May/June 2006 - Issue 2

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Memories were refreshed on June 5 as veterans living at SunnybrookHealth Sciences Centre replaced old watches with special new ones. Over400 veterans received a 60th anniversary VE Day Commemorative watchas a tribute to their service.

As veterans, family members, friends, and Sunnybrook staff gathered atthe Warrior’s Hall, anticipation was in the air. Everyone knew about “thewatches.” Finally, the strain of a bagpipe grew louder, and dignitaries fromCIBC, Veterans Affairs Canada, Toronto Police, National Defence andSunnybrook slowly marched in and took their places.

Tears filled many eyes as invited guests spoke to the attentive audience,thanking the men and women for theirefforts and sacrifices in the name ofpeace. Heartfelt words were spoken,assuring veterans that the youngergeneration has not forgotten.

The VE Day Commemorative watchesfor Sunnybrook’s veterans were boughtand donated by CIBC and the TorontoPolice Senior Officers’ Organization.

Time Is Ticking, owned and operatedby Robin Divine, made the watches,but the watch face was designed by15-year-old Laura Konkel. Laurathought it fitting to use the torch that is also found on the grave of everyunknown soldier.

Journey to Ottawa

Nurses week

Educating Youth

Run for Research

Bobby Orr Hall of Fame

New NursePractitioner

Leisure

Calendar ofEvents

By Janna Ramsay

Honoured Vets Receive Gift of Time

continued on page 2 Maury Rosenblatt

2 May/June 2006

At Sunnybrook we strive to provide comprehensive qualitycare – we conceptualize this as the balance of clinical andsafety programs and quality of life programs. Indeed, webelieve there is a highly dependent relationship betweenleisure, comfort and healing.

In past issues we have highlighted clinical care (Alzheimer’sDisease, Model of Medical Care), safety initiatives (Falls inSeniors, Infection Prevention and Control, Influenza), and inthis issue we wish to share our interpretation of leisure in thecontext of later life and to describe some of our programs.

In studies of leisure in later life, leisure is described as anactivity or set of activities that serve to enliven relationshipsbetween residents and their practitioners. Leisure activitiesenable the resident to help others, to develop new skills, toacquire new knowledge, to develop connectedness andcontribute to their community and to maintain continuity withthe past. Overall leisure aims to have the Veteran gainsatisfaction from these accomplishments. Our own researchalso found that relationships were the major motivation forcontinued participation in leisure opportunities.

At Home Article – Leisure

"It's so important that we remember you and the sacrifices you'vemade," Laura told the audience. "I'm 15 and I can't imagine howsome of you could have done that at my age. I really want to thankyou for our freedom.”

Speakers at the event also included Leo Steven, Sunnybrook’sCEO and President, Brigadier-General Guy Thibault, Lieut.-Col.Jenny Newton, CIBC V.P. Gregory W. Tsang, Freda Lochhead,President of the Toronto Police Senior Officers’ Organization,Dorothy Ferguson, Operations Director of Aging & Veterans Care atSunnybrook and Duncan Graham, President of the Veterans andCommunity Residents’ Council and Korean War Veteran.

Each watch was personally presented to the veterans in attendanceby members of CIBC, Toronto Police, National Defence andSunnybrook Recreation Therapy staff.

continued from page 1

At Home is the official newsletter of

Aging & Veterans Care. The

newsletter is published six times a

year and is made available to all

members of the Aging & Veterans

Care community. At Home is also

available online at

www.sunnybrook.ca under

Programs & Services, Aging &

Veterans Care.

Editor: Sally Fur

Layout: Andrea Dixon

Photography: Doug Nicholson

(unless noted otherwise)

Circulation: 1,800

The next issue of At Home willbe published for Sept/Oct. Deadline for submissions isWednesday, Sept. 13, 2006

For more information, or to make

a submission, please contact Sally

Fur at 416.480.6100 ext. 5057 or

by e-mail to

sally.fur@sunnybrook.ca

Contributors:

Lorrie Clarke

Deborah Brown-Farrell

Janna Ramsay

Ana Seara

Val White

Dr. E. Williams

Material printed in At Home is

protected by copyright and may not

be reprinted without the permission

of the editor.

May/June 2006 3

Perhaps none of this is surprising. However, it does requirecomplex programming if we are to plan activities to addressthese various outcome areas. Additionally, to ensure theobjectives for our unique activities are ones the veterans enjoy,the calendar must be flexible.

This programming challenge rests with the Recreation, Music,Art and Horticulture Therapists. Together they garner the adviceof the Veterans and their families and then develop the activitiescalendar. And, these activities are as diverse as the Veteransfor whom they are planned. Some are tried and true activitiesthat are enjoyed time and again, others are new, rotated and/orplanned on demand. These range from on-unit individual orgroup activities to off-unit specific groups to large groupprograms and then to community outings and summer camp.We seek to understand what is important to each Veteran andthen offer opportunities accordingly. For those Veterans livingwith dementia, activities strive to help them be fully engaged inliving in the moment.

At the outset of this article we stated that we believe qualitycare is achieving the balance between clinical, safety andquality of life programs. Leisure experiences that provide asense of relief or diversion have definite benefits, helping tofacilitate comfort and healing. These experiences rangethrough music, art, gardening, group discussions, courses,games, trips entertainment, volunteering and many, many more.Calendars posted on each unit record the different activities,and as of July 1st these can also be seen on our new digitalscreens.

We encourage everyone to participate in an activity they’veenjoyed for years, or something new – and if you have asuggestion, we’d like to hear that too! Our goal is to provideprogramming that is pleasurable to the Veterans who callSunnybrook “home”.

by Dr. Evelyn Williams

Sunnybrook Health SciencesCentre, and Aging & VeteransCare, is an academic teachingcentre fully affiliated with theUniversity of Toronto.

Each year, many studentsfrom the University ofToronto, other universities,and community collegescome to K and George Heeswings to train in disciplinessuch as nursing, audiology,pharmacy, occupationaltherapy, physiotherapy andmedicine.

All of the physicians in TheDivision of Long Term Carehave academic appointmentswith the Department of Familyand Community Medicine,University of Toronto.

Starting in July 2006, firstyear post-graduate trainees infamily medicine will spendone month in K and GeorgeHees wings for their geriatricrotation. There will also bepost-graduate psychiatrytrainees visiting K1E, thepalliative care unit for themonth.

Learning how to provideexcellent medical care for theelderly patients with dementiaand other complex healthproblems is a vital part ofmedical education.

Excellence ingeriatric medicine

Dorothy FergusonOperations Director

Aging & Veterans Care

Dr. Jocelyn CharlesActing Program Chief

Aging & Veterans Care

Nurses Week 2006 Aging & Veterans Poster Contest

4 May/June 2006

By Val White

It started out as just a poster contest for nurses week and turned into one of the most upliftingexperiences for the nursing staff of LSSW. Initially, the chance to win a pizza party elicited more salivathan enthusiasm. However, what ensued over the next few weeks was truly an inspiring event. Witheach passing day the excitement an enthusiasm for the poster grew and grew.

Karen Henshaw (RN) and Carlene Wallen (RPN) were the masterminds and creative directors behindthe poster. The rest of the staff were all part of the assembly line. It was a replica of a board game withpictures of many of the LSSW staff in interesting situations, with hilarious captions regarding healthyliving. As the poster developed, it became much more than an expression of healthy living, it became areflection of the dynamics of the unit.

Special thanks to Nicole Pittman in Recreation Therapy for supplying the photographs.

Nursing Week 2006Promoting Healthy Choices for Healthy Living Above L to R: Sandra Chiu, RN, Esmenia Lasco, RPN,

Carlene Wallen, RPN, Lorna Gittens, RN, KarenHenshaw, RN, Millina Mitchell, RPN.

Sunnybrook’s finestIn May, winners of the Fourth Annual Schulich Awards for Nursing &

Clinical Excellence were honoured at the Sunnybrook Estates. Thirteen awards in total were handed out, 10 for nursing and clinical

excellence and three for academic excellence. Cheryl Callahan,RPN, from LTSE was the sole recipient from Aging & Veterans Care.

Above L to R: Leo Steven, President & CEO, Cheryl Callahan,Virginia McLaughlin, Chair, Sunnybrook Board of Directors

Congratulations to K2W who were awarded thegroup Care of the Aging Award this year!

