Celebrating Seniors Month in Toronto! Mark the date, June 8th
June is Seniors Month in Ontario and this year’s theme is Stay safe, active and connected in our communities! It’s a time when Ontario recognizes older persons and the contributions they’ve made to our societies.
Mark your calendars for the premier of Theatre in The Web’s upcoming virtual performance – Tuesday June 8th, 2021 :
I am not sure what each older individual likes to be called. The government refers to older individuals collectively as seniors and is Celebrating Seniors Month. Perhaps we should be celebrating Older Persons Month? Whatever your choice of word and meaning, we are here to celebrate you and your communities!
It has been a year we will never forget; a year of prolonged isolation, enforced loneliness, separation from families and friends, grandchildren and work colleagues. Spare however more than a thought for those living in Long Term Care Facilities, especially in Canada. Canadian long term care homes experienced the highest death rates in the world from COVID. Our system, its vision, mission and values are broken and we need to properly value and care for human life; this includes the families, the health care worker, the supportive communities and last but not least those most vulnerable to neglect and lack of care.
In the future care will need to focus on keeping people within their communities and connected to rich social networks and other community assets. A report on behalf of the Home Care Ontario stated that 91% hope to stay in their own home or apartment as long as possible, and 95% believe being in their own home with support of home care is the safest environment for them to living during a pandemic. We need to work together, public and private, families, communities and health care workers. Most of the impetus for change needs to come from us, our beliefs, our values and our commitment to human rights: this is everybody’s problem and solution.
How can we keep older persons meaningfully engaged in their communities? Is part of the solution the provision of volunteering opportunities, continuing education, intergenerational engagement, or should we be looking at realising the greater potential of the diverse experiences of older individuals? Older adults are vital to our communities and our world.
At Mosaic we have been doing our best to keep those we are looking after protected while remaining connected to those they may rely on to remain independent and human. We have looked at best practices around the world from Toronto Public Health to the WHO. We provide home care supports with an integrated care model of oversight and person-centeredness. How can we keep you connected, your vitality, values and abilities at the forefront while at the same time being sensitive and aware of your needs and how we can provide for them? This is all part of our care planning and our oversight.
Mosaic Home Care Services would like to emphasize our commitment to older persons in our community for their person, their humanity, their knowledge, experience and their values and commitment to building and supporting a better world.
June is Seniors Month in Ontario and this year’s theme is Stay safe, active and connected in our communities! It’s a time when Ontario recognizes older persons and the contributions they’ve made to our societies.
And on that note, Mosaic Home Care Services & Community Resource Centres have put together a wonderful event in Celebration of Older Persons featuring Theatre in the Web group for a virtual interactive theatre experience! (20+) Theatre in The Web | Facebook
Mark your calendars for the premier of Theatre in The Web’s upcoming virtual performance. In celebration of Seniors Month, join the actors online this Spring for an out of this world fun and interactive performance! Hosted by Mosaic Home Care Services & Community Resource Centres:
Date: Tuesday June 8th, 2021
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Registration required: To register for all programs call our offices at 416-322.7002 or info@mosaichomecare.com or beth@mosaichomecare.com if you need more information. A zoom link for the program will be sent once you have completed the registration.
And also, please note our June 2021 Activity Booklet link – June-2021-Activity-Booklet-Final.pdf (mosaichomecare.com)
A Zoom presentation “Urban Strolls with Nathalie Prezeau” – If you want to rediscover Toronto in the months ahead
Join Mosaic Home Care Services & The Sumach by Chartwell – Retirement Living in Toronto in presenting a lively presentation on Zoom by Nathalie Prezeau, author of popular walking guides!
Nathalie Prezeau is an author and self-publisher. She moved from Montreal to Toronto almost 30 years ago and she instantly feel in love with the city. She has shared her enthusiasm with us since the publication of her first guide in 1999. She followed the five editions of her family guide Toronto Fun Places with four walking guides. Her latest, Toronto Best Urban Strolls, was released during the pandemic, to help Torontonians get some fresh air!
One big takeaway from 2020’s worldwide roller-coaster is our renewed appreciation for little pleasures. Never again will be take for granted: long walks with a dear friend, surprising little nooks at every turn, sitting at a table for our caffeine fix while people watching, savouring a treat on a patio, soaking in the sun.
Nathalie will present the colourful neigbhourhood of the Canary District and stimulate us to plan delightful local outings with a traveller’s mindset.
Date: Tuesday May 18th, 2021
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
To register for all programs or to find out about our #homecare services and #social programs call our offices at 416-322-7002 or info@mosaichomecare.com if you need assistance or more information. A Zoom link for the program or telephone link to call in will be provided one you have completed the registration.
