The Pines Resident & Family Portal

At The Pines Long-Term Care Home, we are committed to ensuring that every resident is treated with dignity, respect, and compassion. In Ontario, the Residents’ Bill of Rights is protected under the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021, which outlines the rights of every person living in a long-term care home.

Key Resident Rights Include:

• Respect and Dignity – Every resident has the right to be treated with courtesy, respect, and in a way that values individuality and personal preferences.
• Safe and Secure Environment – Residents are entitled to live in a safe, clean, and comfortable home.
• Participation in Care – Residents have the right to be involved in decisions about their care, including consent to treatments and services.
• Privacy and Confidentiality – Personal and health information must be respected and kept private.
• Freedom of Choice – Residents may make choices about daily routines, activities, and lifestyle.
• Visitors and Communication – Residents have the right to communicate freely and receive visitors of their choosing.
• Freedom from Abuse and Neglect – Every resident has the right to live free from physical, emotional, financial, or sexual abuse.
• Raise Concerns Without Fear – Residents and families can voice concerns or complaints without worry of retaliation.

Our Commitment

We work every day to uphold these rights and create a supportive, inclusive environment where residents feel valued and heard.

For more information about Residents’ Rights in Ontario long-term care homes, please visit:

👉 https://www.ontario.ca/page/residents-rights-long-term-care-homes

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 are excited to celebrate Canada Day together here at The Pines! This special occasion brings residents, staff, persons of importance, and families together to enjoy the spirit of community, connection, and Canadian pride.

Throughout the home, there will be festive celebrations including themed activities, decorations, and delicious Canadian-inspired treats. These moments are a wonderful way for everyone to share memories, create new experiences, and enjoy time together in a joyful and welcoming atmosphere.

Canada Day, celebrated each year on July 1st, marks the anniversary of Confederation in 1867, when Canada became a self-governing country within the British Empire. Over time, it has grown into a day of national pride, reflection, and celebration of Canada’s history, diversity, and culture.

For more information about Canada Day and its history, please visit: 👉 Canada Day Information

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.