Spring 2010 - Spruce Lodge

113 Years
of Caring
Summer 2010
The Spruce Times is available either online at www.sprucelodge.on.ca or at various locations throughout Spruce Lodge,
Woodland Towers and Hamlet Estates. If you would like a copy mailed out, please contact Gail Willows at ext. 2210.
Staff Profile & Jim Henry Winner - LORRAINE WHEAL
Lorraine was born in Stratford and
raised on a farm with her three
brothers just outside of Stratford.
She is a graduate of Stratford Central
Secondary School and received her
diploma in Business Administration
with an Accounting Major from
Conestoga College in Kitchener.
She later obtained Certified
Management Accounting (CMA)
designation.
IN THIS ISSUE
Lorraine began her career at
Reliance Electric in Stratford
and then moved to Samsonite
where she spent several years in
various positions learning the
ins and outs of the Accounting
department. Lorraine next took
her experience from the
private/corporate sector into
health care when she joined the
VON Perth-Huron branch as
their Financial Manager. In
July 1996, she took on the
Page challenging job as Spruce Lodge
Business Manager.
Lorraine and her husband of 31 years,
cont’d on pg. 6
Staff Profile
1
Staff Profile (cont’d)
6
New Staff Welcome
1
Relocation Stress Syndrome
2
Layering on the Red Tape
3
Upcoming News & Events
for Residents
4
Resident Profile
5
Passages
6
ONLINE ONLY
Therapy Pool Re-Opens
7
Big Bike Fundraising
7
The Snoezelen Room
8
The Spruce Times
Welcome ~ New Staff
Susan Bradshaw
Brendan Card
Gergory Crunican
Vicky Devocht
Amberlee Dickson
Nolan Didiomete
Wendy Easthom
Cindy Egli
Erin Heath
Rebecca Hodgins
Erin Klumper
Bonnie Louwagie
Renee Manley
Simone Masson
Jamie Mcintosh
Justine Mogk
Justine Otten
Lindsay Palmer
Brittany Petrie
Kenneth Petrie
Meaghan
Pototschnik
Nicola Schaerer
Deslie Scheele
Tina Small
Rhea Van Raay
Tasha Vandervliet
Amber Wakem
Welcome to all new staff members who have joined the Spruce
Lodge team. Good luck and best wishes to our retirees and to
those who have continued on from Spuce Lodge.
Summer 2010
1
RELOCATION STRESS SYNDROME
BY LYNDA WESTON
“I'm an idealist,” wrote American poet Carl Sandburg. “I don't know where I'm going, but I'm on my way.”
Change it seems is the only constant of life. How we handle the changes is absolutely up to the individual.
When the changes are external, internal changes are also required. The decision to move into staged housing
is often centred on practical, rational and pragmatic facts. During the lead up to the change, or if the change is
faster than anticipated, the emotional consequences sometimes have to play catch-up.
There are several determining factors in an individual's ability to respond to change. One of the most
important factors is the amount of 'practice' of altering life circumstances an individual has experienced in
the past.
The response to change isn't always as optimistic as Carl Sandburg's. Many people find it such a challenge
to overcome that they can get 'stuck'. Getting 'stuck' for a prolonged period of time can result in serious
medical and mental illnesses. In fact, there is a condition called Relocation Stress Syndrome.
Mood and mental changes that can occur include depression, anger, suicidal thoughts, confusion, anxiety
and paranoia. Sometimes the denial of the stress can result in an 'over idealization' of the situation (This
place is wonderful! Everything is just perfect!) Behaviours can include problems with sleep (to much, too
little), wandering, aggression, isolation, excessive demands for medical and non-medical attention and
substance abuse. Physical signs include pain, agitation, aggression, incontinence, appetite or weight
changes, sleep disturbance and falls. If the disorder does not resolve after six months, it is no longer about
adjustment, and the relocation may have triggered another chronic illness which sends residents into
hospital care.
People who have successful relocations tend to share a number of common traits.
^
They are intentional about setting goals and organizing their actions around the goals. They
are clear with themselves and others about their important values.
