The Pines Resident & Family Portal

At The Pines, creating a safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment for residents takes the dedication of many team members working behind the scenes every day. While residents may not always see the work being done, our Housekeeping, Laundry, and Maintenance Teams play a vital role in supporting quality of life, dignity, safety, and well-being throughout the Home.

Meet the Teams

🧹 Housekeeping Team

Our Housekeeping Team helps ensure that The Pines remains clean, comfortable, and inviting for residents, families, staff, and visitors. Their work goes far beyond routine cleaning. Housekeepers carefully maintain resident rooms, common areas, dining rooms, lounges, and other shared spaces while following strict infection prevention and control practices.

Their attention to detail helps create a healthy environment that supports resident comfort and safety every day.

👕 Laundry Team

The Laundry Team works diligently behind the scenes to ensure residents have clean clothing, bedding, and linens. From washing and drying to sorting, folding, and delivering items throughout the Home, they play an important role in supporting residents' dignity and comfort.

Whether it's a favourite sweater, freshly laundered bedding, or clean towels, the Laundry Team helps provide the comforts of home that residents rely on each day.

🔧 Maintenance Team

The Maintenance Team keeps The Pines operating safely and efficiently. They are responsible for the upkeep of the building, equipment, grounds, and essential systems that support daily life in the Home.

From repairing equipment and maintaining resident spaces to overseeing heating, cooling, lighting, and safety systems, their expertise helps ensure residents enjoy a safe and comfortable environment year-round.

More Than Cleaning, Laundry, and Repairs

The responsibilities of these teams extend far beyond what many people realize. Their work includes:

• Maintaining clean and sanitary resident and common areas
• Supporting infection prevention and control measures
• Laundering and distributing resident clothing and household linens
• Managing lost-and-found clothing items and labelling systems
• Ensuring resident rooms remain comfortable and welcoming
• Performing preventative maintenance and repairs
• Monitoring building systems and equipment
• Maintaining outdoor spaces and seasonal groundskeeping
• Supporting emergency preparedness and safety initiatives
• Responding quickly to resident and staff concerns

Did You Know?

Every day, thousands of pieces of laundry are processed, numerous cleaning and sanitation tasks are completed, and countless maintenance checks occur throughout the Home. These essential services help maintain the high standards of cleanliness, safety, and comfort expected in long-term care.

Housekeeping, Laundry, and Maintenance staff work closely with nursing, dietary, recreation, and administration teams to ensure residents receive the best possible care and support in a well-maintained environment.

Resident and Family Feedback Matters

We value feedback from residents and families regarding the cleanliness, comfort, and upkeep of the Home. Suggestions, compliments, and concerns help us continuously improve our services and ensure The Pines remains a place residents are proud to call home.

Residents and families are encouraged to share feedback through Resident Council meetings, Family Council, surveys, comment opportunities, and conversations with team members.

Thank You to Our Housekeeping, Laundry, and Maintenance Teams

Every day, these dedicated professionals contribute to the quality of life of our residents through their hard work, commitment, and attention to detail. Their efforts often take place behind the scenes, but their impact is visible throughout the Home.

We extend our sincere appreciation to our Housekeeping, Laundry, and Maintenance Teams for everything they do to help make The Pines a safe, clean, comfortable, and welcoming place to live.



A comfortable home doesn't happen by accident—it happens because of the dedicated people who work every day to keep The Pines running smoothly. 💚🏡

At The Pines, we are committed to supporting residents' dignity, independence, and quality of life. An important part of this commitment includes recognizing that the need for companionship, affection, emotional connection, and intimacy does not disappear with age or simply because someone lives in a long-term care home.

For families and persons of importance, conversations about intimacy can sometimes feel uncomfortable or surprising. However, understanding residents' rights and how capacity is assessed can help ensure that all residents are treated with dignity, respect, and autonomy.

