Hello everyone,

I’m pleased to present you with the Spring issue of Connections, which coincides with Great People Month, a celebration to honour the dedication, hard work, andpassion of our Great People. Over the next few weeks, there will be many activities and events, culminating in the Excellence Awards where we will recognize exceptional service and innovation across a number of categories.

I am proud of the incredible individuals who make our communities special places to live and work. They are the heart and soul of our organization. Their commitment to our Guiding Principles—compassion, honesty, professionalism, and safety—is what sets Shannex apart with residents and trusted partners everywhere we operate.

Our Great People have helped us achieve some significant milestones already this year. We’ve proudly opened the doors to new communities in Fredericton, Eskasoni and Moncton and these homes have already become vibrant places where residents and their loved ones immediately feel at home.

Recently, we embarked on an exciting partnership with Nova Scotia Health to bring a new model of care to the province. Transitional Care represents a real improvement for the future of healthcare. It will ensure patients, who would otherwise wait in hospital, receive the right supports as they transition to a place they call home.

As our organization evolves, the work of our Great People is more important than ever, and I am confident that we have the right teams in place to meet the growing need for quality service and care for seniors in our communities.

I hope this edition of Connections warms your heart and entertains you.

Happy Spring!

Jason President

Ingredients

10 oz of dried penne

12 oz of asparagus

4 large eggs

1 and 3/4 oz of parmesan, plus extra to serve

4 slices of smoked bacon

Method

Cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling salted water according to the package instructions. Meanwhile, snap the woody end o the asparagus, then slice the spears roughly the same length as the pasta, halving any thick spears lengthways. Separate the egg, putting the yolk into a bowl, then finely grate the cheese and mix (do not use the white of the egg you can keep it for something else.)

Finely slice the bacon, then place in a large nonstick frying pan on a medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a generous pinch of black pepper and cook for 4 minutes, or until golden and crisp.Add the asparagus to the bacon for 3 minutes, then drain the pasta, reserving a cupful of starchy cooking water.

Tip the pasta into the bacon pan, toss and stir everything together, then remove from the heat and wait 2 minutes for the pan to cool slightly (if too hot, the egg mixture will scramble). Loosen the egg mixture with a splash of cooking water, then pour over the pasta, tossing and stirring vigorously – the egg will gently cook in the residual heat. Season to perfection.

Adjust the consistency with extra cooking water, ifneeded, and finish with a pinch of pepper and an extra grating of cheese, if you like.

Improving Employe Experience and Resident Care

As part of a membership in the Coordinated AccessibleNational (CAN) Health Network, Shannex is partnering with Blanc Labs to deploy automated processes to improve employee transitions and reduce demands on operational, human resources, information technology, and business system teams using Robotic Process Automation.

“Our team members are focused on providing care and service to residents in our communities and we’re always looking to find ways to improve the quality of our work,” said Greg Heard, Vice President, Innovation and Technology.

Implemented by members of our IT and Business Systems teams, this solution will be used across 47 long term care and retirement living communities in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Ontario.

Read Shannex Adopts Automation to 
Revolutionize its Employee 
Experience

National Nurses Week is May 6-12, 2024, and this year’s theme is Changing Lives. Shaping Tomorrow. This theme acknowledges the remarkable and meaningful impact that nurses have on residents, and the communities they serve.

Nurses are at the forefront of health care innovation, and enable advancements in treatments, technologies, and practices. They have significant influence on shaping the future of health care and mentoring our next generation of health care professionals.

Thank you to our nurses for your advocacy, unwavering commitment to our residents, and for sharing your talents and expertise with us everyday. The care that you provide, the relationships you build,and the meaningful memories you create, do not go unnoticed.

This week and every week, we celebrate you

Parkland at the Lakes

For Global Recycling Day, Sustainability Coordinator, Emma Christensen shared with team members and residents how to properly recycle and reduce waste.

At Shannex, we work to create green spaces that foster environmental stewardship. From paper to plastic to glass and electronics, every item recycled makes a difference.

Learn about Green initiatives at Shannex

Faubourg du Mascaret

In the heart of our communities, Elder Allies shine as symbols of compassion and care. Their dedication to seniors’ wellness, active living, and social connections embodies the spirit of Shannex Cares.

