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  • Conference Profile: Jennifer Vance

    What did you present on at the conference?

    My presentation for the ACCA conference was about community engagement in a person and family-centred approach. In essence, the presentation was the story of how Bethany Cochrane increased community partners by 70 per cent in four years.

    What was the best part about representing Bethany at the ACCA conference?

    Unfortunately due to a family emergency I was unable to present at the conference so Steve Friesen represented and channeled his inner me!

    What is your favourite part about working at Bethany?

    I never wanted to be a “catch and release” nurse – one that treats the patient and then discharges. For me, life is all about relationships. Working at Bethany, I am able to nurture relationships on a continuous basis – with residents, staff, families, volunteers and community partners. The relationships I have formed are my favorite part of Bethany. The best part of those relationships is that we are all working with a common goal which is to care for those we serve.

    What is your personal philosophy?

    I live by many personal philosophies. One that guides many of my decisions is, “Be kind. Be consistent. Be grateful.” You never know that moment when you are impacting the life of another. Be kind with actions, consistent with decisions and express genuineness of gratitude.

    What do you like to do in your spare time?

    In my spare time I love to garden. I have a full vegetable garden that I love to plant, grow and harvest. It is very soothing getting my hands dirty – it grounds me and reminds me of my roots and forces me into that moment of pause. My back yard is also full of the birds and squirrels that I love to feed. It goes without saying that my greatest joys are my three girls – as they are nearly all adults now it is amazing to see them grow and develop into amazing human beings!

  • Bethany Riverview Update

    In the months to come, you are going to hear a lot about Bethany Riverview. We are making great progress as you can see from the photo taken in August. Construction is continuing on schedule and we are working towards a Fall 2018 move-in.

    Watch for our monthly Bethany Riverview update to help you stay current on our progress. The following are a few highlights and updates relating to the development.

    A few highlights & fun facts

    • Within the next few weeks, a new Foundation website will go live and as part of that, there will be a designated page about the Riverview project. You will be able to read more about the unique features of Bethany Riverview and stay up to date on campaign news.
    • We are getting noticed! Bethany Riverview was recently featured in the new Dementia Connections magazine and you can read the article here (see page 33).
    • The Bethany Foundation is actively fundraising and in the upcoming months, you will see and hear a lot more about the campaign. We are thankful for the support of Rotary Calgary, who is donating $1 million towards the Atrium, a secure and beautiful year-round environment where residents can safely walk about and families can gather with loved ones.
    • Bethany Riverview will take dementia care to a new level in Calgary. It is the largest purpose-built dementia care residence in our city and designed to meet the evolving needs of our community, as well as the unique requirements of dementia care.
    • Our “campus of care” concept will help bring our community together. It offers seniors the chance to age in community – in familiar surroundings with their loved ones and friends nearby – as their care needs change. Residents in our current buildings (Kanerva, Wilkinson and Mikkelsen Houses), as well as people living in the surrounding neighbourhood, can enjoy the amenities planned for the site and access support from our care professionals. Seniors who live in the area will be able to volunteer, visit and build connections through our programs and amenities.

    Answering your questions

    We understand that there are many questions regarding Bethany Riverview. Going forward, please send any questions you have to our dedicated Bethany Riverview email: riverviewquestions@bethanyseniors.com. We will answer them in upcoming issues of Update.

    How do I get my mom on the waitlist for Bethany Riverview?

    Admission to Bethany Riverview will be managed like admission to all care centers in Alberta via Alberta Health Services. We will provide information closer to opening about how to request a transfer to Riverview if a family member currently resides in continuing care in another location.

    How can I apply for a position at Riverview?

    We are in the process of developing the staffing plan for Bethany Riverview. Hiring for the site will begin several months in advance of the opening date. The details will be shared as they become available.

    How big is Bethany Riverview?

    Bethany Riverview will have 210 beds and will be approximately 160,000 square feet.

    When is Bethany Riverview opening?

    It is scheduled to open in the Fall 2018.

    We look forward to continuing to share our progress with all of you. Together, we can showcase Bethany’s leadership and expertise in dementia care and provide the very best care to people with dementia and their families. Check back next month for more news!

  • Bethany Volunteer Profile: Barb George

    It was an unforgettable night for Barb George, a longtime Bethany volunteer, when her name was called as the the Volunteer of the Year at the ACCA conference. Barb has volunteered at Bethany Calgary for 45 years, so we sat down with her to chat more about her passion for helping our residents. Thank you Barb for being a dedicated and caring volunteer with Bethany; we hope to have you volunteering with us for many years to come!

    When did you first start volunteering at Bethany?

    I started volunteering at Bethany Calgary in the early 1970’s when I brought my mother here as a resident.

    Why did you decide to volunteer at Bethany?

    I started volunteering in the craft room so that my mom would get involved in crafts. In 1975, I started working at Bethany and was an employee for 16 years. During this time, I was president of the staff association and helped plan a Christmas dinner for 65-70 seniors in the community without any family.

    What types of volunteering do you do now?