Intimacy is a Normal Part of Life

Intimacy can mean many different things. It may include:

• Friendship and companionship
• Holding hands or hugging
• Emotional closeness and affection
• Romantic relationships
• Expressions of sexuality and physical intimacy

Residents living in long-term care continue to have the same human need for connection, belonging, and meaningful relationships as anyone else. Maintaining these relationships can contribute positively to emotional well-being, self-esteem, and overall quality of life.

Residents Have Rights

Under Ontario's long-term care legislation, residents have the right to be treated with dignity and respect and to make choices about their personal lives. This includes the right to form relationships and express intimacy, provided they are capable of making those decisions.

Residents have the right to:

• Privacy in their personal relationships
• Make choices about companionship and social interactions
• Express affection and intimacy
• Be free from discrimination based on age, disability, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or relationship status
• Have their personal wishes respected whenever possible

These rights continue regardless of whether family members agree with the resident's choices.

Understanding Capacity

One of the most common questions families ask is, "Can my loved one make this decision?"

Capacity is not determined by a diagnosis alone. Having dementia, cognitive impairment, or another medical condition does not automatically mean a person lacks capacity.

Capacity is decision-specific and can vary from person to person. A resident may be capable of making some decisions while requiring support with others.

When considering intimacy and relationships, the key question is whether the individual can:

• Understand the nature of the relationship or activity
• Understand the potential risks and benefits
• Express a choice voluntarily
• Demonstrate that the decision is their own and free from coercion

Healthcare professionals assess capacity carefully when concerns arise, always focusing on the resident's rights, safety, and well-being.

What Happens if Concerns Arise?

There may be times when staff, family members, or substitute decision-makers have concerns about a relationship or a resident's ability to consent.

In these situations, the interdisciplinary care team works together to:

• Assess the resident's capacity related to the specific decision
• Ensure consent is ongoing and voluntary
• Identify any concerns regarding coercion, abuse, exploitation, or misunderstanding
• Support resident privacy while maintaining safety
• Involve appropriate healthcare professionals when needed

Each situation is evaluated individually, with the resident's rights remaining central to the process.

The Role of Families and Persons of Importance

Families often play a valuable role by sharing information about a resident's history, values, preferences, and relationships. However, capable residents retain the right to make their own decisions, even when others may disagree with those choices.

Supporting a loved one's autonomy can sometimes be challenging, particularly when changes occur later in life. Open communication and collaboration with the care team can help address questions and concerns respectfully.

Creating a Respectful Environment

At The Pines, we strive to create an environment where residents feel safe, respected, and supported in all aspects of their lives. This includes recognizing the importance of relationships, emotional well-being, privacy, and personal choice.

By understanding residents' rights and the concept of capacity, families and persons of importance can help support a culture that honours dignity, promotes autonomy, and respects each resident as an individual.

A Final Thought

Growing older does not diminish a person's need for companionship, affection, love, or meaningful human connection. Respecting residents' rights while ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place helps create a long-term care environment where every individual can live with dignity, choice, and respect. 💚🏡

Home is more than a place—it is a feeling. At The Pines, we are continually looking for ways to create warm, welcoming spaces where residents can connect, relax, reminisce, and enjoy meaningful moments throughout their day.

Over the past several months, our team has been focused on enhancing common areas throughout the home to support social engagement, personal interests, and overall well-being. These spaces offer residents opportunities to spend time with friends, revisit cherished memories, and participate in activities they enjoy.



A Space for Connection and Fun

Residents can gather around tables designed for games, cards, puzzles, and colouring activities. Whether it's a friendly game with neighbours or a quiet afternoon spent working on a puzzle, these spaces encourage social interaction while promoting cognitive stimulation and creativity.

Taking a Trip Down Memory Lane

A new addition to the space is our reminiscence area, complete with a record player and classic music. Music has a remarkable ability to spark memories, evoke emotions, and bring people together. Residents often enjoy listening to favourite songs from years gone by, sharing stories, and reconnecting with meaningful moments from their lives.

