Staff Appreciation Tea – Honouring Staff Achievements in 2024
From awards that marked 645 years of service to the nominations that poured in for outstanding achievements there was plenty to celebrate at this year’s Staff Appreciation Tea.
February is Therapeutic Recreation Month in Canada
This month, we celebrate and recognize the amazing work of Recreation Team who make a lasting impact on individual’s lives. Through their passion, creativity, and commitment, they help people of all ages and abilities enhance their well-being and achieve their fullest potential.
Recreation Therapy isn’t just about fun and games; it’s about healing, empowerment, and improving quality of life. Here on campus, whether through physical, mental, or social activities, recreation therapists are at the forefront of promoting holistic health and inspiring positive change.
To the Recreation Team – thank you for your dedication, compassion, and tireless work. Your ability to bring joy, healing, and connection is a true gift, and we are so grateful for all you do! 💙
As a manager, I am incredibly proud to work alongside such an inspirational Recreation Therapy team. Their unwavering commitment to our residents, ability to bring joy, and create meaningful personal connections each day is truly remarkable, and it’s an honor to witness the positive impact they have on lives. ~ Linda Weatherly, Manager of Therapeutic Recreation and Volunteer Services
Did you know you can access the full recreation calendar for each apartment building or LTC Unit right here on the MennoPlaceLife site? Just click the RECREATION CALENDARS link at the top of the site and you can select the area where your loved one lives.
New Meal and Snack Options at Fireside Cafe
What do ice cream, chicken biryani and fresh pizza have in common? You can get any (or all) of them anytime in the Fireside Café.
If you’ve been in Menno Hospital recently you might have noticed a few shiny, new machines located right across from the Fireside Café. We are trialing new vending machines – like NOTHING you’ve ever seen before! Come and try them out and let us know what you think.
You can select from:
- Hot meals like chicken ginger gyoza, vegetable stir fry, butter chicken with rice and steamed pork buns ($7-$10)
- Soft serve ice cream – choose your syrup and toppings
- Fresh baked pizza (available soon)
- Soft drinks and snacks
The machines are credit card only can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are available to staff, residents, families and visitors. There will be an official launch later in the year.
YUMM! One staff member tried the pork steam bun (bao) last week and said it was DELICIOUS – really great flavor, nice and hot.
Where’s the coffee?
Don’t worry caffeine lovers, we have not forgotten you. In March we’ll be adding a Smart Café in a Box machine that will serve fresh, customizable hot or iced coffees, lattes, and teas, along with a wide selection of pop and fruit juices.
What will you try first?
Menno Hospital Nurse Call Bell Replacement Project
To: All Residents and Families of Menno Hospital
From: Smitha Varghese, Director of Care
Date: February 6, 2025
Subject: Nurse Call Bell Replacement Project
Dear Residents and Families,
We are writing to inform you about an important update at Menno Hospital. We are currently in the process of replacing the nurse call bells throughout Menno Hospital. This project is a part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest standards of care and safety, in line with licensing and safety regulations. Targeted project completion date is April 30th 2025.
Please rest assured that we are taking all necessary precautions to ensure that the routines and comfort of our residents are minimally impacted during this process. Each resident’s room will be updated one by one to avoid any disruption.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this project, please do not hesitate to contact me. We are committed to keeping you informed and ensuring that the project runs smoothly without compromising the care and attention you or your loved ones deserve.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Smitha Varghese
Director of Care
Menno Hospital
604 851 1337
Snow for Abbotsford: Special Weather Statement
We have received a Special Weather Statement from the Meteorological Service of Canada. This alert is issued for weather events that are unusual or cause general inconvenience or public concern.
Details of the Alert:
- Type of Weather Event: Snowfall of 2 to 4 cm is expected, with local amounts exceeding 5 cm possible. High Winds with accumulated snow drifts.
- Expected Duration: Anticipate the inclement weather to persist through the weekend
- Areas Affected: Abbotsford and surrounding regions
Precautionary Measures:
- Ensure you have adequate supplies at home.
- Avoid unnecessary travel during the alert period.
- Stay updated with the latest weather information through reliable sources.
Your safety is our priority. Please take the necessary precautions and stay safe. If you have any concerns or need assistance, do not hesitate to reach out.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Feb 3: Time Limits Coming to Parking on Primrose St. and Brundige Ave.
