World Elder Abuse Awareness Day – June 15

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was developed & launched on June 15, 2006, by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA). WEAAD involves planning activities to bring greater recognition of the mistreatment of older adults everywhere they live worldwide and highlight the need for appropriate action. It is intended to give the abuse and neglect of older adults a global relevance that will sustain and move prevention efforts forward throughout the year and for years to come.

WEAAD involves national and international activities developed by countries, communities, neighbourhoods and organizations collaborating in multigenerational and multidisciplinary initiatives. It can encompass volunteer and educational programs, cultural and art events, and the use of information technology, all aiming to create awareness of elder abuse and neglect and how it can be prevented.

The World Health Organization defines elder abuse as “a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person.” It can take many forms, including physical, emotional or financial harm, and may not be intentional. The issue is closely tied to ageism, an underlying prejudice against older people leading to discrimination and neglect.

Did you know that:

1 in 2 people is prejudiced against older people (Global Report on Ageism, World Health Organization)
1 in 5 Canadians say older people are a burden on society (Report on Ageism, Revera, 2012)
An estimated 7.5% of Canadians 55 and older experienced abuse (Into the Light National Survey on the Mistreatment of Older Canadians, National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly, 2015)
1 in 6 people over the age of 60 are victims of elder abuse (World Health Organization)
In 2021, Women aged 55 and older represented 28% of all victims of femicide (Call it Femicide Report, Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability, 2021)
Nearly 8 in 10 seniors report age discrimination in healthcare (Report on Ageism, Revera, 2012)

Each year on June 15, many communities within Prairie Mountain Health recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day as an opportunity to recognize local and regional efforts to raise awareness of the abuse towards older adults. Raising awareness of elder abuse and neglect is challenging, and no effort is too small. Public education and awareness raising are important elements in preventing abuse and neglect.

If you are being abused or neglected or know of someone who is, the MB Senior’s Abuse Support Line 1-888-896-7183 is available 24-7. Calls are free and confidential. You can speak to a trained counsellor who will provide one-on-one support to older adults experiencing abuse and other concerned community members.

For more information and resources on Elder Abuse, please visit WEAAD Manitoba at www.weaadmanitoba.ca or The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse at www.inpea.net websites.

Let’s all “Wear something purple” and celebrate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15 to show the world we care about ending elder abuse and neglect.

June 3rd is National Health & Fitness Day!

National Health & Fitness Day (NHFD) is an initiative to make Canada the Fittest Nation on Earth, starting with marking one day, the first Saturday in June as the day when Canadians get out and get active in any way they wish. Communities across the country have proclaimed the day and the National Health and Fitness Day Act, Bill S-211, became law in December 2014.

Current Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for ages 0-4 recommend at least 180 minutes of physical activity of any intensity per day; at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity for children and youth (aged 5-17) per day; and at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity per week for adults and older adults (all those over 18 years of age). Data from across Canada shows that only 15% of adults and 9% of children and youth are meeting current physical activity guidelines. The good news is that 84% of 3-4 year-old children are meeting the guidelines. As you can see, intensity of physical activity matters! Moderate-to-vigorous intensity activity includes all activities that make you huff and puff. Moderate means you should still be able to have a conversation but are starting to work up a sweat; vigorous intensity means you’re out of breath and can’t maintain a constant conversation.

Children and youth who meet the activity guidelines are less likely to be overweight, have better bone health, do better in school, and have better scores for mental health. Meeting the activity guidelines for adults is associated with significant reductions in the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, high blood pressure, colon and breast cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Other benefits include higher energy levels and better sleep, better mental health and higher brain function and memory.

