www.northwood.care
A Community Paper sharing the stories of the largest not-for-profit continuing care organization in Atlantic Canada Spring 2022
Volume 04, Issue 01
A love to last a lifetime When Camille Sherman (Gimblett) started volunteering with Northwood she had no idea she would meet the love of her life, Marvin Sherman. “Back when I was volunteering in Homecare with Northwood I was talking to Shirley Burnstein (Northwood Players music director) one day and this man walked by with a luggage bag, I asked ‘Who is that man?’ She said, if you want to get to know him you should join the Northwood Players, so I did,” says Sherman. From that point on, Sherman began a friendship with “the man with the luggage bag.” They performed together with the Northwood Players and attended dances together. “We used to sneak out to the fire escape and steal a few
Successful Seniors Page 3
kisses until we got caught,” says Sherman. “They told us we couldn’t do that anymore.” In a 1994 interview Sherman said, “I saw him sing at a concert four years ago and later, I heard him sing again and wanted to tell him how wonderful he sounded. He thanked me.” She added, “we met again in the Northwood Tea Room and discovered we could make music together.” Their friendship blossomed into a relationship that lasted
until he passed away a few years ago as a Northwood resident where Sherman now lives. “He had dementia but my lasting memory and the best memory I have is of his last birthday party,” says Sherman. “I put on a karaoke party and for a moment when he sang his favourite song, Danny Boy, his memory returned and he knew every word, music really is a healer.”
Governance Committee looking for Board Page 8 Members
Halifax Cycling Coalition looking to expand on Northwood’s lead Page 10
Their whole life revolved around Northwood with their wedding taking place at Northwood Manor in 1994 surrounded by Northwood staff, residents and the Northwood Players. The Northwood Players planned the entire wedding, Burnstein, even made Sherman’s headpiece. Camille sang in choirs as a child growing up in Dartmouth and sang with the Dartmouth Choral Society. Today she is part of the ukulele group at Northwood’s Halifax location and takes the time to help teach others how to play ukulele.
Getting your garden ready for planting Page 15
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In the Spotlight
Recognizing a Job Well Done! Health Services QRP Staff We wanted to say, “Thank you” to our dedicated Health Services "QRP" Staff (Quick Response Program). During this difficult time and with all the challenges, you go above and beyond for all clients. Thank you for always being on time for your clients
and providing amazing care. We do appreciate all your efforts! Keep up the wonderful work!! Dobrinka S & Elaine B, Health Services Supervisors Kyle Richardson Home Support Kyle recently had an amazing, positive influence
on a new client with Northwood homecare. This client had some reservations about accepting a male care giver, as did her family. Kyle was one of the first staff scheduled in with this client. Kyle took the time to speak with client prior to initiating care, which gave the client time to see that he was
Volunteers Make a Difference "My involvement with Northwood started with my summer job as a Vegetable Gardener. I went into it with no expectations but came out having made meaningful relationships with residents we organized recreation for and those that were on their daily walks while I weeded the gardens. I truly believe that Northwood is a place of hope, happiness and positivity and so I decided to come back
as a volunteer. The best parts of my time at Northwood were the conversations I was able to have with some of the residents while we played scrabble or went on walks around the building. It meant a lot to me that I was able to impact somebody’s life just by spending some time with them and that made volunteering at Northwood rewarding to me." Hussaina Joher
there to help her and was approaching her care with dignity and compassion. Thank you, Kyle, for demonstrating a wonderful approach to care. Building a rapport with a client, makes all the difference! Allison Slade
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Northwood Community News
Successful Seniors By: Crystal Jamieson
Northwood resident and Fredericton, New Brunswick native Cindy Tingley is using her childhood experience on the farm to create a world that teaches us life lessons through the eyes of a donkey. “I grew up on a farm as a child and loved animals,” says Tingley. I was part of a large family of 10 and grew up interested in politics and advocating for others.” She was always interested in writing and had jotted down great ideas but never had the time or inclination to write until about 10 yearsago. “It was the Christmas season and I decided to start on the first Lilly book”, says Tingley. “I had the first draft written in a month and a half and had found a great publisher to work with.” Tingley considers herself a Christ writer, “He is in everything I do,” she says. She describes the character
of Lily as having no faith in herself. She starts talking to angels as a young donkey and winds up playing an important role in the birth of Christ. “I think Lilly shows that no matter how we feel about ourselves, that’s not how God sees us,” adds Tingley. “She learns that she has an inner strength in herself and how to stand up to bullies.” She notes how youth and older adults often lose strength in themselves due to the many things going on around them and how Lilly helps to remind them that they are strong. “As we get older, society doesn’t validate us as much,” notes Tingley. “Seniors have accumulated so much
knowledge they can pass on to the younger generation if they take the time to listen” Tingley is about to release the third book of a planned four book series on Lilly the donkey and her spiritual journeys which will be available for purchase on Amazon. She has also been working on a novel for adult readers. “Lilly can be a beacon of
hope for many people,” says Tingley. “Even if she reaches one person, she has done her job.” Tingley’s love of nature, farm life and her spirituality shines through in her books, teaching life lessons to both the young and old. “Lilly is for the child in all of us, when it comes down to it, adults are just children in bigger bodies.”
