News Briefs from the July 2016 Blue Water Rest Home Board Meeting…

Our volunteers are critical for our success and a vital connection to our area.  We are always looking for more help to meet the expanding needs on the West Huron Care Centre campus, in Blue Water Rest Home Long-Term Care, and throughout the local area, assisting  with programs through Community Connections.
Our aim is to match your interests with our Residents and clients.  Our volunteers are involved in many activities, including Meals on Wheels delivery, Exercise Program Leaders, Good Food Box, C.H.A.P. (Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program),  Congregate Dining Host/Hostess, Horticulturist, Porter, Snack and Drink Cart, Special Events Assistant, Musicians and other Talent, Auxiliary Members, and Pet Therapy.
We invite you to share your special talents! If you have an interesting talent or hobby, you can make a connection to those we serve - people who would like to meet you. Volunteers are the cornerstone of our organization. Contact our Volunteer Co-ordinator at 519-236-4373, ext. 629, or a.masse@bluewaterresthome.com


As well as being on “Twitter”, the West Huron Care Centre/Blue Water Rest Home has taken its next step on social media and is now on “Facebook”.  Our address is the same for both - @whccbwrh - or you can search for “West Huron Care Centre” or “Blue Water Rest Home”.
Response from the community to our posts and images has been very favourable so far, and we look forward to developing our on-line presence further as a meaningful method of connecting to the people we serve.

VIEWPOINT 2016 - News from the Blue Water Rest Home Summer 2016

Click to read Summer 2016 VIEWPOINT News

New Facebook Page for West Huron Care Centre - Blue Water Rest Home

Want to keep up with news from the West Huron Care Centre - Blue Water Rest Home.  Join us on Facebook at http://facebook.com/whccbwrh

News Briefs from the June 2016 Blue Water Rest Home Board Meeting…

On May 17th, the Healthcare Inspiration Awards were held at Hessenland Country Inn. 68 people attended as 17 individuals and teams were honoured for their significant contributions in the healthcare sector, and one student was awarded a scholarship.  Blue Water Rest Home’s winners present at the ceremony included Sandra Desjardines, Brenda Sheppard, Katherine McEwen, Jill Geiger, Patty Groot, Shelly Miller and Lorri Behnish.  The event was organized by the Health Human Resources subcommittee of the Huron Perth Area Provider Table, and the committee’s members include Angie Dunn and Patty Groot.


Community Gardens at the West Huron Care Centre are in the final stages of being prepared.  The raised beds are installed at the north entrance to Birchwoods Apartments and outside Maplewoods Apartments.  The Gardens were constructed with a grant from the “New Horizons for Seniors” program from the federal government.  The Gardens at Birchwoods will be used for intergenerational programs by Seniors from the apartments and children from the West Huron Early Childhood Learning Centre as a way to demonstrate how well these groups interact.


Blue Water Rest Home is introducing courses in “Mental Health First Aid” for the region.  Nurse Clinician, Sherry Selves, has successfully completed the “Train the Trainer” curriculum and will be offering the MHFA Canada course in July, August, and September/October at the West Huron Care Centre.  The intent of the training is to allow individuals to recognize when someone is in potential mental health distress, de-escalate potential mental health crises and ensure that those in need are directed to resources to assist them through their short and long-term goals.  Brochures are being sent to healthcare and social service providers to inform them of the course dates and times.

News Briefs from the May 2016 Blue Water Rest Home Board Meeting…

The issue of the water supply in Zurich was discussed at length.  Items such as the poor quality of the water (high fluoride and solids levels) and its impact on key capital items such as water heaters (replaced eight times in six years), a potential dishwasher failure (replacement cost $10,000), and the installation of a reverse osmosis conditioner (cost $40,000) and its maintenance all arose during the conversation around the Board table.  Coupled with that was a mention of the independent 25,000-gallon fire suppression water supply that had to be installed during redevelopment due to low municipal water pressure at an original (2008) cost of $200,000. 

75 of the Home’s dedicated Volunteers were recognized for all their contributions at the annual Volunteer banquet held at the Zurich Mennonite Church on April 13, 2016.  The Board and Staff acknowledged over 2640 Volunteer hours of service in 2015.  In addition, The Honourable Michael Chan, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade invited us to celebrate the 2016 Ontario Volunteer Service Awards on Thursday, April 28, 2016, in London.  The following local Volunteers were nominated from Blue Water Rest Home and each received a lapel pin and certificate in recognition of their commitment and dedication.

Carmel Sweeney - 40 years, Marlene Gingerich - 40 years, Cecilia Farwell - 30 years, Martha Risi - 30 years, Joan Regier - 15 years.  Congratulations to our Volunteers!

News Briefs from the April 2016 Blue Water Rest Home Board Meeting…

The partnership between Blue Water Rest Home and Georgian College is offering a Personal Support Worker course starting in May at the West Huron Care Centre.  PSWs are in high demand in the healthcare sector!
For more information, or to register, contact Patty Groot at 519-236-4373 ext. 631 or p.groot@bluewaterresthome.com


The Home’s dedicated Volunteers were recognized for all their contributions at the annual Volunteer banquet held at the Zurich Mennonite Church on April 13, 2016.  On behalf of Blue Water Rest Home and Community Connections Outreach Services, the Board and Staff acknowledged over 2640 Volunteer hours of service in 2015!  As a result of this generosity, residents and community members enjoy a range of activities and programs.  Thank you Volunteers!