    I volunteer throughout the building and am here four days a week. I do the surveys for Aramark and Bethany and go wherever they need somebody to help out. I oversee the tuck shop and do purchasing for it and my husband volunteers in the tuck shop too.

    What’s your favourite part of volunteering?

    I really enjoy the residents and they make me want to come back every day. They have wonderful stories and interesting lives. Every resident is different and if I make one resident smile per day then I feel like I’ve done my job.

    How did it feel to receive the ACCA Volunteer of the Year award?

    It was awesome! I’ve been nominated a lot over the years and it was very special to me to receive this award. I want to keep this up as long as I can. Coming to Bethany every day keeps me going and keeps me on my toes.

    What else do you like to do in your spare time?

    I crochet, enjoy crafts and sewing. I make blankets and donate them to Hillside Manor. It keeps me going and keeps me busy. I like to exercise and I get a lot of exercise volunteering here. Something is always going on here and I really miss it if I don’t come here for a few days. They tell you to volunteer as a senior and get involved, and it’s very rewarding to volunteer with seniors.

  • Conference Profile: Shelley Rolfe

    What did you present on at the conference?

    I presented on the Airdrie sleep initiative and the influence of sleep on residents’ quality of life.

    What was the best part about representing Bethany at the ACCA conference?

    The best part was showcasing the quality initiatives that are making a difference for our residents at Bethany.

    What is your favourite part about working at Bethany?

    My favourite part is having the opportunity to influence the lives of others.

    What is your personal philosophy?

    Strive to be your best always.

    What do you like to do in your spare time?

    Spend time with my husband and three adult daughters and celebrate their successes.

  • Conference Profile: Dana Penner

    What did you present on at the conference?

    The topic of the presentation was about enhancing the dining experience in continuing care through service excellence. I co-presented with Van Phan, Aramark general manager. In the presentation we shared how Bethany developed a strategy to improve the resident experience related to hospitality services in response to the feedback from a Health Quality Council of Alberta survey report. Together with Aramark Canada, and using the feedback gathered from resident and family focus groups, we developed and implemented three key initiatives, including: flexible breakfast, attractive serve ware for modified texture diets and created a new position, director of culinary services. We discussed how the initiatives resulted in improved resident and family satisfaction, as well as enhanced staff work life satisfaction.

    What was the best part about representing Bethany at the ACCA conference?

    The best part was the sense of pride. Bethany is truly a leader in so many areas when it comes to quality improvement. It was exciting to share our teams’ great work with other providers, answer questions and also learn about initiatives underway in other organizations.

    What is your favourite part about working at Bethany?

    I have said this many times over the years, it really is the relationships – with residents, families, volunteers, colleagues and community partners. It is exciting to be part of an organization that desires to keep moving forward, leading the way in regards to improvements in best practices and service excellence to benefit our residents. I am always learning something new!

    What is your personal philosophy?

    My personal philosophy is to serve others with gratitude. I believe we have opportunities to do so in all aspects of our lives – family, friends, work and community. Bethany provides me with opportunities every day to serve others; the rewards are immeasurable.

    What do you like to do in your spare time?

    I enjoy spending time with my husband, family and friends. Some of my favourite activities include travelling, reading and spending time at our family farm.

  • Service Excellence Standard – Gratitude and Recognition: An Attitude of Gratitude

    We have just finished celebrating Thanksgiving — the annual holiday that specifically dedicates time for us to express our gratitude and to “give thanks.” Thanksgiving is a very significant day, but most people would agree that expressing gratitude and giving thanks once a year isn’t enough.

    Recognition is one of the four elements of Bethany’s Service Excellence design. Phase one of this plan was a redesign of the recognition boards. They are currently being delivered and installed at all of the sites. We are doing this because we believe that praise and recognition are essential to an outstanding workplace.

    But do we really need to thank people for doing their job? Perhaps this example will help to answer that question.

    Let’s say you have a roommate and as part of your living arrangement, you discuss dividing up the responsibilities associated with having a home. You agree that you will take on the responsibility for making dinner in the evenings and cleaning up the dishes and cleaning the bathrooms weekly. That’s your job in the home. No one forces you, you agree to do it and you dutifully carry out your responsibilities.

    Do you think that it would be fitting and nice if every once in a while your roommate said thank you for making the meal and doing the dishes and cleaning the bathrooms? And if occasionally they really applauded you for putting together an exceptionally good meal?

    While it doesn’t really seem necessary to expect to be thanked every day for every chore, how do you think you would feel if a significant amount of time passed and you never heard thank you? Do you think that you might feel resentful or taken for granted? It’s important to show your recognition and appreciation for people’s work. It doesn’t need to be overly complicated or tedious. Here’s a suggestion: choose one person and go thank them right now. Let them know that you value and appreciate them and their contribution, and that you couldn’t do what you do without them.

