Live More Newspaper - March, 2023

Celebrating our Northwood Community Halifax Campus proud to showcase Lynn Eyland Artwork

Lynn Eyland is a Northwood resident known for her beautiful cartoon artwork. Lynn attended art college in Edmonton in 1970, before moving home to Nova Scotia in 1980. She worked for The Citizen Newspaper where she drew over 100 editorial cartoons and won the Atlantic Newspaper Association’s award for “Best Local Cartoon” in 1981. From there she moved to the Halifax Daily News and Frank Magazine.

Lynn was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when she was 17, and her symptoms become debilitating in her

late 20’s and eventually she was unable to draw or walk. She received two operations years later which gave her use of her hands again without tremors. She learned how to balance while walking so she could walk with a walker.

Today, Lynn is a resident at Northwood and still drawing cartoons for the LiveMore paper. We are proud to have showcased her artwork at Northwood for all to see!

If you are interested in any of Lynn's artwork, please contact her at eylandlynn@gmail.com.

Seeds of Success

IPAC Simulation Pilot Project

Northwood Community Recreation Therapy

Grant Philips heading to the Special Olympics

Getting to know the Northwood Staff Northwood Homecare: Introducing Kelly Baker

Hello, my name is Kelly Baker and I am entering my 27th year as a CCA. I started my healthcare journey in 1996 at Dartmouth Community Homemakers Association and from there joined the Northwood Homecare team! 27 years of following my passion has truly been such an honour for me. Being part of the Northwood team has been a very fulfilling experience, allowing me to care for our seniors and people in need. Taking care of others has always been part of who I am, as my mom often shares memories of me as a very young child, always wanting to lend a helping hand to whomever I could. The best part of my career with Northwood is I am part of a team that allows me to make a

difference every day with each client I visit. Their smiles, stories, advice, and gratefulness truly warms my heart!

From starting my journey at 22 years of age until now, I have always made a point to follow my selfgiven advice: Always treat others as I would want to be treated, treat everyone as though they are your own mother, father, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, child or friend and you will always succeed. The rapport I have with my clients and their families is a true reflection of this.

Thank you to Northwood for allowing me to be part of this journey and this wonderful team of people. I am looking forward to many more years with Northwood and what my future here holds!

Our supervisors are always there to put ours and the client’s needs first, they are easy to communicate with and always kind, supervisors like that are hard to find! – Miranda

What Northwood Staff love about working here Spread the love: it

MacPhee

To see the clients face light up and see them smile when you come in the door. It lets you know that you are doing something very important and that it's more than just a job.

– Pamela MacKarney

job.

I have enjoyed working at Northwood for 3 years now. Seeing my residents smile each day is enough reassurance that this is where I need and want to be working :) it is such a rewarding job. We work as a team daily. Putting our residents needs first. It feels like a family at Northwood. I love my job.

– Joy Laing

Research and Innovation at Northwood Meet Andrea Mayo: Northwood Research Associate

Andrea is the Northwood Research Associate and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Health with the Geriatric Medicine Research Unit! Andrea manages all incoming and outgoing research projects here at Northwood and is working to ensure the Northwood community is up to date on all research happenings. Andrea uses data analytics to understand health behaviours and the aging process.

“This is my dream role! I am lucky enough to work alongside other aging and health researchers and with an organization who genuinely cares and strives every day to make a difference for their community. I am excited to develop in this role, with this organization, and with our local aging community!” If you have any comments or ideas you would like to bring forward about Research and Innovation, please email andrea.mayo@nwood.ns.ca

Current Research Projects:

Developing and Testing a residentcentred rehabilitation program for long-term care residents with Dementia

Dementia increases the likelihood of impaired mobility, falls, and fractures. Engaging in routine rehabilitation sessions can improve quality of life and mobility while also preventing falls and fractures. However, people living with dementia are less likely to receive this rehabilitation and are often excluded from rehabilitation studies. The purpose of this study is to identify the goals of rehabilitation and the meaning of quality of life and function for those in long-term care living with dementia. In addition, this project will identify barriers and facilitators to adequate nutrition intake through the lens of residents living with dementia, their family members, and their care staff. This study is currently looking for people to get involved! They are looking for: long-term care residents with moderate-to-severe dementia, family members for long-term care residents living with dementia, staff who provide care for residents with dementia and staff who provide meal-time care of residents living with dementia. If you are interested or want to learn more, email Andrea Mayo at andrea.mayo@nwood.ns.ca.

