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  • A Message from the CMO

    Last week I shared with our Board of Trustees an excerpt from the work of Henri Nouwen, a renowned spiritual guide and counselor of the modern world. In his book Discernment, he invites the reader to ongoing mindful reflection that shapes life into a goodness which is bigger than the sum of our individual parts.

    For me, this is the “community” piece of our mission. Each of us engages in individual tasks and roles, but together we shape the community of which we are a part. We are committed to this being a caring community and continue to pursue excellence in service, clinical practice, etc. that demonstrates this.

    Following Nouwen’s reflective approach, I invite you to take a moment to think back over the past month and review the words others have said that remain in your memory. We all have phrases, observations, or compliments others have spoken that stay with us. Write these down and see if they tell you something about this time in your life, the culture of your work environment, or your place in the world.

    Now consider how your words and actions directly shape what others will recall if they engaged in this exercise. When we live into personal, clinical and service excellence we leave positive lasting impressions on others. We create the caring community people want to belong to. Thanks for all you do to shape our community in this way!

     

    Blessings,

    – Daranne

  • Bethany Staff Profile: Lyanne Limbona-Gange

    National Nurses Week was held May 8-14. Thank you to all of our caring nurses at Bethany for helping to improve the lives of residents every day.Lyanne Limbona-Gange
    Registered Nurse, Bethany CollegeSide

    How did you start your career?
    I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in the Philippines. I couldn’t practice here in Canada right away because we had a different curriculum, so I had to do a Nursing refresher program for 18 months.

    How has your career progressed over the years? When did you start at Bethany?
    I started as an HCA in Bethany Collegeside in September of 2006 in B2 (where I work now as an RN) until 2009, then as a full time RN up to the present. So a total of 10 years now.

    What is your favourite part about being a nurse?
    My favourite part about being a nurse is when I get a smile from the most difficult resident or from a resident who is having a bad day and wouldn’t allow anybody to get near them but will give me a positive response. It just makes everything worth it, especially if you’re having a bad day.

    What is the best part about working at Bethany?
    The best part would be having the support system. Not feeling alone, you know you can always count on somebody to help you. Especially in my unit I can always count on the people who I work with. They are competent, hardworking and really care for the residents. We work as a team and that makes a huge difference.

    What does your role encompass? What’s a typical day for you?
    My role is to be in charge of the unit. A typical day would be checking the calendar for any appointments, ID rounds or care conferences, reading up on RN/LPN shift reports so the rest of the team will be aware of what’s in store for the day or any changes in the residents, med pass and dealing with different behaviours in the dementia unit, redirecting to calm them down. I also inform staff of the resident’s behaviours or their whereabouts and vice versa. Answering calls, assessing residents of any concerns and informing doctors if need be, processing orders, faxing them to the pharmacy and following up on any pending matters. Visiting with families and informing them of any changes regarding their loved ones, dealing with concerns too. Charting and triggers to the other ID team if needed. I also inform the CSM of any concerns.

    What are your favourite hobbies or interesting factsabout yourself?
    I’m married and have two wonderful kids, Lincoln and Layla, and love spending time with them. I love watching movies, cooking, shopping (especially when I’m stressed), travelling and sleeping (when I have time)!

  • Make Safety a Habit

    North American Occupational Health and Safety (NAOSH) Week was held May 7-13, 2017. It marks the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace and is recognized in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

    Make Safety a Habit was this year’s theme. Safe work habits are important for every individual. We also have a responsibility to encourage safe work habits in our work teams. Safe work habits include understanding and following established safe work procedures but also anticipating what might go wrong and taking actions to avoid potential hazards.

    Creating a safe work environment also means learning from our mistakes. That is why reporting incidents and injuries are important. Accurate reporting allows us to investigate the cause of incidents and to take action
    to prevent them from reoccurring. This is not about laying blame but ensuring that we make adjustments to reduce risk.

    You are in the best position to create a safe work environment. If you think there is a safer way of performing a task or a new procedure that would address a potential risk then we want to hear from you. Working together we can create safer work habits and a safer workplace.

    I would like to take the opportunity to express my gratitude to each of you who serve or have served as a member of an Occupational Health and Safety Committee and particularly those who Chair these committees. Our OHS Committees are comprised of staff volunteers who take on these roles over and above their regular duties. If you’ve never served on the OHS committee at your site, I encourage you to think about doing so and to discuss it with your supervisor. Your contribution will make a difference.

    Let’s always remember to make safety a habit at Bethany. With appreciation for all that you do every day to create safe workplaces and caring communities at Bethany.

    – Jennifer McCue, President & CEO

  • “Vertical Ascent” – You are invited!

    On Tuesday, June 6, I will be fulfilling a personal goal of climbing the construction crane currently on site of our brand new Bethany Riverview. My other intention is to also raise awareness of the important role caregivers provide to those living with the various forms of Dementia.

    Will you support me as I make this climb? Please consider making a pledge. Attached you will find all the official information you need to make your pledge decision.

    I want to ensure everyone who makes a pledge has the opportunity to see how I do as I climb the crane. A few days after the event, our Bethany Care Society Communications Team will release a multi-media presentation on Bethany Connect. Photos and maybe a few video clips will be available for you to enjoy the experience of the event.

    I appreciate all you do and thank you for considering to support this climb by making a pledge. All funds raised will go towards the Bethany Care Foundation’s Capital Campaign, to be launched this fall, in support of our newest care centre, Bethany Riverview.

     

    Kind Regards,

    – Jennifer McCue, President & CEO

  • A Message from the COO

    “The quieter you become, the more you can hear.”

    Why Listening is so Important

    I’ve had a few different experiences over the last couple of weeks that have made me pause and reflect on the importance of actively listening to others. What I realized from these experiences is that I wasn’t listening as well as I could have, or should have been. This resulted in some miscommunication, confusion, and frustration. As I thought about these situations, it was apparent to me that I was very distracted by other things in my environment and wasn’t giving my full attention to those who were speaking to me. As we go through our daily lives, it can be hard to take the time to actively listen because we have deadlines to meet, places to be and things to do. However, it is important that we take the time.

    Listening is one of the most important skills you can have. How well you listen can have a major impact on your job effectiveness and on the quality of your relationships with others. Listening helps build rapport, understanding and trust. Good listening skills help us actually hear what others are saying – not just what you think they are saying or what you want to hear.

    Much has been written about the importance of listening to others. Research suggests that we remember between 25 and 50 percent of what we hear… so, when you talk to your boss, colleagues, or friends for 10 minutes – be aware they are paying attention to less than half of the conversation! If you turn this around, it means you are not hearing the whole message when others speak to you… I think it is really important that we are aware of this. These statistics clearly show that listening is a skill that we can all benefit from improving. When we become better listeners, productivity is improved as well as our ability to influence and persuade. More importantly, we avoid misunderstandings and confusion!

    I would encourage you to be deliberate with your listening and focus on truly hearing what the other person is saying. Concentrate on the message and ask questions or paraphrase to ensure you understand the message. You will truly benefit. In the words of the Dalai Lama:

    “When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.”

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

     

    Regards,

    – Nancy

  • A Message from the VP, People and Culture

    Many of you may have school aged children and heard about the recent “Hats on for Mental Health” campaign conducted in Alberta schools early in May in support of Mental Health Week May 1-7. For a twoonie, my kids were encouraged to wear a hat to school in support of mental health. With 2 kids in middle and high school, I was excited to see schools actively encouraging and supporting conversations around mental health, as this is a topic that deserves and requires conversation to help demystify and break down the stigma of mental health disorders in society.

    Did you know that in any given year, an estimated 1 in 5 Calgarians develop an emotional challenge that if left untreated can lead to serious mental health problems? Mental health is a topic very close to my heart, as many members of my immediate family have faced mental health issues ranging from postpartum depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.

    We all want to be healthy. No one can be truly healthy without paying attention to their mental health. It involves how we feel, think, act and interact with the world around us. Mental health is about coping with the stresses of life and contributing to our community.

    Being mentally healthy isn’t about avoiding problems or trying to achieve a perfect or normal life. It’s about living well and having the tools to cope with difficult situations and life’s many challenges. Each person’s path to mental well-being is unique. We all have our own goals, our own challenges, our own talents and our own supports. But good mental health is within everyone’s reach. Staying mentally healthy is like staying physically fit – it requires effort and support.

    But the reward is worth it! Everyone faces stresses and demands in their life, but we all need and deserve breaks from them. Daily physical exercise for example not only makes you stronger and more fit, but it can also improve your mood and your sense of well-being. I certainly recognize this in myself – being physically active helps me feel better and happier.

    If you have a mental health concern, there are many resources available to support you. No matter what you’re facing, there is help. I recently attended an event in which the CEO of the Calgary Counselling Centre spoke to a group of Calgary health leaders about their research and counselling support available to improve the well-being of individuals and families across Alberta. As a not-for-profit organization, they ensure all clients receive affordable counselling support and have no wait list. Visit their website at calgarycounselling.com. Please remember that all Bethany employees and families can access Bethany’s confidential Employee and Family Assistance Program through Ceridian LifeWorks, available at LifeWorks.com (User ID: bcs; Password: eap) or 1-877-207-8833.

    I encourage you all to learn, talk, reflect and engage with others on all issues relating to mental health. Mental health matters. Let’s start a conversation…

     

    – Lisa Watson, Vice President, People and Culture

  • A Message from the President and CEO

    I love my job! I look forward to coming to work, engaging with people and continuing on our Vision 2020 journey. Throughout my career I have always looked for jobs that challenge me, take me out of my comfort zone and push me to learn more. That means that every day isn’t always easy, some days are not much fun and sometimes I wonder if what I’m doing makes a difference.

    However, those moments are few and far between and here’s why. I find great purpose in what I do. I choose work that allows me to action my values. This means that I do things that are important to me in the service of others; things that allow me to experience joy, satisfaction and to share my gifts. This is what I get to experience at Bethany.

