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  • A Message from the Acting Executive Director, Bethany Care Foundation

    As you read the following two updates about a recent gift to Bethany, what do you find yourself thinking or feeling?

    1. The Cochrane Activettes recently made a donation to Bethany Cochrane. The contribution was used to support our residents’ participation in warm water therapy at the local sports centre.

    2. Bethany Cochrane recently partnered with Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre to give our supportive living and long term care residents the opportunity to take part in weekly warm water therapy. The Sports Centre closes for ‘senior swim’ and has purchased appropriate water equipment including walkers, wheelchairs, exercise bikes and flotation devices to allow our seniors to enjoy spending time in the water. While a few residents were a little apprehensive about their first time in a pool in a very long time, their worries were soon allayed and the activity is being universally enjoyed by everyone. Our Cochrane Site Administrator, Jennifer Vance, attended the first session and said: “The smiles on their faces said it all. We saw wheelchair-bound residents freed of their physical limitations. One of our residents sat in the pool with her toes peeking above the water as she rested her legs on her walker. Another was able to ride the underwater stationary bike. After the first swim, I asked one of our seniors how it was. She replied, “I was nervous when I woke up this morning but I would do it again”. And not only has she done it again, she’s also decided to learn how to swim at the age of 92!

    The first update relayed the facts of a recent gift to Bethany, but the second one brought this donation to life for me. In my mind, I saw the pool, saw the smiles on residents’ faces, and felt a different level of gratitude for the Cochrane Activettes’ gift. What about you?

    When it comes to charitable giving, stories are important. They usually make us feel something – perhaps sparking a personal memory or giving emotional context to what we’re being told about an organization’s work. They often inspire us to take action. To make a gift. To volunteer. Or simply to pass it along, telling someone else the story and, in doing so, creating more awareness and understanding about an organization’s mission.

    Stories happen at Bethany every day – bringing our mission to life.

    At the Foundation, we don’t always get a chance to see the stories unfold right in front of us like so many of you do in your daily work. I invite you to share those great moments with us here in the Foundation more often. We can them pass them on to Bethany donors so they feel something, too…and so they know they are a part of something meaningful.

    Thanks for all the stories you’re creating at Bethany!

    – Gail

  • A Message from the CFO

    Much has happened at Bethany and within our broader communities since the last time I had the opportunity to share my thoughts with you. My last message was about budgets – so the thoughts I am sharing today will be quite different coming, as they do, one day after Mother’s Day.

    I think everyone will agree that celebrating our own mothers, or in some cases helping our children celebrate with their mother, is one of the most important dates in the annual calendar of events. When I did some very brief research on the subject, I discovered some interesting facts:

    • In its earliest observation in the 16th century, Mothering Sunday was not a celebration of a person’s mother, but an annual celebration by Christians in Europe, three weeks before Easter, when they would return home to visit their ‘mother’ church – the church in which they were baptized.
    • From those early beginnings, the day evolved into a time for people to celebrate with their families and recognize their mothers’ important role in their lives, including the tradition of giving gifts to their mothers.
    • Over the years, Mother’s Day has grown in popularity to be recognized in most countries of the world, and celebrated by people of many faiths and cultures.Although Mother’s Day is very common throughout the world, it is not universally celebrated on the same day. In most cases, however, it is celebrated on a Sunday in March (as it was, historically, on the fourth Sunday in Lent) or in May (often, as in North America, on the second Sunday of May).
    • In recognition of Mother’s Day, American Presidents (from John F. Kennedy to Donald J. Trump) have made formal proclamations encouraging their citizens to express their love and respect for their mothers, and providing some personal insights of their own personalities and of some of the historical events that were occurring at those times.
    • Calgary has its own large and growing event on Mother’s Day – currently SportChek Mother’s Day Race – which was started by the Forzani family in 1979 and this year is celebrating its 41st anniversary.

    I hope each of you had the opportunity yesterday to celebrate Mother’s Day in a way that was meaningful for you – whether it was in preparing or receiving breakfast in bed, participating in a large family event, working with our residents as they shared Mother’s Day with their family or friends, being with your own mother in person or in spirit, or (like me) taking part in a fun run or walk.

    I believe that celebrating days like Mother’s Day helps us to be more grounded within ourselves, and allows us to bring our best to those we serve in fulfilling Bethany’s mission of ‘Creating Caring Communities’.

    As always, I welcome ideas, suggestions and any questions that you may have. Please feel free to send them to me at alasdair.smith@bethanyseniors.com.

    Take care,

    – Alasdair

  • Join us for the Bethany Riverview Info Session for Staff

    On September 24, 2018, our first resident will call Bethany Riverview home. As we get closer to the opening of Bethany Riverview, there is lots of information to share, including details about our recruitment process and timelines to hire for the more than 300 positions required at the site.

    Bethany Riverview will have full time, part time and casual positions available for HCAs, LPNs, RNs, Social Workers, Recreation Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, OTAs, and RTAs.

    All Bethany employees interested in learning more about employment opportunities at Bethany Riverview are invited to attend one of the Information Sessions being held in the Education Room at Corporate Services in May and June.

    Each session will include:

    • A tradeshow-style set up with different booths and stations showcasing building design, features and much more
    • An overview of onsite amenities such as the onsite daycare and bistro
    • Details about the recruitment processes and how to apply online
    • Information about education and training that will be provided

    Additionally, these sessions provide an opportunity to get answers to any other questions you may have. Representatives from Human Resources, the Riverview Leadership team, Clinical Education and Learning and Development will be in attendance at each session.

    Starting June 4, positions at Bethany Riverview will be posted. In the near future, our recruitment teams will begin meeting with current Bethany employees who have expressed interest working at the new facility. These employee discussions will take place before interviewing any external candidates.

    The dates and times for the Information Sessions are:

    • Thursday May 17 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
    • Friday May 25 from 7:00am to 9:00am
    • Wednesday May 30 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm
    • Tuesday June 5 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
    • Monday June 11 from 7:00am to 9:00am

    These sessions are open-house-style events, so there’s no need to stay for the entire two hours. Please RSVP by emailing askRiverview@bethanyseniors.com indicating which date you will attend.

  • A Message from the VP, Corporate Services & Chief People Officer

    The Canadian Mental Health Association’s annual Mental Health Week is May 7-13, 2018. Each May, Canadians in communities, schools and workplaces rally around CMHA Mental Health Week and raise awareness on mental health and well-being. This year’s theme is #GetLoud about what mental health really is.

    Mental health is about more than mental illness. Did you know that 1 in 5 Canadians live with mental health problems, mental illnesses or addiction? But the reality is, 5 in 5 of us have mental health, just like we all have physical health. We can all benefit from celebrating, promoting and acknowledging the role that good mental health plays in living a full and meaningful life.

    Let’s #GetLoud about what mental health really is. Mental health is about more than being happy all the time. It’s about feeling good about who you are, having balance in your life, and managing life’s highs and lows. Everyone deserves to feel well, whatever their mental health experience. And we all need a support system to lean on.

    Did you know that LifeWorks is Bethany’s Employee and Family Assistance Provider who can provide you with confidential, qualified, professional support regarding mental health issues for you and your family? Please look out for posters at your site providing information from LifeWorks in support of Mental Health Week. LifeWorks is available 24/7, 365 days a year. Their contact information is:

    LifeWorks.com
    1-877-207-8833
    Bethany User ID: bcs
    Password: eap

    I strongly encourage you all to #GetLoud and look after your mental health. If you have any questions, or would simply like to share your ideas, please contact me directly at lisa.watson@bethanyseniors.com.

    Kind regards,

    – Lisa

  • A Message from the COO

    I really like the saying “do what you love and love what you do”. To me this says when your heart is behind what you are doing, so much is possible. It is also about being grateful; grateful for those things in life that are good and orient us in a positive direction.

    Much has been written in the literature about gratitude and there are many perspectives on the topic. However, I think there is general agreement that gratitude not only reminds us of the positive things in our lives but that it can change obstacles into opportunities. Many say we should be grateful for the challenges put before us as they can provide us with an opportunity for growth.

    Gratitude is also about thanking others and genuinely appreciating who they are and what they mean to us. This is particularly important in the workplace. Apart from increasing workplace happiness, it also boosts productivity and strengthens team building amongst employees. Practicing gratitude in the workplace also creates a “we are in this together” mentality, which in turn results in success and improved organizational performance.

    As I reflect on the 2017-18 year and as we prepare business plans and set goals for the 2018-19 year, I have been reflecting on the power and importance of gratitude. Together, we accomplished many things over the past year. We did so by working together towards a common vision. I felt a sense of overwhelming gratitude when I attended last week’s Board Recognition Dinner and heard the stories of Bethany employees across the organization and the work they are doing to improve the lives of those we serve. I am grateful for the many wonderful things that lay ahead this coming year for Bethany and for the opportunity to work with an incredible team of people who contribute to our mission of Creating Caring Communities.

    As we move forward, I would encourage you to express gratitude towards one another and for the opportunity to serve the People of Bethany.

    As always, I welcome any ideas or suggestions you may have. Please send them to me directly at nancy.hughes@bethanyseniors.com.

    Kind regards,

    – Nancy

  • Bethany’s Bi-monthly Update

    Stay up to date on Bethany’s progress with our bi-monthly newsletter! From the latest on the Bethany Riverview campus to the Q3 Pulse Survey results, you’ll find it here in the latest issue of Update. Click Here to view this edition in flipbook format or download a PDF version.

  • A Message from the Acting Executive Director

    I feel very privileged to be filling the role of Acting Executive Director, Foundation at this exciting time for Bethany. Our job in the Foundation is to connect donors and their giving to the great work that all of you do every day in service to Bethany residents and families. While a big part of our focus right now is on completing a $5 million capital campaign for Riverview, we also have the honour of talking to donors every day who care deeply about the Bethany site or program that has touched their life.

    People often say “It must be tough out there for fundraising these days.” In many ways it is. The changing nature of our economy in Alberta has impacted everyone, including our donors. Probably like most of you, Bethany donors receive lots of requests for donations from many different organizations. My mailbox at home seems to have an ‘ask’ in it every day. It has become more important than ever for us to help our donors see that the dollars they give to Bethany are spent wisely and really make a difference to the lives of the people and communities they care about.

