What’s New

This campaign highlights the ongoing commitment of continuing care employees to delivering quality care and promoting the happiness, health and well-being, and independence of their clients. The purpose of this promotional campaign is to increase public awareness and recognition for this important sector and the contributions of its employees.

The campaign is also about demonstrating that the continuing care sector has become a specialty field of employment for those pursuing a challenging and rewarding career. Employees who provide continuing care experience tremendous personal satisfaction from their constant dedication to delivering the highest standard of care and establishing meaningful relationships with individuals who rely on these important service.

Let’s recognize the many compassionate and dedicated people who work throughout the sector during October.

On September 12, 2024, the RK MacDonald  wore pink to signify that bullying is unacceptable in our workplace – and that we as a community will not accept bullying. Our Core Values of Compassion, Respect, and Safety define our culture and our role modeling of our Core Values is an effective way to help a bully stop being a bully!

Staff during the Anti-Bullying Day 2024 at the RK MacDonald

For Anti-Bullying Day staff were requested to:

• Wear pink on September 12th
• Take a few minutes to reflect on the quotes below
• And most importantly, let management know of anyone being bullied so they can create a safe space (onsite or offsite), reach out, and start the conversation

“People say sticks and stones may break your bones, but names can never hurt you, but that’s not true. Words can hurt. They hurt me. Things were said to me that I still haven’t forgotten.” – Demi Lovato

“I allowed myself to be bullied because I was scared and didn’t know how to defend myself. I was bullied until I prevented a new student from being bullied. By standing up for him, I learned to stand up for myself” – Jackie Chan

“We explain when someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you do not stoop to their level. Our motto is when they go low, you go high.” – Michelle Obama

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” – Desmond Tutu

Family Council during the Anti-Bullying Day 2024 at the RK MacDonald

To do nothing reinforces the bully’s behavior is acceptable – it’s never acceptable!

Dear Family Members

The R. K. Family Council is a council of family members who meet regularly to provide feedback on our services and discuss ways to enhance the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home community. The Family Council advocates on behalf of R.K. residents to acknowledge excellence in care, identify and respond to issues that affect residents’ quality of life, plan activities for residents, families, and staff, and support each other. As a Council, we function as an independent committee and work collaboratively with the Administration of the Home.

At present, the Council is recruiting new members and asks that if wish to join the Council or wish to receive information about the role of the Council, please contact the Administrative Executive Assistant at cathy.brouwer@rkmacdonald.ca or visit our website at https://www.rkmacdonald.ca/family-council/

Once we have received your contact information, we will put you in touch with the Chair of the Family Council for follow-up to inform you of the next Council meeting. Past Council minutes can be viewed at https://www.rkmacdonald.ca/family-council/

The RK MacDonald Nursing Home Years Of Service Awards Dinner was held on June 17, 2024. Fifteen staff members were celebrated with one having served 45 years, five celebrating twenty-five years and three twenty-years. Unfortunately we do not have pictures of everyone but please enjoy the below images of the events.

Present at the dinner were :

• Chair Of The Board, Camilla Benoit
• CEO, Terry MacIntyre
• Director of Environmental Services & Food Services, Mark Chisholm
• Director of Therapeutic Recreation & Spiritual & Volunteer Services, Kim MacDonald
• Human Resource Coordinator, Jacqueline Delorey.

The Staff Members being honored were:

• Ann Chisholm – 45 Years
• Barb Connors – 25 Years
• Lucy MacGillivray – 25 Years
• Sheila MacNeil – 25 Years
• Jolene Greencorn – 25 Years
• Darlene Cameron – 25 Years
• Mary Myers – 20 Years
• Tracy Harris – 20 Years
• Donnie Farrell – 20 Years
• Erica Murphy – 15 Years
• Kerry Butler – 15 Years
• Mary Partridge – 10 Years
• Emily Robinson – 10 Years
• Rosemary Wallace – 10 Years
• Gayle Marie Grant – 10 Years

We would like to thank everyone for their many years of service and the care and passion they bring to their jobs and the lives of the residents at The RK MacDonald Nursing Home.

