The Pines Resident & Family Portal

In collaboration with Public Health, the Spruce Home Area has declared a Respiratory Outbreak on June 22nd, 2026. Currently, four (4) residents remain symptomatic, experiencing coughing, congestion, and/or a runny nose and are continuing isolation. Families have been notified, and test results are pending from Public Health.

Infection Control Measures

• Surgical Masks to be worn on Spruce Home Area
• Follow the 4 Moments of Hand Hygiene
• Assist residents with hand hygiene before meals and throughout the day
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly: put on before entering and remove before exiting isolation rooms
• Spruce Residents must remain in their home area
• If they insist on leaving, assist with a mask or visor and encourage outdoor visits
• IPAC Surveillance Screener EVERY SHIFT on Spruce
• Immediate isolation for any new symptoms
• Cohort staff when possible;
• Cohort residents; small-group activities only for unaffected residents; isolated residents receive 1:1 activities
• Twice-daily high‑touch cleaning with 1‑minute dwell time
• Increased hand hygiene and PPE audits with coaching
• No General Visitors to Spruce Home Area; maximum 2 essential caregivers at a time

Please ensure all IPAC practices are followed to protect residents, staff, essential caregivers, and visitors.

We will continue to provide updates as needed.

Please reach out to Stephanie Albert, IPAC Lead, if you have any questions. stephanie.albert@muskoka.on.ca or ext. 4752

We’d like to share a positive update about our fire alarm system.

The new main fire alarm panel has now been fully installed, and all display panels—including those at the nursing stations and front entrance—are now connected and fully operational. This completes the project and enhances our ability to respond quickly and effectively in the event of an alarm.

This upgrade is an important step in continuing to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in our home.

Please be assured that safety remains our top priority, and all systems are now functioning as intended.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support throughout this project.

Please contact Steve Files, Environmental Services Manager, if you have any questions or concerns. steve.files@muskoka.on.ca

National Indigenous Peoples Day is officially recognized each year on June 21 across Canada. This important day is dedicated to celebrating and honouring the history, heritage, cultures, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

The date of June 21 was chosen because it coincides with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year—a time that holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for many Indigenous communities and has long been a time for celebration and connection.

Why It Matters

National Indigenous Peoples Day offers an opportunity for all Canadians to:

• Learn about Indigenous histories, traditions, and cultures
• Recognize the resilience and strength of Indigenous communities
• Reflect on the importance of respect, inclusion, and reconciliation

In long-term care, it is also a meaningful time to honour Indigenous residents, families, persons of importance, and team members, and to acknowledge the importance of cultural identity, storytelling, and community connections.

Learn More

For more information and resources from the Government of Canada, visit: National Indigenous Peoples Day – Canada.ca

This Father’s Day, we take time to celebrate and honour the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures in our long-term care community. Each resident carries a lifetime of memories, wisdom, and experiences; stories of hard work, love, resilience, and dedication to family.

For many, fatherhood has taken many forms: teaching life lessons, offering quiet strength, sharing laughter, and creating traditions that continue through generations. Even as time brings change, those roles and the impact they have made remain deeply meaningful.

In long-term care, Father’s Day can also be a time of reflection for residents, families, persons of importance and team members alike. It is an opportunity to cherish the moments we share now: a visit, a conversation, holding hands, or simply sitting together. These moments continue to build connection, honour identity, and remind each person that they are valued and remembered.

We also recognize that relationships can look different as people age or experience changes such as dementia. Even so, the bond between fathers and their loved ones remains strong. A familiar voice, a favourite story, or a shared smile can bring comfort and connection in ways that go beyond words.

Sunday, June 21st, we celebrate not only who these fathers have been, but whom they continue to be—important members of our community with lives that matter and stories worth sharing.

To all the fathers: thank you for the lives you have shaped and the love you have given.

💙 Happy Father’s Day 💙

Nurturing Connections: Supporting Relationships in Dementia Care

With the MuskokaCare model, person-centered care remains at the heart of everything we do—especially when supporting individuals living with dementia. While cognitive changes can affect memory, communication, and daily functioning, one essential human need remains unchanged: the need for meaningful relationships.

The Importance of Connection

For residents living with dementia, relationships offer comfort, familiarity, and a sense of identity. Even as memory fades, emotional connections often persist. A familiar voice, a gentle touch, or a shared routine can bring reassurance and reduce feelings of anxiety or isolation.

