The Pines Resident & Family Portal

We would like to inform residents and families that the Birch Spa room will be temporarily closed during the week of June 8 to allow for important floor repairs and improvements.

This work is necessary to ensure that our environment remains safe, clean, and comfortable for everyone. Maintaining high-quality flooring in wet areas like spa rooms is essential for preventing slips and falls, supporting infection control, and ensuring we continue to meet the standards of care our residents deserve.

During this time, we are committed to ensuring that all Birch residents continue to receive their regular bathing routines without interruption. Residents will be supported by staff to use the Maple Spa room, where baths and showers will continue as scheduled in a safe and respectful manner.

We understand that changes to routine can sometimes be challenging, and our team will be available to assist residents with the transition and provide reassurance and support throughout the week.

We sincerely appreciate your patience, understanding, and cooperation as we complete these necessary improvements. These upgrades are an important part of maintaining a safe, comfortable, and high-quality living environment for all.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to a member of our team.

Creating a safe, respectful, and supportive environment is at the heart of quality long-term care. One important aspect of this commitment is the practice of using the least restraints possible. This approach prioritizes the dignity, independence, and well-being of residents while still ensuring their safety. It also highlights the valuable role that families play in supporting their loved ones.

What Does “Least Restraints” Mean?

“Least restraints” refers to minimizing the use of physical, chemical, or environmental restrictions that limit a resident’s movement or freedom. This includes items like bed rails, belts, or certain medications used primarily to control behaviour rather than treat medical conditions.

Modern long-term care philosophy recognizes that restraints can lead to unintended consequences, such as:

• Increased risk of falls and injuries
• Loss of mobility and strength
• Emotional distress, agitation, or depression
• Reduced quality of life

Instead, care teams use person-centered approaches that focus on understanding each resident’s needs, preferences, and abilities.

Why It Matters

Reducing the use of restraints is about more than meeting guidelines—it’s about respecting each person’s rights and individuality.

Key benefits of a least-restraint approach include:

• Enhanced dignity: Residents maintain greater independence and control over their daily lives.
• Improved safety: Contrary to past beliefs, restraints can increase injury risk; alternatives often keep residents safer.
• Better health outcomes: Movement and autonomy help preserve physical and cognitive abilities.
• Stronger relationships: Trust grows between residents, staff, and families when care feels respectful and collaborative.

How Care Teams Support Least Restraints

Care providers use a variety of creative and individualized strategies, such as:

• Adjusting the environment (lower beds, good lighting, clear pathways)
• Providing meaningful activities and engagement
• Using mobility aids and proper seating
• Monitoring health conditions that may affect behaviour (pain, infections, medication side effects)
• Building consistent routines that promote comfort and familiarity

These approaches reduce the need for restraints while promoting both safety and well-being.

The Important Role of Families

Family members are essential partners in supporting a least-restraint approach. Your knowledge, involvement, and advocacy can make a meaningful difference.

Here’s how families can help:

1. Share Personal Insights

Let the care team know about your loved one’s routines, preferences, and triggers. Understanding what brings comfort—or causes distress—helps staff respond effectively without using restraints.

2. Support Independence

Encourage your loved one to stay active and engaged, within their abilities. Even small actions—like walking short distances, participating in activities, or making daily choices—can help maintain function and confidence.

3. Ask Questions and Stay Involved

If restraints are ever suggested, ask about:

• The reason they are being considered
• Possible alternatives
• The plan to reduce or remove them

Open communication ensures decisions are made in the resident’s best interest.

4. Provide Reassurance and Familiarity

Regular visits, phone calls, or personal items from home can reduce anxiety and confusion, which in turn reduces behaviours that might otherwise lead to restraint use.

5. Partner in Care Planning

Attend care conferences and collaborate with staff to ensure goals align with your loved one’s values and comfort.

Working Together for Better Care

A least-restraint philosophy is most successful when staff, residents, and families work together. By focusing on respect, understanding, and creativity, we can create a care environment where residents feel safe, valued, and as independent as possible.

Using the least restraints possible is not just a clinical practice—it’s a commitment to dignity, compassion, and quality of life. Families play a powerful role in this approach, helping ensure their loved ones receive care that is both safe and deeply respectful.

If you have any questions or concerns about the restraint policies and procedures, please speak with or contact a member of the nursing team.

The Ministry visited at the end of April to complete a proactive review of our generator systems. Please see the attached report for additional details.

Public Inspection and Order Report has been posted on the ministry's Reports on Long-Term Care Homes website, and can be accessed through this link.

A hard copy of the report is also available for review outside the Celebration Dining Room. The findings have been shared with both the Residents’ Council and families.