You can also review our Mosaic’s Life in Canada podcast, Directed and hosted by Jane Teasdale, Co-owner & Director of Business Development of Mosaic Home Care Services featuring Mimi Lee from North York Seniors Centre www.nyseniors.org
Mosaic’s Podcast to listen & subscribe: google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy81NWJiZmQyOC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==
apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mosaics-community-life-podcast/id1564979634
Follow us on: Twitter Twitter.com/mosaichomecare
Facebook Facebook.com/pages/Mosaic-Home-Care-Services-Community-Resource-centre
YouTube youtube.com/channel/UCOKEvoBnxBA2yCdm7DO9FVA
Jane’s GTA Café https://janesgtacafe.ca/
Join us for our Community Life in Canada Podcast – New to Mosaic!
My Podcast experience over the last couple of months has been a steep learning curve for me, but each time I do a taping it is getting easier! I also had input from my colleagues Nathalie Anderson (who listens to podcasts quite frequently), Beth Eshete (Mosaic’s lead on community resources and social engagement) and Christian Teasdale (actor, artist, photographer, podcast producer and editor) and his own recording studio.
For those thinking of starting a podcast, I suggest you do some research in this area, so you have an understanding. You may also need to design some artwork for the logo (see ours). Once you are all set- up with your links and a hosting site it seems fairly easy to manage and upload – thank you to Christian for all his tech work in the background.
You will also need to invest in a good computer, preferably a couple of monitors and a proper broadcasting microphone, headset and expertise in editing and sound.
The next part of the process is that of interviewing and choosing your guests. This takes a while as it reinforces the theme of your podcast.
Some things to consider:
Have you done the research on your desired theme?
What type of questions would you like to ask your guest? This needs to be communicated with your guest prior to the date of taping the podcast. You might also benefit from a pre-discussion with your guest prior to the podcast. I do this on Zoom and you can decide to tape it if you wish for a trial run. Mosaic usually provides an agenda and a framework for our guests.
Filming day:
Take some deep breaths; try stay relaxed; make sure your cell phone is in another room; make eye contact with your guest on Zoom and leave some pause between comments to facilitate any necessary editing. If you make a mistake in a section, make a note and see if you can come back to that point to retape.
For our first podcast, we were delighted to have as our guest Mimi Lee from North York Seniors Centre www.nyseniors.org. Her role at www.nyseniors.org is Human Resources Coordinator. Mimi was an easy guest to have on our Mosaic Podcast: I have known Mimi through the North York Seniors’ Centre for the last 20 years. I refer to this organization as the “Jewel of North York”.
In this Podcast we discussed the importance of social connection through community organizations in your local neighborhoods and of attending social programs, either online or in person. We also talked about some of the research behind staying socially connected, volunteerism, connections, developing friendships, and intergenerational programs such as their letter writing programs. We also discussed person-centered care and the importance of implementing this within organizations.
How do organizations connect with the community and home bound seniors?
For those interested you can subscribe to our podcast or follow the links below to have a listen.
google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy81NWJiZmQyOC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==
apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mosaics-community-life-podcast/id1564979634
Stay tuned for our next guest Marta Hajek, Executive Director from Elder Abuse (Prevention) Ontario Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario, Stop Abuse, Restore Respect – La maltraitance des personnes âgées Ontario, Arrêtez les mauvais traitements, Restaurez le respect – EAPON.ca
Follow us on: (10) Mosaic Home Care – Communities & Persons Together (@Mosaichomecare) / Twitter
Facebook: (20+) Mosaic Home Care & Community Resource Centre | Facebook
YouTube: Mosaic Home Care Services & Community Resource Centre – YouTube
Janes GTA Café Jane’s GTA Cafe – A blog about life in the community for those in need of care and their families, and much more…. (janesgtacafe.ca)
Virtual Seminars from one of our long standing community relationships – Ward Funeral Homes:
If you are planning for yourself or a loved one, healing from a loss; or want to be an informed caregiver……
Join this Virtual Series for up-to-date information straight from the experts. Some of the topics discussed are:
- The Financial emotional benefits of advanced planning
- How the covid-19 pandemic has impacted estate planning.
Dates: May 4th, 11th & 18th, 2021 – Time: 1 p.m.
For more information please see the link below:
https://www.wardfuneralhomes.com/virtual-seminars/registration
My experience with booking and receiving the COVID-19 Vaccination
As I will be turning 60 this year I qualified for the Astra Zeneca vaccination pilot for those born between 1957 and 1961. I considered myself lucky to be able to receive a vaccination and turned up early morning Saturday 20th March at Rexall Pharmacy on Bloor St East. This was may early birthday present and one of the most significant events in my COVID-19 world!
The booking process through Rexall was quite easy and allowed you to select a location close to where you live. All you needed was information on your medical history, your doctor, and of course your health card number.
Once I had inputted my information and dates of availability I received an e mail with a final set of dates to choose from. I decided to have the vaccination on a weekend so that I would have time to recover from any side effects.