    What gives me great optimism about fundraising these days is that you – our People of Bethany – are the secret ingredient that helps our organization rise to the top of the list when donors are thinking about where to make their donation. Whether you’re bringing your expertise to help us talk to donors about a particular program or need, greeting a donor with a smile as we tour through your site, or letting them get a glimpse of your kind, compassionate care in action…you’re bringing Bethany’s mission to life for our donors – thank you!

    With appreciation,

    – Gail

  • A Message from the CMO

    This past weekend, around the world people gathered to celebrate the mystery of resurrection, a promise of light in darkness and new life that rises out of death. While Easter marks this promise in a formal way, at Bethany we experience and contribute to how this happens in people’s lives every day.

    In your compassionate care, you shape how our residents experience life. You honour them and help them heal from the losses they experience with aging. You bring light to their darkness and give them meaning to fill their days. This can be challenging work, and yet done with good intention and skill, can be truly transformative for the residents in our care and the loved ones who support them.

    As you care for our residents, it is my hope that you also experience the promise of new life in your own lives. May your spirits be lifted when weighed down and your deep hopes realized. May you be filled with encouragement, sharing your passion and gifts with the world so that others would be buoyed by your presence.

    Blessings,

    – Daranne

  • A Message from the CFO

    Recently, many Bethany staff members have been immersed in gathering information, over the past several weeks, to finalize the business plan and prepare the budgets that allocate the resources necessary for us all to do our important work for the residents and tenants we serve. Bethany’s Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budgets will be presented this week to the Board of Trustees for approval. Our organization, however, is not unique. After similar processes, in February, the Federal Budget was announced by the Minister of Finance, Bill Morneau, and the Provincial Budget was announced by the Provincial Treasurer, Joe Ceci, just last week.

    Although budget preparation may seem far removed from much of the work done by many of the People of Bethany, I was pleased, when I reviewed the Bethany Standards for Service Excellence just how many of those standards played a central and important role in the work that was performed, not only by the Finance Team, who summarized the information, but also by the many leaders throughout Bethany who contributed to the information gathering and analysis that helped enhance the quality of the budget report.

    I would like to thank all of the staff who were involved for their significant contributions of information, and for the positive ways in which they completed their tasks – collaborating across many sites and departments, treating others with respect, honoring the diversity that is evident across all sites and programs, and above all taking pride in always identifying our current and future residents and tenants as the primary beneficiaries of the work we do.

    Thank you to all of you who contributed – in large or small ways, directly or indirectly – in the preparation of the Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budgets for the next fiscal year, commencing in April. This example of great teamwork will enable Bethany to enter its new year with confidence and allow us all to continue fulfilling Bethany’s mission of ‘Creating Caring Communities’.

    As always, I welcome ideas, suggestions and any questions that you may have. Please feel free to send them to me at alasdair.smith@bethanyseniors.com.

    Take care,

    – Alasdair

  • A Message from the VP, People and Culture

    As we approach the last few weeks of Bethany’s fiscal year, I think it’s important to reflect back and recognize our many great achievements, and to celebrate our successes. From my perspective, the greatest organizational achievement is the positive impact on our culture resulting from the launch of WAVE – our Service Excellence program. During this fiscal year, we have embarked on Performance Management, Leadership Development, Standards for Service Excellence and Recognition – our 4 pillars of WAVE.

    I am excited to hear about the great conversations happening between leaders and employees across Bethany through performance and coaching conversations, focusing on everyone’s growth and development. Embedded within performance management are our Standards for Service Excellence – the critical behaviours aligned with our core values that define how all Bethany employees are expected to show up to work each day and work effectively together in service of our residents, families, tenants and each other. 45 of our top leaders recently completed the first cohort of our Leadership Program, and we are committed to continuing the program and ensuring all leaders have the skills and knowledge necessary to support their employees. The success of our recently launched Recognition Awards program has exceeded all expectations, with so many nominations across the organization, including peer to peer recognition.

    With the introduction of WAVE and our culture of Service Excellence, I have reflected on my career and the different organizational cultures that I have worked in. As a young female lawyer in a male dominated firm, you were rewarded for competing against your colleagues, resulting in a culture in which each person was concerned with their own success, often at the detriment of their co-workers. I also had the misfortune to work for an organization in which having a positive and friendly attitude was discouraged, and I was actually asked to stop smiling and “what do you have to smile about?” Needless to say, I didn’t stay there long. For me, it is critically important that my values are aligned with an organization’s values, and this alignment of core values were critical factors in my decision to work at Bethany.

    To say that “We Action our Values Everyday” is not just a written statement on a poster, we are truly living into and embracing WAVE and our core values. Our success as an organization continues to be recognized, and I am so proud that Bethany was again recognized as one of Alberta’s Top Employer’s, making it 11 years in a row. Congratulations Bethany, and keep up the tremendous work!

    If you have any questions, or would simply like to share your ideas, please contact me directly at lisa.watson@bethanyseniors.com.

    Kindest regards,

    – Lisa