A Comfortable Place to Relax

For those who enjoy watching television, we have created cozy gathering spaces where residents can enjoy movies, sporting events, special programs, or favourite television shows with friends. These comfortable settings provide opportunities for companionship and conversation, making everyday moments more enjoyable.

Supporting Well-Being Through Environment

The spaces we create within our home play an important role in enhancing quality of life. Comfortable seating, engaging activities, familiar sights and sounds, and opportunities for social connection all contribute to a sense of belonging and purpose.

Residents have diverse interests, and we strive to provide options that reflect those interests. Some may prefer a lively game of cards, while others enjoy quiet colouring, listening to music, reading, or simply spending time with friends in a welcoming environment.

Looking Ahead

Creating meaningful spaces is an ongoing journey at The Pines. We continue to explore new ideas and welcome feedback from residents and families on ways we can make our home even more inviting and enjoyable.

These spaces are more than just rooms—they are places where friendships grow, memories are shared, laughter is heard, and residents can continue to engage in the activities that bring them joy.

At The Pines, we are proud to create environments that help residents feel truly at home. ❤️🏡

One of the highlights of each day at The Pines is mealtime. Whether it's a favourite entrée, a homemade soup, a special dessert, or a nourishing snack, a great deal of planning, care, and teamwork goes into every meal served. Behind every breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack is a dedicated Dietary Team committed to supporting residents' health, well-being, and enjoyment.

Meet the Dietary Team

🍳 Our Cooks

Our cooks are at the heart of meal preparation. They carefully prepare nutritious and appetizing meals while following specialized recipes, therapeutic diets, and food safety standards. Their skill and creativity help ensure that meals are not only nutritious but also enjoyable.

☕ Dietary Aides (Food Service Workers)

Dietary aides are often the friendly faces residents see every day in the dining room. They assist with meal service, help create a welcoming dining experience, accommodate individual preferences whenever possible, and ensure residents receive the correct meal, texture, and diet order.

🥗 Registered Dietitian

The Registered Dietitian plays a vital role in supporting residents' nutritional health. They assess nutritional needs, monitor weight and overall nutrition status, develop care plans, review therapeutic diets, and work closely with residents, families, physicians, and the dietary team to ensure residents receive the nutrition support they need.

📋 Food Service Supervisor

The Food Service Supervisor coordinates daily dietary operations, oversees ordering and deliveries, ensures compliance with provincial regulations through RAI-MDS assessments, and helps maintain the high standards expected in long-term care dining programs.

👥 Dietary Manager

The Dietary Manager provides overall leadership for the department, overseeing menu planning, quality improvement initiatives, budgeting, staffing, regulatory compliance, and resident satisfaction. They work closely with all members of the interdisciplinary care team to continuously enhance the dining experience.

More Than Just Meals

The Dietary Team's work extends far beyond preparing food. Their responsibilities include:

• Planning seasonal menus that meet provincial nutrition requirements
• Supporting residents requiring texture-modified diets
• Providing therapeutic diets for specific medical conditions
• Monitoring nutrition and hydration
• Offering nourishing snacks between meals
• Accommodating cultural, religious, and personal food preferences when possible
• Maintaining food safety and infection prevention standards
• Working with residents and families to address concerns and suggestions

Did You Know?

Ontario's Ministry of Long-Term Care provides funding through the Nutritional Support (formerly Raw Food) funding envelope to support meals and snacks for residents. As of April 1, 2026, the funding allocation is $13.71 per resident per day to provide meals, snacks, beverages, oral nutritional supplements, thickened products, specialized therapeutic foods, and other nutrition-related supplies.

This funding supports:

• Three meals daily
• Between-meal snacks
• Beverages
• Oral nutritional supplements
• Therapeutic and texture-modified foods
• Thickened fluids and specialty dietary products

Resident and Family Feedback Matters

The dining experience is an important part of quality of life in long-term care. We value resident and family feedback and encourage participation through Resident Council meetings, the Delightful Diners, surveys, comment opportunities, and conversations with team members. Your input helps us continue improving menus, service, and the overall dining experience.

