is the Director of Clinical Services at Kensington Hospice.

Allyson lives in Toronto with her husband, their two children and their Portuguese water dog named Chewy – short for Chewbacca.

A LOVE OF A LIFETIME HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! Love is in the air at Kensington Health, and Woody Heller and Jeannie Wong Heller — both residents at Kensington Gardens — share the story of their 50 years of love and life together.

Woody Heller (left) and Jeannie Wong (right) have been living at Kensington Gardens since 2016.

This Valentine’s Day, Woody and Jeannie are going out for a dinner — an activity they have enjoyed since meeting each other 50 years ago. “We share a love for food. We will eat anything exotic,” said Woody. “We both love Chinese, Japanese and Italian cuisine.”

The beginning of something special It was a warm day in Hawaii in 1970 when Woody, enjoying his trip and the scenery, went for a walk while eating a hot dog. A high-end clothing store caught Woody’s eye, and he entered the store taking interest in a lavish jacket.

“I almost kicked Woody out of my store because he was eating a hot dog and wasn’t allowed to,” said Jeannie, whose family owned the store. “But after talking to him, I started to really like him. I showed him a better and cheaper jacket that I thought would look really nice on him.”

Woody bought the jacket that Jeannie suggested, and the pair were inseparable for the rest of his time in Hawaii. When he returned home to California, he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

“It was love at first sight. I would make any excuse possible to go back to Hawaii just to see Jeannie and walk on the beach with her.”

He was amazed by how nice, polite and honest Jeannie was, and how well they worked together.

Woody and Jeannie share a love for food, but their favourite hobby is simple: just enjoying each other’s company.

Similarly, Jeannie knew early that the couple was meant to be together for the rest of their lives. She was excited to start her own adventure and move to be with Woody. Jeannie was sure that no matter what life would bring, she would be happy as long as she was with him.

The couple moved to California and then got married in 1977. They later moved to Toronto, where they were well known in the Harbourfront community for more than 25 years before moving to Kensington Gardens – together – in 2016.

For Valentine’s Day, Woody and Jeannie have a message they would like to share with each other: Jeannie: You were never Woody to me, but my honey bunny. I will always love you from the bottom of my heart.

Jeannie moved to California to be with Woody. The couple got married in 1977.

Woody: I would do anything for you. Thank you for sharing your life with me. I hit the lottery meeting you.

KENSINGTON GETS INTO THE GIVING SPIRIT Over the holiday season, the Kensington Health Foundation reached out to our community of donors and family members to raise the most we have ever raised from a holiday fundraising campaign. The response: over $78,000 in donations for Kensington Health.

This is over three times as much as was raised in 2018! Our donors responded to stories of Debbie Emmerson’s retirement, the legacy of one of our Hospice residents (read the letter from Corinne Rusch-Drutz, our Foundation CEO, in this issue’s insert to learn more), and the vision-saving procedure for a Kensington Eye Institute patient, amongst others.

Further motivated by two matching donors (a $25,000 donation to the Hospice and a $15,000 donation to the Kensington Gardens Fresh Food program), these two acts of philanthropy reminded us all of the power of giving during this charitable time of the year, creating impact and giving back to the Hospice, Gardens, Screening Clinic, and Eye Institute. You may have even seen the posters around the campus, reminding staff, visitors, family members, and caregivers that we are a charity and every dollar counts.

More than $8,000 of these holidays gifts came from you – our staff, volunteers, and board members. So thank you: for giving, and for inspiring our donors with your stories.

HUMANS OF KENSINGTON Vera has been working at Kensington Eye Institute as an Operating Room Registered Practical Nurse since it first opened in 2006. “I really enjoyed helping achieve positive outcomes for patients. I love being able to help people. After surgery, some people would cry when they could see clearly again.”

After years working in the operating room, Vera felt like she needed some change, so she began working in ophthalmology research at Kensington Research Institute; completed her Certified Research Associate certification from the Michener Institute; and eventually wrote the exam to become a Certified Clinical Research Professional.