On Caregiver Appreciation Day in March, we recognized and celebrated caregivers in our communities for their commitment to the wellbeing of residents.

We love hearing about your
interactions with our Great People.

Do you have a warm experience, a photo, or thank you message?

Hogan Court, West Bedford

In March the Province of Nova Scotia and Shannex announced a partnership to expand and enhance the transitional care centre at 21 Hogan Court in West Bedford, while also building a 110-room addition, for a total of178 rooms. This new centre will help meet the health care needs of Nova Scotia.

“We believe transitional healthcare represents a real improvement for the future of healthcare in Nova Scotia, ensuring patients who would otherwise wait in hospital receive the right support as they transition to a place they call home. We are grateful for the opportunity and for the trust being placed in us, and we look forward to meeting and exceeding the expectations of patients and our community.”- Jason Shannon, President, Shannex.

What is transitional care?

Transitional care provides support for those who do not need in-hospital care but still require ongoing support before they can transition to their home. Transitional health focuses on each patient’s individual care planning needs, restoring patient abilities,proper mobilization, nutrition, socialization, and care.

Thomas Hall

Ken does not proclaim to be a romance expert, however he did say ‘things have never been better’ in his relationship with his beautiful bride of 66 years, Carolyn.

Ken visits Carolyn daily at Thomas Hall to offer encouragement, care, affection, and occasionally a latte or two. Carolyn said she fell in love with Ken when she was 14.

When asked what attracted her to him, atfirst, her reply was, “his kind eyes, they reflected such a caring nature.”Ken, a known builder in the community, has always been a hard-working man. Perhaps, this contributed to the fact that he said there was “little time for arguing.” He stated that he and Carolyn worked as a team, “it’s a two-way street… both have to give a bit”.

He went on to say that they are just normal people that have experienced difficult times like a lot of couples and believe their faith in God had helped. “Giving up was not an option,” says Ken. Carolyn felt the same and said that they were both determined to “make it work”.

Carolyn and Ken exemplify the meaning of true love and symbolize that love has no bounds.

Read An Arborstone Love Story

Through a partnership with the Government of Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Community College, Shannex has created a new pathway to becoming a Continuing Care Assistant.

The Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) Pilot Program is designed to help meet our communities’ need for more elder care in Nova Scotia – faster.

Classes began on April 1^st, and 22 students will complete a combination of classroom and practical work for six months to become a CCA. A second class will start in October.

The program provides free tuition, an allowance, and two years of guaranteed employment upon graduation.

Learn more about Healthcare and Clinical Careers with Shannex

Parkland on Eglinton West

Olga Kovacik, resident at Parkland on Eglinton West and two of our Great People, Chauffeur Frank Sernaglia, and Lifestyle Consultant Abigail Beveridge, delivered boxes of personal hygiene products to the Canadian Ukraine parachute organization in Etobicoke, ON.

Olga organized a resident collection of toiletries for new Ukrainian families who have fled to Canada. They filled four boxes for this initiative! Olga has been living at Parkland on Eglinton West since August 2021. She enjoys playing a round of golf and belongs to the Toronto Mandolin Orchestra who will play at Parkland on Eglinton West in December this year!

Our Shannex Cares community program is designed to deepen community connections as we deliver on our vision of Leading the Way to Better Living.

Learn about Shannex Cares

As nature begins to blossom, it’s a good time to turn our attention to our mental wellness and how our physical bodies, brains and lifestyles interact. Elevate your mental wellness and embrace the arrival of spring!

• Nourish your brain: What we eat impacts our brain function. Prioritize nutrient-rich foods like leafy greens, vibrant fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds and beans
• Move your body: Exercise regularly to release those feel-good hormones. Aim for at least 15 minutes a day of physical activity
• Prioritize your sleep: Create consistent sleep schedules, a relaxing bedtime routine and aim for seven to eight hours of sleep each night
• Cultivate meaningful connections: Mental well being is vital. Engage with friends, family and your supportive community
• Reach out for support: Remember it’s ok to ask for help when you need it. No challenge is too small or too daunting to tackle alone.

