The Pines Resident & Family Portal

We have received notice from Public Health that Influenza vaccines will be available at the beginning of October. Please watch for a registered staff member to connect regarding consent for your loved one if they are not self-consenting.

From Public Health Ontario

https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/About/News/2023/01/Respiratory-Etiquette#:~:text=Respiratory%20etiquette%20is%20a%20simple,or%20elbow%2C%20not%20your%20hands.

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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, everyday infection prevention measures have been placed in the spotlight as important ways to help prevent the spread of the virus. Respiratory etiquette is one of these prevention measures.

What is respiratory etiquette?

Respiratory etiquette is a fancy way of describing the simple everyday actions everyone can take to limit their risk of spreading respiratory viruses. These personal practices primarily consist of covering your coughs and sneezes, regular and thorough hand cleaning, and staying home and keeping to yourself when you are sick.

Respiratory etiquette

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is a simple yet effective way to prevent illness, and is comprised of a few easy steps:

• Cover your cough and sneeze. Turn your head away from others and cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands. Discard tissues immediately after use into the nearest garbage can.
• Practice effective hand hygiene. Thoroughly clean your hands with either soap and water or alcohol based hand rub regularly, especially after coughing or sneezing.
• Wear a mask to protect others. When you are sick, wearing a mask can help to prevent the spread of germs and viruses that make us ill.
• Environmental cleaning. Some important ways to help prevent the spread of germs are cleaning and disinfecting high touch surfaces and general cleaning of shared spaces.

Importance of respiratory etiquette

According to Statistics Canada

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and the Public Health Agency of Canada

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, respiratory infections such as influenza and COVID-19 are ranked among the top 10 leading causes of death in Canada. Nationally, respiratory infections such as influenza cause 12,220 hospitalizations and 3,500 deaths from annually. In 2020, COVID-19 became the third leading cause of death in Canada, accounting for 5.3% of deaths. Many respiratory infections can be prevented with the implementation of infection prevention and control measures, and everyday practices including respiratory etiquette.

We all have a role to play in preventing the spread of germs and viruses to keep both ourselves and our communities safe and healthy.

For more infection control and prevention tips, visit our website

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(see the link above).

The District of Muskoka (District) is committed to being an inclusive workplace that is free from discrimination, hate, and racism, that welcomes and celebrates diversity, and that strives for equity in all practices, programs, and services – both as an employer and service provider. This Inclusive Language Guide was developed to help support this vision and help staff feel confident when working with diverse clients, customers, colleagues, and community members. Inclusive language is the language that is free from words, phrases, or tones that reflect prejudiced, stereotyped, or discriminatory views of particular people or groups. It is also language that does not deliberately or inadvertently exclude people from feeling respected and accepted. Using inclusive language helps us honour the District’s corporate values of Respect, Innovation, Service, and Equity (RISE). It also honours the values that reflect Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-racism/Anti-hate (IDEA) which are respect, learning, change, and safety. We feel that this is important to share as we embrace a respectful and inclusive environment in the home.

Inclusion Language Guide:

Inclusive Language Pocket Guide

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The importance of inclusive language:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQMCQ7Bx6d0

Please be aware that Delynne Patterson has resigned as the Lead for Family Council. We thank her for her contributions and leadership and wish her well. At this time, the Council has not selected a new lead. If you have questions related to Family Council at the Pines, please connect with Jennifer Ridgley, administrator at pines.administrator@muskoka.on.ca or ext. 4877.

The next meeting is scheduled for October 16th, 2024 at 6:30pm.

Family Council meeting for September will be in-person & virtual:

• When: September 18th, 2024
• Time: 6:30 pm
• Location: The Pines in the Fran Coleman Committee Room and virtual if you require

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82942296115?pwd=Rks4eDY3UVFSM1ZTeXFYOXAvTDhhZz09

Meeting ID: 829 4229 6115

Passcode: 656014

Andrea Groomes, Social Worker, will be the guest speaker this month.

• Refreshments will be served

Are you wondering if Family Council is the right place for you? Come and join us for a meeting!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Family Councils Ontario

If you have questions and want to learn more about Family Council. Please reach out to Delynne Patterson (Family Council Chair) at delynne.patterson@gmail.com or Jennifer Ridgley (Administrator) at jennifer.ridgley@muskoka.on.ca

Family members of residents in LTC are important partners in care. Supporting the presence and engagement of family and friends of residents requires deliberate planning and thorough communication with residents, families, and team members.

You can find resources here at: https://clri-ltc.ca/resource/families/

Including resources from Mealtime Assistance Course, A Communication Toom to Support Families in LTC, Public Health Ontario, and PPE for Families Video.

Here is a link to the PPE for Families Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkAYc5wcn0c&feature=emb_logo

In honour of Resident Council Week, we will be hosting a Carnival Theme Day with many games and treats. We are looking for volunteer assistance on Thursday, September 19th. If you or someone you know can help at the event, please contact the Activity Department at ext. 4873. We hope to see you there with your loved one for some fun and carnival treats!

Join Us on Tuesday, September 17th for our Wacky Hair theme Day! We hope to see your craziest hair and have some fun with the residents and staff!

The windows on the home will be cleaned starting on Monday. Our team will be mindful of this when assisting residents in their rooms and we will ensure that all windows are closed.