On Saturday June 3rd get your kids, spouses, parents and friends outside and get active! A family that plays together stays together! Here are some activity ideas for you and your family:

Let your kids plan the activities for the day! If you’ve never played Grounders or Octopus, you’re missing out! Check out these fun, no-equipment outdoor games from Active for Life.
Head to the park or playground and set up a fun obstacle course.
Make a splash at your community pool, splash park or local recreation centre.
Get together with neighbours for a game of all-ages ball hockey, races (egg-on-a-spoon, three-legged and sack races); a scavenger hunt; a pool party; or a game of soccer.
Play walking bingo! Find the game card here.
Go for a walk – walk around the neighbourhood and discover a new park or ravine.
Tour the community … on bikes!
Take your dog for a long walk. Or, if you don’t have a dog – take your neighbour’s dog for a walk!
Introduce the kids to something new. Bocce ball? Ladder golf? Cricket?
Crank up the tunes and have a crazy outdoor dance party! See who can make up the best new dance moves.

Let’s do our part in making Canada the Fittest Nation on Earth and on Saturday, June 3rd get up, get out and get active!

RBC Foundation donates to Dauphin Regional Health Centre nurses development fund

The RBC Foundation has donated $10,000— through the Dauphin Hospital Foundation— to support retention of and professional development for nurses at Dauphin Regional Health Centre (DRHC). The donation was highlighted as part of National Nursing week (May 8-14).

*From left, DRHC nurse Cheryl Geisel, RBC Dauphin Branch representatives Danielle Sear and Kent Nordin and DRHC Care Team Manager Curt Gullett.*
*(Photo courtesy of Dauphin Herald)*

“Recruitment and retention of health-care professionals is front and centre in Manitoba and Canada right now,” said Greg Thompson, Dauphin Hospital Foundation Chairman. “We continue to provide various levels of training support for nurses to offer even better patient care and we sincerely appreciate RBC Foundation’s contribution to our Foundation, which allows us to offer even more educational opportunities.”

RBC’s donation will go towards the centre’s Delha Cort Education fund. This fund encourages staff to pursue continuing education, with priority given to facility-related education, which can enhance an employee’s current job performance or personal development toward advancement in their careers.

“RBC recognizes the impact that nurses have in our healthcare system is unparalleled. Dedicated, committed, and always answering the call no matter the sacrifice, they are our caregivers and comforters during our deepest times of need,” said Kim Ulmer, RBC Regional President, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nunavut and Western Ontario. “We aim to give back to nurses through a donation supporting their continuing education and professional development, to refresh their skills and open more opportunities for their career options and advancement.”

The DRHC educational endowment fund was named after Irene Delha Cort, who passed away in 1990 and had a bequest to the Dauphin Hospital Foundation to use the funds primarily for staff education and development. DRHC nurse Cheryl Geisel, one of the recent recipients of funding support through her Delha Cort application, participated in the presentation.

Prairie Mountain Health and the Dauphin Hospital Foundation sincerely thank the RBC Foundation for its generous contribution.

When passion meets opportunity.

By Alexandra Wenger, Winnipeg Free Press

As a rural nurse, you’re so much more than your job title. There’s a certain kind of flexibility in rural nursing that allows you to develop your skills in different ways.
Chandel Bailey-Morrison

When Chandel Bailey-Morrison’s kindergarten teacher asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, Chandel already knew her answer. She wanted to become a nurse.

“I always knew nursing was my calling,” Bailey-Morrison said. “As a kid I was always helping people. To this day, when I care for people, it reminds me of my purpose on this earth and it makes me feel whole.”

Bailey-Morrison’s health-care career started early, with those kindergarten dreams, and continued on into high school when she became a health-care aide and worked in both hospice and palliative care environments.

“Palliative care was the most rewarding job I’ve ever had. It’s such an honour to care for people in their final stages of life,” she said. “I have some truly heartwarming memories, including a patient who asked me to give her a bath while listening to Louis Armstrong’s ‘What a Wonderful World.’ She got me to dance around the room singing at the top of my lungs. We laughed until we cried. It was the best day — and literally her very last day on earth.”

*Originally published in the Winnipeg Free Press as part of a National Nursing Week special feature*

Her goal of becoming a nurse was realized when Bailey-Morrison graduated with a nursing degree in 2014. From a dream planned out and pursued from the early age of five, Bailey-Morrison’s career path has taken her to some unexpected places, including to Dauphin, where she is care team manager at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre (DRHC).