At Shannex we are deeply committed to supporting the mental wellbeing of our Great People. We offer The Working Minds course through the Mental Health Commission of Canada. This comprehensive course equips our Great People with invaluable mental health education and resilience-building strategies.

On February 28, team members and residents at many Shannex and Parkland communities recognized Pink Shirt Day in solidarity against bullying and in support of inclusive spaces where everyone is accepted.

Parkland at the Gardens

Medley Hall

Carleton Hall

Home Office

Our learning journey is supported by our Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, a group actively engaged in directing our next steps towards cultivating a more inclusive workplace culture.

On Valentine’s Day, this group organized a Pride event at Home Office, featuring guest speaker Dan MacKay (Publisher of Wayves Magazine and long-standing LGBTQ+ activist in NS) to discuss pride and belonging in the workplace.

We ask each of our Great People to lead by example to foster spaces where diversity thrives, equity is upheld, and inclusion is embraced.

Learn more about DEIB at Shannex

Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging

Diversity is what makes each of us unique. It includes our backgrounds, personality, life experiences and beliefs – the things that make us who we are and shape our view of the world, perspectives and approach to life.

We all want to feel valued and respected for who we are and what we do. That’s why Shannex is on a learning journey to include diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) in our culture, fostering a space where we are respectful, understanding and collaborative. DEIB efforts are the practice of creating an environment where Great People of all background scan thrive and contribute to their fullest potential.

The new DEIB toolkit for team members can help you learn more about how we can keep diversity at the top of our minds. Take part in the DEIB toolkit today!

Learn more about Lead Blue by emailing learning@shannex.com.

Parkland at the Lakes

A heartwarming reminder that love comes in many forms.

Residents from Parkland at the Lakes, Nova Scotia celebrated their very own “Galentines” Day event during their morning coffee, sweet treats with even sweeter company. These ladies enjoy wonderful female friendships they’ve made over the years together.

Read more in Snapshots

Every day, our Great People make a meaningful impression on residents, families and others in the greater community. They are inspired in their daily work by our four Guiding Principles, which are a written reminder to be compassionate, honest, professional and safe in all that we do.

The teams featured on this page have demonstrated exceptional efforts to stay true to these Guiding Principles and they inspire us all.

Every May during Great People Month, we take special pride in celebrating not only our remarkable team members but also the Guiding Principles that inspire our work.

Safe

The Team at Parkland Truro

There is nothing more important than the safety of every person who lives and works with us. Shannex measures safety in many ways, including the Safety Profile Score (SPS), a unique tool that documents legislative compliance and assesses occupational health and safety outcomes. A community who holds a robust SPS score is one that maintains a consistent commitment to provincial safety requirements and demonstrates continuous improvement toward creating a culture of safety.Parkland Truro achieved a perfect SPS score for 12 consecutive months. The diligent actions performed monthly by the team ensured there were no employee injuries during that time. This can only be achieved through exceptional commitment and due diligence. Congratulations to the Parkland Truro team for keeping everyone safe,secure, and protected!

Honest

L’équipe de gestion du Pavillon Landry et duPavillon Richard

Les équipes très efficaces prennent le temps de se connaître et de se soutenir mutuellement. L’équipe du Pavillon Richard et du Pavillon Landry à Moncton, au N.-B., a établi un lien profond et un système de soutien. Lorsqu’ils ne travaillent pas à fournir des services et des soins aux personnes résidentes, ils dînent ensemble sur la rue Main.Cela leur permet d’établir des liens et a donné lieu à des relations solides et de confiance.

The Team at Pavillon Richard and Pavillon Landry Highly effective teams take time to get to know one another and provide mutual support. The team at Pavillon Richard and Pavillon Landry in Moncton,NB have built a deep connection and support system. When they are not working to provide service and care to residents, they take time to eat lunch together on Main Street. This has led to strong relationships, trust and transparency.

Compassionate

The Team at Medley Hall

Welcoming residents into a new community requires compassion and patience. There are often lots of questions and much time spent getting to know each other. The team at Medley Hall, in Fredericton, NB is an inspirational example of how to do this well. Since opening the doors to their new home in February, the team has not only been a huge support to residents and their loved ones,but they have also shown each other kindness and respect as they settled into a new operating home. Compassion shines bright at Medley Hall.