Questions about dementia? We are here to help.
1-800-611-6345 | alzheimer@asns.ca www.alzheimer.ca/ns
200301
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Northwood Community News 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 EDITOR Crystal Jamieson COMMUNICATIONS & DESKTOP PUBLISHING ASSISTANT Crystal Jamieson 902-454-3342 crystal.jamieson@nwood.ns.ca PRINTING Advocate Printing & Publishing PRODUCTION MANAGER Vicki Hines
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
Standing up for Dignity By: Crystal Jamieson
Abby Clarke Caseley, Client Relations Coordinator with Northwood, says her position “is basically a lot of words for saying I am the head of the complaint committee, I am the advocate, I am the support, I am the listening ear or the fly on the wall.” Describing her job as a “mixed bag,” she helps residents with whatever they are facing barrier wise. Whether that’s something Northwood could be doing better policy wise, with front line work or providing direct mental health support. Over the past year Caseley has been working with Northwood resident Melanie Gaunt who is looking to raise money for an innovative new product that will help her move around much easier and give her more exercise. “I was searching for different options to be able to get around because I don’t like being in this wheelchair and the walker just has too many challenges,” says Gaunt. This will increase my health because it’s going to increase my mobility. I am going to be able to use it as a tool for all my other activities. I will be at eye level with people, it will be so nice to be part of the conversation instead of looking up at people.” According to Caseley, Gaunt’s application involved some forms and a bit of storytelling that would be reflective of Mel and her experience. “It was important for me to get across not just
Mel’s disability but her advocacy because Mel is very passionate about advocating for people with disabilities.” The Alinker, which looks a bit like a childs balance bike, is made for people like Gaunt who lives with MS. She can stand up and walk but she is not stable on her feet. Basically, the Alinker is a trunk stabilizer that holds you up and allows you to get around. “I am looking forward to the stop and stare effect of it and the branding part of it as far as disability goes, I am standing up, I am walking with you, I am not scarry and I don’t bite,” says Gaunt. “I want it for me, but also for the public to promote awareness about people with disabilities. We are not a forgotten sect who lives on an island.” Gaunt likens disability to an appendix at the end of the book that you should read but you probably won’t. “We are a chapter in the book of humanity just the same as
everyone else and the fact that we even have to have the words inclusion, accessability and disability needs to change.” Northwood has a Dignity Fund that helps their residents gain items they need to live with dignity. They will fund items that are the right fit or solution and approved by an occupational therapist, however the Alinker company is not local so they couldn’t access one to try in order to determine if it would be a good fit for Gaunt. “One of the things I love about Northwood is that they are willing to go along with the progress of healthcare, they are willing to look into trying new things,” says Gaunt. This isn’t going to be funded by Northwood, but I know they are going to be excited for me to get this. I am part of the Northwood family so everyone is excited. I might even share it.” Continued on page 5
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Standing up for Dignity Continued from page 4 Gaunt decided to look for financial assistance through the Alinker site and enlisted Caseley’s help. They took their time preparing her video and it paid off. Within 25 hours of Gaunt’s funding video airing on their
website, she had enough money to buy her Alinker and even surpassed her goal. “The Alinker will be a game changer giving others with disabilities hope,” says Gaunt.”I raised the money to get it and even surpassed the goal so I will be paying
it forward to help somebody else get one,” says Gaunt She sees the Alinker as a paradigm shift, bringing people with mobility issues independence, freedom, and dignity. “Dignity is not an afterthought, we are not supposed to be an
afterthought,” says Gaunt. “There is nothing about having a wheelchair that promotes health, you are just sitting there. If sitting is supposed to be the new smoking, then why are we all still in wheelchairs.” If you are interested in learning more about the Alinker you can visit their website: https://thealinker. ca/
Education
Ivany Campus Student Placements By: Crystal Jamieson
Continuing Care Assistant instructor Brenda Lee Blagdon and student Madison Mar, are currently carrying out their teaching/learning experience at Northwood’s Ivany Campus in Bedford. The Province of Nova Scotia is focusing on increasing the number of CCA’s within the province through programs that will see schools like CBBC Career College, where Blagdon teaches, contribute 354 new CCA’s to the field this year. The CCA programs being offered at schools combine on-the-job skills with in-class learning to provide their students with the ability to enter the workforce well prepared. “Schools look for placements for their students and it’s been hard during Covid,” says Blagdon. “Our hope is to have the students introduced to a location where they can forge a relationship and hopefully stay on there.” Northwood prides itself in helping employees
