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  • COVID-19 Vaccination Information

    Alberta’s vaccination program is underway to save lives and livelihoods. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. The vaccine helps prevent you from getting infected and protects you from getting severely sick if you do get COVID-19. Vaccines protect you, residents, tenants, families, employees and each other.

    Albertans are being vaccinated as fast as supply allows. This is happening in phases so people most at risk get it first. More groups will be eligible as more doses become available.

    Learn more about approved vaccines

    Vaccination Rollout:

    Phase 1: January – March

    Vaccinations are being offered to key populations across the province:

    • Employees in long-term care and designated supportive living facilities
    • Home care workers
    • All residents of long-term care and designated supportive living, regardless of age
    • First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) and persons 65 years of age and over living in a First Nations community or Metis Settlement
    • Seniors 75 years of age and over, no matter where they live
    • For the complete list, go here

    Phase 2 (AstraZeneca): Started April 6

    The following groups can receive the AstraZeneca vaccine early if they do not have a severe chronic illness:

    AstraZeneca is a safe vaccine proven highly effective in preventing serious illness and death. Eligible Albertans in this phase can choose to wait to receive a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine to be available to them when Phase 2D opens in May. People with serious chronic health conditions may want to consult their doctor first.

    Phase 2 (Group A): Starting March 15

    • Albertans aged 65 to 74, no matter where they live
    • FNMI people aged 50 and older, no matter where they live
    • Employees and residents of licensed supportive living (seniors) not included in Phase 1

    Phase 2 (Group B, C, D): April – June

    Phase 2 is broken into groups. Vaccinations for each group will begin once the previous group has been completed. Timelines are subject to change depending on vaccine supply. Detailed information on how eligible Albertans will receive the vaccine will be released prior to each group.

    Group B: Started March 30

    Group C: Started April 12

    • Residents and staff of eligible congregate living settings: correctional facilities, homeless shelters, group homes including disability, mental health and other types of licensed supportive living
    • Health-care workers providing direct and acute patient care who have a high potential for spread to high-risk individuals
    • Caregivers of Albertans who are most at risk of severe outcomes

    Group D: Started April 30

    • Albertans aged 50 to 64, no matter where they live
    • FNMI people aged 35 to 49 on and off-reserve or Métis Settlements

    Phase 3: Starting May 6

    • Every Albertan born in 1991 or earlier (turning 30+), starting May 6
    • Every Albertan born in 2009 or earlier (12+), starting May 10

    How to book:

    Follow up: Second Dose

    Emerging evidence shows first doses of the vaccine are at least 80% effective at preventing severe illness. Second doses are necessary to ensure you’re protected for as long as possible.

    Starting March 10, second doses will be administered up to 4 months later so all Albertans over 18 are protected with the first dose by the end of June. Anyone who received their first dose prior to March 10 will still receive their second dose within 42 days. All existing appointments for second doses will be honoured. From March 10 going forward, first and second dose appointments will be booked separately. Reminders to book second appointments will be issued.

    Important:

    Until most Albertans are protected, fully vaccinated people must still follow all health measures: no indoor gatherings, keep 2 metres apart, wear a mask in public, and stay home when sick.

    If you have any questions, please speak with your leader.

    Additional Resources:

  • NAOSH (North American Occupational Safety and Health) Week and Mental Health Week 2021

    The North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week is a continent-wide event spanning Canada, United States and Mexico. The goal during NAOSH Week is to focus the attention of employers, employees, partners, and the public on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home and in the community.

    With the unprecedented global pandemic at the forefront of our daily lives, we will be recognizing Mental Health Week alongside NAOSH to help our community cope and thrive during these stressful times. It is important to remember that mental illness can affect anyone regardless of age, education, income or culture. Mental health is the state of your psychological and emotional well-being. It is a necessary resource for living a healthy life and a major factor in overall health.

    During this week we want to extend our gratitude and appreciation to all employees and thank you for your dedication to caring in a safe and healthy way so we can protect our residents and each other during these challenging times.Additional Resources:

  • Update Newsletter — March April 2021 Issue

    Stay up-to-date on Bethany’s progress with our Update newsletter!

    From welcoming our new Mountain View Senior’s Housing employees to celebrating Social Work Week you’ll find it here in Bethany’s March/April Update!

    Click Here to view the PDF version.

  • Safety Bulletin April 2021

    Musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) or repetitive strain injuries (RSI) may be caused by your work tasks or activities. Remember to always use proper body mechanics so you can stay healthy and safe at work and at home!

    Bethany has seen an increase in musculoskeletal injuries lately at our care sites. Sprains and strains are the most common type of injury in healthcare with backs being the most impacted.

     

    The Risks:
    These factors together or in combination can lead to increased MSI risks.

    Force:
    Refers to the amount of effort made by the muscles, and the amount of pressure on body parts because of different job demands.

