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We’ve made a few changes over the past year in Connections; highlighting the individual and unique contributions employees, clients and volunteers at Shannex make in their respective communities. Each issue we do our best to spotlight employees and volunteers to get to know them on a more personal level. Check out page 7 to meet Sue Ritter, Manager of Compensation and Benefits.

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Happy Spring, after a long and extraordinary winter (and the fact that it’s April), I can only assume we are going to see evidence of better weather soon. A big thank you goes out to our employees who have shown up storm after storm and worked hard to keep our clients safe and secure. Click here to read more about the happenings around Shannex this past quarter.

HALIFAX, NS – We can confirm that an incident occurred in a secure dementia neighbourhood at our Parkstone Enhanced Care location. One resident pushed another, who fell. The resident passed away on Saturday, September 19, 2015, and police are investigating.

We want to extend our deepest condolences to the family of the resident who passed away. This incident is deeply upsetting to all of us here at Shannex, including our caring staff and other residents at Parkstone.

We are cooperating fully with police and the Department of Health and Wellness. An internal review has also been launched to understand all of the conditions in place at the time of the incident. Furthermore, we are in close contact with the families of the residents involved as well as our staff and the entire Parkstone community.

Our commitment to protecting the health and safety of our residents, employees, families, volunteers, and the general public has not wavered.

Due to the ongoing police investigation, we cannot provide any further detail nor provide any further comment regarding this incident at this time.

Media contact:
Heather Hanson
Director, Communications and Community Affairs
Shannex Incorporated
902-488-2892
hhanson@shannex.com

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Summer and early fall certainly have been a busy time for Shannex this year. Take a look through this issue of Connections to get a glimpse into the fun and excitement over the past few months.

From October 19 to 25, Shannex is joining health care providers from across the country by celebrating National Infection Control Week. This year’s theme, Think Global, Act Local reminds us that we live in a global community and that we must use a global lens as a focus in our preparation and management locally for effective infection prevention.
Infection Prevention and Control programs are widely recognized as being clinically effective in preventing and controlling the spread of infections in long term care settings. These programs help to protect clients and staff from infections before they occur.
One of the easiest and most effective ways of preventing the spread of influenza and other common viruses is through proper hand hygiene and vaccinations. During National Infection Control Week, Shannex is reminding employees, clients and visitors of proper hand hygiene procedures and encouraging everyone to get the flu vaccine.
Everyone can help prevent the spread of infection. Let’s all do our part to keep our community safe and healthy this season.
For more information:
IPAC Canada www.ipac-canada.org
Public Health Agency of Canada www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/influenza
 
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Heather Hanson
Director, Communications and Community Relations
902-466-8005
hhanson@shannex.com

caption id=”attachment_1178″ align=”alignleft” width=”720″] L-R: Joe Shannon; Jason Shannon; Cathy Rogers, Social Development Minister; Raymond
Théberge, Université de Moncton President and Vice-Chancellor; George LeBlanc, Moncton
Mayor; and Roger Melanson, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister.[/caption]
The awarding of a new 60-bed nursing home contract announced today for the Moncton area has inspired an innovative partnership between the Université de Moncton and Shannex RLC Limited, a provider of long-term care in the province.
“This is an exciting project because it is more than just a new 60-bed nursing home. It is an example of innovation and partnership that is creating a senior-friendly community that fits our vision of healthy aging, where seniors are active and engaged and where the right services and supports are available to each individual throughout their respective journey,” said Social Development Minister Cathy Rogers.
The awarding of the contract prompted discussions between the Université de Moncton and Shannex, the result of which will be an innovative development between the two organizations. In 2010, the university had announced plans to develop a research and development campus. Shannex’s nursing home, along with a full retirement living community, will be the first development on this land. The partnership presents tremendous opportunities for the university and the Greater Moncton area.
“This agreement demonstrates that we are determined to become the economic partner of choice in order to optimize the use of our land while, at the same time, increasing our potential for research, development, innovation and job creation for students,” said Université de Moncton president and vice chancellor Raymond Théberge. “We are delighted to participate in the first-ever nursing home project on a New Brunswick university campus.”
Shannex has signed a long-term lease with the Université de Moncton that provides for access to approximately 4.9 hectares of land on the institution’s research and development campus. Economic spin-offs from the partnership will, for the large part, be allocated to research on the health of seniors.
“This innovative project will provide an opportunity to create bridges between generations, internships and jobs for health care students and research projects on aging,” added president Théberge.
The agreement with Shannex protects the French-language components of the infrastructure project. The lease contains language clauses regarding the academic partnership, the language of work, the name of the complex and priority rights in relation to the rental of the units. “The Université becomes a leader in the preservation of the language rights of the Acadian and Francophone population of New Brunswick,” concluded the president.
“We are pleased to have been selected to provide 60 new long-term care beds in Moncton,” says Jason Shannon, President and COO of Shannex. “We are also excited about working with the Université de Moncton on this project. Shannex will deliver and operate the entire development in French, including the nursing home. We have committed to our stakeholders and the university that this will be a francophone community.”
In addition to the 60-bed long-term care facility, Shannex will offer a full continuum of services that include the construction of a retirement living home, special care home and lifestyle apartments. Priority for housing units will be given to Université de Moncton retirees. The development represents, in the first phase, an investment of $50 million by Shannex and will create approximately 150 new jobs for New Brunswickers in a variety of sectors, including health care and hospitality services. The project will take approximately 24 months to complete.
 
Media Contacts:
Université de Moncton
Communications, Public Affairs and Marketing
servcomm@umoncton.ca
506-858-4129
 
Shannex Incorporated
Sophie Cormier-Lalonde
scormierlalonde@shannex.com
506-387-3161 (Office)
506-378-3689 (Mobile)
 
Government of New Brunswick
Johanne LeBlanc
Communications
Department of Social Development
506-453-3085

Shannex is proud to support organizations in our community that raise awareness and funds for mental health research and programs. Today, Canadians across the country are texting and tweeting about mental health to help break down barriers associated with mental illness.
Shannex is supporting Bell Let’s Talk Day by joining in the conversation. Across the organization today, managers are not only encouraging employees to get involved by texting, calling and using social media, they’re also having important conversations about mental health.
Wellness is important to us and we believe it positively impacts work and home environments. To support Shannex employees and their families, through whatever life throws their way, Shannex has an Employee and Family Assistance Program and everyone is encouraged to take advantage of the mental health services it provides.
For more information about Wellness at Shannex, visit the Employee Access Portal.[:]

Polypharmacy can be defined as taking more medications than are considered medically necessary. Often, individuals are prescribed a medication for a condition and then continue to take it long after the original issue has been resolved.
Polypharmacy is particularly important as people age and become frail. Seniors tend to have more health issues and have a decreased ability to process medications. Taking multiple medications at the same time can lead to increased side effects, drug interactions and adverse complications.
There have been limited studies conducted on the effect of medications in the frail elderly. This gap was identified and a group of clinical experts in Nova Scotia who, with the support of the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the Department of Health and Wellness, have conducted research and developed a Polypharmacy toolkit which includes four sets of guidelines specifically for this fragile group of people.
Guidelines for 1) Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), 2) Lipids/Statins (Cholesterol Lowering), 3) Diabetes and 4) Bacteriuria (Urinary Tract Infections) have been developed and every frail elderly client living in a Shannex nursing home will have a medication review using the resources available in the Polypharmacy toolkit.
Medication reviews are the ideal time for the team to critically analyze the client’s medications and explore opportunities to reduce or eliminate meds. Reviews are conducted regularly for all clients.
For retirement living clients, discuss your medications with your physician and pharmacist to determine if any of the Polypharmacy guidelines apply to you.

In honour of National Volunteer Week, we want to acknowledge two of our many outstanding volunteers who help our clients live their best life.
Tim Lowery and Paul Donovan are lifelong friends who volunteer at Parkland in the Valley in Quispamsis, New Brunswick.
The dynamic duo can be found each weekday morning in the Jubilee Hall Café where they serve warm drinks and sweet treats while chatting with the clients. The coffee social with Tim and Paul is one of the most popular activities on campus.
“They would do anything for the clients” says Wellness Coach, Alison Newton. “They definitely go above and beyond and we can always count on them. They are real angels!”
Paul says this past year has been the best year of his life. “I’ve always enjoyed working with seniors and volunteering gets me out of the house. I’ve met all sorts of interesting people and sharing this experience with my friend Tim is absolutely great!”
On behalf of all of us at Shannex, thank you Tim and Paul for being such an important part of our family.

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May 1-7, 2016
Halifax-This week, we are celebrating North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH). NAOSH Week is an annual event that concentrates on preventing injury and illness by promoting and celebrating safety in the workplace.
Every day we are guided by our strategic direction dedicated to Staying Safe and Being Well and safety is central to all of our decisions. This is why we continue to celebrate and actively engage in important initiatives like NAOSH Week; it promotes our safety culture and complements the work our Joint Occupational Health & Safety committees do throughout the year.
This week, Shannex employees are encouraged to participate in the many safety related events and activities hosted by your NAOSH planning committee.   All of these creative and engaging activities have been created to further promote safety and encourage everyone to “Make Safety a Habit”.
We wish you a happy and Safe NAOSH week!

May 9, 2016– From May 9-14, Shannex is celebrating Client Services Week. It’s the perfect opportunity to recognize and thank our great people for going above and beyond every day.
Coinciding with National Nursing Week, Shannex recognizes the contributions of every employee play an important role in putting clients first. Across the organization, a series of special events and activities have been planned to mark this special week.
It also provides a unique opportunity to remind our employees that their wellness, both and work and at home, is important. Taking care of oneself is an important part of taking care of others. The Shannex Employee and Family Assistance Program is available to provide professional assistance to help manage all of life’s complexities.
To all the members of our client services team, thank you for your ongoing commitment to putting clients first.
Happy Client Services Week!
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March 27, 2016 (Fredericton) – Yesterday, Shannex Incorporated held the grand opening of Regent Hall, the newest addition to the Parkland Fredericton campus. Open since April 1^st, Regent Hall is a 50 unit independent retirement living residence. Parkland Fredericton also offers a second independent retirement living residence, an assisted living residence and two nursing homes.
Parkland Retirement Living is all about living your best life with none of the responsibilities of home ownership. Shannex, Atlantic Canada’s leader in retirement living, has been providing care to clients for more than 25 years. Parkland Fredericton is one of 12 retirement living campuses that Shannex currently operates in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Ontario.

Participating in the official ribbon cutting ceremony are: Jason Shannon, President and COO of Shannex, Mr. and Mrs. Martin, first clients of Regent Hall, Pam Bowen, Parkland Fredericton General Manager, Henri Mallet, Fredericton City Councillor and Carole Morey, Regional Director of Operations.

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For Media Inquiries:
Heather Hanson
Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Brand
902.488.2892 (cell)
hhanson@shannex.com
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July 14, 2016 (Halifax) – At Shannex, we are proud of the diverse community, people and friends that make our homes so special.  Pride provides an opportunity for us to celebrate the differences that make each of us unique.
There are lots of Pride events and activities planned in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick throughout the summer. Our Shannex and Parkland locations are getting involved by hosting diversity and Pride themed events as well.
Today, Neville Mackay of My Mother’s Bloomers raised the pride flag at Parkland on the Gardens and participated in a floral presentation and Strawberry Social to mark the beginning of Pride Week celebrations in Halifax.
If you’re taking part in a Pride event at any of our locations this summer, don’t forget to take some photos and share them on social media. On Twitter, you can tweet @ShannexInc and use #ShannexPRIDE and on Facebook, you can tag Shannex Parkland Retirement Living.
Shannex’s Respectful Workplace program is squarely set in recognizing and embracing the differences between us so we can build a harmonious community.
Happy Pride Week everyone!

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For Media Inquiries:
Heather Hanson
Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Brand
902.488.2892 (cell)
hhanson@shannex.com
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October is Continuing Care Month in Nova Scotia. The theme of the campaign, “Continuing Care: Your Home, Our Passion” reflects the aim of continuing care services to help people live well in the place they call home and also reinforces the commitment and compassion of the many people who have chosen this caring field of employment in long term care.
At Shannex, we are fortunate to have so many great people – dedicated and compassionate staff members who are committed to helping our clients live their best life. Continuing Care Month is yet another opportunity to recognize the vital role they play in the lives of our clients each and every day.
Continuing care services, including those offered by Shannex, promote health, well-being and independence and support families in caring for their loved ones.
To all our long term care employees in Nova Scotia – thank you for your continued dedication. Your hard work improves the lives of others and we want you to know that your contributions do not go unnoticed.
For more information about Continuing Care Month, please visit www.continuingcaremonth.ca

The deadline for applications for the Client and Family Advisory Committee has now passed. We thank everyone who expressed interest in joining the Committee and will be in contact very soon to update them on the process. If you have any questions, please contact Katherine VanBuskirk, Director of Communications and Community Relations at kvanbuskirk@shannex.com or by calling 902-406-8297.
Shannex is committed to understanding the client’s needs in order to continuously improve the quality of care and services provided. As part of this commitment, a call for applications has been issued seeking clients and family members who would like to be part of a team including clients, family and employees, who have ongoing meaningful influence over the quality of care and service being delivered at Shannex.
The Committee could be consulted on a variety of initiatives and may be asked to:

• Review and provide input on client-centered policies and practices
• Provide advice to improve service excellence initiatives
• Provide suggestions on engagement opportunities for clients and families
• Review marketing and promotional materials
• Give feedback on products and services
• Help evolve client and family engagement throughout the organization

 Individuals should meet the following criteria:

• A client who is currently living in a Shannex nursing home or Parkland Retirement Living community; or
• A family member of a client
• Can look at issues from multiple perspectives
• Will be forthcoming and share their thoughts and opinions
• Will be respectful of the environment and of others at all times
• Are interested in making a positive contribution to life at Shannex
• Are interested in helping us achieve our vision of Leading the Way to Better Living

 [:fr]Désolé, cet article est seulement disponible en anglais.
The deadline for applications for the Client and Family Advisory Committee has now passed. We thank everyone who expressed interest in joining the Committee and will be in contact very soon to update them on the process. If you have any questions, please contact Katherine VanBuskirk, Director of Communications and Community Relations at kvanbuskirk@shannex.com or by calling 902-406-8297.
Shannex is committed to understanding the client’s needs in order to continuously improve the quality of care and services provided. As part of this commitment, a call for applications has been issued seeking clients and family members who would like to be part of a team including clients, family and employees, who have ongoing meaningful influence over the quality of care and service being delivered at Shannex.
The Committee could be consulted on a variety of initiatives and may be asked to:

• Review and provide input on client-centered policies and practices
• Provide advice to improve service excellence initiatives
• Provide suggestions on engagement opportunities for clients and families
• Review marketing and promotional materials
• Give feedback on products and services
• Help evolve client and family engagement throughout the organization

 Individuals should meet the following criteria:

• A client who is currently living in a Shannex nursing home or Parkland Retirement Living community; or
• A family member of a client
• Can look at issues from multiple perspectives
• Will be forthcoming and share their thoughts and opinions
• Will be respectful of the environment and of others at all times
• Are interested in making a positive contribution to life at Shannex
• Are interested in helping us achieve our vision of Leading the Way to Better Living

This issue of Connections celebrates the ways we nourish our soul. On the cover and in the centrefold, you’ll find photos and stories about our commitment to locally grown produce, our strong relationships with local farms and suppliers, and how we work hard to continuously improve the dining experience at Parkland Retirement Living and our Shannex nursing homes.
You’ll find stories about clients and employees coming together during Pride Week to celebrate our beautiful differences. And the Summer in Snapshots feature is filled to the brim with smiling faces at events and activities throughout the summer months.
In this issue, we also share some inspiring stories about clients who are truly living their best lives every single day. we hope you take some time to feed your own soul by enjoying some of the stories in this issue.
[ShannexFlipbook id=”26″ title=”October 2016 Issue of Connections”]
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Every year, during the third week of October, Shannex joins health care providers from across the country by recognizing National Infection Control Week.
Infection Prevention and Control programs are widely recognized as being both clinically and cost effective in preventing and controlling the spread of infections in health care settings. These programs help to protect clients and staff from infections before they occur.
One of the easiest and most effective ways of preventing the spread of influenza and other common viruses is through proper hand hygiene and vaccinations. National Infection Control Week is the perfect opportunity for Shannex to remind its employees, clients and visitors of proper hand hygiene procedures and to encourage everyone to get the flu vaccine.
Everyone can help prevent the spread of infection. Let’s all do our part to keep our community safe and healthy this season.
For more information:
IPAC Canada www.ipac-canada.org
Public Health Agency of Canada www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/influenza
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Katherine VanBuskirk
Director, Communications and Community Relations
902-406-8297
kvanbuskirk@shannex.com

Following a call for applications during the month of September, a Client and Family Advisory Committee for Shannex and Parkland Retirement Living communities has been established and met for the first time at a welcome reception on November 19.
We are grateful for the significant number of qualified and engaged individuals who put their names forward to be part of this group. The chosen committee has client and family representation from Shannex nursing homes and Parkland Retirement Living locations in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Because of the impressive response, in addition to the core group, an online client and family forum has also been created and we have invited all other applicants to participate so they can also have the opportunity to contribute to the quality of care and service delivered at Shannex.
The groups will be consulted on a variety of initiatives including:

• Client-centered policies and practices
• Service excellence initiatives
• Client and family engagement opportunities
• Marketing and promotional materials
• Products and services

We are also pleased to announce that we now have a Client and Family Liaison for the organization. Katherine VanBuskirk, Director of Communications and Community Affairs is available to speak with any client or family member to answer questions, address concerns and connect clients and families with support related to any aspect of care or service. She can be reached at 902-406-8297 or kvanbuskirk@shannex.com.
We look forward to meaningfully engaging with the committee to continuously improve the quality of care and service being delivered at Shannex, and we are committed to all clients and families so that processes are informed, trusted and of the highest standard.

Today, Shannex employees will join Canadians from across the country in a conversation about mental health in support of Bell Let’s Talk Day.
We are proud to support organizations in our community that raise awareness and funds for mental health research and programs, and are encouraging all employees to get involved by texting, calling and using social media to raise funds for mental health related initiatives.
Managers are also taking the opportunity on Bell Let’s Talk Day to have important conversations about mental health and the services and benefits available to employees and their family members.
Wellness is important to all of us at Shannex. We believe it positively contributes to work and home environments. To support Shannex employees and their families, Shannex has an Employee and Family Assistance Program and everyone is encouraged to take advantage of the mental health services it provides.
Please take the time to join the conversation about mental health. #BellLetsTalk

Today is National Employee Appreciation day which provides a wonderful opportunity to highlight and thank Shannex employees.  Every day, Shannex employees go above and beyond to bring a smile to our clients’ faces and to make a difference in someone’s life.
Today, we recognize our Great People and thank them for the extraordinary work they do.

This issue of Connections features vibrant and exciting stories from the winter months. Clients, families and employees warmed our hearts during the last few cold months and kept themselves more than busy with countless activities and events.
You’ll find stories of clients and staff like Mona and Jana from Parkland at the Lakes. We also highlight some of the wonderful music therapy initiatives taking place in many of our Shannex and Parkland sites.
Every article reflects the vibrancy of each of our communities, and we hope you take some time in the coming weeks to read through the issue.
[ShannexFlipbook id=”28″ title=”April 2017 Issue of Connections”]
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A partnership between Shannex Incorporated and Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) will give students entering the Continuing Care program a helping hand.
The Shannex Pathway to Success Bursary program will provide significant support to eligible students in the Continuing Care program at NSCC ─ $300,000 in total over three years. Approximately 50 students per year will each receive $2,000 toward tuition and related costs.
“We are excited to embark on this innovative partnership with Nova Scotia Community College. Along with financial aid, we will guarantee employment for recipients once they successfully graduate,” says Jason Shannon, President & Chief Operating Officer, Shannex Incorporated.
“Assisting and engaging committed students will help us to address a skills shortage in this demanding field. Our clients will benefit from the work of these talented graduates, who will have secured access to the fulfilling careers they are seeking.”
The three-year pilot program was announced today at NSCC’s Waterfront Campus, one of six participating campuses across the province. Graduates will be eligible for jobs at Shannex facilities in the Annapolis Valley, Bridgewater, Amherst, Sydney, Colchester and metro Halifax.
The Shannex Pathway to Success Bursary program will see its first student beneficiaries start the one-year Continuing Care program in September 2017. Participants will also complete their student work term with the company, which provides seniors’ accommodation, service and care in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Ontario.
Interested students can learn more about requirements and how to apply for this sponsorship program here. Approximately 70 current Continuing Care students are on work placements at Shannex facilities province-wide, honing the skills they’ve been learning in their NSCC classrooms and labs and preparing for careers as Continuing Care Assistants. CCAs assist clients with a range of needs, including hygiene, restorative care, cleaning and laundry, in collaboration with a health-care team.