The whole process took no more than two weeks, a couple of e mails and a pre vaccination list of questions. On arrival at the pharmacy Rexall also provided me with information on what would happen and what to expect. After filling in all the final details and presenting my health card I only had to wait 10 minutes untill I was called.
Medical questions were asked again: if I had a cold, fever, if I had ever had COVID-19, if I had recently travelled outside of Canada and a few other questions. I entered the small room with the nurse and the AstraZeneka vaccine was administered. I was asked to sit for 15 minutes to see if there were any possible side effects or allergic reactions. The effects of the COVID-19 vaccine could be a sore arm, fever, chills, and dizziness.
Once I left Rexall, I was feeling great and ready for a little treat. Fortunately there was a McDonalds was in the same block as Rexall, so I had my favourite breakfast: egg Mcmuffin, hash browns and coffee! I then headed back home to the safety of my condo.
I was fine for the rest of the day until around 6 p.m. Then it hit me. I did not have a fever, but I was feeling extremely tired, dizzy and light-headed; I felt like I was on a ferris wheel, going round and round. This lasted for two days before I started to feel normal again. Such a reaction to a vaccine can be a good sign that your immune system is gearing up and I was happy that my body had responded!
COVID-19 is not like the flu. It can make you extremely ill, you may even require hospitalization and for some there is a risk of death. The young and healthy are not immune. So getting vaccinated is important.
The more we are vaccinated the less likely COVID-19 and its variants will spread amongst us. There are many reasons why we need to be vaccinated: the many needless deaths and severe illness that persons and families have experienced, the impact on mental health, financial security and the economy, on our health care system and our education of the young are some of the many reasons. Perhaps the most important reason going forward is to prevent opportunities for the virus to mutate and develop into strains that can bypass the defenses built by vaccination.
I have posted a not so flattering picture of me receiving the COVID-19 vaccination to encourage others to do their part in the fight against COVID.
Stay safe and socially distanced and Roll Up Your Sleeves for the COVID-19 Vaccination!
Welcome to March and our Spring events update!
Welcome to March: Spring is almost here and we are looking forward to finally getting outside again and coming together apart! Mosaic Home Care would like to thank you for your very important support especially over the Covid-19 Pandemic.
You can review our March 2021 video on You Tube for all the upcoming programs featured. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T7LJ8BcypQ
Join Joanne Picot
March 16th from 1 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Join Joanne Picot in our Zoom Functional Fitness Program Zoom Functional Fitness with Joanne Picot – Mosaic Home Care
A chance to knit or crochet
Every Wednesday afternoon from 1 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. we have our knitting group, a chance to knit or crochet, have discussions and make some new friends online. Zoom Functional Fitness with Joanne Picot – Mosaic Home Care
Julie Williams, visual artist, story teller and photographer
Since we can’t get away to travel Mosaic will be featuring Julie Williams, visual artist, story teller and photographer who will take us on a visual tour of France on Friday March 19th at 1 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Join us as Julie takes us on a delightful visual tour of France! You will experience the sights and cultures of this magical and breathtaking old-world country. Through Julie’s images we will savour quintessential memories of Provence’s narrow cobblestone streets, pastel-coloured homes, timeless ivy-covered walls, and terra-cotta tiled rooftops. The final stop will be in Paris!
Mosaic’s Zoom Community Café & Lianne Harris (Luck O’ The Irish)
Our ongoing Mosaic’s Zoom Community Café which we have been running for quite a number of years now and has been very successful. In March we will be featuring Lianne Harris who has presented many times to our Mosaic Community. She will be featuring a presentation call the Luck O’ The Irish. This will be held on Monday March 22nd from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Mosaic’s Zoom Community Café – Mosaic Home Care
Toronto Council on Aging “Seniors Surviving COVID-19” Webinar Series
The Toronto Council on Aging (TCA) is a registered, non-profit organization that addresses the issues and concerns of older adults in Toronto. Our vision is to create a community that respects, values and empowers seniors.
The “Seniors Surviving COVID-19” Webinar Series will provide seniors in Toronto with a series of online educational sessions. The topics features were based on the needs and interests of TCA members shared through surveys and phone conversations.
All webinars will be presented through Zoom and instructions on how to use Zoom are available on the TCA Website in the under the “Resources” section of the website (www.torontocouncilonaging.com).
Upcoming Dates: Wednesday March 17th, 2021 join Jane Teasdale from Mosaic Home Care Services speaking on “The Importance of Social Connections within our Communities: A Person-Centered Community Model of Care.
Cost: Free
Registration: Visit the Toronto Council on Aging Website for more information at www.torontocouncilonaging.com
My Life as an Opera Singer With Maria Soulis
Join us on ZOOM for a conversation with Maria Soulis about her life on the operatic stage! Her presentation will highlight how she decided she wanted to be a classical singer, the training and auditioning process, and the lucky breaks. Maria will share stories and pictures of some of the beautiful opera houses throughout Europe where she had the privilege of singing.