“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success”

As we move forward from 2023 into 2024, on behalf of the Board of Directors, we welcome you to our AGM for the fiscal year ending March 2024. I want to extend a special thank you to all the RK MacDonald staffs, Senior Leadership team, and our stakeholders, that have made the commitment along with their dedication to improve the lives of our Residents and Families. Additionally, I would also like to thank the Board of Directors for their true heartedness and investment to the organization.

The Board is truly appreciative for the past and present RK Foundation members on their 30th Anniversary, and for their ongoing and generous support. The donor’s contributions have certainly impacted the lives of the residents and staffs. To the volunteers that support the Home and Residents we are very grateful for all you do.

The Board from post pandemic to resuming normalcy in 2023 marked the 65th year of our relationship with the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Martha. Although the Congregation has not been involved in the management of the Home since 1971, the Congregation continues to support the Corporation’s governing body. The Congregation appoints one-third (1/3) of the membership of the Board of Directors and continues to play an active role in reviewing amendments to the by-laws of the Corporation.

There are twelve (12) Board of Directors, four of which are appointed by the Municipality of the County of Antigonish and the Town of Antigonish and the Sisters of St Martha. The Board has five (5) working committees; Executive, Quality Safety & Governance, Finance, Infrastructure Renewal, Building & Grounds. Chairs of the Committee report to both the Board Chair and Directors monthly. The Board of Directors have a fiduciary duty to ensure the Cooperation is well managed and in a stable financial position.

The Board was thrilled with the Nursing Home’s award and recognition from the National Accreditation which was conducted in December 2023. The RK MacDonald received the award of full accreditation with commendation. This most certainly reflects the organization’s staff’s dedication and expertise that everyone on the team at the RK MacDonald Home brings with them in their role each and everyday. Planning for an onsite accreditation visit was a significant undertaking and required the whole organization and Board to come together to prepare.

Download the Annual Progress Report 2023 – 2024

Other key milestones achieved last year:

Board Governance:

• Board of Directors AGM was held June 2023 for the first time with residents and their families invited to attend.
• All Board Policies were reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors.
• By laws approved by the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs.
• Board self evaluations and results of the action plans completed in March 2024.
• Agreement renewed with the Sisters of St. Martha.
• The RK website now hosts the monthly meeting minutes of the Board of Directors, Family Council, Resident Council, and the Organization’s Quality Indicators.
• Incorporated First Nation Land Acknowledgement is read at the start of each meeting.
• Review and updated the Mission Statement.
• Review and updated of Philosophy statement.
• Review and updated the Committees’ Term of Reference.
• Review Quality Indicator and Risk Management Reports quarterly.

Board Professional Development:

• Review of Financial Statements-September 2023- Director of Finance.
• Board’s role in Accreditation- October & November 2023 -Lead Tracey MacDonald-Accreditation Coordinator.
• Indigenous Culture Training workshop- September 2023.
• Roles of Social Worker- presented by Melissa Arnott 2023.
• Board Succession Planning – presented by Terry MacIntyre January 2024.
• Occupation Health & Safety – presented by Byron Donavan March 2024.
• Board Governance and Professional Development – April /2024 by KPMG and Senior Long-Term Care.
• Health Care Providers role in Caring for 2SLGBTQIA – presented by Suzanne Litke K.C. May 2024.

Culture:

• The Indigenous Reconciliation Plan drafted.

Electronic Charting:

• Inter_ RAI program is an electronic charting system for enhancing care plans for residents.

Financial Audit – 2023:

• Auditor presented to the Board. Financial position was in good standing.
• 2024 Financial Statement will be presented at the June Board Meeting.

Infrastructure Renewal:

• Completed Step 1-5 and was submitted to Senior and Long-Term Care -Facility Development Approval Plan (FDAP).
• Site selection completed September 2023.
• Site Investigations initiated in October 2023
• Architect Firm -Fowler Bower & Mitchell initiated Concept Design, staffs, residents, and families recruited for feedback.
• Step 6 approved with comments 2024.
• Public announcement is anticipated in June 2024 pending Treasury Board and Government agencies approval of design and budget.

