Our resident celebrated her 103 birthday on March 21!
Valentina Scholl, resident at Copernicus Lodge, celebrated her 103 birthday on March 21! Her celebration included many cards, flowers and cake, and she was presented with plaques from her Member of Parliament, the Premier of Ontario, and the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario commemorating this very special occasion.
Community Donation
Thank you to the "Szarotki" Troop from the Polish Scouting Association in Canada for your donation of pussywillows to help our residents celebrate Easter. We cannot express how much this gesture means to our residents at Copernicus Lodge. Following the Polish tradition, our Pastoral team members will ensure the bouquets of pussywillows are blessed before being distributed to residents.
Rasheeda Headley, our Programs and Services Manager and Monika Tadra, Activations Staff Member welcomed the donation of pussywillows with open arms in celebration of Palm Sunday.
Copernicus Lodge is aligned with the Association’s goals of promoting "a deep appreciation for our shared heritage, the Polish culture, history and traditions." As a community partner, we look forward to continuing our working relationship and supporting Copernicus residents. Your annual donations to Copernicus events have had added value to residents' recreational and leisure needs and preferences – and we thank you. Your ongoing support to our residents truly makes an impact.
SEIU Healthcare Union Delivers Donation from Paramount Foods for our Unionized staff
Thank you to Paramount Foods and SEIU Healthcare Union for a delivery from Paramount Foods for our Unionized staff the week of Feb. 15. A special thank you to Greg Dwulit, SEIU Healthcare Member Representative. The delivery was accepted by our dietary staff, Halina Jaros and Joanna Wysocki, as well as Renata Kowalska, our Staff Union Stewart. We appreciate your continued support of our frontline heroes!
Valentine's Cards for our Residents
Thank you to the many families and community members who delivered Valentine’s Day cards to our residents. The cards were accepted with joy and smiles from our residents, and we appreciate your continued support in brightening their days.
Mr. Skubik became the first resident to recieve the COVID-19 vaccine at Copernicus Lodge! Congratulations Mr. Skubik!
Copernicus Lodge COVID-19 Vaccine Heroes!
Staff Christmas Greetings
Staff were thanked for their continous hard work and dedication by management and provided with a turkey and bottle of delicious wine.
WITH A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO STAFF FROM THE BOARD, MANAGEMENT, AND THE COMMUNITY
WISHING YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Aleksandra Kurowska, Chair of the Board of Directors - VIDEO
Tracey Comeau, CEO - VIDEO
Barry McCann, Human Resources Manager - VIDEO
Carmen Miller, Director of Care - VIDEO
Ewa Morelli, Nursing Administrative Assistant - VIDEO
Roxanne Adams, Administrator - VIDEO
Danuta Gutkowska, Community Programs Manager - VIDEO
Julie Plocki, Community Programs Supervisor - VIDEO
Halina Jaros, Dietary Services Manager - VIDEO
David O’Dwyer, Environmental Services Manger - VIDEO
Mary Oko, Chair of Family Council - VIDEO
Christmas Cards from Westminster Classical Christian Academy
Thank you to the students and teachers at Westminster Classical Christian Academy for making beautiful Christmas cards for our residents! They produced over 200! Wow! The cards brought smiles to each of our residents and staff. The staff and residents are so appreciative of them taking the time to do this kind and thoughtful gesture for us here at Copernicus Lodge.
Farewell Andy Poprawa, Interim CEO of Copernicus Lodge
Last week we said farewell to Andy Poprawa, our Interim CEO. Andy graciously stepped in to lead Copernicus Lodge during our search for our permanent CEO. Thank you so much for your dedication, leadership and support! We know you won’t be far away as you continue to work with our Board, but we appreciate all you have done for the staff, residents, tenants and families of Copernicus Lodge.
November's Resident biography of the month. CLICK HERE to view.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
This year we celebrated Halloween with a Halloween Parade for our residents. Treats were provided including cookies and word puzzles. Residents voted for best costume. Please CLICK HERE to view this year's Winner of the best Halloween costume.
Family Council - Coffee & Donuts Treat!
Thank you Family Council for treating our staff to coffee and donuts. We appreciate all of your continued hard work and support!
The new resident biography for the month of October. CLICK HERE to view.