and students reach their educational goals so the facility reached out to CBBC Career College to see if they had any students looking for placements. “Northwood has been very accommodating, says Mar. “They are extremely understanding and compassionate people, not just with the residents, but with the students as well. They had a vote of confidence in me and let me go at my own pace.” This is Mar’s first placement. She went into
nursing straight out of high school and was struggling living on her own and under a lot of pressure. She failed a course and took some time away from education. She feared going back, but after a three-year gap she decided to start fresh. “Once I got there and got to meet the other students in my class, we became instantly close and there were only 14 of us that stuck through,” says Mar. “I came in and wasn’t scared anymore, they were understanding that I was a 22-year-old with a job and bills to pay and real-life family problems.” Blagdon notes that a lot of learning comes out of the placements which is why there are instructors with the students along with the seasoned CCA mentors working at the location. “The mentors at each of the houses were very helpful they were like “I got her, see you, bye” and just took off with the students,” says Blagdon. Blagdon says she has worked in a lot of homecare situations but not facilities.
She notes that every aspect of the Ivany campus has been welcoming and there hasn’t been a single bad moment let alone a bad day or experience. “I have seen this class is exceeding all of my expectations, they are rockstar’s, they have all gained so much confidence from this year,” she says. When asked about what she has learned so far through the placement, Mar says “Patience, patience and more patience”. She says she had nightmares about some of the call bells and was a bit fearful but once she hit the ground running, “I trusted in what I was taught, wanted to learn and prove what I have learned.” Mar says that she is definitely considering Northwood’s Ivany Place for full-time employment, “the more time I spend here and with the residents I fall in love with them, and I fall in love with the staff. This ia a beautiful location. Anyone would be lucky to work at this location it’s like being part of a community.”
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Education I N V I TAT I O N RESEARCH PROJECT FORGOTTEN LIVES: THE EXPERIENCES OF TRANS OLDER ADULTS WITH DEMENTIA
Are you: •
Over the age of 50
•
Living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, mild or advanced
•
Identifying as trans (transsexual, transgender, nonbinary, etc.)
W E
W O U L D L I K E T O M E E T O F A P R O J E C T E X P L O R E X P E R I E N C E O F T R A N S P E O A N D T H E I R C
W I T H Y O U A S P A R T I N G T H E L I V E D P L E W I T H D E M E N T I A A R E R S
What to know:
•
Two meetings will be scheduled by videoconference at a time of your choice
•
Participation compensated by a 25$ gift card
•
Project co-led by a transgender person and a cisgender person using a trans-affirmative perspective T O
P A R T I C I P A T E O R F O R M O R E I N F O R M A T I O N P L E A S E C O N T A C T :
trans.dementia.project@gmail.com
Marjorie Silverman, PhD (she/her) Principal investigator School of Social Work University of Ottawa
Alexandre Baril, PhD (he/him) Co-investigator School of Social Work University of Ottawa
Northwood Celebrates our Mentors CCA Mentors are a great asset to any Long-Term Care facility or Home Support agency, as they give their time and knowledge to students currently enrolled in the CCA Program. Completing both skills and mentored placements provides the students with the opportunity to put into practice the theory and lab skills taught in the classroom. Having a strong mentorship program is a great recruitment tool as it provides students with the following: • Direct experience developing their skills in facility and homecare environments. • Direct experience working one on one with our great mentors. • Opportunity to work for Northwood as a CCA IT/CCA (once program is successfully completed). Understanding the importance of providing placements to students and recognizing the valuable work of mentors, we are interested in building a Northwood Community for our Mentors. This would be a community that you would own and shape and grow for the organization as a Northwood Mentor. We would like your input on what the community will look like, and how it can best serve you in your role as a mentor. We are sending out this Expression of nterest to our current and potential mentors to see if you would be willing to work with us in exploring what a Northwood Mentor Community could be. If you are interested in being part of this working team, please email Cheryl King at cking@nwood.ns.ca or Jodi Newland at jnewland@nwood. ns.ca no later than March 30, 2022.