^
They neither deny nor wallow in their emotions, but accept them for what they are and work
from there. They keep their sense of humour.
^
They are able to communicate their feelings openly and listen sympathetically to the feelings
of others.
^
They focus on their behaviour instead of trying to control the behaviour of others.
^
They take responsibility for themselves and are open to personal change. They know the
futility of procrastination and self-pity.
^
They practice flexibility and tolerance of others.
Generally people who manage change well are those who can make and accept changes in themselves. By
facing and expressing the normal feelings of fear, sadness and anger they move forward toward the future
with hope and a sense of adventure.
There are ups and downs of communal living. As we age our focus shifts from our exterior space to our
inner space. Communal living can be seen as a great gift as it is an opportunity to find and define the limits
and growth areas of compassion, tolerance and hospitality within ourselves.
Reference: Relocation Stress Syndrome in Older Adults, Tracy Greene Mintz, MA, MSW ACSW, Social Work Today, Vol. 5 No. 6 P. 38
2
Summer 2010
The Spruce Times
LAYERING ON THE RED TAPE
BY PETER BOLLAND
At the time of writing this article the Montreal Canadians just finished a valiant playoff drive. They fell
short, worn down after slaying this year's regular season champions the Washington Capitals and last
years Stanley Cup champions the Pittsburgh Penguins. While they surely layered up the red tape in their
playoff drive, this article is about a different sort of red tape.
It's about the red tape that weighs us down in excessive regulation, formal rules and government
bureaucracy. The sort of red tape that can shift the focus from what we do best, to one of keeping up with
the new layered on requirements. This article highlights these new layers of responsibility and is to keep
you informed about a few sector challenges. We also hope it will inspire you to advocate for
improvements.
Perhaps the single most important change in the sector is the introduction of the new Long Term Care
Act, scheduled to be proclaimed into law July 1, 2010.
This new legislation is the culmination of considerable effort over the past few years to address
shortcomings in the Long Term Care sector. Most would agree - given highly publicized reports of abuse
and neglect in provincially funded Homes a few years ago - there was a need to deal with poor performers.
That said, tarring all operators with the same brush, shifting toward a less collaborative compliance
approach; introducing new layers of data gathering and red tape, all in the same fiscal year, and in the
absence of new resources, has resulted in a palpable strain within the sector.
The new Long Term Care Act, will regulate the operations of Nursing Homes and Homes for the Aged
across the Province. While this new piece of legislation on its face is admirable and goes a long way to
ensure a certain level of consistency and quality from one operator to the next, our concern is that with less
than a month before proclamation, there is no indication of how, or whether, new requirements will be
adequately resourced or funded.
For example the new LTC Act requires that we double the time of consulting dieticians, it requires that
we hire only Personal Support Workers (PSWs)for the front line staffing in the future; it requires that we
alarm all doors leading to the outside; it requires that we add staff time for various front line and
management positions; it requires that we enhance the amount of and the frequency of staff training; and it
requires that we do all this and more, within our current budget restraints.
This is also coming at a time when we are transitioning from the Alberta Resident Classification System
to Resource Utilization Groups, in hopes that more data and presumably better data, will result in
improved resident care outcomes. Who can argue the intent? Only time will tell if this transition will yield
the desired result.
What we do know is, it is coming all at once. It is adding layers of red tape and responsibility in a short
period of time. It is coming without the necessary resources to hire the additional staff to properly do it
justice.
We will certainly advocate on behalf of both residents and staff to ensure the best possible outcome and
we congratulate you and thank you for your patience and for your positive attitude.
In the coming months you may have the opportunity to attend public information sessions regarding the
new Long Term Care Act. We would encourage you to attend and we encourage you to advocate for
additional resources to meet this ambitious plan.
To access the full report on changes being made to the Long-term Care Homes Act, go to:
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/source/regs/english/2010/elaws_src_regs_r10079_e.htm
The Spruce Times
Summer 2010
3
UPCOMING NEWS AND EVENTS FOR
WOODLAND TOWERS/HAMLET ESTATE
Spring Events
Since April the tenants of Woodland Towers & Hamlet Estates have been involved in creating a community mural
with the Grade 6 and7 students from St. Aloysius Elementary School. A public viewing of the mural will be held
th
May 27 .
