Issue 49 December 2023
newsletter
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Letter from Janet Simm (CEO)
Fun during Seniors Week
Shoreham Accreditation
Puzzles and games
Shoreham Village Newsletter • December 2023 • Issue 49
Message from Janet Simm, CEO of Shoreham Village As we enter the twilight of 2023, we are eager to enter a new and exciting year. This is a busy time of year for us here at Shoreham, but it is also one of the most exciting times. As we all look back over the last year, we have emerged from a pandemic but the world has changed. I continue to be in awe of what we accomplished as we continue to pivot and adapt to this new world, rising to the new challenges and opportunities ahead. The commitment of our Shoreham team shows now more than ever as we are now proudly Accredited with Exemplary Standing. This award is another testament to the commitment of quality care of residents! This was an incredible achievement for Shoreham Village and would not have been possible without the care and dedication of the entire Shoreham team, our residents and family and our extremely supportive community. I look back on the dedication, compassion, and bravery of the Shoreham family. The opportunities in front of the organization to further support Nova Scotians are limitless. You have truly demonstrated that we can do anything we put our minds to. You are all truly are amazing. I hope this holiday season and the year ahead hold great things for you and your family. For many of us, this season is a time to spend with the people you love and reflect on the year that has past. We all look to a shining future. We are committed to making sure everyone in the Shoreham community feels the warmth of the season. Joy and fun are key to our values – not just this season but every day of the year. I wish all of our residents, staff, volunteers, donors, and our community a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!
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Shoreham Village Newsletter • December 2023 • Issue 49
Fun with magic during seniors week! Seniors Week
Celebrating Ageing Well - Oct. 1-7 Shoreham Village wanted to participate in Seniors Week and provide some fun, engaging, and educational programming for our seniors to enjoy. One fun event was the Amazing Mr. J who joined us early in October for a fun and interactive magic show. Residents and staff alike had such a fun time. Throughout the month to continue celebrating our seniors, there were relaxation stations, scenic outings, dancing, beautiful music and a visit from Carol Nauss, Lordly House Museum; to give a bit of a history lesson on the Village of Chester.
SOME FUN AND GAMES ON HALLOWEEN A little bit of Halloween fun this year. We had a great turn out featuring some pretty cute costumes celebrating the spirit of Halloween. Its nice to have a little fun while at work.
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Shoreham Village Newsletter • December 2023 • Issue 49
NO LIVE POINSETTIAS
HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS
This popular Christmas plant is pretty to look at but it’s also poisonous. We ask that our residents and family members please refrain from bringing live poinsettias into Shoreham Village. They are not terribly harmful to humans but they can still cause rashes on the skin and stomach issues if ingested. Artificial plants are just as nice to look at and don’t come with any potential risks.
We have a December calendar full of events created for all residents to enjoy. Residents will be able to share in Christmas music, Christmas crafting, and more! What are the holidays without a little Egg Nog, Apple Cider and treats? Santa & Mrs. Claus will even make a special appearance.
SHOREHAM VILLAGE ACHIEVES ACCREDITATION WITH EXEMPLARY STANDING In 2016, the Shoreham Village Board of Directors established a goal of becoming an accredited organization. The Board believed that embarking on a journey to become accredited would demonstrate the organization’s commitment to providing safe, high-quality health services as reflected in our vision and mission. This journey was not an easy one. It required a solution for our failing building and required our perseverance through challenges such as the pandemic and now the national shortage of health care workers. However, we persevered! From October 2 to October 5, 2023, surveyors from Accreditation visited Shoreham Village. During their time at Shoreham, they met with residents and families, the Board of Directors, staff and our community partners. They assessed our performance against 288 national standards for the delivery of longterm care. We met 283 of these standards, earning us the highest possible accreditation award: Accreditation with Exemplary Standing under the Qmentum Long-Term Care (QLTC) Accreditation Program!
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This award would not have been possible without the incredible effort and commitment that our Board, staff, residents and families and our community have to making Shoreham Village, A Place To Call Home. PS: We have already begun to develop our action plan on the areas that the surveyors identified as opportunities for improvement!
Shoreham Village Newsletter • December 2023 • Issue 49
PALLIATIVE CARE AT SHOREHAM VILLAGE Here at Shoreham Village, we strive to give our residents and their families the best care possible for their needs using best practice guidelines. In an effort to accomplish this, a new palliative care resource team has been established here at Shoreham Village. The team is composed of interdisciplinary team members such as; a registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse, dietitian, recreation, etc. Each team member has gone through palliative care education to further their knowledge and be a mentor for other team members, families and residents. We continue to provide education to our Shoreham team and hope that all needs are met! Please see your Nursing Service Managers should you require more in depth information or if you have any concerns.
DON’T FORGET YOUR VACCINE! As the weather continues to get colder and we have seen our first snowflakes fall, Shoreham has been very busy to ensuring we provide vaccines to our residents. We are currently vaccinating for Influenza with the High Dose vaccine where applicable and the regular dose vaccine otherwise. A reminder this year that any Nova Scotian age 65 and older is able to receive the high dose Influenza vaccine. The regular dose Influenza vaccine is also available for staff as well.
vaccinated, not only to keep yourself safe but to keep your friends and families safe as well. Covid is still circulating in our communities and influenza cases are now being identified in the province as well. We know also that wearing masks correctly with proper hand hygiene is also key to stopping the spread of infection. If you are not feeling well and were planning to visit, please reconsider until you are feeling better.
There is also a fall Covid Booster we are providing to our residents that qualify. Currently the requirement is that you need to be 6 months from your last vaccine or Covid infection. This makes delivery a bit more chopped up, but we are well on the way to ensure that all those eligible and wish to have the vaccine will have them by the end of December. Vaccine rates will then be calculated and posted. A quick reminder to please consider getting
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Shoreham Village Newsletter • December 2023 • Issue 49
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Shoreham Village Newsletter • December 2023 • Issue 49
CHESTER PLAYHOUSE - CHESTER HEARTS THE ARTS With the success of receiving the New Horizons grant funding, Shoreham Village residents have been attending a variety of shows at the Chester Playhouse. From a Fleetwood Mac Tribute, inspirational dialog through “Every Brilliant Thing” to the “Casting Off” a wonderfully witty and cheerful circus show we will never forget. The ability to engage within our community and attend such wonderful performances has provided so many happy memories and experiences.
FUN WITH FUNDRAISING Over the past few months, our Recreation Team have been very busy with multiple fund raisers in support of Shoreham Villages’ resident council. To date the team facilitated two BBQ’s, a bake sale with a “new to you” table as well as a HUGE gift card tree that was 100% supported through local businesses and community members right here in Chester. To say we were successful is an understatement. With everyone’s support, there has been a grand total of $6,145.65 for resident council. Residents will have the opportunity to decide how the funds will be used in their favour; whether it be new equipment/resources, new recreation programs/outings, innovative technology or any other suggestions that may come forth. We are incredibly appreciative to all that played a part in such a successful, 1st fundraiser, since Covid!
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Board of Directors Joseph Green - Board Chair Elizabeth Finney - Vice-Chair Andrew Snyder Brian Webb Charlie Teal Alison Kelland Colleen Richardson