www.northwood.care
A Community Paper sharing the stories of the largest not-for-profit continuing care organization in Atlantic Canada spring 2020
Volume 02, issue 04
A letter to our co mmunity Janet Si from mm, Pre sident & CEO While ou the world r community and th r e rest of an edition esponds to Covid-19 , o Communi f our Northwood L releasing ty paper m ive More extra. We are of the ight feel like a frivo lous mindset th more than a ship in un ever that we need to t it’s now i good phys ting communities w show leaderic hile practi we could u al distancing. One way we th cing nite our co ou edition of m our newsp munity is through ght a th what strat p egies Nort er. Inside we outlin is e h to reduce the spread wood is putting in p lac of section on Frequently Covid-19. We also h e av as some qu A ick and ea sked Questions as e a w s be able to whip up w y recipes that you m ell ith a few i pantry. tems from ight your We are all i n t h i s tog it first han d at North ether and we are see wood. Our ing lying toge sta the the most a r when our commu ff are ralnd ni of. We hav it’s a beautiful thin ty needs us ea g of dedicat phenomenal team to be a part at Northw ed profess ood ion going abov e and beyo als who are constan n tly quality ca re families d to provide the hig h have come from us. to expect We unders ation is fo tand how challengi re ng it’s unpred veryone. It’s confus this situing and ictable. As we will be t updating o he situation evolves ur https://nw ood.ns.ca/ website at www. infor mati on-update s/ Yours truly , Janet Sim m
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Northwood’s response to COVID-19 Northwood is committed to bringing up to date and timely information about COVD-19. Please keep checking https://nwood.ns.ca/ information-updates/ where all information regarding our community will be published. Northwood activated its pandemic plan on March 14, 2020 in an effort to prepare and respond to COVID-19. Here’s what that looks like across the organization: Heightened Respiratory Surveillance (tracking symptoms) for residents in Long Term Care has begun with daily reporting to Infection
Control so that any trends are identified. It is essential for staff to report any resident respiratory symptoms to the Charge Nurse. For staff members who experience respiratory symptoms it is essential to report to Staff Health. Increased Environment Disinfection has been implemented for frequently touched areas. In Long Term Care, housekeepers will be regularly disinfecting frequently touched areas throughout the facilities. If you use a shared work space, it is important to disinfect your station frequently es-
pecially between use with a general disinfectant. If you live in the community or in an apartment at Northood, It is important to disinfect surfaces and frequently touched areas in your apartment daily with a general household disinfectant. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Inventory (masks, gowns, eye shields) is monitored daily and replenishment is ongoing. We have sufficient stock to respond to respiratory illnesses. Should an outbreak be identified we will work with Department of Health to secure additional PPE if required.
Northwood staff have all be assigned mandatory personal protective equipment training through our online learning platform. We are living in a complex world with change all around us. Naturally, this can make you feel uncertain or fearful about the present and future. Having people around you with whom you can share feelings, discuss problems and receive advice is an essential part of weathering life’s storms. It’s also important to reach out for help when you feel overwhelmed by a situation.
Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 This information has been prepared by the government of Nova Scotia. For up-to-date information and resources from the province, visit www.novascotia. ca/coronavirus.
