News Briefs from the November 2017 Blue Water Rest Home Board Meeting…

Blue Water Rest Home staff are preparing for our Annual Resident Family Christmas being held on Sunday, November 19, 2017.  This will be followed by the Angel Tree Service that is taking place in the main lobby at the West Huron Care Centre on Sunday, November 19, 2017 at 7 p.m.

There has been a significant amount of attention to the transfer of long-term care beds out of Perth County to London.  Although this does not directly impact us in Zurich, it impacts our local health service providers.  Blue Water Rest Home belongs to a group of Not-For-Profit Long-Term Care Homes in Huron and Perth and our group sent a letter to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Licensing Branch noting the ripple effect such transfer will have to our local health service providers.

News Briefs from the October 2017 Blue Water Rest Home Board Meeting…

Blue Water Rest Home Resident Quality of Life Survey Results

Each year, we ask our residents who have resided with us for 3 months or longer or their families to provide feedback in the form of our Resident Quality of Life Survey.  
Surveys are completed by residents who are able to understand and respond to the questions being asked, otherwise surveys are sent to their Power of Attorney for completion.
This year (2017), 46/62 surveys were returned for a completion rate of 74%.
Our survey results show that:
1. 95% of residents/POAs felt respected when cared for.
2. 92% of residents/POAs felt they had enough variety in meals.
3. 78% of residents/POAs replied that they felt safe when they are alone. 
4. 97% of residents/POAs replied that the staff respects what they like and dislike.
5. 85% of residents felt they have enjoyable things to do here on weekends.
6. 98% of residents/POAs would recommend this home to others.

Upcoming Events

Mental Health First Aid course is being offered at the West Huron Care Centre on November 2 and 3, 2017 from 9 am – 4 pm for $150.00.  If you are interested in registering for this two day course, please contact Patty Groot at 519-236-4373 x 631.

Huron County Public Health Unit is offering a community flu shot clinic in the Risi Room at the West Huron Care Centre on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 from 3 – 6 p.m.

Blue Water Rest Home’s Angel Tree Service is taking place in the main lobby at the West Huron Care Centre on Sunday, November 19, 2017 at 7 p.m.

News Briefs from the September 2017 Blue Water Rest Home Board Meeting…

Blue Water Rest Home’s Family Christmas Dinner is taking place on Sunday, November 19, 2017.  If high school students or anyone else is interested in volunteering, please contact Patty Groot 519-236-4373 x 631.

Mental Health First Aid course is being offered at the West Huron Care Centre on November 2 and 3, 2017 from 9 am – 4 pm for $150.00.  If you are interested in registering for this two day course, please contact Patty Groot at 519-236-4373 x 631.

News Briefs from the July 2017 Blue Water Rest Home Board Meeting…

Blue Water Rest Home received direction from the South West Local Health Integration Network that One Care will take over the provision of meals on wheels in areas such as Bayfield, Hensall and Lake Shore.  This changeover took place on August 4, 2017.  Although we were saddened by this change, the Rest Home continues to serve meals on wheels to Zurich and the immediate surrounding area.

Mental Health First Aid course is being offered at the West Huron

Care Centre on September 21 & 22, 2017 from 9 am – 4 pm for $150.00.  If you are interested in registering for this two day course, please contact Patty Groot at 519-236-4373 x 631.

News Briefs from the June 2017 Blue Water Rest Home Board Meeting…

Blue Water Rest Home and other non-profit nursing homes from Huron and Perth Counties met with Lisa Thompson, MPP Huron-Bruce and Randy Pettepiece, MPP Perth-Wellington on May 19, 2017 to discuss the potential loss of long-term care beds in Perth County and also advocate for spousal reunification to be a priority when transitioning from social housing and retirement into long-term care.  We also raised awareness about the sector wide challenges of health human resources in rural areas that we are all faced with.  They appreciated the meeting and we will plan follow-up discussions again in Fall 2018. 

Accepting applications for our Maplewoods Apartments (24 units, independent living) and Birchwoods Apartments (10 units, independent living).  Please call 519-236-4373 extension 622 for more information.    

News Briefs from the May 2017 Blue Water Rest Home Board Meeting…

Blue Water has received funding to hire two students for the summer through the Rural Healthcare Summer Placement Program.  The intent of this program is to provide training for students in our rural setting to assist with partnering agencies and ongoing recruitment challenges.   Our students will work in Long-Term Care Activation and Community Outreach Wellness.

We are still awaiting a decision on an application to Service Canada for the Canada Summer Jobs Program and if successful, a student will be hired to work in Long-Term Care Therapy Services.  

These are very rewarding programs to be involved with for the students, our staff mentors and the benefits for the clients we serve.

