Connections August 2014 Vol. 12 Issue 4 Southeastern Ontario’s leading provider of AGING, MENTAL HEALTH AND REHABILITATIVE CARE
Our Values Respect. Dignity. Compassion. Stewardship.
Our Mission Trusting in Providence and strengthened by the spirit and tradition of our Founders, the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul, we enhance the quality of life by meeting the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of each person. We work with our partners to innovate and excel in education and research. We treat each person with respect, dignity and compassion.
What’s Inside Peer Support offers mental health clients a 'safe environment' and understanding Elevating the patient lift experience for Providence Care Hospital Providence Care staff wins award A new era for our charitable Foundation
www.providencecare.ca info@providencecare.ca
Leading the way in compassion and discovery.
Providence Manor resident launches “Stories of My Century” “It was like turning on a tap,” says Mary Mathieson, of her foray into writing stories of her past. Mary was 50 years old when she first started recording her rich accumulation of memories and experiences – typing furiously away with no thought to paragraphs, chapters or any type of editing. Little did she know it would all eventually lead to her book, “Stories of My Century.” Mary, who is 95 years of age, held a book launch on July 9, 2014 at Providence Manor in Kingston. “It was like being in the movies,” says Mary of the book launch, “with all the people attending, TV cameras and interviews.” Mary seemed to have a natural talent for journalistic writing but it was a progressive awakening of that talent over the years. “I don’t remember having a writing bug in my early years,” states Mary, “it just seemed to grow.” From those rough first writings Mary employed the help of writer friend Bob McKenzie and progressed to writing a blog. Bob suggested a blog as it only involved writing short paragraphs when and if she had time. “I wanted to pull out stories from my mass of writings that demonstrated changes in the last 90 years – stories that were interesting – stories that were humorous and that people would enjoy.” Mary was both surprised and encouraged by the positive response to her blog…but how to put it all in a book? The thought was overwhelming to her at first. She is very thankful for the editing help of Bob McKenzie and the photography assistance of Jeff Webster who worked on old photos she had for inclusion in the book. The end result, “Stories of My Century,” is an interesting and entertaining collection of vignettes of Mary’s eventful life spanning almost a century – her time as a nurse, wife and mother and the times she grew up in. The book touches on her life in a small town in Ontario to time she spent in Europe and the United States, and being witness to the most momentous events of the 20th Century. Mary’s book is $25.00 and all royalties go directly to support Kingston’s H’Art Centre in the name of Jackie Mathieson, one of Mary’s granddaughters. “Stories of My Century” can be purchased online at www.lulu.com. No sooner did Mary put the finishing touches on her last story than she suffered a heart attack and had to be hospitalized. On discharge home, Mary realized she could no longer look after herself and was readmitted to hospital. She was immediately put on the crisis list for placement to a long-term care home. Providence Manor had an opening and she moved in in March 2014. “The care here is excellent,” states Mary, “and I can enjoy the interest in my book – doing interviews and book signings – it’s opened up a whole new world – it’s fun.” - Cathy Clark, Communications Officer
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Peer support offers mental health clients a ‘safe environment’ and understanding Providence Care is one of nine academic hospitals participating in provincial research study Having someone who knows what you’ve gone through and who is able just to sit and listen – that’s the biggest benefit of peer support, say mental health clients involved in a research/implementation study at Providence Care.
can be challenging for many people and the period following discharge can be a time when clients are most vulnerable. Clients often form a strong therapeutic relationship with the inpatient staff while receiving care. The model provides for inpatient staff to bridge with clients as they “...I look to peer support to keep me out form relationships of trouble and falling back into that dark place with community providers.” where I was before.”
“It hasn’t been that long since I was alone and in despair by myself,” says Alan, who just recently was discharged from an inpatient unit at Mental Health Services (MHS). “It wasn’t a good time. It hasn’t been long that I’ve been in hospital, and I don’t want to go back to where I was, so I look to peer support to keep me out of trouble and falling back into that dark place where I was before.”
The research project matches up clients leaving MHS with a peer support worker through the Mental Health Support Network of South Eastern Ontario (MHSNSEO). The peer support worker is available to the client to talk on the phone, meet for coffee and most importantly to listen and check in on the client as he or she settles into a regular routine at home.
Rebecca says that her peer support worker has helped get her out of the house, and participating in activities in the broader community following her transition from inpatient care. “If you just need someone to talk to they’re there to talk to whereas talking to your friends may be more difficult. If you have other friends with mental health issues you may feed off them, or need to take care of them – in this situation you don’t feel like you have to take care of the other person, so it’s a much more safe environment.” Candace Roberts, who works as a peer support person for the MHSNSEO, says her experience over the past few months has been rewarding as well.
“They know what you’ve gone through. It’s very
“They know difficult for somebody who hasn’t experienced Alan is one of 12 client participants in the what you’ve gone depression to understand what it’s like.” ‘Transitional Discharge Model (TDM) through,” says Alan. ARTIC project’ at MHS (all clients from “It’s very difficult his unit can access the peer support, but for somebody it is up to each individual to choose to who hasn’t experienced depression to “Really I just think I’m a person to listen. participate in the research aspect of the understand what it’s like. It’s like trying to I’m not there to fix them or judge them project). Providence Care is one of nine describe what a peanut butter sandwich or try to figure out how to help. I’m just Ontario academic hospitals participating is to someone who has never had one. there to be someone on the outside – just in the study, which aims to help people People who haven’t experienced it just a friend.” living with mental illness make the don’t understand it.” transition from a hospital inpatient unit Providence Care will continue to back to the community more successful. “I think it’s because it’s more like having participate in the ARTIC research project a friend, as opposed to sitting in an office until its formal conclusion in December when you only 2014. The principles and interventions have an hour with will continue to utilized following the “If you just need someone to talk to they’re there the person,” says completion of the research aspect of the to talk to whereas talking to your friends Rebecca. “Your peer project throughout the Adult Mental support person is Health units at MHS. The final research may be more difficult.” more like a friend data and outcomes of the project will because you’re be presented by the Lawson Research “The transition from hospital to actually going and doing stuff that you Institute in January 2015. community is complex,” said Carol like to do – and it’s more, personal than Mieras, a manager with Providence clinical. That really helps with the desire - Jenn Goodwin Care’s Adult Mental Health program. “It to want to be involved in that situation.” Director of Communications
Providence C a re C on n e c ti o n s
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B U I L D I N G . . . P r o v i d e n c e C a r e H o s p i t a l . . . h t t p : / / w w w. p r o v i d e n c e c a r e . c a / R e d e v e l o p m e n t / B l o g
Elevating the patient lift experience for Providence Care Hospital
Providence Care evaluates patient lifts that move from the patients’ bed to the washroom On May 29 and 30, 2014, clinical staff from St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital and Mental Health services participated in sessions to test out and give feedback on the ceiling lift configuration in patient rooms for the new Providence Care Hospital. The sessions were held in the hospital mock up room at Mental Health Services where a fully functioning track and lift are installed. The purpose of the sessions was to gather staff opinion on the lift going into the washroom from the patient bed, from both a functional point of view and to evaluate the layout of the track. The evaluation is also part of
the Ministry of Health’s requirement to support the lifts going from the patient bed into the patient washroom – a feature relatively new in healthcare facilities. Staff who attended had the opportunity to operate the lift, transferring a patient from the bed to a wheel chair and from the bed into the washroom, as well as get in the lift themselves to experience the transfer from a patient’s perspective. “It’s really exciting to see, and great to see that nurses were really considered, as were patients... It’s neat to be a part of a new standard of care – knowing that no one else has
this,” said Tessa Bertrand, a Complex Care RPN on 3 South at St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital. The sessions were facilitated by Providence Care Educators Barb Knapton, Cathy Lyle and Angela Dickieson, as well as Maureen McGuire, the Clinical Lead for the Providence Care Hospital project. They will be taking the findings from the sessions back to the design team to make adjustments to various aspects of the ceiling lift configuration. Overall impressions from the sessions were very positive, “I like it, I really do. I really like the motorized option. I was skeptical of the fixed track
at first, but the motorized movement and going into the bathroom is a win. Currently our lifts don’t go all the way to the floor and these do, so it’s great,” said Maureen McGinn, Complex Care Program Manager at St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital. Once the feedback from staff has been implemented in to the mock room space, patients will be invited to test out the revised ceiling lift design and provide their feedback to enhance the configuration and ensure the ceiling lift meets their needs. - Jessica Herbison Communications Officer Redevelopment
Providence C a re C on n e c ti o n s
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Providence Care staff wins award Stacy Jowitt (R in photo), Professional Practice Leader, Recreation & Seniors Mental Health at Mental Health Services and a member of Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (TRO) Board of Directors, presented the Brian Bennison Practitioner of the Year Award to Shannon McCallum, Recreational Therapist at St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital. This award is presented annually to a practitioner in Ontario who has made significant and outstanding contributions to the field of therapeutic recreation through their work and/or their community involvement.
New era for our charitable Foundation History was made recently as the new University Hospitals Kingston Foundation (UHKF) began operations on July 1st, 2014. On that date, UHKF became the sole charitable foundation supporting Providence Care, Kingston General Hospital and Hotel Dieu Hospital. The new UHKF is an amalgamation of the previous four foundations – Providence Care Foundation, Jeanne Mance Foundation, Kingston General Hospital Foundation and UHKF. Previously, the individual foundations were responsible for investments and granting at each of their respective organizations while UHKF was focused solely on fundraising. In response to feedback from our community and in an effort to operate more efficiently and to provide a more seamless service to our donors and internal partners, the previous foundations ceased to operate on June 30, 2014. The new UHKF is now responsible for all foundation activities on behalf of Providence Care, Kingston General Hospital and Hotel Dieu Hospital.
and wishes to speak to Nicole in person, she can be reached at ext. 3169. Don’t forget to indicate that you would like to designate your gift to Providence Care – you can even choose a program, area or site that you would like to support.
Where can I find more information about UHKF? Check out our website at www.uhkf.ca for the latest news and activities. UHKF staff members are looking forward to providing the full range of foundation services, including more robust reporting on how donations are being put to work, making a difference in the care provided to patients, clients and residents. Don’t forget to check out UHKFdn on Facebook and give them a follow @UHKF on Twitter!
Have you heard? Last month, UHKF became the sixth Canadian hospital foundation (and one of the first 100 Canadian charities and nonprofits) to receive Accreditation through Imagine Canada’s Standards Program. Similar to hospital accreditation, this is a peer review process to determine compliance with 73 industry standards. Key areas of focus include: board governance, financial accountability and transparency, fundraising, staff management and volunteer involvement. Our new UHKF is being built on this strong foundation! - Julie White, Director Marketing & Communications University Hospitals Kingston Foundation
How do I make a donation to Providence Care? There are several ways that a person can make a donation in support of Providence Care. Donors may wish to designate a gift via phone by calling the UHKF office at 613-549-5452; or online at www.uhkf. ca; or in person at our main office at 55 Rideau Street, Suite 4 in Kingston. If you are at any Providence Care facility their staff can send information to UHKF (but please, no cash!) via inter-office mail. UHKF has an Associate Director - Major Gifts, Nicole Pierce, located at Providence Manor. If a person is at Providence Manor
UHKF Board of Directors Back row (LtoR): Michel Longtin, Pierre Gaumond, ViceChair Dale Kenney, Michael Ross, Andrew Bonham, Richard Kizell, Chair Ian Wilson and Larry Macauley. Front row (LtoR): UHKF Executive Director Denise Cumming, Tom Buchanan, Treasurer Colleen Lawrie, Pat McCue and Sherri Robertson. The CEOs of Kingston General Hospital (Leslee Thompson), Hotel Dieu Hospital (Dr. David Pichora) and Providence Care (Cathy Szabo) also participate in the Board as non-voting members.
Connections - Published by: Providence Care Communications Department Email: clarkc@providencecare.ca Tel: 613-548-5567, ext. 5995