What's New at Salem Home
Duet Bicycles & New Handi-Van
The Salem Foundation, through the generosity of community donations, graciously donated two Duet Bicycles to the residents of Salem Home. The bikes allow residents to be part of a bike ride, experiencing the outdoors and the community of Winkler in a very different way. Sherry Janzen, Salem Home Chief Executive Office, said “having these bikes has opened a whole new world of opportunity for residents and their families!” Residents and their families, including early age grandchildren, have enjoyed many group outings on bikes … visiting the new Heritage Park, the beautiful floral gardens throughout the city, the downtown area, and the residents’ previous neighbourhoods. Along with the feeling of being young again, the bike rides give the residents the pleasure of enjoying the outdoors, bring back many memories of family adventures and recollections of the previous gardens and yards they tended and took pride in.
Research shows that residents who participate in bike rides experience less depression, and are more energized by the world around them as they feel the wind on their faces, get to see new things, and have one to one socialization during the ride. Please refer to: http://www.frankmobility.com/duet-vid.php.
The Salem Staff and resident families have observed the wonderful calming effect a bike outing has on restless residents while allowing them to enjoy the outdoors, the warmth of the sun and the sites of nature.
The other set of “new wheels” … the handi-van … has also proved to be very popular with the Salem Home residents and Adult Day attendees. They are enjoying the comforts and improved transportation of a new handi-van thanks to community support through the 2010 Matching Funds initiative, the April 2011 “Faspa, Fellowship & Song” fundraiser and the support of Pfahls Drugs. The new van has increased variable space allowing more residents to go on outings, a comfortable ride and lower windows which provide residents with greater visibility to observe the scenery. The van went into operation in late July. The residents and adult day program attendees have already been out on a number of outings including picnics, lunch and breakfast outings, and even a trip to "Your Thrift Shoppe Inc." in Plum Coulee. Comments about how much they've enjoyed the improved ride and the fun of the outings continues to resound in the hallways of Salem Home! The handi-van has definitely increased the resident and adult day program attendee's joy and excitment about the way that they are able to experience their community as they previously did.
Pembina Valley Online - Salem Foundation Purchases New Handi-Van, Duet Bikes
Standards Visit
August 17, 2011 - Manitoba Health and the RHA spent the day at Salem Home doing a Standards Review. They reviewed how we provide care, the policies we have in place and conducted a thorough inspection of our facility. Salem Home met all of their standards. We received many “well done’s” and “you are to be commended for’s. . .” during the debriefing session. We are so proud of how our staff provide such great care for our residents!
Surveyors: Manitoba Health - Carol Johnston and Barbara Graham-North. RHA - Paulette Goossen, Program Director for Long Term Care and Palliative Care.
Completion of Multi-Purpose Room
Tuesday, June 21, 2011 was an exciting day for Salem Home. It was a day that was a long time in the visioning and planning. The completed Multi-Purpose Room was formally dedicated and opened to the public.
The space has been used by residents and staff alike – the residents watched the royal wedding while being served tea and crumpets, and education sessions for staff have been held in the room affording an inviting learning environment.
The construction of this space was made possible through a generous gift from Mr Abe B Wiebe and his late wife Tina. We are immensely grateful for this gift and the possibilities it provides.
Pembina Valley Online's Articles - Grand Opening Held for Salem Home's MPR, and New Training Suite Unveiled at Salem Home.
To view more pictures, please see our Multi-Purpose Room Grand Opening photo gallery.
Archived News
To read past news articles, please go to our Archived News page.