“While I was in college, I met the love of my life,” Bailey-Morrison explained. “She was in school for paramedicine and when she got a job in Dauphin, I took the leap with her. We were engaged nine months later.”

Together, the couple started their new careers in Dauphin with the intention of staying for two years to gain experience before returning to Winnipeg. Years later, they haven’t left and no longer have plans to.

“I never thought I’d live outside the city borders far from family. At first, Dauphin was a big culture shock and rural medicine had a significant learning curve,” Bailey-Morrison said. “Out here, our scope is a bit broader so I’ve had more opportunities than I would have in the city. Where Winnipeg sites might have specific IV or code teams, here in Dauphin we are those teams.”

During her five years working at the DRHC, Bailey-Morrison has explored many different opportunities and worked in a variety of specialties, including medicine, surgery and maternity while using her experience to help both new and existing staff expand their education in her current leadership role.

“As a rural nurse, you’re so much more than your job title. There’s a certain kind of flexibility in rural nursing that allows you to develop your skills in different ways. You have the ability to jump in and get orientated on different units and if you show interest and want to learn, you can try it,” she added. “All your career goals can be made possible here. There’s just so much room to grow.”

As care team manager, Bailey-Morrison is responsible for half the Dauphin facility, including three of its largest units, overseeing everything from staffing, hiring, recruitment, finances and budgeting to patient safety and operations.

“I’ve been given great opportunities to climb the ladder in my career. I think my journey would have looked a lot different if I had stayed in Winnipeg,” Bailey-Morrison said, crediting the mentors she had along the way for inspiring both her interest in leadership and her approach to her current role.

“When I was a health-care aide, Monika Warren (now chief nursing officer for Shared Health) was one of the people who encouraged me to become a nurse. I’ve always said if I was ever in a leadership role, I would want to be like her. The way she speaks to people and her calmness during crisis is just so remarkable. It really stuck with me and inspires me to this day to be a great leader.”

These days, Bailey-Morrison’s everyday tasks are quite different from those she was responsible for in a direct care nursing role, but she has found her calling in leadership and is known around the facility for her commitment to staff, ability to bring teams together to succeed and willingness to be an extra set of hands whenever they are needed.

While Dauphin wasn’t in the original kindergarten dreams, it has become home for Bailey-Morrison and her family, offering small-town charm and big opportunities.

“Living in rural Manitoba offers the best of both worlds. Dauphin is beautiful and economical, my commute is convenient, and there are tons of outdoor activities and a diverse and supportive community. My definition of family has changed, and it’s here. Dauphin is home.”

This article was originally published in the Winnipeg Free Press as part of a National Nursing Week special feature. Click here for the full feature to read about more nurses and their careers throughout Manitoba.

May 2023 Donations for PMH

Legion #24 Roblin donates to Crocus Court PCH

Pictured is Crocus Court Care Team Manager Jesus Dangat and Legion #24 Roblin members.

Every year the Royal Canadian Legion #24 (Roblin local) raises funds for the community. This year they donated $4,356 to Crocus Court PCH towards the purchase of an ABI Doppler machine set. This machine will help nursing staff in the assessment of residents that are suffering from venous insufficiency.

PMH thanks you for your generous donation.

Enns Brothers is pleased to donate a new ride-on toy tractor to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Pediatric Ward

Pictured is: Gary Bohn, Branch Manager of Enns Brothers in Brandon and Portage la Prairie. Presenting the tractor to Jessica Brunskill Care Team Manager BRHC SRMC/NICU/Pediatrics along with staff members on the Pediatric Ward.

Gary Bohn, Enns Brothers Branch Manager, says, “We first donated a tractor to the Brandon Hospital in 2019, and it has been amazing to hear stories of how the tractor has positively impacted children who are patients on the unit. Our hope is that this new tractor continues to provide a bit of joy and comfort during an otherwise anxious time. We’re very grateful for the opportunity to support children in our Brandon community and surrounding areas.”

