Nurses Appreciation Week!
Happy Nurses week! Heartfelt thanks & appreciation to all of our nurses working at Menno Home, Hospital, & Apartments. We value your dedication & hard work in keeping our loved ones safe & cared for.
Mother’s Day Flowers 2023
Mother’s Day, May 14th
Who do we recommend for floral deliveries?
Buckets Fresh Flower Market is one of our trusted florists. If you order by May 10th, you will receive FREE delivery service to Menno Place! Deliveries will be made on Friday, May 12th to enable the staff to distribute them to your loved ones in time for Mother’s Day. You can call Buckets directly to order at (604) 870-2994… BUT if ordered online, they will deduct the delivery charge ($15) at the time of processing.
All floral deliveries must follow these guidelines:
No “scented” flowers – this includes lilies – this is to keep residents and staff safe – some are allergic (or highly allergic) to scented flowers
All flowers must be delivered in a container
No “loose” flowers in paper that need to be put in a vase
Potted plants must be delivered directly to the resident.
Hymn Stories – May 2023
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee, which is sung to the music of Beethoven’s “Hymn of Joy”, is generally considered by hymnologists to be one of the most joyous expressions of hymn lyrics in the English language. Find out more about this hymn inspired by the Berkshire mountains!
Click to listen.
Masks, Rapid Tests, Screening – no longer required for visitors
On April 6, 2023, the Provincial Health Officer announced the end of respiratory season and lifted the mandatory requirements with respect to visitors in long-term care and seniors’ assisted living. https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HLTH0039-000473
What has changed?
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Visitors will no longer be required to provide their vaccination status, and those who are unvaccinated for COVID-19 will be able to visit freely at long-term care and assisted living sites.
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Visitors will no longer be required to undergo a rapid antigen test or confirm a recent negative rapid antigen test prior to visiting.
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Visitors will not be required to wear masks while vising long-term care and assisted living sites, unless specifically required based on a Point of Care Risk Assessment (assessment by a health care worker that masking is required based on the risks of infection, including a resident’s symptoms, the type of interaction with residents, and the environment).
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There will be no restrictions on gatherings, events or activities including visitors, indoors or outdoors, regardless of visitor vaccination status.
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Active screening of visitors is no longer required.
What doesn’t change?
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Sign-in / Sign-out when you come for a visit at a long-term care site or assisted living site
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Practicing hand hygiene to keep germs from spreading
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Not visiting when you are ill
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Wearing a mask if you choose to wear one
FAQs
Are the guest suites open?
Not yet. We are still facing a staff shortage in housekeeping that makes it difficult to add the cleaning of guest suites to routines.
Can we book a room for an event?
We will get this up and running in the next week or two. Please write to connect@mennoplace.ca if you are hoping to book a room for an event.
Can you visit more than one person at a time?
Yes. You can also visit in the common spaces and enjoy moving throughout the unit and the gardens.
If you have other questions, please write them in the comments and we will work to answer them in a timely fashion.
WE ARE SO EXCITED TO SEE YOUR SMILING FACES!
Welcome, Kerry Dyck, Menno Hospital Chaplain
Menno Place is pleased to welcome Kerry Dyck as our new chaplain for Menno Hospital.
For most of Kerry Dyck’s working life as a pastor in the local church, he has been helping people answer the question, “What does it mean to follow Jesus right now?” As he concludes his ministry as lead pastor of Bakerview Church in Abbotsford and transitions to the role of Menno Place chaplain, he is asking the same question of himself. For Kerry, it means coming to minister with Jesus’ compassion to our residents, families and staff.
Menno Place is excited to welcome Kerry Dyck to the chaplaincy team. Kerry’s compassionate shepherding will be a welcome presence for residents in long-term care, for families negotiating transitions for loved ones and for our staff who have faced tremendous stress through these past few years. The hope, comfort and peace that come through God’s word, the presence of the Holy Spirit and the leadership of a chaplain create a very special place for people who live, support loved ones and work at Menno Place. We are grateful that Kerry has answered the call to bring his gifts, skills, experience and heart to minister God’s light and hope to this very special and complex community.