4. What is the incubaother coronaviruses, such as tion period? SARS. Many patients have Current estimates sugreported only mild sympgest the incubation period toms but there is evidence for COVID-19 is similar to of person-to-person spread. other novel coronaviruses, between 1 and 14 days. 2. How does it spread? COVID-19 is spread via 1. What is COVID-19 5. How long is a person respiratory droplets (simi(novel coronavirus)? contagious if they devellar to influenza) or contact Coronaviruses are a famop COVID-19? (e.g. if contaminated hands ily of viruses; some cause The period of communitouch your eyes/nose/ respiratory illness in people, mouth). cability for COVID-19 is not ranging from mild (common currently known. cold) to severe (pneumonia). 3. What are the sympCOVID-19 is a novel corona- toms? 6. Who is most at risk virus that had not been prefor severe COVID-19? Patients with confirmed viously detected in humans COVID-19 have mild to seOlder individuals and and is the cause of the curvere respiratory illness with people with medical corent respiratory outbreak. morbidities, especially symptoms of fever, cough, At this time, COVID-19 does shortness of breath and/or related to cardiovascular not appear to be as severe as pneumonia. disease (including hyper-
tension), chronic respiratory illnesses and diabetes appear to be at the highest risk. The proportion of individuals who are infected with COVID-19 and develop severe disease is still under investigation, but early literature estimates across all ages suggest 80% of diagnosed cases are mild, 15% are moderate and 5% are severe disease. 7. How is it diagnosed? Lab testing via nasopharyngeal (NP) swab or aspirate is used for diagnosis to confirm a suspected case of COVID-19. Continued on page 4
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Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 Continued from page 3 No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written consent of the publisher.
Publisher Northwood Communications Communications Assistants Stephanie McDougall 902-454-3342 stephanie.mcdougall@nwood. ns.ca Alyson Estey 902-454-3377 alyson.estey@nwood.ns.ca Graphic Designer Erin Gidney
8. Are there any treatments? At this time there are no specific treatments for COVID-19 infections. Supportive and symptomatic care is important particularly for those with severe symptoms of COVID-19.
quette – cough/sneeze into your elbow or a tissue, noth9. How can I help protect ands, and then discard tismyself and others from sues in a waste basket and exposure? clean hands with alcohol• Stay at home when expebased hand sanitizer or soap riencing flu-like symptoms. and water immediately. • Wash hands thoroughly • Frequently clean highand often. touch surfaces like counter• Avoid touching your face tops, keyboards, phones, as much as possible. light switches and door• Use cough/sneeze etiknobs, etc.
In the workplace, an employee who interacts with the public should: • Limit sharing of equipment (for example, pens, phones) with co-workers and clients. • Ensure high-touch surfaces of the work area are cleaned regularly or when changing workstations. • Wash hands frequently and limit touching of the mouth, eyes, and nose to prevent any virus from being transmitted. • Have posted information for clients that encourages the use of good hygiene practices (wash hands, cough into sleeve, etc.). Information to Continuing Care Sector.
Production Manager Vicki Hines Printing Advocate Printing & Publishing
FOR ADVERTISING SALES CONTACT: publishers@metroguide.ca Tel. 902-420-9943 For more information, please contact Northwood Corporate Office, Suite 1 South, 130 Eileen Stubbs Ave., Dartmouth, NS B3B 2C4 902-425-2273 information@nwood.ns.ca www.northwood.care
Northwood shared the warmth this winter! Northwood’s People Services department came up with a way to give back and help people who might be in need in Halifax. “We had extra hats and mitts,” says Jenn. “Instead of having them sit in storage we decided it made more sense for people to have them.” A team of seven people walked Gottingen Street, tying hats and mittens to fences and telephone poles. “We were approached by a few people,” says Jenn. “They were so happy.
