Northwood Live More Newspaper - Spring 2024

Northwood Foundation

The Chickenburger to celebrate 84th anniversary with Northwood

On Sunday, March 10, the Northwood community celebrated The Chickenburger’s 84th anniversary.

All proceeds from this celebration were graciously donated to support the Northwood Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to enhancing the lives of community members.

Residents and tenants at Northwood, along with locals, had the pleasure of tasting the mouth-watering flavours of The Chickenburger's renowned burgers while contributing to a meaningful cause.

Since opening in 1940, The Chickenburger has held a cherished spot in the hearts of Nova Scotians, delighting generations with its delicious food and retro atmosphere. For many, a visit to The Chickenburger also evokes nostalgia, making it not just a restaurant but a place to gather and reminisce over burgers and milkshakes.

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The

Chickenburger to celebrate 84th anniversary with Northwood

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Ann Bauld, a resident of Northwood, is filled with fond memories whenever thoughts of The Chickenburger cross her mind.:

I grew up in Hilden, four miles from the Halifax side of Truro. My dad worked in Halifax and knew of “The Chickenburger.” When I was 10, we took the bus to Halifax for the day. On the way home the bus stopped at The Chickenburger for our supper. It was my first time there.

After that, I delightfully went back several times and always had the chickenburger and a vanilla milkshake. I fed the juke box every time even though I had all the songs at home. I wish I could get all that money back...Ha!

My boyfriend and I always went there too. We married and had 4 kids. We always took them there on the last day of school. Now, they have children of their own who love to go there too.

I lived in Nova Scotia for 78 years but now I live in London, ON with my daughter. When I fly home, my first stop off the plane is The Chickenburger and my last stop

on my way back. My daughter has 5 children and they all come home for 2 weeks in August. Their first stop off the plane – same as mine – is The Chickenburger. The tradition continues. We LOVE IT!

The partnership between The Chickenburger and Northwood is a testament to the power of collaboration and philanthropy. Northwood extends its heartfelt gratitude to The Chickenburger for their generous support, which enables the Foundation to continue its impactful work within the community.

Through these donations, the Northwood Foundation aims to uplift and enrich the lives in our Northwood Community. By

celebrating this special day, customers not only savoured the flavours of The Chicken-

burger but also contribute to a cause that makes a tangible difference in people's lives.

Northwood Foundation

Northwood to host 12th Annual Research Symposium this summer

On June 7, Northwood will be hosting the 12th Annual Research Symposium for 2024 about groundbreaking research on elder care.

This year’s symposium will bring together leading researchers, academics and professionals working in Continuing Care.

Northwood’s first Re-

search Symposium took place in 2012 as a way to identify the mental health needs in our Continuing Care population.

Since then, the symposium is renowned for bringing diverse perspectives to discuss and explore exciting new initiatives and connections with those discovering compelling research

about elderly care in the province.

The Northwood Foundation is encouraging sponsors to support our symposium.

If you choose to get involved with us, you will receive the following benefits:

• Visibility and recognition among leading researchers, academics and practitioners

• Opportunity to demonstrate your organization’s support for research and innovation

• Opportunity to showcase your products and services with an exclusive exhibition booth

Visit NorthwoodFoundation.ca to find out more on how you can sponsor this event.

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

Hailey Clancey

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

SPECIALIST

Murray Stenton 902-943-1721

mstenton@nwood.ns.ca

PRINTING

Advocate Printing & Publishing

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Nicole McNeil

Research and Innovation at Northwood Life Before Death: Exploring Long-Term Care

Institutions and Life-Affirming Care for LGBT and Queer Seniors

Many current social policies and practices are based on being cisgender and/or heterosexual; thereby, are unlikely to include the voices of queer older adults. As the Baby Boomer generation –and LGBT and Queer members of this cohort, move into long-term care, it is important to consider their unique historical location, as they came of age during the gay liberation movement, creating the first cohort of openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. Therefore, our care systems must adopt inclusive policies and models of care that recognize the cultural context of

this population and include these voices, as they move into long-term care.

This project aims to answer the following questions:

1) How do older LGBT adults describe their experience living in long-term care; and how, do they describe their sexual identity as influencing their experiences?

2) How can long-term care homes better support LGBT and Queer residents?

To answer these questions, the research team is hosting a gay-straight alliance meeting group once a week at Northwood. At these meetings, the researcher will be participating and writing

reflexive notes about the group at each meeting. The researcher will help build rapport with residents and create a space for LGBT residents and their allies to build a community. Further, with consenting members, interviews with LGBT members will take place (lasting 30-60 minutes), allowing for first-person accounts of participant’s experiences. All interview’s will be confidential, and Residents can decide to have their interview inperson or over the phone.