In honour of National Volunteer Week, we want to acknowledge the many outstanding volunteers who help our clients live their best life.
Your dedication and passion are vital in building strong communities. You are a valued member of the Shannex family.
Thank you for all that you do and we look forward to another spectacular year!
To learn more about some of our wonderful volunteers, please visit our Facebook page where we highlighted a different volunteer each day and shared some of the wonderful programs and activities they are bringing to our clients and staff.
For more information on volunteering with Shannex, please click here. 

This week, we are celebrating the 20^th anniversary of North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week. NAOSH Week is an annual event that concentrates on preventing injury and illness by promoting and celebrating safety in the workplace.
Every day we are guided by our strategic direction dedicated to Staying Safe and Being Well and safety is central to all of our decisions. This is why we continue to celebrate and actively engage in important initiatives like NAOSH Week; it promotes our safety culture and complements the work our Joint Occupational Health & Safety committees do throughout the year.
This week, Shannex employees are encouraged to participate in the many safety related events and activities hosted by your NAOSH planning committee.   All of these creative and engaging activities have been created to further promote safety and encourage everyone to “Make Safety a Habit”.
We wish you a happy and Safe NAOSH week!

From May 8-14, Shannex is celebrating Client Services Week. It’s the perfect opportunity to recognize and thank our Great People for going above and beyond every day.
Coinciding with National Nursing Week, Shannex recognizes the contributions of every employee. You all play an important role in putting clients first. Across the organization, a series of special events and activities have been planned to mark this special week.
It also provides a unique opportunity to remind our employees that their wellness, both and work and at home, is important. Taking care of oneself is an important part of taking care of others. The Shannex Employee and Family Assistance Program is available to provide professional assistance to help manage all of life’s complexities.
To all Shannex employees, thank you for your ongoing commitment to putting clients first.
Happy Client Services Week!
 

The Shannex Pathway to Success Bursary program will provide significant support to eligible students in the Continuing Care program at NSCC ─ $300,000 in total over three years. Approximately 50 students per year will each receive $2,000 toward tuition and related costs.
Along with financial aid, we will guarantee employment for recipients once they successfully graduate, and in return they will commit to a minimum one year of service.
Shannex employees are eligible for this program. Applications are being accepted until July 4, 2017 at 5:00 p.m.
For the full details on eligibility and directions on how to apply, please click here.

Canada is celebrating its 150^th anniversary this year and we are showing our national pride by getting involved in the festivities.
We know clients, families and employees have so much to contribute to the conversation about Canada’s past 150 years, so we are helping them share their favourite memory in Canadian history.
Watch for featured memories on our Facebook and Twitter feeds and in our next issues of Connections.
We will also be sharing some of the exciting event planned at many of our Shannex and Parkland communities.

The July issue of Connections is now available! This issue is full over beautiful photos and heartwarming stories about the Great People of Shannex. Clients, families and employees have been very busy over the spring being social, trying new things and celebrating each other.
You’ll find stories about clients like Dorothy Archibald who, at 88 years-old, checked flying a plane off of her bucket list. We also highlight some of the amazing community partners we work with such as; Alzheimer’s Society in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, the WAY Association, the Membertou Heritage Park and the Nova Scotia Community College!
Each article is unique and special in its own way and we hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together.
[ShannexFlipbook id=”29″ title=”July 2017 Issue of Connections”]
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The 2016-2017 Report to Community highlights the continued growth and improvements we’ve made in year four of our Corporate Strategic Plan, and tells the stories of Great Big Ideas that have made a positive and lasting impact on the organization and community.
[ShannexFlipbook id=”30″ title=”Report to Community, April 1, 2016 – March 31, 2017″]
[ess_post][:fr]Le Rapport à la collectivité 2016-2017 souligne les réussites en matière de croissance et d’amélioration de la dernière année, la quatrième de notre plan stratégique organisationnel, et présente quelques grandes idées exceptionnelles ayant eu une incidence positive et durable à la fois sur l’organisation et sur la collectivité.
[ShannexFlipbook id=”34″ title=”Rapport à la collectivité – 1er avril 2016 au 31 mars 2017″]
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*Please note: the French version of the release can be found below.
Wednesday, August 30, 2017 (Moncton) – Today, Shannex New Brunswick celebrated the completion of its newest retirement living community, le Faubourg du Mascaret, which includes a new 60-bed licenced nursing home, le Pavillon Richard.
Located on l’Université de Moncton’s research and development campus on Morton Avenue, Faubourg du Mascaret, is Shannex New Brunswick’s first French-language retirement living campus, and home to the Collaborative Learning Centre on Aging (CLCA), a partnership with l’Université de Moncton. The CLCA will feature an inter-professional learning environment for health professions, research opportunities, internships and jobs for students in the province.
“The development of Faubourg du Mascaret was really about responding to a need,” said Jason Shannon, President and COO of Shannex. “We saw an opportunity to create a truly innovative retirement living community, and in partnership with l’Université de Moncton, we expanded this idea to include an academic nursing home. The result is a unique campus model that provides a continuum of care options for clients today, along with opportunities for health care professionals to receive hands-on experience and conduct research on long term care to support the community well into the future.”
Pavillon LeBlanc, the independent retirement living building, welcomed its first clients on August 1, and employees are working closely with the Department of Social Development, the Georges L. Dumont University Hospital Centre, the Moncton Hospital and families in preparation for nursing home clients to begin moving into Pavillon Richard on September 5, 2017.
“New Brunswick’s first academic nursing home is both an opportunity for us to collaborate and for our students to learn more about health care by actually being in the field,” said the Université de Moncton’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Raymond Théberge. “In addition to promoting intergenerational relationships, the Faubourg will provide internship and employment opportunities for our students in the health sciences.”
The Collaborative Learning Centre on Aging is Shannex’s second academic nursing home. The Maplestone Collaborative Learning Centre in Halifax is a partnership with Dalhousie University. Created in 2010, it is a collaboration among health professionals, researchers, educators, learners, clients and their families, and seeks to enhance the preparation of new health professionals for collaborative practice in long term care and to identify and address current issues in long term care policy and practice.
In addition to the nursing home, features of the campus include beautiful living suites, restaurant-style dining, a wellness spa, gym, movie theatre, bowling alley and landscaped outdoor spaces. Clients enjoy weekly linen service and housekeeping, transportation service as well as access to Faubourg’s exclusive Harmony Program (a healthy aging program focused on wellness).
When fully occupied, Faubourg du Mascaret will employ 150 people who will become part of the team of approximately 1,000 dedicated and professional employees currently working at Shannex facilities throughout the province.
 
Shannex Nouveau-Brunswick célèbre l’ouverture de son nouveau complexe de retraite et foyer de soins
 Mercredi 30 août 2017 (Moncton) – Aujourd’hui, Shannex Nouveau-Brunswick célèbre l’ouverture de son tout nouveau complexe de retraite, le Faubourg du Mascaret, dont les services comprennent un nouveau foyer de soins agréé de 60 lits, le Pavillon Richard.
Situé sur le campus de recherche et de développement de l’Université de Moncton, sur l’avenue Morton, le Faubourg du Mascaret est le tout premier complexe de retraite de langue française de Shannex Nouveau-Brunswick, et héberge aussi le Centre collaboratif d’apprentissage sur le vieillissement (CCAV), un partenariat avec l’Université de Moncton. Le CCAV offrira un milieu d’apprentissage interprofessionnel pour les professions de santé et des possibilités de recherche, ainsi qu’un lieu de stages et d’emplois pour les étudiants du Nouveau-Brunswick.
« La création du Faubourg du Mascaret était surtout motivée par le désir de combler un besoin, » a dit Jason Shannon, président et directeur de l’exploitation de Shannex. « Nous avons saisi l’occasion de créer un complexe de retraite véritablement novateur et, en partenariat avec l’Université de Moncton, nous avons élargi le concept afin d’inclure un foyer de soins universitaire. Il en résulte un modèle de complexe unique qui fournit aux clients une gamme complète de soins et qui permet aux professionnels de santé d’acquérir des expériences pratiques, de mener des recherches sur les soins de longue durée et de soutenir la collectivité, et ce, aujourd’hui comme demain. »
Le Pavillon LeBlanc, l’édifice pour personnes retraitées autonomes, a accueilli ses premiers clients le 1^er août. Le personnel travaille maintenant en étroite collaboration avec le ministère du Développement social, le Centre hospitalier universitaire Dr-Georges-L.-Dumont, l’Hôpital de Moncton et les familles afin de préparer l’accueil des clients dans le nouveau foyer de soins, le Pavillon Richard, dès le 5 septembre 2017.
« Ce tout premier foyer de soins universitaire au Nouveau-Brunswick est pour nous une occasion de partage et une occasion en or pour nos étudiantes et étudiants d’en apprendre davantage sur les soins de santé en étant physiquement sur le terrain », mentionne le recteur et vice-chancelier de l’Université de Moncton, Raymond Théberge. « En plus de favoriser les relations intergénérationnelles, le Faubourg offrira des opportunités de stages et de travail pour nos étudiantes et étudiants du domaine des sciences de la santé. »
Le Centre collaboratif d’apprentissage sur le vieillissement est le deuxième en son genre dans un foyer de soins de Shannex. Le Centre collaboratif d’apprentissage Maplestone, à Halifax, est un partenariat avec l’Université Dalhousie. Créé en 2010, ce centre, qui rassemble les professionnels de santé, les chercheurs, les apprenants, les clients et leurs familles, vise à enrichir la formation des professionnels de santé en début de carrière en matière de pratique collaborative et à définir et à aborder les enjeux actuels dans le domaine des politiques et de la pratique des soins de longue durée.
En plus du foyer de soins, le complexe offre de superbes appartements, un service de repas style restaurant, un spa et centre de mieux-être, un centre de conditionnement physique, une salle de cinéma, une piste de quilles et des espaces extérieurs aménagés. Les clients du Faubourg bénéficient de services hebdomadaires de literie et de ménage, de services de transport et du programme Harmonie exclusif, un programme « vieillir en santé » axé sur le mieux-être.
Lorsque le Faubourg du Mascaret sera occupé à 100 %, il aura un effectif de 150 personnes qui s’ajouteront à une équipe d’environ 1000 personnes aussi professionnelles que dévouées travaillant actuellement dans les établissements Shannex au Nouveau-Brunswick.

September is Continuing Care Month in Nova Scotia. Shannex wants to take this opportunity to thank all of the incredible staff members and volunteers who contribute so much to our communities and help clients live their best life.
This is the 14^th Annual Health Association Nova Scotia sponsored Continuing Care Month campaign.   The theme, Continuing Care:  Your Home, Our Passion, reflects the aim of continuing care services to help people to live well in the place they can call home.  It also reinforces the commitment and compassion of the many people who have chosen this caring field of employment.
Continuing care services, including those offered by Shannex, promote health, well-being and independence and support families in caring for their loved ones.
To all of our long-term care employees – thank you for your continued dedication, passion and enthusiasm. Your hard work improves the lives of others each and every day and we want you to know that your actions do not go unnoticed.
For more information about Continuing Care Month, please visit www.continuingcaremonth.ca
 

The October issue of Connections is now available! This issue is filled with amazing things happening at sites all across our organization.
Read about the opening of our newest campus, Faubourg du Mascaret in Moncton, new construction projects in Miramichi and Etobicoke, Ontario, an update on Parkland Antigonish an some great renovations at Parkland Clayton Park.
You’ll also read heartwarming stories from clients, families, and employees, including two of our clients tying the knot, a young philanthropist and favourite moments in Canadian history
Happy reading!
[ShannexFlipbook id=”35″ title=”October 2017 Issue of Connections”]
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HALIFAX – This week, Shannex is recognizing National Infection Control Week, along with health care providers from across the country,
Created 29 years ago, National Infection Control Week highlights infection control efforts in Canadian hospitals, long-term care facilities and in the community. It is an opportunity for infection control professionals to educate staff and the community about the importance of infection prevention and to promote the important work that is being done by infection control professionals.
Infection Prevention and Control programs are widely recognized as being both clinically and cost effective in preventing and controlling the spread of infections in health care settings. These programs help protect clients and staff from infections before they occur.
At Shannex, we think National Infection Control Week is a perfect opportunity to remind our employees, clients and visitors of proper hand hygiene procedures and to encourage everyone to get the flu vaccine. Proper hand hygiene and vaccinations are two of the easiest and most effective ways of preventing the spread of influenza and other common viruses.
Keeping with this year’s theme “Infection Prevention and Control – It’s a Team Thing!” we know that with everyone’s help, we can keep our communities safe and healthy this season.
For more information:
IPAC Canada www.ipac-canada.org
Public Health Agency of Canada www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/influenza
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Katherine VanBuskirk
Director, Communications and Community Relations
902-406-8297
kvanbuskirk@shannex.com

The December issue of Connections is now available! With the holiday season fast approaching, this issue is filled with many examples of the spirit of giving.
Learn more about our partnership with the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia and their Festival of Trees Luncheon, read a beautiful poem of gratitude shared by Sister Rose Mary Mombourquette, and enjoy a personal story, shared by client Dorothy Grant, about a gift of kindness she received years ago.
You’ll also read heartwarming stories about clients, families, and employees giving back to their community partners and enjoying special activities.
Happy holidays!
[ShannexFlipbook id=”36″ title=”December 2017 Issue of Connections”]
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Halifax— Today, Shannex employees will join Canadians from across the country in a conversation about mental health in support of Bell Let’s Talk Day.
We are proud to support organizations in our community that raise awareness and funds for mental health research and programs, and are encouraging all employees to get involved by texting, calling and using social media to raise funds for mental health related initiatives.
Managers are also taking the opportunity on Bell Let’s Talk Day to have important conversations about mental health and the services and benefits available to employees and their family members.
Wellness is important to all of us at Shannex. We believe it positively contributes to work and home environments. To support Shannex employees and their families, Shannex has an Employee and Family Assistance Program and everyone is encouraged to take advantage of the mental health services it provides.
Please take the time to join the conversation about mental health. #BellLetsTalk

Monday March 19, 2018 (Nova Scotia) – Today, the Sisters of St. Martha and Shannex celebrated the grand opening of Parkland Antigonish. The Sisters moved into Mary’s Court, the nursing home, and Martha Place, the retirement living floors, on March 1, 2018 from Bethany Motherhouse, which had been their home for more than 95 years.
“The day we moved from Bethany Motherhouse was emotional for all of us,” said Congregation Leader Sister Brendalee Boisvert.” “The decision to move was a hard one, but our new home is safe and well-suited for us to continue our way of life and service in the community.”
“We have been honoured to be part of this journey with the Sisters of St. Martha,” said Jason Shannon, President and COO of Shannex. “This is something the Congregation has been working on for many years, and it has been our pleasure to help make their dream a reality.”
Parkland Antigonish is the first retirement living building in the province to incorporate three levels of care under one roof. Mary’s Court includes 25 licensed long term care beds, while Martha Place offers 19 assisted living and 42 independent suites, including 18 suites designated to be offered to members of the community.
“I’d like to congratulate the Sisters of St. Martha and Shannex on their unique collaboration which has resulted in the opening of the new Parkland Antigonish,” says Health and Wellness Minister Randy Delorey, MLA for Antigonish. “For over 100 years, the Sisters have done tremendous work for the Antigonish area and this new home is yet another example of their good work. Their partnership with Shannex has resulted in not just a new, safe home for themselves, but for the community as well.”
The new building also features a chapel that incorporates original stained glass windows from Bethany Chapel and a gallery space where the Congregation can display special and significant elements of their history. Other amenities offered at Parkland Antigonish include tableside dining service, wellness studio, multipurpose room, games room, and a sewing room. More information about Parkland Antigonish can be found by visiting ParklandRetirementLiving.com.
Shannex Incorporated has been in business since 1988 and is a leader in seniors’ accommodation, service and care, providing home care, retirement living, assisted living, memory care and nursing home care in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Ontario.

We are very proud to present this very special edition of Connections to commemorate our 30th anniversary.
This edition features milestones and stories from the past 30 Great Years.
A sincere thank you to everyone who shared their stories and memories with us. This edition would not have been possible without their help.
We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed creating it.
[ShannexFlipbook id=”37″ title=”Shannex Connections – Special Edition: 30 Great Years”]
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May 25, 2018

There is nothing we value more than the health, wellbeing and quality care of the residents living in our homes. 
Over the past 30 years, thousands of residents have made their home in a Shannex community. Often, they face complex and evolving conditions which can be challenging. Two of our organizational values are Being Accountable and Always Improving Quality. When a situation arises, we ask questions, review practices and seek opportunities to improve. We will always work hard to do better each and every day.  
Recent reports from family members concerned about care are matters we take very seriously; our culture is one that always strives to learn from experience so that we can do better.
As a result, we have launched a Quality Improvement Plan in wound prevention and management which includes a number of activities that focus on supporting our staff and improving communication with residents and families. Many of these activities are already underway and are enhancements to the work our interdisciplinary teams focus on every day. They include:

Intensive monitoring. Daily and weekly interdisciplinary reporting and monitoring of all complex wounds and associated care plans at the home and corporate levels. 

Communication with residents and families. Strong communication with residents and families about their care planning is always of the utmost importance to us. We will conduct a review of our communication practices to ensure we provide easier access to information, more frequent updates and open discussion about care planning related to all matters, including wound care and management.  

Investing in our employees. Relying on the input of external and internal clinical leaders, we will introduce refreshed training in wound prevention and management for all front line employees. In addition, members of our clinical support team will participate in intensive training through an internationally recognized wound care program so they can provide ongoing, in-house training and support. 

Resources and technology. We are actively exploring innovative resources, including technology, that further support the reporting, evaluation and treatment of wounds.

Wound care expertise. We have engaged local and national experts in wound care to provide external evaluation of our current wound prevention and management practices and to support our own experienced nursing staff in the management of complex cases. 

We are sharing this plan with our valued community of residents, families and stakeholders to ensure everyone is aware of the priority we are placing on a plan for improvements. We are also working closely with Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness officials and others in our sector, and we will continue to provide progress updates as we implement our Quality Improvement Plan. 
We are grateful for the support of our community. As always, we are open to hearing from families and addressing any questions you have on this or any other matter. Please contact us at info@shannex.com or 1-877-742-6639.

Catherine MacPherson

Vice President, Enhanced Care

Shannex

Jason Shannon

President & COO

Shannex

On June 26, a group of employees came together to have a conversation about care. The video-recorded discussion allowed the group to talk about their commitment to care and show the human side and perspective of those who work directly with residents, delivering the best quality care and service every day. The video features Joseph Shannon, Jason Shannon, Catherine MacPherson and eight employees from Parkstone, Harbourstone, and Arborstone. They, like employees in all our communities, demonstrate a deep commitment to the residents we serve every day.
Questions? Ask us at askus@shannex.com.