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Seeds of Success Northwood’s Mental Seeds of Success is Northwood’s MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS SUPPORT program. Framed within a recovery-oriented lens, we work to promote opportunities for meaningful and purposeful engagement through therapeutic group gardening and expressive art activities: peer support, collective skill
development and positive social participation. Therapeutic Group Program Activities Include: Enhanced Gardening & Creative Expression therapeutic activity groups. Positive Steps towards Mental Health & Wellness Therapeutic support group to learn about depression, low
mood, anxiety, grief & stress; and to practice individually tailored self-care strategies. For More Information, please contact Nelson or Joy, (902)-454-8311 ext. 3115 Email nelson.l@nwood. ns.ca/joy.pennick@nwood. ns.ca
Springtime in Seeds-Upcoming Events: April 17th- Community Art Space April 27th-30th – Indoor Wellness Garden* May 8th – SEEDS Plant & Craft Sale May/June – Working Through Anxiety* *Date-TBD
Writing Self: anxiety from the front lines Submitted by a Seeds of Success Member
Anxiety affects nearly everyone at some point in their life, but for some, it is disabling. Many of us know all-to-well sentiments like “get over it”, “you’re milking the situation” or “just take a pill”! Well, the fact is, a number of us do take a pill (or more), but this barely touches the tip of the iceberg. Anxiety and panic disorders cause sufferers to live each and every day in what is sometimes a life-long nightmare. Fear (or triggers) may range from darkness and storms to empty crowded places and even evil itself. There is no end to the type
of ‘monsters’ someone with severe anxiety may have to face. Some live in fear of being in a crowded place; others of being alone. I’ve been unable to step from room into the hall, turn around, or even get up to close the curtains or turn off the light. The feeling of being ‘frozen’, unable to move, speak or look in the other direction. It may be seen, heard, felt or otherwise experienced-real or created by the mind. Either way, it is real! There is, of course, help for people who live with anxiety, but this does not free everyone from the illness. Various psychological
of Success program is invaluable to many residents and tenants of Northwood. Not only are the SEEDS staff and participants involved in therapeutic workshops, which help members cope with mental health and wellness, but art expression, socializing and self-advocacy. or psychiatric therapies, This is where you, the medications, meditation, reader, can support by helprelaxation techniques, mind- ing us create a community fulness, exercise and dietary that is more accepting of changes can help. Some find people with mental health creative work, socialization, conditions, ranging from faith or empathetic friends mild to serious. Empathy and family members are bridges fear. Knowledge is sources of stability. power-to overcome and help This is where the Seeds others.
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Health and Wellness Support program Loneliness Submitted by a Seeds of Success Member
Loneliness is blue It tastes sour at times And it smells like over-cooked fish Loneliness looks like a mist That you can’t see through It sounds like a hollow echo And it feels depressing Loneliness makes my body feel Suppressed and confined It make me want to go out Be around people Instead of being alone
Contentment Submitted by a Seeds of Success Member
Contentment is sea blue It tastes sweet and warm It smells like a cool breeze Contentment looks warm and calm And sounds like the doves flapping their wings It feels like swinging on the porch swing Contentment makes my body Feel relaxed and calm It makes me want to drink a cup of tea With a hint of mint
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Quick meals using common Oatmeal Porridge (Five Minute Rolled Oats) To prepare a serving of porridge for one person:
Cole Slaw ½ small cabbage 1 Carrot (grated) 1 green pepper (optional) 2 green onions (optional) Directions: Combine shredded cab-
bage and chopped vegetables in bowl, toss with Cole Slaw dressing. A creamy dressing should be eaten immediately while vinegar dressing improves with age.
1-cup water (cold to start) 3 tablespoons rolled oats Pinch of salt (optional) Directions: Combine ingredients in a small pot; start to cook on med high heat, stirring constantly. Once mixture begins to boil turn down heat and cook until thickened. Do not leave unattended. Serve drizzled with honey, sprinkled with brown sugar, maple syrup, and/or milk if available.
Cole Slaw Dressings Creamy Cole Slaw Dressing: 1 ½ cup mayonnaise ½ cup plain yogurt Salt, pepper and pinch of sugar (if you want) Desperation Ranch Dressing: ½ cup mayonnaise ¼ cup pickle juice (any kind)
Non-Creamy Cole Slaw Dressing: ¼ cup vegetable oil ¼ cup vinegar ½ tsp sugar 1 tsp. celery seeds (optional) Salt and pepper Basic Vinegar Dressing: ½ cup olive (or other) oil ¼ cup vinegar Salt and pepper
Directions for all dressings: Whisk all ingredients together in small bowl. Dressing can be stored in bottle for use next day. Mix with Cole Slaw enough for one serving at a time.
