Welcome to Claire – Communications Coordinator
MBS Corporate (Mennonite Benevolent Society) welcomes Claire Colvin to the Communications Team! Click to read more.
Menno Place achieves Exemplary Standing with Accreditation Canada
July 17, 2023
When your aging loved one needs more care. QUALITY MATTERS.
When you see the Accreditation Canada seal, you can be certain that the healthcare organization is working hard to meet the Accreditation Canada standards to deliver safe, high-quality care.
Menno Place completes the Accreditation Canada on-site survey because better quality means better health.
Congratulations to the MBS Board, Menno Place Team and Accreditation Team for the successful on-site survey done in October 2022. Accreditation Canada has provided Menno Place with the decision on our Accreditation standing:
MENNO PLACE IS ACCREDITED WITH EXEMPLARY STANDING
This is the highest level of accreditation that can be obtained through Accreditation Canada.
We are proud of our Menno Place Team and this achievement of excellence!
Save the date for Grandparents Day – September 9th!
You’re invited to celebrate the role grandparents play in the lives of their grandchildren! Bring the whole family to Menno Place on September 9th for a free afternoon of fun and games! More details to come…
Hymn Stories – July 2023
Written and published in 1833, O Worship the King, is considered one of the finest hymns from the early nineteenth century Romantic Era. It has often been called a model hymn for worship. Find out more about this hymn and its author, Robert Grant.
Click to listen.
Canada Day Celebration!
Join us on Friday, June 30th from 11:00 am-2:00 pm, for our Canada Day Celebration! We will have a BBQ, antique car show, & music by Patsy Cline, performed by Alyssa Nielson. This will take place in the Menno Place Courtyard. Everyone is welcome to come!
Memo – Trish Giesbrecht, Transitioning to Executive Director at The Cascades, Chilliwack
MEMO
To: Residents, Families and Friends
Re: Trish Giesbrecht transitioning to new role at neighbouring care home
June 23, 2023
Trish joined the Menno Place Team in 2006 and has worked throughout our campus of care as an LPN (Home and Hospital), Nursing Manager (Home), Manager of Care and Quality Improvement Lead (Hospital) and currently Manager of Community Enrichment (Apartments). Trish is a vibrant and compassionate faith-based leader who has helped us to move forward to success in many areas, including the adoption of Point-Click-Care in Long-Term Care, the development of a robust Private-Pay Assisted Living program, the expansion of supportive services for Independent Living as well as leadership in our Assisted Living program to onboard residents with more complex needs. From 2019 – 2022, Trish took the opportunity to develop and teach a care aide program at Columbia Bible College.
Trish has been on a leadership journey throughout her time at Menno Place, achieving her Bachelor’s degree in Leadership and Master’s in Health Profession Education. We were pleased to assist her in this through the educational financial support program that is available to all staff at Menno Place.
Trish is a trusted team leader who lifts up the members of her team to thrive in their capabilities. She sets a vision and creates a plan forward. Most recently, Trish has been our Manager of Community Enrichment, providing leadership in the care and enrichment of our 350 residents in the Apartments.
With her experience and education, Trish is now preparing to transition to a new role as Executive Director with a neighbouring organization, The Cascades in Chilliwack, BC. Although we are sad and will miss her, we are very excited for her and wish her the very best in her new role. Her last day at Menno Place will be Friday, July 7th. We look forward to continued partnership with her in the care of seniors.
We are very grateful that Smitha Varghese, DOC at Menno Hospital, has accepted the opportunity to provide interim leadership for Assisted Living at the Apartments while we recruit. We are equally grateful for Leonard Klassen, who has accepted the opportunity to provide interim leadership for Independent and Supportive Living at the Apartments.
Butterfly Release 2023
Update: Free parking & shuttle service — Join us for the Menno Place Butterfly Release on Friday, June 16 at 3:00pm, following our annual memorial service where we’ll be honouring those who have passed since June 2022. Click for details on how you can pre-purchase your butterfly!
