The Pines Resident & Family Portal

Residents' Council Week 2025 is celebrated from September 15th to 21st, 2025. It is an annual event in Ontario, organized by the Ontario Association of Residents' Councils (OARC), to celebrate the contributions of residents in long-term care homes.

The week-long celebration highlights the importance of residents' voices and their engagement in the life and operation of their long-term care homes. Events and activities during this time often include:

• Education events to raise awareness about the council's purpose and accomplishments.
• Award ceremonies and contests recognizing resident leaders and achievements.
• Social events like meet-and-greets with residents, team members, and family.
• Artistic and musical celebrations.

If you are looking for ways to participate or have a loved one in long-term care, I can help with specific celebration ideas or provide more information on the awards and contests available during Residents' Council Week. Would you be interested in learning more about the event's schedule or activities? Click on the website below for more information.

https://www.ontarc.com/residents-council-week.html

We will be celebrating Residents' Council week at the Pines, so please watch for events when you are visiting your loved one next week.

Join us for a Blue Light Social in support of the Alzheimer’s Society on Sunday, September 21, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Donations will be collected during the event as well as at any time during the day, and we encourage you to attend with your loved one to show your support.

We’re pleased to announce that the 4 EV parking spots installed by Lakeland Power are now active and ready for use.

These dedicated spots are equipped for electric vehicle (EV) charging and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please ensure they are used only while actively charging an EV to keep them accessible to others.

Driving electric offers several benefits, including:

• Lower fuel and maintenance costs
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
• A quieter, smoother driving experience
• Contribution to a cleaner and more sustainable future

We’re excited to support the shift toward greener transportation and appreciate your efforts in helping us build a more environmentally friendly workplace.

Please note that our hairdresser, Kerry, has updated the pricing due to increased costs of the supplies required to continue providing high-quality service to our residents.

The updated price list will take effect on September 19th, 2025.

If you have any questions, Kerry can be reached at extension 4885.

World Alzheimer's Month is a global campaign that takes place every September to raise awareness and challenge the stigma surrounding Alzheimer's and other dementias. The campaign is organized by Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI), a federation of over 100 Alzheimer's and dementia associations worldwide.

The purpose of World Alzheimer's Month

The campaign aims to educate the public about the realities of Alzheimer's and dementia and advocate for improved care and support for those affected. Awareness is critical because a significant portion of the public still wrongly believes that dementia is a normal part of aging.

Through activities like awareness events, fundraising, and sharing personal stories, World Alzheimer's Month works to:

• Reduce stigma: It challenges the misconceptions and stigma that often prevent people from seeking help.
• Increase understanding: It provides information on the early signs of dementia and the importance of timely diagnosis.
• Highlight support needs: The campaign draws attention to the needs of people living with dementia, their families, and their caregivers.

You can find mofre information on the AlzheimerSociety website at https://alzheimer.ca/on/en

Our team will be celebrating World Alzheimer's month. Please watch for activities and initiatives in the home.

Shower Room Upgrades for Enhanced Comfort and Care

Starting August 25th, 2025, in the Spruce Home Area, we will begin phased renovations of the shower rooms to minimize disruption to daily routines.

• Alternative bathing arrangements will be provided to ensure uninterrupted care.
• Our team is committed to making this transition smooth and respectful for all residents.

Main Kitchen Flooring Repairs

Repairs will take place on August 27th and 28th in the main kitchen.

• Some kitchen equipment will be temporarily relocated.
• Menu adjustments have been reviewed and approved by the Residents' Council to ensure continued meal service during this time.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we make these important upgrades. These improvements are not just about updating our facility—they’re about enhancing the daily experience for our residents and staff.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Steve Files, Environmental Services Manager at steve.files@muskoka.on.ca

✨ How Your Support Makes a Difference

Every dollar raised goes directly toward enriching the lives of the residents in our home. Thanks to your generosity, the committee has been able to fund meaningful improvements and experiences, including:

• 🛏️ A specialized healthcare bed for every resident
• 🌸 Beautiful enhancements to our courtyards
• 🎁 Personalized Christmas gifts for each resident
• 🎶 Paid entertainment to bring joy and connection
• ❤️ A life enrichment fund managed by our social worker
• 🌿 Essential palliative care supplies
• 🍽️ Adaptable dining tables to improve comfort and accessibility

…and so much more that brings dignity, comfort, and joy to those who live here.

We hope you stop by when you have a minute to take a look and place a bet or two. Open August 20th to September 2nd at noon.

✨ How Your Support Makes a Difference

Every dollar raised goes directly toward enriching the lives of the residents in our home. Thanks to your generosity, the committee has been able to fund meaningful improvements and experiences, including:

• 🛏️ A specialized healthcare bed for every resident
• 🌸 Beautiful enhancements to our courtyards
• 🎁 Personalized Christmas gifts for each resident
• 🎶 Paid entertainment to bring joy and connection
• ❤️ A life enrichment fund managed by our social worker
• 🌿 Essential palliative care supplies
• 🍽️ Adaptable dining tables to improve comfort and accessibility

…and so much more that brings dignity, comfort, and joy to those who live here.

Hot Water Shut-Off for Boiler Replacement

To complete the installation of our new hot water boiler, there will be a temporary disruption in hot water service on August 20th, starting at 7:30 PM for up to 10 hours.

• Our nursing team has contingency plans in place to ensure hot water is available for essential care.
• Alternative care methods will be used if needed to maintain resident comfort.
• This upgrade is essential, as our current system is operating on a single boiler. Adding a second boiler will improve both efficiency and safety.

Shower Room Upgrades for Enhanced Comfort and Care

Starting August 25th, 2025, we will begin phased renovations of the shower rooms to minimize disruption to daily routines.

• Alternative bathing arrangements will be provided to ensure uninterrupted care.
• Our team is committed to making this transition smooth and respectful for all residents.

Main Kitchen Flooring Repairs

Repairs will take place on August 27th and 28th in the main kitchen.

• Some kitchen equipment will be temporarily relocated.
• Menu adjustments have been reviewed and approved by the Residents' Council to ensure continued meal service during this time.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we make these important upgrades. These improvements are not just about updating our facility—they’re about enhancing the daily experience for our residents and staff.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Steve Files, Environmental Services Manager at steve.files@muskoka.on.ca

We’re incredibly grateful to the Pines Support Committee for their generous purchase of these beautiful resident door decals. Thanks to their support, our Oak home area is the first to experience this vibrant transformation—and it looks fantastic!

👏 A special shoutout to our dedicated maintenance team, who have been working closely with residents to choose their preferred designs and carefully install each decal. The personalized touches are already making a meaningful impact.

This is just the beginning! We’re excited to expand this initiative throughout the home over the next couple of years, bringing warmth, individuality, and a sense of belonging to every door.