Bethany Care Foundation celebrated its 20th Anniversary on September 20th. Donors and friends of the Foundation were invited to the Rotary Atrium at Bethany Riverview to take part in the festivities that included speakers, presentations and appetizers and cake from Aramark.

Since 2003, the Foundation has raised an astounding $20.8 million to elevate the quality of life of more than 2,000 residents at 11 care centres in Calgary and central Alberta. These generous donations have fueled the introduction of leading-edge technologies in Bethany facilities, provided specialized equipment, revitalized indoor and outdoor spaces, and led to capital improvements that continue to enhance the quality of life for the people that Bethany serves.

Philanthropy has also supported new and innovative programming, like mental health pilots and enhanced sensory and music therapy programs for long-term care residents.

Amtul Siddiqui, Executive Director of Bethany Care Foundation, opened the event, followed by the Foundation’s Board of Directors Chair Leanne Demerais, Bethany Care Society  (BCS) Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Al Kryski, Music Therapist Heather Hazlett, BCS President and CEO Jennifer McCue, Donor and Leadership Volunteer Christine Rendell, and Bethany’s Interprofessional Program Manager Emily Thomson.

Guests had the opportunity to tour the sensory room and engage with various programs made possible by the generosity of the Foundation’s donors, including transformative music therapy, the inspiring “Opening Minds through Art” program (OMA), sensory kits, and much more.

This year marks Bethany’s 75th Anniversary! We would like to publicly acknowledge this significant milestone and extend our heartfelt thanks to our residents who call Bethany home, and to our employees for all your hard work. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, large gatherings are not permitted under the current public health orders to ensure the safety of our residents. Instead, we celebrated in small ways at the care sites and Bethany housing, with festive “75” balloon column decorations, receiving a site-wide blessing by our spiritual care practitioners, and handing out individually wrapped cookies to our residents and employees.

For 75 years, Bethany has been a voice for seniors in Alberta. As the senior population grows, so have we, responding to the needs of the communities we are in. Seniors can age in the community as their care needs change. What began in 1945 as the Lutheran-based Riley Estate  has grown into a much broader community of independent living, supportive living, long-term care, specialized dementia and community services. Inspired by our legacy of faith, love and a passion to serve, we continue to create caring communities for seniors and adults with disabilities.

Join us in a celebration of our past, present and future and explore a timeline of our most important milestones. Visit BethanyBetterWithAge.com!

Deadline June 30!

All Health Care Aides (HCAs) must renew and have an active status in the Alberta HCA Directory. If you have not renewed by June 30, you will be ineligible to work at Bethany.

I am pleased to announce that Bethany Care Society has once again been recognized as one of Alberta’s Top Employers! This marks the 13th consecutive year that we have been awarded this special designation that acknowledges Bethany as a truly exceptional place to work.

Top Employer is an accolade given to only 75 organizations across Alberta. It is an endorsement of our organization’s efforts to attract, retain and develop the very best talent. It also acknowledges the dedicated professionals within Bethany who show that anyone can make a difference.

Being recognized as one of Alberta’s Top Employers would not be possible without each of you, our exceptional People of Bethany. Here are just a few of the reasons why we were selected as one of Alberta’s Top Employers for 2020:

• Bethany encourages employees to practice self-care and adopt healthy habits with internal campaigns and resources on wellness, mental health, and building resilience — additionally, the organization ensures that onsite bistros and cafeterias have healthy meal options and snacks
• Bethany helps employees plan for the longer term with retirement planning assistance and employer contributions to savings plans such as defined benefit, defined contribution and matching RSPs
• Bethany supports new mothers with maternity leave top-up payments to 100 per cent of salary ranging from six to eight weeks

Thank you for all your hard work and dedication.

With appreciation,

Jennifer

Have you registered for the HCA Directory?

Important FAQ’s about registering for the HCA Directory. Please Read.

The HCA Directory is a centralized location with a number of resources for HCAs including: news, education, job boards and updates. In 2018, the HCA Competency Profile was updated. This new Profile along with the Directory, will elevate the profession of HCAs by demonstrating that HCAs have successfully attained Core Competencies – including the Knowledge, Behaviour, Attitudes, and Skills required to provide excellent care.

What does this mean for you? 

1. All Bethany HCAs will be required to enrol in the Directory and provide their Directory number to HR Services by January 31, 2020.
2. Enrolment should be completed on your personal time.
3. After 2019, HCA’s will be required to renew annually to maintain current and active status in the Directory.

To assist you in the enrollment process the following resources are available to you.

1. Alberta Health Directory’s website
2. YouTube Videos (click on links below)
   • Create an Account in the HCA Directory:   https://youtu.be/JDzq2x2BkvU
   • How to Complete the Application Form:   https://youtu.be/zegPBQn2EP
3. AHS Directory Package
   • AHS Instructions – I’m Ready to Enroll in the Alberta HCA Directory
   • Bethany step-by-step Instructions to assist you on how to enroll
4. Documents will also be located on Bethany Connect under the Public Library.

— Lisa Watson
Vice President & Chief People Officer