Chicken 1 whole chicken, cut up (remove the skin if desired) 1 envelope dry onion soup mix 1/2 cup ketchup 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup water Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the chicken pieces in a baking dish. In a bowl, stir together the onion soup mix, ketchup, brown sugar, and water. Mix Cover the pan with foil until the chicken is cooked until smooth. Pour evenly and place in the oven. Bake through. over the chicken. at 350 degrees F for 1 hour or
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items from your pantry Homemade Vegetable Soup 1 can corn 1 can green beans 1 can peas and carrots 1 can crushed or diced tomatoes Beef broth (you can use a bouillon cube, or can of beef broth has more flavor) 1 pkg. of wide noodles Cornstarch, if needed Directions: 1. Fill large pot half way with water 2. Cook noodles for about 10-15 minutes until just tender (Beef broth can be added before or after) 3. Add drained corn, green beans, peas and carrots. Add entire can of tomatoes (do not drain) heat thoroughly. If you like your soup thin you're done, if you like it thick add a bit of corn-
starch to a few tbsp of water and mix it into the soup
Scalloped Potatoes 4 cups thinly sliced potatoes 1 ½ cups thinly sliced onions 2 tbsp flour 1 ¼ cup milk, heated 4 tbsp butter Paprika Salt and pepper to taste Preheat oven to 350° in deep, greased 2-quart casserole dish, layer potatoes, onions, flour, salt and pepper (about 3 layers of each). Dot with butter and pour milk over all. Sprinkle with paprika. Cover and bake for 30-45 minutes
to thicken.
Serve with crackers if desired.
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A message from the Northwood Foundation: In the response to COVID-19 – and in keeping with advice from Nova Scotia’s healthcare experts, the Northwood Foundation is rescheduling the Live More Awards that were to originally take place on June 6th. They will now be held on Friday, October 30th at the Cunard Centre. The health of those living
in our communities must always come first. Stay tuned for more information about the Live More Awards. May we be kind, compassionate and always look out for one another. Faye LeBlanc Managing Director Northwood Foundation
2 Dartmouth Road Bedford, NS B4A 2K7 902.832.8500 WWW.HEALTHASSOCIATION.NS.CA
Health Association Nova Scotia is a not-for-profit, non-government, membership-based association with almost 60 years’ experience in delivering exceptional human resource shared services, innovative clinical engineering service solutions, policy support and expertise our members can count on. We serve more than 130 organizations from from across the health continuum, including the NSHA, IWK, long term care facilities, home support agencies, ARC/RRCs and other health-related organizations.
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Call Us Today 1-800-611-6345 | alzheimer.ca/ns
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The sooner you talk about dementia, the more we can help.
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Crossword/Cartoon CLUES ACROSS
1. Bond villain Mikkelsen 5. A team’s best pitcher 8. French river 12. Mountain nymph (Greek) 14. City of Angels airport 15. Military force 16. Scrawny 18. Value 19. One billionth of a second (abbr.) 20. Highly seasoned sausage 21. Trouble 22. Prong 23. Showing varying colors 26. Cloaked 30. Renters sign one 31. Acquires 32. Type of language (abbr.) 33. Partner to pains 34. Third portion of the small intestine 39. Excessively theatrical actor 42. Infraction 44. Classical music for the stage 46. Slogged 47. One who terminates 49. Breakfast is an important one 50. Moved earth 51. Medical procedures 56. Genus of clams 57. Not well 58. Comparative figure of speech 59. Covered thinly with gold 60. Principle underlying the universe 61. A parent’s sisters 62. Professional engineering group 63. Coniferous tree 64. Impudence
CLUES DOWN
1. Female parents 2. Region 3. Transaction 4. Heroic tale 5. Of algae 6. Luminous intensity unit 7. Uncovers 8. French commune name 9. Poisonous gas 10. Pearl Jam’s bassist 11. Horse groom in India 13. Destroyed 17. A way to alter 24. Promotional materials 25. American state 26. Extinct flightless bird of New Zealand 27. “Modern Family” network 28. Last or greatest in an indefinitely large series 29. Exercise system __-bo 35. Type of bulb 36. Opposite of beginning 37. Utilize 38. Type of student 40. Deficiency of moisture 41. Areas of the eye 42. Select 43. Sheets of floating ice 44. Priests who act as mediums 45. Roof of the mouth 47. Unnatural 48. Illuminated 49. There are three famous ones 52. Large, fast Australian birds 53. “Dracula” heroine Harker 54. Subsititutes (abbr.) 55. Tax
Lynn Eyland studied art in Edmonton and then went on to enjoy a successful artistic career. She was 17 years old when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Despite the difficulties and limitations this disease has imposed on Lynn, her enjoyment and desire to share her art continues. Lynn lives in Northwood Manor, and we’re proud to display her art to our community.