If you’re interested and want to learn more, please contact: andrea.mayo@ nwood.ns.ca

Effect of the IBEX Lift™ on Fear of Falling: A Pilot Feasibility Study

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

Falls can lead to health problems for older adults (aged 65 and above), such as less ability to move, fewer social activities, and more health issues. The Ibex Lift©, a new mobility aid like a rollator walker, is being designed to help reduce falls and assist with getting up after falling. We're currently investigating if this device is practical and works well for older adults.

You may participate in this study if you are 65 years or older and have fallen at least once in the last 12 months, and/or have a risk of falling, fear of falling, reside in independent living or are receiving home care from

Northwood, can communicate in English, and are willing to participate in the study.

If you choose to be part of this study, you'll be in an 8-week trial where you switch groups halfway through (see

figure 1). For 4 weeks, you'll bring the Ibex Lift© into your home and use it every day as a mobility aid. We'll suggest ways to use it for walking, sitting, transferring between surfaces (like bed to Ibex Lift©), and lifting yourself off the floor if needed. You'll also get a fall detection device (In Touch on the Move) for free during the study, which you'll wear every day.

You will receive a $10 Tim Hortons gift card for your participation in the study as well as subscription to inTouch-On-The-Move for the duration of the study valued

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Northwood Infrastructure Infrastructure Update

Starting in Halifax with a quick update of ongoing projects the 1st floor Centre washroom project is nearing completion after several delays. The current expected timeline to open phase two is Mar 6, and after reviewing the progress it looks like this is a good completion ETA.

The penthouse project, also in Centre building, is moving along well. There are some finishes left to be completed, but the bulk of the construction work is finished. Expect to see an open-

ing preview of this fantastic new programming space soon.

Bedford’s flood restoration is also nearing completion. In January we were so excited to welcome back residents to two neighborhoods, and our common spaces are nearing their completion to be opened for use again. With the support of the entire Northwood team in Bedford and Halifax we instituted a move of the entire kitchen and support services areas, which have been re-located to temporary

quarters for 4 weeks now.

The rehab is in its middle stages for this critical space, and we are hoping to reoccupy and start using this space again mid-March.

The remaining two resident neighborhoods are also well underway. One has been cleaned and rehabbed, with just finish work to complete, and the last is in stages of demo/clean now. If we are able to maintain progress as it is now, we should have residents moving back into these spaces in early April.

Ivy Meadow has been a

great addition to our family, and we are working now on some capital improvement requests for annual submission to SLTC for funding. These will be submitted along with some planned projects for Halifax and Bedford that we will be happy to share at future updates.

A reminder to ensure all maintenance requests are submitted through our online submission portal. That is the quickest and surest way to ensure these requests are actioned in a timely manner.

Northwood Home Care

Northwood Home Care Awarded $125,000 Safety Grant

Northwood Home Care was awarded a $125,000 Safety Grant from The Department of Seniors and Long-term Care. Its purpose is to support safe workplace practices and safe delivery of home care services to clients. When home support workers are performing their duties, it is essential that they operate with safe body mechanics. This prevents unnecessary stretching, awkward

Effect of the IBEX Lift™ on Fear of Falling: A Pilot Feasibility Study

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at $116. In addition, you will receive up to $30 cash reimbursement for use of private vehicle to cover cost of gas and mileage or public transport with no receipt required, or up to $100 reimbursement for hired transportation (e.g., Taxi, Uber) with provision of a receipt for each of the three assessment visits at Northwood Bedford of Downtown campus. If you are unable to complete the study, compensation of the $10 Tim Hortons gift card and the remaining time of the 8-weeks for the InTouch On-The-Move subscription will still be provided.

If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact Dr. Caitlin McArthur, MSc(PT), PhD at caitlin.mcarthur@dal.ca or 902-494-1371.

positions, and movement that could cause damage. In order to prevent that, the safety grant was used to invest in equipment that can help optimize a visit within the home. Items like turning slings, transfer belts, wedges, extended shower heads, shower chairs, commodes, and tub transfer benches will be utilized thanks to the grant.

Heat stress is also a real

concern for not only the staff, but the clients themselves. Through the grant, we were able to purchase several hundred fans to be distributed where needed. Some clients have fans, or air conditioning; but there may be some that due to circumstances may not. This grant will be able to assist those individuals, in lowering temperatures and creating a safer home and work environment.