Also at the end of May was a showing at the Stratford Art Gallery of various pieces created by our residents over the
winter program period.
Michel Allard and the choir from St.Paul's Anglican Church presented their 65th year anniversary of VE Day
program May 13th for the Woodland Towers/Hamlet Estates residents. Residents donated $371. to help toward
church renovations
Summer Programs
June 3 - shopping trip to Conestoga Mall
June 16 - Hamlet's Summer BBQ
June 4 - Woodland Towers steak BBQ
June 17- Father's Day BBQ
Sept 8 - Geri Fashions Show & Sale from 10am-4pm
A Digital Photography program will be running at the
Stratford Art Gallery May 25 till July.
UPCOMING NEWS AND EVENTS
FOR SPRUCE LODGE
UPCOMING NEWS AND EVENTS
FOR SPRUCE LODGE
Spruce Lodge Upcoming Events
Jane Turnbull is
the new Coordinator working
with Lauren Moore
in Activities at
Spruce Lodge.
Jane has a
Bachelor of Arts
D e g r e e
,
Specializing in Fine
Art, from the
University of Guelph , and has had a very colourful ten
year career as an artist , exhibiting in the Stratford and KW areas. She has worked as a community support worker
since 1990, and as a personal support worker at Spruce
Lodge and Woodland Towers for the past 5 years.
Recently she completed the post–graduate course
“Recreation Management for Older Adults” through
Conestoga College. Jane has also taught a weekly “Older
Adults Fitness Class” for the last 5 years through the
Meals on Wheels S.W.I.F.T. program. Jane brings to
Spruce Lodge an enthusiasm for nature, the arts, history,
fitness, and sundry other topics including, yes, karate.
4
Summer 2010
June
Railway Show-June 6
Volunteer Appreciation-June 10th
Kiwanis Golden Oldies-June 25th
Anna Mae's-June & July
July
Geri Fashions-July 8th
Butterfly Conservatory-July
July and August
Unit/Cott. B.B.Q.'s-July & Aug.
Picnic/Concerts in the Park-July & Aug.
August
Scottish Pipe Band-Aug.
All Summer Long
Ice Cream Tours-June/July/Aug.
Drumming Circle-June/July/Aug.
The Spruce Times
RESIDENT PROFILE (Hamlet Estates) - Amy Hislop
Born June 11, 1920 to
parents Athol and Bessie
Peers, Amy was raised on a
mixed farm, along with a sister
and three brothers, in Wallace
Bay, Nova Scotia. She fondly
remembers her days of skating
on the Bay with her family and
neighbourhood friends. Old
rubber tires were burned to
make a fire around the ice to
keep the skaters warm as they
lingered for hours on the Bay.
Amy attended a country
school and really did have to walk 'a
mile and a half' to and from classes.
During the winter months Amy
would get a ride to school with
neighbours. On one occasion the
neighbours were on their way to
pick up Amy in the early morning
when they spotted a fire on the roof
of the Peers’ home. Everyone
rushed to put out the fire with what
was readily available: water and
milk. It was a blessing the fire was
spotted as there was no other help
around for miles. Amy recalls the
milk working wonders to put out
that blaze. Amy enjoyed the
farming life. She assisted her
brothers with the crops and learned
to drive a tractor long before she
ever drove a car.
After spending two years in
Truro, Nova Scotia, Amy and two
girlfriends signed up to join the
army in 1943. Basic training meant
The Spruce Times
traveling to Kitchener for a six
week course in typing and filing
and later she began work for the
Canadian Forces' Provost
Marshall's Office. In 1945, she
worked in Brockville, Ontario in
the Office of the Records of the
Pacific Force. A year later she was
discharged from the Army while
living in Halifax. She then took a
secretarial and accounting course in
Truro and spent two years in the
office of Walker Hardware.