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Volunteer with Northwood
We are looking for Volunteers For 35 Years the Northwood Broadcasting Club has been playing easy listening music for older adults in Nova Scotia, PEI and now NL. Much has changed over that period... what has not changed is the grit, commitment and dedication of the volunteer broadcasters and assistants. The support of Northwood and Eastlink is also so crucial to our success.
Linda Furlought, President of NWBC, commented that "we so enjoy what we do because for many of our listeners, NWBC'S music programmes are so much a part of their everyday lives. It also is a most satisfying volunteer activity for all of us at NWBC". NWBC is always looking for volunteers to join us as we go forward!
Help us identify and understand the current needs of persons with dementia and explore ways in which telehealth can be used to improve care in Nova Scotia by completing our research survey
• •
Nova Scotians with dementia living in the community
Volunteers Needed! We are actively recruiting volunteers to help out with our radio station, NWBC. If you love music and are interested in entertaining our aging community, we want to hear from you! This is a great opportunity for students looking for some experience or somebody who is retired and looking for a way to stay active.
Family members, caregivers, and care partners of Nova Scotians living in the community with dementia
•
NSH healthcare professionals who provide dementia care
•
ASNS program and services staff members
playing
the
music y
ou
•
A survey (20-30 mins) on your experiences with dementia care in Nova Scotia
want to hear
Lindsey.Puddicombe@nshealth.ca 902-473-4263 or visit our website at https://www.dementiacaresurvey.ca/
For persons with dementia: https://research-study.nshealth.ca/surveys/?s=98T8H9J7RN For family, caregivers or care partners: https://research-study.nshealth.ca/surveys/?s=9DJ73JER3W7HR9YX For NSH healthcare professionals: https://research-study.nshealth.ca/surveys/?s=94XEWF3DXXYYCHXH
For ASNS program and services staff members: https://research-study.nshealth.ca/surveys/?s=PX3X8KTNL44XNRAM NSHA REB ROMEO FILE #1027211
For more information, please contact Ruth-Ellen Jackson ruthellen.jackson@nwood.ns.ca
NWBC
Broadcasting Club
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Volunteer with Northwood
Governance Committee looking for Board Members Join our Board of Governors and help make a difference! The Governance Committee of the Northwood Board of Governors is currently seeking interested candidates to join the Northwood Board at Northwood’s next annual meeting. Northwood is the largest not-for-profit continuing care organization in Atlantic Canada, with annual expenditures of $90 M, assets of $100M, and a staff and volunteer force in excess of 2000 people, we serve over 6500 clients daily. The Northwood Board sets organizational ends,
develops policies that provide clear direction to the Chief Executive Officer for the successful operation of the organization and monitors whether these policies are being successfully met within
the limitations set. We seek members having a range of skills, interests, knowledge, diversity and experience to compliment the strengths of other Board members, and currently we are particularly
in need of new members with strong backgrounds in finance or accounting and in healthcare or continuing care. If you think you may have an interest to share your abilities to help guide the entire Northwood organization, please respond in confidence with a resume or summary of your background and experience to chairgovernance@nwood.ns.ca by March 31, 2022. For more information on the Northwood Board of Governors, please see https://northwood.care/aboutnorthwood/board-committees/ board-of-governors/.