Professional

The Team at Parkland on the Glen

Our dedicated team embodies a commitment to excellence in serving our residents daily. While keeping professionalism top of mind, they embrace the principle of meeting residents where they are, whether it’s through individualized attention or group interactions. They prioritize inclusivity by proactively engaging with residents who may have varying needs, whether it’s leaning in to ensure clear communication for those with hearing impairments or ensuring accessibility for those with visual impairments. At Parkland on the Glen, the team takes pride in fostering both an engaged workforce and delighted residents.

Nicole MacDonald,
Recreation Coordinator, Elk Court, NS

Nicole has been a Recreation Coordinator at Elk Court since January 2023. She is vibrant, enthusiastic, and engaged with residents. Nicole continuously surprises residents and team members at Elk Court with simple yet creative and fun activities. Thank you, Nicole, you’re an amazing addition to our team

Terrilynn Heeran,
Supply Coordinator, Cedarstone Enhanced Care, NS

As an environmental steward Terrilynn brings reusable cutlery from home with her lunch every day. This reduces single use flatware on our site, while also positively impacting over consumption. Terrilynn is a long service employee at Cedarstone’s Enhanced Care and is always engaged in activities and initiatives within the community

Caught You Being Great Awards recognize exceptional behaviors by employees who are clearly living and delivering our Guiding Principles: Compassionate, Honest, Professional, Safe.

Learn more about our Employee Recognition Program, Caught You Being Great.

Pavillon LeBlanc

Josette Levesque is a resident of Pavillon LeBlanc. Music has always been an integral part of her life. After studying music at the École normale de musique at Université de Montréal (Westmount), Ms. Levesque taught piano before developing her true passion for choir singing. Over the years, she has served as choir director of various groups: children’s groups, the Dalhousie Parish Choir in New Brunswick, the Dalhousie Music Club and, finally, Choeur Chante-Joie, of which she is the founder. The twenty-member Choeur Chante-Joie has had many opportunities to perform, including at the Arcadia des in Shediac and the World Acadian Congress in Nova Scotia.

Recently, Ms.Levesque had the pleasure of introducing the Choeur Chante-Joie to other residents of Faubourg du Mascaret during the activity Heure d’écoute, c’est dans la chanson qu’on apprend. She shared 11 songs that told a story. Thank you, Ms. Levesque, for offering us such a wonderful activity.

A three-day blizzard brought Nova Scotia, and team member Rylan DeCoste to a standstill back in February. 

Rylan, a high school student and part-time team member, plays a vital role at Parkland Antigonish. He serves as a concierge, managing the main entrance, and is part of the waitstaff, handling meal service for residents and guests. Approaching his one-year work anniversary in April, Rylan considers the residents and team members as family, a sentiment strengthened during the blizzard when he was stranded at Parkland Antigonish for three days.

“The staff were very supportive. The managers went above and beyond to make sure that everyone had a nice room to sleep in, and they even delivered us food and washed my clothes,” said Rylan of his weekend stay at Parkland.  

Brenna MacDonald, Business Manager and Lifestyle Consultant at Parkland Antigonish, commended Rylan’s dedication during the snowfall, describing him as a “rock star” who took on multiple roles and coordinated staff efforts. 

“Rylan stayed all weekend and helped in multiple roles and with coordinating staff as a main point of contact. He even had the opportunity to get a ride home with his mother but stayed to help another night,” said Brenna. 

This kind of support is not a one-time event. Fitting for the small town in the northeastern corner of Nova Scotia, Antigonish has a reputation of being a family friendly town. “When there is a storm, the managers will offer to drive to our personal residences to pick us up and drive us to work and give us a lift home when our shift is over,” said Rylan.  

Since starting with Parkland in April 2023, Rylan has discovered a passion for working with seniors. His favourite perk about his serving role is connecting with the residents on a personal level in the meal hall, and identifying how they’re unique in their food preferences. 