Education is a key factor in safety. The grant enabled us to purchase a new mannequin for our classroom. This will be used to demonstrate safe lifting techniques, and education on personal care.

We have benefited from this grant in previous years as well, and there have been numerous testimonials of how this equipment has made a big difference in the lives of our clients and staff!

Northwood Recreation Therapy

Northwood Resident Council

The purpose of Resident Council is to give the residents a forum for their voices to be heard, enabling the realization of Northwood’s Mission and Simple Rules. Meetings provide two-way communication for discussion of shared common resident concerns and collection of information for problem resolution. Resident Council fosters a collaborative approach to problem resolution among residents, staff, and partners in the broader health care sector. Meetings strive to create a sense of community based upon mutual respect and understanding. Staff provide feedback in relation to facility wide

concerns regarding service and program delivery, quality improvement plans and facility policies and procedures. Resident Council focusses on Northwoods core values around person-centred care; ensuring resident needs are the first consideration and priority for all decision making.

The Recreation Therapist facilitates the meetings with the assistance of Recreation Programmers. One Nursing Manager attends quarterly for purposes of licensing. Resident Council meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 2:00pm in the Activity Centre; with exceptions for breaks during

the months of August and December. All meeting dates are included on the Recreation Programmers calendar which are posted on each floor and resident rooms, as well as on Northwoods website. Meetings are open to all LTC residents (RCF included). Written meeting minutes with discussions and action items that are agreed upon are available to members on their floor bulletin boards, in the Resident Council binder located in Recreation Therapy and as requested by residents. Departmental feedback reports regarding action items are available within the Resident Council binder.

Northwood encourages feedback from clients, residents, families and caregivers

We want to hear from you! Northwood encourages feedback from clients, residents, families, and caregivers in helping to shape the care experience we provide; one way we do this is through our Client and Family Advisory Council.

The Client and Family Advisory Council provides Northwood service users and their loved ones with a space to share personal experiences and to give input on possible ways to improve the services we provide. The

Council also works to review policies and procedures, staff education and training, and Northwood communications to ensure they align with real-life experiences and that client-centered perspectives remain at the center of policy development

Client and Family News Diversity

and decision-making efforts. The Council creates opportunities to not only identify concerns but to help advise on how to effectively engage with clients and families around these issues and how to improve care settings for the future.

Longtime Northwood advisor Mary-Anne Jones describes joining the council as an opportunity to contribute to her community and to bring “the human experience into an often clinical setting.”

We are looking for dedicated clients, families and loved ones to bring their valuable personal perspective to the group. Council meetings are 2 hours in duration and are held quarterly or as needed for policy review.

Long-Term Care Resident and Family Survey Results & Action Plan

We would like to thank both the Northwood Long-Term Care residents and family members who completed the LTC Resident and Family Surveys in the Fall of 2023. Although the results of both surveys were positive overall, there is always room for improvement. Northwood’s Leadership Team, Client Relations Coordinator, and Client and Family Advisory Council have identified key areas for improvement in an action plan. The results and action plan are shared internally on the communication boards, on the staff Hub, and shared with the Client and Family Advisors and Resident Council. If you have questions about the results, please contact Tasha Ross, Manager, Quality & Risk

at tross@nwood.ns.ca

Here is a short summary of some of the results from the Resident Survey: N size: 202

Overall quality of care in 2023 (86.6%) has increased very slightly when compared to 2022 (86.2%). It also exceeds our internal benchmark of ≥85%. Bedford and Halifax overall quality of care result was slightly higher than the Northwood avg. for 2023 at 88.1% (B) and 87.7% (H), while Ivy Meadows was significantly lower (75%).

The likelihood of recommending Northwood in 2023 (83.7%) has decreased slightly compared to 2022 (84.5%). This puts Northwood Long Term Care just below our internal benchmark of ≥85%. Bedford and Halifax likelihood of

recommending Northwood percentage was higher than the Northwood avg. for 2023 at 85.7% (B) and 84.8% (H) while Ivy Meadows was significantly lower (75%).

Here is a short summary of some of the results from the Family Survey: N size: 105

Overall quality of care in 2023 (95.2%) has increased when compared to 2022 (91%). The overall quality of care percentage in 2023 exceeds our internal benchmark of ≥85%. Bedford (100%) and Halifax (95.8%) overall quality

of care result was higher than the Northwood avg. for 2023, while Ivy Meadows was significantly lower at 83.3%.

