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Read the Update Newsletter – August 31, 2023
Author: LawsonK
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Safety Bulletin August, 2023
Dealing with Discrimination
Discrimination is a violation of human rights resulting in unfair treatment of people because they are members of a specific group. We are all entitled to human rights based upon the common values we share as employees of Bethany. Even though the values we exhibit may differ from time to time, we all have a responsibility to treat one another with respect and dignity.
Recognizing discrimination
Sometimes discrimination is bold—for example, verbal racism or the posting of objectionable material. There are also instances where it may be more subtle and hidden. For example, a manager might choose not to send a pregnant employee for a management training course because they assume that employee might not be able to return to their job after a parenting leave, creating a barrier to promotion based upon discriminatory practices.
To determine if you are a victim of discrimination, ask yourself these questions:
- What makes me believe that I have been treated differently? Were therespecific things said or done that clearly suggest improper treatment?
- What are noticeable and/or documented differences to the experiences ofmy peers in similar situations?
- How are others who are not in a group I belong to treated in similarsituations?
- Do others know that I’m a member of a protected class (for example, that Ihave a disability or that I am gay)?
General guidance on responding to discrimination.
If you believe you have been discriminated against or you have witnessed an act of discrimination, it’s important for you to think through the situation and then take appropriate action. Don’t assume that discriminatory action will stop if ignored or that you’ll “only make it worse” if you speak up. There are federal and local laws against discrimination in every setting, such as the workplace, school, and in the community.
Here are guidelines for responding to discrimination in the workplace.
- Review your company’s policy manual. These may give you guidelinesfor resolving the issue.
- Talk with your supervisor or your human resources (HR) representative.
- Contact Life Works (EAP). These services are confidential, and a professional consultant can help guide you.
For more information, please contact:
Lesley MacKinnon
Manager, Safety
Lesley.Mackinnon@BethanySeniors.comOr
Site OHS Committee Chair or RepresentativeLifeWorks supports employee health and well-being.
Bethany employees have access to a wide range of resources such as:
- LifeWorks Blog
- Webinars and Events
- 24/7 Specialist Counselling
Bethanycaresociety.lifeworks.com
username: bcs
Password: eap
Phone: 1-877-207-8833
Phone App: LifeWorks WorkAngel -
Safety Bulletin July, 2023
The Practice of Psychological Self-Care
Psychological self-care is essential for maintaining good mental health and preventing or managing issues such as anxiety, depression, and burnout. In celebration of International Self Care Day on July 24th, here are some examples of psychological self-care practices: Psychological self-care means taking care of your mind and emotions to stay balanced, reduce stress, and improve your overall well-being. Here are some examples:
Self-reflection
Think about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to understand yourself better. You can write in a journal, meditate, or talk to a therapist.
Setting boundaries
Protect your mental health by saying no when needed, communicating your needs clearly, and being available for yourself.
Stress management
Find ways to relax and unwind, like deep breathing, mindfulness, or doing activities you enjoy.
Expressing emotions
Find healthy ways to express and deal with your feelings, such as talking to someone you trust, writing, making art, or exercising.
Coping mechanisms
Develop healthy ways to handle stress and difficult emotions, like exercising, practicing mindfulness, listening to music, being kind to yourself, or seeking professional help when necessary.
Social connections
Spend time with loved ones, have meaningful conversations, and seek support when you need it. Healthy relationships can make you feel supported and help you grow.
Self-care routines
Create regular habits that focus on your mental well-being, like getting enough sleep, eating balanced meals, exercising, and doing things that bring you joy and relaxation.
Remember, everyone’s psychological self-care is different, so try different practices and find what works best for you. Prioritize your mental health and make choices that support your overall well-being.
Additional Links and Resources:
Self-care: 4 ways to nourish body and soul
5 Easy Steps to Integrate Mental Health Self CareFor more information, please contact:
Lesley MacKinnon
Manager, Safety
Lesley.Mackinnon@BethanySeniors.comOr
Site OHS Committee Chair or RepresentativeLifeWorks supports employee health and well-being.
Bethany employees have access to a wide range of resources such as:
- LifeWorks Blog
- Webinars and Events
- 24/7 Specialist Counselling
Bethanycaresociety.lifeworks.com
username: bcs
Password: eap
Phone: 1-877-207-8833
Phone App: LifeWorks WorkAngel -
Opening Minds Through Art
Lori Deagnon, 81, is nearly blind, but once a week, when her brush hits the paper, she paints using the most vivid colours and her imagination, with help from a high school support volunteer.
Deagnon is one of eight residents at Bethany Airdrie participating in the Opening Minds through Art Program (OMA). OMA is an intergenerational art program for people with dementia, founded by Dr. Elizabeth Lokon in 2007 at Scripps Gerontology Centre at Miami University. OMA-trained Bethany employees run the program with volunteers from local high schools. The Bethany Care Foundation is grateful to the Telus Friendly Future Foundation for supporting the OMA program.