The July issue of Connections is now available! With so many fun activities happening on our campuses during the spring and summer, its pages are full of smiles and great stories about our great people and the wonderful residents that inspire us every day. Be sure to read about Acadian specialties served in Moncton, one of our favourite furry friends, our quality improvement program, how to stay cool this summer, and much more!
We hope you’ll enjoy reading Connections as much as we enjoyed creating it.
[ShannexFlipbook id=”39″ title=”July 2018 Issue of Connections”]
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September 10, 2018

Since we first shared our Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) on wound prevention and management, we have made significant progress. The following is an update on our ongoing work in this area.
Intensive monitoring. Senior leadership and site-level clinical leaders are engaged in daily and weekly reporting and monitoring of all wounds, and weekly clinical risk meetings take place at each site to monitor and evaluate care and treatment plans. In addition, we have added Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) indicators (a national benchmark) to our existing prevalence measurements and are using these benchmarks as corporate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), which adds another layer of shared accountability across the organization.
Communication with residents and families. Clinical leaders at each site have held additional one-on-one meetings with residents and families with stage 3 or 4 wounds to review and collaborate on care planning and provide opportunities for open discussion about all matters relating to care and service. These meetings result in mutually agreed-upon plans of care that are reviewed weekly and modified as health changes occur.
Investing in our employees. This is perhaps the most robust area of our QIP, and I am extremely proud of how our team has fully engaged in the process and supported this work. All CCAs, RNs and LPNs are completingrefreshed training on wound prevention and management. Three members of our corporate clinical support team will begin an internationally recognized wound care training program in October, and we will be providing additional training for regional team members to become in-house wound resources who are able to provide additional support and expertise on wound prevention and management at the site level.
In partnership with others in the long term care sector, on September 28, 2018, we will provide staff with a one-day education session dedicated to wound management. We are also collaborating with our medical advisor to host a continuing medical education event for physicians working in long term care in order to align and provide consistency on best practices related to wound prevention and management.
Resources and technology. We continue to actively explore innovative resources that further support the reporting, evaluation and treatment of wounds. While we have used an Electronic Healthcare Record (EHR) software for many years, we will begin trialing a new software at one of our Nova Scotia nursing homes on September 10. This EHR includes a more robust wound management module that tracks wound prevalence and status. Each site has assessed its equipment needs for wound prevention and healing and purchased additional equipment, such as offloading wedges and booties. We will continue to explore other wound-specific technology options.
Wound care expertise. A wound care nursing consultant has examined all stage 3 and 4 wounds alongside our own team and collaborated on care planning. On July 23, we hosted a full-day session with local and national experts in wound care, along with our own internal experts to review practices and validate our work on this QIP. This included how we measure and monitor wound prevalence. We continue to participate fully in the Department of Health and Wellness nursing home wound consultant visits and look forward to their additional support in this area.
I want to thank our Great People who provide care and service every day to residents and families. They have demonstrated strength and competence in the face of recent external pressures. A group of team members gathered recently to have a conversation about care. We created a video of this meaningful gathering and I think you will find their perspective interesting and relevant. If you haven’t seen it yet, it can be viewed on Shannex.com.
We have also created a new email address for any questions you may have. Please contact us at askus@shannex.com or 1-877-742-6639.

Jason Shannon

President & COO

Shannex

In nursing homes, noise is unavoidable as residents and team members go about their days. Just as music and other pleasant sounds can benefit health and wellness, excessive noise can have a negative effect our body’s ability to heal, relax and be well. For people living with dementia and other cognitive impairments, noise can sometimes be very debilitating.
Arborstone Enhanced Care was awarded $35K for their Quality Improvement Project on music therapy by The Center for Brain Health and Innovation (CABHI). The funding was a result of CABHI’s SPARK Program – a new initiative that provides funding to support innovative grassroots ideas that can help to improve brain health or quality of life for older adults.
During the 2017-2018 fiscal year, Arborstone Enhanced Care used the funding to launch a pilot project to audit nursing home sounds. With the help of Accredited Music Therapists (MTA), who use music in therapeutic relationships to support development, health and well-being, this project will focus on music therapy in ways that use this understanding of the relationship between sounds and health and behaviour to enhance the soundscape at Arborstone Enhanced Care. 
Lead by Sarah Condran, Music Therapist at Shannex, the intent of this project is to create a better experience in dining rooms, activity rooms, and other common areas. It will also explore how these spaces can be made better for leisure, dining, family visits, recreational activities and therapeutic activities.
Ultimately, the goal is to create a home atmosphere where residents can fully engage with their community, staff are confident in managing noise and share lessons learned in order to enhance long term care facilities and practices.
 
For more information on The Spark Program, visit https://www.cabhi.com/the-spark-program/.
 

Shannex’s April 2018 – March 2023 Strategic Plan was created with the valuable input of many residents, employees, families and stakeholders. Thank you to everyone who contributed to its development.
The strategic plan establishes Shannex’s vision of Leading the Way to Better Living through excellence in resident care and service. It sets the priorities for the next five years and serves as the roadmap for our operations. The plan is organized into four strategic directions:

• Service & Care
• Engaged Employees
• Research & Development
• Sustainable Growth

View a full copy of the Strategic Plan.

Welcome to the latest issue of Connections! This is the perfect time of year to reflect on all we have to be thankful for, and it is clear that many of you enjoy the opportunity to recognize and express gratitude for each other all year round. In this issue you’ll read about residents in New Brunswick celebrating their Acadian heritage, an award-winning chef who gets rave reviews in Halifax, how residents will soon be able to nominate employees for formal recognition through our Caught You Being Great awards, and so much more.
We would also like to take a moment to thank every member of the Shannex community for inspiring us each and every day. It’s all of you that makeConnections possible. Enjoy!
[ShannexFlipbook id=”40″ title=”October 2018 Issue of Connections”]
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We are pleased to share the winter issue of Connections! The stories it contains shine a bright light on the deep sense of community that exists at every one of our Shannex, Parkland and Faubourg residences.
In this issue you will hear about those who have stepped up to make a positive difference in their communities. Parkland at the Gardens resident Dorothy Grant set to work to ensure dedicated parking spots were installed where VON can park without receiving a ticket. At Parkland Riverview, a knitting group has donated to local charities over the past 18 years by fundraising together. And Sister Fleurette Sweeney from Caritas Residence has spent much of her life pursuing opportunities to help educators reach their students through music and other innovative strategies.
We’re confident your heart will be warmed by these and the many other examples of community spirit you will read about in this issue.
May you enjoy the very best of the holiday season.
[ShannexFlipbook id=”42″ title=”Winter 2018-2019 Issue of Connections”]
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January 21, 2019

The following information contains a further update on our Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) on wound prevention and management. As many of you know, the Minister’s Long-term Care Expert Advisory Panel released its report last week. We were happy to see that the report accurately captured many of the perspectives and current challenges in long term care as well as recommendations we have already implemented as part of this QIP.
Intensive monitoring. Creating standardized monitoring processes to ensure there are appropriate levels of reporting and action planning has been an important part of the work of this QIP. We continue to report daily and weekly on all wounds and share summary reports with all members of our Senior Leadership Team. Detailed site-specific reports are reviewed during weekly clinical risk meetings with an interdisciplinary team at each location. Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) indicators (a national benchmark) added to our existing measurement targets allow us to measure ourselves against national statistics.
Communication with residents and families. Clear communication and collaboration with residents and families is something we strive for every day in all of our communities. We have enhanced our communications practices related to wounds to raise awareness with residents and families about the nature and types of wounds, provide opportunities to ask questions and allow for informed decision-making in collaboration with the care team. Regular care planning meetings continue with residents and families who have stage 3 or 4 wounds.
Investing in our employees. Ongoing education and creating a support structure for our team to treat and manage wounds has been a critical aspect of this work. All front-line care employees have been assigned refreshed training on wound prevention and management. This training is assigned to all new staff and on an ongoing basis to all team members to ensure continued competency. Members of our clinical leadership team are actively participating in an internationally recognized wound care training program which began in October. Each site/region will select a wound care leader who will take additional training from Wounds Canada to be able to provide additional support and expertise on wound prevention and management at the site level.
We have also partnered with other care providers in the long term care sector to share knowledge and best practices. In September, we co-hosted a one-day education session open to anyone who wanted to learn more about wound management that attracted more than 100 participants. On December 4, 2018, we held a continuing medical education event for physicians working in long term care in order to align and provide consistency on best practices related to wound prevention and management.
Resources and technology. We believe strongly in using innovation to support quality outcomes. New Electronic Healthcare Record (EHR) software is currently being deployed at all of our Nova Scotia nursing homes. This software will replace an existing EHR that has been in place for some time. The new tool has a more robust wound management module that tracks wound prevalence and status. We have also completed site assessments to identify equipment needs for wound prevention and healing and purchased additional equipment, such as offloading wedges and booties, for timely and easy access by our team members at each location.
Wound care expertise. Engaging external wound care experts to review our practices and share their knowledge with our team has supported and validated our work on this QIP. We have been fortunate to work with a wound care nursing consultant who visited each of our nursing homes in Nova Scotia to examine all stage 3 and 4 wounds and collaborate with our team on care planning. In July, we also hosted local and national experts in wound care to review our approach to this QIP, and I am happy to report that we received positive feedback from the Department of Health and Wellness wound consultants who visited our sites. We continue to support the work being done at the provincial level to provide timely access to resources to meet the needs of all residents in long term care.
We are proud of what we have accomplished and confident in the work being done in each of our communities. As you know, this QIP was launched as a result of questions raised about the quality of care provided to residents. Consistent with our organizational values of Being Accountable and Always Improving Quality, we set out to ask questions, review practices and seek opportunities to improve. Our Great People responded with enthusiasm and I am pleased to say that this QIP continues to help us enhance our practices and our strong, collaborative relationships with residents and families focused on achieving the very best health outcomes. Contact us with any questions or concerns at askus@shannex.comor 1-877-742-6639.

Jason Shannon

President & COO

Shannex

Shannex is committed to understanding residents’ needs in order to continuously improve the quality of care and services provided.
We are currently seeking applications for our Resident and Family Advisory Committee.
The Committee could be consulted on a variety of initiatives and may be asked to:

• Review and provide input on resident-centered policies and practices
• Provide advice to improve service excellence initiatives
• Provide suggestions on engagement opportunities for resident sand families
• Review marketing and promotional materials
• Give feedback on products and services
• Help evolve resident and family engagement throughout the organization

Individuals should meet the following criteria:

• A resident who is currently living in a Shannex nursing home or Parkland Retirement Living community; or
• A family member of a resident
• Can look at issues from multiple perspectives
• Will be forthcoming and share their thoughts and opinions
• Will be respectful of the environment and of others at all times
• Are interested in making a positive contribution to life at Shannex
• Are interested in helping us achieve our vision of Leading the Way to Better Living

One important change for this year (2019-2020) will see the work group divided into two groups, with one Advisory Committee focusing on New Brunswick; and another focusing on Nova Scotia/Ontario. This will allow the scope of work for each Committee to be more specific and create a better opportunity for the group to work together.
For more information, please send all inquiries to communications@shannex.com or by calling 902-406-8303.
 

Every year, this issue of Connections comes with warmer weather, spring blooms and time outside enjoying fresh air and sunshine. Each of our Shannex and Parkland communities boasts beautiful outdoor spaces, many of them anchored by a Gazebo like the one so beautifully illustrated on our cover. The artist, Ramir Bautista, is a CCA who works at Parkstone Enhanced Care. He was gracious enough to create a custom work of art for our front cover. Ramir is not the only member of the Shannex family to make headlines lately.
In each issue, many of the submissions we receive describe activities taking place in every one of our communities. One such day in January was especially eventful for the team at our Glenerin Inn in Mississauga, ON. The team demonstrated grace under pressure by making what could have been a scary situation for local teachers, students and their parents into an enjoyable day.
We know that our team members build strong connections with residents and their families. At Parkland Riverview, two employees, Conrad Boudreau and Lynda Auffrey, are being remembered in a very special way. Although strengthening connections is something that happens every day in our communities, residents at Parkland at the Lakes and Parkland Antigonish are reaching out with a new Pen Pal program.
We hope you enjoy all of these stories and more. Happy Spring!
[ShannexFlipbook id=”43″ title=”Spring 2019 Issue of Connections”]
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Often, the impact our Great People have in the lives of residents and their families extends far beyond the exceptional care and service provided. A hand to hold. A listening ear. A voice of encouragement on a hard day.
We want to celebrate and share the every day connections that, together, have created vibrant, warm and supportive communities.
On June 17, we will launch a new initiative called Great Connections as a way to highlight the stories of support and care that happen every day at Shannex and Parkland communities.
More information coming soon.

A Great Connection can take many forms, and at Northumberland Hall, it takes the shape of a large stuffed toy named Carlos. Carlos was brought in and is taken care of by Diane, whose mother-in-law was a resident for several years. During this time Diane and her husband developed close connections with the Northumberland Hall community and, although her mother-in-law is no longer with us, the bonds created between her family and Northumberland Hall remain strong.

Here’s what Diane has to say about Carlos.

I am Diane and I live in Upper Nappan, just outside Amherst, with my husband, Victor. Victor’s mother, Helen, was a resident at Northumberland Hall from 2013 until 2017.

Carlos is named after my grandfather. At one of our regular 5-year reunions, Victor decided that we should have a mascot, a huge stuffed animal we got from a neighbour’s yard sale, and name him Carlos! Later, after Helen moved into Northumberland Hall, Victor decided Carlos should also be a resident there so he could greet folks and maybe make them smile.

From time to time I go in to change his clothing for the season, holiday or special events. When we borrowed him in 2016 for our family reunion again, we left a message that he had gone on vacation, but would return! And he did.

Thank you, Diane, for sharing your Great Connection story and for continuing to make people smile at Northumberland Hall.    

One of the wonderful things about Great Connections is that they come to us from many different perspectives. We get stories about exceptional resident care from family members, residents and other employees. Here is a story about Paul Healey, Continuing Care Assistant (CCA), submitted by Joy MacKinnon, Human Resources Partner, who happened upon a touching scene in the halls of Arbourstone Enhanced Care (AEC) in Halifax.

Paul has worked as a CCA for AEC for about 9 years. Last week I was visiting the floor Paul was working on. In the distance I was able to hear a beautiful angelic voice singing. When I turned to see where it was coming from and who was singing, I saw Paul with his hand on a resident’s shoulder looking at her and singing to her. The resident looked so content and calm. I could tell that for a moment the resident was in a different world, a much happier place.

We would like to thank Paul for his amazing approach and Joy for recognizing her colleague’s dedication to care.

Want to support residents with Great People at your side? Learn more about Healthcare and Clinical careers at Shannex.

One of the best ways to establish Great Connections is to ask questions and listen carefully to the answers. We recently asked Dale, whose mother Edna is a resident at Embassy Hall on the Parkland in the Valley campus in Quispamsis, about their experience. Thank you, Dale, for
taking the time to share your Great Connection.

Here’s what Dale had to say.

I absolutely adore the staff. They go above and beyond and I can’t choose just one to recognize. I want to recognize them all, because they are all so wonderful. Whether it be housekeeping, maintenance, dietary, restorative, recreation or any nursing staff they all treat us will so much respect.Everyone interacts and they are all important parts of my mom’s day. If I call on the phone and my mom is not there to answer, they will pick up the phone and tell me
where she is and what kind of day she is having. The doctors and nursing staff are quick with their approach
to get my mom what she needs. They can tell when anything is off with her and what next step to take.
My mom’s time is well occupied and the activities are amazing and very stimulating. My mother’s
physical, emotional and spiritual needs are being met. You are getting great care and fantastic support
for both family and residents that live in Embassy Hall. If you can’t be home this is the place to be!

Making Great Connections with the people around us does more than lift our spirits, it can also have an impact on our mental and physical health. This is a story of a resident who was able to regain some of her independence thanks to the care, support and connections she experienced at Parkland Saint John. Told through the eyes of the resident’s daughter, this Great Connection is a wonderful example of the undeniable benefits of getting appropriate care in a welcoming, supportive environment like the one at Parkland Saint John and throughout our organization.

My Mom has been a resident at Parkland Saint John since the 2018. She spent four months in Howe Hall before moving to Carleton Hall, where she is today. She loves it – the staff, the activities, the field trips and the beauty salon! For my part, I am grateful. As a family member of a resident at Parkland, my biggest concern was that she was well cared for and, in that respect, I couldn’t be happier.  From the moment I came for a tour to the day my Mom moved in and even now, the staff have been exceptional. They are extremely responsive and have provided my Mom with specialized and individualized care that changed as her needs changed. They are always available to me for any questions or concerns and treat my Mom with the dignity and respect, which is something that is very important to me. Thanks to their care and support, my Mom actually moved into more independent living at Carleton Hall, and I can safely say that it would not have happened without their support. From administrative staff to nursing staff to kitchen staff and cleaning staff, they have all been such an amazing support network for my Mom. They’re almost like an extended family. That helps me sleep at night, knowing she is getting the best care possible and living her best life.

Lasting friendships are one of the most powerful types of connections we experience in our lifetimes. And if we’re lucky, some of these Great Connections really do last a lifetime. Today we’re telling the story of Peggy and Pearle, who have been friends for 78 years and have no intention of stopping anytime soon.

Peggy MacAlpine is a 103-year-old resident of Parkland at the Gardens who knows a thing or two about lasting friendships. Seventy-eight years ago, a 14-year-old girl named Pearle Ross came to Halifax from PEI to look after Peggy’s young family, and the two have been friends ever since. Today Pearle and her family are spread out between Alberta and PEI, but during her recent vacation in Nova Scotia she and her five children decided to drop in to pay Peggy a visit. Not only did they have a wonderful visit, but they’re helping Peggy plan her 104^th birthday party! Now that’s a friendship for the ages.

As anyone who has ever had a pet can confirm, animals make Great Connections too. At Parkland Riverview’s Monarch Hall, a resident rabbit named Honey Bunny offers comfort and joy to residents and team members alike. Honey Bunny, who will be four years old in August, even became a bit of a local celebrity when she was featured on Global News last year. Residents and team members interviewed for the piece made it clear that the connections they make with their furry friend are very meaningful indeed.
“She brings a sense of joy, reminiscing. A lot of them will start talking about animals they’ve had in the past” – Jannick Theriault, Recreation Coordinator
“She just picks up my spirits every time I get to hold her.” – Francis Houde, Resident
Thank you to Honey Bunny and to the team at Monarch Hall for making these Great (fluffy) Connections possible.

We may not think about it very often, but many of the connections we create as we go about our days are made with local businesses and vendors in our communities. These are the people we talk to when we buy farm-fresh local produce, home-made jams and jellies, hand-crafted gifts and other products in local shops and markets. And since you can’t always make it to the market, why not bring the market to you?

That’s what Parkland Truro did with its First Annual Spring Market. And what a success! With over twenty vendors offering everything from baked goods, jams and jellies, Mary Kay, Tupperware and Steeped Tea to home-made gift bags and cards and much more, the Spring Market was a huge hit with residents and families alike. Perhaps best of all, everyone is already looking forward to the holiday market this winter when all these lovely faces will be back again!

Almost by definition, being part of a community means making Great Connections with groups of like-minded people. Many Shannex, Parkland and Faubourg residents have been active participants in a variety of organizations that work to make a difference in their communities.

Boyd Butt, resident of Embassy Hall nursing home at Parkland in the Valley, has been a member of the Masons for 50 years and just received a medal for this incredible achievement and his long-standing service to the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia. The team that presented Boyd with the medal came to Embassy Hall to celebrate this wonderful accomplishment and meet him for the very first time.

Boyd’s picture now hangs proudly at the Grand Lodge for all to see and to recognize the impact his lifetime of contribution has had on the lives of many. According to one Embassy Hall team member, “Boyd is a leader and a remarkable man, he has blessed our lives more than words could ever describe. We are so proud of him!”

Thank you, Boyd, for the Great Connections you have made and continue to make both within the Embassy Hall community and beyond.

It’s difficult to overstate the importance of the Great Connections we make with the communities we call home. By building meaningful relationships with people, organizations, places and our natural surroundings, we enrich our own lives as well as those of the people around us. For individuals with limited mobility, getting out into nature can sometimes be difficult, and that’s where CharterAbility comes in. We are very lucky to have a Great Partner that helps us make Great Connections with the Great Outdoors.

CharterAbility is a charity in Oakville, Ontario, dedicated to providing accessible recreational boating experiences to people who may otherwise not have an opportunity to enjoy local waterways. In the summer of 2019, Parkland on the Glen partnered with CharterAbility to take residents on a boat cruise along 16-Mile Creek and through a wildlife sanctuary right in the heart of downtown Oakville. It was a beautiful day and everyone had a wonderful time.  

Parkland on the Glen would like to thank CharterAbility for making it possible for residents to spend some time in the Great Outdoors.

There is an endless number of ways to make Great Connections and bring a little sunshine into the world. A smile, a chat, a treat, a helping hand, a thoughtful gesture – there are people who always seem to have the time and compassion to think about others and make their lives better. This is the story of one of those people, Orchard Court resident Robert Patterson, as told by Regional Manager Vanessa Quigley.

Robert “Bob” Patterson has been a resident at Orchard Court, in Kentville, since 2016. Bob warmly reminisces about his childhood with a family of eleven. After describing how his mom fried bread dough for breakfast, he added that he could not think of anything he would have changed about his childhood in Dartmouth.

Bob openly expresses a desire to be kind to everyone he sees throughout his day. He acknowledges that everyone has a story to tell and, as all of us are humans, we sometimes make mistakes. Things happen in our lives that affect us deeply. Knowing this, Bob does what he can to make someone’s day better, whether by handing out treats or simply having a quick chat and offering a warm smile.