The likelihood of recommending Northwood in 2023 (86.7%) has decreased compared to 2022 (90.1%). This is higher than our internal benchmark of ≥85%. Bedford’s likelihood of recommending Northwood percentage (100%) was a perfect score and higher than the Northwood avg. for 2023, while Halifax (83.1%) and Ivy Meadows (83.3%) were lower.

Diversity Update

Northwood continues to strive for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging at all its sites. Most recently we celebrated African Heritage Month with many successes. The big highlight was the Trivia Draw where the prize was 2 tickets to the African Nova Scotia Gala Event.

We continue to work at having more education so

we can make Northwood the preferred place of work and to feel valued and well supported. The ongoing plan is to continue to offer as much and to learn when we can about those who work alongside of us daily. We want our organization to continue to grow along with making our DEIB a priority by being more available to staff when

they feel they need the support. We will work towards making use of Diversity Champions in the coming months and have also finally displayed our Diversity Members on the digital screens so all staff are aware that we have a committee and who to contact should they need support. There is also every effort made to ensure all

International Recruitment

locations have access to support and education across all sites with Diversity. The goal is to have Diversity Boards, so staff are fully aware and up to date on what is happening across the board.

“We are all different, which is great because we are all unique. Without diversity, life would be very boring.” – Catherine Pulsifer.

Northwood invited on healthcare worker recruitment mission to Singapore and the Philippines

Northwood was invited on a health care worker recruitment mission that was led by various members of the Nova Scotia government, including The Premier of Nova Scotia, Tim Houston.

Caroline Campbell, Director People Services and Nicole Bonn, HR Recruitment Advisor interviewed experienced care givers and health care aides from Singapore and the Philippines and have extended approximately 30 offers of employment for our Halifax and Shoreham sites. Over the next three years, we will continue to recruit approximately 75 more care aides from the Philippines.

We look forward to supporting their immigration and transition to Nova Scotia!

International Recruitment Meet Gilbert Absi

My name is Gilbert Absi and I work as a CCA home care agent at Northwood Homecare. I am married and have two kids. We arrived here in Halifax in August 2023 and since then it has been a great journey full of hard work, joy and happiness.

1. What are your hobbies?

My hobbies range from camping, hiking, fishing to playing some basketball and swimming.

2. What was your favorite subject in school?

During school I liked science and biology class the most.

3. What was your favorite food back home?

I love the Lebanese cuisine but mostly having some Shawarma and a side of Tabouleh salad.

4. What is your favorite new food since coming to Canada?

The seafood here in Halifax is amazing, but the most comforting plate is poutine.

5. How is your experience working at Northwood Homecare?

My experience is simply great. The staff is very welcoming and helped me onboard very subtly. They are truly giving and a warm team. Additionally, I want to mention that their support began even before I arrived here in Canada. The journey with them started while I was still in Lebanon, and they provided support not only to me but also to my family. Their care and assistance made us feel supported and valued from the very beginning.

6. What was the most difficult part about leaving Lebanon?

The most difficult part is leaving the comfort of your home and the career I have built all my life and to move into an unknown future.

7. What was your journey like to Canada?

The journey was long and exhausting, not to mention that traveling with two kids wasn’t easy, we had to travel to Frankfurt (3 hours flight) and wait for around 8 hours in the airport for our flight to Halifax. The flight itself from Frankfurt to Halifax was fun and took around 7 hours. And when we arrived, we had to wait for around 3 hours to clear the immigration post, that is when the kids got really sleepy and tired and had to sleep in our arms most of the wait time. All the tiredness went away when we saw our friends and relatives waiting for us at the gates and helped us with our luggage and drove us to our new home.

8. What was the most difficult part of coming here?

The most difficult part is just sitting down and taking the decision of moving.

9. What was it like when you first arrived?

The first couple of months where the most difficult, we had to settle down and get all of our legal papers done, to enroll the kids and preparing them to go to school, getting used to our neighborhood, to new roads and driving rules, meeting new people getting to know our surrounding stores.

10. What most surprised you?

I was surprised by the weather actually, it was better than I expected, the summer is warm and nice and the winter in even better, it is mild and snowy and the kids are loving the great nature and parks all around Halifax.

11. What do you miss most about Lebanon?

I miss my parents and friends and being away from home and my neighborhood.

12. What have been your greatest sources of joy?

My greatest sources of joy have been my family: my wife Jessica, and our children, aged 9 and 5. Especially as we navigate new experiences together, also returning to them at the end of each day brings me immense happiness.

