The Pines Resident & Family Portal

We would like to share an update regarding our Physiotherapy team at The Pines Long-Term Care Home.

PTA Chilka's last day with us will be Thursday, April 2, 2026. We extend our sincere thanks to Chilka for her excellent work, dedication, and positive contributions to our residents and team. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours.

Achieva Health is pleased to welcome PTA Rutvik, who will be joining the team to replace PTA Chilka and work alongside PT Heena. Rutvik will begin providing Physiotherapy programs and services on Monday, April 6, 2026, and is excited to become part of the terrific team at The Pines.

To support a smooth and seamless transition of care, PTA Rutvik will participate in onsite orientation and training with PTA Chilka from Monday, March 30 to Thursday, April 2, 2026.

Please join us in thanking Chilka for her service and in welcoming Rutvik to The Pines community!

This month, our residents have chosen to visit the Philippines as part of our cultural experience. On Thursday, March 26, residents will enjoy a special menu and activities inspired by this beautiful country. We hope you can join us as we celebrate Filipino culture together!

March 21st is the annual observance of the day when police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid "pass laws" in 1960.

Racial discrimination refers to the practice of treating people differently or unjustly because of their race, ethnic origin, skin colour, language or religion.

Resource: https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-racism-day

March is indeed Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM), a national observance first established by President Ronald Reagan in 1987. It is a time dedicated to raising awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life, as well as the barriers that still exist.

The national theme for 2026, set by the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), is "We’re Here: Then, Now, Always".

• Meaning: This theme connects the past, present, and future to highlight progress made while reinforcing the need for continued advocacy, funding, and protection of inclusion.
• Goal: The campaign focuses on how people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities.

For more information: https://www.develop.bc.ca/march-is-developmental-disabilities-awareness-month/

In collaboration with Public Health, the Oak Home Area declared a Respiratory Outbreak. Currently, several residents are experiencing symptoms such as coughing, congestion, and/or a runny nose. Families have been notified, and we are currently awaiting test results from Public Health.

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:

• Masks required to be worn in the Oak Home Area
• Ensure the Public Health 4 moments of Hand Hygiene are followed
• No General Visitors to the Oak 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

We hope that you can join us on Zoom on Wednesday, March 18th, 2026, from 6:30 pm -8:00 pm. The link is below. We will be looking for your feedback.

Guest Speaker: Home Administrator Jennifer Ridgley will present the results of the Resident and Family Engagement Survey, provide an overview of the Quality Improvement Plan, and review the Ministry of Long‑Term Care inspection conducted in December 2025.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/s/88210402686

Meeting ID: 882 1040 2686

Passcode: 815834

Family Council Agenda March 18, 2026

What is a Quality Improvement Plan and why is it important?

• A Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) is an annual, organization-owned document required under the Excellent Care for All Act (2010), outlining goals for better patient care, which must be submitted to Ontario Health by April 1. It serves as a, public-facing, actionable, and evidence-based roadmap for enhancing safety, efficiency, and patient experience.
• A Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) is important because it shifts healthcare from "business as usual" to a structured, data-driven system focused on better patient outcomes and public accountability.

Falls can occur in the home; however, our team puts proactive measures in place to help reduce the risk of falls and minimize potential injury. We work collaboratively with residents, family members, and persons of importance to ensure appropriate fall‑prevention strategies are implemented, while also respecting each resident’s rights and independence. If you would like more information about the home’s falls prevention program, please connect with Natasha Tobin, Clinical Lead. natasha.tobin@muskoka.on.ca

Please let us know if you have any questions about the CARF accreditation process. You are welcome to connect in person with Scot Gray, Jennifer Carriere, or Jennifer Ridgely. Alternatively, you may email administrator.pines@muskoka.on.ca for more information.

We look forward to working through this process together as we continue to support quality improvement and exceptional care for the residents of our home.

The Nursing Department is excited to share that we have new, upgraded technology to help identify a wide range of infectious agents within the home. This device, called the Cepheid, enhances our ability to assess and respond quickly. (Pictured at left: Stephanie Albert, IPAC Lead, and Catherine King, RN.)

While we certainly prefer to avoid those bothersome cold and flu viruses, the Cepheid machine allows us to diagnose infections much faster so we can provide timely and effective treatment. The system can deliver results in approximately 30 minutes for infectious diseases such as influenza, RSV, COVID‑19, and more.

Once we receive results from the Cepheid machine, they are then validated by Public Health to ensure accuracy and appropriate follow‑up.