Bob can regularly be seen selling tickets for various fundraisers. He truly cares about the residents and team at Orchard Court and uses the funds to treat the team with a pizza party or to buy something for his fellow residents. When Bob noticed that residents were having trouble hearing bingo numbers, he raised money to buy a monitor so residents could also see the numbers. He is currently working on raising money to put a TV in a common area so residents can have movie nights on the weekends…with popcorn!

Bob will tell you this work keeps him very busy and very happy.

Pride is a powerful word. And like most things, it’s better when shared. Celebrating the diversity of our friends, family and communities is a wonderful way to bring people together and make the Great Connections that are so integral to leading a meaningful life at every age.

Shannex is proud to support LGBTQ+ communities during local Pride festivals and throughout the year. This year, Nova Scotia’s Pride celebrations kicked off in Truro, and our nursing homes and retirement living residences in the area were extremely well represented. With nearly 50 participants, Shannex was one of the largest groups in the parade, and thanks to some fabulous t-shirts, very easy to spot. Everyone had a wonderful time connecting with friends and family, old and new, during what has quickly become one of Nova Scotia’s most colourful events.[:fr]

Pride is a powerful word. And like most things, it’s better when shared. Celebrating the diversity of our friends, family and communities is a wonderful way to bring people together and make the Great Connections that are so integral to leading a meaningful life at every age.

Shannex is proud
to support LGBTQ+ communities during local Pride festivals and throughout the
year. This year, Nova Scotia’s Pride celebrations kicked off in Truro, and our nursing
homes and retirement living residences in the area were extremely well represented.
With nearly 50 participants, Shannex was one of the largest groups in the
parade, and thanks to some fabulous t-shirts, very easy to spot. Everyone had a
wonderful time connecting with friends and family, old and new, during what has
quickly become one of Nova Scotia’s most colourful events.

Few things create Great Connections like sharing a little of who we are and where we come from. Cultural traditions are an important part of our lives, and sharing them with people we care about is often a fun and meaningful way to establish new connections and deepen existing ones.

Parkstone Enhanced Care’s Mount Lane neighbourhood is home to a large number of residents hailing from Newfoundland and Labrador. As a way of celebrating their roots and making sure everyone had a good time doing it, Mount Lane decided to host some “Newfie Day” festivities and give residents a chance to share their traditions and get a little taste of home. One Parkstone team member, Christine, took it upon herself to organize the event with singing, dancing and, of course, “kissing the cod”, a traditional rite of passage for visitors to the province. It sounds like Mount Lane has a few new honorary Newfoundlanders!

July 31, 2019
A message to our Valued Community:
In May 2018, we launched a Quality Improvement Plan (“QIP”) in wound prevention and management that focused on a number of activities to support staff and improve communication with residents and families. Many of these activities were already underway and were enhancements to the work our interdisciplinary teams focus on every day. As continuous improvement is a core value at Shannex, we are pleased to share an update on the progress made in five focus areas as a result of the hard work and dedication of many team members. These enhanced procedures continue to be a part of our daily and weekly processes at each home.
Intensive monitoring. Daily and weekly interdisciplinary reporting and monitoring of all complex wounds and associated care plans at the home and corporate levels.

• Daily and weekly reporting to senior leadership and clinical leaders
• Licensed sites report monthly to Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness on all pressure injuries staged 2-4
• Creation of Organizational Wound Prevention and Management Team of Excellence
• Weekly Risk Management Committee meetings to review treatment plans, documentation and ensure communication with families
• Chart audits with findings reviewed by Risk Management Committees
• Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) indicators (a national benchmark) added to our existing measurement targets, allowing measurement against national wound care statistics.

Communication with residents and families. Strong communication with residents and families about care planning is important to us. We conducted a review of our communication practices to provide easier access to information, more frequent updates and discussion about matters including wound care and management.

• 1:1 meetings with residents and families with stage 3 or 4 wounds to review and collaborate on care planning
• Following Risk Management Committee meetings, communication with residents and family members about relevant wound progress and treatment plans
• If a resident is admitted with a wound, education is provided for residents and families about treatment plans
• Wound information pamphlet developed to support communication and collaboration

Investing in our employees. Relying on the input of external and internal clinical leaders, we introduced refreshed training in wound prevention and management and sent members of our clinical support team to intensive training provided by an internationally recognized wound care program so they can provide ongoing, in-house training and support.

• Refreshed training on wound prevention and management for all CCA/PSW, RN and LPN/RPN employees
• Training provided to all new staff and ongoing for all team members to ensure continued competency
• Our wound care product partner delivered training to each home on product usage
• Approximately 30 team members attended National Wounds Canada Conference
• Two clinical team members successfully completed International Interprofessional Wound Care Course (IIWCC)
• Organizational Wound Prevention and Management Team of Excellence provides coaching and mentorship and acts as expert consultants
• Co-hosted one-day education session on wound management with more than 100 participants (September 28, 2018)
• Hosted physician medical education event to align on best practices related to wound prevention and management (December 4, 2018)

Resources and technology. We actively explored innovative resources and technologies that further support the reporting, evaluation and treatment of wounds.

• New Electronic Healthcare Record (EHR) software at all our NS long term care homes includes wound management module for easier documentation on status, progress and treatment plans
• Ongoing assessment of wound prevention and management equipment (specialty mattresses, offloading wedges, heel booties, wheelchair cushions) to ensure it is on hand for access as needed
• Continuing to assess emerging technology solutions and software in wound care management

Wound care expertise. We engaged local and national experts to provide external evaluation of our current wound prevention and management practices and support our own experienced nursing staff.

• Wound care nursing consultant examined all stage 3 and 4 wounds and collaborated on care planning (summer 2018)
• Hosted full-day session with local and national experts to review practices and validate our QIP work (July 2018)

At Shannex, we believe in our Great People and are pleased to share with our valued community the quality improvements we have achieved over the past year. We understand the ongoing vigilance required in this area and are grateful for the continued support of our community. As always, we are open to hearing from families and addressing any questions you may have. Please contact us at askus@shannex.comor 1-877-742-6639.

Jason Shannon, President and COO

Dana Power, Regional Director, Enhanced Care

We are most proud of the way this QIP has supported our teams in achieving better outcomes for residents in our care.
Heather Sinclair, Director of Rehabilitation Services and Support and Co-Leader of the Wound Prevention and Management Team of Excellence had this to say.
“In long term care, residents can be more susceptible to pressure injuries, so our focus on prevention and management is incredibly important. As one of the leaders of our Wound Prevention and Management Team of Excellence, I have the privilege of working with team members at many different Shannex communities and have been incredibly impressed with the way they are enhancing their existing skills and how they collaborate with each other, residents and families on best practices and solutions to help prevent and heal wounds. They are skilled, dedicated and compassionate caregivers who place residents first every day.”

The following is a message of thanks we received from the Terris family.
In early June 2018 our mother fell and broke her hip. Surgery and hospitalization followed and after several weeks, it was discovered that she had a Stage 4 palliative ulcer (or pressure injury). Measures were taken, however, there was little improvement.
Thankfully, an opening at Elk Court became available and Mom was moved to her new home on December 27, 2018.
There were discussions with the whole team with respect to the plan to vigorously treat the ulcer. Everyone was aware of the importance of adhering to a strict treatment schedule and everyone was engaged. Little by little, over the next few months, there was improvement. Progress was shared weekly with the family and celebrated amongst the Elk Team.
 Today, against all earlier prognosis, our mother’s ulcer is 100% healed. If it had not been for the efforts of the Elk Team, the outcome could have been quite different. We are so grateful.
 With abundant thanks.
 The Terris Family.

One of the wonderful things about Great Connections is the way they can grow and change over time. What began as an offering of support to a grandmother with breast cancer has continued for many years and been transformed into a family effort to fundraise for Alzheimer’s research. Not only does Team Jane raise money to support their grandmother who lives at Monarch Hall on the grounds of Parkland Riverview, but the funds they collect go back out into the community to help others living with the disease.

Here is the story of Team Jane in the words of Jane’s granddaughter Sara.

For the past 11 years, my siblings and I have been participating in the CIBC Run for the Cure in support of my grandmother Jane Eaton, a breast cancer survivor. Over the years, we have collectively raised thousands of dollars to go towards this cause. We believe that it is important to not only show our support for the cause and our Grammy, but also work towards finding a cure.

Since our Grammy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2013, our focus has shifted. When my younger sister Katie and I heard about the Walk for Alzheimer’s, we knew it was something we wanted to participate in. We wanted the opportunity to get together as a family in support of our grandmother and, like the Run for a Cure, have an opportunity to financially support a cause so dear to our hearts.

This year, Team Jane collectively raised $1,395. With five founding members, Team Jane is only in its first of what we hope will be many years participating in this walk. My parents Shannon and Mike walked alongside me, my sister Katie and our grandfather Bob. Our grandparents both used to live in Royal Court [Parkland Riverview, New Brunswick]. Bob still lives there and Jane is now at Monarch Hall. We are already thinking about the walk next year, and hope to have even more of the family join us and top our current fundraising efforts.

I think we can all agree that summer is a pretty great time of year no matter where you are. But the slower summer pace doesn’t affect activities at Shannex, Parkland or Faubourg communities. And the proof is in the pages of this issue of Connections.
Along with many other great stories, in this issue we tell you about a new program called Great Connections. You can read all about it on page 16 and help us share the news about this new opportunity to share the wonderful experiences we hear about every day. This issue also features our winners from the annual Excellence Awards! This year’s event was another huge success – check it out on page 9.
There are so many great things to celebrate in Connections. We hope you enjoy it!
[ShannexFlipbook id=”44″ title=”Summer 2019 Issue of Connections”]
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At Shannex, we are committed to Leading the Way to Better Living, and part of this process requires continuous improvement.
We are happy to share that we have taken steps to provide additional important information related to long term care to residents, family members and members of the public through this website.
Now, when you visit you will notice a tab called “Long Term Care”(in the main navigation bar). This page includes information about how to access long term care, licensing and the Protection of Persons in Care (PPCA) process in Nova Scotia and Adult Protection in New Brunswick.
There are specific pages for Nova Scotia and New Brunswick as the requirements can differ province-to-province. Links have been included directly to these provincial departmental sites and other resources to ensure people are connected directly with the information with minimal searching required.
We encourage you to go in and review the information, which will be updated regularly, and share with staff, residents and families so they are aware.
 
 

One of the many wonderful things about retirement living communities is the variety of residents who live there. Having the entire lifestyle continuum on one campus creates opportunities for rewarding connections between residents with varying levels of independence and encourages a sense of belonging. Independent residents often develop friendships with residents who require more care, and this can lead to some touching gestures, as in this story.

At Faubourg du Mascaret in Moncton, residents at Pavillon LeBlanc decided to raise money to purchase a very special gift for residents of Pavillon Richard, the community’s nursing home. They organized several fundraising activities, including selling holiday cards, bookmarks, greeting cards, mittens, socks, scarves and more, in order to buy an Ashton-Drake Galleries doll. These life-like dolls are known to be beneficial for many nursing home residents, who enjoy cuddling and caring for them. Everyone loves the doll so much that they gave her a name, Chloé Richard!

Thank you so very much to the residents of Pavillon LeBlanc for being such wonderful friends to Pavillon Richard!

We have added information for Residents and Families at Mount St. Joseph who are moving to Losier Hall. Find out more about the Losier Hall move here.

One of the comments we hear over and over again from residents in our communities is that the people who work there feel like family and that our buildings feel like home. According to one couple, the first time they visited Parkland at the Lakes (PAL) “was like we were walking into our own home”.

Recently we met with 84-year-old Anna and 82-year-old Bob, who always seem to have a smile and a kind word for everyone, in their suite at PAL in Dartmouth. According to Bob,

“The biggest asset here is the staff. The staff are fantastic. We’re not treated like residents, we’re treated like brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, grandparents, parents. There’s no such thing as a worker here. They help us.”

Anna was particularly impressed with the team when she and Bob were moving from one suite to another. It looked as though she would not be able to watch her “stories” for four days because of delays getting cable hooked up, but was pleasantly surprised when the Parkland team showed up to make sure that she didn’t miss a single day.

Truly Great Connections are a two-way street, and it’s clear that Bob and Anna are just as popular with the team as the team is with them. Thank you much for being such delightful members of our community!

This month, Shannex will be opening Losier Hall, a new long term care home in Miramichi. Ahead of the move-in, we are holding a special event to welcome the community. During the Open House you will be able to get a first look at the site, take a tour, ask questions and meet our teams.
Details:
Date: Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Time: 10am-1pm
Location: Losier Hall, 515 Water Street, Miramichi (across from the hospital)
Learn more about our Miramichi projects here

Losier Hall is now open. Please note the following contact information for this location:
Phone: 506-773-7275
Email:  care@shannex.com
 

Every day, our team works hard to provide exceptional care to residents. It is inspiring to hear about how team members make a positive impact not just our resident’s lives but in those of their families as well. Thank you, Wentworth Court and every member of the Shannex family.

This is the story of Blanche Roper, as told by her children Doreen, Sharon, David and Pam.

Our mom lived in Wentworth Court at Harbourstone in Sydney for the last eighteen months of her life.  From the very first moment mom moved there, we were reassured to see how well she was being cared for. What really impressed us, though, was seeing how much the staff also cared about her. Always professional, they showed their affection with gentle teasing and their delight that she was able to “give as good as she got.” It gave us such peace of mind to know that she was exactly where she needed to be in such capable, caring hands. 

A few weeks ago, Mom suffered a rapid decline and it became obvious that we were going to have to say good-bye to her. During the last week of her life, we lived first-hand the type of exceptional care that the team at Wentworth Court provide. They were always mindful of her dignity and well-being, even as she slipped away and was non-responsive. The same care was extended to us whether it was the offer of tea and toast, contacting her minister, or providing extra blankets and pillows as we stayed overnight. Above all, they shared their experiences of working with her. We drew such tremendous comfort to hear that they really liked her, enjoyed her company, and respected who she was, especially her strength, sense of humour, and lovely, positive outlook on life.

The staff of Wentworth Court made an incredibly difficult experience easier for us. We are so grateful and want to commend them for their wonderful work.

Happy Fall! This is always a favourite time of year for many reasons, but this year it was made sweeter by some of the exciting things going on at our Shannex, Parkland and Faubourg communities. 
In this issue we tell you about all about the new long term home that opened their doors in October located in Miramichi, Losier Hall (on page 9), more Great Connections (page 16) and the wildly popular Summer Games (page 4)!
There are so many great things to celebrate in Connections. We hope you enjoy it!
[ShannexFlipbook id=”45″ title=”Fall 2019 Issue of Connections”]
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Military service runs through the veins of a family in the Colchester Cumberland region. The patriarch, Harold McNutt, who is a resident of Cedarstone Enhanced Care in Truro, is a WWII veteran and father. He has instilled a sense of duty and honour not only in military service but in giving back to your own community through volunteerism. Two of Harold’s sons have served in the Canadian Armed Force and his daughter Karen Lomond married a man who was enrolled in the military. His two grandsons growing up were also involved in Cadets, which makes him very proud.
Harold, we are certainly honoured to share your story, through your daughter Karen’s eyes, and want to thank you for your service to our country and your community. 

 
 

If you walk through the halls of our communities in the weeks leading up to Remembrance Day you can feel something hanging in the air. It is as if the building’s heart is beating with a sense of pride and dedication. Poppies are worn proudly by almost every resident you meet.

If you are luckily enough, you get to sit and chat with someone, it could be a team member or a resident, who has stories to share of a very remarkable life. Ruth Kells is one of those people.

She began her military carer with The Royal Canadian Air Force in January 1944 completing basic training in Ottawa, followed by a six-month course in Montreal as a wireless operator. Working sometimes as a stenographer and others as an operator, Ruth was stationed at posts all across Canada from Nova Scotia to British Columbia. In 1950, Ruth decided to resign and return home to Nova Scotia.

However, Ruth felt a calling during the Korean conflict and decided to return to her military roots as a wireless operator and also joined the RCAF Reserve in Ottawa spending weekends at RCAF Station in Foymount, Ontario. It was there that she was approached to become the Civilian Personnel Officer for the Station and eventually assumed the role of Directorate of Special Radio Activities.

Ottawa didn’t just bring Ruth into the RCAF Reserves, it also brought her in contact with a man named Wesley Kells, a Lt. Colonel in the Canadian Army who designed and developed signal equipment. Wesley would visit Ruth at Foymount and they married in 1957 and had a son.

In 1989, after her first entry into the military 45 years previous, Ruth decided to retire. However, she remains a very active member of the Royal Canadian Legion and the Royal Canadian Air Force Association. Ruth was nominated to represent all the Canadian Legions across Canada in Dieppe, France for the 75^th Dieppe anniversary, laying wreaths at cenotaphs.

Thank you Ruth for your long standing service and dedication.

Being transparent and accountable are values Shannex takes very seriously. With this in mind, we have been working hard to provide additional information on shannex.com around licensing inspections, our action plans and compliance. 
This past summer, additional tabs were created to share important information around entry to care and inspection reports. Building on this approach, we have added links to Licensing Reports and Requirements and Corrective Action Plans based on Department of Health and Wellness’ licensing visits since June 2019 for our Nova Scotia homes.
Take a look at the updates here. Currently, four homes are listed: Arborstone, Cedarstone, Bissett Court and Harbourstone. We will keep sharing this important information to build a better understanding around the inspection process and share our commitment to prompt corrective actions when required.
 

 
The holidays are a time to share joy with friends and family in places we call home. 
Unfortunately, many people don’t always have loved ones to share in these special times, but as part of our Shannex and Parkland families, we want to do our best to spread cheer and make their days a little more merry and bright during the holidays and throughout the year. 
We know actions are very powerful, and leading into the season we have added the option of being able to send your own warm wish and happy thought with a resident in one of our communities.
By hitting the “Submit your holiday message” button below you can share your message and we will add it to a special card. We also have a link to the card available should you wish to print it and add a handwritten note. These cards will also be available in all of our communities. We only ask a few simple questions to help our Elves deliver your message to the right home.
It only takes a few minutes to make someone smile this holiday season. Send yours today, click here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZCFNVY3 

Lodged on Main Street inside the recently opened Losier Hall on Water Street in Miramichi, you will find a real gem called the Peabody Café, named after the late Francis Peabody, founder of Chatham, New Brunswick.
There is something very unqiue about this little Café nestled in the heart of Miramichi.
Being a part of the communities where we operate is and has always been very important to us at Shannex, and the Peabody Café was a great opportunity to make those important connections at Losier Hall. Our goal was to find a non-for-profit organization to run the café, and that’s when M.O.R.E. Services stepped in to lend their services and expertise.
The local, non-for-profit organization assists and supports adults with intellectual disabilities. In addition to training in life skills, they provide assistance with building resumes, job searches, job preparation and on-the-job training to prepare for the workforce.

For M.O.R.E. Services’ Vocational Supervisor Esther Swaine, the Peabody Café is another fantastic opportunity for their team members to make great connections and socialize with others in the community and show their skills. “At M.O.R.E. Services, we have more than 60 individuals in our program,” said Ms. Swaine. “Our people truly are an asset in our community and through opportunities like this one, they get to show how valuable they are.”
Currently open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday, the Peabody Café provides full-time employment to three valuable individuals who, in addition to providing excellent customer service, learned to use a cash register, place orders and more.
But this is just the beginning for the Peabody Café, who’s already thinking about growth. Ms. Swaine anticipates a fourth full-time position could be created soon, with plans of expanding the café’s services to include a section for gifts and crafts.
So next time you visit or volunteer with Losier Hall residents, stop by the Peabody Café for delicious soups, sandwiches and fresh-baked goods. Rebecca, Jenny or Alex will be more than happy to serve you! You’ll be sure to make some Great Connections!
 

Please click here for more information about the current situation with Debert Court and Cedarstone Enhanced Care (Victoria Way). 

