October 2017Issue 16

Inside SilveraFor the people of Silvera for Seniors

t’s that time of year again – influenza season. It’s important that you take precautions to

keep yourself, fellow employees and residents protected.

Influenza outbreaks can spread rapidly throughout Silvera commu-nities. Symptoms include the quick onset of respiratory illness, and can also include fever, cough, severe exhaustion and aches and pains.

All employees – including you – can reduce the risk of an influenza outbreak. The top three things you can do to protect yourself and others are:

y wash your hands well and often; y cough and sneeze into your sleeve; and y get your flu shot.

Flu clinics coming to communities in October

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Questions and answers

Why are flu shots important?

√ Flu shots protect you against many strains of flu viruses.

√ According to Alberta Health Services (AHS), employees in our field of work have a “duty of care” because we all come into close contact with vulnerable people. Part of this duty of care is limiting the risk of infecting others by pro-tecting yourself from becoming ill.

What if I don’t get a flu shot?

If your community goes into a con-firmed influenza A outbreak, you are

excluded from work unless you do one of the following:

√ start a prescription for Tamiflu and remain on the prescription for the duration of the outbreak; or

√ get a flu shot and take Tamiflu for 14 days while the shot becomes effective; or

√ where possible, transfer to another community for the duration of the outbreak.

If none of these three options are possible, you must remain off work for the duration of the outbreak, and this will be without pay.

TIPS TO PREVENT THE FLU

y Get the flu shot

y Wash your hands

y Eat healthy

y Stay hydrated

y Get plenty of sleep

y Stay active

y Avoid contact with people who are sick

y Cover nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing

Source: Government of Canada

Getting your flu shot is easy to do at one of our influenza clinics. There is one in each of our supportive living communities in October.

Influenza clinics

Date Community Time

October 12 Shouldice 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

October 12 Shawnessy 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

October 16 Beaverdam 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

October 17 Aspen 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

October 18 Westview 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

October 19 Spruce 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

October 19 Confederation 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

October 19 Valleyview 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

October 19 Bow Valley 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

No matter what your role is within the Silvera team, do your part to support our goal of having 80 per cent of employees vaccinated this season.

And, once you’ve had your flu shot, please give the record to the administrative coordinator in your community.

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What types of outbreak illnesses is Silvera watching out for?

√ Two types: 1. Influenza-like illness (ILI)

y Quick onset of respiratory illness with fever and cough

y Aches, pains and severe exhaus-tion

2. Gastrointestinal illness (GI) y Urgent and frequent vomiting and/or diarrhea episodes in a 24-hour period, not due to

ased on employee input gathered last fall, here is what Silvera has done to

change our group benefits plan. Changes became effective on October 1, 2017.

Benefacts – improved benefits from Sun Life

Employees suggested Silvera responded

Benefit premiums be deducted equally over all pay periods to provide consistent take-home pay

Since June 2017, payroll has deducted each employee’s portion of benefit premiums equally over all pay periods.

Coverage extends beyond age 70 Effective October 1, 2017, the health care and dental coverage under Sun Life will last until age 75.

More flexibility in the benefit coverage We will now offer a Health Care Spending Account (HSA). Each employee will have $300 in HSA credits per year to use for reimbursement.

The benefit plan be more affordable Premium rates with Sun Life will be approximately 20 per cent lower, and there will be better customer service.

The new rates for health care and dental benefits are guaranteed for 16 months. For life and long-term disability insurance, rates are guaranteed for 28 months.

Additional coverage for vision care, major dental services, wellness program (e.g. gym membership / personal trainer)

We chose not to provide the additional coverage requested, because it would have increased premiums significantly.

Coverage for eye examinations and dental services remains the same. You can use the new Health Care Spending Account towards eyewear. (Coverage through the HUB program will end January 1, 2018.

Employees recommend which benefits they value more and which ones they value less

You said you value more health care and dental coverage than life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage. We reduced both life and AD&D coverage to one times your annual salary and introduced the Health Care Spending Account and revised coverage to the maximum for combined paramedics.

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Where can I get a flu shot if I missed it in my community?

If you missed the flu clinic in your community, you can get a free shot at your local pharmacy, doctor, or at an AHS public health clinic. If you have had your flu shot in one of these ways, please show your vaccine record to your administrative coordi-nator.

another cause, such as a change in medications, diet or use of laxatives

y (Flu shots do not protect you against GI infections.)

What if I come across a resident who has flu-like symptoms?

√ Complete a Resident Incident Report

√ Notify your manager / supervisor

Benefits premiums fell by 20 per cent beginning October 1, 2017 when Silvera began using a new benefits provider, Sun Life.

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irst, thank you to all who have already finished the 2017 AON Hewitt

Employee Opinion Survey.

We appreciate your participation and responses.

We want everyone’s feedback, and deadlines are soon:

y Wednesday, October 18th if you are doing the survey on paper; and

y Tuesday , October 31st if you are completing it on line.

Remember: all of your responses are 100-per-cent confidential and anony-mous. Silvera doesn’t see individual answers. They go directly to AON Hewitt, the company that is organiz-ing the survey for us.

To make the survey easier is to fill out, we have had it translated into six languages – the most common ones spoken by employees after English. These are: French, Arabic, Vietnam-ese, Tagalog, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese. All surveys must be completed in English.