    It starts with each one of us setting the example and finding opportunities to give praise. Take a moment every day to find something great to say about your teammates. While it is important for managers to give positive feedback, it’s equally important for all of us to recognize and praise our colleagues. Think about how awesome it could be if everyone was committed to doing this together. Fill up those recognition boards and observe what happens when we all consistently and genuinely thank our team members for doing their work. Practicing gratitude is one of the most reliable methods for increasing contentment and satisfaction. Being grateful for things should not be limited to one day per year. It is something we should focus on every single day because at the very least, it will make you a happier person.

    – Val Trotter, Director of Service Excellence & Resident Experience

  • Bethany Represents at Alberta Continuing Care Association IQ Conference

    A number of Bethany staff members attended the Alberta Continuing Care Association (ACCA) Inspiring Quality (IQ) Conference in Red Deer on September 27 and 28 and our team made several presentations on a variety of important topics including community engagement, sleep quality improvement, enhanced dining experience and family onboarding.

    The conference was an opportunity to showcase Bethany’s leadership and commitment to service excellence, and it was also a chance to learn from others in our industry.

    A conference highlight was the awards ceremony where Barb George, a longtime Bethany volunteer received the Volunteer of the Year award. Congratulations to several staff members who were nominated for the Alberta Care Provider of the Year award.

  • A Message from the CFO

    When I talk to people outside of the People of Bethany team, I often find myself explaining to them all of the different types of services we perform in meeting our mission of Creating Caring Communities. I sometimes wonder, however, if this is something I should be sharing, as well, with all of you – the Bethany team.

    Many of you will remember that, back in February, Bethany was reviewed in detail by a team of surveyors from Accreditation Canada. This review was conducted in all of our care centres and was intended to evaluate how Bethany, as a care provider, was performing in that role. As you know, Bethany received its award of ‘Accredited with Exemplary Standing’ – a result of which we are all justifiably proud, especially those of us who contribute to the continuing care parts of Bethany’s work.

    It is important as well that we all have an understanding and appreciation of the other parts of Bethany’s work. One of these other parts is Bethany’s role as a housing management body. This is the part of Bethany that is recognized by the provincial government (under a Ministerial order) to manage several affordable housing projects on behalf of the Alberta Social Housing Corporation. It is also the mechanism by which the government oversees the operations of Bethany’s affordable supportive living programs. This week, it is the turn of the People of Bethany working in this area to be reviewed. A small team of reviewers will be on site at Bethany (in Corporate Services and at some of our sites) to review our records and processes to ensure we are meeting the high standards that the government expects of all housing management bodies in the province.

    I hope you will join me in providing a warm welcome to the review team as they go about their work. I feel confident that Bethany will again be held in high regard by the reviewers who visit us.

    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 CMO

    This week in Canada, health care communities are celebrating Spiritual and Religious Care Awareness Week as they recognize the value of spiritual well-being for patients and residents in care. As a faith-based organization we have prioritized this aspect of care since our beginning. In recent decades, studies in neuroscience and psychology have affirmed the value of this priority through evidence-based research and practice.

    Chaplains at each of our sites offer a specialized body of knowledge and practice that uniquely supports our residents, tenants and often their families in the journey of aging. However, every staff member plays a role in Bethany’s holistic approach to care that includes spiritual well-being. Being attentive to a person’s story, what gives them joy, hope or alternately causes them distress allows you to create a meaningful, personalized moment in your provision of care.

    I invite you this week to engage with your chaplain as you consider your mutual contribution to caring that creates space for the spiritual expression of each person who lives and works with us.

    Throughout the week chaplains at each site will be hosting “tea for your soul,” an expression of gratitude for your collaboration in spiritual nurture and an opportunity to bless the work you do if that is meaningful for you. We hope you might receive our special “cards of blessing” as a reminder of this appreciation.

     

    Gratefully,

    – Daranne

  • Bethany Harvest Hills Adopts Kittens

    Bethany Harvest Hills recently welcomed some very special short-term residents, a litter of foster kittens. The experience was very positive for residents, families, staff members and the kittens! Community member Amanda Bond started the PURR project in Calgary after hearing about a similar program with Pima Animal Care Centre in Arizona. Amanda works in health care and cared for her own mother for 10 years after her dementia diagnosis – she is also a huge cat lover, so the program sounded like something she needed to do.

    Amanda matched Bethany Harvest Hills with ARF for the PURR Project and their first four, four-week-old kittens arrived in late May and residents and staff named them Lucy, Angus, Pippi and Chloe. Happily, all were adopted by staff or resident families.

    Amanda says, “The most poignant thing we experienced with the kittens was the family who adopted Angus (black male kitten). The adult daughter of a resident was coming to the care centre daily because her loved one
    was palliative. She would take Angus from the kitten cage to the room and nestle him close to her loved one and his loud purring had a calming effect. Angus also snuggled and played with her in the room which helped her during this difficult time. She formed a strong bond with Angus and, on the day her loved one passed away, she applied to adopt Angus. Now he is a happy, healthy kitten in their home shared with two other cats.”

    The program has brought awareness to the cat overpopulation in Alberta, the need for foster and adoptive homes, and the positive impact on both kittens and dementia care residents alike. To read the full article click here.