Maintaining a close connection to a friend or family member living at a long-term care or retirement living home is important. Getting involved in their experience makes a huge impact on enriching their time at the residence and there are a lot of different ways to get started, like visiting more often or volunteering at the residence. Here are a few simple ways to get involved in your loved one’s long-term care or retirement living experience:

Do your research

Start off by learning more about the residence your loved one is staying at. Doing your research is the best way to get started because knowing more about the residence will help you get a better sense of what rules or restrictions are in place, such as visiting hours, whether it’s permitted to bring in outside food, or how to leave the residence. A great place to start is taking a closer look at what type of care or services are provided, amenities, and what social activities or events to expect on the residence’s social calendar.

Also, it’s a good idea to sit down and chat with your loved one about how they’d like to see you get involved or what you can do to make the transition easier for them. Figure out what the resident is most concerned about and do your research to understand what options are available to help make them feel more at ease. For example, if the resident is feeling a little uneasy about socializing with others when you’re not around, you can try to accommodate these feelings by visiting more often, participating more frequently at events, or facilitating introductions with other residents or staff members to help them feel more comfortable.

Visit more often

For residents, having a support system in and outside of the residence can help uplift them and contribute to a stronger sense of belonging. Although there are plenty of opportunities within a long-term care or retirement living home to develop genuine connections with others, it’s still important for residents to feel connected to friends and family members outside of the residence. Otherwise, they could feel like they’re missing out or like they’ve been forgotten. To avoid this, try to create a routine out of visiting more often and staying for longer periods of time — especially when a resident is early on in their transition. Visiting more often will help create more comfort and stability for a resident, whether it’s a quick visit to drop off a coffee, or a weekly visit for a catch-up session, showing up more often and making your loved one feel like a priority will make a positive impact on their experience.

Plan activities for your visit

This is where the real fun begins! On the same concept of visiting more often and staying for longer periods, try to come up with more activities for your visit so you can spend more quality time together. You can get creative with your visits, but keep in mind that a fun activity doesn’t always have to be something grand. That said, you may even ask your loved one what type of activities they prefer so you can plan ahead for your visit and give them something exciting to look forward to. Some examples of simple activities for your visit include boardgames, a mini crafting session, or looking at photos from an album. If mobility allows, you can plan activities that involve a bit more adventure, such as a short drive to a new area of town that can be explored together, a visit to a local coffee shop, or even a short walk or picnic.

Get to know the community

You can expect a huge sense of community from most long-term care or retirement living residences that includes staff members, residents, family members, and volunteers. Getting to know the people within this community can help ease your loved one’s transition to long-term care and retirement living. More specifically, this will make them feel more comfortable socializing with others when you’re not around — especially if they’re shy or don’t like being around unfamiliar faces. Becoming a part of the community will not only help ease this transition, but it’ll also facilitate better communication between you and anyone who’s involved in the care of your loved one.

Volunteer at the residence

The best thing you can do for a loved one in long-term care or retirement living is to be present and actively involved in their experience. Volunteering at our residences is a great way for caregivers to better understand what goes on at the residence while spending more quality time with their loved one. As opposed to visiting the residence more frequently, getting actively involved at the residence as a volunteer gives you the chance to participate in a range of events or activities that you usually wouldn’t be a part of and you can get to know the community much better.  Most importantly, it’s a great way to give back to the community and make a positive impact on the lives of other residents. Contact us for more information on how to get involved at one of our residences or fill out a volunteer form here. 

After more than 10 years working of with Omni in different roles, Frost Manor’s beloved Administrator Brittney Sharpe is well-versed in the life of an Omni team member. Company culture is ingrained in everything Omni does. From the quality care provided to residents, to the community we build around our long-term care and retirement residences, we are consistently focused on making the Omni experience the best that it can be. Without team members like Brittney, we couldn’t do what we do.

Brittney has been part of the incredible community at Omni’s Frost Manor since May of 2012, advancing her career and growing in her integral role as an Omni team member. Prior to employment, she spent time at Frost Manor as a volunteer while in elementary school, stopping by to visit residents and create meaningful connections out of the goodness of her heart. In 2007, she completed her high-school co-op placement in the same residence, which she notes as a pivotal moment in understanding exactly what she wanted to do with her career.

She worked diligently as a Personal Support Worker (PSW) while going to school to become a Registered Nurse (RN) and was then welcomed into a position as an RN at Frost Manor post-graduation. After working on the floor for a few years, she stepped through multiple levels of leadership, first as a Quality Care RN, and then as Director of Care. Soon after, she took the position of Administrator in 2021, working for Omni through the height of COVID-19 and leading the Frost Manor team through trying times with grace and exceptional management.