PUBLISHER

Northwood Communications

EDITOR

Mary Long

COMMUNICATIONS & DESKTOP

PUBLISHING ASSISTANT

Mary Long

902-421-7324

mary.long@nwood.ns.ca

PRINTING

Advocate Printing & Publishing

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Nicole McNeil

Northwood Community Recreation Therapy

ROLLING TOWARDS WELLNESS!

After a 3-year hiatus, Easter Seals Nova Scotia and Northwood has once again teamed up to bring Boccia (pronounced Bot-cha) Ball to our residents and tenants on Thursday evenings in the Activity Centre at the Halifax Campus. The game is like bowling or curling and involves players throwing or rolling balls towards a target, with the aim of getting as close to the target as possible. It's a game that can be played indoors or outdoors and is a great way to stay active and have fun.

Boccia Ball is an excellent choice for anyone wanting to stay active and social because it can be adapted to suit a wide range of skills and abilities. The game can be played while sitting or standing, and players can use specialized equipment to help them throw or roll the balls. The game also requires a level of skill and strategy, making it a mentally stimulating activity that can help to keep everyone engaged and entertained.

can also help improve physical health for anyone who plays it. The game can help improve handeye coordination, muscle strength, and flexibility, which can all contribute to overall physical wellbeing. In addition, regular physical activity has been shown to have numerous benefits for mental health, including reducing the risk of depression and anxiety.

Overall, boccia ball programs are an excellent way to promote physical activity, social interaction, and overall well-being among residents. By providing an enjoyable and engaging activity that is accessible

to all residents and tenants, these programs can help create a sense of community and improve quality of life.

If you would like more information on the Boccia Ball Program at Northwood please contact Annette Hill 902-453-6000, ext. 220 or takepart@easterseals.na.ca

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CONTACT:

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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

One of the benefits of the boccia ball program is that it helps to promote social interaction and build community. By working together to learn and play the game, residents can develop friendships and enjoy the camaraderie of a shared activity. This can be particularly beneficial for residents who may feel isolated or lonely, as it provides an opportunity to connect with others and form new relationships.

Boccia ball programs

Introducing the OmiVista Mobii

The Halifax Recreation Therapy department has acquired an exciting piece of technology thanks to generous grant funding: the OmiVista Mobii interactive projector. This portable projector uses responsive technology to project images, videos, and games onto floors or tabletops. It creates an immersive environment with sights and sounds that respond to physical gestures, e.g., hand waving, wheelchair propulsion, food tapping, ball tossing, or beanbag throwing. Interactive projectors are becoming increasingly popular in long-term care facilities. By engaging residents in games that require critical thinking, problem-solving, and memory recall, projectors like the OmiVista provide cognitive stimulation and give residents a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. They can also help improve mobility by supporting low-impact exercises and activities that promote balance, coordination, and range of motion. When residents

interact with the projectors in a group context, they can share social connection, humour, and fun.

The OmiVista is a versatile tool. Recreation Therapy staff can easily customize the projector to meet the unique needs and preferences of individual residents or groups. It comes equipped with a wide variety of programs to choose from, such as ball games, target games, trivia, colouring, and interactive scenery.

The Recreation Therapy team is excited to bring the OmiVista to a floor near you!

Murray Creed, providing a new service at Northwood Community Life at Northwood

How many times have your children asked you, “Why don’t you videotape the story of your life so we’ll have it to remember you by, after you’re gone?” Lots of times, probably. Well, now you have your chance. One of our assisted-living residents, Murray Creed, has volunteered to record cellphone videos of Northwood Tenants for their personal use. Murray tells us how it works:

“I talk to each person one at a time, (as friends), and they think back on the things they did…growing up, in their adult years, and now, here at Northwood. At the time of writing, I’ve videotaped Henry Boyd, Les Beaver, and Margie Gillam.

Henry spoke, among other things, about growing up as black kid in Halifax and how he dealt with racism.

Les Beaver told of how he wanted to Honor his father, (who died at 54 of cancer), by excelling in his university studies and graduating first in his class.

Margie Gillam spoke about her career as supervisor of CT scan and MRI at the VG hospital, which led to her receiving the 50th Anniversary Medal from Queen Elisabeth. She was also in charge of Public Housing in Halifax and placed families there.