“I look forward to clearing Calvin’s dishes because I sit and chat about baseball for a few minutes each night. John will order a salad with poppyseed before his meal with a bowl of fresh fruit for dessert while Alice likes peach yogurt. Joe will always grab a cookie for dessert, but it can’t be anything with a nut in it. Not because of an allergy, but because he just doesn’t like it. That sort of thing makes this place special.”  

Rylan has also discovered a love for hospitality and says managing a Parkland community would be a dream of his. He has had many conversations with Parkland Antigonish General Manager, Adam Jamieson, about his own experiences in management, and hopes to follow in his shoes someday.

“This job has opened my eyes to the world of hospitality management,” said Rylan. “Being able to take care of others and manage a Parkland or hotel is an interest of mine.”

Rylan plans to pursue a business degree from St. Francis Xavier University, while still working at Parkland Antigonish throughout his studies.

Explore Parkland hospitality and service jobs in your city

Parkland Cape
Breton

When severe weather is in the forecast, our team members pull together to ensure they are ready to face all conditions.

In February, Nova Scotia was hit by a massive snowstorm leaving 150 centimeters of snow in Cape Breton, that’s nearly five feet of snow!

Undeterred, our dedicated Great People in many of our communities traveled to work by any means necessary to care for residents. We thank our teams for their resilient and persistent spirits during the snowy season.

Wellness coach Terri Spooney had to change plans quickly and decided to host events the Cape Breton way. She invited resident York MacEachern to play guitar as the snow piled up outside.

The performance turned the day around and residents loved the live concert.

Jennie Lutz-Burns, General Manager at Parkland West Bedford, joined her team to make sure walkways were cleared for residents and visitors after the winter storm.

Another snowstorm in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, turned one eight hour shift into 72-hour shift for one part-time employee:

Read Beyond the Blizzard: Rylan’s 72-hour Shift

Parkland West
Bedford

Caritas

Recently, the team at Caritas Residence joined together to celebrate their years of service awards, ranging from one year of service to 43 years!

Caritas Residence is a special place that has earned its reputation through the dedication of its team members to putting residents first and ensuring everyone feels welcome, whether they are moving in,arriving for work or visiting.The event included presentations of certificates,refreshments and a live performance from Morrisey Dunn.

Congratulations to the team at Caritas.

Faubourg du Mascaret

Since 2019, francophone seniors in the Moncton area have been benefiting from multiple activities every week through the Pivot santé pour aînés (PSA)project. The project is from the Centre d’études du vieillissement from the Université de Moncton,funded by the New Brunswick government. The project targets three components:

1) Offering health promotion and disease prevention services in French to increase health empowerment;

2) Advocating for the creation of an innovative learning environment and the development of interdisciplinary collaborations; and

3) Promoting collaborative research between researchers, PSA partners and Faubourg du Mascaret.

Popular activities include yoga sessions, physical exercise, tai chi, information sessions and projects with students. For more information, contact Raymonde by email (rsaintil@shannex.com) or phone at 506-384-7272, ext. 5241.

Leota Weldon
Resident, Monarch Hall

Leota Weldon turned 101 on February 14^th.

She is a family orientated woman who loves to keep friends and relatives close. “I feel the same,”said Leota when asked how she felt about turning 101.

“I am truly surprised to have celebrated this birthday.”101 years are filled with many different experiences for Leota. “I have lived a long and fulfilling life, it has been very interesting, and I have meta lot of good people.

Shirley Hilchey
Resident, Parkland at the Lakes

Shirley Hilchey believes the secret to a long and healthy life is simple: Rice Krispies and bananas!

Having recently celebrated her 100^th birthday, Shirley was invited to share her life story to mark the 100^th podcast episode of Kristen and Mike in Dartmouth, NS.

Shirley has lived a long and full life; in 100 years she has raised a beautiful family with her husband. Shirley has traveled around to many places with her loving husband but has found her home in Nova Scotia.

When asked if she was indeed 100 years old, she said, “I think I am. I have to look at my birth certificate!” Shirley grew up during the Great Depression and has worked hard for everything she has.Life has taken Shirley on exciting adventures and taught her many lessons, “When you are young, you wish you had everything. But what you don’t have you don’t miss.” She encourages people to enjoy life and take it one day at a time.