    Postures:
    For most joints, a good or “neutral” posture means that the joints are being used near the middle of their full range of motion. Maintaining the natural “S” shape of our spines will help increase the safety of our backs and shoulders.

    Repetition:
    The risk for developing MSI increases when the same parts of the body are used repeatedly. Highly repetitive tasks can lead to fatigue, tissue damage, and eventually pain and discomfort.

    Duration:
    The amount of risk depends on how long (the total time in the workday) you are exposed to the risk factor.

    Reporting Early:
    Reporting injuries early is key! Early reporting leads to early treatment and a better chance of recovery. Informing your supervisor right away that you’ve experienced a work-related injury is critical. Learn the signs of MSIs: swelling, redness, difficulty moving, stiffness, numbness or tingling and pain.

    If you require treatment beyond first aid, or if you missed time from work, you need to report it. Report your injury to Workers Compensation Board (WCB) after telling your supervisor or manager. Let your doctor know that you have sustained an injury at work and follow through with any prescribed treatments.For more information, please contact:

    Lesley MacKinnon
    Manager, Safety
    Lesley.Mackinnon@BethanySeniors.com

    Or

    Site OHS Committee Chair or RepresentativeWorld Health Day April 7
    Calling on all of us to ensure each of us is living and working in such a way that is conducive to good health.Additional resources:

    MSI/RSI Educational Infographics

    Support is available through LifeWorks EAP and Bethany Spiritual Care Support line.

    LifeWorks
    1-877-207-8833

    Bethany Spiritual Care
    Support Line: 587-390-7600LifeWorks 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

    Link:
    Bethanycaresociety.lifeworks.com
    username: bcs
    Password: eap
    Phone: 1-877-207-8833
    Phone App: LifeWorks WorkAngel

  • Social Work Week 2021

    This week in Alberta we celebrate Social Work Week. Social workers are an integral part of our team at Bethany and we would like to thank all our hardworking social workers and celebrate this week with them. Our social workers provide outstanding support to our residents, their families, employees, companions and volunteers by engaging everyone in meaningful relationships.

    Read about two of Bethany’s social worker employee profiles here!

  • Music Therapy Winners Announced!

    Congratulations to the following winners of the JB Music Therapy contest!

    Catherine van Tol – Bethany Riverview
    Lorraine Weisgarber – Bethany Cochrane
    Suzanne Eckstadt – Bethany Calgary
    Melanie McNalley – Bethany Sylvan Lake
    Delray Dempsey – Bethany Didsbury
    Jaclyn Bell – Bethany CollegeSide

    You have been notified by email and will be contacted by JB Music Therapy with details on how to claim your prize.

    Winners were selected at random. Thank you to everyone who entered!

    For Bethany Frontline Healthcare Employees!

    WIN SIX FREE, PRIVATE MUSIC THERAPY SESSIONS

    Music Therapy supports individuals going through difficult life transitions. Music therapy can decrease anxiety, improve focus, increase motivation, and improve your mood. Treat yourself to the gift of music therapy from JB Music Therapy. This contest is open to every Bethany frontline employee at all our sites. Six individuals will receive six free, private music therapy sessions.

    Deadline is: March 1, 2021. – CONTEST NOW CLOSED

    To enter this draw email write JB Music Therapy Contest in the subject line of your email along with your name and daytime phone number to:

    marketing.communication@bethanyseniors.com

    Winners will be randomly selected.

    For more information, click here.

  • Safety Bulletin March 2021

    In our busy, fast paced world, myths and misinformation make nutrition and healthy eating confusing. There is no one-size fits all approach to healthy eating. (Dieticians of Canada – nutritionmonth2021.ca)

    What we put into our body is a vital part of our energy management and overall mental health and wellbeing. According to Dr. Carolyn C. Ross, making a few simple dietary changes may boost cognitive function and help maintain a good mood.

    So how do you feed your brain? Here are 5 foods that can help boost your mental energy and mood.

    1. Green, leafy vegetables. Leafy greens such as kale, spinach, collards, and broccoli are rich in brain-healthy nutrients like vitamin K, lutein, folate, and beta carotene. Research suggests these plant-based foods may help slow cognitive decline.
    2. Fatty fish. Fatty fish are abundant sources of omega-3 fatty acids, healthy unsaturated fats that have been linked to lower blood levels of beta-amyloid—the protein that forms damaging clumps in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Try to eat fish at least twice a week, but choose varieties that are low in mercury, such as salmon, cod, canned light tuna, and pollack. If you’re not a fan of fish, you can take an omega-3 supplement, or choose omega-3 sources such as flaxseeds, avocados, and walnuts.
    3. Berries. Flavonoids, the natural plant pigments that give berries their brilliant hues, also help improve memory. In a 2012 study published in Annals of Neurology, researchers at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that women who consumed two or more servings of strawberries and blueberries each week delayed memory decline by up to two and a half years.
    4. Tea and coffee. The caffeine in your morning cup of coffee or tea might offer more than just a short-term concentration boost. Investigators at Johns Hopkins University asked participants to study a series of images and then take either a placebo or a 200-milligram caffeine tablet. More members of the caffeine group were able to correctly identify the images on the following day.
    5. Walnuts. Nuts are excellent sources of protein and healthy fats, and one type of nut in particular might also improve memory. A 2015 study from UCLA linked higher walnut consumption to improved cognitive test scores. Walnuts are high in a type of omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which helps lower blood pressure and protects arteries. That’s good for both the heart and brain.