News Briefs from the April 2017 Blue Water Rest Home Board Meeting…

Director of Care - Cathy Dack has tendered her resignation as Director of Care at Blue Water Rest Home effective May 12, 2017. It’s exciting that Cathy is transitioning to semi-retirement and will continue nursing in a clinical capacity but we will miss the dedication that she has provided to the nursing department for the past 15 years.
As a result, we are pleased to announce that Janet Willert is joining our team as Director of Care effective June 5, 2017. Janet started her career as a Health Care Aide at Blue Water Rest Home and worked here as a Registered Nurse prior to gaining some community experience at the Bluewater Area Family Health Team and St. Elizabeth Healthcare. Janet brings many local connections and resides in Zurich.

Pharmacy Changeover – Our Pharmaceutical transition to Hogan Pharmacy Partners has gone very smoothly and successfully. Following the established plan set out by Hogan, all aspects of the transition were delivered as described. The support of a Registered Pharmacy Technician onsite 3-4 days per week and onboard training for our Registered Staff allowed for the implementation to occur seamlessly.
Nurse Practitioner – Effective February 2, 2017, Blue Water Rest Home and Exeter Villa are the recipients of Ministry of Health funding for a shared Attending Nurse Practitioner. This initiative brings onsite primary care for residents and works as part of our team to strengthen care received in long-term care. We are pleased to announce that Linda Anderson has joined our team and is support by our Medical Director, Dr. O’Connor.

News Briefs from the March 2017 Blue Water Rest Home Board Meeting…

Blue Water Rest Home’s 52nd Annual General Meeting was held on Wednesday, March 1st, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. Two departing Directors were acknowledged for their contributions to the Board. Norm Eckel, represented Brucefield Community Church on the Board since 2012 and Keith Semple served as a Member at Large since 2014.

As a result, two new Directors were introduced to members attending the meeting. Bill Dowson will represent Brucefield Community Church and Lynn Wareing will serve as a Member at Large. No other nominations were made from the floor. We look forward to getting to know our new Directors at April’s meeting.

News Briefs from the February 2017 Blue Water Rest Home Board Meeting…

Upcoming Events

• Blue Water Rest Home’s 52^nd Annual General Meeting is being held at the West Huron Care Centre on Wednesday, March 1^st, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.  Everyone is welcome.

• World Day of Prayer is being held in the Chapel on Friday, March 3^rd, 2017 at 2 p.m.  Everyone is welcome.

• Mental Health First Aid Education is being offered at the West Huron Care Centre:
  March 11 & 25, 2017 – 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Or April 5/12/19/26 – 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Fee $150 – call 519-236-4373 x631 to register

• Blue Water Rest Home’s Ladies Auxiliary is being recognized for 50 years of dedication at our Volunteer Appreciation Event on April 5^th, 2017.

Accepting Applications

• Volunteers – Meals on Wheels Drivers  - call 519-236-4373 x 631

• Staff – Part-time Registered Nurses and Personal Support Workers – call 519-236-4373 x 628

New Service

• TCM Health will be offering reflexology, meditation, acupuncture, acupressure and cosmetic acupuncture as part of our ‘hub of services’ at the West Huron Care Centre.  For more information refer to www.tcmhealthclinic.ca

News Briefs from the January 2017 Blue Water Rest Home Board Meeting…

Blue Water Rest Home’s 52^nd Annual General Meeting is being held at the West Huron Care Centre on Wednesday, March 1^st, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

We continue to accept applications for a Director-At-Large to serve on the Board.  The terms for Board Directors are three years in duration, with an option to serve three terms (nine years in total).  Individuals with prior governance experience and an appropriate background (for example: finance, law, health care, quality management, labour relations, advocacy, government) are encouraged to apply.   Any interested people should contact the Board’s Nominations and Governance Committee:

            c/o Angie Dunn, CEO

            Blue Water Rest Home

            37792 Zurich-Hensall Road

            Zurich ON  N0M 2T0

       519-236-4373

       a.dunn@bluewaterresthome.com

In April 2017, Hogan Pharmacy Partners will commence providing the provision of Pharamcy Services to Blue Water Rest Home.  The Home undertook a rigorous selection process as four local pharmacies and three specialist services were invited to submit proposals.  Three suppliers were then invited to make presentations at the Home, with Hogan being the successful candidate.  The selection process included using many criteria, including compliance and legislative requirements and the ability to provide 24-hour emergency service.  Safety and quality were paramount in our discussions at all times.  Hogan brings the latest in technological advances to ensure that our residents are well-served on a 24/7/365 basis and provides regular on-site presence to support our nursing department.  We are confident there will be a smooth transition over the next few months.