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Submissions
www.northwood.care Submissions for this newspaper can be sent to communications@nwood.ns.ca for consideration. Please note: not all submissions can be printed.
My cartooning career Submitted by: Lynn Eyland
After graduating from Grant McEwan College in Advertising art, my first lesson in cartooning came when I took a job as a layout artist with a "shady" Italian newspaper in Alberta. My boss at the time suggested that I put my name on a "New Yorker" cartoon but when I refused - telling him that it would be plagiarizing he demoted me. My job ended soon after that when I decided to move back home, to a small town in Nova Scotia. I was fortunate to find a job
as a layout artist at the "The Citizen" a weekly community newspaper. An editor suggested that if I wanted to, I could fill a large space on page three with a cartoon. That is where my cartoon career began. Initially, I drew cartoons promoting community events, the Christmas Santa Parade, etc. Soon I was getting suggestions for cartoons that were more political dealing with typical municipal issues…potholes…taxes… elections…price of stamps… etc. The more controversial cartoons started to get attention. One, in particular, the
potential destruction of a 100-year-old school in the town…was selected as Best Cartoon at the Atlantic Newspaper Awards. I was then commissioned to submit an original cartoon a week. People would ask me "How do you think of the cartoons?" Well, Amherst is a friendly town and I would look for a suggestion. If I use someone's idea I would disguise his or her name in the cartoon itself. A farmer from the area suggested a cartoon with the names of the animals painted on the side to warn hunters that a Cow or Horse is not a buck or a "Bambi" deer.
I would also get suggestions from sportspeople about their baseball teams. I wouldn't even "get" the joke but I would hear feedback from the guys! "Good joke in the paper about the "long-horns", Lynn” But that was the fun part for me! I helped celebrate all the holidays drawing a special cartoon for each one. When I left the job, they made a cartoon book out of my cartoons. It became a "Seasonal coloring book" I sold them for a song didn't make my millions on that's for sure! If you say "you liked my cartoons" poof you get a book!
Northwood volunteer recognized in her community Northwood aims to recruit volunteers for their services across the province. The head of volunteer recruitment and coordination is Ruth-Ellen Jackson. “We have over 600 volunteers at Northwood,” says Ruth-Ellen. “We find a job that caters to a person’s skill set so they can excel.” Shelley Nelson found her place at Northwood at our Harbourview Lounge. Shelley has been volunteering at Northwood for over 16 years, and has put in almost 1,300 hours of volunteer time. She is being recognized
by her coworkers and staff as an exemplar volunteer at Northwood. “Shelley shows respect for all types of people with all abilities,” says Ruth Ellen, “She treats everyone the same and maintains individual’s dignity by carrying drinks to their table and being attentive to various communication styles.” It’s not just Ruth-Ellen who’s noticed Shelley and her hard work. “Residents have said they feel they can confide in Shelley,” says Ruth-Ellen. “She creates a trusting environment where residents
feel comfortable to be themselves.” Other volunteers at the bar have noticed her work ethic, initiative, and kindness. Eileen Kelly says “Shelley is a sweet loving person. She is right there to help anyone.” Larry Walker, a Northwood resident, says, “Shelley is irreplaceable. She takes good care of us.” “She took part in our supper club once a month, ordering food from local restaurants with all of us. We have ordered birthday cake for her and celebrated
many of our birthdays as well. Tuesday night at the Harbourview is a religious night with Shelley. She makes everybody happy.” Claude St. Laurent has known Shelley for 12 years. “She goes out of her way to get here from Sackville,” says Claude. “She reminisces about people have lived here in the past. She is very social. Shelley deserves recognition. Many bartenders come and go, but Shelley is always here.” Shelley, from all of us at Northwood, thank you so much for your dedication.