Human Resources
Continuing Care Assistant Registry The mandatory Continuing Care Assistant Registry went live February 2, 2022. A mandatory CCA registry was recommended by the 2018 Minister’s Expert Advisory Panel on Long-Term Care. New legislation, the Continuing Care Assistants Registry Act, received Royal Assent in April 2021 and establishes a mandatory registry for all CCAs in Nova Scotia for the purposes of collecting workforce planning data such as the name of the CCA, where they work, and whether they work full-time, part-time, or casual. Continuing Care Assistants are a very
important part of Nova Scotia’s health care system and represent a sizeable current and future workforce in Nova Scotia’s continuing care sector. The mandatory registry will replace the existing voluntary registry, which has not provided good data to inform workforce planning. Health Association Nova Scotia (HANS) will administer the CCA registry for the department and provide support to the sector. HANS and the department will work together to ensure that all the registration data is kept secure and private in accordance with Nova
Scotia’s privacy legislation. • HANS will be sharing • Please note that name, materials to respond to registration number staff registry questions and annual renewal and will be working status of each CCA and to provide employers CCA in training will be with a list of registered public and available on a CCAs leading up to the searchable public registry deadline and shortly on this website in a after the deadline, so manner, similar to that of that employers can the Nova Scotia College easily audit and support of Nursing (NSCN). compliance of their • The requirement will teams. Registration can be that all CCAs and also be verified online in a CCAs in training will be manner similar to that of registered. For the CCA the Nova Scotia College in training, the employer of Nursing. must continue to monitor The CCA Registry can education pathways and be located at: https://www. meet Entry to Practice novascotiacca.ca/ccaPolicy requirements. registry-information/
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Northwood Foundation Northwood Foundation makes new TV a reality The residents and staff on 9c would like to thank the Northwood Foundation
for making our TV project a reality. The residents love the TV for its immersive
Another successful Holiday Magic The Northwood Foundation was very grateful to Van Wart Productions for embracing us with their Holiday Magic fundraiser again this year, helping the Northwood Foundation raise over $138,000! Holiday Magic featured performers and artist from the Maritimes, and across Canada, and offered an hour of entertainment – an hour of hope and joy – all in support of the Northwood Foundation. The support of VanWart Productions over the past two years has made it possible for the Northwood Foundation to raise funds in these very difficult times during the ongoing pandemic. With their support, and the kindness of
amazing donors, Northwood can continue to offer the lifechanging programs for those that live in our Northwood Community this coming year.
size, punchy colours and the accessible height that it is placed. They also love the live aquarium screensaver
that comes on when no content is being played, so they have something to look at and enjoy.
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Northwood Foundation
Halifax Cycling Coalition looking to expand on Northwood’s lead Last May, Northwood brought Cycling Without Age to Halifax when they received a delivery of two Danish-made Trishaws (electrical-assisted tricycle rickshaws) that were purchased by the Northwood Foundation. Peter Zimmer, of Halifax Cycling Coalition, heard of this and volunteered to help uncrate the Trishaws and get the project off the ground. “As soon as I found out Cycling Without Age was coming to Northwood, I jumped in,” says Zimmer He suggested the Halifax Cycling Coalition Board should enter a partnership with Northwood to support and promote the Cycling Without Age pilot project. Zimmer, a board member at the Halifax Cycling Coalition, has been cycling in Halifax for 53 years. At 79 years old, he became the first CWA Halifax volunteer Pilot at Northwood. “The model Northwood uses is great,” notes Zimmer. “They make sure every driver has their criminal and vulnerable sector check and has training before they can take people out on the trishaws.” Zimmer is a product designer, inventor, urban activist and serial entrepreneur. In 2008, at the age of 66, he cofounded CarShareHFX (now Communauto Atlantic), retiring in 2014. He then
opportunity to get out for some fresh air and see things they haven’t seen in a while.” He is Halifax Cycling Coalition's lead for its application for an AgeFriendly Communities Grant from the NS Dept of Seniors and Long-Term Care to spread Cycling Without Age (CWA) throughout and beyond Halifax. “Northwood only has two trishaws for the two locations in Halifax and Bedford,” notes Zimmer. “They only serve the Northwood community, and this opportunity needs to be expanded.” HCC is looking to expand Cycling Without Age Halifax from Northwood Care’s current two Trishaws in order to serve people living in Halifax’s many other nursing homes, Long-Term Care Homes and Retirement Living Centres, and to begin to serve older people with mobility problems still living in their own homes (i.e., Aging in Place, rather than moving to institutional care). “We are looking into funding options and plan to take the Northwood trishaw around to other Long-Term launched a technology community,” says Zimmer. “I care homes and businesses startup (CogPro Cognitive have seen the positive effects to explain the benefits of Prosthetics Ltd., 2016-19) it has had on their health investing in one of these to address needs of people both physically and mentally. $12,000 bikes,” says Zimmer. living with Alzheimer Imagine how irritated, lonely “Anything that supports Disease. and scared you felt during wellness and is generating “The Cycling Without pandemic lockdowns, now an effort to keep the aging Age program has many imagine feeling that every population mobile should be positive benefits for the aging day. This allows them the supported.”