“What I love most about working at Omni is the endless opportunity to explore your role within the company.” says Brittney, “Omni has put an emphasis on providing opportunities within the company, which has shown me just how much they care for their staff”. As she continued to explore these new opportunities, Brittney was awarded with an Inspired Leader Award in 2019, being recognized for the amazing work and dedication she continued to provide to Omni team members and residents each day. “My favourite part of my role at Omni is that I can be a leader and show others within the company that anything is possible. It feels good to know that the work that I do every day helps to provide a better work environment for my team.”

Prior to her tenured employment at Frost Manor, Brittney’s heart was set on changing lives. Her goal in life was to spend her days improving the quality of life for those around her, and she has found a community at Omni that brings out the incredible compassion and care within her in all the best ways. Team members like Brittney are what make Omni possible — enabling us to provide world class, people-first care in each long-term care home and retirement residence through dedicated and educated team members who are focused on making a difference.

To learn more about Omni or how to become a part of our ever-growing team, visit our careers page.

It is with great pride and joy that we step forward each day at Omni with a people-first mindset. This is what sets the precedent for care within our residences, and what builds a culture of incredible team members and community within them. We work to create a supportive atmosphere that fosters an optimal experience for our residents, families, and team members. Hope, purpose, and belonging in healthcare is the foundation of everything we strive for, and we couldn’t do it without our valued team.

Meet Neil Macdonald, Administrator at Pleasant Meadow Manor and an incredible team member at Omni who spends his days making residents feel at home. We sat down to talk with Neil about his purpose and experience as part of the Omni team.

Q: What does your role look like day-to-day?

A: A day-to-day in my role is overseeing the operation of Pleasant Meadow Manor across all departments. Each day I strive to provide supportive, effective leadership to all employees of the home and ensure that residents of the home receive the high quality of care that they deserve.   

Q: What have been your biggest accomplishments on the team?

A: I am still relatively new to the Administrator role at Pleasant Meadow Manor and our team, but my biggest accomplishment has been leading the team through the redevelopment process. On March 1, 2023, the residents of our home moved from a more than 30-year-old home into a brand-new addition to the home. Our residents now live in the new section while the part we left behind is being renovated. The team has been great at finding successes in our new environment and showing adversity through challenges. 

Q: Who are some of your biggest inspirations within the company? 

A: I have had the privilege of having a few mentors throughout my career with Omni Quality Living. The team at Home Office have always been very supportive and provided a lot of opportunity to myself and so many others in the company. I have worked at various other homes during my career, and I always find each team provides their own unique inspiration towards proving quality care for the residents of the home. I have been a part of many inspiring teams here.  

Q: What kinds of resources have you taken advantage of while at Omni? 

A: Omni Quality Living provides incredible resources, such as ongoing education within the company. Along with in-house education, I have also been able to utilize the Omni bursary program for continuing education on several occasions. This resource really helped me propel my career and further enhance my ability to contribute to the residents of the homes I have worked in.   

Q: What’s the most unique part about working here? 

A: A unique part about working for Omni is the way that people are cared for in the company. We expect to provide high quality care for our residents, and we recognize that we need to have caring and compassionate team members to do this. I have received great support and guidance on my journey at Omni and have a lot of fun caring for the residents of the home on that journey. 

Q: How have you grown professionally while at Omni? 

A: I started as a cook at Riverview Manor in Peterborough, ON. I was able to complete education to obtain various diplomas and certificates while working, and then had the opportunity to work as the Nutritional Care Manager at Frost Manor in Lindsay, ON. I was able to assist throughout the years at Springdale Country Manor and Willows Estates as well. Through mentorship early on in my career with Omni, I had the goal of becoming an Administrator one day, and when the moment presented itself, I was very appreciative to take on the new role.  

With love and support, Omni captures an appreciation for individuals and their life stories, both in the residents that we care for each day and the team members that make it possible. When we strike the perfect balance of understanding and support, we are truly fulfilling our vision of using our hearts and our minds to bring hope and humanity to long-term care, retirement homes, and health care.

“I used to think my career achievement was unique, but when talking to many individuals at Omni I have realized how strong the culture of promoting from within and providing opportunity to staff at all levels is” says Neil. “There are so many professional development stories in every Omni home, it is quite amazing.” 

To learn more about Omni or how to become a part of our ever-growing team, visit our Careers page.

Making the decision to seek care isn’t always easy. However, learning more about the process can help simplify the transition for you or a loved one is a great first step. Omni is more than happy to help guide you through this process. Please contact one of our residences to learn more about our services. Below, we’ve addressed a question we receive often in the industry.

How is a long-term care residence different from a retirement residence?