Mezzo-soprano Maria Soulis began her operatic career as a resident singer with the Regensburg Opera in Germany (1999-2002), afterwards branching out as a freelance artist in theatres throughout Europe. Nominated for the Juno in 2016, Maria continues to perform with Canadian Theatres and orchestras, in repertoire ranging from Baroque to new works.
Date: Thursday March 25th, 2021
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Registration required
My Life as an Opera Singer With Maria Soulis – Mosaic Home Care
Join Mosaic Home Care Services for Zoom Programs Online. Mosaic Home Care Services & Community Resource Centres have taken some of our programs online during COVID-19 Pandemic.
To register for all Mosaic Home Care programs call our offices at 905.597.7000 or info@mosaichomecare.com or beth@mosaichomecare.com if you need more information. A Zoom link for the program will be sent once you have completed the registration.
Service development update – EC Plus® and Family Counselling Services & Navigation
As you know Mosaic provides home care support services with an integrated holistic person centered care approach. We will be introducing EC Plus® and Family Counselling Services & Navigation for our clients, families and community as needed. This is provided by our team approach of nursing, social work, counselling and geriatric expertise. Stay tuned for more information. For more information about our home care services click here. Home Care Services – Mosaic Home Care
Vaccinations!
Dear Readers to our Mosaic Blog.
March is here at last and we appear to be getting closer to resolving many things COVID. Canada and especially Toronto has had a slow start to vaccinations but vaccine availability is now improving – that was then but this is now, fingers crossed.
Mosaic has participated, over the last few weeks and months in the many Zoom calls held for health professionals. We have engaged actively with the LHINS, community groups, Ontario Health Care teams and hospital IPAC units. We have aimed to stay on top of all things COVID including the latest information on vaccination rollout and registration for our front line teams, our clients and family members.
There are still too many loose ends and unanswered questions:
- Mosaic has been pushing, under the auspices Family Funded Care Partners Alliance, for all community PSWs and nurses to receive vaccinations.
- How do those without computers register for a vaccination, especially the older adult who may rely on others for their advocacy and support? Can a home care agency or a PSW register their client if the client doesn’t have anyone to do this?
- There are many home bound seniors who will not be able to get to the designated vaccination points. Other countries have provided at home vaccinations and so should Toronto Public Health .
- What about Family Caregivers, will they be able to get vaccinated irrespective of age?
At the end of the post we provide a list of resources and links about registration and vaccination from a number of different hospitals across the GTA.
Updates from hospitals and the Toronto Public Health will be provided to the communities on protocols with regards to proper Personal Protection Equipment, social distancing, protective masking and handwashing.
Mosaic Home Care will continue to do our part in providing resources and information to our Mosaic families, clients, staff and community.
Stay safe and socially distanced and “Roll up your Sleeves for the COVID-19 Vaccination” And stay tuned for our next blog from our Mosaic Client Services team and responses from our caregivers receiving the COVID-19 Vaccinations.
Finally, we know that there is some vaccination hesistancy across our communities. We believe that taking the vaccine is a monumental social and moral responsibility. Over the last year and a bit many families have been left devastated by the virus itself. The impact of COVID extends to the social, emotional and economic consequences of the world-wide response to the virus. If we decide not to get vaccinated we not only increase our risk of contracting COVID but of passing it onto others and of incubating and passing on a mutation. If you have concerns and are worried about vaccination then please contact your doctor or your local hospital for direction.
COVID Resources and Vaccinations updates from March 5th, 2021
North York and Mid-town
North York General: https://nygh.on.ca/covid19vaccination
Sunnybrook: https://sunnybrook.ca/content/?page=novel-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-information
Downtown Toronto
University Health Network: COVID-19 Vaccine Information at UHN
East GTA
Michael Garron Hospital: Online booking for COVID-19 testing | Michael Garron Hospital, Toronto East Health Network (MGH/TEHN)
Scarborough Health Network: COVID-19 Vaccine Information – Scarborough Health Network (shn.ca)
West
Trillium: https://trilliumhealthpartners.ca/covid-19/A/vaccine.html
Humber River: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Booking – Humber River Hospital (hrh.ca)
North GTA
Simcoe Muskoka: https://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/Topics/COVID-19
York Region: york.ca/COVID19Vaccine
Toronto Public Health: https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/
For more information on our home care services and supports and a full listing of our social programs visit our website at www.mosaichomecare.com
Dementia-Friendly Creative -Arts Classes for Life Enrichment (Bitove Method)
Here is some information on The Bitove Method Arts Classes. Anyone looking for more information should connect with them at https://www.thebitovemethod.com/
