What’s New

To Families and Visitors,

We have one resident confirmed positive for Covid-19, this case is in Brambleberry care area.

We have implemented the necessary precautions to prevent spread and are being proactive with screening, testing and implementing additional precautions when applicable.

Visitors are still allowed to visit residents but with some restrictions. These restrictions are only for the Brambleberry care area and MapleRidge care area and does not apply to the other care areas in the Home.

• Masks should be worn at all times and not removed while on the care area.
• Frequent handwashing and social distancing is absolutely essential in preventing spread.
• Residents must stay on the care area and avoid other care areas.
• Residents not on isolation are allowed to go for offsite visits and essential appointments with consent of the person being visited.
• Non- essential visits should be postponed.
• If a resident is on isolation and a visitor still wishes to visit, they must wear the appropriate PPE.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to our Infection Prevention and Control Nurse, Nolan Leger, at nolan.leger@rkmacdonald.ca or Assistant Director of Clinical Services, Michelle Tinio, at michelle.tinio@rkmacdonald.ca.

– Nolan,
Infection Prevention and Control Designate, RN

The following NSCC sites still have CCA seats available for September term. Please share this information with your communities and networks this week to encourage folks interested in the CCA course and working in your facility to register.

• AVC
• Burridge / Digby
• Cumberland / Amherst
• Kingstec
• Lunenburg
• Marconi
• Pictou
• Shelburne

https://www.nscc.ca/programs-and-courses/programs/plandescr.aspx?prg=HHCR&pln=CONTCARE

On June 12th the RK MacDonald Nursing home was proud to recognize the many years of dedicated service provided by our employees.

Chair of the Board Camilla Benoit (left) and CEO Terry MacIntyre (right) present Kim MacDonald her 30 Years Award

Chair of the Board Camilla Benoit (far left) and CEO Terry MacIntyre (far right) present Joanne Vacheresse (left) and Fran Bowie (right) their 10 Years Service Award

Chair of the Board Camilla Benoit (far left) and CEO Terry MacIntyre (far right) present Laura Young (left) and Camille Berkvens (right) their 15 Years Service Award

Lee Kelly, Director of Clinical Services (far left) and Chair of the Board Camilla Benoit (center) present Robert MacArthur (left), Joanne Taylor (right), and Lori Barkhouse (far right) their 25 Years Service Award

Assistant Director of Clinical Services Michelle Tinio (far left), Chair of the Board Camilla Benoit (left), and Lee Kelly, Director of Clinical Services (far right) present Carolyn White (right) her 30 Years Service Award

Director of Environmental & Food Services Mark Chisholm (left) and Chair of the Board Camilla Benoit (center) present Jacqueline Delorey her 30 Years Award

It has been a busy year for the RK MacDonald Nursing Home Board of Directors. As I write this, our Home continues to address and live with the challenges of a post Pandemic. Now more than ever it is so important to thank the staff of the RK for their dedication, support and the incredible care provided during these challenging times.

The Board of Directors take their responsibilities in ensuring that our direction is captured on our Vison Statement creating “An alive and vibrant community built on meaningful relationships that celebrate and encourages a uniqueness of spirit and character” and is sustained by our Mission Statement in “Providing loving, dignified quality and enabling all people to live full and abundant lives“.

As a Board we are kept well informed of RK business. Our committees including Executive, Quality Safety & Governance, Building &Grounds, Finance and Infrastructure Renewal Steering Committee work closely with Senior Leaders providing monthly reports. In addition, reports from the CEO, Director of Clinical Services, RK MacDonald Foundation, Family Council and Resident Council are presented at our monthly Board meetings.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to personally thank our former board members Sister Stella Chaff, Sue Ellen McCarron, and Mary MacLellan, who we can all agree had a big impact during their tenure on the Board.

A special welcome is extended to our newly minted Board members Sister Catherine Ann MacGillivray and Gerald MacDonald – (representatives for the Congregation of the Sisters of St Martha) and Harris McNamara, (Municipality of the County of Antigonish, District 9 County Councilor).

Key Board Focus Areas:

• Preparing for Accreditation Canada Surveyors in the fall of 2023.
• Promoting a supportive role for the RK MacDonald Foundation, Family and Resident Council.
• Establishing community relationships with our Indigenous partners
• Developing ongoing role descriptions for our Directors, Executive members and Chairs of Committees.  Delivering a variety of education sessions for our Board of Directors
• Supporting the promotion of cultural diversity, equity and inclusion within the RK community
• Supporting our Infrastructure Renewal Steering committee as we journey towards the new RK MacDonald Nursing Home and ensuring the inclusion of all stakeholders into the design of the new RK MacDonald Nursing Home
• Continuing and promoting collaborative relationships with our external partners such as St Francis Xavier University, Town and Municipal leaders and representatives.