Thank You to Our Dietary Team

Every day, our Dietary Team demonstrates professionalism, compassion, and dedication to ensuring residents receive nutritious meals in a welcoming environment. We thank our Cooks, Dietary Aides, Registered Dietitian, Food Service Supervisor, and Dietary Manager for the incredible work they do behind every meal.

Good nutrition is an essential part of quality care—and it all begins with a team committed to making every meal matter. 🍽️💚

Residents, families, and care partners are invited to attend an upcoming webinar hosted by the Ontario Association of Residents’ Councils (OARC) and Family Councils Ontario (FCO) to learn more about how long-term care homes in Ontario are funded.

Presented by guest speakers from the Ministry of Long-Term Care, this session will explain funding in plain language, including:

• How long-term care funding is structured
• What the different funding envelopes cover
• How resident co-payments (accommodation charges) work
• How funding information may be shared with Residents’ Councils and Family Councils

Understanding how long-term care homes are funded can help residents and families ask informed questions and participate in meaningful discussions about care and services.

Webinar Details

📅 Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2026

🕑 Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (ET)

💻 Location: Zoom (link provided upon registration)

Register here:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QzLaAmcPTQ-p1HAwSN2QTQ#/registration

Please note that this webinar will not be recorded, so participants are encouraged to attend live.

Disclaimer: The Ministry of Long-Term Care does not endorse or sponsor specific learning and educational activities. Long-term care sector associations play an important role in supporting quality of life and quality of care in Ontario’s long-term care homes.

Families and residents may have recently received information regarding the Long-Term Care Home Accommodation Rate Changes effective July 1, 2026. The Ministry of Long-Term Care has issued a correction affecting a specific group of residents.

What Has Changed?

The monthly semi-private co-payment rate for residents who were admitted to newer beds between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013 was incorrectly listed in a previous Ministry bulletin.

• Incorrect monthly rate: $2,465.76
• Correct monthly rate: $2,456.76

The daily rate remains unchanged and correct at $80.77 per day.

Who Is Affected?

This correction applies only to residents who were admitted to newer long-term care home beds on or after July 1, 2012, but before July 1, 2013, and who pay the semi-private accommodation co-payment rate.

What Is Being Done?

The Ministry has directed long-term care homes to:

• Update billing and information systems to reflect the correct monthly rate.
• Review accounts for affected residents.
• Reimburse residents who may have been charged the incorrect rate, or apply an adjustment to future billing as soon as possible.

Questions?

If you have questions regarding this accommodation rate correction, please contact the Ministry of Long-Term Care at:

Ltc.Info@ontario.ca

We appreciate your understanding and thank residents and families for their patience as this correction is implemented.

Bulletin to Residents of Long-Term Care Homes: Important News Regarding Long-Term Care Home Accommodations Charges

Respiratory Outbreak Update – Spruce Home Area

In collaboration with Public Health, the Spruce Home Area Respiratory Outbreak has been declared over as of July 5, 2026.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our residents, families, Persons of Importance, staff, and volunteers for their patience, cooperation, and support throughout the outbreak period. Your efforts helped us maintain a safe environment for everyone in our home.

As we return to normal operations, we kindly remind all visitors not to visit the home if you are feeling unwell or experiencing any symptoms of illness. Please continue to perform hand hygiene upon entering and throughout your visit to help protect our residents and community.

Please reach out to Stephanie Albert, IPAC Lead, if you have any questions: 📧 stephanie.albert@muskoka.on.ca
📞 Ext. 4752

In collaboration with Public Health, the Spruce Home Area has declared a Respiratory Outbreak on June 22nd, 2026. Currently, two (2) 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 (External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)or ext. 4752