The Pines Resident & Family Portal

In collaboration with Public Health, the Birch Home Area remains in a Respiratory Outbreak with one (1) resident testing positive for COVID. Currently, three (3) residents are experiencing symptoms of cough, congestion, and/or runny nose. Family members have been notified. We are currently waiting for test results for two (2) of the residents.

If you have any questions about these precautions during your visit, please speak with the nursing staff.

The following infection control measures are to be implemented and followed:

• Ensure the Public Health 4 moments of Hand Hygiene are followed
• No General Visitors to the Birch Home Area at this time
• Essential Caregivers two (2) at a time for visiting only
• Resident's Hand Hygiene before all meals and regularly throughout the day
• Ensure Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used properly- including donning before entering and removing before exiting the isolated resident’s room
• Residents are to remain in the affected home area at this time to reduce the risk of spread
• Immediate isolation of any residents with new symptom onset
• Cohorting of residents and only small group activities in the home area for unaffected residents. Isolated residents to receive one-to-one activities.
• Twice daily high-touch surface cleaning- changing disinfecting product to a 1-minute contact time and containing sporicidal

Please reach out to Stephanie Albert, IPAC Lead, if you have any questions. stephanie.albert@muskoka.on.ca or ext. 4752

In collaboration with Public Health, the Birch Home Area has declared a Respiratory Outbreak with one (1) resident testing positive for COVID. Currently, three (3) residents are experiencing symptoms of cough, congestion, and/or runny nose. Family members have been notified. We are currently waiting for test results for two (2) of the residents.

If you have any questions about these precautions during your visit, please speak with the nursing staff.

The following infection control measures are to be implemented and followed:

• Ensure the Public Health 4 moments of Hand Hygiene are followed
• No General Visitors to the Birch Home Area at this time
• Essential Caregivers two (2) at a time for visiting only
• Resident's Hand Hygiene before all meals and regularly throughout the day
• Ensure Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used properly- including donning before entering and removing before exiting the isolated resident’s room
• Residents are to remain in the affected home area at this time to reduce the risk of spread
• Immediate isolation of any residents with new symptom onset
• Cohorting of residents and only small group activities in the home area for unaffected residents. Isolated residents to receive one-to-one activities.
• Twice daily high-touch surface cleaning- changing disinfecting product to a 1-minute contact time and containing sporicidal

Please reach out to Stephanie Albert, IPAC Lead, if you have any questions. stephanie.albert@muskoka.on.ca or ext. 4752

As 2025 has drawn to a close, we are excited to reflect on a year of incredible progress and share our heartfelt gratitude. It's been a busy and rewarding 12 months, and we are thrilled to share some key celebrations and a sneak peek into what's ahead for 2026.

Here are some of the highlights from this past year:

Environmental Team: Celebrating the completion of new bedroom furniture for all residents, significant shower room upgrades, and the implementation of dedicated 'float' staff assignments to enhance cleaning and disinfection protocols across the home.

Dietary Team: Celebrating our continued collaboration with residents to ensure personalized meal satisfaction, including the popular addition of 'around the world' themed dining experiences.

Activities Team: Celebrated many successful festive activities, including lots of bus trips, entertainment, and themed lunches-always a resident favorite!

Nursing Team: Celebrating the success of our recruitment and retention initiatives, which have nearly achieved full staffing across all lines. We have also introduced vital new equipment, includ­ing bladder scanners and Jubo vital sign machines, to significantly enhance resident care.

Our Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) program has improved immensely, and we remain committed to ongoing compliance efforts.

In 2026, we eagerly anticipate several exciting projects, including:

• Installation of accessible doors in all home areas.
• Further flooring replacement.
• Upgraded heating and cooling units.
• Enhanced front landscape improvements with the generous support of the Pines Support Committee.

... and much more!

We are deeply grateful for these achievements and for the privilege of caring for our residents. From our home to yours, we wish you and your loved ones a very happy holiday season and a healthy, prosperous new year.

Our home recently completed an inspection with the Ministry of Long-Term Care in December 2025. We are currently implementing a comprehensive action plan to address all areas of concern and ensure we meet the highest standards of care. Please be reminded that we continue to strictly follow all Public Health Guidelines regarding isolation and testing to protect our residents. You can view the full report on the MLTC Public Reporting Website. Please reach out to pines.administrator@muskoka.on.ca

A 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.

Hand hygiene is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infections and communicable diseases in long-term care (LTC) settings. Its importance centers on protecting highly vulnerable residents and maintaining a safe healthcare environment that also serves as their home.

Key Reasons for Importance

• Prevention of Outbreaks: LTC facilities are highly susceptible to outbreaks. Proper hand hygiene can significantly reduce the transmission of pathogens like Norovirus, influenza, and C. difficile.
• Reduction of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs): Adherence to hand hygiene standards can prevent up to 50% of avoidable infections acquired during care.
• Combatting Antibiotic Resistance: By preventing infections, hand hygiene reduces the need for antibiotics, thereby slowing the rise of multidrug-resistant organisms such as MRSA and VRE.
• Dignified, Person-Centered Care: For residents, performing their own hand hygiene reinforces independence, self-worth, and dignity.