Thank you for your patience as we worked with the City of Abbotsford toward a better solution to the street parking on Primrose Street and Brundige Avenue. Current construction has highlighted the difficulty with street parking in these locations.
Starting February 3, 2025 the city will be rezoning the parking along Primrose Street (west side) and Brundige Avenue (north and south sides). These areas are marked in orange on the map below.
Effective February 3, 2025:
- No more parking passes: Menno Place paper parking passes will no longer be recognized as permission to park on the street
- Maximum 1- OR 2-hour parking: Signs will be installed by the City of Abbotsford
- Time-limits enforced by the city: By-laws officers will monitor and enforce the maximum parking time by ticketing violators
This solution will address current concerns and create parking opportunities for families and visitors of Primrose Gardens and Terrace East.
After February 3, please report any violators of the time-limit to Abbotsford By-Laws: 604-864-5512
Snow Advisory Warning: Jan 30 – Feb 2, 2025
Heavy snowfall is expected in Abbotsford over the next few days. The forecast predicts significant snow accumulation, which may impact travel and daily operations.
Key Points to Note:
- Expected Snowfall: More than 25 centimeters in the Fraser Valley
- Snowfall Duration: Thursday night to Sunday overnight
- Peak Snowfall: Saturday and Sunday
- Expected Conditions: Heavy snow, potential for icy roads and reduced visibility
Action Required:
- Ensure all necessary preparations are made for snow removal and safety.
- Plan for potential delays in travel and adjust schedules accordingly.
- Stay updated with local weather reports and advisories.
Tips and Reminders for Residents and Families:
- Take extra care when walking on sidewalks and other surfaces that may be slippery. We will be working to clear parking lots and sidewalks. Please take extra precautions as conditions can change rapidly. Mobility aids may move differently over icy or uneven surfaces. Considering staying indoors if you can.
- In the apartments, if you notice that your suite is cold, check to make sure all windows are fully closed. Each apartment has a thermostat that can be adjusted for your comfort. If you need assistance please contact the Life Enrichment Team – 604-851-4004.
- If you go outside, dress warmly. Make sure you hands and head are covered. Choose footwear with good grip.
We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates, as necessary. Your safety is our top priority, so please take all necessary precautions.
Stay safe and warm!
January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month
More than 85,000 British Columbians are living with Alzheimer’s disease and each of their stories is unique. Receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s – either for yourself, or for a loved one – is a life-changing event and the journey with the disease can feel overwhelming and disorienting.
If you have questions about Alzheimer’s or other dementias a great first step is contacting the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada’s First Link Dementia Hotline. The hotline is open Monday to Friday and available in six languages.
They can help with:
- General information about dementia.
- Getting the diagnosis.
- Progression of the disease, including its effect on communication and behaviour.
- Personal planning.
- Maintaining independence.
- Providing care and support.
- Resources available in your community, including support groups and upcoming education workshops.
- Information about making your organization or community dementia friendly.
You can reach the helpline at the following numbers:
- English:1-800-936-6033 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Cantonese and Mandarin:1-833-674-5007 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu:1-833-674-5003 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
You can read more about the hotline on the Alzheimer’s Society website here:
https://alzheimer.ca/bc/en/help-support/find-support-bc/first-link-dementia-helpline
Nominations for Fraser Health Care Community Awards
Do you know someone who should be recognized in the broader Fraser Health care community?
The goal of the the Fraser Health Care Community Awards is to recognize individuals who demonstrate exemplary contributions to improving the quality of life for Care Community residents and embody the values of comfort, caring, and connection. Examples can include but are not limited to: quality of care, leadership, innovation, quality improvement, resident and family-centred care, team collaborator, “quiet heroes”, volunteers or staff in non-leadership roles.
Awards available will recognize individuals from each region (Fraser North, Fraser South, and Fraser East) for a maximum of nine awards across Fraser Health Care Community.
Nominations will be received until February 7, 2025 at 12:00 PM. Individuals nominated must be:
- An active staff member or volunteer of a Fraser Health Owned and Operated or Affiliated Care Community.
- A physician or clinician in good standing with the corresponding regulatory body (e.g. College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia, British Columbia College of Nurses & Midwives) if applicable.
To submit a nomination go to bit.ly/FHCCawards or scan the QR code below.
Thank You for Your Generosity!
Over the holiday season the Menno Place community and the broader Abbotsford community showed up for us in some spectacular ways.