In lives full of defining moments, we help create even more.

Whether it’s a brief encounter or a life changing event, these unique moments enrich lives. And we do everything we can to make them happen.

To give you an idea of how we can make a difference, here are Remarkable Moments from our home.

Our Defining Moments

A Heartwarming Thank-You Note from a Family at Extendicare Athabasca

A heartwarming thank-you note from a Resident's Family

A heartwarming thank-you note from a Resident's Family

Extendicare Athabasca walk for Alzheimer's Awareness!

On Sept 19th, Extendicare Athabasca held a walk for Alzheimer’s Awareness and raised over $500.

On Sept 19th, Extendicare Athabasca held a walk for Alzheimer’s Awareness

38 Residents and 45 Staff and Volunteers Participated, Over $500 was raised in support of Alzheimer’s Research.

It was a beautiful day! All the residents, staff and volunteers stopped at the half way point to enjoy some hot chocolate and cookies before returning for the walk back to the facility, local town workers drove trucks in front and flanking the residents and participants to ensure their safety.

Extendicare Athabasca is nominated for the 2019 Chamber of Commerce Customer Service Award!

Thank you to those of you who graciously nominated Extendicare Athabasca for the 2019 Athabasca Chamber of Commerce – Customer Service Award

We are all most truly ad humbly honoured. Our mission is to Help People Live Better… and our staff are the secret to our success… it is their skill, dedication, kindness and true compassion that helps us to live that goal every day.

Thank you to each and every one of you for coming to work, for playing full tilt, for our humble kindness and your bold advocacy of our residents. You are an awesome team that makes me immensely proud of you every day. Thank you.

Special thanks to Extendicare Regional Director Kim Mercier for attending last nights celebrations with us, along with Judy Scherer, Ellie Sutton, Karen Ramstead, Angie DeLancey, Ashley Federkiewicz and Joan Cody.

It was a lovely evening. Our heartfelt congratulations to all those nominated and to last nights winners.

Residents, staff and volunteers of Extendicare Athabasca joined Alzheimer’s Annual Awareness Walk

Each year, residents of Extendicare Athabasca, their family members and staff wheeled and walked in solidarity of the nationwide Alzheimer’s Awareness Walk.

Each year, residents of Extendicare Athabasca, their family members and staff wheeled and walked in solidarity of the nationwide Alzheimer’s Awareness Walk. About 50 residents, each supported by at least one volunteer, joined the walk.

“Alzheimer’s has such a significant impact on the quality of life of our residents and this activity is simply to raise awareness,” said Joan, Extendicare Administrator. “We get excellent participation from families and volunteers and staff, both on duty and who have come in on their days off.”

“I guess when you’re first in the advanced stages of memory loss and thinking you’re crazy and wondering, trying to remember all the time must be very difficult,” said Brenda, Extendicare nurse. “I think for the most part, it’s your loved ones who suffer the most. When your mom or dad or auntie or uncle or grandparent can’t remember who you are, it’s a lot worse for the family of the sufferers. “

According to Alzheimer Society Canada, approximately 564,000 Canadians are currently living with dementia, with approximately 25,000 new cases diagnosed across the country every year.

In 2013, Extendicare Athabasca was part of a province-wide pilot project studying the appropriate use of antipsychotic medications for dementia care in long term facilities. Extendicare Athabasca was one of the 11 early adopter sites included in the project, which was conducted by the Alberta Seniors Health Strategic Clinical Network in collaboration with the Additions & Mental Health SCN.

Extendicare Athabasca continues to implement the lessons learned from the study. They continue to work very hard to keep antipsychotic use to a minimum.

“I think that the awareness and the care has changed over the years,” said Joan. “I think overall, as healthcare providers, we’ve done a better job at being patient and compassionate in our approach to Alzheimer’s, residents with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.”

Dementia Education Night in Athabasca

Dementia affects all of us. Discussing dementia can be difficult, and the fact that dementia knowledge is not entirely common builds on that fear. Knowledge is power, and by educating ourselves and those around us, we can speak candidly about dementia, reducing the fear of the unknown. That’s exactly what Extendicare Athabasca had in mind when we began planning a Dementia Education Night.