    (Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School. ‘Foods Linked to Better Brainpower’, (Nov 2018), online: https://www.health.harvard.edu)For more information, please contact:

    Lesley MacKinnon
    Manager, Safety
    Lesley.Mackinnon@BethanySeniors.com

    Or

    Site OHS Committee Chair or RepresentativeThe best way to feed your brain and stay in a good mood is by choosing healthy foods that represent the colour of a rainbow. For example, yellow/ bananas, orange/carrots, green/broccoli and so on. For more information, check out the links below:Additional resources:

    VIDEO: How to Manage Your Mood with Food

    Healthy Eating Starts Here, Healthy Eating at Work

    There is a Day for That

    Mentally Healthy Workplaces – Managing your mental health while working remotely

    Fueling Productivity Through Nutrition

    If you are still struggling to boost your mood, there are supports available through LifeWorks EAP and Bethany Spiritual Care Support line.

    LifeWorks: 1-877-207-8833

    Bethany Spiritual Care Support Line: 587-390-7600LifeWorks 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

    Link:
    Bethanycaresociety.lifeworks.com
    username: bcs
    Password: eap
    Phone: 1-877-207-8833
    Phone App: LifeWorks WorkAngel

  • Update Newsletter — January February 2021 Issue

    Stay up-to-date on Bethany’s progress with our Update newsletter!

    From our Alberta’s Top Employer Award to the site-wide COVID-19 vaccination clinics you’ll find it here in Bethany’s January/February Update!

    Click Here to view the PDF version.

  • Office 365 Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for Office 365 Accounts

    In an effort to continue strengthening Bethany’s IT security posture and better protect data and assets from cyber threats and phishing attacks, the IT department will be enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on your Office 365 accounts. MFA adds an additional layer of security to your account by requiring an additional piece of information along with your username and password. MFA technology usage is very widespread and is used by most online services like banks, social media services and online shopping retailers like Amazon.

    Starting at 8 AM on February 24th, you will be required to enroll in MFA before gaining access to your Office 365 data. This change will take effect immediately and you will be unable to access your email, Teams, OneDrive or other Office applications until the enrollment process is completed.

    During the enrollment process, you will be required to select 1 of the 2 available methods for MFA authentication:

    1. The Microsoft Authenticator app – You open an app on your smartphone, it shows you a dynamically created 6-digit number, which is unique to your phone
    2. SMS Text – a dynamically created 6-digit number will be texted to your mobile device, which is unique to your phone

    The process should take about 3-5 minutes and needs to be completed before you start your workday.

    Setup guides for both authentication methods are attached. Make sure to save the attached guides to your computer PRIOR to Wednesday as you wont have access to your email until after the MFA configuration process is done.

    For more information on MFA, please click here

    Thank you for your attention to this matter.  Feel free to contact the helpdesk with any questions or concerns.

    HelpDesk

    Phone: 403-210-4646

    Email: helpdesk@bethanyseniors.com

  • Pink Shirt Day 2021, Kindness – It’s Who We Are

    On February 24, 2021, organizations around the world will be celebrating Pink Shirt Day.

    At Bethany, our key values focus on being caring, showing respect, acting responsibly and embracing diversity. Pink Shirt Day is a great reminder about our organizational values and how we act on them.

    Make the focus of Pink Shirt Day about kindness. Small acts of kindness not only benefit the receiver, but also the giver and the whole organization, thereby creating a positive workplace culture.

    Kindness should be something we practice every day. If we perform one act of kindness every day, our workforce will be a healthier place for us and those we serve and care for. Remember to practice social distancing and follow PPE procedures when showing your acts of kindness this year.

    Don’t forget to practice self kindness and recharge your batteries. Exercise and eat a healthy diet. Find ways to relax, such as meditation, yoga, listening to music or practicing deep-breathing exercises. Do these regularly!

    So on February 24th what will you do to practice kindness? Will you do something for someone in your life, someone you care for, or yourself? Let’s show our support by wearing pink shirts.

    And always remember, if you or someone you know needs assistance, check out our Employee Assistance Program, LifeWorks or our current list of helpful resources.

    For more information, please contact:

    Lesley MacKinnon
    Manager, Safety & Disability Management
    Lesley.Mackinnon@Bethanyseniors.com

    Or

    Site OHS Committee Chair or Representative