    We spend 60% of our lives working. I think that how we feel about our work significantly impacts our quality of life. It is really important to find work that fulfils us and allows us to find meaning. When I enjoy something, I will always put my best effort forward. Finding meaning in what we do means we need to reflect on what gifts we have and how we can share those with those around us.

    I love this quote credited to Mark Twain, “The two most important days in life are the day you are born and the day you discover the reason why.” I encourage you to name your gifts, find your purpose and live a truly meaningful life…

    As always I welcome your comments.

     

    – Jennifer McCue

  • Healthy Eating at Work

    With spring in full bloom, it is important to remember healthy eating habits to keep you energized throughout the day. Below are some tips to help you stay healthy and motivated at work.

    Keep Hydrated

    Staying hydrated will help you stay alert. Fluids are needed for the body to digest food, cool down, move nutrients and waste. Adults typically need 9-12 cups of fluid per day.
    Choose water:

    • Take a water break instead of a coffee break
    • Carry your own water bottle
    • Find water “boring”? – add mint, lemon, lime, cucumber or berries to add flavour

    Grab and Go Meal Ideas

    A healthy meal can help you maintain your energy levels and memory. Below are a list of meals to eat along the way to work.

    • Smoothie with frozen fruit, milk, plain yogurt, and a handful of spinach
    • Scrambled eggs and sliced tomato on whole grain toast
    • Oats with plain yogurt topped with fruit
    • Nut butter in a whole grain pita with sliced bananas

    Healthy Foods to Make a Meal

    Start off your workday right with a healthy meal to help improve energy, memory and manage weight. Keep healthy foods at home to put together a healthy meal to bring to work.

    • Piece of fruit
    • Hard boiled egg
    • Small whole grain bagel
    • Lower fat cheese
    • Whole grain cereal
    • Tomato
    • Lower fat milk or fortified soy beverage
    • Fruit or nut bar
    • Lower fat yogurt
    • Unsalted nuts
    • Nut butterUnsweetened applesauce
    • Oat, barley or quinoa porridge

    Source: Alberta Health Services

  • Going Above and Beyond

    When Bethany staff member Cora found out how much Bethany Cochrane resident George loved the Calgary Flames, she knew she had to do something. George is a huge Flames fan, his room is decorated with Flames attire and he was featured on People of Bethany wearing his Flames hat and speaking about his favourite player. Cora just had to figure out a way to get George to a game, and recently she was able to make the special surprise possible.

    Being a season ticket holder to the Calgary Flames, Cora noticed all of the wheelchair accessible seating at the Saddledome. Cora began brainstorming how she could get George to a hockey game as he is in a wheelchair himself. After contacting her ticket representative, Cora was able to switch her seats to wheelchair accessible seats for a Flames game on April 2, Calgary Flames versus the Anaheim Ducks. Next, Cora contacted Knight Paramedical, one of Bethany’s transportation partners to make sure George had a safe ride to the game.

    The night before the game, Cora said staff heard George cheering on the Flames in his sleep, shouting, “Go Flames Go!”. The day of the game, Cora, her husband and another staff member brought George to the Saddledome for the game, a chance for George to see his favourite team play live again. George had an excellent time at the game, thanks to Cora going above and beyond to help make a resident’s wish possible.

    Thanks to our amazing staff like Cora, our residents are able to experience events they otherwise would be limited to. George was able to make a lasting memory out of this act of kindness.

  • Bethany’s New Spice Blend

    Bethany is celebrating the test launch of a new spice blend. In partnership with Aramark, Bethany has developed a healthy spice blend to use on proteins such as chicken, beef and fish. Sapan Dutt, Director of Culinary for Aramark Canada began perfecting the spice blend in December 2016, and is now testing it at Bethany Calgary. In the future, Bethany hopes to launch this spice blend at every Bethany site.

    Bethany’s House Spice Blend ingredients include handmined, unrefined full spectrum life crystal mineral salt (Himalayan salt), sesame seeds, black pepper, minced garlic, lemon peel, parsley flakes and rose hip. With this high quality spice blend made up of organic herbs, spices and the delicious mineral salt you can easily create a healthy and enjoyable meal.

    Himalayan crystal mineral salt contains 84 minerals and has been proven to have many health benefits. Some of the benefits of Himalayan salt over regular table salt include detoxifying the body by balancing systemic pH, improving hydration, reducing muscle cramps by improving minerals and hydration, helping balance blood sugar because it provides unrefined, mineral-rich salt in an ionic solution, improving sleep by supporting blood sugar and hormone balance, acting as a powerful antihistamine, supporting weight loss by balancing hormones and improving energy and supporting thyroid function.

    Sapan says that the goal is for Bethany kitchens to use this spice blend with the mineral salt instead of using regular salt. Sapan also hopes to introduce mineral salt to residents to provide them with the health benefits of it as well as the excellent flavour. Bottles of the seasoning will be available to purchase at Bethany Calgary starting this month. Proceeds from the spice blend will go towards expanding the blend to all sites or making site specific blends.