The Pines Resident & Family Portal

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.

We are excited to announce that renovations to The Pines shower rooms are starting soon. This project reflects our ongoing commitment to enhancing the quality of life for our residents and creating a more welcoming, dignified, and functional environment.

The updated shower rooms will feature a modern, aesthetically pleasing design, with improvements that include new fixtures, enhanced lighting, updated surfaces, and better climate control. Most importantly, the renovations will significantly improve accessibility and safety, allowing our residents and caregivers to move more easily and comfortably within these spaces.

Construction will take place in phases to minimize disruption to daily routines. During this time, we will provide alternative arrangements to maintain uninterrupted bathing schedules. Our team is dedicated to making this transition as smooth and respectful as possible for everyone involved.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we work to enhance our facility. These improvements are not just about upgrading a space-they're about improving the everyday experience of our residents and staff. We look forward to unveiling the newly renovated shower rooms in the near future!

Specific dates will be communicated as we near the renovation starting time.



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

We will be starting with the Influenza vaccine prep, moving into August and September. Stephanie Albert will be starting calls for consent in the next few weeks. Don’t forget to get vaccinated!

The flu vaccine is an annual shot recommended for everyone 6 months and older to prevent influenza and its complications. It's especially important for individuals at high risk of severe illness or complications from the flu, like those with chronic conditions, pregnant individuals, and young children. Vaccination helps prevent the spread of the virus and protects vulnerable populations.

Also, remember to minimize the spread of infection by washing your hands when entering and exiting the home.

Help us keep the residents free from illness

If you have any questions, please reach out to Stephanie Albert at stephanie.albert@muskoka.on.ca

On March 24, 2021, the House of Commons voted unanimously to officially designate August 1 Emancipation Day. It marks the actual day in 1834 that the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 came into effect across the British Empire.

Canadians are not always aware that Black and Indigenous Peoples were once enslaved on the land that is now Canada. Those who fought enslavement were pivotal in shaping our society to be as diverse as it is today.

Therefore, each August 1, Canadians are invited to reflect, educate and engage in the ongoing fight against both anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism and discrimination.

Emancipation Day celebrates the strength and perseverance of Black communities in Canada.

•Resource: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/emancipation-day.html