PMH is very grateful for this donation that will provide much joy to the children. Thank you.

International Harm Reduction Day | May 7

Harm reduction can be defined as an understanding that drug use has been and continues to be part of our world. Working with client’s where they are at to minimize the harmful effects of substance use promotes health autonomy and personal choice. The guiding principles include non-judgemental care that does not promote or expect abstinence as the goal of our clients. Provider-client relationships are prioritized through trauma informed and client driven care. Harm reduction approaches within PMH include safer injection and safer smoking kits, overdose recognition and response, opioid agonist therapy, working towards reducing stigma, health inequalities, racism, and cultural safety.

Discover a Harm Reduction event in a community near you, where testing and free supplies will be available.

Brandon | May 5th | 12-2pm | Princess Park
- Condoms, Safer injection supplies, Safer Smoking supplies, and Naloxone Training (no testing)

Swan River | May 9^th | 1-4 pm | 524 Main Street E
- Condoms, STBBI urine & blood testing, Safer injection supplies, Safer Smoking supplies, safer sex supplies and Naloxone Training

Russell | May 9^th | 11-2 pm | Medical Clinic Parking Lot Shell River Ave
- Condoms, STBBI urine & blood testing, Safer injection supplies, Safer Smoking supplies, safer sex supplies and Naloxone Training

Minnedosa | May 11th | 10 am-12 pm | 48 Main Street South (East Entrance)
- Condoms, STBBI urine & blood testing, Safer injection supplies, Safer Smoking supplies, safer sex supplies and Naloxone Training

Wuskwi Sipihk | May 11^th | 1-3 pm | Cultural Building
- Condoms, STBBI urine & blood testing, Safer injection supplies, Safer Smoking supplies, safer sex supplies and Naloxone Training

Rossburn | May 12 | 11-2 pm | 23 Main Street
- Condoms, STBBI urine & blood testing, Safer injection supplies, Safer Smoking supplies, safer sex supplies and Naloxone Training

Learn more about Harm Reduction

Chief Provincial Public Health Officer Position Statement: Harm Reduction

Manitoba Harm Reduction Network

Toward The Heart

National Harm Reduction Coalition

April 2023 Donations for PMH

Russell Expanding Community Cancer Care Committee (ECCC) receives another donation- Eunice Koss and Betty Beischer, members of the Russell ECCC accepted a $20,000 donation from (front row;) Councilor Darlene Jackson back row: Councilor Judy Usiner, Reeve Grant Boryskavich, Councilor Albert Holopina, Councilor Brett Bauereiss, Councilor John Pickup and (front right) Councilor Kathy Bennett, members of the RM of Riding Mountain West council. The money has been earmarked for equipment for the Cancer Care Unit. Fundraising continues for equipment and paving of a new parking lot, designated for chemotherapy patients.

Pictures and files courtesy of Russell Banner

Palliative Care is Everywhere

The first full week of May marks National Hospice Palliative Care Week in Canada. The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) is the national leader in the pursuit of quality hospice palliative care in Canada through supporting initiatives of public policy, education, knowledge translation awareness and collaboration. The Prairie Mountain Health Palliative Care Team is joining this annual awareness campaign to celebrate this year’s theme “Palliative Care is Everywhere”

Palliative care is a commitment to whole person care that helps to relieve suffering and improve the quality of life for those who have a life limiting illness that cannot be cured. Palliative care helps clients, and their families, with physical care, emotional needs, pain and symptom management, spiritual care, cultural needs, end of life planning and bereavement. Comprehensive and quality palliative care is holistic care designed to support the client’s mind, body, spirit, and family when and where they need it the most.

Palliative care can be provided where ever the client is located, including in their own home, the hospital, a personal care home and/or the palliative care unit. The Palliative Care team can assist the client and family with determining their preferences for end of life care and help facilitate the resources needed to support these goals. Some people choose to die at home with the resources of family, nursing and home attendant support. If their needs can no longer be met in the home, or if they choose to die in a healthcare facility, admission to the hospital, palliative care unit or a personal care home is available.