Primrose Gardens Community Meeting – May 29 2023
Greetings from Trish, Community Enrichment Manager
Fire Safety protocol with Dave Janzen, Building Systems & Emergency Response Coordinator
In case of fire:
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- Do not use the elevator
- If it is safe to do so, stay in your suite. Keep your door closed & put a towel under the door the help keep smoke out
- Call 911
- If there’s a fire in your suite, leave immediately & pull the closest fire alarm
- If you need to evacuate the building, the designated meeting place Is Living Water Gardens or Terrace Dining Room
Safety Items to consider:
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- Power bars with Surge Protector are best
- Multi-outlet plugs can be a fire hazard, please avoid using these
- When cooking try to remember to make sure everything is turned off before leaving your suite
- Keep your suite clean & tidy, clutter can be fuel for a fire
- Candles are not permitted, but battery operated candles are
How to use a fire extinguisher:
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- Turn the pin like a key to break the plastic then pull the pin out
- Aim the hose at the bottom of the fire & pull the trigger
- Extinguishers are meant to put out small fires only
Updates from Leonard Klassen, Life Enrichment Coordinator
Landscaping – Landscapers have been working hard to remove a lot of the dead growth. More plants are coming this week. Landscapers will be on campus every Tuesday, & possibly more depending on the work that needs to be done.
Power washing – the job has been completed for PG but the washers will be returning for some touch ups.
Heat – In extreme heat, it’s important to remain cool & hydrated. Common areas such as the Bistro or Dining Room have air conditioning & water jugs are located in the Activity Room & Wellness Center.
Wildlife – Do not feed the animals on campus. This includes squirrels, possums, raccoons, bunnies, birds, or cats. Hummingbird feeders are permitted.
Security – Reminder to not let people in the building. They can use the enter phone & call the person they wish to visit. Report any suspicious behavior to staff or call the building emergency line if it’s after hours-604-217-4418. Do not intervene. Your safety is important to us. Please remember to lock your doors. This is a smart task to remember even if you are just going to lunch. Even if you are home, it’s encouraged to lock your door.
Annual Rent Increase – The process for rent increases will be changing. Effective this year, the rent increase will be on a rolling basis. Example, if you moved here on August 1 2022, you will receive a rent increase for August 2023.
New Apartments Chaplain – Kerry is transitioning into his role here at the Apartments. His office will be located where Leonard’s current office is, and Leonard will be moving behind Angela in Reception.
Recreation summer update from Linda Weatherly Recreation manager
- Butterfly Release on Friday, June 16th. Butterflies are available to purchase online or at Reception for $25.
- Canada Day event on Friday, June 30th. This will include entertainment by Patsy Cline, vintage cars, & Food.
- Summer Beach Party in July. There will be food, games, & music by Elvis.
- Camping Theme event in August. More details to come.
- Grandparents Day on Saturday, September 9th. This will include entertainment for the whole family with games, fun & food.
- Concert in Care is once a month in the Menno Hospital Chapel. The next concert is on June 28th.
- Bus Trips Price Increase the cost of the bus trips have been raised to $10. This is a very reasonable & fair price.
June Bus trips update from Timea Derbyshire, Recreation Aide for Apartments. Some of the trips included are to Save on Foods, White Rock, Walmart, & the Westminster Abbey in Mission.
Fact from Trish- Studies show that the more socially isolated you are, the higher your frailty is. So be active, be social & participate!
Archway Services – offers a range of services that can be beneficial to residents. Some included are, Community Van, Meals on Wheels, Better at Home, & Senior Services. If you would like more information on this see Angela at Reception for pamphlets.
Closing with Kerry Dyck, Apartments Chaplain. Fun Fact- He hates olives. Kerry looks forward to starting his new role at Menno & getting to know all the residents.
Hymn Stories – June 2023
It was in 1912 that C. Austin Miles was asked to write a hymn text that would be “sympathetic in tone, breathing tenderness in every line; one that would bring hope to the hopeless, rest for the weary, and downy pillows to dying beds.” Find out more about In The Garden.
Click to listen.
Butterfly Release 2023
Join us for the Menno Place Butterfly Release on Friday, June 16 at 3:00pm, following our annual memorial service where we’ll be honouring those who have passed since June 2022. Click for details on how you can pre-purchase your butterfly!