Stay connected!
 
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We're all in this together
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Summer has continued to be marked by pandemic protocols, but hopefully it has also allowed for rest and vacation. This slower period of COVID activity has given us a pause to reflect on all that has occurred. It is remarkable to consider the amount of work that has been done over the last five months, and I once again applaud the sector for the outstanding work each home did to prevent a COVID outbreak.
We are now turning our attention to the fall and considering what worked, what didn't, and what we need as a sector going forward, especially if we face a second wave. Funding is a critical issue that has impacted all homes, and we will be asking homes to work with us in a grassroots advocacy effort. The Federal government's safe restart program has offered new funding for the provincial government with targeted funding for long term care and is a great opportunity for the sector to receive much needed funds.
Although things continue to be unsettled and changing, by working together we can ensure the voice of the sector is heard.
Thanks for reading,
Jodi Hall
NBANH
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YOUR SUCCESS STORIES
The tremendous work that you all do is our success story. Your commitment to ensuring nursing home residents maintain a high quality of life and care, as well as upholding a safe workplace for your employees is extraordinary. We should all take pride in what our sector has accomplished to prevent a COVID outbreak. The non-official COVID-19 slogan 'we are all in this together' rings true for our dedicated sector.
Thank you and stay well,
Mélanie Eva Administrative Coordinator
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
 New Staff Member at NBANH
Andrew McGuire, Legal Counsel
Originally from Lincoln NB, Andrew attended Fredericton High School before attaining a B.A. from St. Thomas University and an L.L.B. from the University of New Brunswick. In his legal practice, Andrew has acted for individuals, businesses and organizations on a variety of matters.
Andrew's wife is an LPN and he has two children. He is actively involved with coaching both minor hockey and baseball, has served on several volunteer boards and is an avid outdoors enthusiast. Andrew is very enthusiastic about transitioning to the long-term care sector and very much looks forward to serving the Association's membership.
Over the coming weeks, Andrew will be reaching out to his assigned homes to introduce himself and to see if any immediate assistance is needed. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out to him at the information below with any questions you may have. Welcome to the team Andrew!
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EVENTS
Virtual Event Day
Wednesday, September 2nd
Mark your calendars! We will be hosting a Virtual Event Day to open the discussion on the preparation for a 2nd wave of COVID-19. This meeting will be hosted using the Zoom platform, and simultaneous translation will be available. More information to follow.
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PROJECTS & INITIATIVES
Government of Canada announces creation of Essential Services Contingency Reserve through Safe Restart Agreement
The Government of Canada is working to ensure that essential service organizations have access to the key supplies that they need to keep their members safe during COVID-19 as our economy reopens.
The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, announced that, as part of the Safe Restart Agreement, the Government of Canada is establishing the Essential Services Contingency Reserve, to which essential service organizations can apply for temporary, urgent access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and other critical supplies.
The Contingency Reserve complements existing PPE support being provided to frontline health care workers by the Public Health Agency of Canada. It helps other essential service organizations bridge urgent, short-term gaps in their supplies to avoid any significant disruptions in services to Canadians. Eligible associations and organizations will be able to apply online for a range of equipment, available for purchase at cost. Support provided to provincial or territorial governments will not be cost recovered. Full details on the Contingency Reserve, including the application process and eligibility criteria, are available on the Essential Services Contingency Reserve web page.
This reserve marks another important step in providing support to help Canada manage through the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Message from the Minister of Seniors
Hon. Deb Schulte
 Dear colleagues,
The COVID-19 pandemic has been especially tough for seniors and their caregivers. Caregivers play a critical role in helping seniors cope as they navigate their new normal in their day-to-day lives. For some caregivers, this can lead to increased levels of stress, anxiety and, in some cases, depression.
As a caregiver, it is important to maintain the mental health and well-being of the seniors in your care. It is equally important to invest in self-care, because caregivers' effectiveness and health can suffer if left unaddressed.
Self-care tips for caregivers
Simple things like taking a walk, practicing your favorite hobby, taking time to meditate or relax and including yourself on the list of people you are taking care of can help to alleviate some of the daily stressors that caregivers experience.