Kerry shares:
Kerry’s full-time work as a chaplain at Menno Place will begin in July 2023. Here is the announcement of Kerry’s new role from his church – CLICK HERE
Hymn Stories – April 2023
Christ the Lord is Risen Today was written by Charles Wesley in 1739 for the first chapel service held in a deserted iron foundry in London, England, which later became known as the Foundry Meeting House. Find out more about this hymn!
Click to listen.
Parking Disruption for Visitors – Menno Home, Entrance A – April 3rd and April 4th
Visitor Parking and Entry Disruption – Monday, April 3rd and Tuesday, April 4th
On Monday, April 3rd and Tuesday, April 4th, there will be reduced visitor parking at Menno Place.
Visitor parking stalls at Entrance A and Entrance B will unavailable due to trench excavation at Entrance A to supply electrical power for the Menno Home South Wing Air Conditioning upgrade and the new Hair Salon.
Menno Home Entrance A will be limited to Emergency access only and will be closed to visitors.
How are visitors impacted?
Parking
There are reduced parking spots available for visitors on these 2 days
Visits
Visitors are asked to postpone visits to Menno Home Entrance A until after the excavation work is complete.
Visitors can call ahead to reception for alternate access if visitation is urgent. 604-853-2411
You will be guided another way into Menno Home Entrance A if you call ahead.
Temporary Changes to Dining for Terrace East Residents
2nd Update March 27: The dining room will remain closed to Terrace East residents for Monday and Tuesday March 27 & 28th. The number of cases is trending down and we hope to be back in the dining room soon.
Due to the spread of GI (similar to stomach flu) in Terrace East we have made a couple of temporary changes:
- The dining room is temporarily closed to Terrace East residents. Meals and morning break will be delivered to each apartment for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (March 15 – 17).
We hope to be back in the dining room on Saturday. - Terrace West residents will still eat in the dining room.
- Morning break for Terrace West residents has been moved to the Terrace West bistro area.
We are NOT in lockdown. All residents who are feeling well can move about the building, go outside, and run errands. Residents who are feeling sick are asked to please stay home until you feel better. Terrace East residents who start to experience symptoms (vomiting and/or diarrhea) should press their pendant so care staff can assist them.
All residents can still have visitors. If you are coming into the Terrace East building please be aware that GI is highly contagious and be extra careful if you or someone in your household is immunocompromised.
Recreation activities are being split by building. Terrace West residents will get updates in the lunch time announcements each day. For Terrace East most recreation activities are paused except for bingo which will still happen at 1:15 on Thursday. Terrace East bingo players will meet in the first floor lounge. Terrace West will play in the Terrace West bistro.
There are no changes for Primrose Gardens or the Pavilion at this time.
This is a reminder to file your income taxes
MEMO: It’s time to file your income taxes
Information for clients residing in a Long-Term Care Home or Assisted Living funded by Fraser Health Authority
This is a reminder to file your most recent income taxes by April 30th each year.
It is very important to file ON TIME because your monthly long-term or AL rate is calculated annually using information from your Notice of Assessment.
Per the Ministry of Health Home and Community Care policy, clients must file an income tax return to be eligible for a subsidized client rate. Clients who do not file their income tax return will be subject to the maximum long-term care rate, effective January 1st.
There are agencies and organizations in place that can help you complete your tax return. If you need assistance, please to talk to the Director of Care / Manager or your Access Care & Transitions Coordinator.
Thank you for your attention to this important notice.
Income Tax Preparation for Apartment Residents
We are pleased to provide income tax preparation services completed by a volunteer accountant, working in conjunction with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP). The CVITP partners with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to provide volunteers who prepare tax returns for those who have a modest income and a simple tax solution.
Eligibility:
- Individuals with income up to $35,000
- Couples with income up to $45,000
- Simple tax solution
To access this service please see Claire or Angela at reception to get a form. Return the completed form to reception no later than April 14th. Reception will set up a phone appointment for you with the accountant.
Appointments will be by phone on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons throughout March and April. There are a couple of in-person appointments available as well.
For family members:
Family members are welcome to be on the call with the resident if they choose. For family members who have a current POA agreement, you can choose to take the call instead of the resident with permission from the resident. Please contact Claire 604-851-4004 to arrange this.