Maintaining relationships in long-term care is not just beneficial—it is essential. Strong connections between residents, families, and care teams contribute to improved quality of life, increased emotional well-being, and a greater sense of belonging.

Commitment to Relationship-Centered Care

With MuskokaCare, care extends far beyond meeting physical needs. Teams are dedicated to fostering meaningful relationships through:

• Consistent staffing, allowing residents to build familiarity and trust
• Life story work, helping team members understand each resident’s history, preferences, and values
• Family engagement, encouraging loved ones to remain active participants in care and connection
• Comfort-focused communication, using tone, gestures, and presence when words are not enough

These approaches help ensure that each resident is seen as a whole person, not just a diagnosis.

Supporting Families in Staying Connected

Families often worry about how to maintain strong connections as dementia progresses. MuskokaCare encourages simple, meaningful interactions:

• Visit regularly, even for short periods
• Bring familiar items, such as photos, music, or favourite belongings
• Engage in shared activities, like folding laundry, listening to music, or gentle walks
• Focus on the moment, rather than correcting or testing memory

Connection does not rely on perfect communication—it thrives on presence, patience, and emotional warmth.

The Power of Small Moments

In dementia care, small moments matter deeply. A smile, eye contact, or sitting quietly together can have a profound impact. These moments build trust, reduce distress, and remind residents that they are valued and not alone.

Moving Forward Together

As part of our community, we are all partners in supporting meaningful relationships. By working together—staff, families, persons of importance, and residents—we can create an environment where connection continues to flourish, regardless of cognitive changes.

Because at the heart of care is not just what we do—but how we connect.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to speak with a member of our leadership team, our Social Worker (Andrea Groomes), or a member of the Registered Staff.

We’d like to share a brief update about our fire alarm system.

The new main fire alarm panel has now been installed and is fully operational. This is an important step in maintaining safety for everyone in our home.

At the moment, the display panels located at the nursing stations and front entrance are not yet connected to the main system. Work is already scheduled to complete this connection, and we expect it to be resolved soon.

In the meantime, if a fire alarm is activated, staff will check the main fire alarm panel to identify the location of the alarm.

Please be assured that safety remains our top priority, and all necessary procedures are in place during this temporary period. We will provide another update once the system is fully connected.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Please contact Steve Files, Environmental Services Manager, if you have any questions or concerns about this project.

steve.files@muskoka.on.ca

1. Prevents the Spread of Infections

• Germs are most commonly spread through hands.
• Proper hand hygiene reduces transmission of:
• Respiratory infections (e.g., influenza, COVID-19)
• Gastrointestinal illnesses (e.g., norovirus)
• Antibiotic-resistant organisms (e.g., MRSA)

2. Protects Vulnerable Residents

• Many LTC residents:
• Have weakened immune systems
• Require assistance with daily care
• Clean hands protect residents during close-contact care like feeding, bathing, and dressing.

3. Protects Staff and Visitors

• Healthcare workers can both acquire and spread infections.
• Regular hand hygiene protects:
• Staff health
• Families and visitors
• The broader community

4. Reduces Outbreaks

• LTC homes are high-risk environments for outbreaks.
• Good hand hygiene practices:
• Reduce outbreak frequency
• Minimize severity and spread when outbreaks occur

5. Improves Overall Quality of Care

• Fewer infections mean:
• Better resident outcomes
• Less hospitalization
• Lower healthcare costs
• Demonstrates professionalism and commitment to safety

🖐️ When to Perform Hand Hygiene (Key Moments)

LTC staff should clean their hands:

1. Before resident contact
2. Before performing clean/aseptic tasks
3. After exposure to body fluids
4. After resident contact
5. After contact with resident surroundings

🧴 Methods of Hand Hygiene

1. Alcohol-Based Hand Rub (ABHR)

• Preferred method when hands are not visibly dirty
• Fast and effective

2. Handwashing with Soap and Water

• Required when:
• Hands are visibly soiled
• After toileting
• During outbreaks like Respiratory and Gastroenteritis

⚠️ Consequences of Poor Hand Hygiene

• Increased infections and outbreaks
• Higher hospitalization and mortality rates
• Increased antibiotic use and resistance
• Regulatory penalties for the facility

⭐ Key Takeaway

Hand hygiene is the simplest, most effective way to prevent infections and save lives in long-term care. Consistent and proper practice protects residents, staff, and the entire care environment.

If you have questions, please contact Stephanie Albert, IPAC Lead at stephanie.albert@muskoka.on.ca