Art therapy and creative expression are known to significantly benefit the physical and psychological well-being of people with dementia.
Candice Melloy, a Recreation Therapist at Bethany Airdrie, took the program a few years ago through the Alzheimer Society of Calgary. For the next ten weeks, Melloy will help residents build relationships with the students from Bert Church High School in Airdrie as they work together to create art using their imaginations.
While OMA aims to give participants autonomy by empowering them to make decisions in a failure-free environment, students learn compassion and empathy. Bert Church High School teacher Mr.Ryan Jones said some of his students initially hesitated because they knew nothing about dementia. “After a couple of times with the residents at Bethany Aidrie though, they said how much they enjoyed it and couldn’t wait to return.”
And the residents look forward to seeing the students each week. “Their eyes light up,” Melloy says. “While supporting the residents, the students learn how to strategize to help their partners through struggles. It is a win-win.”
In addition to Bethany Airdrie, OMA programs have also been offered at other Bethany sites across Alberta, including Cochrane and Harvest Hills. They wrap up with a public gallery exhibition and silent auction celebrating the artists’ accomplishments. All proceeds go directly back to the program to purchase art supplies for future participants.
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Mask Mandate Update
As of June 19, 2023, Bethany is rescinding the Continuous Masking policy to align with Alberta Health Services (AHS). This means that all employees, residents, families, volunteers, students, contracted care providers, and visitors will no longer be required to continuously wear masks at any of our Bethany sites.
This decision was made after evaluating multiple factors, including the decline of COVID-19 cases, testing positivity rate, wastewater data, hospital admission rates for respiratory illnesses in Alberta, and consultations with stakeholders, including patients, families, advisory councils, clinicians, and frontline managers.
Moving forward, Bethany respects the choice to wear a mask voluntarily in all areas and supports those who wish to wear a mask to continue to do so. Staff will continue to use available personal protective equipment as required in accordance with our infection, prevention, and control policies to prevent the spread of infections.
Bethany is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for everyone. We are dedicated to delivering exceptional care and services to our residents, their families, each other, and our community partners.
If you have any questions, please contact your Care Services Manager.
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Bethany’s Annual Report 2023 – Leading The Way
The Bethany Care Society is leading the way in creating caring communities across Southern Alberta.
Learn more about our highlights, accomplishments, and the exciting developments to come in our 2023 Annual Report, Leading the Way.
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Safety Bulletin June 2023
Myths about Mental Health
Although people are talking about mental health more than ever, misconceptions in the media and elsewhere are keeping STIGMA alive. Thankfully, each of us can replace stigmatizing attitudes and language with more supportive conversations with ourselves and others.
The following are a few myths that we hold about mental health:
Mental health is the same as mental illness.
Mental health refers to one’s general state of psychological and emotional well-being. Much like physical health, it exists on a continuum from healthy to ill and can fluctuate depending on life factors. Maintaining good mental health is an important aspect of one’s overall well-being. Mental illness is a condition diagnosed by a qualified health care professional 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental illness.
It’s obvious when someone has a mental illness.
Mental illness is largely invisible, especially when someone is managing their symptoms with the support of a health care provider. Courses like Mental Health First Aid are helpful because they train people to recognize the signs of declining mental health and equip them with the tools to respond appropriately.
Some people are immune to mental illness.
No one is immune to mental illness, but risk and protective factors can play a big role. Risk factors such as childhood trauma. Protective factors include strong social connections, meaningful employment, and physical activity. While someone with many protective factors can still develop a mental illness (and vice versa), they do change the likelihood significantly.
Mental illness is a lifelong diagnosis.
Mental illness is treatable. It is possible to recover and even thrive following a mental illness. Recovery can involve the complete resolution of a mental health problem, but it can also be about having a renewed focus on personal control, resilience, and day-to-day functioning. Even with mental illnesses like bipolar disorder, which typically require lifelong symptom management, individuals can experience a very high quality of life.
Historically, mental health has faced more stigma and discrimination compared to physical health. However, there is growing recognition of the importance of mental health and efforts to reduce the associated stigma. Your call to action promotes more open conversations and awareness about mental health, which will help create a more supportive and inclusive workplace.
Additional Resources:
Government of Canada – Mental Health
MHCC – Mental Health Continuum
MHCC – Anti-StigmaFor more information, please contact:
Lesley MacKinnon
Manager, Safety
Lesley.Mackinnon@BethanySeniors.comOr
Site OHS Committee Chair or RepresentativeLifeWorks supports employee health and well-being.
Bethany employees have access to a wide range of resources such as:
- LifeWorks Blog
- Webinars and Events
- 24/7 Specialist Counselling
Bethanycaresociety.lifeworks.com
username: bcs
Password: eap
Phone: 1-877-207-8833
Phone App: LifeWorks WorkAngel -
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