Madame Marguerite Maille
Résidente duPavillon Cormier

Résidente du Pavillon Cormier, Mme Maillet a récemment célébré son 100e anniversaire de naissance. Elle a toujours été passionnée de l’écriture, même encore aujourd’hui. Après ses études elle a collaboré avec plusieurs personnes eta publié plusieurs livres pour les enfants en tant qu’auteure. Elle a également enseigné la littérature acadienne à l’Université de Moncton pendant bon nombre d’années. De plus, sa passion lui a permis de fonder sa maison d’édition, Bouton d’or Acadie,qui publie des œuvres pour la jeunesse. Parmi ses nombreuses distinctions, elle a été nommée, en 2002, Officier de l’Ordre du Canada.

Mrs. Marguerite Maillet
Resident of Pavillon Cormier

Mrs. Maillet recently celebrated her 100^th birthday.She has always been passionate about writing, even today. After her studies, she taught Acadian literature at the University of Moncton for many years and published several books for children as an author. Her passion enabled her to set up her own publishing house, Bouton d’or Acadie, which publishes works for young people. Among hermany distinctions, she was appointed, in 2002, Officer of the Order of Canada.

Learn more about our newest Parkland active lifestyle retirement communities

Love Day at Debert Court

Spreading the love at Debert Court Resident Harold Goswell sharing the love on Valentines Day

Paint Night

Chef by day, painter by night. Dennis MacDonald, the head chef at Parkland on the River recently shared his passion for painting with residents, leading a fun class where everyone got creative.

Truro’s Long John Festival

Claudette Levesque, resident of Fergus Hall (Parkland Truro)and Mayor Bill Mills enjoyed a senior’s tea for Truro’s Long John Festival

Tricycle Tales

Madame Cécile Gautreau,resident at Pavillon Landry in Moncton, NB enjoys riding the adapted tricycle because it brings back memories of cycling with her husband in their younger days.

Cheering for the Cape Breton Eagles

Residents at Parkland Cape Breton had the privilege of cheering on the Cape Breton Eagles during a live game at the Pepsi Community Skybox at Centre 200.

Women Supporting Women

A shining example of this commitment is Maria Tarasio, a part-time concierge at Parkland on the Glen, who has dedicated herself to supporting women through her business, The We Network Canada.

Wear Blue

Royal Court residents and team members wearing blue in support of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.

Reading Companions

Parkland at the Gardens residents, Jill and Ginger,formed a connection through literature. The Reading Companions Program highlights our commitment to promoting mental well-being through the power of storytelling.

Saint Patrick’s Day at
Cohen Hall

Residents celebrated with a mobile cart filled with goodies like cupcakes, lime pop, ginger ale, green pudding and
Jell-O.

Empowered Together

Residents at Parkland Eglinton West celebrate International Women’s Day.

International Women’s Day

Team Members from Medley Hall in Fredericton, NB celebrated International Women’s Day by wearing purple!

Quilting at Ajax

Maria Martins and Jenny VanSickle, residents from ParklandAjax, work together on their dignity quilt.

Ingredients

10 oz of dried penne

12 oz of asparagus

4 large eggs

1 and 3/4 oz of parmesan, plus extra to serve

4 slices of smoked bacon

Method

The pastry base: Preheat the oven to 325◦F.Cut a circle of grease proof paper in the bottomof the pastry shell, fill it with dried beans andbake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.Remove from the oven, take out the beans andpaper and keep the pastry shell at roomtemperature. Lower the oven temperature to300◦F.The lemons: Wash, grate the zest and squeezethe lemons, reserving the zest and juicetogether.The eggs: Break them into a bowl, add sugarand beat lightly with a wire whisk until themixture is smooth and well blended.The cream: Pour the cream onto the eggmixture and mix very lightly with a wire whisk.Stir in the lemon juice and zest, and then pourthe filling onto the pastry case.Cooking: Place immediately in the preheatedoven and bake for 40 minutes. If the top of thetart becomes too brown before the end of thecooking time, cover with foil.Cool completely and enjoy.