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Recreation
Music from the Heart
with my ukulele and I was desperate to have a program where I could play with other people.” The group put on a concert before Christmas and are currently working on songs like “Proud Mary” and the “Cole Miners Song.” They are meeting through Zoom right now but are looking
Sherman says there is a new member to the ukulele group who used to play piano and she is helping her learn. She believes that talking and playing music is good for your soul. “I moved in here a year ago after my husband’s death and I was feeling very lonely,” forward to getting together says Sherman. “The lessons in person soon. have helped heal me and “I remember when I first helped me settle down.” started playing ukulele a Lessons will be starting lady named Sue was teaching up again soon in Halifax for us over on Almon Street,” anyone who is interested notes Sherman. “I had a in joining the ukulele club. friend named Anne who took You can find out more lessons with me and she just information by talking thought I was the Queen of to your recreational Sheba.” programmer.
Soak the pot in a tub of warm water for up to an hour, then scrub it with a stiff brush. Put the paint for the base coat on a plastic plate and thin it with a small amount
of water. Apply the paint with a foam brush. Apply additional coats until the desired color depth is achieved Add your designs on top of
By: Crystal Jamieson
“It takes me back 19 yearsago, right here at Northwood when I took my first lesson,” says Northwood resident Cameille Sherman. Sherman is part of the new ukulele group that started up at Northwood’s Halifax location this year. Husband and wife duo Ron and Maria Alley along with their seeing eye dog get together with the residents to teach them how to play. “My first ukulele was taken out of the garbage. I took it out and spent the time fixing it,” says Sherman “I moved into Northwood
Getting Crafty Painting Terra-cotta pots You can make your own beautiful spring themed pots for your garden, but don’t forget to bring them in during the winter, they don’t like cold weather. Supplies you’ll need • Clean terra-cotta pots • Acrylic craft paints in assorted colors • Small or medium foam brushes • Plastic plates • Cotton swabs • Small artist’s paint brush • Wire brush • Clear spray acrylic
the base coat Allow several days for the paint to dry Add two coats of a clear water-based spray acrylic to seal the paint.
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Crossword/Cartoon ACROSS 1. 5. 8. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 18. 20. 21. 22. 23. 26. 27. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 38. 39. 41. 45.
Aerosol spray Tricky Marble slice At a standstill Stick for billiards Wear down Sports group Exit’s opposite Packing down VIII Eden dweller Mentally healthy Pushy Broom’s relative Hurried Litter’s littlest Title Folder “You ____ Sixteen” Grass-covered ground Moved slowly Heroic poem Rightful Shaving need Got slimmer Oversight
47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53.
Dam Clamors In fashion Unzip Brink Tissue layer Disarray
DOWN 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 17. 19. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 28. 29. 31. 32. 34. 35. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 46.
Catcher’s catcher What’s the big ____? Close with force Violent storm View Breathing organ Nonetheless Blot Undies Building curve Garden produce Gather in Climbing plant Tearful moan Half of a bikini “____ Day Will Come” Sniffling’s partner Wet dirt Swiss peak High-wire precaution Physician, briefly Liberation Knights’ titles Mug Sheriff ’s helpers Fine Went by carriage In a group of Hammer or chisel Ready to be picked ____ out (barely makes) Comfortable rooms Little devil
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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SEEDS of Success
SEEDS of Success Updates By: Joy Pennick, Mental Health Program Assistant, Seeds of Success
Kendra Lang, OT, Seeds of Success
In December, we welcomed Kendra Lang, as the new Occupational Therapist with Seeds of Success. Leading up to the holidays, SEEDS was able to offer regular group programming and were excited to host our Holiday Plant & Craft Sale, raising nearly $1000 thanks to a generous donor who matched our sales. From midDecember onward, SEEDS adapted to new restrictions during this latest wave of the pandemic by focusing once again on one-on-one sessions with residents. Despite this necessary separation,
participants were still able to ‘come together’ by participating ‘one at a time’ in a number of writing & creative activities. In January and February, we’ve brought SEEDS to our participants, on units, or in their rooms, with adapted plant care and creative expression activities. One resident was inspired to initiate a “Community Comfort Quilt” project, with members of a new “Slip and
Stitch” knitting club; knitted squares will be completed over the winter months and assembled in spring! We have also maintained our greenhouse plants, with the help of Seeds participants and our gardening volunteer. We are looking forward to increased gardening activities this spring and summer. In the coming months we hope to resume group activities with a new Wellness Series, our Gardening Club,
A Call for SEEDS Gardening Volunteers SEEDS is always looking for additional volunteers to assist in our outdoor gardening in spring and summer months, and we would love to welcome experienced gardeners and those knowledgeable on indoor and outdoor plant care. If interested, please contact Kendra or Joy at the SEEDS office at 902-454-8311 Ext. 3115 or by email: Kendra. Lang@nwood.ns.ca and joy.pennick@nwood.ns.ca
SEEDs Action Group and Creative Expressions. We are also looking forward to upcoming group collaborations: “Music Makers” with our Music Therapist, Katelyn as well as a return to the Clothing Sale, with Recreation & Volunteer Services. Finally, there are plans to re-introduce the ‘New to Northwood” adjustment group through a collaboration with Recreation, Social Work, Seeds & Spiritual Care.
