Entre Nous
Publication 13
New physiotherapy services
As of December 1st, the University of Ottawa Health Services team manages the physiotherapy services at both Saint-Louis and Élisabeth Bruyère residences. We would like to thank the Family Physiotherapy team, who provided us with physiotherapy services these past years.
We aim to make the transition to the new service as smooth as possible for the residents, families and employees. The University of Ottawa Health Services team will offer a variety of services, including mobility- and exercise-related activities. Let’s welcome the new team!
Reduction in the use of antipsychotics
Bruyère’s LTC homes are part of the Seniors Quality LEAP (SQLI) initiative, a strong community of practice with over a dozen member organizations and nine strategic partners from across North America. At the most recent SQLI meeting, Bruyère presented its work on decreasing inappropriate antipsychotic usage as it was the most improved organization for this indicator. We have worked hard on decreasing antipsychotics internally and are starting our journey formally with the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement initiative on appropriate usage of antipsychotics. Congratulations to our staff at both homes on the great work!
Webinar ''honouring grief and increasing resiliency''
On December 7, the Ontario Centre for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care at Bruyère hosted the webinar ''Long-Term Care Staff—Honouring Grief and Increasing Resiliency''. This webinar examined how the work with individuals and families experiencing chronic illness, end of life and death impacted on care personnel. The webinar also presented strategies to strengthen self-awareness and self-kindness, sustain meaning in your work, and create compassionate and resilient teams.
To view this webinar please visit https://clri-ltc.ca.
Santa for Seniors
Santa for Seniors is a partnership between Bruyère and The Good Companions to brighten the holidays for local seniors. If you would like to donate a gift to vulnerable seniors at Saint-Louis or Élisabeth Bruyère residences there are bins at the front entrances. For more information on types of gift to give please visit: www.bruyere.org/holidaygiving
Holiday Greetings
The holiday season is the perfect time to thank everyone for your dedication and hard work. Warmest wishes for a happy Holiday season and a wonderful New Year.
Élisabeth Bruyère Residence
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care - Update
Inspectors from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care were recently at the residence for their annual resident care and services quality inspection. They recognized some of the initiatives put in place since their last visit such as the new bed systems. We have some areas to improve, but we are very proud of the employees who work with perseverance to make Elisabeth-Bruyère Residence an even better place to live and work. Thank you all for your diligence and your excellence.
Work plan to further improve Élisabeth-Bruyère Residence
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care suggested that we improve some areas: skin assessments, dietary services, labelling personal items, code red interventions, medication administration and practices. We are currently testing different initiatives to help improve labelling within the home. We are working hard to make Elisabeth-Bruyère Residence an even safer place to live and work.
Annual fire evacuation
The annual fire evacuation exercise was held at Élisabeth Bruyère and Saint-Louis residences at the end of November. This was a great training for the staff as they learned how to locate a fire and evacuate the residents safely. Thanks to this great exercise, the staff were reminded of the steps and procedures to apply in case of a fire
Christmas carolling
Join us for our annual Christmas carolling on December 17th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.! Every voice is welcome. It is a great occasion to spread the holiday spirit and interact with the residents.
Christmas tea
On December 16th, each resident is welcome to invite two family members or friends for Christmas Tea. An invitation has been sent to each resident’s primary contact.
Saint-Louis Residence
The fall bazaar
On November 7, 8 and 9, volunteers held the annual fall bazaar at Saint-Louis Residence. Hundreds of people came to find little treasures and great deals! Thank you to all the volunteers who make this biannual event a success; more than $24,000 were raised. The money raised is used to improve the quality of life of the residents through the purchase of necessary equipment.
Christmas carolling
Join for our annual Christmas carolling on December 19th from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.! Every voice is welcome. It is a great occasion to spread the holiday spirit and interact with the residents.
Christmas tea
In the month of December, each resident is welcome to invite two family members or friends for Christmas Tea. An invitation has been sent to each resident’s primary contact.
Sympathy card for deceased residents
The passing of a resident is a difficult time for the family, staff and the other residents. At Saint-Louis Residence we created a sympathy card that will be placed at the dining room table where the deceased resident used to sit. Everyone is welcome to write a word of sympathy for the family members of the deceased resident.
Security Guard
Starting November 3, there is a security guard on site 7 days a week. The guard’s mandate is to ensure the safety of the premises as per the mission and values at Bruyère Continuing Care. The security office is located on the main floor, room A-100, near the main entrance. The security guard is in service from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the weekends.
Do you have a funny, touching, story that is worth sharing? Send it to sld-ltc@bruyere.org.