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Lanark Heights team ensures residents have memorable Christmas
Adjustments were made during outbreak to keep everyone safe, but residents still enjoyed the holiday season
1/10/2025
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Deron Hamel
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Lanark Heights team members pulled together to ensure residents had a memorable and safe Christmas season at the Kitchener long-term care community despite an outbreak that limited the usual holiday festivities.
By safely dividing the floors and increasing one-to-one visits and programming, team members kept residents happy and made sure they still enjoyed the holiday season, says life enrichment manager Karla Verdesoto.
This included a visit from Santa and life enrichment team members acting as “Santa's elves” by delivering gifts to each resident in their room on Christmas Day.
Following infection prevention and control (IPAC) standards, team members sanitized continuously to keep everyone safe.
As life enrichment manager, Karla says it was her goal to ensure Christmas programming was modified so residents could enjoy the holiday safely.
Many residents were pleased that they were still able to have Christmas, despite the challenges, Karla says.
“Our residents were surprised, as they thought nothing would have happened due to the outbreak,” she tells S&R Today.
Residents were also able to have individual Christmas photos taken, Karla notes.
There were many other events in December at Lanark Heights, including:
- A buffet Christmas lunch that was served to team members, with all managers serving the meal
- A gingerbread cookie competition for residents in each our Lanark Heights' five neighbourhoods
- A happy hour featuring hot chocolate and Christmas treats featuring live music from the home's music therapist
But the big highlight of the season was watching residents open their presents and seeing their faces light up, Karla says.
“Residents got their Christmas gifts, (and) it was a very memorable moment to see how happy they were.”
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