The Pines Resident & Family Portal

In collaboration with Public Health, the enhanced surveillance has been declared over for the Cedar Home Area on August 30th, 2023.

There is an increase of respiratory illnesses in the Muskoka area, please remember that if you are sick not to attend the home and ensure that you are completed self screening prior to visiting.

Thank you for helping us to ensure the residents are safe and health.

The project started on Monday, August 28th, 2023 and will continue for approx. a week, you may hear and see construction happening in the Spruce courtyard.

We have completed one crane lift into the courtyard and need to complete another one. Therefore, there will be a period of time on Wednesday August 30, 2023 when we will need to have residents out of their rooms in the back hallway as well as no access to other rooms in that area. There will be signage in place and staff monitoring the area during this time. See below for more information.

When: Wednesday August 30, 2023

Time frame: 12pm to 3pm (approx.) Crane has been delayed by an hour

Rooms affected: Spruce 309-321; plus the spa rooms and the activity room

What is happening and why?

Over time, too many plants and trees have grown in our courtyard, and they are blocking the water from flowing and draining correctly, which poses a risk to damaging our Home. To avoid having issues in the future, we are taking out some plants, making the garden a bit flatter, and adding special pipes so the water drains away from our building. Once the construction is complete, we will lay synthetic turf (fake grass that looks like real grass) for a natural appearance. This will alleviate further concerns for damage to the building, make the garden look nice and reduces garden maintenance costs.

How is this going to happen?

With a big crane! We need a big crane to bring in and take out equipment and material for three of the four courtyards. The biggest courtyards are two stories tall, do not have much space, and we must be careful about where we put material and equipment because of fire route restrictions in all the courtyards.

We take your safety seriously.

Extra planning and coordination are required by the Contractor, District and Pines staff during courtyard landscape removal and particularly during crane operations. The project safety plan includes the need to have areas falling under the crane’s operational arch vacated for both delivery of equipment, and removal of material. When the crane’s operational arch is above a home area, that portion of the home area will have to vacate for a short period of time. Staff will guide residents during this process.

Questions? Contact the Pines Administrator.

If you have any questions regarding courtyard construction, please call Jennifer Ridgley at 705-645-4488 Ext. 4877 or send an email to administrator.pines@muskoka.on.ca

The Oak home area remains in Respiratory Outbreak at this time. Currently, there are four (4) residents Isolated with symptoms such as sore throat, nasal congestion and runny nose. No General Visitors at this time; only Essential Caregivers to a maximum of two (2) at a time. Thank you for your patience as we work through this most recent outbreak.

The following infection control measures have been implement:

• Masking and wearing of eye protection on Oak at all times
• twice daily respiratory symptom screening on Oak
• Immediate isolation of any residents with new symptom onset
• Cohorting of staff when possible
• Activities- Small group activities on Oak; cohorting of other units where possible
• Twice daily high touch surface cleaning on Oak
• Increased hand hygiene and PPE audits on unit
• Limit of 2 essential caregivers at a time on the affected unit.

In Collaboration with Public Health, a Respiratory Outbreak has been declared on Oak on August 28, 2023. Currently, there are three (3) residents Isolated with symptoms such as sore throat, nasal congestion and runny nose. No General Visitors at this time; only Essential Caregivers to a maximum of two (2) at a time. Thank you for your patience as we work through this most recent outbreak.

The following infection control measures have been implement:

• Masking and wearing of eye protection on Oak at all times
• twice daily respiratory symptom screening on Oak
• Immediate isolation of any residents with new symptom onset
• Cohorting of staff when possible
• Activities- Small group activities on Oak; cohorting of other units where possible
• Twice daily high touch surface cleaning on Oak
• Increased hand hygiene and PPE audits on unit
• Limit of 2 essential caregivers at a time on the affected unit.

For the safety of the residents and staff, please do not place any items on top of the wardrobe located in the resident's room. Items on top of the wardrobes have been relocated by our health and safety team to reduce the risk of a resident or staff member being injured by a falling item. In some instances, the wardrobe is also close to a sprinkler and an item on top of the wardrobe is against the fire code. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping everyone safe in the home.

Starting on Monday, August 28th or Tuesday August 29th (depending on weather) for approx. a week, you may hear and see construction happening in the Spruce courtyard.

There will be a period of time on either Monday or Tuesday when we will need to have residents out of their rooms in the back hallway as well as no access to other rooms in that area. There will be signage in place and staff monitoring the area during this time. See below for more information.