Medical Director:

• Dr Steeves resignation accepted, in June 2023 and he was acknowledged at the AGM 2023.
• Dr JaneAnn Howard accepted the Medical Advisor position for the Home May 2024.

Strategic Plan:

• High level goals incorporated into the Operational Plan.
• Quality indicators not meeting the benchmark have been integrated in the Quality Management Plan.
• Quality Indicators are reviewed quarterly.

As the Chair of the Board, it remains an honour to work with the Leadership Team and Directors of the Board to strengthen the organization and deliver efficient governance and support the organization to strive and experience growth as a Long-Term Care facility, in providing care for our residents, their families and our valued staff.

Sincerely ,
Camilla Benoit,
Chair of the RK MacDonald Nursing Home

Download the Annual Progress Report 2023 – 2024

You are invited to attend the R.K. MacDonald Annual General Meeting!

Thursday June 27th, 2024
5:30 pm
The RK Chapel

This is a great opportunity to meet our Board of Directors who are Representatives of The Town of Antigonish, The Municipality of the County of Antigonish, and The Congregation of the Sisters of St Martha.

Our Guest Speaker will be Dr. Katie Aubrecht, Canada Research Chair in Health Equity and Social Justice and Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at StFX.

There will be light refreshments served in the Main Dining Room following the AGM honoring the Foundation’s 30 year anniversary.

Due to space limitations we ask that you RSVP to Cathy.Brouwer@rkmacdonald.ca by June 24, 2024.

RK MacDonald staff were delighted to once again attend the Continuing Care Association of Nova Scotia’s (CCANS) Annual Conference and AGM at White Point Beach on June 12-14, 2024.

Topics of discussion were Emergency Management, Hot Topics in Health Care, and Culture Change From An Architectural Lens. Presenters included Noella Martin of law firm Burchell Wickwire Bryson, Adjunct Professor at Dalhousie University Benjie Nycum, the President/CEO for SHIFT Strategies Lori Anne Jones, and Evan Bunkis, Shawna Larade, & Megan Macpherson of Davis Pier Consulting.

The chance to network with other continuing care organizations across the province is invaluable and ensures the RK stays abreast of the latest developments in long-term care.

If you plan to bring any shellfish products for a resident, please contact the nursing staff on the respective floor in advance to make arrangements. The resident will be accompanied by a staff member to the Main Dining Room to enjoy their shellfish, preventing any cross-contamination or exposure within the residential areas.

On May 5, 2024, Michelle Tinio is set to graduate from St. Francis Xavier University, achieving her Master of Adult Education and Health. This marks her second time crossing the stage for a significant academic milestone, the first being a decade prior when she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Michelle’s journey began as a student nurse at RK MacDonald Nursing Home, progressing to become a Registered Nurse upon licensure by the Nova Scotia College of Nursing. Over the years, she advanced to the role of Nursing Supervisor, and eventually, to Assistant Director of Clinical Services, now holding the title of Clinical Services Manager.

Michelle’s presence at RK MacDonald Nursing Home is invaluable. With a warm smile and a genuine passion for geriatric nursing, she engages with residents daily, extending personal greetings and showing genuine concern for their well-being. Her commitment is evident as she readily lends a hand whenever needed.

Amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic, Michelle demonstrated exceptional leadership by spearheading the IPAC (Infection Prevention and Control) team. She dedicated countless hours and remained accessible round-the-clock to provide support.

With her Master’s degree in Adult Education, Michelle is poised to contribute significantly to the realization of our vision for a center of excellence, laying the groundwork for future success.

Mark Chisolm, Dir. of Environment along with Maintenance staff , Eric Tulkens and Donnie Farrell attended the recent Seniors and Long Term Care (SLTC) ROAD SHOW 2024: Nova Scotia LTC Facility Information Event. The event hosted information sessions on such topics as HANS Bed and Mattress Program, Developing Your Building Maintenance Plan, Interpreting Facility Condition Assessments, Hazardous Materials in LTC Facilities, Opportunities for Saving and Reducing your Carbon Footprint and a presentation from the Office of the Fire Marshall related to safe exits and common code concerns. Unfortunately, nobody from the RK Team won a door prize.