When Hand Hygiene is Required

Everyone should follow the 4 Moments for Hand Hygiene:

1. Before initial contact with a resident or items in their environment.
2. Before performing an aseptic procedure (e.g., wound care, medication prep).
3. After-care involving exposure to body fluids.
4. After contact with a resident or their immediate environment

Best Practices in Long-Term Care

• Preferred Method: Alcohol-Based Hand Rub (ABHR) with at least 60–70% alcohol is the preferred standard when hands are not visibly soiled. It is faster, more effective at killing germs, and less irritating to the skin than soap.
• Gloves Are Not a Substitute: Hand hygiene must be performed before putting on and after taking off gloves. Pathogens can still contaminate hands through glove defects or during the removal process.

For more information on the importance of hand hygiene and how to perform it. Please see the Public Health Website.

The Diversity and Inclusion Calendar highlights days that may hold special meaning for LTC residents, caregivers, and team members. It includes religious and spiritual days of significance, cultural celebrations, awareness days, and health promotion days. Being aware of these days and planning activities around them can help create an inclusive home, 365 days a year. All events below are hyperlinked for additional information. The Diversity and Inclusion Calendar is not an exhaustive list and is not intended to be used for accommodation requests.

The calendar will be updated as needed. We welcome any feedback you may have: info@clri-ltc.ca

Learn more about our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in LTC Program: clri-ltc.ca/resource/EDIinLTC

2026 Diversity and Inclusion Calendar

We are delighted to offer residents the opportunity to share a meal with loved ones at The Pines. To ensure we can accommodate your party, please adhere to the following guidelines:

Reservations and Guest Limits

• Advance Notice: Please contact our Administration Team a minimum of 24 hours in advance to reserve your spot.
• Guest Limit: We can accommodate up to three (3) guests per resident, allowing for a total table of four (4).

Pricing and Payment

Meal prices are as follows and are payable to the Administration Team on the day of your booking:

• Breakfast: $5.00
• Lunch: $5.00
• Dinner: $10.00

Upon payment, the Administration Team will provide you with a ticket (or tickets), which must be presented to the dining staff member when you place your meal order.

Please reach out to the Administration Team if you have any questions regarding this service.

December is a month filled with diverse religious and cultural holidays and observances celebrated worldwide, including major holidays like Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.

Key December holidays are:

• Hanukkah: This eight-day Jewish "Festival of Lights" commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The date changes yearly based on the Hebrew calendar but typically falls in December. Observers light a candle on the menorah each night, eat traditional foods like latkes, and exchange gifts.
• Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: Observed on December 24 and 25, respectively, this Christian holiday commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. It has also been widely adopted as a secular holiday, celebrated with traditions such as decorating a Christmas tree, gift-giving, and family feasts. In Canada, Christmas Day is a nationwide statutory holiday.
• Winter Solstice/Yule: Occurring around December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere, this astronomical event marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. Pagans and Wiccans celebrate it as Yule, a festival commemorating the sun's return, often by burning a Yule log and holding a feast.
• Boxing Day: Celebrated on December 26 in several countries, including Canada and the UK, this holiday was traditionally a day to give gifts to servants and the poor. Today, it is largely a commercial holiday known for shopping deals and sporting events. In some Canadian provinces, it is a statutory holiday or non-working day.
• Kwanzaa: A cultural holiday celebrated by many African Americans from December 26 to January 1, Kwanzaa honors African-American heritage. Celebrations include lighting candles on the Kinara and discussing the seven principles of African culture, with a large feast (Karamu) held on New Year's Eve.
• New Year's Eve: The final day of the year on December 31, it is celebrated globally with parties, fireworks, and the making of New Year's resolutions to welcome the incoming year. In Japan, the traditional festival of Ōmisoka is observed on this day.

Other notable observances include:

• Saint Nicholas Day (December 6)
• Bodhi Day (December 8), which commemorates Buddha's enlightenment
• Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8)
• Saint Lucia's Day (December 13) in Scandinavian countries
• Las Posadas (December 16–24) in Latin American countries
• International Human Solidarity Day (December 20)
• Festivus (December 23), a secular holiday alternative

We all celebrate differently, but the most important piece is spending time with family, friends, and those who mean the most to us.

Happy Holidays from everyone at the Pines; we wish you all the best this holiday season.

It's that time of year again: our team has reviewed and updated our contingency plans. Please click the links for more information.

Dietary Contingency Plan

Life Enrichment Contingency Plan

Administrative Contingency Plan

Nursing Contingency Plan

Environmental Contingency Plan

Home Specific Outbreak Plan