Good question. Not only are long-term care residences and retirement residences different from each other, but their differences vary between provinces. Understanding the differences can help you and your loved ones make informed decisions for these next steps in life. These differentiations range from small day-to-day details to big life decisions, like financial or health needs, but there are some integral differences that can help you understand what might work best for you:

“Long-term care” is legally defined

Long-term care is a legally defined term. In Ontario, long-term care residences are licensed, monitored, and regulated by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. This definition is important, because it means that you can always rely on provincial regulations to set a precedent for the standard and type of care that you will receive when in a long-term care home.

Public vs. Private

Retirement residences are privately run organizations, while long-term care residences are often public. In private retirement residences, less extensive regulations mean that a wider range of lifestyles can be catered to.

Type of Care

Those who choose a retirement residence over long-term care may often require less assistance and supportive measures, such as 3 meal a day service, daily laundry, housekeeping, 24-hour nursing care, or assistance with activities of daily living. Long-term care residences typically provide more extensive nursing, personal care, and rehabilitation services than retirement residences.

At Omni, our long-term care residences are upheld to the highest standard of provincially regulated care while simultaneouslyattaining a “retirement residence” feeling in the development of programming and personal satisfaction of our residents. Omni’s New Brunswick residences offer a range of different levels of care from Independent Living (L1), Assisted Living (L2), and Memory Care (L3B). With the opportunity to progress through these care styles under the same residence, one can move from independence to assistance easily. This provides stability and familiarity, knowing that each resident will have dedicated staff and commitment to their care plans as life changes.

Focusing on care at our core, our team provides specialized care plans to each one of our residents. This care extends beyond the health of our residents but encourages their fulfilment and happiness as a core pillar of health. This means that Omni long-term care residences include nutritional care, entertainment, and activities, keeping residents engaged and upholding high quality living.

The differences between long-term care residences and retirement residences are in the details — but those details are considerable when you are choosing your path to senior living regardless. We believe that knowledge is power, and we love sharing ours. Whether you’re just starting your research on the future of your resident journey or you’re in the final stages of making this decision, know that at Omni, you are supported in kindness and care every step of the way.

For more information about our residences, visit our residences page.

Choosing a power of attorney comes with a lot of care and responsibility. If something were to happen to you, such as an illness or accident that changes your capacity or ability to make financial or health care decisions for yourself, appointing a power of attorney ensures that your best interests will still be considered. Regardless of your financial situation, health status, or age, you could be considering a power of attorney for many reasons.

A power of attorney is a legal document that gives someone you trust the right to make financial or health care decisions for you (Ontario.ca). This trusted person does not have to be a lawyer, but can also be a family member, spouse, or good friend. In Canada, there are two types of powers of attorney: personal care and property. Personal care powers of attorney can make decisions about your health care, housing, and other aspects of your personal life such as day-to-day tasks, meals, and choices. Without a personal care attorney, family members will have some capability to make decisions, but not all. Property powers of attorney can make decisions about your financial affairs, such as paying your bills, maintaining or selling your house, or managing your investments. Without this in place, family and spouses cannot automatically make decisions for you, and may have to involve lawyers to become a court-appointed guardian.

Making the choices about your power of attorney early can take a lot of stress off your eventual plate for if and when you are in need of this important paperwork. Taking the time to consider the varying aspects of this choice is the recommended way to start the process. What type of power of attorney will suit your needs best? When would you like your power of attorney to start? How many powers of attorney would you like to appoint? Each of these answers can be discussed with your trusted close relationships and/or a lawyer, and will help kickstart the process of finalizing the legally binding documents.

The next step is to discuss with the person(s) you have chosen to make decisions on your behalf should you be incapable of doing so. Consider naming an alternate power of attorney in case your first appointed person(s) can no longer act on your behalf.

Keep in mind that the nuances and specifics of rules, regulations, and processes when appointing a power of attorney will vary between provinces. As Omni operates both in Ontario and New Brunswick, we encourage you to be mindful of these differences, and seek legal help if you are unclear about your provincial regulations. Choosing a power of attorney does not have to be a scary feat. With the right support and intentions, setting up your power of attorney can relieve some worries about your future and let you focus on the more exciting and joyful parts of life. If you have any questions for the Omni team, please send them to us here.

Canadian summers are short and sweet, but they’re also full of sunshine. We wait all year for the good weather to show up, and it feels lovely to soak up some sun before the snow comes again. That said, being conscious of the heat and its limitations while taking the right precautions to stay cool is critical to staying safe this summer.

Spending time outdoors can provide physical and emotional benefits. More specifically, getting a healthy dose of vitamin D from the sun can help boost your energy levels and serotonin, which will keep you happier and healthier throughout the warmer months. Furthermore, participating in more summer activities with other long-term care or retirement residents is a great way to connect with one another.