The Regional Palliative Care team assists with connecting clients and families with helpful resources regardless of where they live in Prairie Mountain Health. When a referral is made, the Palliative Care Coordinator contacts the client or family to talk about their needs and develop a plan of care. The Regional Palliative care team works closely with many members of the interdisciplinary team including: the client, their family, facility staff, home care, pharmacists, physicians, other allied health professionals, community organizations and trained palliative care volunteers.

Every family navigating the challenges that arise when a loved one is diagnosed with a life-limiting illness deserves the best quality of care and support we can offer. Referrals to the program can be made by the client themselves or their family and physician. Learn more.

Palliative care is everywhere – Meet the team!

Melissa Peters – Regional Palliative Care Coordinator Covers: Brandon and area

Project Reset Creative Project Contest Winners

The Project Reset committee is pleased to share the winners of the creative project contest. The creative project contest encouraged middle years students in the pilot schools of both Rolling River and Brandon School Divisions to create awareness and build messaging around the issues of unbalanced media use, meaningful vs. passive screen use and the impacts these have on our health and well-being.

Rolling River School Division – Grade 6

In Rolling River School Division, all students in grade 6 at Tanner’s Crossing School in Minnedosa participated in the contest. There were a variety of posters, infographics and video projects submitted and the top 3 projects can be viewed here. The grade 6 classes are going to enjoy a field trip to Clear Lake as a way to celebrate their hard work!

1st Place: Sara-Lynn

2nd Place: Georgia & Brooklyn

Third Place: Mannat, Payton, Avani, Summer, Adayna & Daisha

Other Finalists

Reign, Elise & Ian

Willow & Milan

Garret & Zack

Brandon School Division – Grades 6 & 7

In Brandon School Division, Kirkcaldy Heights School and Linden Lanes School participated in the Project Reset pilot project and contest. The winning projects come from grade 7 at Kirkaldy Heights and grade 6 at Linden Lanes. The winning projects can be viewed here.

Video Category

1st Place: Lucy Ridgen, Quinn Poole, Luca Chae (Linden James)

2nd Place: Mila Lang, Danica Lesy (Linden James)

Poster Category

1st Place: Kirkcaldy Heights Grade 7 Students

2nd Place: Avalon Belke (Linden Lanes)

About Project Reset

Project Reset is an initiative focused on engaging with the school community and parents to create awareness about digital well-being and how to build skills to create screen time balance, digital literacy and strong digital citizenship both in the classroom and with families at home. Visit our webpage to learn more about Project Reset.

Moving forward in a digital world has exciting possibilities and challenges. By working together, we can influence when, where and how often digital media is used, help ensure safety on-line, reinforce the need for sleep and physical activity, and create device-free interactions/zones to positively impact health and development in a digital world. A big thank you to all of the students, staff and families that participated in the Project Reset- Finding Digital Balance pilot project.

Emergency Department renovations well underway in three PMH health centres

Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) continues to move forward on several major construction and renovation projects in partnership with Manitoba Health and Shared Health. There are three important Emergency Department renovation projects occurring in the Killarney, Souris and Virden Health Centers.

These Emergency Department (ED) renovations will remodel the EDs so that they can provide:

dedicated space for registration and triage for those attending the ED. This will provide greater privacy but also better sight lines for staff to view patients and the waiting area;
refreshed treatment spaces (e.g., new paint, flooring, etc.); and
improved wayfinding for those arriving at the Emergency Department and for those coming to visit inpatients.

PMH’s Regional Lead of Clinical Services Planning, Debbie Poole, stated: “We are very appreciative of the physician and staff involvement in the renovation planning and look forward to opening day where we can share the new look with the community.”

PMH remains committed to providing timely updates for patients, staff and community residents as the renovations progress through various stages.

Construction completion on these ED renovations is anticipated in the Fall of 2023. The cost of the three projects together totals over $ 1 million.