The Pines Resident & Family Portal

Hot Water Shut-Off for Boiler Replacement

To complete the installation of our new hot water boiler, there will be a temporary disruption in hot water service on August 20th, starting at 7:30 PM for up to 10 hours.

• Our nursing team has contingency plans in place to ensure hot water is available for essential care.
• Alternative care methods will be used if needed to maintain resident comfort.
• This upgrade is essential, as our current system is operating on a single boiler. Adding a second boiler will improve both efficiency and safety.

Shower Room Upgrades for Enhanced Comfort and Care

Starting August 25th, 2025, we will begin phased renovations of the shower rooms to minimize disruption to daily routines.

• Alternative bathing arrangements will be provided to ensure uninterrupted care.
• Our team is committed to making this transition smooth and respectful for all residents.

Main Kitchen Flooring Repairs

Repairs will take place on August 27th and 28th in the main kitchen.

• Some kitchen equipment will be temporarily relocated.
• Menu adjustments have been reviewed and approved by the Residents' Council to ensure continued meal service during this time.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we make these important upgrades. These improvements are not just about updating our facility—they’re about enhancing the daily experience for our residents and staff.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Steve Files, Environmental Services Manager at steve.files@muskoka.on.ca

We’re incredibly grateful to the Pines Support Committee for their generous purchase of these beautiful resident door decals. Thanks to their support, our Oak home area is the first to experience this vibrant transformation—and it looks fantastic!

👏 A special shoutout to our dedicated maintenance team, who have been working closely with residents to choose their preferred designs and carefully install each decal. The personalized touches are already making a meaningful impact.

This is just the beginning! We’re excited to expand this initiative throughout the home over the next couple of years, bringing warmth, individuality, and a sense of belonging to every door.

We are excited to announce that renovations to The Pines shower rooms are starting soon. This project reflects our ongoing commitment to enhancing the quality of life for our residents and creating a more welcoming, dignified, and functional environment.

The updated shower rooms will feature a modern, aesthetically pleasing design, with improvements that include new fixtures, enhanced lighting, updated surfaces, and better climate control. Most importantly, the renovations will significantly improve accessibility and safety, allowing our residents and caregivers to move more easily and comfortably within these spaces.

Construction will take place in phases to minimize disruption to daily routines. During this time, we will provide alternative arrangements to maintain uninterrupted bathing schedules. Our team is dedicated to making this transition as smooth and respectful as possible for everyone involved.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we work to enhance our facility. These improvements are not just about upgrading a space-they're about improving the everyday experience of our residents and staff. We look forward to unveiling the newly renovated shower rooms in the near future!

Specific dates will be communicated as we near the renovation starting time.



If you have any questions, please reach out to Steve Files at steve.files@muskoka.on.ca

We will be starting with the Influenza vaccine prep, moving into August and September. Stephanie Albert will be starting calls for consent in the next few weeks. Don’t forget to get vaccinated!

The flu vaccine is an annual shot recommended for everyone 6 months and older to prevent influenza and its complications. It's especially important for individuals at high risk of severe illness or complications from the flu, like those with chronic conditions, pregnant individuals, and young children. Vaccination helps prevent the spread of the virus and protects vulnerable populations.

Also, remember to minimize the spread of infection by washing your hands when entering and exiting the home.

Help us keep the residents free from illness

If you have any questions, please reach out to Stephanie Albert at stephanie.albert@muskoka.on.ca

On March 24, 2021, the House of Commons voted unanimously to officially designate August 1 Emancipation Day. It marks the actual day in 1834 that the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 came into effect across the British Empire.

Canadians are not always aware that Black and Indigenous Peoples were once enslaved on the land that is now Canada. Those who fought enslavement were pivotal in shaping our society to be as diverse as it is today.

Therefore, each August 1, Canadians are invited to reflect, educate and engage in the ongoing fight against both anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism and discrimination.

Emancipation Day celebrates the strength and perseverance of Black communities in Canada.

•Resource: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/emancipation-day.html

If you are planning to take your loved one out of the home, please ensure the following steps are taken to support their safety and well-being:

• ✅ Sign out at the nursing station before leaving the premises.
• 💊 Speak with the Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) if the resident will be away for an extended period. This allows us to coordinate medication administration appropriately.
• 📅 For longer leaves, please contact the nursing team a few days in advance. This ensures we have sufficient time to arrange all necessary medications from the pharmacy.

For assistance, please reach out to the appropriate nursing team:

• Oak, Cedar, Spruce 705-641-0319
• Maple, Birch 705-394-2997

Thank you for helping us provide safe and seamless care for your loved ones.

We would like to inform you that PTA Jash will be taking a Leave of Absence (LOA) from Friday, August 22, to Friday, November 7, 2025. He will return to work at The Pines LTC Home on Monday, November 10, 2025.

Good news…ACHIEVA HEALTH is pleased to introduce and welcome PTA Sheena, who has been hired to cover the LOA and assist the physiotherapist to provide excellent Physiotherapy Programs and Services at The Pines LTC Home starting on Friday, August 22, 2025.

Cross-training will take place before the start date. Please help us in welcoming Sheena to the Pines.

Thank you to all the staff on Saturday evening for their swift and coordinated efforts in safely evacuating and returning residents to their rooms in Maple due to a fire alarm that was activated related to a motor failing in the air conditioner (AC) for the resident bedrooms. The Fire Department did respond and quickly determined that there was no fire and the situation was safe. The AC unit was shut down for safety, and a company was called to assess the situation. The teamwork ensured everyone’s safety and comfort during the incident.

Here’s a brief update:

• The issue was caused by a burned-out motor in the bedroom AC unit, which needed to be replaced.
• As a result, there was a lingering odour. To address this:
• Air purifiers and fans were placed in the area.
• Some air vents were taped off.
• A deodorizer was added to the AC unit.
• We are happy to report that the AC unit was repaired on Thursday, July 17th, and is back to fully functioning.

We thank you for your patience as we moved through this incident and repair.

On July 22nd, we’re excited to welcome members of Muskoka Pride to our home for a special event. They’ll be here to sing songs, engage with attendees, share educational insights, and answer questions.

At The Pines and across the District of Muskoka, we are proud to foster a home that is inclusive, welcoming, and supportive of everyone. We are committed to the principles of Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism/Anti-Hate (IDEA) in everything we do—both as an employer and as a service provider.

Are you a current volunteer looking for ways to get involved around the home?

We’d love your help with the following activities and outings:

🚌 Upcoming Outings & Events

• July 23 @ 1:15 PM – Maple Bus Trip to Fairvern
• July 24 @ 9:15 AM – Maple & Oak Bus Trip to the Beach
• July 24 @ 2:00 PM – Fun “Whack-a-Mole” Event
• July 25 @ 2:00 PM – Spruce & Birch Bus Trip for Ice Cream

🧩 Ongoing Weekly Activities

• Scrabble Games and Euchre – Once a week
• Fish Tank Help – Assist a resident with cleaning a small personal tank (1x/week)
• Balcony Visits – Spend time chatting with residents outdoors
• Happy Hour – Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday at 3:00 PM
• Tim Hortons Hour – Every Friday at 10:15 AM
• Outdoor Walks at any time of day

🎂 Special Monthly Event

• Monthly Birthday Party – First Tuesday of each month

💌 Want to Join Our Volunteer Team?

If you're interested in becoming a new volunteer at The Pines, please contact:

Christina Rochette

📞 705-645-4488 ext. 4824

📧 Christina.rochette@muskoka.on.ca