Above L to R: Ana Baltazar, PSA; Pat Hosein, RPN; KathyYakimik, RN; Darreth Fearon, PSA; Maria Locquiao, RPN;

Millie Dyer, PAA; Bridget Jackman, RN; and Mayrose Agne, RN.

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May/June 2006 5

Hospital-WideMemorial Service

Nightingale Nominations

The Sunnybrook Health SciencesSpiritual Care Team invites thehospital community to the Hospital-Wide Memorial Service to be held inthe McLaughlin Auditorium(Sunnybrook campus - EG18a)beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Monday,September 18th, 2006.

The Memorial Service provides anopportunity for family members,partners and friends of those whodied during the months of Januarythrough June 2006, to celebrate thelives of their loved ones along withthose who cared for them in thishospital community.

As well, the employees andvolunteers of the hospital who diedduring the aforementioned monthswill also be remembered. All arewelcome to attend. For moreinformation you may contact one ofthe chaplains listed below.

Contacting a Chaplain in Aging &Long-Term Care:Tony Pablo – (Physical SupportUnits, ext. 4856)Wes Roberts – (Cognitive SupportUnits, ext. 4855)Kathy Edmison – (Palliative Care,ext. 3607)Rabbi Ron Weiss – (JewishSynagogue, ext. 3552)

** 24/7 On-call chaplaincy coverageis provided at pager # 7139. Pleasehave a nurse assist in making thisconnection.

Sunday Service Times:10:00 am – InterdenominationalService (Sunnybrook Chapel E-wing, Ground Floor)11:30 am – Celebration of SundayMass (Annex, K-wing)

Congratulations to Brian Radford,RN, Palliative Care Unit (K1E) who wasone of 47 nurses nominated for thisyear’s Toronto Star Nightingale Award.Two other Sunnybrook nurses were alsonominated: Susan Margaret Thorne, R.N(Sunnybrook campus) and AnneSchaedlich, R.N. (Holland Orthopaedic& Arthritic Centre). Congratulations!

Top row (L to R)Carol DeRosie, Local Coordinator and Bargaining Unit President,

ONA Local 80, Ria Spee, APN, Florence Parrott, St. Michaels Hospital, 1942, Hilda Tse, RN

Bottom row (L to R):Helen Cannon, Toronto General Hospital, 1938,

Gertrude Campbell, Toronto Western Hospital, 1938, Marie Anderson, Hotel Dieu, 1942

Janet Wallace, Toronto General Hospital, 1935 Audrey Struyk, Brantford Hospital 1940

Special thanks to: Mary LeBlanc, Art Therapist and the Tuesday sewinggroup who volunteered to make the nursing uniforms for the nursing

sister residents.

Nursing Sisters CelebrateNursing Week

6 May/June 2006

Hand HygieneAwareness

Nurse Practitioner JoinsAging & Veterans Care

In January 2006, I had the privilege to jointhe nursing leadership team as a NursePractitioner in Aging and Veterans Careand have enjoyed getting to know someof the residents and staff that make sucha difference in peoples lives. Sunnybrookhas a long history of excellence in thecare of elderly residents and I feelprivileged to be part of that legacy. NursePractitioners are also becoming part ofthe hospital legacy in its quest to transform health care. The role began in 1995 with only a few trained nurses andcurrently the hospital employs 29 Nurse Practitioners. NP’scarry a wealth of specialized knowledge in nursing carecombined with medical care training in a specialty area. Whilethe role generally focuses on responsibilities for managingpatient care, NP’s also conduct research and provideeducational leadership for nurses. My interest and passion ingeriatrics fits well with the Aging Program’s desire to provideresources for staff to foster their clinical expertise. Currently theNP role is focusing on assisting the nurses to provide efficientand expert care for residents who experience a change in theirhealth status. A best practice guideline will be developed thatwill serve as a resource for staff nurses in this area. I hope thatthe Nurse Practitioner role will be beneficial for the staff andresidents of K and L wing in their journey towards maintainingthe best possible quality of life for all.

Deborah Brown-Farrell

Sunnybrook's Hand HygieneCommittee launched thehospital's new hand hygieneawareness campaign, "CleanYour Hands", in May.

‘Clean Your Hands’ is thecampaign’s new slogan, andDr. Mary Vearncombe,Medical Microbiologist andMedical Director, InfectionPrevention and Control, saysthat it doesn’t get more basicthan that.

“Practicing good handhygiene is the single mostimportant thing you can do tostop the spread of infection,”says Dr. Vearncombe. “It’s ahealthy habit for anyone,whether you are in thehospital, at work, or at home.”It’s important for all staff andresidents at Sunnybrook.

Help us spread the word- not the germs!

CleanYourHands

Do you love old Postcards?The Veterans Portrait andPhotography Studio, located in LG-105, welcomes a newlyformed community connectionwith the Toronto Postcard Club.Board member John Sayers,together with other clubmembers, will share their privatecollections with us by arrangingrotating photographic andmemorabilia displays in ourstudio on a regular basis. TheToronto Postcard Club hasthousands of interesting historical images to share with us, and theylook forward to doing so during the coming months and years ahead.Drop by to browse the collections, or contact Ana Seara for moreinformation at ext. 5933.

Ocean Liner images from theToronto Postcard Club

May/June 2006 7

Journey of Memories

When casually asked what her wish would be, the first thing Anne Wood thought of was a visit to Canada’sWar Museum in Ottawa. To her great surprise, her wish was granted almost a year later. Anne felt as if shehad received a Santa Clause gift, only this time the source was the wonderful group of people who makeup the Veterans Honour Ride Foundation, the sole sponsor of the Grant a Wish Program.

Anne turned 82 years old in May, and felt the timing couldn’t have been better for her big trip. Not only didshe wish to see the War Museum, she longed to see the lovely tulips that Canada’s capital is known for.

Anne’s journey to Ottawa began on Tuesday, May 9 when her nurse and dear friend, Janice Smith, joinedher on the Bullet 2 heading to Union Station to catch the train. It was a warm sunny day, and diligentorganizers had Anne’s travel comfortably arranged. The view of Canada’s countryside was spectacular andwarmed Anne’s soul.

Staying at the beautiful Fairmont Château Laurier for the two nights, Anne enjoyed delicious dinners whileshe relaxed and chatted with Janice. The striking architecture and décor of the hotel reminded Anne of thebuildings in Europe.

Wednesday, another sunny day, was spent touring Canada’s War Museum. The large building was greyand formidable to Anne, and its exhibits brought back many memories of World War II. The LeBretonGallery, the most solemn display for Anne, is the military technology collection including numerous hugetanks from all different countries. “It was a somber moment for me,” Anne says, “The machinery caused meto think of what these tanks did. To me they are killers.”

The airplane display was kinder on the emotions since it was in World War II that Anne fell in love with ahandsome RCAF pilot and became a war bride in 1943. Anne had left her home in Dublin, Ireland tovolunteer as a Transport Driver with the Royal Air Force. The trucks, ambulances, and buses displayed atthe museum reminded her of times spent taking crews to their planes, driving soldiers to and from thehospital, and delivering hot chocolate around the base.

Unlike many who visit, the museum had a personal impact on Anne. Shehad been there. She could step into the shoes of the soldiers, and oftenpaused to remember the cost of war. “There is no glamour to war,” Annesays, “No glory.” She paid a visit to the cenotaph for a moment of silencein honour of those who never came home. Anne is thankful for theCanadian War Museum because it’s a monument to show what war isand the Canadian sacrifice for peace.

Before leaving Ottawa, Anne saw the Parliament buildings and fullyenjoyed the view of the Ottawa River and the tulips that populate the city.The clean wide streets and numerous trees and parks of the Capitalseemed to call to her, “Come see me!”

Though the War Museum was evidence of man’s violence and touchedsad memories, Anne kept in mind that by just being there, she wasexperiencing the other side – the goodness of man. Referring to theVeterans Honour Ride Foundation, Anne says, “Only in Canada couldthis happen – wonderful people donating funds for seniors’ pleasure.”

“I’m very grateful to be Canadian...grateful to the Canadian government and Canadian people…and mostgrateful to the Honour Ride,” says Anne. “They are like Santa Clause to all of us living at Sunnybrook…theycontinually give joy to the seniors.”

By Janna Ramsay

Anne Wood

8 May/June 2006

Passings Veterans Enjoy the ManulifeRun for Research

Held on the last Sunday in May, in nearby Wilket Creek Park, (anew location) the Run was filled with fun activities for adults,families, children and pets.

Veterans enjoyed the walk, stayed cool in the Veterans VIP tent,and watched the official colour guard. This year all moneyraised by veterans will go to the Veterans Comfort Fund.

April 2006

David Morris

May

David Clark

Jack Fletcher

Israel Grodinsky

James Knox

William Robert Mahon

Frederick S.M. McCutcheon

Edward Mervin

Charles Murphy

Thomas J. Norris

John Briggs Pierce

Harvery Ross Profit

Oscar Joseph Trask

William Wiznuik

James A. Woodward

June

Donald Acton

Ernest Bastable

Alex D. Bull

Arthur L. Fleming

Ivan Forest

William Grogan

Bertram Hardacre

William Hunter

George R. Jones

Murdoch MacKinnon

William Alfred Reid

William C. Sawers

Stanley J. West

May/June 2006 9

Honouring a Community Hero

By Sally Fur

In June, Sunnybrook Veteran Aubrey Allsopp, 88, was one ofsix new inductees into the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame in ParrySound. In his younger days, Aubrey was a builder of amateursports (hockey, baseball and curling) in the MacTiercommunity for more than 60 years. With his family, friends,nurse and other inductees Aubrey enjoyed an event-filledweekend that included a cocktail reception, dinner andinduction ceremony and a morning cruise via the IslandQueen on Georgian Bay the following day.

Aubrey coached and managed a number of Softball Teams inthe Ontario Amateur Softball Association, including two AllOntario Championship Teams in 1964 and 1969. He wasSpecial Convener for the Ontario Softball Association from1950-1977. He also coached and managed hockey inMacTier from 1951 -1973 and managed the MacTier CurlingClub from 1966- 1976. He was Chairman for the building ofthe MacTier Community Centre in 1951 and for the MacTierCurling Club in 1958. One of his greatest highlights waswhen he coached Bobby Orr at baseball and they won theOntario Softball Championships in 1964. Aubrey also had theprivilege of knowing and playing softball with Bobby’s father,Doug.

Through the Veterans Grant A Wish Program, Aubrey’stravel, accommodation and a nurse to accompany him wasarranged for him. Aubrey served as sergeant with threeCanadian armoured divisions in Europe and North Africaduring the Second World War. Besides the love and devotionAubrey has for hisfamily and friends, thetwo highlights of his lifehave been to serve hiscountry and hiscommunity. The BobbyOrr Hal of Fameopened in July 2003 asa permanent tribute toParry Sound’soutstanding athletes,teams and builders ofsport.

Welcome! In May, RainaMinler (nee Yat Fun Yin) wasappointed Patient CareManager, K3E, in Aging &Veterans Care.

Raina joined Sunnybrook inFebruary 2000 as an RN inA&VC, and her experienceincluded staff nurse, teamleader and charge nurse.Please join in welcomingRaina to her new position.

Dorothy MachamHome Celebrates it’s5th Anniversary!

A person centered,resident focusedapproach

Sunnybrook’s Dorothy MachamHome is the only one of its kind inCanada. The 10-bed dementia carefacility resembles a home-likeatmosphere with a number ofspecial therapeutic features to meetthe needs of residents withchallenging behaviours.

A comprehensive evaluation wascompleted not long ago and itdemonstrated that the Home ishighly successful in reducing theeffects of severe behaviouralsymptoms as well as enhancing thequality of care for residents andtheir families.

Congratulations to the DorothyMacham Home and it’s staff on fivevery successful years of innovation,research, collaboration and creativeapproaches to care!

On the move

Aubrey Allsopp and Bobby Orr

10 May/June 2006

Learning from their elders

Al Pick, Sunnybrook Veteran with the students at BlythwoodPublic School. As part of an art therapy intergenerational

community program a group of talented Veteran artists recentlyvisited students at nearby Blythwood Public School. The Veteransand children worked side by side on a wooden chest. The artworkdepicted on the chest celebrates Veterans through the themes of

remembrance, peace, teach, celebration, thanks and honour.When completed the chest was auctioned off to raise money for

the school’s art programs. It was a great day of learning andcreativity for all ages!

May Wishes

Gem Wishes• Seniors Large Print Bible• Wheelchair Cape (times 5)• Trip to Casino Rama • Trip to Casino Rama• Strawberry Shortcake with

family in Kwing Garden• License Plate• To visit my Rotary Club

Pearl Wish• Coverage of expenses of trip

for Induction into BobbyOrr’s Hall of Fame

June Wishes

Gem Wishes • Wheelchair Cape• Dinner Out with Family• Lawn Bowling Membership• To watch a Live Blue Jay

Game• A Pair of Sandals• Strawberry Shortcake Social• Wheelchair Cape• Funding for special trip

Pearl Wish• To Celebrate an 85th

birthday at the Blue JaysGame

Wishes Granted

Duncan Graham with grade 1students at Algonquin Ridge Public School

in Barrie

May/June 2006 11

Calendar of Events

JULY 22ndVeterans Honour Ride - Mark this date on your calendar, you won’t want to miss it!

On Saturday, July 22, 2006, 500 bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts will rev-up for amotorcycle tribute ride in honour of Canadian WarVeterans. Provincial Commissioner of EmergencyServices, Julian Fantino and Richmond Hill’s MayorWilliam Bell will be in attendance as the HonoraryCo-Chairman. General Lewis MacKenzie and otherdignitaries will be on hand as well.

Plan to come out and be a part of this wonderfultribute event. More information will be posted in Kand L wings closer to the date. Proceeds from theevent support Canada’s war veterans at bothSunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and The TonyStacey Center for long-term veteran care.

Log on to www.vhrf.com to view the video from last year’s event. To make a donation call theFoundation at 416.399.8619.

JULY 28th

"Snack and Learn" educational session for all A&VC staff

Friday, July 28th - times are 12:15 noon to 1:45 p.m., or 2:00 p.m. to 3:20 p.m..

McLaughlin Auditorium - EG 18a

Sue Sebastian, Advanced Practice Nurse, Sunnybrook and Sylvia Davidson, PsychogeriatricConsultant from Toronto Rehab will be presenting a 1.5 hour session on "Understandingresidents with cognitive impairment and responding to disruptive behaviours".

This session will be offered to K-wing and L-wing nurses, physiotherapists/PT assistants,occupational therapists/OT assistants, and all other interdisciplinary team members.Physicians are welcome.

All attendees will receive an attendance certificate. This session is the 1st annual corecompetency education session on this theme topic.

Please register by July 25th via email with Maggie Martino.

12 May/June 2006

Show your support of Aging & Veterans Care

Contributions to the Aging & Veterans Care program are gratefully accepted, helping us meet specialor urgent needs in a timely fashion. Donations to the A&VC program will help fund high priority needssuch as educational fellowships in Aging, and capital improvements to the veterans’ residence.Donations to the Veterans’ Comfort Fund helps us provide our Veteran residents with ‘extras’: equipment,events and entertainment items that help to enhance their quality of life. Support of the Palliative CareTrust Fund helps to enhance the living environment for patients and families receiving palliative care.

Donations can be made in memory or in honour a loved one, or to acknowledge a special event suchas a birthday or anniversary. If you so choose, Sunnybrook Foundation will send a card to yourhonouree or their family letting them know that they have been honoured through a donation. A taxreceipt will be issued for all donations over $10.

How to donate:

By Mail:Cheques should be made out to Sunnybrook Foundation

For a specific designation, please write ‘Veterans Comfort Fund’, ‘Palliative Care Unit TrustFund’ or ‘Aging and Veterans Care’ on the bottom of your cheque.

Mail your donation to:Sunnybrook Foundation, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Room H332, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5

By Telephone:call 416.480.4483 for the Sunnybrook Foundation

By Internet:www.sunnybrook.ca/foundation and follow the simple instructions

Thank you!

Led by the wisdom of elders, we will transform healthcare