What’s New

The Rk MacDonald is proud to release the annual update to our Strategic Plan for 2019/2020.

These directions were created through a community process and capture the voices of residents, families, staff, Board members, volunteers and other community partners. We were excited to embark on this consultation process and the end result is a reflection of both our past and our collective vision for the future.

• You can view the updated Strategic Planning Document 2019/2020
• Download a copy of the updated Strategic Planning Document 2017/2018 in PDF
• Review past Strategic Planning Documents here

Families, Friends, & Anyone Interested, please join Dominic Boyd—Education Co-ordinator from the Nova Scotia Alzheimer Society on Saturday, November 09th, 2019 at 3:30PM – 4:30PM. This education session will be held at the Rhubarb Patch.

We are very pleased to reproduce the below excerpt of an article by Richard MacKenzie of The Casket published on August 22nd, 2019.

Antigonight, R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home collaborate on project

Stella Merry decided a hand-print is nice but a foot-print is even better, when contributing to the ‘buddy bench’ Aug. 16, a collaboration between the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home and Antigonish: Art after Dark Festival which will sit outside the People’s Place Library. – Richard MacKenzie (The Casket)

ANTIGONISH, N.S. — The ‘buddy bench’ created for the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home’s garden last year proved so popular, a second one has been created for the People’s Place Library.

“Last year, Antigonish: Art after Dark Festival, in partnership with the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home, crafted a buddy bench for their new garden. We brought the bench to Antigonight as a seating option for people during the festival and the library liked it so much, they wanted one,” festival director Emma MacDonald said Aug. 16, as the activity of putting hand and foot-prints on the colourful bench took place, just outside the library on Main Street.

You can read the rest of the article on The Casket’s website here.

Please join us on Friday, July 26th

2:15-3:15 p.m.

to Meet & Greet

the

RK MacDonald Nursing Home Artists

Celebrating their Art Show 2019

at the

People’s Place Library – Main Street

Rk Artists

Rk Artists

Are you kind, caring and compassionate? Always wanted to become a Continuing Care Assistant?

Are you interested in working as part of a friendly, supportive and skilled team?

If so, you may be the person we are looking for!
R.K MacDonald is an employer who is willing to provide and invest in in-house education opportunities and support successful candidates in becoming Continuing Care Assistants.

You can apply now online at jobs@rkmacdonald.ca or join us at our Job Fairs on Thursday, May 2nd, 2019 from 6-7:30 p.m. and Saturday May 4th, 2019 from 9-11 a.m. at 64 Pleasant Street Antigonish NS.

R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home is a rich and vibrant community that recognizes and appreciates the uniqueness of every person who lives and works here. This uniqueness of spirit and character drives the life plan for our residents. We strive to provide the best possible care and services to our clients and as a result, we are looking for people who genuinely care.

We have immediate vacancies for PCW (PSW, HSW) with employment designed to enable those interested to become a certified Continuing Care Assistant.

We offer:

• Comprehensive Benefit package including;
• Pension contributions; Vacation,
• Sick benefits (upon Completion of a 528 hr. Probation Period);
• Health Benefits

We are looking for people who:

• Have an interest in being a caregiver.
• Does not have CCA certification but have been working in the role of Personal Care Worker; Home Support Worker; and other classifications of this role.
• Are a graduate from a related Health and Human Services Programs such as: Social and Community Support; Social Services; Community Residential Worker; Human Services Worker; and are interested in obtaining your certification as a Continuing Care Assistant.

Job Fairs at R.K. Macdonald Nursing Home on November 7th and 10th, 2018.

Seeking PCWs who are wanting to work to become certified CCAs.

We are looking for people who:

Have an interest in being a caregiver Do not have a CCA certification but have been working in the role of Personal Care Worker; Personal Support Worker or Home Support Worker. Are a graduate from a related Health and Human Services Programs such as: Social and Community Support; Social Services; Community Residential Worker; Human Services Worker; and are interested in obtaining their certification as a Continuing Care Assistant.

Apply now online or join us at our Job Fairs on November 7th from 6:30-8:00 pm or on November 10th from 10 a.m. to noon at 64 Pleasant Street, Antigonish, NS.

We would like to thank The Casket for covering the story on the Pelly Sisters. The trio has worked, combined, almost 125 years at the Antigonish facility. “We were only babies when we came,” Vicky said, with a laugh.

It is a family affair for the Pelly sisters, when it comes to working at the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home in Antigonish. – Corey LeBlanc The Casket

She is the newcomer, when it comes to service time, having 37 years under her belt, while Eva has 44. Kandy retired last year after 43 years working in the R.K. kitchen.

“It is nice when the residents know your name,” Eva said, when asked about favourite parts of her job.

“There is a different challenge every day,” Vicky said.

She added there have been “a lot of changes,” since she started working there.

“I was scared to death,” Eva, with a laugh, said of her first day on the job, noting she had never worked with seniors.

To read all of this story from The Casket, click here.

We would like to thank The Casket for covering our 60th Anniversary Celebration held on Wednesday, October 3rd, 2018.

Resident Lynn Mersereau visits with Michelle Thompson, R. K. MacDonald Nursing Home CEO, Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 3) during an open house celebrating the 60th anniversary of the facility. Corey LeBlanc The Casket

“Let the trumpet sound – rejoice and be glad – for the spirit of celebration resounds, once again, in this special place, as we proclaim the 60th anniversary of the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home.”

“That’s how Sister Brendalee Boisvert, Sisters of Saint Martha congregation leader, began her remarks during an open house celebration at the Antigonish residence Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 3).”

To read all of this story from The Casket, click here.

In a recent issue of Voice For Care Magazine, there was a lovely article done on the Storytelling Program:

“Most Wednesdays since earlyspring, you will find a dedicated group of Residents and support people gathered in the Rhubarb Patch, engaged in a lively afternoon of story writing, laughter and comradery. The storytelling program is a collaboration with R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home and Arts Health Antigonish (AHA!). “

You can read the full magazine click here.

We are very pleased to reproduce the below excerpt of an article by Sam Macdonald of The Casket published on August 14th.

‘A little sanctuary’: Antigonish Community Comes Together to Create Buddy Bench at RK MacDonald Nursing Home

Kim Cameron-MacDonald (upper left), Francis Grenier, Emma MacDonald, Mary Grace, Mary Partridge, Diane Delorey (bottom left), Donna MacLean, Mary Margaret Grace and Sadie Boyd – all enjoying the fine weather with the Buddy Bench – the newest addition to the garden area of the RK MacDonald Nursing Home. – Sam Macdonald

A new, colourful addition adorns the garden area of the RK MacDonald nursing home.

The bench is hard to miss. The bright yellow bench is decorated in the rainbow-coloured handprints of several generations of people and is the product of a partnership between members of Antigonight: Art After Dark Festival, staff and residents of RK MacDonald and youth from the local Montessori School.

“It took a lot of priming and painting to get that beautiful yellow that is there now,” Emma MacDonald, festival director for Antigonight, said, describing how the handprints belong to several generations of Antigonishers.

“We also wanted to use a lot of bright, primary colours for the handprints. We wanted to incorporate an inter-generational piece to this community art project.”

You can read the rest of  the article on The Casket’s website here.