“Murray Creed was a CBC TV Producer-director for 50 years. He and his wife, Joan Watson, originated CBC Marketplace in 1972, and were featured in the 50th Anniversary of the show last October. The show is available on YouTube and CBC Gem. Murray is known to his friends as, “the video guy—he tapes everything that moves…and a lot of things that don’t!” You can sign up to be taped by calling Murray at 902-497-5849. You will have your own copy when you provide a Memory Stick.

Stay tuned on social media for more from Murray.

Northwood LiveMore Agent Program: Meet Darlene

Humans crave meaningful activity, purpose, positive community engagement, and achievement. These aspects are inherent to personhood and motivates individuals to maintain independence as they age. Residents living in Long-Term Care have historically struggled with the lack of appropriate

HOW INFECTION SPREADS

opportunities for success in meaningful volunteering or “working” type roles once they leave the formal workforce or enter care.

We at Northwood feel that quality of life should be the outcome experienced by an individual, NOT the absence of negative outcomes (less falls, less bedsores, less depression). PersonCentered Care allows us to work with residents to discover their values, morals, and goals in life, and create meaningful opportunities for belonging to the Northwood Community.

Please try this free virtual simulation scenario which introduces participants to Ross, a resident in a care home It explores the potential for the spread of infection in his room and within the care home.

Learning Objectives:

Recognize factors that potentially contribute to the spread of infection.

Darlene has lived at Northwood for 8 years and has been a Northwood LiveMore Agent since the program’s inception in 2018. As a Northwood LiveMore Agent, Darlene ensures that the Fish on Main Street are fed and cared for so that all residents and visitors may enjoy them. She also cares for the many plants scattered throughout Northwood’s Halifax site and delivers the Northwood Newspapers to residents in the facility.

Darlene loves living at Northwood and enjoys the independence and autonomy that her living circumstances allow her. Her role as a LiveMore Agent has allowed her to become more confident in herself, add a positive date/activity to her regular schedule to look forward to, and develop meaningful relationships with other staff, clients, families, and visitors to Northwood.

Grant Philips is heading to the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin

Northwood’s very own Grant Phillips is heading to Germany in June to compete in the 2023 Special Olympics World Games Berlin! The Special Olympics World Games are the world's largest inclusive sports event and thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities will compete together in 26 sports.

Grant has been a part of the Northwood community for several years and currently works as a Utility Worker in the Food Services Department. In the summer of 2022, Grant competed at the Provincial Summer Games in Antigonish at St. Francis Xavier University where he qualified to compete

in the upcoming World Games. Grant will be competing in the 3000-meter race, 5000-meter race and will also be running in the relay races. Currently, Grant is in a rigorous training schedule to help prepare for the competitions but is excited to do his best and enjoy the adventure.

Please stay tuned to the Northwood social media channels in June, where we will be posting updates as Grant competes! Northwood is proud to celebrate this accomplishment with Grant and will be rallying behind him as he heads off to the World Games!

Northwood Accreditation Update Upcoming Onsite Survey

Northwood is excited to announce that we have our on-site survey dates for Accreditation. We will be welcoming the surveyors on September 27th, 28th and 29th.

An on-site survey is conducted by trained surveyors who will assess Northwood against various standards. The surveyors are health care professionals and

administrators from other accredited health care organizations. During the three days the surveyors are here, they will look at our policies and procedures, talk to staff, clients, residents, family members, leaders, Board members, and our community partners. They will also observe key areas of care or service and ask about examples and

stories that demonstrate our commitment to quality and safety. After the visit, we will be provided with a report detailing our strengths and areas for improvement and will be given our standing.

Although the two programs that are being Accredited are the Home Support Program and LongTerm Care, Accreditation is an organization wide

endeavour. While onsite, a surveyor could approach anybody, and ask them questions related to Northwood’s commitment to quality, safety, and risk management.

If you have questions related to Accreditation, please contact Tasha Ross, Manager, Quality and Risk at tross@nwood.ns.ca or 902-229-2236.

Northwood Adult Day Program Meet Grant Kennedy, an Adult Day participant

Grant is a lively fellow who visits the Halifax Adult Day program three times a week and has now been attending for over a year. “I like coming, it gets me out of the house and keeps me social! It also allows my wife to have some time to herself,” he says. Grant has led an exciting life where he worked in the Navy as a trombone and double bass player in the band and later became a pilot with CBC. Music and socializing have always been important

to Grant, it’s how he met his wife Penny, who was a singer in the CBC show SingAlong-Jubilee and he enjoyed playing music in local bands in Nova Scotia before his retirement. “I suppose you could say music has always been a major part of my life, it’s something I really enjoy,” Grant says. Grant is happily married to Penny and they reside in Halifax but enjoy taking advantage of the Adult Day Program here at Northwood.