13. What is the thing you are proudest of so far and why?

I am proud of taking the step to immigrate to Canada seeking a brighter future for me and my family. It's also fulfilling to build a new life in a new location. Additionally, I am proud of the family I have built, my smallest circle, and for them, I took the step to immigrate here.

14. What are you hoping to accomplish in the future?

I hope to get my certificate accredited and get my license so I can return to my initial profession and work as a registered nurse. I was dedicated to helping people recover or navigate through their hardest periods, that is what I hope to do and give back to my community.

15. If someone you knew were planning on coming to this country community, what would you tell them to expect?

I would definitely encourage them and tell them to expect a welcoming country and a very warm community in Nova Scotia. Here, people extend helping hands to others regardless of their roots or origin. The Lebanese community continues to embody Lebanon's generosity here, and newcomers can find open arms. I deeply appreciate the efforts made by people over the years and decades to ensure that newcomers feel welcomed. It is truly heartwarming.

16. What do you wish more people knew about immigrants, migrants, or others that are new to the community?

I would like people in the community to know that the immigration procedure is long and hard and costs a lot, and most immigrants have to sell most of their belonging to get here, so the decision of moving to Canada wasn’t simple and easy at all, it needed a lot of working and planning and commitment. Immigrants are seeking a better future for themselves and their family, a future with great opportunities and stability. A future they can find here in Canada.

Puzzles

Games and Crossword

SUDOKU

ACROSS

1. Corrosive

5. Fat

9. Say yes to

12. Fair

13. Govern

14. Rowing blade

15. Full of feeling

17. Mine find

18. More competent

19. Tough part of a steak

21. Commotions

23. Fellows

24. House site

26. Negative

28. Between fourth and sixth

32. Rams’ mates

34. Long scarf

36. Petition

37. Map feature

39. Road bend

41. As well

42. Coal unit

44. Stop

46. Earned before expenses

50. Fragments

53. Gear

54. Seafood item

56. Pipe type

57. Differently

58. Musical group

59. Tiny

60. Colorized

61. Pew

DOWN

1. On a cruise

2. Hair tamer

3. Keeps apart

4. Was overly fond

5. To’s opposite

6. Air-breather’s organ

7. Startle

8. Creed

9. Plunder

10. Aristocrat

11. Birch, e.g.

16. Branding tool

20. Small cut

22. Shed tears

24. Floral necklace

25. “My ____ True Love”

27. Kind of ballet shoe

29. Motoring nuisance

30. Commandments’ number

31. Once held

33. Collections

35. Volcano’s output

38. Flipped

40. Remarked

43. Recently

45. Hay storage places

46. Developed

47. Enrage

48. Eye rudely

49. Medicinal quantity

51. Cambodia’s continent

52. Injection

55. Color of Rudolph’s nose

Northwood Career College

Northwood Career College to open its doors April 2, 2024

As the demand for qualified health care providers grows in our province, Northwood Career College is your instrument for success toward a career as a Continuing Care Assistant. Beginning April 2, 2024, NCC will provide in-person theory and hands-on train-

ing to prepare for this high demand and rewarding career. In our partnership with Northwood facilities and home care, NCC students can anticipate employment opportunities at Northwood facilities working in the role of a provincially certified CCA.

Cabbage Rolls

INGREDIENTS

1 cabbage

1-1/2 tsp vegetable oil

1 onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp dried marjoram or dried oregano

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1 cup long-grain rice

2 cups vegetable stock

1 carrot, grated

1 zucchini, grated

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 egg, beaten

1 can sauerkraut drained

1/4 cup tomato paste

2-1/2 cups tomato juice

DIRECTIONS

Remove core from cabbage. In large pot of boiling salted water, cover and cook cabbage for 8- 10 minutes or until leaves are soft. Chill in cold water. Carefully remove 12 leaves, returning cabbage to pan for 2-3 minutes if leaves are difficult to remove. Drain on towels. Pare off coarse veins and set aside.

In Sauce pan, heat oil over medium heat; cook onion, garlic, marjoram, thyme for 5 minutes or until soft. Stir in rice. Add stock and bring to boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until rice is tender. Stir in carrot, zucchini, salt and pepper.

Let cool to room temperature, Stir in egg, spoon about 1/3 cup onto each leaf

just above stem. Fold bottom and sides over filling then roll up.

Line 13x9 inch baking dish with half of sauerkraut. Arrange cabbage rolls on top, then cover with remaining sauerkraut. Whisk tomato paste into tomato juice and pour over rolls. Cover with foil; baked in 350 F (180 C) oven for 2 hours or until tender.