The success of our Board is directly linked to the contribution and hard work from Terry MacIntyre CEO, the Senior Leadership Team and the Administrative Assistant,

I would like to extend heart full thank you to all for an excellent year and look forward to up a coming year.

Respectively,

Camilla Benoit,
Board OF Directors Chair

The full Annual Progress Report (2022-2023) can be read here.

NEW GRAD RNS & STUDENT NURSES
Nursing Students to work as CCA’s (Continuing Care Assistants) or as RNS

WE LOVE TO SEE NEW FACES ON OUR TEAM!

The R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home is a 136 bed Nursing Home located in the center of the Town of Antigonish with connections to the Town and County.   We are looking for Nurses to support our team in providing the best person centered care to our valuable residents.

Things we can provide you:

• We can pair you with skilled RN’s or CCA’s to give you a great orientation to the Home
• Provide assignments to use your skills and gain new ones
• Provide you with opportunities to work with our RNs or CCAs and gain experience within our (4) Care Areas
• Develop Leadership and Care skills in Geriatric Care
• Competitive pay rates and other benefits
• Form lasting relationships with residents & families and staff

INTERESTED?

Let’s schedule an interview as soon as possible, and start the paper work process.

Please get in contact with Jacqueline Delorey, Human Resource Coordinator by forwarding your resume to email: jobs@rkmacdonald.ca

For your Successful hire we will need the following:

• Resume
• Void cheque (banking information)
• Social Insurance #
• Health card #
• 2 References from former employers/ or clinical placement supervisor
• Copy of your Criminal records Check with Vulnerable Sector (Police Check) dated within 6 mos. (request is required by HR to get request a new one at RCMP)
• Proof of Double Vaccination (Covid-19) (As per the COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Protocol in High-Risk Settings, Nova Scotia Health requires all team members to be fully vaccinated by November 30th, 2021.)
• Confirmation Letter enrolled in Nursing Program or License to work as RN

We look forward to meeting you and having you join our team!

LTC Digital Transformation (interRAI)

We are pleased to share a project update about the LTC Digital Transformation (also known as the interRAI Project). The goal of this project is to implement an assessment that will identify a resident’s needs and can be used to develop more effective care plans and interventions leading to improved resident care and health outcomes.

Project Background

The interRAI-LTCF assessment is considered best practice for assessing the needs of our residents. The assessment is embedded in a technology application, making the resident’s assessment and care plan accessible in an electronic format at the point of care. By completing an interRAI assessment, staff can assess the function, mental and physical health, social support, and service use to gather the full picture. This assessment will improve access to accurate, timely client information and increase use of evidence-based care plans all while improving communication between staff and facilities.

Project Go-Live

• The implementation of the interRAI assessment will “go-live” on February 14, 2023
• Staff will begin using the assessment and leveraging technology and IT services from this date

Reflecting on 2022, each one of us has contributed to our mission of “providing loving, dignified quality care and enabling people to love full and abundant lives”. Over the past year, there have been many instances where the word “awesome” was used to describe our efforts, our services and our annual Continuous Quality Indicators provides amble evidence of your awesomeness!

According to the staff based Accreditation Survey on Well-Being, Quality and Safety, 80% of responses were positive. I am very pleased to note that 96% of responses regarding diversity, equity and inclusion were positive … which tells me the RK is a respectful and welcoming place for staff, residents and their families representing a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds! Well done!

Our annual Family Satisfaction Survey and Resident Satisfaction Survey also provide evidence of our collective awesomeness! Family satisfaction surveys revealed 87% of responses to be positive and 82% of Residents responses were positive!  Although each of these surveys are very positive, they provide critical feedback in terms of where we can improve.

The past year has certainly thrown us a few curves; COVID made its presence felt, we braved several storms and staffing was a challenge. Yet, our quality indicators are all very positive and I feel the root of our success lies in our everyday commitment in role modelling our core values!

Our strengths are a dedicated staff, continuous family feedback, generous Foundation support, strong Board leadership and Government support. Special thanks to the Hon. Barbara Adams, Minister, Dept. of Seniors and Long Term Care and the Hon. Michelle Thompson, Minister, Dept. of Health and Wellness for your financial support, advice, team building and leadership!