Kensington Research Institute supports ongoing research across the organization, inspiring clinicians, researchers, learners, patients and volunteers to pursue new discoveries leading to advancement in clinical practice and education.

“Kensington Health has always allowed me to advance in my career. I think that Kensington cares about their employees and supports them by allowing them to explore different tasks and areas. I like the variety of work I do in research because it still allows me to interact with patients, but now I get to work on studies that might help more patients in the future.”

Vera Stiuso is an Ambulatory Services Research Nurse at Kensington Research Institute.

Vera’s next adventure is learning gastroenterology, as she starts research work for the Kensington Screening Clinic.

Fun fact: “I love interior decorating; I think that I have a pretty good eye for it. I also enjoy listening to music, reading and continuing education.”

NEW STAFF Allyson Nowell Director Of Clinical Services, Kensington Hospice

Edgard Renada Unit Aide, Kensington Eye Institute

Bisrat Bejega, RPN, Kensington Gardens

Gemma Supnet, PCA, Kensington Gardens Irenel Gotic, RN, Kensington Gardens

Martha Ta Nguyen Life Enhancement Assistant, Kensington Gardens

Elaine Benjamin, PCA, Heide Gonzales Kensington Gardens Receptionist, Kensington Vision & Research Centre Jennifer Hill, PCA, Kensington Gardens Lianne Ralph Clinical Assistant, Natasha Auditor, PCA, Kensington Vision & Research Centre Kensington Gardens

Alla Korobova Administrative Assistant, Kensington Vision & Research Centre

Helen Vincze Zewditu Mulatu, PCA, Clinical Ophthalmic Technician, Kensington Gardens Kensington Vision & Research Centre

Fernando Fegueredo, RPN, Kensington Screening Clinic

Helen Vincze Clinical Ophthalmic Technician, Kensington Vision & Research Centre

SMOKING RESTRICTIONS REMINDER

Jack Kwok, RN, Kensington Screening Clinic Naga Monica Maganti, PCA, Kensington Gardens

According to the City of Toronto by-laws and the Province of Ontario, there is no smoking of any kind permitted within nine metres of an entrance or exit of any building that is used by the public, including 340 College Street. We would like to remind everyone that any type of smoking is prohibited, and those who violate government regulations can be subject to fines of up to $5,000.

Kensington Hospice Expansion Frequently Asked Questions Q: What is the Hospice Expansion Project?

A: To meet the growing needs of the community, Kensington Hospice is expanding to create nine additional beds and a new space for the community day hospice program.

We are also taking this opportunity to upgrade and enhance common areas at 45 Brunswick Ave. The new staff lounge and North Multipurpose Room will be ready in May, 2020.

Q: How long will the Hospice expansion project last?

A: Construction at 45 Brunswick begins in February 2020 and is scheduled to end in Winter 2021. When completed, the 19-bed Kensington Hospice will have nearly doubled our capacity to provide quality and compassionate end-of-life care to the community we serve.

Q: What are the construction hours?

A: Construction will be limited to Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. There will be no construction on weekends.

Q: Why is the Multipurpose Room closed?

A: We are taking this opportunity to upgrade and enhance common areas and the North Multipurpose Room (NMPR) at 45 Brunswick Ave. We will begin renovation of the NMPR in February 2020. The new room will be brighter and boast state-of-the-art audio and conferencing capabilities to better suit the needs of our residents, staff, volunteers and community partners.

Q: What happens to the activities that used to take place in the NMPR? A: Most Life Enhancement programming will be relocated to the lobby of 45 Brunswick Ave. for the duration of the construction. Please consult the monthly Life Enhancement calendars to confirm location.

Q: I have questions or concerns about the construction. Who can I connect with for more information?

A: If you have any questions about the renovations, contact Edward Aust, Corporate Planning Specialist, at eaust@kensingtonhealth.org.