By 1949, Amy's sister was living
in Stratford. On a visit Amy decided
to make this her home. Her first job
in Stratford was in the office of
McLagan's Furniture. After the
store closed she took a position with
Stratford Public Utilities
Commission and remained with
them for over 20 years.
During this period, she met her
future husband, Rae, at a picnic
Summer 2010
“one beautiful summer day.”
After the two were married,
she moved to his farm on the
Embro Road. The farm was
sold in 1980 and the couple
retired to a home in the city.
Retirement years were spent
traveling Canada and the U.S.
in their motor home. In 2002,
Amy moved to Hamlet
Estates.
Amy has always been
involved in humanitarian
causes. She is a 25 year
member of the Federated Women's
Institute of Ontario and a 35 year
member of the Spruce Lodge
Auxiliary. She also spent three
years on the Hamlet Estate board.
During our interview, Amy told
me she will be celebrating her 90th
birthday this June. It is hard to
believe. She appears 20 years
younger. Amy is organized, her
house is immaculate and her clothes
are always coordinated. She was
even prepared, notes in hand, for
our interview. I get the distinct
impression Amy is enjoying life.
She may be a little anxious about
her birthday celebration but I would
expect it will go off without a hitch
as this lady has “got it together.”
From all of us here at Spruce
Lodge Amy, we wish you the
happiest of birthdays.
Written by Lauren Moore
5
JIM HENRY WINNER ~ Lorraine Wheal
Tom, met at the Stratford Country
Club where we both worked during
high school.
Tom is the Vice
President of Riverside Brass and
Aluminum Foundry in New
Hamburg. The couple raised their
two children in Stratford. Daughter,
Erin has an Honours Bachelor of
Arts degree in Sociology and a
Masters degree in Legal Studies.
She is currently working in Ottawa
for Human Resources and Skills
Development Canada as a Policy
Analyst. And son Alex has a
Bachelor of Science degree in
Psychology and has recently been
hired as a Constable by the Waterloo
Regional Police Service.
When the kids were younger the
couple spent many hours in the
spring and summer watching
baseball games. Now, when time
permits, they try to stay in shape by
going to a local fitness club. In the
nicer weather Lorraine also enjoys
walking and when it's not so nice,
reading.
As Business Manager, Lorraine
works with Gail Willows and Jenn
Facey in the Business office. They
have the responsibility for all
financial functions for five
corporations, including payroll,
benefit administration, sales tax,
accounts payable, billings, accounts
receivable, banking, the preparation
of annual budgets and financial
reporting, including internal and
external reporting to the
stakeholders and government
agencies. They prepare, maintain
and distribute monthly board
minutes for all five corporations and
provide information technology
support. As well, they are
responsible for office equipment
and mail distribution as well as the
coordination of catering functions
and front office reception. Lorraine
also provides financial support to
Administrator, Peter Bolland, other
department managers and the
various boards of the continuum.
“The last four years seem to have
gone by quickly”, says Lorraine.
“They have been very challenging
with all of the changes happening in
the Heath Care sector but at the same
time very rewarding. I am proud to
be part of the Spruce Lodge team
and enjoy what I do. Spruce Lodge
is a great place to work.”
Written by Kate Gibson
PASSAGES
Welcome . . .
To Spruce Lodge
Daphne Hill
Marjorie Rock
Kathy Myers
Eva Dickson
Mary Swinney
Grace Severt
Doug Atkins
Elizabeth Wormsbecker
Edith Mitchell
Adele Huivenaar
Maurice Mitchell
Kirk Fleming
William Robb
Jennie Riley
Harold Riley
Robert Hall
Sylvia Foster
Doris Montgomery
Marian Chisholm
Dianne Bennion
Raymond Jones
Wolfgang VonLepel
Jean Mace
Francis Kropf
6
Farewell . . .