When: Monday or Tuesday (weather dependent)

Time frame: 10am to 2pm (approx.)

Rooms affected: Spruce 309-321; plus the spa rooms and the activity room

What is happening and why?

Over time, too many plants and trees have grown in our courtyard, and they are blocking the water from flowing and draining correctly, which poses a risk to damaging our Home. To avoid having issues in the future, we are taking out some plants, making the garden a bit flatter, and adding special pipes so the water drains away from our building. Once the construction is complete, we will lay synthetic turf (fake grass that looks like real grass) for a natural appearance. This will alleviate further concerns for damage to the building, make the garden look nice and reduces garden maintenance costs.

How is this going to happen?

With a big crane! We need a big crane to bring in and take out equipment and material for three of the four courtyards. The biggest courtyards are two stories tall, do not have much space, and we must be careful about where we put material and equipment because of fire route restrictions in all the courtyards.

We take your safety seriously.

Extra planning and coordination are required by the Contractor, District and Pines staff during courtyard landscape removal and particularly during crane operations. The project safety plan includes the need to have areas falling under the crane’s operational arch vacated for both delivery of equipment, and removal of material. When the crane’s operational arch is above a home area, that portion of the home area will have to vacate for a short period of time. Staff will guide residents during this process.

Questions? Contact the Pines Administrator.

If you have any questions regarding courtyard construction, please call Jennifer Ridgley at 705-645-4488 Ext. 4877 or send an email to administrator.pines@muskoka.on.ca

We are happy to share that the Pines Community Support Committee is hosting a special silent auction to support the Pines Long-Term Care Home in Bracebridge.

All funds raised during this event will go directly towards optimizing the lives of our cherished residents.

The silent auction opens on Thursday, August 24th, and will run for 2 weeks!

Where: Main Floor, The Pines Long-Term Care Home, 98 Pine St., Bracebridge

To participate in the silent auction, simply visit The Pines main floor, where all the auction items will be on display.

Bidding sheets will be placed in front of each item, making it easy for you to place your bids and show your support.

Your participation in this silent auction not only gives you a chance to bring home some fabulous treasures but also helps create a more vibrant and fulfilling environment for our residents at The Pines. Let's come together as a community and make this silent auction a resounding success!

We are currently investigating some residents for Respiratory symptoms on Cedar at this time. We have one confirmed COVID-19 case. We are now on heightened surveillance.

The following measures need to be taken:

• Twice daily respiratory screening
• Activities for Cedar residents are to be cohorted and encouraged to stay on unit
• Outdoor Spaces to be utilized for cedar residents to mitigate potential spread
• Close contacts should not visit unaffected areas of the home
• ALL residents of the home to be offered masks when joining a group activity
• ALL residents to be offered hand hygiene when leaving or entering any area and before and after eating
• Enhanced High Touch Surfaces cleaning in Cedar and in common areas throughout the home

Please be advised that all staff and visitors need to wear a surgical mask while on the Cedar home area while we are on heightened surveillance.

Starting on Monday, August 21^st for 4-5 weeks, you may hear and see construction happening in the Pines courtyard.

What is happening and why?

Over time, too many plants and trees have grown in our courtyard, and they are blocking the water from flowing and draining correctly, which poses a risk to damaging our Home. To avoid having issues in the future, we are taking out some plants, making the garden a bit flatter, and adding special pipes so the water drains away from our building. Once the construction is complete, we will lay synthetic turf (fake grass that looks like real grass) for a natural appearance. This will alleviate further concerns for damage to the building, make the garden look nice and reduces garden maintenance costs.

How is this going to happen?

With a big crane! We need a big crane to bring in and take out equipment and material for three of the four courtyards. The biggest courtyards are two stories tall, do not have much space, and we must be careful about where we put material and equipment because of fire route restrictions in all the courtyards.

We take your safety seriously.

Extra planning and coordination are required by the Contractor, District and Pines staff during courtyard landscape removal and particularly during crane operations. The project safety plan includes the need to have areas falling under the crane’s operational arch vacated for both delivery of equipment, and removal of material. When the crane’s operational arch is above a home area, that portion of the home area will have to vacate for a short period of time. Staff will guide residents during this process.

Questions? Contact the Pines Administrator.

If you have any questions regarding courtyard construction, please call Jennifer Ridgley at 705-645-4488 Ext. 4877 or send an email to administrator.pines@muskoka.on.ca