Gratitude Scavenger Hunt • Find something that makes you smile • Give something to make someone smile • Find something that SMELLS GOOD • Find something BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT • Notice something that SOUNDS LOVELY • Find something YOUR FAVOURITE COLOUR • Look for something FROM NATURE • Notice when someone COMPLIMENTS YOU • Find one thing you are GRATEFUL FOR today
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SEEDS of Success
Happy Glow
We have been experiencing a time of Most of us, as children, darkness for the past couple had at least one glow-in-theof years and could really use dark toy or wall display. As some positivity in our world. you know, in order to glow, What do “glowies” have they must first be ‘charged’ to do with living through under a light source, a pandemic? I’m glad you preferably the sun. The glow asked. items can hold this energy for Have you ever thought of a given time, during which yourself as a metaphorical they can be seen in the dark. ‘glow-in-the-dark’? You can By M.J. 2022
be. Think of it this way, if you bring to mind all of the fun, comforting, happy memories and emotions you can, then hold tight to that joyful serenity for as long as possible. Congratulations! You are a “Glowie”. By doing this, you not only gain a few moments’ peace, you also share your ‘glow’ with others. If we
all shine even a tiny bit of light, we’ll push back this darkness and be ready to welcome the daylight once again! (M.J. is a resident at Northwood and a participant in the SEEDS program. SEEDS is a mental health focused program that helps residents by offering various outlets of creativity.)
Spring in the Bedford Community Garden
Butterfly Garden Project comes to Bedford The David Suzuki Butterflyway Project is a volunteer-led movement that’s bringing nature home to neighbourhoods throughout Canada, one butterfly-friendly planting at a time. Our Bedford William E. Frank Memorial Garden has been accepted into the Butterflyway project. Which began with just five Canadian cities in 2017. Some of the seeds will also be planted at our Halifax location as well. “Our plan so far is to appoint a “Butterfly Ranger” in our Halifax location for their garden beds. Our Community garden will probably have most of the Butterfly supplies as it is much larger,” says Bedford employee Jaclyn Dodge. “We are receiving signs and plan to attend the monthly “Ranger
webinars” to start the project. We are hoping to do some workshops/programming around the Butterfly ways, but we don’t quite know what that will look like yet!” Volunteer’s called Butterflyway Rangers are recruited in each community. Their mission is to plant native wildflowers in yards, schoolyards, streets and parks to support bees and butterflies. The goal is to establish local “Butterflyways” by planting at least a dozen pollinator patches in each neighbourhood or community. Over the past five years, more than a thousand Butterflyway Rangers have been recruited and trained from hundreds of communities. Continued on page 16
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Spring in the Bedford Community Garden
Getting your garden ready for planting 1. INSPECT RAISED GARDEN BEDS Check garden beds for any damage. Over the winter, soggy soil from rain and snow can put a strain on the wood frames of a raised garden bed. You want to make sure all your beds are structurally sound and ready to house plants and soil. To do so, repair any bowed or split wood on the frames. 2. CHECK YOUR GARDEN TOOLS Like you, your garden tools have patiently been waiting for the next gardening season. Get your garden tools in tip-top shape before the planting season gets in full swing. Give them a good wipe down and inspect for rust on the tool heads. If rusty, soak the tool in 50% water and 50% vinegar. Then, give them a good scrub with steel wool. If your tools have wooden handles and are showing signs of splits and cracks, rub them down with boiled linseed oil. 3. TURN YOUR COMPOST It’s time to turn your compost pile and check for any that is ready to use. Making your own compost is one of the best natural soil amendments and it’s free! Add compost to improve the soil by scratching in finished compost into the top one inch of soil. This will give your soil plenty of nutrients to house new seedlings. 4. TOP DRESS GARDEN BEDS If you run short of homegrown compost, you can