Dementia affects all of us. According to the Alzheimer’s Association of Canada, there were over 500,000 Canadians living with dementia in January of 2017 – this translates to over a million people in Canada who are affected. The burden of a diagnosis of dementia can be daunting and far reaching, and people involved experience a lot of fear when in comes to their changing future. Discussing dementia can be difficult, and the fact that dementia knowledge is not entirely common builds on that fear. Knowledge is power, and by educating ourselves and those around us, we can speak candidly about dementia, reducing the fear of the unknown. That’s exactly what Extendicare Athabasca had in mind when we began planning a Dementia Education Night. With the generous contributions of The Rotary Club of Athabasca and The Athabasca Seniors’ Centre, we were able to make that even happen on March 16th. The Seniors’ Centre was a full house, with 90 people from Athabasca and surrounding areas attending. The education began with an explanation and presentation about dementia, followed by a video. Topics covered included types of dementia, behaviors, interaction techniques, and progressions of dementia. These topics are extremely important to dementia education, because there is always something new to learn. There were questions and comments from those that attended, providing interesting and beneficial matters to discuss. By participating in this education, it is our hope that people feel more equipped moving forward, whether they live with dementia themselves, have a loved one with dementia, or just want the education. The success of the night shows that we have an absolute need in the community for dementia education. That, and the requests for more education, demonstrates the amount of people who are affected by dementia, and it is our hope that we can continue to host education nights for our community in the future. Remember, if you or a loved one is living with dementia, you are not alone.

Thanks to everyone who was involved in the Dementia Education Night!

Shelby Carlisle, LPN RAI Staff Development Coordinator - Extendicare Athabasca

Extendicare Athabasca Gives Back to Local Primary School

It was nice to be able to help so easily!

The local primary school was looking for spoons for their new breakfast program. They asked for anyone’s used spoons - and were hunting in thrift stores. The next morning we dropped off 50 new spoons from Extendicare. It was nice to be able to help so easily!

Extendicare Coming Together and Making a Difference for Fort McMurray Fire Victims

Extendicare coming together and sharing our unique stories in making a difference for the Fort McMurray Fire Victims.

The SGP Team and Partners Reach Out to Fort McMurray Fire Victims

On Wednesday May 4, 2016 , everyone had heard about the Fort McMurray fire. . As staff went about their business, a large number of people escaping the fire arrived at the Edmonton Radisson South looking for accommodation. They were accompanied by their families, pets, etc. Many had harrowing stories to share about their loss and the short window of time they had to escape from the fire. Usually at the end of the trade shows the vendors usually have food and non-food supplies leftover. This would include non-opened food, non-perishable food, dried fruit, granola bars, frozen meat products, etc. After reviewing the situation the SGP team spoke with the vendors and came up with a wonderful plan. They decided to donate the food to the chef in the kitchen so that he could cook up meals for the families that were there. The delegates were very supportive and appreciative. We would like to say kudos to the SGP team and the SGP partners for that wonderful gesture.

Extendicare Athabasca

Extendicare Athabasca was put on standby to accept evacuees and they received a call to take an evacuee that had been treated in hospital and needed a safe place to sleep. Many of their employees have been volunteering after work at their local reception centre which provides clothes, food etc.

Extendicare St. Paul

On Friday May 6th Extendicare St. Paul had pre-arranged a BBQ at the Co-op for their Food Bank Drive. Of course priorities change, and after speaking with their local food bank, they adjusted the fund raiser to be for the Fort McMurray relief as the local food bank was not currently in need. On Wednesday May 11th Extendicare St. Paul received a new admission, a woman from Ft. McMurray who received home care.

Extendicare West End Villa

The West End Villas Resident’s Council voted to donate all money raised from their Friday Breakfast Club to the Fort McMurray Fund. In addition staff and residents did an impromptu bake sale and all money raised was again donated to the Fort McMurray Fund. The total raised last Friday was $315!

Extendicare Leduc and Salem Manor

On May 3rd, 2016 Alberta Health Services asked if any of the Extendicare Edmonton area homes would be able to admit Long Term Care Residents due to the Fort McMurray evacuation. Extendicare Leduc welcomed four residents and Salem Manor welcomed three residents.

Extendicare Van Daele

The staff is coordinating a silent auction with items donated from businesses, fellow staff members and families.

Extendicare Bayview

On May 20th Extendicare Bayview hosted a fundraising BBQ and served up burgers, hot dogs to show support for Fort McMurray.

EXTENDICARE ASSIST HOMES
Sunrise Village Drayton Valley

As the town of Drayton Valley welcomed over 150 families to their town the team at Sunrise Village Drayton Valley came together and have extended an offering of a home cooked lunch three days a week. The team volunteers their time to put together a well thought out nutritious menu and has been delivering meals to those who have been affected.

Sunrise Village High River

At Sunrise Village High River they did an internal 50/50 draw as well as put their Jean Friday money towards the Fort McMurray fund.

Sunrise Village Olds

On May 28th, 2016 the Sunrise Village Olds staff hosted a BBQ at their local big park in Town.

Tendercare Living Centre

The staff at Tendercare will be doing a walkathon to commemorate senior’s month in Ontario and will be donating all the money towards Fort McMurray.

Villa Colombo

The staff at Villa Colombo held an ice cream sale and raffle to raise money for the Canadian Red Cross and Fort McMurray.

PARAMED CALGARY BRANCH

The ParaMed Calgary Branch held an in office bake sale to contribute to the Canadian Red Cross donations for Fort McMurray.