Support for seniors and their caregivers
The Public Health Agency of Canada has a webpage dedicated to COVID-19 resources for seniors and their caregivers featuring information like how to take care of your mental health during the pandemic and what to do if you develop symptoms of COVID-19. They have also developed a helpful guide on Self-Care for Caregivers that talks about some common sources of stress for caregivers and how to manage them effectively.
Support for mental health of Canadians and seniors
The Mental Health Commission of Canada has developed a resource for seniors that offers practical tips and advice on how they can protect their mental wellness during COVID-19. The Government of Canada recently launched a new portal dedicated to mental wellness: Wellness Together Canada: Mental Health and Substance Use Support. This portal provides free online resources, and connects Canadians to peer support workers, social workers, psychologists and other trained professionals for confidential chat sessions or phone calls, in both official languages. Resources include modules for addressing low mood, worry, substance use, social isolation and relationship issues.
I appreciate this opportunity to update you on the Government's COVID-19 response for seniors. Thank you for everything you are doing to help keep seniors healthy and supported during this challenging time.
Together, we can and we will get through this.
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FROM OUR PARTNERS
Menu Planning in Long Term Care and Canada's Food Guide 2019
By:Sarah Trudelle, Bilingual Registered Dietitian
Complete Purchasing Services
Canada's Food Guide (CFG) 2019 was released by Health Canada in January 2019 and recommends a variety of healthy foods that people should eat every day however no longer focuses on number of servings for each food group or on portion sizes. CFG is referenced in many provincial standards and regulations as a way to meet the nutritionals requirements of residents in Long Term Care (LTC) when planning menus.
With the changes to CFG 2019, Dietitians of Canada along with the Canadian Malnutrition Task Force & Ordre professionnel des diététistes du Québec, noted a gap for menu planners in LTC. As a result, they worked together to develop a guidance document "Menu Planning in LTC and Canada's Food Guide (2019)" (click here to view the document). The purpose of the guidance document is to assist menu planners in meeting the residents' overall nutritional requirements, and as a tool to guide them in the menu planning process.
How Can The Guidance Document Help You In Your Menu Planning?
The guidance document addresses the three guidelines found in CFG 2019. With considerations of the population residing in LTC homes, modifications to these guidelines have been suggested to help address nutritional challenges and to promote nutritional well-being. The modifications also take into account important factors such as resident satisfaction, resident preferences, and staffing limitations. Please click here to view the entire article.
How Can Complete Purchasing Services (CPS) Assist Your Home in Menu Planning?
CPS offers the COMPLETE Dining Program and eCPS MenuBuilder. This is available for free as a standard part of a CPS membership. eCPS MenuBuilder is a proprietary license-free and cost effective menu management solution designed to enable CPS members to tailor the COMPLETE Menu to meet the unique needs of their home. Tools available include nutrient calculation report, shopping lists, integrated therapeutic menus (including IDDSI), recipes (and a recipe scaler), production sheets, and much more. If you have not yet explored how the COMPLETE Dining Program can assist you in menu planning please call the CPS Menu Hotline at 1.866.694.3277 from Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 7:00 pm AT.
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 Health Care Reform in New Brunswick: Lessons From A Socialized System
by Ken McGeorge
This book presents columns written by Ken McGeorge that has been published in Brunswick News over the last two years with an introduction that presents context with a bit of history. Please visit www.KenMcGeorge.com to learn more and click here to read quotes In Support of Health Reform in New Brunswick.
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Introduction to CARF Aging Services Accreditation
Complimentary Webinar
To help your organization become familiar with CARF's accreditation process, CARF is offering this complimentary webinar. Attend to receive an introductory look at what CARF is, how the survey process works, and the benefits of accreditation. We invite staff and management from aging services organizations of all sizes and types, including nursing homes, retirement homes, networks, home care, adult day services, and independent senior living. Please click here to learn more about this complimentary webinar. When: September 29th, 2020 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. (Atlantic) Presenter: Jed Johnson, Managing Director of Aging Services, CARF International & Jill Allison, Accreditation Advisor, CARF Canada
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If you have any stories you would like to share with the sector, please communicate with Melanie Eva by email.
If you have any questions, comments, or submission ideas, please forward them to Melanie Eva by e-mail or by phone (460-6262).
Sincerely,
Jodi and the NBANH Team
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