still give your soil a nutrient boost. Use well-seasoned manure to top-dress your garden beds in preparation for planting. If you planted a winter cover crop, now is the time to till it into the soil in preparation for planting the beds. 5. DIVIDE PERENNIALS This is a cost-efficient way to add more plants to your landscape, but be mindful of sharing pests, disease, and weeds. Only share plants from your garden that are healthy and inspect plants from friends or plant sales thoroughly. If there are any signs of distress or discoloration, do not plant it in your garden. The risk often far outweighs the reward! 6. WEED AND MULCH Eradicate those pesky early spring weeds before they get too comfortable in your garden. The key to successful weeding is to start
early in order to stay on top of it. Remove any young, sprouting weeds first. Next, put down a layer of cardboard or landscape fabric onto the bare ground before you add mulch. A three to four-inch layer of mulch is sufficient to discourage any new weed growth. Alternatively, you can plant your garden tightly with perennials, annuals, trees, and shrubs to crowd out weeds. More plants the better, right! 7. SEED STARTING Seed starting may be one of the most exciting spring garden tasks. Seeing new sprouts germinate and rise from the soil definitely brings me a little dopamine hit. Not all seeds will begin at the same time, so be sure to check their packet for growing timelines. Sow warm-weather vegetables and annuals indoors before the last
frost date. To aid in germination, pre-soak larger seeds and seeds with thick coats such as beets and nasturtium the night before you sow them in starter pots. 8. PRUNE Some people are scared to prune in the spring because they are unsure whether a branch is dead or still hibernating. The key is to do so after new growth has begun. You will want to remove any dead branches from shrubs, trees, and perennial foliage. Prune the spring bloomers, like forsythia and rhododendrons, as needed soon after flowering is complete. Thin and shape hedges after the first flush of new spring growth. PLAN TO PROTECT SEEDLINGS As much as we try to predict the weather, a late season frost or freeze can happen anytime in the spring. Make sure you have enough cloth and plastic to protect tender plants. If a frost is predicted, just a cloth over your plants will suffice. For nights when the temps are forecast to dip below freezing, it’s better to put a layer of cloth on first, then lay plastic on top. Condensation on the plastic can freeze and damage foliage. Taking the time to complete a few essential spring garden tasks will bring you benefits for the rest of the season. Plus, it just feels amazing to get back outside and dive deep into the garden!
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Spring in the Bedford Community Garden Community Garden Registration Did you know that you can rent a section of the Bedford Community Garden? The community garden is for all ages and experience, with a variety of raised and accessible garden beds available.
Butterfly Garden Project comes to Bedford
People can register by: Phone: 902-454-3351 Email: communitygarden@nwood. ns.ca. It is $60 to rent for the season, first come first served basis.
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Spring Garden Workshops We will be holding workshops on gardening at the William E Frank Memorial Garden in Bedford. The workshops we are offering this year are: 1. Community Garden Education and Orientation: education sessions where participants of all ages and abilities can come together over a commonality and make new discoveries. Tuesdays from 2-3pm or 6-7pm, starting April 12th (register by April 7th) 2. Planting Seedlings: how to be successful: Learn how to start your seeds for a successful harvest.
April 26th (register by April 19th). For more information on
the workshops please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
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They’ve connected with neighbours, schools, city agencies, businesses and community groups. To date, they’ve helped: • Get 85,000+ butterflyfriendly wildflowers into the ground. • Create 6,000+ pollinator patches for wild bees and butterflies. • Establish official Butterflyways in 75 communities and neighbourhoods. The Butterflyway Project shows that a small group of residents can make a big difference. Rangers make their communities greener and healthier. They create opportunities, connect people and champion fun ideas. The Butterflyway Project is based on the Homegrown National Park Project, an award-winning initiative project that created butterflyfriendly corridors in three Toronto neighbourhoods. In 2020, the Butterflyway Project received the Canadian Museum of Nature’s Nature Inspiration Award!
CONTACT US 902-429-4299 info@halifaxmealsonwheels.ca 321 Main Ave. Halifax, NS B3S 0B5 Open weekdays from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm