December 5th. Our angels will be on the bridge from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. To make your gift to the Misericordia Angel Squad Campaign or to sign up, please call 204-788-8458, or drop by the MHC Foundation Office.

The Misericordia Angel Squad will be taking over the Sherbrook Bridge yet again as part of our annual fundraiser in support of Misericordia Health Centre and Misericordia Place. Each year our volunteer angels brave the cold to ask passing motorists for their financial support of Misericordia’s vital programs. This year’s dates are December 4th and

MISERICORDIA ANGEL SQUAD

The theme of Light, common to Jewish and Christian traditions,

is celebrated with reflections, and songs of the season presented by the Misericordia Health Centre,

Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, the Westgate Mennonite Choir and Gray Academy.

All are Welcome to Attend!

Date: December 7, 2017

in the Misericordia Health Centre Auditorium

2 p.m.

Choir members will tour the Resident units

at approximately 2:45 p.m.

CELEBRATION OF LIGHT

PAGE 4 CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS AT MISERICORDIA

CHRISTMAS SERVICES Sunday Mass (December 24th and 31st) ● Misericordia Chapel 10 a.m. ● Misericordia Place Chapel 11 a.m. Christmas Day Mass (Monday, December 25th)

Misericordia Chapel 10 a.m. Misericordia Place Chapel 11 a.m.

New Year’s Day Mass (Monday, January 1st) Misericordia Chapel 10 a.m. Misericordia Place Chapel 11 a.m.

CHANUKAH DECEMBER 12—DECEMBER 20

A Chanukah Menorah is located on each Resident Unit and at Patient Reception areas. Residents, when appropriate, are provided with the opportunity to light the Menorah Candles.

Colourful candles burning bright, each lit on eight very special nights.

May love and light fill your home and heart at Chanukah!

influenza vaccines to protect yourself and loved ones. The Infection Control Department also asks that you stay home if you are feeling unwell over the holidays, and visit later when you are feeling better.

We would like to remind you to practice good cough etiquette by coughing into your elbow or sleeve.

Remember, the single most important way to stop the spread of infection is HANDWASHING!

GET THE FLU SHOT, NOT THE FLU

The wonderful gatherings associated with the holidays also increase the chance of exposure

to colds and influenza. As these viruses can often lead

to more serious conditions and even death, we strongly recommend getting

VISITING CHOIRS / CONCERTS

Please watch for posters and check Recreation Calendars for event dates and times

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

OUTINGS 2

GIFTS 2

DAY OF GIVING 2

CHRISTMAS DINNERS 2

TIPS ON VISITING 3

MEALS AND FOOD 3

DECORATIONS AND ELECTRONICS

3

GET THE FLU SHOT, NOT THE FLU

4

MISERICORDIA ANGEL SQUAD

4

CELEBRATION OF LIGHT

4

CHRISTMAS SERVICES 4

INTER-CHURCH SERVICE

4

CHANUKAH 4

NOVEMBER 2017

With the Holiday Season upon us the question arises as to the best way to include a family member in care, especially if they are living with physical limitations or a dementia. There is no one right answer, but staff are available to assist you in making this decision. Taking time to do some planning now can help to reduce the stress that surrounds even the happiest of events. In this newsletter we hope to provide you with information and options that will be helpful to make realistic plans, reduce potential difficulties, and make the holidays festive for all.

FAMILY NEWSLETTER

Celebrating the Holidays at Misericordia

EVENTS AND TIPS FOR THE HOLIDAYS If you are planning to take your family member out for the holidays, consider the following: Hair appointments - perms and colouring

are best booked for late November or early December. Wash and set can be accommodated closer to Christmas. Medication - notify nurse at least one week

in advance of the outing dates. Special clothing for outings - should be

brought in / selected from wardrobe and identified to staff 24 hours in advance. Family gatherings on the unit - you can

book a space on the unit two weeks in advance. Call 204-788-8440.

Celebrating the holidays is both exciting and challenging. Many customs, of both religious and cultural nature, involve gatherings of family and friends. In preparation for the holidays, Misericordia Health Centre would like to provide you with information on the programs and activities offered to residents over the holiday season.

This may assist you in your planning for holiday celebrations and gatherings which may include your attending some of the events at Misericordia. In addition, there are suggestions on gifts and some points to consider in determining how to include your family member at Misericordia in the celebrations - in a manner consistent with their abilities.

CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS AT MISERICORDIA HEALTH CENTRE & MISERICORDIA PLACE

At Misericordia, we know how important it is to keep in touch with loved ones. Simply visit our website at: www.misericordia.mb.ca to email your loves ones. Our volunteers will print the email and deliver it personally.

It’s hard to believe we’re close to the holiday season is once again! Our Foundation’s Angel Squad typically marks the beginning of

the festivities. Watch for angels on the bridge December 4th and 5th this year, our 22nd season of Angel Squad! Monies raised benefit our residents directly, especially life enrichment activities. To make a donation, please visit our Foundation office or Misericordiafoundation.com. We welcome you to visit frequently during the Christmas holidays.