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Intouch Northwood Intouch partners with Annapolis Valley community groups to provide helpful home devices really limit a person’s lifestyle, there are Northwood Intouch personal fall alert may be based in Dartpendants that can even mouth, but the nonbe worn in the bath or profit organization is shower. Northwood Inable to help seniors touch also offers an auall across Nova Scotia tomated pill dispenser maintain indepenthat can hold up to 28 dence in their own doses of medication, homes — all thanks to with up to four daily partnerships with loalarms. cal community groups There are motion and clubs who help and flood detectors to with installation and help keep the home servicing. secure. There’s an “These partnerships adjustable stove sensor allow us to have the for the kitchen to prebiggest possible impact vent cooking fi res if on local communities an element is accidenacross Nova Scotia,” tally left on. There are says Northwood Intouch Campbell says the visable to put money back bed sensors that can manprogram manager Tisha its also serve as “a social into the volunteer groups age the risk of nighttime White. “We wouldn’t be call” with local seniors, as who help with installawandering and falls, by trigable to offer these types of one volunteer works on the tion and servicing, like the gering an alarm if someone services without our local paperwork and installation Bridgetown Lions Club. gets out of bed. volunteer organizations.” and the other chats. Because of their partBut without volunteers Here in the Annapolis “We’re in a rural area and nership with Northwood like Campbell, it wouldn’t Valley, Northwood Intouch everyone knows each othIntouch, Campbell says the be possible to provide these has been partnering with er,” says Campbell. “Three Bridgetown Lions Club has services for people all the Deep Brook Lions Club, or four of us are retired been able to give back to the across the province. Middleton Lions Club and teachers, so we’ve often local community by fund“It’s all about people Bridgetown Lions Club. taught their kids or granding school yearbooks and being able to be helped by Club member Richard kids.” breakfast programs, the people right in their own Campbell with Bridgetown While other companies rebuilt rink, the pool and community,” says White. Lions Club says they’ve mail a sensor and leave it “Anyone who is in need.” “By choosing a product been partnering with up to the client to figure out This year marks Northfrom Northwood Intouch, Northwood InTouch since how to set it up, Campbell wood Intouch’s 33rd anyou’re also giving back to 1989, and he enjoys volunsays Northwood Intouch’s niversary of providing local service clubs in your teering to install and serproducts are all fully inat-home safety solutions for community.” vice the monitoring systems stalled and explained by the seniors and people with disNorthwood Intouch is for people in his commuvolunteers. If they have any abilities across Nova Scotia. celebrating its 33rd annivernity. questions, they’re there to White says their services sary of providing at-home “It’s a great feeling to see help. help seniors maintain their monitoring across Nova how clients feel more seSince Northwood Intouch independence while provid- Scotia by offering special cure,” says Campbell. “Not is a social enterprise where ing a huge sense of comfort, pricing of $33 monthly for just them, but also their all revenue goes back into security and peace of mind the first three months of family. People really love the community — like fund- for their caregivers and service. To learn more, visit that they know their paring their adult day program loved ones. northwoodintouch.com or ents are looked after.” — White says they’re also Since fear of falling can call 1-800-461-3346. By: Beth Sudard
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