Meet the staff: Seeds of Success

Paul Healy

Paul is one of the Northwood Adult Day Program staff and he works at the Halifax location. Paul grew up in Toronto and moved to Halifax about 25 years ago. Today he is married and has two grown children. He has been a CCA since 2009 and worked at Arborstone for 9 years before settling at the Northwood Adult Day in 2018. “My favourite part of working at the Adult Day Program is connecting with our clients on a variety of levels, through conversation, music and crafts and knowing how important the respite is for their caregivers!”

The Northwood Adult Day programs provide flexible individualized programming, socialization and companionship with supervision. We offer caregivers a day of respite with confidence and peace of mind. Northwood’s Adult Day program is for dependent adults over the age of 50 who have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, stroke, Parkinson’s Disease or who may be physically frail. Age exceptions may be made for those suffering from early onset of Alzheimer’s Disease, Pick’s Disease, Lewy Bodies, or vascular type Dementia). You can learn more about the Adult Day Program on our website northwood.care.

Re-Introducing Northwood's Mental Health and Wellness Program

The Seeds of Success mental health and wellness program is back up and running after a brief pause last fall. The Seeds program is now lead by Leilani Reum (BSW) and assisted by Amanda Looman (BSW) who works in Client Services as a social worker at Northwood. Leilani and Amanda welcomed back past active participants into the newly painted and organized Seeds space for a Meet and Greet event on January 24. Attendees created a group collage as a first project. There was a great turnout of past participants and

several interested future participants also dropped by.

Seeds has started doing a therapeutic gardening group on Mondays and a Creative Expressions group on Tuesdays. Gardening and plant care has been taking place indoors until the weather warms and then participants will be tending plants, including a vegetable garden, in the courtyard and on the Harbourview Deck this summer. Many participants have expressed excitement to

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get their hands back in the soil and nurture the plants once again. The Creative Expressions group involves doing art as therapy and will explore mental health and wellness themes through painting, drawing, crafts, drama/role play, among other arts mediums. There are other programs to come, and space will open for new participants to join once Seeds gets rolling. Stay tuned! Welcome back Seeds of Success!

“It has been a long journey for the Seeds of Success Program from its humble beginnings to the new dawn we now share. The seed planted in days gone by has now, once again, felt the touch of sunlight and is sprouting from the earth.

Welcome to the rebirth of the Seeds Program. As with any new beginning, there will be challenge and reward, hope and hard work. We honour all

who made the program what it was and bring the best forward to the future.

Thank you for your past and future participation. We stretch out our arms to embrace a bright, new horizon.”

Anne Jones

Maintenance Updates

Accomplishments and Tasks for the 2023 season

The Maintenance Department has been working hard on tasks that will safeguard critical services at Northwood. They have been using what is called a “Criticality Matrix” which the maintenance department uses to determine which equipment and systems are critical to the operational objectives of Northwood!

The Maintenance team has identified the following as critical systems and equipment:

• Water supply and distribution systems

• Sewage systems

• Power supply and distribution. Including back-up generated power

• Nurse Call system - Partnered with IT Team

• Care Beds and lifts

• Ventilation systems

• Medical equipment

• Lift safety, fire alarm, sprinkler, and security systems

• Building structure

For 2022 the following Maintenance tasks have been completed:

• Security systems: Installed a card swipe system in the Manor elevators.

• Building Structure: Installed new ceiling in the Halifax Cabana.

• Water supply and distribution systems: Installed new boilers and storage system in the Manor.

• Water supply and distribution systems: Replaced water and sewage lines in the Manor - West

The following Maintenance tasks are scheduled for 2023:

• Nurse Call system: Replace the nurse call system in the Center building and the Manor building.

• Lift safety systems: Install new fire alarm panels in the Tower, Center and Manor building

• Lift safety systems and security: Install fire suppression system in the Northwood IT computer room in the Manor.

• Water supply and distribution systems: Replace water and sewage lines in the Center- West

Please note that the above projects are in line with the Northwood criticality matrix.

-Mary

(Longtime Seeds member)

Long Term Care IPAC Simulation Pilot Project

The Health Standard Organization along with Simulation Canada came together to search for long term care facilities that would take part in the IPAC simulation pilot project. Northwood’s Long-Term Care facility was chosen along with 15 other LongTerm Care facilities across Canada to participate. This was a very exciting project to participate in to help our overall learning experience in infection control.