Here’s a list of fun summer activities for residents to get outside and stay connected during the warmer months:

Go for a walk

Walking is a wonderful form of low impact exercise that is safe and sustainable for most people. Not to mention, it’s one of those activities that you can enjoy either on your own or with many others. The next time you’re thinking about heading out for a walk, invite a friend, family member, or even your neighbor to take a stroll with you. Better yet, ask other residents if they’re open to making this a regular thing and creating a weekly routine out of it. Share stories, stroll quietly, or chat about life while soaking up the sunshine together.

Yoga or meditation

Yoga and meditation are great ways to get some fresh air while practicing mindfulness. Participating in this form of activity with other residents can be a really fun shared experience and it’s a great opportunity to form stronger connections with one another.

Picnic

When it’s nice out, picnics make for the perfect last-minute activity for just about anyone. So the next time you’re having trouble coming up with a fun outdoor activity, consider taking advantage of the nearby good company of other residents and the beautiful weather and move your mealtime outside together.

Gardening

Connecting with nature can be good for the soul, and doing so with family or friends is even better. Find a buddy to grow some plants with you and watch the fruits of your labour grow for the remainder of the warm summer months. That said, if there are any physical limitations that might be preventing you from performing some of these tasks, it can be just as enjoyable to find a nearby garden where you can sit and admire the great outdoors.

Tabletop Activities

Anything that can be done around a dinner table can be moved outside! Bring out your board games, puzzles, arts and crafts, trivia, and soak up the sunshine while enjoying the company of other residents. This is a great idea for anyone who’s looking for some light-hearted entertainment that isn’t too strenuous. And if everyone’s up for it, you might even want to schedule weekly board game sessions with other residents, which you can move outside in the summer and keep them going on indoors during the winter.

Group Hang Out

Remember, you don’t need to have something major planned out to have some fun this summer. Good company always makes for a good time. Not to mention, you can always organize a group hangout with other residents and invite your loved ones from outside of the residence to join.

Whatever your plans are this summer, we hope that it is filled with a lot of love and sunshine. The nice weather brings many new opportunities to connect with other residents — and together, you can experience all that your long-term care or retirement home has to offer.

To learn more about Omni’s social calendar or Life Enrichment Programs, contact us or learn more about our Life Enrichment Programs.

At Omni, compassion and respect is at the core of what we do and we’re so proud to say we’ve built a team of dedicated professionals who embody these values and uphold this commitment in their daily work. But of course, none of this would be possible without our amazing team of volunteers, who are always here to support us in all areas to ensure we deliver the best care to our residents.

Ultimately, volunteering at a residence is an exceptionally rewarding experience that provides joy and fulfillment. Here are some of the benefits of volunteering with us:

Make a positive impact on residents’ lives

Working at Omni gives you the chance to work closely with many different residents and throughout the duration of your volunteer cycle, you’ll find many different opportunities to really make a positive impact. From helping a residence organize fun events to bonding over activities and sharing great conversations through daily interactions, volunteers play a huge role in uplifting residents and enriching their overall experience here. Without a doubt, you’ll find a lot of purpose and meaningfulness in volunteering at a long-term care or retirement residence, but often, the residents also leave a beautiful imprint on you.

Form new friendships

What’s great about volunteering at a residence is that it puts you in the presence of many other like-minded individuals who are equally passionate about caring for others and making a positive impact in their community. As a volunteer, you’ll get to meet a very dynamic group of people and residents who come from all walks of life. Ultimately, volunteering is a great way to meet new people and expand your network. Not only that, the experience itself will present plenty of opportunities to forge deeper connections with other members in the community, such as residents, team members, and other volunteers.

Gain real-life work experience

When volunteering with us, you’ll find many different opportunities to learn, while developing new skills on a personal and professional level. The role of a volunteer is quite diverse, and responsibilities can range from coordinating events to providing supervision for an outdoor excursion. While supporting the daily operations of a residence, you can expect to develop a good combination of hard and soft skills that are transferrable to various job industries. Through volunteering, some of the skills you can expect to learn include organizational skills, problem-solving, patience, and collaboration.

Learn more about other people’s experiences

As you spend more time with our residents, you’ll find that they all have incredible stories, experiences, and wisdom to share. And as you develop deeper connections with one another, you can expect to see an internal shift in perspective — one that’s full of compassion, gratitude, and patience.

Volunteer with us! Wherever you are, becoming a volunteer is an exceptional experience that can help you learn and grow as a person. In essence, getting more involved in the community is a great way to meet new people and expand your skillset while contributing to the betterment of society. But if you asked us what’s the best part of it all? Our team members and volunteers would say it’s the fact that they get to make a positive impact on the lives of residents daily. Interested in volunteering at Omni? Contact us for more information about how to become a volunteer here.