The Pines Resident & Family Portal

Starting later this July, The Pines Long-Term Care Home will be introducing a new way for families and persons of importance to stay informed and connected with what is happening with their loved ones.

We are excited to launch Engage+ by Evoke Health, a secure and easy-to-use communication platform designed specifically for long-term care homes. This system will provide families with timely updates, important announcements, and a better way to stay involved in day-to-day life at The Pines.

What Engage+ Will Offer:

• Updates on home-wide events, programs, and activities
• Important notices and communications from the care team
• A centralized, secure space for information sharing
• Improved connection between families, persons of importance, and the home

Engage+ is designed to enhance transparency and make it easier for families to feel connected, informed, and reassured about the care and experiences of their loved ones.

More details on how to access and use Engage+ will be shared in the coming weeks. We look forward to bringing this new tool to our residents and families!

Please see the information sheet below for more information.

Engage+ Information Sheet

At The Pines Long-Term Care Home, we are committed to providing a safe, comfortable, and reliable environment for all residents. We would like to share an important update regarding our nurse call bell system.

Our current system has been in place for over 22 years and has served our home well. However, as technology evolves, we must continue to invest in modern systems that support high-quality care and communication.

We will soon begin upgrading our call bell system to a newer, more advanced version. Please be assured that there will be no disruption to resident care or to the nurse call system during this transition. Measures are in place to ensure that the system remains fully operational at all times throughout the upgrade process.

This improvement will help enhance response times, reliability, and overall efficiency, supporting both residents and staff in delivering and receiving care.

We understand that changes can sometimes raise questions, and we want to reassure residents, families, and staff that this process is being carefully planned and managed with safety as our top priority.

More information will be shared as we move forward, including timelines and what to expect during each phase of the upgrade.

Thank you for your continued trust and support as we work to improve our home for everyone.

Please contact Steve Files, Environmental Services Manager, if you have any questions or concerns. steve.files@muskoka.on.ca

Browse our collection of books and resources designed to support residents, families, and persons of importance. Feel free to borrow a resource and return it when you're finished. Below is a very supportive novel available to borrow.

At The Pines Long-Term Care Home, we are committed to ensuring that every resident is treated with dignity, respect, and compassion. In Ontario, the Residents’ Bill of Rights is protected under the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021, which outlines the rights of every person living in a long-term care home.

Key Resident Rights Include:

• Respect and Dignity – Every resident has the right to be treated with courtesy, respect, and in a way that values individuality and personal preferences.
• Safe and Secure Environment – Residents are entitled to live in a safe, clean, and comfortable home.
• Participation in Care – Residents have the right to be involved in decisions about their care, including consent to treatments and services.
• Privacy and Confidentiality – Personal and health information must be respected and kept private.
• Freedom of Choice – Residents may make choices about daily routines, activities, and lifestyle.
• Visitors and Communication – Residents have the right to communicate freely and receive visitors of their choosing.
• Freedom from Abuse and Neglect – Every resident has the right to live free from physical, emotional, financial, or sexual abuse.
• Raise Concerns Without Fear – Residents and families can voice concerns or complaints without worry of retaliation.

Our Commitment

We work every day to uphold these rights and create a supportive, inclusive environment where residents feel valued and heard.

For more information about Residents’ Rights in Ontario long-term care homes, please visit:

👉 https://www.ontario.ca/page/residents-rights-long-term-care-homes

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to speak with a member of our leadership team, our Social Worker (Andrea Groomes), or a member of the Registered Staff.

We are excited to celebrate Canada Day together here at The Pines! This special occasion brings residents, staff, persons of importance, and families together to enjoy the spirit of community, connection, and Canadian pride.

Throughout the home, there will be festive celebrations including themed activities, decorations, and delicious Canadian-inspired treats. These moments are a wonderful way for everyone to share memories, create new experiences, and enjoy time together in a joyful and welcoming atmosphere.

Canada Day, celebrated each year on July 1st, marks the anniversary of Confederation in 1867, when Canada became a self-governing country within the British Empire. Over time, it has grown into a day of national pride, reflection, and celebration of Canada’s history, diversity, and culture.

For more information about Canada Day and its history, please visit: 👉 Canada Day Information

In collaboration with Public Health, the Spruce Home Area has declared a Respiratory Outbreak on June 22nd, 2026. Currently, four (4) residents remain symptomatic, experiencing coughing, congestion, and/or a runny nose and are continuing isolation. Families have been notified, and test results are pending from Public Health.

Infection Control Measures

• Surgical Masks to be worn on Spruce Home Area
• Follow the 4 Moments of Hand Hygiene
• Assist residents with hand hygiene before meals and throughout the day
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly: put on before entering and remove before exiting isolation rooms
• Spruce Residents must remain in their home area
• If they insist on leaving, assist with a mask or visor and encourage outdoor visits
• IPAC Surveillance Screener EVERY SHIFT on Spruce
• Immediate isolation for any new symptoms
• Cohort staff when possible;
• Cohort residents; small-group activities only for unaffected residents; isolated residents receive 1:1 activities
• Twice-daily high‑touch cleaning with 1‑minute dwell time
• Increased hand hygiene and PPE audits with coaching
• No General Visitors to Spruce Home Area; maximum 2 essential caregivers at a time

Please ensure all IPAC practices are followed to protect residents, staff, essential caregivers, and visitors.

We will continue to provide updates as needed.

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

We’d like to share a positive update about our fire alarm system.

The new main fire alarm panel has now been fully installed, and all display panels—including those at the nursing stations and front entrance—are now connected and fully operational. This completes the project and enhances our ability to respond quickly and effectively in the event of an alarm.

This upgrade is an important step in continuing to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in our home.

Please be assured that safety remains our top priority, and all systems are now functioning as intended.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support throughout this project.

Please contact Steve Files, Environmental Services Manager, if you have any questions or concerns. steve.files@muskoka.on.ca