Melvin West
Lila West
Spruce Lodge
Maurice Mitchell
Woodland Towers
Annalies Schaerer
Maria Kindler
Mai Que Chung
Delores Wikinanish
Clarence& Josephine
Israel
Wilbert McKone
Brenda Clipperton
Bonnie Lupton
Jack & Geraldine Hudson
Woodland Towers
Daphne Hill
Grace Severt
Elenore Locke
Dorothy Flood
Ruby McEwen
Hamlet Estates
Dianne Cox
Elizabeth Paulen
Shirley Bell
Walter & Gisela Mueller
Harold & Phyllis Wilhelm
Carol Quail
Hamlet Estates
Annalies Schaerer
Daphne Thistle
Helen Tretheway
Maria Kindler
Harold & Jennie Riley
Dianne Bennion
In Memoriams . . .
Spruce Lodge
Esther Eickmeir
Edith Glitz
Robert Riddell
Irene Young
Joan Ganci
Gisela Schaak
Mona Morton
George Davidson
Leslie Flood
Gerald Pigeon
Clayton Petrie
Henry Van Gestel
Mervin Roth
Elsie Westlake
Lillian Pallister
Isobel Morris
Walter Baker
Isabelle Wreford
Joyce Kahle
Edna Vogt
Doreen Bannon
Marian Chisholm
Woodland Towers
Drika (Dien)
Sturkenboom
Mary Mann
Charles Pickersgill
Mary Knight
Genevieve Smith
Willard Henderson
Hamlet Estates
Florence Osborn
Welcome to all new tenants in Woodland Towers III.
Summer 2010
The Spruce Times
THERAPY POOL RE-OPENS
Changes that have been made to the Spruce Lodge Therapy Pool:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
All doorways and hallways have been widened to 42” for ease and accessibility of
wheelchairs and walkers
New dryotron (heating and cooling system)
New pump
New filter
New pool heater
A room has been built off the pool to house some of the new equipment
All the tiles were removed from the pool and deck and replaced with new tiles
Two drains are installed at the bottom of the pool which brings the pool up to the Standard of
the current Building Code
All the wood has been removed from the walls and replaced with tiles. This will be very
helpful for upkeep and maintenance.
New lights on deck and in both of the change rooms
A second door has been added to the Women's change room also in keeping with the Building
Code
The Pool Coordinator's office is now down at the pool!
A ceiling lift has been installed on deck, replacing the older two-step lift.
There are now EXIT signs throughout the pool area.
A sound system has been installed for uniform sound throughout the pool deck area. When
you rent the pool, be sure to ask the guards for some music!
Registration for the summer session is coming! Staff will receive their discounts when registering
themselves or family members. Aquafit registration will be from May 31 to June 9. Swimming
Lessons registration will be from June 10 to 16.
Open Swims and Therapy/Adult Only Swims are open to all and you can drop in at any time for
them. Check out the website for more information: www.sprucelodge.on.ca
The Mighty Spruce did a fantastic job in the Heart and Stroke Big Bike
fund raising event this year raising in total $2138!
The Spruce Times
Summer 2010
7
THE SNOEZELEN ROOM
Snoezelen was derived from the Dutch word of “to doze” and “to sniff” and was originally
developed in Holland with the intention of providing people who have sensory and learning
disabilities with appropriate relaxation and leisure opportunities. The concept was introduced to
Canada in 1992. The benefits of the non-directive and undemanding Snoezelen approach is widely
accepted and being used as a setting for relaxation and self healing and to provide stimulation for
those who would otherwise be impossible to reach. The Snoezelen room in Spruce Lodge has a
variety of pieces of Snoezelen equipment ranging from bubble tubes, fiber optic strings, projectors,
sensory kits, vibrating bean bag chair, black light, music and a ceiling lift for easy access.
Who can benefit from Snoezelen? Snoezlen is used for a wide spectrum of people, from children
to adults with mild to severe disabilities.
What are the benefits of Snoezelen? People who have used the Snoezelen room in the past have
claimed it improves things like mood, behaviour, vocalization, and positive affects on concentration
and responsiveness. Along with that it is simply an enjoyment to be in the room.
The residents at Spruce Lodge will be able to access the Snoezelen room through the Therapy
Dept and the Activity Dept.
8
Summer 2010
The Spruce Times