Complete the AON Hewitt employee survey soon

We value each and every one of you and your opinions. We know our continued success starts with you. By giving us your feedback, you can help make Silvera an even better place to work.

Taken together, all survey responses measure employee engagement. We’d like employee engagement to rise from 61 per cent in 2016 to 75 per

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Deadlines are coming soon to complete the anonymous, confidential AON Hewitt employee opinion survey.

cent this year. And, we are aiming for 100-per-cent participation.

So, take some time and offer your thoughts.

For more information, please talk with your supervisor or contact Brent Dumonceaux or Gillian Hyland in Human Resources by email or phone.

Stories told around community campfiresWhat’s more Canadian than campfires, s’mores and being outside?

Silvera celebrated Canada turning 150 with community campfires throughout the summer. Residents and families came together to share stories, memories and experiences; reflect on Canada’s rich history; and explore ways to define our community.

Silvera residents helped to write Canada’s story, and their importance in our narrative must not be forgotten.

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ven though the number of seniors in Calgary is growing fast, Silvera has

room for more residents, especially at Westview.

And, even though Silvera has a great reputation for our range of housing, service options and our caring and competent employees, we can’t take it for granted that potential residents know this.

One good way to let people know what we do and how well we do it is at in-person events. We can explain things to people and answer their questions.

In September and October, Silvera set up booths to greet and talk with seniors and their family members at the 2017 Kerby Expo and at two local farmers markets.

Silvera markets its housing and services Silvera representatives talked one-on-one with interested potential residents and passed out booklets explaining the options we offer and the steps people can take with us when they are “making the move of a lifetime”.

If you know someone who might be interested in making a home with

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Employees talked with potential residents in September and October at the Kerby Expo and farmers markets.

s part of developing new Silvera communities, it is important for us to make

sure our future neighbours know what we are planning and how they can affect the plans.

One way we do this is by holding community meetings. In mid-Sep-tember, we had a great turn out of Glamorgan neighbours at an infor-mation session. We held the meeting to update people about our plans for a future development in the area, next to our Westview Community.

The information session was put on to share information and get input on the possible types of buildings

New development – Glamorgan engagementwe will construct on a parcel of land near the intersection of Sarcee Trail and Glenmore Trail SW.

In addition to community input, Silvera needs approval from the City of Calgary to develop the property. We are now raising money to pay for the project.

We envision a vibrant campus that has a range of seniors housing options with retail and services available to neighbours, alongside a multi-family development.

For more information about our current Silvera at Glamoran plans, go to our website, silvera.ca.

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We encourage seniors and their families to learn more about Silvera when they are “making the move of a lifetime”.

Glamorgan residents review Silvera plans for a future development beside our Westview Community in southwest Calgary.

Silvera, get in touch with our place-ment team by calling 403.567.5301 or emailing to placement@silvera.ca.

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t was a great mid-day soiree.

On September 13, 2017, resi-dents from all Silvera indepen-

dent and supportive living commu-nities came out to socialize and have fun at the Annual Residents’ Event held at Stampede Park.

Each year, attendance at the event grows, and this year more than 300 people – one-fifth of all Silvera resi-dents – were part of the party.

The party was a great example of active aging. Residents enjoyed deli-

2017 Annual Residents’ Event a successcious food catered by the Stampede and danced to the Calgary Kickstart Band.

“We know it is important to keep your social connections strong,” said Silvera board of directors chair Kelly Ogle at the four-hour function. “This event gives residents the opportunity to connect with their friends, meet new people and make memories.”

Of course, the event could not have been pulled-off without the hard work of the Silvera annual event

I committee. Thank you to: Jason Baker, Carrie Erikson, Kerri Fer-maniuk, Kristina Gordon, Barbara Hagen, Vivian Javier, Naomi Kyle, Mary Lazzarotto and Sarah Price.

Appreciation also goes out to all the Silvera employees who volunteered to help make the event run smoothly.

We owe a special thanks to our event sponsor, Sam Switzer. Sam is a generous Calgary philanthropist and has been one of Silvera’s biggest sup-porters. He has kindly paid for this event for several years.

One-fifth of all Silvera residents signed up to socialize at this year’s annual residents’ event, held in September at Stampede Park.

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ow would you like to celebrate a milestone like turning 100?

That’s what we are asking residents who are reaching this incredible milestone.

The Centenary Wish Fund (sup-ported by Norton Rose Fulbright and Dreams Transportation) recognizes residents who are celebrating their 100th birthday by inviting them to tell us about something they have always wanted to do… something they’ve had on their “maybe one day” list.

We take that wish and turn it into a reality.

Silvera celebrates 100th birthdays with new Centenary Wish Fund

“The Centenary Wish Fund is an initiative that reflects Silvera’s values and mission by honouring centenari-ans with a little extra something that is meaningful to each person” says Nadine Maillot, manager of fund development and volunteer services.

The experiences that our residents choose are modest, but they are meaningful.

So far, we have had the pleasure of arranging a few different kinds of experiences that were special to each person.

More will happen as our residents keep aging.

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Silvera’s new Centenary Wish Fund grants special birthday wishes for residents to turn 100 years old.

In August, Jack from Shawnessy joined k.d. lang for her concert and a backstage visit. In June, Jessie from Westview and her friend enjoyed lunch at the top of the Calgary Tower.