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Enjoying life to its fullest at The Pines
By Dale Peacock
Optimizing life is the phrase emblazoned
on the exterior of The Pines, a
long-term care home in Bracebridge
owned and operated by the District of
Muskoka. It sets the tone for the goal
of supporting its elderly residents in
achieving an optimal quality of life.
While there is a general misconception
that long-term care facilities are
dingy, lonely places devoid of caring,
The Pines is proof that simply isn’t the
case. Upon entering, the first impression
is one of cheery décor, impeccable
cleanliness, and the sense that residents,
staff, administration and volunteers
operate as a team. The hum of
chatter and laughter form the backdrop
of the day-to-day activities there.
The Pines is home to 160 residents.
There are five home areas and four outdoor
courtyards. Residents are assisted
with personal care that readies them for
a day of activity and shared mealtimes.
No one languishes in bed. There are
volunteer feeding and reading programs
for those who need one-on-one
attention. The Country Kitchen and
Celebration Dining Room are hubs of
interactivity. A chapel, fireplaces,
library, tuck shop, beauty/barber shop,
restorative therapy room and Muskoka
Room offer more reflective options.
“I absolutely love it here!” says
Donna McDougall, chair of the Resident’s
Council.
Despite crippling rheumatoid arthritis,
her positive attitude, sense of
humour and joie de vivre is contagious.
“Would I prefer to be in good health
and in my own apartment? Certainly,
but I need some help and this is a wonderful
place to live.”
There are a number of active volunteer
groups that are strong at The
Pines, including the Family Council,
an advocacy and fundraising group.
“The Family Council was in place at
The Pines well before the province
mandated it,” explains member Mary
Jane Philp. “The admission of a parent
to The Pines usually motivates joining,
but even when a loved one passes on we
tend to stay due to the positive environment
here.”
The group currently has several
fundraising initiatives underway,
including Pennies for the Pines. The
public is encouraged to drop off their
pennies to help reach the $5,000
fundraising goal.
Through fundraising efforts in the
past, the Family Council has purchased
courtyard fountains, new dishes for the
Country Kitchen, art work to brighten
the walls, vintage movies and a fireplace
in the Muskoka Room. Their largest
project to date was improving the garden
in the Spruce Glen Courtyard.
They also advocated for clear glass to
replace solid walls on the balconies and
worked with Dieticians of Ontario to
increase raw food allocations by 30 per
cent for long-term care residents.
Residents of The Pines gather to enjoy music and dancing. The quality of life of the residents is the focus at the
long-term care home in Bracebridge, which is owned and operated by the District of Muskoka.
“The Family Council has initiated
some great ideas,” says office manager
Mary Lodge, the staff liaison for the
Family Council. “Because the council
is made up of those who have family
members in residence here, they
notice things that we might be too
close to see.”
While the group discusses fundraising
initiatives, life is bustling around
them. Resident Mary Jo Lynch is
out and about and her walker is piled
high with art supplies. Others prefer
to reflect in the Muskoka Room,
which is decorated in the style that
was in vogue when most of the
residents were young.
Outside each bedroom is a memory
box displaying personal photos and
memorabilia.
“These boxes remind us to consider
the whole person,” Lodge says,
explaining that the steadfast care and
commitment throughout all departments
is applied by using a combination
of holistic models of care 24 hours
a day, every day.
Locked areas support those afflicted
with advanced Alzheimer’s Disease
and other related dementias. It is as
lovely, serene and clean as the other
home areas.
“We use the GPA (Gentle Persuasive
Approach) to handle aggressive behaviour,”
says Cathy Freer, the assistant
director of care in the Alzheimer’s unit.
We look at an outburst as a sign that
some need of the resident is going
unmet. A Gentle Care Team then
works with the agitated person to
understand that need in order to
de-escalate the situation.”
Restraints and medications are
largely a thing of the past as the team
uses compassion and understanding to
help these special people.
The staff at The Pines believes and is
skilled in the family centered approach
to care. Once a loved one comes into
their care, so too do family members.
It is a team effort to support each individual
to travel this stage of life’s journey.
“The love and care that the staff has
for the residents is incredible,” says Vankoughnet’s
Carol Clepsoe, who delivered
foot care to residents for three years
before her hands became arthritic. “Every
individual is a person, not a number.”
There is a long waiting list for The
Pines, and one can see why. It offers a
glowing model for just what long-term
care homes can and should be.
Embrace winter fun
Town of Gravenhurst notes
Winter is far from over yet! So why
not think of ways to embrace winter
and have some fun!
The 2010 Olympics are around the
corner and we would like to send off
our hometown medalist in style.
Come and celebrate with Gravenhurst’s
Graeme Murray as he and his
Team Canada Sledge Hockey teammates
will be leaving in March for the
Vancouver Paralympics.
It all kicks off at North Restaurant
on Saturday, Feb. 20 at 3:30 p.m.
Sign a good luck banner, receive an
autograph from Graeme and see his
Paralympic Sledge Hockey gold
medal and World Championship
ring. Refreshments will be provided.
Everyone is invited to attend and wish
Graeme and his team good luck! Let’s
show Graeme how proud we are!
Contact Robbie at 705-687-8618.
Gravenhurst March Break Day
Camp is getting ready for another
year and parents are reminded that
this camp will run from March 15-
19. Participants will enjoy a week
full of games, recreational sports,
music and crafts. Tuesday, March 16
is trip day to Huntsville for some
snow tubing and swimming! Ages
5-12 are welcome to participate.
The camp will be held at Gravenhurst
High School and campers are
reminded to bring lots of outdoor
clothes, running shoes, and a healthy
lunch and snacks each day. Space is
limited so be sure register soon. Stop
by the Community Services Office at
the arena to pre-register. The day
camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
daily with extended drop off and pick
up times from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Call Judy at 705-687-6774 ext 22.
Photograph: Don MacTavish
www.whatsupmuskoka.com February 2010 13