RESIDENTS' COUNCIL WEEK: SEPTEMBER 14th - 20th
In celebration of Residents' Council Week our Residents' Council Chair, Jerzy Nartowski created a special poster:
FIRST VIRTUAL RESIDENTS' COUNCIL MEETING
On September 10th our long-term care residents participated in their first virtual Residents' Council meeting using Zoom. Each RHA was set up with the TV connected to the live stream of the meeting. In addition, residents were able to ask questions and give feedback with support from staff using ipads and cell phones that were made available at each location. Overall, the meeting was a success with residents' having the opportunity to connect, receive information and updates and share their questions and feedback. The next Residents' Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 8th at 2:00 pm.
The Ontario Association of Residents’ Councils (OARC) have organized Resident Forums (meetings) as resource/support for residents in long-term care homes across the province. These forums allow residents from different homes to connect virtually for peer support & sharing. They are designed to facilitate inclusion and community while providing reassurance and support from peers who are navigating similar life changes brought on by COVID-19. They are a place to meet new friends, ask questions, share concerns and successes and stay informed. The forums are scheduled on a weekly basis - below are the dates and times for upcoming sessions:
Tuesday, September 15th (10:30 am - 11:30 am)
Thursday, September 17th (2:00 pm - 3:00 pm)
Friday, September 25th (10:30 am - 11:15 am)
BBQ TIME! STAFF APPRECIATION BBQ
Thank you to our staff for all you are doing to support and care for our residents, tenants and each other during these difficult, unprecedented and stressful times!
NEW RESIDENT BIOGRAPHY FOR SEPTEMBER
CLICK HERE to view the Biography
COVID-19 E-Card Donation Drive with Creator's Joy
We have successfully completed our COVID-19 E-Card Donation Drive, and we were very fortunate to receive over 150 electronic card submissions from students in our community!
The cards have been sorted into three categories:
1) cards dedicated specifically to frontline workers
2) cards dedicated specifically to senior residents
3) cards with general kind and uplifting messages
COPERNICUS CARNIVAL
Residents had a lot of fun at this month's feature program "Copernicus Carnival" which included carnival games, fortune telling, popcorn & cotton candy.
SPECIAL EVENT WITH HONOURABLE ELIZABETH DOWDESWELL &
CLASSICAL MUSIC WITH CONCERTS IN CARE ONTARIO
This week we had a very special time with Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, the 29th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and classical music event with Concerts in Care Ontario. The residents had time to enjoy the music, ask questions to the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell and tell her their stories.
COUNTRY WESTERN PARTY
The featured program for last month was the Country Western Party. Ten parties were held throughout the month of July. Four of the events were held in the Multipurpose Room and once the indoor visits began, the program was relocated to the ground floor courtyard where the remaining six programs took place. There was a total of over 120 residents who participated in this program throughout July.
NEW RESIDENT BIOGRAPHY FOR AUGUST
CLICK HERE to view the Biography
COPERNICUS LODGE SPECIAL PANCAKE BREAKFAST FOR RESIDENTS
The Leadership Team at Copernicus Lodge hosted a special breakfast with pancakes, waffles, bacon etc. for residents on one of the floors. Our very own "Chef" and Interim CEO, Andy Poprawa made some very creative pancakes for our residents. Residents said they were very happy to have breakfast outdoors.
THE FIRST INDOOR VISIT FOLLOWING OUR LTC VISITATION PLAN
SPECIAL BIOGRAPHY SERIES OF OUR RESIDENTS OF THE MONTH
CLICK HERE to view the Biography Series
COPERNICUS LODGE PAINTING SESSIONS
Earlier this month we began our special painting sessions which were being facilitated by one of our in-house artists, Basia Pasternak. These painting sessions were offered in the ground floor courtyard and in our Family Dining Room.
WEDDING CELEBRATIONS 2020
Last month we had wedding celebrations (mock weddings) in long-term care. Each resident home area was decorated to look like a wedding reception, staff acted out the role of the bride and groom who arrived in full wedding attire. There was wedding cake, champagne for a wedding toast, as well as opportunities for reminiscing and dancing. Residents really enjoyed this program, many came dressed up, shared stories of their own weddings and offered the newlywed couple advice for a successful marriage.
TIM HORTONS RESTAURANT/CAFÉ
Last month we also organized a Tim Hortons Restaurant/Café on the 5th floor outside the Activation staff office. Residents were brought up to the "Tim Horton's café" and placed their order at the kiosk window. everyone received free coffee or steeped tea and a donut of their choice. Everyone was super excited and had a fantastic time!