Parkstone Enhanced Care Actions Department of Health and Wellness Findings

December 12, 2019

To our valued community,
Following a lengthy investigation, the Department of Health and Wellness has released the details of its findings related to a complaint under the Protection for Persons in Care Act concerning the care of a young adult who lived at Parkstone Enhanced Care. A young adult in long term care is anyone under the age of 65 with complex healthcare needs. The Department’s report is based on a situation that happened almost two years ago and contains a number of directives. The Halifax Police reported on this same case in September and found no criminal wrongdoing.
We remain sympathetic to the family on their loss and take the Department of Health and Wellness’s findings seriously.
Over the past two years, we have completed a significant review of our practices and implemented a number of enhancements. Now that we have received this report, we have begun a detailed review to ensure that the actions associated with each directive are in place. As part of this process, in the coming days we will also hold meetings with residents, families and our Parkstone team to review our actions and listen to feedback and their perspective on how we can continue to improve.
We appreciate the trust that families place in us for the care of their loved ones and are committed to making life meaningful, comfortable and safe for every resident and that will never change. Circumstances such as these weigh heavily on those who choose to be caregivers in long term care settings because they feel great compassion for residents in their care.
Residents today have greater and more complex needs than ever before. In addition to the seniors we serve, we also remain focused on advocating for improved living environments and levels of care for younger people with complex healthcare needs so they can live more fulfilled lives within long term care settings, but there is more to be done. We welcome partnerships with government and community stakeholders in helping us and our sector partners meet the ever-growing needs of those in care no matter how complex they may be.
As an organization that has provided long term care for more than 30 years, Shannex supports a culture that is committed to continuous improvement. In May 2018, we introduced a Quality Improvement Plan in Wound Prevention and Management (QIP) that brought forward further improvements in areas such as reporting and management of wounds, communication with residents and families, leadership and training, technology and access to support from external experts. Information about our QIP and updates on this work are available on shannex.com.
In the near future, we will provide a comprehensive response to the Department of Health and Wellness.
Download a printable version here.
 
Jason Shannon
President and COO
Shannex 

 
[ShannexFlipbook id=”46″ title=”Winter 2019 Issue of Connections”]
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There’s something extra special about sharing a meal with friends and family during the holidays. Whether we’re renewing long-standing connections or making new ones, getting together to share a few laughs and perhaps more dessert than usual is a joy at every age. This year, the teams at Celtic Court and Harbourstone Enhanced Care in Sydney invited friends, family and community members for a delicious fine-dining experience with residents. From white tablecloths to seasonal decorations to a delicious meal with exceptional service, everything was just as it should have been. Everyone enjoyed the warm, welcoming atmosphere and are already looking forward to the next opportunity for such a lovely time!

Thank you very much not only to every family member who attended our holiday meals in Sydney, but also to every family member, volunteer and visitor who brightened residents’ days during this festive season. Happy holidays!

Lisa Snodgrass, BN, RN, CIC is the Regional Clinical Support Partner for New Brunswick. She recently achieved an internationally recognized standard of competence in the infection prevention & control field. Lisa is now one in 6,000 infection prevention and control professionals working in hospitals, long-term care facilities, ambulatory care centers, and other healthcare settings throughout the world!

The CIC® credential is administered by the Canadian Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, which identifies healthcare professionals who have shown a mastery of knowledge in infection prevention and control.

Her certification is recognized by professional associations in infection control and is also accredited through the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

When asked why it was important for her to have this certification, Lisa said: “it demonstrates a high level of commitment to infection prevention and control, and gives me credibility when working with others in the field.”

Working towards her CIC gave her the opportunity to learn more in depth knowledge of infection control practices. “As a CIC, I now have the resources to ensure our organization is using a best practice approach to infection prevention and control and it gives me a sound foundation upon which to grow and improve our organization’s infection prevention and control program.”

The path towards certification has allowed Lisa to work with others in the field and create a network of partnerships that will be mutually beneficial.

Congratulations Lisa!

Maureen Banyard, a resident at Parkland at the Gardens, is a campaign champion. Maureen’s most recent cause is fundraising for the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia. This campaign is centered around Music for Mental Health, a day-long event full of activities, presentations and music focused on promoting positive mental health at Parkland at the Gardens.

“Maureen has created a strong sense of community here, whether with other residents or team members. A deep feeling of family has been developed through her goals and raising money for our community,” says Jodi Bartlett, General Manager at Parkland at the Gardens. With a goal to raise $10,000, Maureen has been a strong advocate in her community to educate people about the importance of mental health and encourage their support.

Isolation and its associated stigma are realities that many seniors face. Maureen works hard to educate others about mental health and how they can make a difference. She encourages residents to be active and get involved in the many activities that Parkland offers to help promote socialization. Maureen is a strong believer in the power of community: “When we know someone isn’t doing well, we reach out and ask how they are doing and let them know that we’ve got their back.”

One of the main things that Maureen wants her fellow residents and other seniors to know is that mental health affects everyone regardless of age, and you don’t have to go through it alone. “We are all seniors and we understand how it feels. We’re all in this together.”

“As seniors, we sometimes lose loved ones and friends in a short period of time. It’s easy to dismiss feelings of sadness as depression when, in reality, it’s never ‘just’ depression. It really all comes back to mental health.” 

The community at Parkland at the Gardens has an important part to play in the mental health of team members and residents. Residents regularly visit each other, check in on one another and offer a hug or ear when needed. They are always there for each other. As Maureen says, “money can’t buy that, it’s pure gold”.

Parkland at the Gardens hopes to include a weekly mental health activity in the coming year to continue this important conversation.

What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with a story about love?
When Genevieve started her new beginning at Parkland at the Lakes (PAL) almost two years ago, the last thing she expected was to fall in love with the boy next door. Just two months after Genevieve moved in, a handsome fellow named Eric moved in, conveniently, down the hall.
Eric decided to make the move to Parkland at the Lakes from Southern Ontario to be closer to his daughters. One afternoon as he was heading out of his apartment, Genevieve caught his eye.
“I opened the door one day and this cute little brown eyed woman was standing there.”

Being neighbours, it was difficult not run into each other every now and then. Genevieve says it was impossible to avoid each other while Eric admits that their many run-ins may not have been accidental. “I may have been trying to run into her more on purpose than by accident.”
Eric and Genevieve’s love grew stronger as they spent time getting to know each other over coffee, dinner and games of Bridge. Genevieve won’t admit it, but Eric says she is a bit of a card shark when it comes to Bridge.
Last year Genevieve and Eric decided to start their new beginning together in their new shared suite at Parkland at the Lakes. In their free time, between all the activities and entertainment they take in at home, the couple enjoys exploring Nova Scotia together, especially the road trips to Lunenburg to visit Eric’s daughters.
Sometimes new beginnings can be a little intimidating, but once you take the step, they will almost certainly always be an adventure.  
Eric said it best, “Sharing life with someone is so wonderful.”

What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with a story about love?

When Genevieve started her new beginning at Parkland at the Lakes (PAL) almost two years ago, the last thing she expected was to fall in love with the boy next door. Just two months after Genevieve moved in, a handsome fellow named Eric moved in, conveniently, down the hall.

Eric decided to make the move to Parkland at the Lakes from Southern Ontario to be closer to his daughters. One afternoon as he was heading out of his apartment, Genevieve caught his eye.

“I opened the door one day and this cute little brown eyed woman was standing there.”

Being neighbours, it was difficult not run into each other every now and then. Genevieve says it was impossible to avoid each other while Eric admits that their many run-ins may not have been accidental. “I may have been trying to run into her more on purpose than by accident.”

Eric and Genevieve’s love grew stronger as they spent time getting to know each other over coffee, dinner and games of Bridge. Genevieve won’t admit it, but Eric says she is a bit of a card shark when it comes to Bridge.

Last year Genevieve and Eric decided to start their new beginning together in their new shared suite at Parkland at the Lakes. In their free time, between all the activities and entertainment they take in at home, the couple enjoys exploring Nova Scotia together, especially the road trips to Lunenburg to visit Eric’s daughters.

Sometimes new beginnings can be a little intimidating, but once you take the step, they will almost certainly always be an adventure.  

Eric said it best, “Sharing life with someone is so wonderful.”

When Breton Ability Centre reached out to their community to help make this Valentine’s Day a special one for residents, Harbourstone Enhanced Care knew they were the right people to answer the call. Residents, teams and family members at Harbourstone came together to support their community by handcrafting over 100 valentines to be handed out at Breton Ability Centre on Valentine’s Day.

They pulled out all the stops, using glitter and lace to make enough one-of-a-kind valentines to make sure that each and every resident at Breton Ability Centre received a special note.

Harbourstone residents, who are frequent recipients of holiday cards and well wishes, loved having the opportunity to return the kind gesture and spread the love throughout their community.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Few people are as passionate about music as Sarah Condran, who works as a music therapist at Arborstone Enhanced Care in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Sarah is a very important part of resident life at Arborstone. Through the weekly programming she offers to young adults and seniors alike, she has seen first hand just how calming music can be. She has also seen how concrete changes in infrastructure can have a positive effect on resident behaviour. 
To investigate the impact of music and physical space, Sarah received $35,000 in funding from the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI), an organization that supports grassroots initiatives to help improve resident health and quality of life. Sarah’s project, called A Sound Approach, explored the impact of sound on residents at Arborstone Enhanced Care.
“Noise is often overlooked in healthcare because it has become such a common factor in our environment. Noise can have a negative impact on residents in long term care homes, especially those living with dementia.”
But what, exactly, is A Sound Approach?
Sarah worked closely with CABHI to identify and implement changes to improve the sound environment at Arborstone. They renovated common areas, adjusted the layout of dining areas, installed acoustic panels and minimized equipment noise. They also changed practices to reduce noise during dining room service, improve the sound environment during recreation and leisure activities and develop preventative maintenance plans. Educating team members about the impact of sound was a key element of these changes. A visual noise indicator called a “SoundEar” was installed to increase awareness, measure noise and support the overall project goal of reducing the impact of noise.
The SoundEar, mounted on the wall of common spaces, provides a visual representation of noise levels for everyone to see, which makes it easier to keep track of sound levels. The SoundEar even generates noise level reports that pinpoint times and locations where noise has the biggest impact on residents, teams and visitors.

 “When we approach sound, and likewise music, with care and intent, we can create a purposeful environment that benefits the residents we serve, while reducing the potential risk that noise can create.”
Thank you very much, Sarah, for sharing knowledge with teams at Arborstone and all of us about the importance of noise and the impact it can have on residents’ day-to-day quality of life. You are certainly supporting Shannex in Leading the Way to Better Living.
 

The Resident and Family Advisory Committee is entering is fifth year. It is a meaningful way to become engaged with our communities as we are committed to understanding residents’ needs in order to continuously improve the quality of care and services provided.
The Committee is a mix of residents and family members and can be consulted on a variety of initiatives such as:

• Review and provide input on resident-centered policies and practices
• Provide advice to improve service excellence initiatives
• Provide suggestions on engagement opportunities for resident sand families
• Review marketing and promotional materials
• Give feedback on products and services
• Help evolve resident and family engagement throughout the organization

We are currently making plans for our 2020-21 year and will provide updates to our communities soon.
For more information, please send all inquiries to gcostello@shannex.com or by calling 902-406-8303.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2020

Armco Capital transfers ownership of its Willow Tree Tower property

A new Parkland Lifestyle Residences community, owned by the Shannex group of companies, will offer a new option for active adults in one of Halifax’s most beautiful and iconic neighbourhoods
HALIFAX, N.S. – Armco Capital announced today it has transferred ownership of its property at the corner of Robie Street and Quinpool Road to the Shannex group of companies.
The sales agreement ensures all parameters approved by Halifax Regional Council in October 2019 will be adhered to, including the 25-storey building height, integrated bus shelter, setbacks to enhance the pedestrian experience and the $1.8 million contribution to the municipality’s affordable housing fund.
“I have known Joe Shannon and his family for many years. It is an honour and a privilege to pass on the stewardship of the development of this property to such a great person and organization,” says Armco Capital Founder, George Armoyan. “I am grateful to my team in Halifax who have brought the property to this stage and I look forward to their continued work as they shift their focus to our other exciting development projects in Atlantic Canada.”
“We are grateful to George Armoyan and his Armco Capital team for choosing Parkland to assume ownership of this sought-after development opportunity,” said Jason Shannon, President and Chief Operating Officer at Shannex Inc. “This active adult living community will be the first of its kind in the region and is based on the concept we are using in our new locations in Ontario. We have considered every detail to enrich the lives of residents who are looking for a lifestyle and a variety of suite options and amenities with the convenience of being able to purchase additional services as they choose.”
Expected to open in 2024, the building will feature spacious suites, stunning views, multiple restaurants a spa, fitness centre, simulation and virtual reality rooms, library, games room and multiple outdoor spaces.
An information session will be held in the coming weeks and a project information page can be found here. Interested parties can also sign up to receive an electronic newsletter for updates on the project.
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Parkland is a division of Shannex RLC Limited, a family-owned company with Maritime roots serving residents for more than 30 years. With retirement locations in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Ontario, residents experience an exceptional way to live at Parkland. Visit experienceparkland.com for more information.
Founded in 1982 by members of the Armoyan family, Armco Capital Inc. has grown from a small business run almost entirely by two brothers into a diversified and dynamic group of companies. Among the largest organizations of its kind in Atlantic Canada, Armco Capital is the development subsidiary of G2S2 Capital Inc., a privately held investment company focused on creating value across a variety of businesses with a long term horizon. Visit armcocapital.com for more information
For more information:
Shannex Inc.
Katherine VanBuskirk
902-406-8297
 
Armco Capital
Adam McLean
902-209-5145

Learning a new instrument may be challenging at any age, but Parkland Truro residents are up to the task and ready to rock and roll!

The Parkland Truro ukulele group, or “uke group”, was formed eight years ago after a number of ukulele players performed for residents. The performance was so inspiring that they decided to give it a try themselves!

Whispers of interest turned into outright excitement leading up to the first scheduled class.

The uke group started with eight residents and instructor Angela Dwyer-James. As classes got underway, the soothing sound of ukulele music filled the halls.

As the program progresses, the group continued to share their love of music by recruiting more talent and inspiring others to try something new.

It’s the stuff of music legend: someone wants to start a band, so they canvas the halls with sign-up sheets looking for like-minded souls who are ready to put in the work and find harmony.

The group comes together to laugh, sing and learn a new skill every Wednesday morning in the theatre at Parkland Truro. And the sound of ukulele music continues to drift through the halls.

Due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 Pandemic and out of an abundance of caution, the move of residents from Miramichi Senior Citizens Home to Bridgeview Hall that was planned for April 1, 2020 will be postponed.

This is a decision the leadership teams including the Board of Directors from Miramichi Senior Citizens Home and Shannex have made together with the health and safety of residents and team members as our guiding principle.

When restrictions have been lifted related to public gatherings, travel and access to health care facilities, we will be able to activate our Bridgeview Hall move plan very quickly.

If you have any questions, please contact Jean Doyle, Administrator at Miramichi Senior Citizens Home at (506) 778-6810 or admmsch@nb.aibn.com or contact Carole Morey, Regional Director of Operations with Shannex at (506) 871-2917 or cmorey@shannex.com.

We appreciate your support during this challenging time.

COVID-19 has impacted us all and we have taken steps to make sure our communities stay healthy and safe. However, while staying well and protecting seniors remains our top priority, this has made connections between family members a little challenging. We recognize these relationships are vital to residents and loved ones.
We will continue to share stories of perseverance, courage and honour the human spirit as we work through this together.
This Great Connection focuses on our location in Truro and team members who are making sure these touch points still happen.
Love Will Find a Way
At Fergus Hall, located on Parkland Truro campus, team members hatched a plan to make sure residents can still visit with their loved ones. Recently, the team began noticing family members were standing outside their loved one’s window in an effort to stay connected. As we all know, March in Atlantic Canada isn’t the warmest, so to keep everyone out of the cold the team decided to set up an “office” as a visiting space inside their front vestibule so residents and family members could stay connected, see each other and stay warm!
Thank you to our team members who are going above and beyond to find unique and creative ways to keep our residents and families connected during this challenging time. Your efforts are greatly appreciated by many!

Who doesn’t love a bedtime story? This tradition is a large part of many of our fondest memories and Parkland at the Lakes wanted to make sure visitor restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t get in the way. PAL residents and staff teamed up to create a virtual library of their favourite children’s books for residents to read to their grandchildren. PAL team members capture these stories ensuring that no one goes to bed without a favourite tale read by one of our residents.

Our digital story library currently includes The Gruffalo read by resident Wilma Stewart White, Sleeping Dragons All Around read by Jill McKee and I Went To The Zoo read by Art White. You can find these stories on our YouTube playlist.

Help us grow our Library! We are looking forward to adding more stories soon. Do you have a story that you would like to share? Email your video submissions to connections@shannex.com to be added to story library!

In recognition of the 2020 National Day of Mourning, our Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees would like to honour the workers who lost their lives, were injured or suffered illness in the course of performing their duties.

This year, the Day of Mourning takes on extra meaning with the healthcare employees working on the front lines and all the other essential personnel who have answered the call during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

It also hits very close to home for many families affected by the recent tragic events in Nova Scotia. Our thoughts continue to be with the families who have suffered unimaginable loss.

To our dedicated team members, thank you for working so diligently to protect our communities and keeping residents safe and well. Thank you also for looking after each other. We are grateful for your dedication and commitment.

Today, on this National Day of Mourning, our residents and team members will be observing a moment of silence at 11:00 am (AST).

Because one life impacted or lost is one too many, we will continue to work together to make the workplace safer for everyone.

Today is Doctors Day and we would like to recognize the exceptional clinical leadership and commitment of our Corporate Medical Advisor Dr. Valerie Lewis, MD, FCFP, COE during these unprecedented times. Dr. Lewis and the many other physicians we have the privilege to collaborate with every day are critical partners in providing safe and effective care to residents in our Shannex, Parkland and Faubourg communities. Thank you for your expertise, collaboration and commitment.

North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week is from May 3 to 9. It is a time to collectively renew our commitment to improve health and safety in the workplace and prevent further injuries, illnesses and deaths.

Our Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees would like to honour the lives of workers we have lost and recognize the tireless efforts of our team members who ensure the health and safety of everyone in our communities.

This year, we would like to particularly highlight the selfless contributions of workers on the front lines and all the other essential personnel who have answered the call during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

At Shannex, workplace safety is part of who we are, and our Great People are the spirit and foundation of our company. Today and throughout NAOSH week, we are proud to renew our commitment to workplace safety.

As the COVID-19 pandemic situation continues to evolve, we remain committed to sharing information with you about the measures we are taking to protect residents and team members.
We took early concrete steps to protect our communities as part of our pandemic plan, and every day, teams from throughout the organization meet and use our plan to guide them as work continues to ensure the safety of our communities.

To ensure everyone’s health and safety, we have implemented extensive protection measures including daily temperature checks for team members and other active screening protocols such as the use of masks, appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), enhanced cleaning, physical distancing, visitor restrictions, use of designated care/cohorting areas and more.

The role team members play in our organization, during this pandemic and every day, is critical and their support in implementing the measures we have put in place to protect our communities has been incredible.

We would like to thank our team members for their selfless contributions to help keep residents, their co-workers and each other safe and well. Our thanks can never truly express our gratitude.
By working together, we can make the workplace safer for everyone.

Today, Shannex New Brunswick successfully opened Bridgeview Hall, a new 81-bed licensed long term care home located at 2390 King George Highway in Miramichi. The new home is located on the same campus as the newest Parkland Retirement Living community – Parkland on the River, which also welcomed its first residents earlier this month.

Bridgeview Hall became the new home to 81 residents from the Miramichi Senior Citizens Home. Initially planned for April 1, 2020, the move was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But with the support from the Department of Social Development and a strong plan in place respecting all Public Health directives, the residents’ move was successful. Bridgeview Hall was designed with a neighborhood concept, providing improved accessibility for caregivers, friends and family. It offers a warm and cozy atmosphere and everyone have their own private suite. As part of this move, Shannex is also pleased to partner with the existing Miramichi Senior Citizens Home Board of Directors to continue the provision of Outreach Programs in the Greater Miramichi community. Together, we will look at growing the programs and making quality improvements so that we can continue to make a difference in the lives of more seniors.

The opening of Parkland on the River was also delayed by the pandemic, but with some restrictions in place, including physical distancing, residents are able to continue to move into the beautiful new campus. The 53 modern, private suites were designed for carefree and enjoyable living with a wide variety of amenities and social activities for residents to enjoy. Additional care and services are also available, along with 24/7 emergency response with staff­ on-site 24 hours a day.

Tremendous hard work, thoughtfulness and care went into delivering Bridgeview Hall and Parkland on the River during these difficult times. We would like to thank the people of Miramichi for welcoming us into your community; thank you to the residents and their families for their patience; and thank you also to everyone involved, including our new team members for their efforts and planning to ensure residents experienced a safe and enjoyable transition to their new home!