If you have any questions or would like further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Our Family Council will hold a closed, in-person session focused on the question: "What does moving forward look like?" We encourage you to attend if you are able—

When: Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 6:30p.m.

Where: Fran Coleman Room, The Pines

Drinks and light refreshments will be provided.

Falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults living in long-term care, and they can have a profound impact on both residents and their families. While some falls may result in minor injuries, others can lead to fractures, head injuries, hospitalization, or a lasting decline in health. Beyond the physical effects, a fall can also affect a resident’s confidence, independence, and overall quality of life.

For families, the thought of a loved one falling can be worrying. Understanding the risks, the causes, and the steps being taken to prevent falls can help provide reassurance and support shared decision-making in care.

Why Do Falls Happen?

Falls are rarely caused by a single factor. Instead, they usually result from a combination of personal health conditions and environmental risks. Some common contributing factors include:

• Changes in balance and strength: As we age, muscles weaken, and balance may decline, increasing the likelihood of falling.
• Medications: Certain medications—or combinations of medications—can cause dizziness, drowsiness, or low blood pressure.
• Vision or hearing changes: Difficulty seeing obstacles or hearing cues can increase risk.
• Chronic health conditions: Conditions such as arthritis, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or dementia can affect mobility and coordination.
• Footwear and mobility aids: Ill-fitting shoes or improper use of walkers and canes can contribute to instability.
• Environmental hazards: Clutter, poor lighting, wet floors, or uneven surfaces can increase the risk of a fall.

Understanding these factors helps care teams, residents, and families work together to reduce risk.

The Impact of Falls

A fall can affect more than just physical health. Many residents who have experienced a fall develop a fear of falling again, which may lead them to limit movement or activity. This can result in:

• Loss of strength and mobility
• Increased dependence on others
• Social isolation
• Reduced participation in activities they enjoy

For families, this change can be difficult to see. That is why fall prevention is about more than safety—it is about preserving independence, dignity, and quality of life.

How We Work to Prevent Falls

Preventing falls in long-term care is a shared responsibility and a key part of providing safe, high-quality care. Care teams take a proactive and individualized approach, which may include:

1. Personalized Assessments

Each resident is assessed for their unique fall risks. This includes reviewing:

• Mobility and balance
• Health conditions
• Medication use
• Previous falls

Care plans are tailored to reflect individual needs and preferences.

2. Safe and Supportive Environments

Creating a safe living space is essential. This includes:

• Keeping pathways clear and well-lit
• Ensuring call bells are within reach
• Using appropriate bed heights and supports
• Installing grab bars and non-slip surfaces where needed

3. Supporting Safe Mobility

Maintaining movement is important for overall health. Staff support residents by:

• Encouraging regular activity and exercise
• Assisting with transfers and walking when needed
• Ensuring mobility aids are properly fitted and used correctly

4. Medication Reviews

Healthcare providers regularly review medications to identify any that may increase fall risk and make adjustments when possible.

5. Proper Footwear

Residents are encouraged to wear well-fitting, non-slip footwear to improve stability.

6. Ongoing Monitoring and Communication

Staff continuously observe for changes in a resident’s condition and communicate with families about any concerns, incidents, or plan updates.

How Families Can Help

Families play an important role in fall prevention. You can support your loved one by:

• Sharing information about their history, preferences, or past falls
• Encouraging participation in mobility and exercise programs
• Providing proper clothing and footwear
• Talking openly with staff about concerns or changes you’ve noticed
• Reinforcing safety measures in a positive and supportive way

Your involvement helps ensure care plans remain meaningful and effective.

Working Together for Safer Care

Reducing falls with injury is a priority for long-term care homes because it directly impacts resident health, independence, and well-being. By combining staff expertise with resident input and family involvement, we can create a safer, more supportive environment.

Every step taken—from improving lighting to reviewing medications—helps reduce risk. Most importantly, it allows residents to continue living with confidence, dignity, and as much independence as possible.

Together, we can make a meaningful difference in keeping residents safe and supported every day.

If you have any questions or concerns about falls, please speak with or contact a member of the nursing team.

Created in 2004, this day raises awareness about the violence and discrimination experienced by people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.

In long-term care, this day is an important reminder of our commitment to creating safe, inclusive, and respectful environments for all residents, families, and team members. Everyone deserves to feel valued, accepted, and supported in expressing who they are.

By increasing awareness, fostering open conversations, and promoting understanding, we can help reduce stigma and build a culture of dignity and compassion. Small actions—such as using inclusive language, respecting personal identities, and supporting individual preferences—can make a meaningful difference in everyday care.

To learn more and explore resources, visit: https://may17.org/

Together, we can continue to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong.