The FNQLHSSC is proud to shine a light on the Anishnabe Long Term Care Centre of Timiskaming First Nation, which provides a stimulating living environment for its elders, thanks in part to a diverse and vibrant recreational offering based on a holistic approach.

History

The Centre, established in 1997, is a not-for-profit, private seniors residence operating at an intermediate resource capacity. The Centre is a residential service offered to seniors who, due to a loss of autonomy, can no longer remain in their natural living environment, despite the support of services in the community and those around them.

The Centre focuses on culturally led, safe and adapted care that places the residents at the centre of it all. It adheres to traditional and community values, including the Medicine Wheel and the Seven Grandfather Teachings. 

The Centre provides 24-hour care, 7 days a week, and its many offerings include nursing, personal assistance, pharmacy, food, psychosocial, spiritual, entertainment, laundry, hygiene, and maintenance services.

Programming and activities: An enriching life at the Centre 

The Centre takes great pride in its exceptional activity programming. To ensure a holistic approach, the activity coordinator incorporates the medicine wheel, which addresses the social, emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of the residents’ well-being.

Every day of the week, a new and exciting activity is planned. Cultural activities include engaging workshops, sharing circles, and even a special Travel Tuesday event. Those seeking spiritual fulfillment can attend mass, cultural events, and ceremonies. Social activities range from entertainment events, to parties, to outings. Residents who are able to attend community events are accompanied by the Centre team.

The Centre also prioritizes the physical well-being of its residents with a fitness program that promotes an active and healthy lifestyle. For those with artistic flair, the Centre team provides access to crafts and creative outlets at all times. Additionally, the team offers cognitive stimulation with brain games like Cranium, crosswords, word searches, and even TV gameshows such as Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. 

Exciting new activities coming soon 

In collaboration with the Algonquin Nation Programs and Services Secretariat, a new culturally tailored outdoor space will be available very soon at the Centre. This project will include a sacred fire area, a cedar gazebo, a medicinal plant garden, an adapted vegetable garden, a water feature, and a shaded activities area to enhance quality of life for our residents. All these new features will be linked by a beautiful walking path. 

These enhancements will offer a serene and attractive environment for the residents to enjoy, while also expanding the outdoor activities programming. The Centre team is thrilled to have this outdoor space tailored to its clientele and is looking forward to July, when the project is set to be complete. Exciting developments are underway at the Centre!

Insight from principles of moving patients safely (PDSP) instructor Suzanne Dubé 

In winter 2023, the FNQLHSSC organized the first cohort of PDSP instructor training. The presence of PDSP instructors provide communities with greater autonomy in training new employees such as attendants providing care to beneficiaries in residential resources for adults with loss of autonomy.

The Centre now has a newly accredited PDSP Instructor, Suzanne Dubé, on its team. In addition to ensuring that care for elders is provided in accordance with the principles of safe travel, Suzanne has been very responsive to the needs of loved ones by sharing her expertise on PDSP. The FNQLHSSC asked her a few questions about her role in her work environment.

Hi Suzanne. First, what position do you hold at the Anishnabe Long Term Care Centre, and how long have you been working there?  

Currently, I’m working as the Interim Executive Assistant, but I also take on the role of a Personal Support Worker whenever needed. This was the position I initially held when I joined this organization in 2017. In 2022, I transitioned to become the Activities Coordinator and remained in that role until I assumed the Interim Executive Assistant position in late 2023.

What do you enjoy most about your work?  

What I love most about my job is the residents! Interacting with them makes it feel like anything but work. I love getting to know them and their families, but working at Centre has also given me the opportunity to gain experience in various areas and has allowed me to grow my knowledge in the healthcare field.

What motivated you to train as a PDSP Instructor?  

I’ve always had a curiosity for learning, and when I enrolled in the PDSB course in 2019, I quickly discovered the importance of using proper techniques to ensure the safety of both myself and others. The course taught me that the transfers don’t have to be physically demanding; there are simpler techniques that make the process easier and prevent harm to both the client and me.

How does your new PDSP instructor accreditation benefit seniors and their loved ones? (If you could talk about the support available to families that would be great!)  

Having a PDSP instructor accreditation is advantageous for both Centre staff and community members caring for loved ones at home. Learning these techniques can simplify the process of transferring and make it easier to provide care for loved ones at home for an extended period. Family members have approached me to learn new techniques for bed and movement transfers, and they find these tasks less challenging with the simple techniques that I am able to teach them. I can now share this knowledge with caregivers and others working in the healthcare field in our communities. 

What role do seniors’ loved ones and families play at the Anishnabe Long Term Care Centre? 

Despite the wide range of services offered by the Centre, we firmly believe that caregivers continue to hold a significant position in the lives of their loved ones. Our organization works closely with caregivers, families, and residents, ensuring that we tailor our approach and services to meet their specific needs and desires. We strongly advocate for a holistic approach that actively involves both the residents and their caregivers, provided that it aligns with the residents’ preferences and wishes.