Over the last few months, we have experienced many changes to what we would consider normal processes. We have learned so much along the way, and we are very proud of how our teams have pulled together and worked to protect residents while keeping families connected.

As restrictions begin to relax, and we enter a new normal, we are reflecting on our response to COVID-19. We are interested in hearing your feedback on anything you feel is relevant. You might think about areas like communication, how information and decisions were shared, availability of supplies, the Designated Care/Cohorting Units or how residents were cared for. You might think of other areas too and we’d like to hear all of your feedback!

As valued members of our communities your opinion is very important to us as we move forward through this process. 

Please find below a link to both the Family and Resident Survey. Please complete the one appropriate for you. It only takes a few minutes to share your learnings with us! 

The period to respond to the surveys is now over.

Neill Hall, a new licensed long term care home located at 610 Cliffe Street in Fredericton North welcomed its first resident today. With support from the Department of Social Development and a strong plan in place respecting all Public Health directives, 60 new residents from the Greater Fredericton area will be established in their new home over the coming weeks.

Named after the Neill family farm, a Fredericton landmark that was passed down for four generations, Neill Hall features an innovative Main Street concept designed to create familiar public spaces for residents to enjoy in a safe and controlled environment. This unique concept helps residents maintain their independence, restores memories from their youth, and encourages socialization and a sense of community. It features a Town Hall, Café, Salon, Chapel and Theatre.

Having a presence in Fredericton North extends Shannex’s commitment to the seniors of the Greater Fredericton area and we look forward to continuing to care for them in this new community for many years to come.

Pavillon Landry is a new 60-bed licensed long term care home situated on the Faubourg du Mascaret campus in Moncton, New Brunswick. With a strong plan respecting all Public Health directives, the new community successfully opened today and welcomed its first resident. The remaining residents will get to call Pavillon Landry home when they move in over the coming weeks.

The home features an innovative Main Street concept designed to create familiar public spaces for residents to enjoy in a safe and controlled environment. This unique concept helps residents maintain their independence, restores memories from their youth, and encourages socialization and a sense of community. It features a Town Hall, Café, Salon, Chapel and Theatre. Pavillon Landry will connect to the existing long term care home Pavillon Richard via the Main Street concept.

We are pleased to expand our existing campus in Moncton and we look forward to continuing to care for the residents of the Greater Moncton area in this new community for many years to come.

Today Parkland and Shannex locations across Canada will be taking part in Bell Let’s Talk Day. Now more than ever, it’s important to talk about mental health.

We will be taking part by texting, tweeting, watching and sharing on social media to keep the conversation about mental health ongoing.

Today, Bell will contribute five cents to mental health initiatives through text messaging, social media engagement, video views and phone calls. You can participate on multiple social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat through Bell, Bell Aliant and Bell MTS.

Mental health is important. Self care is important. We encourage everyone to add to the success of this initiative by continuing the conversation about mental health.

Take time for yourself and talk with someone you care about today.

Show your support! #BellLetsTalk. Find out more at: https://letstalk.bell.ca/en/bell-lets-talk-day

The Life Partners in Care Act came into effect in Nova Scotia on March 1, 2021. It ensures eligible spouses, common law partners and domestic partners (Life Partners) can be placed together in licensed long-term care communities at the highest care level required.

We are grateful for this new legislation which keeps families together and helps us deliver on our own Philosophy of Service that sees residents choose how they would like to live their lives and have their choices reflected in the service and care they receive.

The process for entry into a long term care community remains the same and this now includes assessment for a life partner.

Learn more about Shannex long term care communities in Nova Scotia.
 
 
 
 

Shannex on track to become first seniors’ living organization in Canada to achieve ISO 50001 certification

April 22, 2021 –Shannex announced today it will seek ISO 50001 certification within two years and is on track to be the first seniors’ living organization to receive ISO certification in Canada. The ISO 50001 standard requires companies to adopt a strict set of energy management objectives, guidelines and practices that result in energy efficiency and reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Shannex is proud to have been chosen to receive funding for our ISO 50001 certification project from Natural Resources Canada as one of six organizations in Canada that will participate in the program.

“There is no better day than Earth Day to increase our commitment to protecting the environment with an action plan that will transform the way we prioritize sustainability,” said Jason Shannon, President and Chief Operating Officer. “We take a sustainable approach to every community we build, but there is no denying we need to do more to reduce the devastating affect climate change is having on our planet. The time is right to take the next step toward to create a better future.”

A sustainability task force made up of Shannex leaders and other experts has been formed to lead the organization in the development of a sustainability framework and to identify clear organizational carbon emission reduction targets to be achieved over the next five years. Recognizing that real change must be supported by individual efforts, sustainability committees made up of employees, residents and family members will also be formed at each Shannex, Parkland and Faubourg location. These groups will be empowered to identify and action initiatives that will have a direct impact on how their own community manages its energy, waste, consumables and water.

Elinor Egar Reynolds, is a resident at Parkland at the Gardens in Halifax, N.S. and a member of the community’s Green Earth Committee. Elinor recognizes that personal commitment is needed to make real change. “I am encouraged to see Shannex take steps to increase its commitment to protect our planet,” she says. “This is a huge job and we must all do our part to learn and to fix this climate emergency. It will take dedication, hard work and creativity.”

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For more information, please contact:
Gillian Costello
Senior Communications Manager
902-406-8303
gcostello@shannex.com

Shannex is pleased to have been selected to build and operate two new 60-bed nursing homes in Moncton and Saint John, N.B.

“We are honoured to be creating two new communities for New Brunswick seniors who are in need of a home where they can continue to live fulfilling lives,” said Jason Shannon, President and Chief Operating Officer. “In our 32 years of operating nursing homes, our family company has seen the contribution seniors of all ages continue to make in their communities and we are committed to helping them do so by providing exceptional care and service in warm, caring and safe environments.”

In addition to being part of a larger campus, the new homes will also each have an indoor Main Street which is an innovative feature now in place at a number of Shannex nursing homes in New Brunswick. This popular concept allows residents to enjoy the experience of spending time on a small town street complete with a multi-purpose room that will serve as a chapel and theatre space, a hair salon, café and town hall. Construction will begin this summer and is expected to be complete in 2023.

Both new nursing homes will be part of Parkland Retirement Living campuses that offer a full continuum of service. Learn more about our Parkland communities.

Learn more about our licensed long term care communities here.

Read the Government of New Brunswick news releases here.

About Shannex

Shannex Incorporated is a family organization with a vision of Leading the Way to Better Living through the provision of seniors’ care, service and accommodation. Beginning in 1988 with a single nursing home, we now offer a full continuum of services for seniors through our Care at Home, Parkland Retirement Living, Faubourg du Mascaret and long term care communities. Currently, we have communities in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Ontario.

We are guided by a core set of values that define what we stand for and guide all of our decisions. Residents come first, we believe in our Great People and in building strong trusted partnerships, we know there is always room to improve and we are accountable for our actions.

Shannex will build a new licensed long term care home on property behind the Northwest Plaza between Worthington Avenue and Mountain Road. This nursing home will eventually be part of a Parkland Lifestyle Community that offers a full continuum of service options for seniors, similar to our Faubourg du Mascaret community which is located on Morton Avenue in Moncton.

The announcement about this new nursing home was shared by the provincial Department of Social Development on June 18, 2021.

We are committed to safety and respect for all of our neighbours. All municipal requirements will be adhered to as we complete this work and we have begun communicating with our new neighbours to ensure they are aware of our development

Helen Nickerson is a Continuing Care Assistant at Orchard Court. Every day, when she goes to work, she’s doing what she loves: providing resident-focused, quality care.

This is something that’s near and dear to her heart. Growing up in Truro, NS, her mother worked as a registered nurse in long term care. Following in her footsteps, Helen found herself working in the same setting, starting in the kitchen, and working her way up to become a personal care worker. She then transitioned into a career in mental health until 10 years ago when she decided to write a new chapter.

“When Shannex came to Truro I saw they were doing things differently,” Helen says with a smile. “I was really impressed and wanted to be a part of it.”

When she became a CCA, she applied to Shannex, got the job and never looked back. Her decision has led her to a rewarding career.

“You get to provide residents with care in a loving way,” she says. “To be able to commune with the person is really special – I’m passionate about what we do.”

She points out that she’s surrounded by a team of like-minded professionals who are dedicated to putting residents first – a commitment that extends beyond Orchard Court. When COVID-19 outbreaks touched our communities, Helen put up her hand and volunteered her assistance, working in the non-COVID units. In particular, her time at Tucker Hall stands out.

“Some of these people I will never forget,” she says. “Watching them work with residents filled my heart and made me cry.”

Helen feels blessed to do what she does for a living and knows it’s more than a job – it’s a calling.
Thanks to Helen and all our continuing care and healthcare workers for everything they do to keep our residents safe, happy and cared for.

Want to join our team? Learn more about Healthcare and Clinical careers at Shannex and view the latest opportunities.

Wendy Roper has worked at Steelworkers Lane, part of Harbourstone Enhanced Care in Sydney, NS since its doors opened in 2002. As a continuing care assistant, she has had the opportunity to meet many different people, which has made for an enjoyable working experience. 

“The residents become your extended family,’ says Wendy. “You do your best for them, you protect them, you love them, and you try to make their time a little more comfortable and brighter; seeing them smile, laugh, or their eyes light up makes you feel like you did something right.”

The responsibility of caring for residents is something she holds near and dear. 

“I am a caretaker at heart,” she says. “Working in long term care allows me to do what I love to do.”

Growing up, she knew she wanted to help people, and a career in healthcare provided the opportunity to do just that. Wendy started as a Personal Care Worker with the family-owned company in the late 1980s. Ten years ago, she transitioned into a CCA role when she was given the opportunity through the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) program; this has become a fulfilling career move. 

“There are so many rewards that I can’t pick just one thing,” says Wendy with a grin. “Knowing that those who you care for are happy and contented makes the job satisfying; seeing their eyes light up at hearing a song that has a special memory for them gives you an emotional tug.” 

Wendy’s passion for providing quality care coupled with her strong work ethic are recognized by her colleagues.  

“She’s always smiling and knows her residents very well,” says Jody Macdonald, Harbourstone and Celtic Court’s Education Coordinator. “She’s a very dedicated and passionate CCA who has been a mentor for many, many new employees and students.”

Working with seniors is very satisfying to Wendy. She thrives on the challenges and opportunities presented by the job. Knowing that she’s making a difference in the lives of residents makes everything worthwhile.

Want to join our team? Learn more about Healthcare and Clinical careers at Shannex and view the latest opportunities.

As a Licensed Practical Nurse at Monarch Hall in Riverview, NB, Donna Maiden is living her passion.

From performing assessments to providing a warm blanket or giving residents a hug, their wellbeing is always top of mind. Each day, when she returns home, she knows she’s making a difference in their lives.

This summer, during one of her shifts, Donna was having a conversation with a new resident in his room. On this day, the man was feeling emotional. His family lives away and he doesn’t get many visitors.

When she looked around the room, she noticed the walls were bare. After she left, she put on her thinking cap and came up with a plan.

“I reached out to the community, and I was able to gather a carload of items,” she says. “There’s paintings that people have painted, puzzles, throw blankets, small decorations, and many items to help make his room feel warm and inviting.”

Once the items were collected, Donna brought them to the resident on her day off. When she arrived, his eyes lit up and a smile danced across his lips. He was so overcome with excitement that tears of joy ran down his face.

“It’s important that we make sure that our seniors are taken care of, and they feel like they are in their home,” she says. “To me, that’s my most important role.”

Thank you, Donna, for your generosity and for going the extra mile for our residents.

Want to join our team? Learn more about Healthcare and Clinical careers at Shannex and view the latest opportunities.

On November 17, Shannex’s New Brunswick team was recognized at the Chamber of Commerce Greater Moncton Business Excellence Awards Gala.

The team was given the top prize for the Excellence inBusiness category: The honour is awarded to an organization that has demonstrated excellence in overall business operations, has shown community involvement and leadership in the business community.

“For us, excellence is defined by our collective commitment to exceptional service, continuous improvement and most importantly, placing the health and wellness of those who live, work and visit our communities above all else,” said Shannex’s Vice President, New Brunswick Operations, Derek Green. “Awards like this are a direct reflection of the quality of our Great People. I am proud of our team in Greater Moncton and credit them with this honour.” 

Shannex is committed to ensuring our Great People have the support they need to feel fulfilled in their role today, with opportunities to grow with us into the future.

Want to join a team committed to excellence? Click here Explore to the latest career opportunities today.

When you ask Dr. Dohaney, a professor who spent over 20 years teaching at the University of New Brunswick, who she aspired to be like when she grew up, without hesitation, she will say, ‘Lois Lane’. Ms. Lane was a fictional character who appeared in Superman Comics and was an award-winning journalist for the Metropolis Newspaper, The Daily Planet. As a young girl, Dr. Dohaney looked forward to receiving weekly comics sent to her by her Aunt, a housekeeper in The Newfoundland Hotel in St. John’s.  This aunt collected these newspapers and sent them to her family. Newspapers were a rarity in the village.  
Growing up in a remote village was challenging in other ways. For instance, she said she had to move to another small town four miles away to complete high school. This school was run by the Presentation Order of Nuns. It was here that her writing encountered challenges when she was accused of plagiarism by one of the teaching Sisters. This Sister wrote comments on two assignments one said, “Keep up with the Readers Digest” and another “Original writings only.”  It was the latter comment that hit home.  She had written a story about the comparison between herself and a dying tree that was on the convent property. Upon reflection, she realized that this time away from home and the lack of encouragement was not helpful to her writing.

However, in 1988, Dr. Dohaney, the first novel was published, The Corrigan Women.  It dealt with three generations of Newfoundland women and the effect that World War 1, World War 2 and Confederation had upon their lives. She went on to write six more novels, mostly Newfoundland-based: A Marriage of Masks, A Fit Month for Dying, To Scatter Stones; When Things Get Back to Normal, and The Flannigans.  Her most recent publication is a book of short stories titled, Caplin Scull.  

Dr. Dohaney wrote a screenplay – Come Back Paddy Riley – which became one of two screenplays that were selected by the Nova Scotia Film Board as winners in the Atlantic Film Festival.   Come Back Paddy Riley was one of Dr. Dohaney’s proudest accomplishments as it was based on true events that affected her family.  The story tells about her uncle from Newfoundland who went to war at a young age and like many others lost his life. Although a sad story, it contains much black humour, which made for an entertaining story. A Producer was ready to take it further, but Dr.Dohaney was conflicted on the proposed script direction which cast characters in an unfavourable light.

Dr. Dohaney holds a B.A, from UNB, M. Ed from the University of Maine, an ED. D, from Boston University.  She was recognized by the Thomas H. Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award in 1995 for her novel, A Marriage of Masks. She also received the Lieutenant’s Governor’s Award for High Achievement in English Language/Literature Arts in 2012 in New Brunswick.

Exciting New Partnership

SHANNEX, PARKLAND AND FAUBOURG COMMUNITIES

As we strive to Lead the Way to Better Living, we always look at new ways to improve the lives of seniors in our communities. Through an exciting partnership with the CAN Health Network, our family-owned company is helping to foster tried and true, made-in-Canada technology that provides alternative solutions to strengthen the healthcare system. The collaborative group is made up of public and private organizations that are part of an integrated network that works together to support Canadian solutions.

“Being part of this network fits our desire to be an innovative service provider to older adults,” says Collaborative Learning Centre Manager and Research Specialist, Christy Nickerson-Rak. “We are proud to help create solutions that meet current needs with innovative technology companies.”

The national partnership has opened the door to allow Shannex to trial more ground-breaking, homegrown healthcare solutions to support our residents and team members. We are launching our first project through the network this month to adapt the Tenera Care technology for the retirement living continuum of care.

Visit the CAN Health Network’s website to learn more about the organization: https://canhealthnetwork.ca/

The last 22 months have been mentally and physically exhausting. Healthcare workers across the country, including our Great People, have gone the extra mile to provide continued care and service to those in need.

This year’s theme of supporting ourselves and others, highlights the importance of conversations about mental health, actively practicing resiliency and how acts of kindness can go a long way to support others.  

We will be taking part by texting, tweeting, watching and sharing on social media to keep the conversation about mental health ongoing.

Throughout the day, Bell will contribute 5 cents to mental health initiatives through text messaging, social media engagement, video views and phone calls (on Bell Mobility devices). You can participate on multiple social media platforms including, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat.
Talk with someone you care about today.

Show your support! #BellLetsTalk. Find out more at: https://letstalk.bell.ca/en/bell-lets-talk-day

In a joint release today, Milestone Communities and Shannex announced the sale of Milestone’s two West Bedford seniors’ living properties, the Pemberley and the Highbury. Shannex will assume ownership through its Retirement Living division which has locations across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Ontario.

“Although we enjoy developing and operating seniors’ residences, the timing was right to find a great operator to take on the next phase of these projects,” said Jerry Nowee, former President and CEO of Milestones Communities. “Shannex has earned a reputation for operating vibrant, safe and reliable communities and I knew they were the right fit to carry forward the work I began alongside the impressive Milestones team.”

Milestone Communities is located in West Bedford and consists of the Pemberley (85 suites) and the Highbury (71 suites), each offering living options for active seniors. Shannex will maintain and continue operations under the Milestone brand with the support of all existing employees who will continue on with the organization.

“This opportunity came at the right time, and we are honoured to add Milestone to our family of communities,” said Jason Shannon, President and COO of Shannex. “Jerry and his team have created a unique living experience in a location where there is great demand for senior living options, and we see this as just the beginning for what we can create to meet this need in the Bedford area.”
Once complete in the spring of 2023, Shannex will also assume ownership of the Highbury II, a new 76 unit adjacent supportive living residential community which is under construction.

For more information:
Visit the Milestone Communities website.
Visit Experience Parkland

The Department of Social Development announced today that Shannex would build two new licensed long term care communities in the province.

The Fredericton home will be built on Cliffe Street, next to Shannex’s Neill Hall. The new home in Moncton will be part of the campus currently being built behind the Northwest Plaza between Worthington Avenue and Mountain Road. The Moncton home is expected to open by November 2023; the Fredericton home is expected to open by April 2024.

“During these extraordinary times, we are pleased to be able to help address the need for more nursing homes which will take some pressure off the healthcare system,” said Shannex president and COO Jason Shannon. “We are committed to providing New Brunswick seniors and their families with the services and care they need and deserve. We are confident these new homes will be places where they will continue to live well with support from our dedicated team members. We know we hold the trust of New Brunswickers in our work and we take that seriously.”

Shannex is dedicated to this province and its people and recognizes that it is an honour to be entrusted with the responsibility of opening these new homes in Moncton and Fredericton where there is a critical need for long term care (240 beds) that will also help relieve pressure from the acute care system. More importantly though, these communities will become vibrant hubs for New Brunswickers to call home.
Shannex has more than 1,600 New Brunswick team members who care for residents in 10 nursing homes and six retirement living communities. They are the heart of the organization, and it is our priority to support them and their families as they navigate this extraordinary time. This includes actively working to recruit and retain more healthcare workers through strategic recruitment efforts, local academic partnerships, our own international recruitment team, and settlement support for newcomers.

Through the operation of its licensed homes, Shannex is accountable to the provincial government and the people of this province, just like every other licensed nursing home operator.

Learn more about our licensed long term care communities here.

Read the Government of New Brunswick news releases here.

The Coordinated Accessible National (CAN) Health Network announced today the launch of the Atlantic Network’s first commercialization project with Shannex, and Nova Scotia-based technology company, Tenera Care.

Tenera Care’s newest technology helps seniors live a more fulfilled and independent life. Through a commercialization project funded by CAN Health Network, Shannex will expand the implementation of Tenera Care’s real-time monitoring system technology to make it accessible to more residents at its Parkland Clayton Park community in Halifax, N.S. The Tenera Care platform supports the activities of residents, their families, and team members. The system uses automated data flow to help team members react and anticipate the needs of residents which improves quality related to safety, care and service. The outcome is that seniors are better supported to age in place longer within the organization’s continuum of services.

“We have a long history of support for innovative solutions that improve the lives of seniors. We believe in making evidence-based decisions to improve the quality of the care and service we deliver to residents which is why our partnership Tenera makes so much sense,” said Jason Shannon, President and Chief Operating Officer, Shannex.  “This technology helps our team members stay closely connected and responsive to the needs of our residents while also providing useful data that supports our efforts to make strategic and operational improvements rooted in real-world experiences of our frontline team members.”