The objectives for the pilot project simulations are to help with improving care providers with competencies in infection Prevention and Control Practices through simulation.

Simulation is hands on infection control case studies, discussions, and online learning. Our Goal is to educate at least 20% of our staff, residents, and families within a 3-month time frame. Which in the past 3 months our educators along with staff have

been successful with educating 24% of staff and residents at our Halifax site and 25% of staff and residents at our Bedford Campus. The IPAC simulations include hand washing, donning/ doffing PPE and Respiratory etiquette. Once the simulation session was completed a debriefing session took place for staff and resident to talk about their experience and how they felt about the simulation. The IPAC simulation was a safe space for everyone to participate and ask questions. We have had great feedback regarding the IPAC simulation education and are continuing

to educate our staff, residents, and Families in all our facilities. Looking for information on IPAC Simulations?

Contact Lisa.carr@nwood.ns.ca

Ivy Meadows Continuing Care Community

Friends of Ivy Meadows Residence Society passes Assessable bus on to Northwood

Being able to travel around is essential to many in longterm care and provides a way to socialize outside of the home and have fun. In 1993, Scotia Homes (Now Ivy Meadows Continuing Care Community) recognized they needed transportation for their residents and

purchased a station wagon. A few years later they bought a second-hand assessable bus that eventually was deemed not-road-worthy, and it was decided they would need to purchase a new bus for a cost of $83,000. The Friends of Ivy Meadows Residence Society stepped up to the

plate to raise the funds and to maintain the bus once it was purchased. The Society consisted of about 14 hardworking, passionate women who were determined to fundraise the money needed and purchase the residents at Ivy Meadows a new bus. The society raised money

through monthly fundraisers including Mother’s Day Tea, Valentine’s, Easter events such as Rock A Thon, Garden Parties, Baked Good sales and the biggest draw, the annual Penny Auction. The society had donations from families and in memory of family members, who were residents. They also qualified for a one-time grant of $12,000 from the Municipal Government. With the support of the community, the society raised the funds needed in a short three

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years and purchased the bus for Ivy Meadows in 2011. “It was a job… a career but done out of love and we would do it again,” said Marilyn MacDonald, Member of Friends of Ivy Meadows Residence Society.

The Society continues to support the residents at Ivy Meadows to pay for maintaining the bus, and providing recreational items including Christmas gifts, music festivals, bingo prizes and more. As Northwood prepares to manage Ivy Meadows Continuing Care Community it was decided to pass the bus along as well to help Northwood residents get out and about when Ivy Meadows is not in need of the bus. The community support seen rallying around Ivy Meadows to help the Society purchase the bus is unmatched and greatly appreciated.

Community Recreation & Wellness

COMMUNITY GARDEN

William E. Frank Live More Park

INFORMATION

$60 per bed for the season Wheelchair accessible, sit-able, and standard beds available

Location: 123 Gary Martin Drive Northwood, Bedford

By Registration Only: (902) 454-3351 or crec@nwood.ns.ca

Welcome to the West Bedford Community Garden at Northwood Bedford! Whether you would like to grow your own organic vegetables, or try out new seed varieties, our Community Garden has space for you. Call Community Recreation & Wellness (902) 454-3351 or email us at crec@nwood.ns.ca for more information.

Congratulations to Our Northwood Staff Northwood Career College

It has been quite a journey! We applaud your hard work in meeting deadlines, and we recognize the many personal sacrifices taken by you, and your families, to meet your personal education goals. CCAs are an essential part of Nova Scotia’s healthcare system, with new legislation recognising the role that continuing care assistants fulfill in providing supportive health care to Nova Scotians. Your achievement proves dedication to your work and clients. Be proud of that signature now holding the honor of “CCA”. Congratulations.

Congratulating the following Northwood Staff who have completed the RPL Phase II process with the Northwood Career College.

Beverly Viernes

Bibina Girish

Mohamad Emad Jalabi

Victoria Owoloja

Leslie Stevens

Mounika Syamala

Shane Ballard

Shalika Abeysooriya Patabendige Oluwatoyin Adegbenro

We look forward to celebrating the same success with our current and future group of students.

A very big THANK YOU to my fellow SDL Guides Kailey Durette, and Caelin MacAulay, two very dedicated nursing managers of the Northwood family, for supporting the students through their educational journey.

Margaret Leveck, CCA Primary Instructor

SUDOKU

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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