Come and enjoy all that is happening at Misericordia Health Centre: Celebration of Light, having tea with Santa, viewing the magical Misericordia Place gardens at night, our famous resident Christmas dinners—turkey and all the trimmings—and so much more. You’re also welcome to book multipurpose rooms or our rooftop garden for your own festive family gatherings! On behalf of our Senior Leadership Team and our extended Misericordia Family, I wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy holiday season. President & CEO

Patient and Resident E-Mail

The Recreation Department will host a full Christmas dinner at the noon meal on each of the resident units:

Crocus Trail C2 Dec 08 Cedar Grove C5 Dec 13 Riverside Lane C6 Dec 19 Apple Tree Lane MP2 Dec 06 Robin Way MP3 Dec 15 Rose Walk MP1 Dec 21

PRIME Dec 21

Please contact the unit Recreation Facilitator if you wish to make a donation or assist at the dinner. Only food from retail or commercial kitchen may be donated as part of a meal.

CHRISTMAS DINNERS

CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS AT MISERICORDIA

As a family, or caregiver, with a Resident in long-term care you may need to consider some changes in the way you celebrate the holidays. The Social Workers would like to offer these tips when planning holiday festivities: Be flexible in your planning, build on past traditions and experiment with new

ones, such as tea and shortbread cookies in the Rooftop Garden. Recognize that the Resident may find large groups, the activity and noise level

overwhelming. Keep it simple! Maybe plan a potluck lunch/brunch on the unit. Keep the

number of guests manageable and use colourful paper plates and cups for easy cleanup. Please be sure to discuss timing and space with unit staff. If an outing is planned, make arrangements for transportation, medication,

grooming and personal care well in advance. Allow extra time to accommodate last minute care needs and transfers in and out of vehicles. Keep the routine as familiar as possible for personal care and rest. Be aware of allergies, special diets and modified food textures. Check with the

nurse to receive the most up to date diet information, and to answer any other questions. Please be aware that due to allergies and specialized diets, sharing food items

with the other Residents on the unit is a high risk activity and not allowed.

OUTINGS

PAGE 2

Misericordia Place Dec. 08 (on the Second Floor) Misericordia Health Centre Dec. 12

Christmas Tea with

Santa @ 2:00 pm

GIFTS Adapt gift giving and consider items such as special creams, soaps, comfortable clothing, colourful large print calendars, photo albums with family pictures or favourite treats. Staff may also be helpful with clothing suggestions or other special needs. Remember to bring new clothing items to the nursing station for labeling.

The Misericordia Gift Shop offers Gift Certificates, chocolates and other gift ideas.

Christmas is forever, not just one day for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away

like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf the good you do for others, is good you do yourself.

DAY OF GIVING

Balmoral Hall School Students will visit all

resident units on the afternoon of Thursday,

December 21st. Students will bring “stockings” for all residents, and will also sing a selection of seasonal carols.

Residents’ circumstances (care needs / diet) may have changed since you have last seen them. If you are finding it difficult to communicate with them during your visit, check with the nursing staff for assistance. When arriving for a visit as you say hello, address the Resident by name and identify your relationship to them. “Hi, Mom,” (“Aunt,” etc.), and identify yourself, “it’s your daughter Jean” (“niece Betty,” etc.). Asking the Resident if they know who you are can be confusing to them as they may remember you, as well as themselves as being younger persons.

Favourite songs, food and decorations may bring back memories for the Resident. They may speak of the people and activities of the past as if they are in the present. Rather than trying to correct the Resident, talk about past events and encourage memories of similar occasions. It may be helpful to find a quiet space to visit and to plan your visit at a time of day that is best for the Resident. Safety Reminder! Please check with the Nursing Staff prior to plugging in any Christmas decorations or using extension cords.

Only CSA approved electrical or electronic equipment, or extension cords may be used.

ALL electric, or electronic equipment must be checked by a Misericordia electrician for CSA compliance, and acceptable physical condition.

To protect residents from burns and scalds, electric heating pads or blankets,

To keep the holidays safe and happy, the staff of Plant Services would like to remind you of the precautions taken at Misericordia: Decorations must be fire proof or

fire resistant: NEW CSA AP-PROVED MINI lights only.

No foil around lights, leave room for good air flow around lights.

and cooking or beverage appliances are not permitted.

DECORATIONS AND ELECTRONICS

PAGE 3

TIPS ON VISITING HAIR APPOINTMENTS Looking one’s best for the holidays is an important part of the celebration. To help everyone look their best the stylists suggest that perms and colouring be booked for early December. Call direct, or arrange an appointment through the nursing unit. MISERICORDIA PLACE Miz Silver Streaks

204-788-8436 MISERICORDIA HEALTH CENTRE Angel Salon 204-788-8136

MEALS AND FOOD Favourite food associated with the holidays can bring back memories of special times and friends. Family members visiting during the holidays are welcome to order a tray to share a meal with the resident. Meal trays may be ordered 48 hours in advance at a cost of $4 per tray, and payable to Resident Food Service Dept. Trays are delivered directly to the unit at the normal meal time. If you decide to bring home-prepared food to eat as a family there are some points to consider:

Consult the dietitian as your family member may be on a special diet. For example, the texture of the food may need to be changed to make swallowing easier. Food should be kept hot until it is

packaged in heat-retaining containers to be brought to Misericordia and served immediately. Food to be shared with residents

other than family must have been prepared in a commercial kitchen.

The following are guidelines for food brought in to be eaten at a later time. Food brought from home must be:

In a single serving microwavable container labelled with contents, name of resident and date. Well chilled or frozen, and packed to

maintain fridge temperature (4oC, or 40oF) For the resident only. Refrigerated immediately if not eaten. Discarded if not eaten after two days.

Alternatives for a texture modified diet (soft, minced or puree) diet: tourtière, scalloped potatoes, pasta, soft casseroles, crust less quiches, pates, cream pies, and custards.

CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS AT MISERICORDIA