The Tenera Care platform was initially introduced in 2018 in one of our memory care neighbourhoods at Parkland Clayton Park.

Read the CAN Health Network new release here.

Residents and team members at Parkstone Enhanced Care are celebrating a milestone anniversary today. It’s been 20 years since the licensed nursing home in Halifax, Nova Scotia opened its doors. In this day and age, it can be a rare feat to work with an organization for most of your career. At Parkstone, there are 27 team members who have proudly spent most of their careers bettering the lives of seniors in the community.

When a new team member joins the Parkstone Enhanced Care family, the first person they are greeted by is Quality and Education Advisor Lori Wilton. Her warm personality shines through as she begins showing them the ropes through the orientation process. This is a special time for Lori as she has walked more than a mile in their shoes; Lori has been working at Parkstone since it opened in April 2002. 

When she looks back over her time working in the licensed long term care community the word family comes to mind.  
 
“In 2003, when Hurricane Juan hit the Halifax area, I remember all of the Home Office people coming up to help out,” says Lori. “They were making toast, feeding residents, making beds, anything they could do to support us.   
 
Recreation and Volunteer Coordinator Jennifer Kirby has also been working at Parkstone since the community began welcoming residents. She says the team atmosphere has made Parkstone a wonderful place to grow her career and an excellent place for residents to live.  

“There’s big spacious private rooms, private washrooms, and it’s a bright and inviting building,” says Jennifer. “It’s pleasant, and the team members are pleasant.”  

Licensed Practical Nurse Heather Casey has been working at Parkstone from the beginning as well. When she thinks about the special moments she has shared with residents, she can’t help but smile. 

“Singing for the residents always brings me joy,” says Heather. “I fondly remember singing at one of the resident’s 102 birthday in the parlour and another time for another resident’s 50^th wedding anniversary.”

Many memories have been shared in this special community over the years and new chapters are continuing to be written. Thanks to all our Great People for your dedication and commitment to providing quality care and service to the seniors entrusted in your care.

Learn more about Healthcare and Clinical careers at Shannex.

HOME OFFICE

As an organization that specializes in seniors’ care, continuous improvement and innovation are necessary drivers to identify new ideas and solutions. This is why we welcomed a special partnership with Dalhousie University for an exciting student event that took place
March 4-6, 2022.

The “Hackathon” event took place over the course of two days with student teams developing ideas and solutions in five challenging areas: falls, social isolation, disease progression and care transitions, and responsive behaviours.

The first-place team developed a Fall Prevention Scoring System (FPSS) using data from long term care resident assessments and real-time location data. They identified risk factors that put residents at increased risk for falling (e.g., diagnosis of dementia, decreased level of activity) and created a point system to identify residents at risk of falling. This score can alert staff to put interventions in place to prevent falling.

Congratulations to everyone who took part in this innovative event

SHANNEX INCORPORATED

Shannex is on a learning journey to make our communities more diverse, equitable and inclusive. This important work began over a year and a half ago and continues today.

Since September 2021, senior leaders and people leaders have received training and education on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, unconscious bias, anti-Black racism, white privilege, Indigenous insights, teachings on 2SLGBTQIA+ and allyship from our trusted partner, Ashanti Leadership.

In August of 2021, we created a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Survey and asked team members for further insight. In February 2022, we shared those results with team members. The results have shown that we have the support of the respondents to continue this important work. However, the results also tell us there’s room for improvement.

We invited team members from across the organization to be a part of the Inclusive Action Committee; a working group of team members who will be actively engaged in directing our work on diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging. The first meeting took place on March 24 and additional committee meetings are planned over the next several months.

We will continue to update you as we continue to make progress on this important work.

June 21 each year marks National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a day to honour and celebrate the traditions, customs and contributions of Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and Métis people and learn more about their history.

Last year, 12-year-old Mi’kmaw youth, Landyn Toney, made headlines as he walked over 195 km in honour of First Nations children and people impacted by Residential Schools in Canada. In Landyn’s “Journey of Awareness,” he raised over $46,000 to support Indigenous communities.

Following his walk, Landyn, his sister Mataya and his mother Marsha stopped by Parkland at the Gardens to speak with the residents. Yesterday, one year after their first visit, Parkland at the Gardens was honoured to host the family once again.

At 2 p.m., Landyn and his family led residents in a Treaty Walk as they walked down College Street in downtown Halifax. Following the walk, Marsha spoke to the residents about Freedom Day, the former Indian Residential School grounds in Shubenacadie, N.S., where Indigenous children from all over the Maritimes attended until the school closed in 1967. One of the survivors was Landyn’s great-grandmother.

Leading up to their second visit to the community, Parkland residents came together and raised $772 to donate to Landyn’s Journey of Awareness. Maureen Banyard, a resident at Parkland at the Gardens, led the efforts and presented Landyn with the cheque. Following the cheque presentation, residents and team members took part in a smudging ceremony performed by Landyn.

Wela’lioq Landyn, Mataya and Marsha for connecting with Parkland residents. We look forward to hosting you again next year.

For more information on First Nations, visit your local Friendship Centre. Find a location near you, here.

We care about community. It’s what started us on this journey when our founder purchased Shannex’s first nursing home in Sydney, Cape Breton almost 35 years ago. Since then, we’ve seen how strong community connections result in fulfilling experiences for residents, their families and

team members.

Today, we’re proud to share our new Shannex Cares community program designed to improve the lives of seniors through visible, meaningful opportunities for them to be seen, heard and valued for their wisdom and talents while addressing real issues facing seniors today.

Inspired by our Great People, we see ourselves as “elder allies” and we’re confident this new program will help us continue to deliver on our vision of leading the way to better living. As one of our trusted partners, who shares our passion how our Shannex Cares is here to provide support.

We empower great people.

Our new Community Spirit Fund recognizes the work of our Great People and gives back to the community. Team members, organizations and individuals can apply for a Community Spirit Grant.

We are leaders.

As a leader in our sector, we are pleased to offer a new Share on Care library with easy access to information and tools to help sector partners and others enhance the quality of life and health of all seniors.

We are a trusted partner.

To help us positively affect seniors’ issues within our focus areas of seniors’ wellness, active living and social connections, we partner with like-minded community organizations and post-secondary institutions.

If you are an elder ally, a community organization or a partner improving the lives of seniors, we want to hear from you. Visit shannex.com/shannexcares to learn more.

Throughout her life, Delia Burgess knew the importance of living a sustainable lifestyle. When she moved to Parkland at the Gardens in September 2021, joining the community’s Green Team was a no-brainer. As a member of the Green Team, it’s your responsibility to set an example and share ways to live sustainably with residents, team members and the broader community. This is something that Delia has become passionate about. “I want to make a change. The world is not going to last much longer the way it is, and things are getting worse and worse,” says Delia. “But I see great, amazing changes,” she adds. One of the ways she has helped at the site is by organizing the garbage rooms on every floor to ensure people know how to properly sort their garbage. “It’s hard to know how to get to know how to get through to everyone,” says Delia, noting that she is committed to helping everyone in the community do their best. Whether she is giving helpful advice, sorting garbage, making the waste process easy to understand, or making it fun with games, tips and tricks, Delia is always on the lookout for small wins and opportunities for positive change.

As an organization, we are committed to protecting the environment by taking a sustainable approach in all our communities, and we applaud Delia and the Green Team at Parkland at the Gardens for taking action! Do you have a green idea? We would love to hear from you! Submit yours to shannex.com/green-ideas.

November 29, 2022, was Giving Tuesday. Existing in over 80 countries worldwide, Giving Tuesday is a global movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.

Our Shannex Cares Community Program is designed to support programs and initiatives that create visible and meaningful opportunities for elders to be seen, heard and valued for their wisdom and talents. Over the past few weeks, we have watched our team members do their part, coming forward to nominate organizations they feel are making a difference in their community. Great People Give donations are selected four times per year, and we couldn’t think of a better day than Giving Tuesday to announce our first recipients.

Over the past few weeks, we have watched our team members do their part, coming forward to nominate organizations they feel are making a difference in their community, and we are thrilled to share the recipients of the first Great People Give donations of $1000 each:

1. Nova Scotia: Shelter Nova Scotia
2. New Brunswick: Miramichi Accessible Transit
3. Ontario: The Dorothy Ley Hospice

About the recipients:

Shelter Nova Scotia

Shelter Nova Scotia supports people in times of crisis and transition through residential, trustee and outreach programs in the Halifax Regional Municipality. They have housing support workers, and mental health and addiction services professionals. They serve more than 100 people every day and over 1,300 individuals annually.

Miramichi Accessible Transit

This non-profit service provides transportation that enables clients and senior citizens who are finding it difficult to continue to operate their own vehicle due to health reasons and the high cost of living.

Dorothy Ley Hospice

Founded in 1990, Dorothy Ley Hospice is a volunteer-based community service organization offering compassionate care to people living with the challenges of a life-limiting illness or loss. Their programs meet their physical, emotional, spiritual and psychosocial needs, helping people live life to the fullest.

Meet “The Flamboyance”

Naomi Black, Elaine Hawkins and Barbara Cooper, three residents at Parkstone Enhanced Care, are also known as “The Flamboyance,” a name inspired by a flamingo-themed gift from one of their daughters. Together, they wrote an honest and insightful story titled Residents’ Voices which is a real-life glimpse into their day-to-day life. The piece was intended to be comical and something to help pass the time, but it quickly developed into an important message, dispelling many myths about life in long term care. In their words, “we want to see this story have an impact.”

Before publication, one of the members of the Flamboyance, Barbara, passed away earlier this year. We offer our deepest condolences to her loved ones and are grateful for the valuable legacy she left through this piece of work.  

On behalf of the Flamboyance, we are honoured to share their story. Please click here to read their story.

If you would like to connect with “The Flamboyance,” please reach out to Shannon Peterson at speterson@shannex.com.

We witness the defining strength and compassion of women who commit themselves to serve and care for our residents, everyday. Shannex has built a workplace where women thrive and inspire, and we couldn’t be prouder to be among the more than 80 percent of our Great People who identify as women today.

Each year on March 8^th, people around the world celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) which recognizes the decades of work by women to fight for a gender equal world where women are seen, heard and valued for their contributions. We are honoured to work alongside many powerful women and have the opportunity to share their stories

“As a leader at Parkland, I try to foster a positive, supportive, and inclusive workplace environment where our female colleagues and residents feel empowered and encouraged to speak up and lead.”

Jovana Bailey

“When I reflect on the leadership team at Shannex, what comes to mind is those that hold leadership roles are there because of the qualities they possess, not what gender they are. To me, that is what empowering really is, providing those that can do the jobs the opportunity for growth.”

Michelle Clark

To young women just starting their careers, Michelle would share, “Don’t be afraid to lean into responsibility and take on tasks or projects that might challenge you. Grow beyond what falls under your official job description. Challenge yourself to learn and grow. The sense of accomplishment is so strong when we overcome obstacles.” Having a steadfast role model in her mother, Michelle has always been encouraged to have a voice and stand up for what is right, to work hard and persevere.   

“Sharing my journey serves as an inspiration and motivation to younger women, whether in the workplace or in the community and with the right attitude and mindset, they can achieve whatever they aspire.”

Maria Agcon

Before immigrating to Canada, Maria never envisioned herself in a leadership position. Now, as site manager at Cedarstone Enhanced Care in Truro, she embodies a strong, confident leader. Maria’s daughter is an LPN who is working on upgrading to be an RN, which is a great example of Maria’s impactful influence. Witnessing what her mother accomplished as a migrant to Canada has motivated and inspired her to take the leap and keep going. Maria feels so fortunate to be part of the team and be in her role as Site Manager at Cedarstone Enhanced Care. 

“Our guiding principles speak to me as a female leader-we are compassionate, honest, professional and safe, and they align with how I live my life as a leader, mother, wife, sister and friend. ”

Gillian Hoyt-Hallett

Gillian’s approach to leadership ensures diversity is at the table. “When I reflect on my career, I can identify times when I was invited to the conversation and given the opportunity to demonstrate my leadership skills and to develop them.” Now, Gillian believes it is her responsibility as a female leader to do the same for the women she works with every day by inviting women to have a voice in important conversations and offering professional development opportunities. “We are in a unique position to understand the challenges that many women have and continue to face in the workplace and to eliminate those. I am proud to be a member of the Shannex leadership team and I hope that I have and will continue to positively influence others to truly Embrace Equity in our organization.” Our guiding principles speak to me as a female leader-we are compassionate, honest, professional and safe, and they align with how I live my life as a leader, mother, wife, sister and friend.

“Speak up and challenge the norm. Provide a different perspective. Make sure they know you are there and you are a force to be reckoned with.”

Ola Kit

Ola is inspired by women who are successful by their own definition – whether that be to move across the country to pursue an opportunity, start their own business and put their heart and soul into it, come to work and make the most of their day, and those who are raising families while also achieving their goals. “There is power in words. We must continue to ask questions, push the boundaries and have our voices heard.” Ola is proud to come to work everyday and be with women who are raising the bar. “The joy, pride, dedication and confidence they exude is truly inspiring and I am so lucky to have them in my life.”

NEILL HALL

Fredericton, NB – Shannex Neill Hall and York Care Centre are excited to collaborate on a mailbox pilot project that connects 70 of their residents to the greater community of Fredericton, NB through special mail deliveries. Recently launched at both locations, the project is already successful with many meaningful connections being created between residents and schools, businesses and community groups.

“The joy and curiosity of receiving letters, notes and cards from the community volunteers is so beneficial to residents,” said Sharon Wahl, Neill Hall family member leading the initiative. “It not only makes residents feel valued and appreciated, but it also helps combat loneliness by creating a sense of purpose.”

The project is made possible through the support of many community partners including Home Depot, Covey Basics, the New Brunswick Alzheimer Society and the Retired Teachers Association. St. Thomas University’s Bachelor of Social Work students Grace Steeves, Emma Connors and MacKenzie MacLeod also each played an active role on the organizing committee.

“Witnessing the acts of kindness from volunteers who are taking the time to deliver and read mail to our residents on a regular basis is rewarding,” said Stephanie Seymour, Director of Community, Recreation & Volunteers at York Care Centre. “I would like to thank everyone involved in making this project a reality. A special thank you goes out to all the volunteer mail messengers as well as team members from Keller Williams Capital Realty, and children from the YMCA Fredericton, The Ville, Gibson-Neill Memorial Elementary school and École Sainte-Anne for their contributions.”

Wanting to keep the project meaningful and manageable, the project aims at receiving a sustainable amount of mail for months to come for the participating Shannex Neill Hall and York Care Centre residents, and potentially expanding the project to more residents in the future.

“Creating meaningful connections with the greater community, including intergenerational connections is so important for our residents,” said Sarah Condran, Recreation Coordinator and Music Therapist at Neill Hall. “It gives residents something to look forward to and allows them to build relationships with people of all ages in the greater community.” Anyone interested in contributing mail to the project or volunteering as a mail messenger can contact Sharon Wahl (swahl@bellaliant.net).

LOSIER HALL

Patricia Chamberlain started working at Losier Hall, a licensed nursing home in Miramichi, NB in June 2019 as a Resident Attendant and then moved into the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) role in December 2021. Patricia is an LPN who possesses an exceptional talent for caring for residents with dementia. Patricia’s dedication extends beyond her role as an LPN as she is a certified Gentle Persuasive Approaches in Dementia Care Instructor, eager to share her knowledge and empower others to provide excellent care. With her expertise in GPA, she skillfully navigates the challenges of working with individuals with cognitive impairments.  

Patricia is a committed team player; she understands that effective care requires collaboration and seamlessly integrates herself into the care team. Always willing to go the extra mile, Patricia eagerly lends a helping hand wherever is needed. Her selflessness ensures that everyone on the team has a fulfilling and rewarding day. In the demanding and often emotionally charged environment of dementia care, Patricia’s presence is like a ray of sunshine. Her residents find solace in her gentle approach, feeling understood and valued. In Patricia, the care team and residents have found an extraordinary caregiver, an invaluable asset whose expertise and kindness make a difference every day.  

“I like the sense of community Shannex brings, building relationships with residents, their families, and staff, it really feels like home”, Patricia says. Working with seniors adds value to our lives and work experiences. They will share stories, advice and humour with you and be curious about your background, family and hobbies. You will get to know their family and share a bond that is only possible outside of a critical care environment.  

Learn more about Healthcare and Clinical careers at Shannex.

BRIDGEVIEW HALL

Linda Hay has been a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for five years and works at Bridgeview Hall in Miramichi. Linda is a compassionate and knowledgeable LPN who started her journey in Long Term Care in the Dietary department. “I decided to go back to school to obtain my LPN license while working as a Dietary Aid and then a Resident Attendant. I am a keen learner who values education and enjoys sharing my knowledge and experience with others,” Linda says. Hay consistently advocates for the residents, their families, and the team at Bridgeview Hall.

“I love how Shannex brings our residents and families together through entertainment and recreation. To see them smiling, singing, clapping, or tapping is always so special.” At Shannex, team members will work together to create a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere where residents feel at home. We help them keep relationships and create opportunities to build new ones.

At Shannex, you’ll be meaningful work alongside a team of Great People. Learn more about Healthcare and Clinical careers at Shannex.

We care about community. Through our Shannex Cares Community Spirit Grants, we offer funding for organizations to support projects and initiatives within our focus areas of seniors’ wellness, seniors’ active living, and seniors’ social connections.

Today, we are excited to announce that our application process for the second round of our Shannex Cares Community Spirit Grants is now open! Submissions will be accepted until September 30, 2023 and recipients will be announced later this Fall.

We are proud to give back to the community. Are you an elder ally or do you know a community organization doing great work supporting seniors? If so, we want to hear from you!

Submit Your Application

Bridgeview Hall

With 16 years’ experience in long-term care, Tracey Thurston began her Shannex journey during a chaotic time in the healthcare system – at the beginning of the global pandemic. From chaos to control, Tracey advanced her skills and pursued a Bachelor of Nursing degree, continuing her career with Shannex as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). “Shannex gave me the support and opportunity to advance my skills and work to my full scope of practice and my role with them as an LPN began striving.” Tracey says.

Having a family and life commitments makes returning to school not an easy road, however we understand our Great People’s needs and ensure that they feel supported.

At Shannex, we understand what makes us unique and what makes us strong. We believe when people bring a variety of life and work experience to our team, it adds value and a new perspective to our work. It’s why we want to invest in your career and make this opportunity accessible to anyone excited about a new career in the long-term care sector.

Here, you’ll do meaningful work alongside a team of Great People. Learn more about Healthcare and Clinical careers at Shannex.

Recently, Saltwire’s Rachael Dyal was invited to experience the flavours of Parkland at one of our restaurant-style dining rooms in Parkland Ajax, in Ont. She shares her experience:

As someone who visited Parkland in downtown, Halifax, I was elated when I was invited to enjoy a meal. I had seen the dining rooms during my previous tour and my mouth was salivating. To be able to dine was an opportunity I was not going to pass up.  

I decided to bring my grandma and mom because they fit the demographic of people who benefit from all that’s offered in a retirement community like Parkland. Plus, it was genuinely nice to have some company.  

As I surveyed the dining area upon being seated, I took note of a few things: staff taking residents’ orders, residents being checked on continuously, and the chef making his way around each table to see how residents enjoyed their meal.  

But I think what captured my attention the most was the beaming smiles from residents enjoying their time.  

It was apparent that Parkland makes resident’s dining experience welcoming and comfortable.

Read about Rachael’s dining experience on Saltwire

Parkland’s philosophy revolves around three fundamental principles: Your Life. Your Choice. Your Home. Dining at Parkland is always a social occasion. Whether sharing a table with neighbours, friends or visiting family, residents enjoy a restaurant-style dining environment that consistently delivers on taste, service and atmosphere.

The Hamilton Spectator features our fourth Parkland Ontario location.

Parkland Ancaster will open in the summer of 2024 and feature a variety of lifestyle options that range from independent lifestyle apartments to all-inclusive and supportive lifestyles, assisted living, enriched care, and memory care. There are also options, dependent upon availability, for short-term accommodations, which are perfect for seasonal “snowbirds” and people requiring rehabilitation or respite stays.

Thanks to its multiple lifestyle options and flexible packages for meals, housekeeping, transportation, and additional services, you can truly tailor your retirement lifestyle to your personal needs and desires.

This commitment to quality and putting residents first is part of the Parkland Promise — which is rooted in that well-known East Coast hospitality. Parkland is a family-owned business that got its start in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Founder Joseph Shannon wanted to give back to the community by improving seniors’ living options. That commitment continues to this day.

Read more on The Hamilton Spectator

Shannex New Brunswick

Shannex New Brunswick nursing homes, Embassy Hall, Cohen Hall, Tucker Hall, and Losier Hall, are opening their doors to older adults in the community as part of Nursing Homes Without Walls. This program will include the addition of a Senior Navigator role at these homes. These navigators will help provide access to support services and social health activities for seniors in the community while they continue to live at home.

Launched in 2019, the Nursing Home Without Walls (NHWW) initiative helps older adults to age in place by accessing supports and services at local nursing homes. NHWW was developed by the Research Centre on Aging at the Université de Moncton, in partnership with Healthcare Excellence Canada.

We look forward to offering services and opening our nursing homes to more seniors in the community.

Learn more about Nursing Home Without Walls

Our journey of supporting seniors started 35 years ago and just over a year ago, we launched Shannex Cares, our community giving program. The program enables us to build strong connections between the people who live and work with us and the greater community. Through Shannex Cares, we are proud to associate ourselves with like-minded elder allies in the community to influence real change and make a difference in the lives of seniors.  

Today is Giving Tuesday, a day dedicated to making the world a better place by encouraging people to give back in whatever ways they can. It’s the perfect day to announce the most recent group of recipients of our Shannex Cares Community Spirit Grants which offer funding for organizations to support projects and initiatives within our focus areas of seniors’ wellness, seniors’ active living, and seniors’ social connections.  

Congratulations to each of the following organizations for being awarded a $2,500 Community Spirit Grant to support more seniors in their community. 

• Meals on Wheels Fredericton offers nutrition, learning sessions and socialization opportunities for seniors. Our grant will help more seniors, people with disabilities and members of the Sitansisk First Nation community participate in their weekly community meal program. 

• Moncton Lions Community Centre delivers fitness, creativity, social, and health and wellness programs for seniors at their center and in nursing homes in the Greater Moncton area. Our grant will enable them to purchase the required equipment in order to deliver their programs. 

• The YMCA of Greater Saint John will convert a room at the Irving Oil Field House into a senior’s hub which will include an office area, a meeting place, a cardio corner, a reading nook, and a social circle. Our grant will support the room conversion and enable more seniors to have access to activities that support their physical and mental health. 

• The Stepping Stone Senior Centre in Fredericton offers daily seniors programming and organizes day trips for interested seniors, particularly those experiencing social isolation, troubled times, and who are not able to visit places for whatever reasons. Our grant will offer more seniors from the area the opportunity to participate in healthy aging programming and socialize during a variety of outings. 

• The Lucasville Community Association offers programs for seniors which include fitness, social and cultural events. Our grant will help them extend their Coffee House program where many seniors regularly gather to socialize. 

• The Portapique Market offers a weekly market greens program for seniors. Our grant will help sponsor seniors living with diet related illnesses and provide them with an opportunity to socialize, create a meal together and participate in movement activities that are adapted to the physical needs of each participant. 

• The Sackville Seniors Advisory Council helps seniors with isolation and depression, and also provides them with a sense of worth through programming and activities including knitting, crocheting, grief support, mental health, friends gathering groups and weight loss sessions. Our grant will help them replace old furniture to provide comfortable seating to clients when they attend their programs. 

• Operations Kindness started off as a great idea and helped 50 seniors in the community benefit from having a full meal on Christmas Day last year. Our grant will help the group of volunteers grow this initiative and deliver up to 300 meals to seniors this year. 

• The Alzheimer Society of Durham Region provides support to people living with dementia and their family and care partners. Our grant will help support their Comfort Companions Program which provides robotic pets and dolls that are designed to bring comfort and companionship for those living with dementia. 

Congratulations to all the recipients! We look forward to working with you to help more seniors live their best lives. The next round of Community Spirit grants will open this spring. 

Read more about the Shannex Cares Community Spirit Grants.

Meet the Recipients

At Shannex, we empower Great People to give back to the community. Recently our Great People from our Home Office in Halifax donated 11 “stuffed boxes” of food and $385 to Feed Nova Scotia.

The Feed Nova Scotia‘s “Stuff a Bus” annual food drive is critical in bringing in the food we need to support thousands of families through the holidays and into the new year. The project, with the help of the Amalgamated Transit Union, has been helping out Nova Scotians since 1991.

Part of Workplace Wellness Month, the Shannex Home Office has participated in this initiative since 2021. It is part of Shannex’s efforts to give back to the community.

“Shannex values community and the health and wellbeing of the people within that community participating in the “stuff the bus” campaign reinforces that belief and values. Building stronger individuals creates strong happier communities,” said Heather Beaudoin, Manager Health, Wellness, and Safety at Shannex.

Giving can also contribute to individual and team confidence by fostering a sense of purpose and meaning. When we give to others, we feel like we are making a difference in the world and contributing to something larger than ourselves. 

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Our Shannex Cares Community Spirit Fund offers support for our Great People and community organizations that improve the lives of seniors. Are you an Elder Ally? Learn more about Shannex Cares https://shannex.com/shannexcares/

It’s this time of year again and we’re excited to announce the recipients of our Great People Give donations. As part of community giving program Shannex Cares, four times per year, we ask our Great People to nominate and vote for organizations or groups that are doing great work supporting seniors and making a difference in the community. Inspired by our Great People to help create visible and meaningful opportunities for elders to be seen, heard and valued for their wisdom and talents, Shannex Cares enables us to give back and recognize elder allies in the community.

The following organizations will each be receiving a Great People Give donation of $1,000:

• Nova Scotia: The Reserve Mines Seniors and Pensioners Club
• New Brunswick: The Salvation Army Community and Family Services
• Ontario: Hospice Mississauga

The recipients have received the good news that they are being awarded a Great People Give donation and they really appreciate your support. 

About the recipients:

The Reserve Mines Seniors and Pensioners Club is an organization that has come together to support seniors in this small community during the pandemic. Not only do they volunteer their time to prepare and serve meals three times weekly, they also are mindful of the social, economic, psychological and physical barriers that seniors face, in particular during times of isolation. They are a shoulder to lean on and go above and beyond in all things they do.

The Salvation Army offers programming for seniors and also offers assistance for children, individuals and families in need. This includes support programs and self-help groups, emergency food and clothing, community outreach and day drop-in, children’s programming, referrals advocacy and support, teaching kitchen, Christmas assistance and Income Tax preparation.

Hospice Mississauga offers Mind-Body Medicine series seminars. They not only support individuals at the end of their lives but those around them during difficult times.

Learn more about Shannex Cares.

Today, at Losier Hall in Miramichi, seniors from the local community came together to witness the launch of a Nursing Home Without Walls. This program, spearheaded by the visionary founder Suzanne Dupuis-Blanchard, is dedicated to providing essential support and services to older adults, enriching their lives while allowing them to age gracefully in their homes.

The event showcased the commitment of Nursing Home Without Walls to ensuring older adults and their families have access to vital services and information related to aging in place. The program aims to tackle social isolation and loneliness through innovative social health initiatives, recognizing the profound impact on both older adults and their caregivers.

Tammy Malley, a senior navigator, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I’m so pleased to have had the opportunity to welcome seniors from the Miramichi community into Losier Hall today for the launch of the Nursing Home Without Walls initiative. As this program grows, we hope that it becomes the hub for seniors where they can access services to help them live better at home.”

The event hosted esteemed guests, including the Honourable Kathy Bockus, Minister responsible for Seniors, and local elected officials MLA Réjean Savoie, MLA Michelle Conroy, Mayor Adam Lordon, Deputy Mayor Paddy Quinn, and Councilor Veronique Arseneault. Their presence underscored the community’s collective commitment to empowering the local population to respond to the evolving needs of an aging demographic.

Nursing Home Without Walls is breaking down walls and fostering a supportive environment for seniors to age with dignity, surrounded by a caring community. The launch event marked the beginning of a brighter and more connected future for older adults in Miramichi.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us, including the Miramichi Fiddlers, for making this Grand Opening an incredible success.

Shannex is proud to participate in the Nursing Home Without Walls initiative. The Nursing Home Without Walls program is a collaboration between Social Development, the Université de Moncton, and Healthcare Excellence Canada. 

Learn about Nursing Home Without Walls

Three Shannex team members were guest speakers at the Centre of Excellence for Health to share their career paths and why they chose to work in long term care.

Bruce Lutes – Recruitment Specialist, New Brunswick  

Bruce Lutes has been with Shannex for almost three years and is a Recruitment Specialist, Bruce is involved in many projects from working to attract team members to our new communities to supporting recruitment events that happen across the province of New Brunswick.   

As an expert in recruitment Bruce shared information on our different service lines, the many roles available at Shannex, our Employee Total Rewards Program, professional development opportunities and the benefits of working in long term care, like: 

• Working to your full scope of practice  
• The meaningful connections with residents and families  
• Teamwork environment – always someone willing to lend a hand  
• Career progression opportunities 

“Working in a long term care community is a rewarding challenge, and the people that you meet become your family,” says Bruce. “If you are interested in working in a nursing home, volunteer with us and see what it’s all about.” 

View Bruces’s presentation at: https://centresofexcellencenb.ca/health/?speaker_series=ltc-week-exploring-opportunities-in-long-term-care-with-a-shannex-recruitment-specialist  

Watch LTC Week – Exploring Opportunities in Long Term Care

Morgan Lambert – Work and Learn Educator, Fredericton  

Morgan Lambert has been working at Shannex for nearly nine years in a variety of roles. Her path with Shannex started as a Personal Support Worker, where she worked for a year and a half while she studied to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). After graduation, she started caring for residents as an LPN right away. She then became a Rehabilitation LPN and she enjoyed this position for three and a half years before moving into her current role as an instructor. 

Morgan feels that the possibilities are endless when it comes to the nursing field and encourages people to try as many things as possible when navigating career opportunities. 

“When I was younger, I always wanted to be a nurse as I had a lot of nurses around me in my family,” she said. “The thought of another career path truly never crossed my mind. My mom was an LPN and was my career mentor.”  

View Morgans’s presentation at: LTC Week – Rehabilitation Licensed Practical Nurse with Shannex | Centre of Excellence for Health (centresofexcellencenb.ca)

Watch LTC Week – Rehabilitation Licensed Practical Nurse with Shannex

Alex Gagné – Activity Coordinator – Pavillon Richard, Faubourg du Mascaret 

Alex Gagné is an Activity Coordinator at Pavillon Richard, a licensed nursing home located on the Faubourg du Mascaret campus in Moncton, NB. She has been a part of the Shannex team of Great People for seven years. Alex initially joined Shannex as a Personal Support Worker (PSW) in 2017, and quickly realized that this is where she wanted to be.  

“It was one of my work placements that introduced me to the idea of working in a nursing home,” she said. “After that experience, I realized that I love working with the seniors.”  

As an Activity Coordinator, Alex is responsible for creating engaging, interesting, and eventful activities that keep residents active and social. She works with residents, families, loved ones, and team members to make everyone’s day fun. 

She adds, “If you are looking for an exciting and engaging job that fills your day with amazing people, this is the position for you. You get to make a real difference in others’ lives. I love what I do.”  

About the Centre of Excellence for Health 

The Centre of Excellence for Health is a learning platform for children from K-12 to learn about career opportunities by connecting the classroom with real-world experts. To celebrate Long Term Care Week guest speakers were invited to share their expertise in caring for residents in long-term care communities.

Today, the Province of Nova Scotia announced that it would partner with Shannex to expand the transitional care centre at 21 Hogan Ct. in West Bedford. We will purchase the building, take over the renovations and build a 110-suite addition for a total of 178 suites. 

Shannex has been at the forefront of community care for more than 35 years and transitional care is a natural progression of our longstanding dedication to providing quality care that meets evolving healthcare needs.

Read more in the provincial news release.

Parkland West Bedford

In the heart of Therapeutic Recreation Month, we’re eager to highlight a remarkable individual within our team at Parkland West Bedford – Crystal MacNeil, a devoted Recreation Coordinator.

In her role, Crystal plays a crucial part in the Harmony Wellness program through personalized activities that have a positive impact on the wellbeing of the residents she spends time with.

Crystal wears multiple hats, coordinating monthly calendars for residents in Lifestyle Apartments at Pemberley, and those in Memory Care at Stratford. Her passion and dedication shine through as she facilitates resident-led events and gatherings for Pemberley residents, fostering active participation in the programs she leads. 

“It’s rewarding to me to have the privilege to coordinate and lead programs with Memory Care residents,” she shares, emphasizing the fulfillment she finds in her role. 

Crystal dedicates her time with Pemberley residents to facilitate resident-led events and gatherings, encouraging active participation in the programs she leads. She firmly believes in the importance of empowering residents through community involvement and strives to create an inclusive and vibrant atmosphere. 

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It’s this time of year again and we’re excited to announce the recipients of our Great People Give donations. As part of community giving program Shannex Cares, four times per year, we ask our Great People to nominate and vote for organizations or groups that are doing great work supporting seniors and making a difference in the community. Inspired by our Great People to help create visible and meaningful opportunities for elders to be seen, heard and valued for their wisdom and talents, Shannex Cares enables us to give back and recognize elder allies in the community.

The following organizations will each be receiving a Great People Give donation of $1,000:

• Nova Scotia: Colchester East Hants Hospice Society
• New Brunswick: Salisbury Helping Hands Inc
• Ontario: Ajax Seniors Club

The recipients have received the good news that they are being awarded a Great People Give donation and they really appreciate your support. 

About the recipients:

The Colchester East Hants Hospice Society is a grassroots organization with over 30 dedicated volunteers who support people and their families who are dying and grieving beyond what is available through the health care system. 

Salisbury Helping Hands Inc has serviced the community for 23 years. The organization works with many community organizations such as the Lions club, Salisbury Legion, local churches, schools and businesses to help provide local supports and access to food and basic necessities.

The Ajax Seniors Club plans, facilitates and provides opportunity for seniors to come together in friendship. They have become a hub for seniors in the Ajax area.  

Learn more about Shannex Cares.

Dalhousie University, University of New Brunswick and Mount Saint Vincent University receive gifts.

Halifax, N.S. – Shannex is leading the way to a healthier future for aging adults with total donations of $3.5 million to three universities in Atlantic Canada. A sector leader for 36 years, this family organization is investing in research, programs and education in the following areas:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies to inform decision-making and policy planning at every level of the healthcare continuum
• Improved support and care for individuals during transitions as they age
• Opportunities for specialized nurse and caregiver education
• Innovations for food and nutrition for seniors
• Strategies to improve overall wellness and quality of work life for long term care staff

“People are living longer,” said Jason Shannon, president of Shannex. “At Shannex, we embrace the long life, the healthy, engaged and contributing life.  We believe the sector and universities need to work together to find solutions through research that addresses the huge demand for healthy aging support that is ahead of us, to ensure we have a longevity-ready society, one that is inclusive and focused on the opportunities of this wonderful new reality.”

With an aging population in Canada, the time is right to make investments to support aging well. These investments will create living lab opportunities, access to data, and a true collaboration across the health sector to create the best conditions for healthy aging. Three Research Chairs will be established through this $3.5 million investment by Shannex. Details are below.

Dalhousie University: A $2 million donation to create the Shannex Research Chair in Artificial Intelligence and Healthy Aging as well as to establish the Shannex Research Lab in AI and Healthy Aging within the healthy aging research hub. The Chair will be jointly appointed between the Faculty of Health and the Faculty of Computer Science and will work to develop predictive models to enhance resident safety, wellbeing of seniors and identify and propose other proactive strategies derived from data to improve long term care systems and outcomes. This investment will promote interdisciplinary collaboration and research that allows understanding of healthy aging, the frailty trajectory, and identify areas for improvement. 

University of New Brunswick: A $1 million donation to improve care, decision making and a person’s experience during the transitions of aging and to prepare nurses and other health care professionals for the health care system of the future with early exposure to long term care and older adult care. This investment will establish the Shannex Research Chair in Aging Transitions, the Shannex Aging Lab, the Shannex Long Term Care Summer Institute, and Care of the Older Adult Certificate and scholarships.  Through the Research Chair and related lab and learning opportunities, the changing needs of older adults will be understood as well as the policies, decision making and care environments that affect their lives. UNB will conceptualize and publicize best practices, innovative methodologies and the impact of aging transitions through a variety of lenses with an aim to improve the experiences for older adults. 

Mount Saint Vincent University: A $500,000 donation to establish the Shannex Research Chair in Workforce Wellbeing to be located within a future Shannex licensed long term care home and adjacent to MSVU’s Nova Scotia Centre on Aging. The Chair will focus on ideal working conditions, mental health, resilience and other indicators of quality of work life for those who are called to care in long term care environments and will explore the relationship between quality of work life and its impact on residents.  Shannex’s investment will also support developing and testing innovations that support care and nutritional innovation through the faculty of Applied Human Nutrition. Funding opportunities for learners in these areas will also be established.

Work related to these investments will begin immediately with regular opportunities to collaborate and share findings and outcomes across the health sector, academia and in communities. 

Quotes: 

Dalhousie University 

“We’re delighted to partner with Shannex on this critical research chair position in AI and healthy aging. The Chair will help support the health and well-being of older adults by harnessing the power and potential of artificial intelligence. This announcement also lays the groundwork for future collaboration with the Province and other healthcare organizations. We at Dalhousie, alongside our partners, are well positioned to cultivate excellence in this timely and vital area of health.” 

• Dr. Kim Brooks, President and Vice-Chancellor, Dalhousie University

University of New Brunswick  

“This generous investment affirms Shannex’s position as the industry leader in forward-facing elder care in New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada. By combining the strengths of UNB and Shannex, we can address the challenge of providing effective and sustainable care options for older adults during times of transition, and to better coordinate care among different agencies and caregivers. The potential for cross-institutional appointments will help us attract a talented researcher who wants to lead change.” 

• Dr. Paul J. Mazerolle, UNB President & Vice-Chancellor

Mount Saint Vincent University 

“We share with our partners at Shannex the belief that a healthy workforce is key to providing services that facilitate healthy aging, and we’re sincerely grateful for their support of MSVU researchers and learners whose work will lead the way in promoting workforce wellbeing. As home to the Nova Scotia Centre on Aging and a number of other world-leading experts in related fields like nutrition, MSVU is perfectly positioned to be a key research partner in Shannex’s commitment to helping older adults live long and healthy lives.” 

• Dr. Joël Dickinson, President & Vice-Chancellor, Mount Saint Vincent University

About Shannex 

Shannex is a family-owned organization with a vision of Leading the Way to Better Living. Beginning in 1988 with a single nursing home, the organization now offers a full continuum of services for seniors through Care at Home, Parkland Retirement Living, Faubourg du Mascaret and Shannex licensed long term care communities. Currently, Shannex has communities in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Ontario. For more information, visit shannex.com. 

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Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging Courses

Shannex Connects offers several online courses on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. I invite you to begin your learning journey there. 

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Are you a team member of African descent who has a story to share? Or a team coordinator who is hosting activities for Black History Month?

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Celebrating the Opening of Nursing Home Without Walls at Gordon Hall and Ocean Hall

July 2^nd marked an exciting milestone for the community of Moncton as we celebrated the opening of the Nursing Home Without Walls initiative. This innovative program, spearheaded by Suzanne Dupuis-Blanchard from the Université de Moncton and supported by Social Development and Healthcare Excellence Canada, aims to enhance the lives of older adults by promoting healthy aging at home.

The Nursing Home Without Walls initiative, created in 2019, is dedicated to ensuring that seniors and their caregivers have the resources they need to age in place comfortably. By connecting seniors to essential support and services, we strive to improve the quality of life for seniors living at home. The program offers a range of services, including social health initiatives to combat loneliness and isolation, access to critical health information, and the empowerment of the community to meet the needs of an aging population.

Shannex is proud to be part of this initiative, working alongside community leaders to foster meaningful connections and support the well-being of seniors. We invite all community members to join us in this mission.

To learn more about the Nursing Home Without Walls program, contact our Senior Navigator, Rebecca LaForest, at NHWWmoncton@shannex.com.

Shannex is proud to participate in the Nursing Home Without Walls initiative. The Nursing Home Without Walls program is a collaboration between Social Development, the Université de Moncton, and Healthcare Excellence Canada. 

Learn about Nursing Home Without Walls