News Briefs from the May 2017 Blue Water Rest Home Board Meeting…

Blue Water has received funding to hire two students for the summer through the Rural Healthcare Summer Placement Program.  The intent of this program is to provide training for students in our rural setting to assist with partnering agencies and ongoing recruitment challenges.   Our students will work in Long-Term Care Activation and Community Outreach Wellness.

We are still awaiting a decision on an application to Service Canada for the Canada Summer Jobs Program and if successful, a student will be hired to work in Long-Term Care Therapy Services.  

These are very rewarding programs to be involved with for the students, our staff mentors and the benefits for the clients we serve.

News Briefs from the April 2017 Blue Water Rest Home Board Meeting…

Director of Care - Cathy Dack has tendered her resignation as Director of Care at Blue Water Rest Home effective May 12, 2017. It’s exciting that Cathy is transitioning to semi-retirement and will continue nursing in a clinical capacity but we will miss the dedication that she has provided to the nursing department for the past 15 years.
As a result, we are pleased to announce that Janet Willert is joining our team as Director of Care effective June 5, 2017. Janet started her career as a Health Care Aide at Blue Water Rest Home and worked here as a Registered Nurse prior to gaining some community experience at the Bluewater Area Family Health Team and St. Elizabeth Healthcare. Janet brings many local connections and resides in Zurich.

Pharmacy Changeover – Our Pharmaceutical transition to Hogan Pharmacy Partners has gone very smoothly and successfully. Following the established plan set out by Hogan, all aspects of the transition were delivered as described. The support of a Registered Pharmacy Technician onsite 3-4 days per week and onboard training for our Registered Staff allowed for the implementation to occur seamlessly.
Nurse Practitioner – Effective February 2, 2017, Blue Water Rest Home and Exeter Villa are the recipients of Ministry of Health funding for a shared Attending Nurse Practitioner. This initiative brings onsite primary care for residents and works as part of our team to strengthen care received in long-term care. We are pleased to announce that Linda Anderson has joined our team and is support by our Medical Director, Dr. O’Connor.

News Briefs from the March 2017 Blue Water Rest Home Board Meeting…

Blue Water Rest Home’s 52nd Annual General Meeting was held on Wednesday, March 1st, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. Two departing Directors were acknowledged for their contributions to the Board. Norm Eckel, represented Brucefield Community Church on the Board since 2012 and Keith Semple served as a Member at Large since 2014.

As a result, two new Directors were introduced to members attending the meeting. Bill Dowson will represent Brucefield Community Church and Lynn Wareing will serve as a Member at Large. No other nominations were made from the floor. We look forward to getting to know our new Directors at April’s meeting.

News Briefs from the February 2017 Blue Water Rest Home Board Meeting…

Upcoming Events

• Blue Water Rest Home’s 52^nd Annual General Meeting is being held at the West Huron Care Centre on Wednesday, March 1^st, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.  Everyone is welcome.

• World Day of Prayer is being held in the Chapel on Friday, March 3^rd, 2017 at 2 p.m.  Everyone is welcome.

• Mental Health First Aid Education is being offered at the West Huron Care Centre:
  March 11 & 25, 2017 – 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Or April 5/12/19/26 – 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Fee $150 – call 519-236-4373 x631 to register

• Blue Water Rest Home’s Ladies Auxiliary is being recognized for 50 years of dedication at our Volunteer Appreciation Event on April 5^th, 2017.

Accepting Applications

• Volunteers – Meals on Wheels Drivers  - call 519-236-4373 x 631

• Staff – Part-time Registered Nurses and Personal Support Workers – call 519-236-4373 x 628

New Service

• TCM Health will be offering reflexology, meditation, acupuncture, acupressure and cosmetic acupuncture as part of our ‘hub of services’ at the West Huron Care Centre.  For more information refer to www.tcmhealthclinic.ca

News Briefs from the January 2017 Blue Water Rest Home Board Meeting…

Blue Water Rest Home’s 52^nd Annual General Meeting is being held at the West Huron Care Centre on Wednesday, March 1^st, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

We continue to accept applications for a Director-At-Large to serve on the Board.  The terms for Board Directors are three years in duration, with an option to serve three terms (nine years in total).  Individuals with prior governance experience and an appropriate background (for example: finance, law, health care, quality management, labour relations, advocacy, government) are encouraged to apply.   Any interested people should contact the Board’s Nominations and Governance Committee:

            c/o Angie Dunn, CEO

            Blue Water Rest Home

            37792 Zurich-Hensall Road

            Zurich ON  N0M 2T0

       519-236-4373

       a.dunn@bluewaterresthome.com

In April 2017, Hogan Pharmacy Partners will commence providing the provision of Pharamcy Services to Blue Water Rest Home.  The Home undertook a rigorous selection process as four local pharmacies and three specialist services were invited to submit proposals.  Three suppliers were then invited to make presentations at the Home, with Hogan being the successful candidate.  The selection process included using many criteria, including compliance and legislative requirements and the ability to provide 24-hour emergency service.  Safety and quality were paramount in our discussions at all times.  Hogan brings the latest in technological advances to ensure that our residents are well-served on a 24/7/365 basis and provides regular on-site presence to support our nursing department.  We are confident there will be a smooth transition over the next few months.

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

On November 22, 2016, the Board of Directors and Leadership Team participated in their annual Planning Retreat.  In the morning, topics for discussion ranged from Board Governance issues and job descriptions for Board members and committees, to studying the fiduciary relationship between the Board and the organization.  In the afternoon, the focus was on creating a new 2017 work plan for Blue Water Rest Home.  The four overall primary objectives for the year to come are focusing on A) Enhancing the “Resident Experience”, B) Volunteers and Public Relations, C) Human Resources Progress and Retention, and D) Service and Program integrations in the Huron Perth sub-region.  There are also four specific projects to be completed.

Blue Water Rest Home requires a Director-At-Large to come forward from the community and serve on the Board.  The successful candidate will be presented at the 52nd Annual General Meeting on March 1, 2017.  The terms for Board Directors are three years in duration, with an option to serve three terms (nine years in total).  Individuals with prior governance experience and an appropriate background (for example: finance, law, health care, quality management, labour relations, advocacy, government) are encouraged to apply.   Any interested people should contact the Board’s Nominations and Governance Committee: 
c/o Angie Dunn, CEO, Bluewater Rest Home
37792 Zurich-Hensall Road, Zurich, ON  N0M 2T0
519-236-4373; a.dunn@bluewaterresthome.com

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

In late October and into the early part of this month, Blue Water Rest Home was in a “Rhinovirus” outbreak that restricted families and visitors in many areas of the Long-Term Care Home.  We are please to announce that we are now clear of the outbreak again, and Residents are able to receive families and visitors without the restrictions imposed.  Throughout the outbreak, we worked closely with the Huron County Public Health department to ensure we followed all necessary protocols.

A reminder that on Sunday, November 20th, the annual Blue Water Rest Home Family Dinner takes place.  For those attending, the Agenda is:

3:00 pm - 5:45 pm: Entertainment

3:45 pm: 1st Seating guests please gather in the Front Lobby

4:00 pm: 1st Dinner Seating

5:30 pm: 2nd Seating guests please gather in the Front Lobby

5:45 pm: 2nd Dinner Seating

7:00 pm: Angel Tree Service

For more information, please contact Janet Traquair, Administrative Assistant,

Tel. 519.236.4373 ext. 622, e-mail: bwrh.info@bluewaterresthome.com

The Fall 2016 issue of the West Huron Care Centre’s newsletter, “News & Views”, is now available.  Copies can be obtained at the Business Office of the Home, or by going on-line to: http://bwrh.ca/recent-newsletters.html

This is the last issue that will be published in print.  Future news and announcements from the West Huron Care Centre will be made via FaceBook or Twitter.