For 2023, a few goals…

1. Accreditation: To maintain our status as a nationally accredited Long Term Care Facility
2. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: To continue to support a culture that welcomes, promotes and respects diversity, equity and inclusion
3. Infrastructure Renewal: To implement a process where all stakeholders have the opportunity to meaningfully contribute to the future of the RK MacDonald Nursing Home

I truly believe our 2022 quality indicators support our claim of “awesomeness”; they substantiate our commitment to our core values and reflect the RK family is well positioned to meet the exciting challenges that await us in 2023!

We have a great team …. thank you for being you!

Most sincerely,

Terry MacIntyre, CEO
RK MacDonald Nursing Home

Join us in celebrating Christmas this year by helping the R. K. MacDonald Nursing Home light its tree with bulbs dedicated to love. This is the 25th year that our “Lights of Love” Christmas tree will be lit to honour individuals in whose name donations have been made. Those honoured do not have to be residents of the R.K.

Your donation will be used to “Enhance the Journey of Life” to the residents of the R. K. MacDonald Nursing Home. This will include comforts in the dining areas and comfortable furniture in the common spaces for residents and guests consistent with a home like atmosphere.

You can dedicate a bulb in memory of a deceased loved one or honour someone presently in your life. There is no limit to the number of bulbs you can purchase. In addition to a tax receipt for your donation, you can receive a card to send to anyone you have honoured.

It is at 7:00pm on Sunday December 4, 2022 and the tree on the front lawn of the RK MacDonald Nursing Home will be lit at that time. All dedications will be entered in a “Lights of Love Memorial Book” that will be on display in the R.K. Chapel throughout the upcoming year.

For more information or to donate in support of the campaign, please visit the Lights of Love page.

As you are likely aware, the Nova Scotia Government is recommending further loosening of COVID management guidelines for long term care facilities. Before we can get into their recommendations, let’s have a look at what we learned during the latest COVID-19 outbreak:

• Residents: 38 residents were COVID positive – fortunately, they were all vaccinated and most had very mild symptoms
• Staff: 25 staff were required to isolate due to contracting COVID-19
• Significant staff stress due to the necessity to fully gown, glove, mask and shield in order to provide care to our residents

Based on our recent experience, we acknowledge the impact a COVID-19 outbreak has on our residents, families and staff. Our response to today’s Government recommendations reflect our ability to support the safeguards we will continue to implement to reduce the likelihood of future outbreaks.

Outbreak Update:

• Outbreaks have been declared over in Cobblestone, Thistledown, Tanglewood, Maple Ridge and Brambleberry
• Martha’s Place remains in a Suspected Outbreak situation – see visitation guidelines below.

Screening:

• Our Main Entrance screening practices are under review, however they will remain in place and include temperature checks and signing in

Visitation: Non Outbreak Care Area

• DCG’s, family and friends are all welcome to visit your loved ones here at the RK
• 3 visitors in a private living area, 2 visitors in a semi private resident room at one time
• There are no restrictions on where your visits can take place – indoors or outdoors – our gardens are in full bloom!
• Please do not bring food or drink for yourself as masks must remain on at all times for indoor visits
• Mask are encouraged for outdoor visits while maintaining 6’ social distancing
• Visitors no longer have to be vaccinated
• Visitation hours are from 11:00am to 7:00pm, seven days a week
• Masks are strongly encouraged for resident offsite outings

Visitation: Outbreak Care Area

• Only Designated Care Givers are welcome to visit – full Personal Protective Equipment will be available for DCG’s – please complete the DCG education session
• Please do not bring food or drink for yourself as masks must remain on at all times for indoor visits
• Residents must remain in their care area to reduce the risk of spread

DCG Education

This initiative will enable DCG’s to safely visit during a suspected or an outbreak situation. DCG’s can sign up by calling either 902-863-2578 ext. 222 or 902-863-3458.

Important reminder

Managing COVID will be an ongoing challenge and we fully anticipate experiencing future outbreaks. Our goal is to minimize the risk to our residents and staff. We ask that when out in public please consider wearing a mask …. COVID-19 is still very active, very invisible, very contagious and has a significant impact on our ability to safely staff the Home in order to continue providing quality care to your loved ones!”

Please forward this update to your family members and any friends that visit the RK.

Terry MacIntyre, CEO
RK MacDonald Senior Leadership Team

Due to an outbreak of COVID-19, all care areas in the Home are closed to all visitation effective June 2, 2022 until further notice.