Category Archives: News

COFFEE BREAK

Saugeen Valley Nursing Centre hosted an Alzheimer’s Coffee Break and pie sale on Tuesday, Oct 23. Staff member Peter Luty was the winner of the staff challenge for the pie toss and, for his efforts received a “pie in the face” from residents Gladys Ernst and Isabel Maveal. Looking on in photo below is resident Verna Littlejohns and staff members Kaila Frostad and Carla Bonnema. Pies offered for sale were made by residents and donated by volunteers. A total of $684 was raised and will be donated to the Alzheimers Society. The Alzheimer Support group meets monthly the last Tuesday at the Saugeen Valley.

Highest accreditation status awarded

Saugeen Valley Nursing Center has been awarded a three year accreditation status for demonstrating superb person centered care, a clean and home-like atmosphere and commitment to continuous quality improvement.

Although the Home has been accredited previously through the Canadian Council on Health Service, this is the first accreditation through the international accrediting body, CARF.

The award is being celebrated today (Sept. 26) with the family, staff and residents who contributed to this award and continue to value and work each and every day towards supreme quality care for the residents of Saugeen Valley Nursing Center.

By pursuing and achieving accreditation, Saugeen Valley Nursing Centre has demonstrated that it meets international standards for quality and commitment to the pursuit of excellence. This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and shows SVNC’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards. In order to receive this three Year Accreditation, Saugeen Valley Nursing Center voluntarily put itself through a rigorous peer review process. SVNC demonstrated to a team of surveyors during three days of onsite visits its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable and of the highest quality.

CARF is an independent, non-profit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process and continuous improvement services that center on enhancing the lives of persons served. Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and now known as CARF International, the accrediting body establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services.

Saugeen Valley Nursing Center recognizes the compassion and dedication of volunteers, medical professionals, both new and long time staff, family members, and community partners that are the foundation to Saugeen Valley Nursing Center’s accreditation success.

NORTH LONDON RETIREMENT LIVING IS KING AT KENSINGTON VILLAGE

I remember growing up in North London and passing the big red brick building behind Archie’s (or across from Kmart depending on your age group) on my bicycle.  Being young and carefree, I knew it was a nursing home but that’s where my interest ended.

My interest has been renewed for sometime now and for two reasons.  First, because my mother resides in a similar residence and now I drive by and have been watching the construction workers put the finishing touches on the new west wing expansion.

When I first arrived at the Village, I was greeted by a friendly voice over the security system and then personally escorted to the main office by one of the residents who seemed more than happy to do it.  Across from the office in the tearoom a small gathering of newspaper enthusiasts chatted eagerly about the daily news and offered me a warm smile.  I made my arrangements to return for the Open House and slipped past a couple of fellas shooting a friendly game of pool in the common area.

Kensington’s slogan “Compassion, Comfort & Care” is visible throughout this single-floor facility where everything is barrier free with no stairs.  Their intention is to foster a community spirit based on creative involvement, social acceptance, relaxation, an personal involvement, while respecting the individuality of each resident.  The qualified staff take the worry out of day-to-day living providing housekeeping services and professionally preparing delicious meals and snacks with special attention to the unique needs and tastes of each resident.  The suites are designed to provide a modern and comfortable space and for couples, or single residents that would enjoy extra room, Kensington offers spacious couples suites with additional floor space and creative layout designs.  All residents here are encouraged to bring personal furnishings and accessories to give their space a personal touch.  Hairdressing, barbering and laundry facilities are also available and as a true community, Kensington offers a variety of opportunities for residents to become actively involved in the courtyard, library, atrium, craft room, games room, chapel or just relax in the lounge.

The staff and residents made me feel quite welcome during my short stay and I was extremely impressed with not only the expansion and the additional amount of space they have acquired but I got an overall sense of a team that provides extraordinary care and I met many satisfied folks who benefit from that.  I look forward to returning and sitting in on the tea and newspaper time.  Hopefully the sun will be shining and the tea will be iced.

Compassion, Comfort & Care … since 1984

Gorgeous Day!  Great Celebration!  If you attended the Grand Opening of the renovated Kensington Village Retirement/Nursing Home at 1340 Huron Street on a lovely Sunday afternoon in mid-September you’ll agree that the “show and tell” event went off without a hitch.

The family owned and managed Village has provided care for seniors in the community for twenty successful years (formerly Bethany Lodge near Delaware opened in 1967).  With the state-of-the-art addition of seventy new suites this commemorative celebration marked a milestone where owners, board members, residents, families, staff, friends and neighbours could tour the appealing facility.

Guests enjoyed musical entertainment, an official ribbon cutting along with greetings from special speakers including representation from all governments.  With a spirit of gratefulness, everyone was graciously thanked for any participation over the far and near past (big or small) ending with a prayer of dedication.

With the addition of 1_acres of property, eight different suite sizes and configurations are offered in the one story construction located on the Highbury side of the Village.  Over all Kensington has increased by 57% meeting the growing needs of seniors in north-east London and vicinity.  The well-respected Village maintains an informal family atmosphere that is safe and secure in every aspect of independent living.  Fully accredited for supportive and quality living, the home also honoured employees with rave reviews from residents, family and volunteers.  Amenities include a regal chapel, convenient corner store, beauty/barbershop, board rooms, personal laundry facilities, whirlpools, libraries, games rooms, book clubs, quality circles, activity/exercise rooms, well-placed lounges and sunny dining rooms, plus secure landscaped courtyards.

If you are interested in Kensington Village, call 455-2001, access the website at www.kensingtonvillage.org or better still – drop in and visit.  Everyone is welcome!  Congratulations on this amazing achievement and continued future success.

New Addition Coming for Kensington Village

Three of the five houses owned by Kensington village along Highbury Avenue have been relocated.

Once all the houses have been relocated the old foundations will be leveled and construction begun on the new addition for Kensington Village, a family-owned and operated Retirement Residence and Nursing Care Home at 1340 Huron St.

There will be 50 new patient and couple rooms with resident support, dining, activity and lounge areas added to the west side of the existing building. When completed there will be frontage on both Highbury and Huron with 2 interior courtyards and a lovely backyard.

A tricky business! A house and roof in tandem make their way on Highbury Ave.