Author: Able Sense

The province is beginning its promised review and refocus of the Continuing Care Strategy.
Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine announced today, Jan. 31, the province has met with a Minister’s Roundtable on Continuing Care and will consult with the public on how best to care for an aging population.
The Minister’s Roundtable on Continuing Care was made up of leading Nova Scotia researchers, academics, clinicians and advocates who work with seniors and people of all ages with disabilities and conditions.
“Government understands the pressures facing seniors,” said Mr. Glavine. “We have an opportunity to be innovative with the delivery of health care, especially for our older population.”
Mr. Glavine said the Continuing Care Strategy is eight years old. He added Nova Scotia has the oldest population per capita in Canada. These demographics highlight the need to review and refocus the Continuing Care Strategy and create a provincial dementia strategy.
Mr. Glavine said he looks forward to hearing the valuable insights into care that only clients and caregivers can provide, as well as the experience of those who provide services each and every day.
“Caregivers Nova Scotia fully supports the review of the Continuing Care Strategy as it is the foundation for how Nova Scotians will be able to live at home longer,” said Angus Campbell, executive director of Caregivers Nova Scotia. “Part of the framework is to ensure care recipients and their unpaid caregivers are supported with the programs and services they need to achieve the best health outcomes possible.”
Continuing Care services are available to all Nova Scotians who require ongoing care, whether for a short or long term, like beds in nursing homes and access to home care supports and equipment. These services are provided in homes, nursing homes or residential care facilities. About 36,000 Nova Scotians access continuing care services each year.
Nova Scotians can access Continuing Care services by calling toll-free 1-800-225-7225 or visiting the Department of Health and Wellness website at www.gov.ns.ca/health/ccs .

In our February 2014 Newsletter

  • A hello from Susan Dempsey, our new Executive Director
  • Workplace Violence Prevention: New Project
  • Safety Services Conference: March 26-27, 2014
  • eCourses Are On Us: March 10-21, 2014
  • Safe Winter Driving: Tips And Strategies

Please follow the link for details and to learn more.

Check out what we’ve got going on this Spring! AWARE-NS will be attending two major conferences and offering our stakeholders plenty of resources and tools.

PLUS we have a special promo code for Homecare / Home Support to attend the Safety Services Nova Scotia Conference March 26-27.
To redeem visit the Safety Services website to view pricing and select your package. Then proceed to registration and enter promo code ANS-2014-CONF at checkout to receive $50 OFF.
We hope to see you there!

To Our Valued Stakeholders

On Behalf of the AWARE-NS Board of Directors

Susan DempseyThe Board of Directors would like you to join in welcoming Susan Dempsey, into the role of interim Executive Director commencing February 3, 2014. Over the next six months, she will share her passion and commitment to health and safety with the AWARE-NS team.
Susan comes to AWARE-NS from one of our valued stakeholders, Northwood, where she currently holds the position of Senior Director Retirement Living & Commercial Services. In role with AWARE-NS she will assist in implementing the review recommendations and developing a strategic plan for the future using her knowledge of health and safety issues and system needs. She looks forward to developing collaborative partnerships and positive outcomes with our stakeholders while engaging the staff by creating a coaching culture and providing support.

continuous_improvement_iconBy: Millie Colbourne, Vice Chair, AWARE-NS
Over the past few months the Board of Directors of AWARE-NS has been engaged in a review of our organization and its role in serving the needs of the Health and Community Services Sector in Nova Scotia. The Board would like to thank all those who participated in our stakeholder review, your contribution is greatly appreciated.
As a result of the organizational review and stakeholder’s input, AWARE-NS will be undergoing some changes. Over the next six months, we will be:
1. Transitioning to a new service model, shifting to a front-line focus which reflects the needs of our stakeholders
2. Fine tuning our sector focus, specific to health and safety issues faced by home care/home support, long term care and residential care workers.
3. Changing the Governance Model of the Board of Directors.
These changes are part of the natural evolution of a stakeholder-driven organization like AWARE-NS as it builds on its accomplishments to date and continually adjusts to the needs of those it serves. As our plans develop and we have greater detail, we will keep you informed. We look forward to continuing to work with you to address the health and safety needs of this sector.
Just as organizations review their priorities from time to time, so do the people that lead them. Our current – and founding – CEO, Mary-Lou MacDonald has made the decision that the time is now right to move on and make way for someone else to guide the organization through its transition and on to the next phase of its development. Mary-Lou departs after nearly five years of establishing our foundation, building strong strategic relationships, bringing partners and stakeholders together around our shared agenda for change, and building important capacity within the organization. Mary-Lou was an instrumental leader in the development of AWARE-NS and we thank her for her tremendous efforts.
Any questions you may have about the new course we have set for the organization should be directed to the Chair of the Board of Directors of AWARE-NS, Kathy MacNeil.
Regards,
Millie Colbourne
Vice- Chair, AWARE-NS

Mainstay-masthead

Attention healthcare community…let’s show Nova Scotia we’ve got game!

Deadline January 15, 2014

AWARE-NS knows just how hard you’ve been working at building and maintaining a safe and healthy workplace. Why not get recognized for your efforts?
The Mainstay Awards, presented by the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education, recognizes individuals, organizations and employers whose efforts have moved Nova Scotia toward a safer future.
If you are unfamiliar with the Mainstay Awards, here are a few things you need to know.
Why are they called the Mainstay Awards?
In nautical terms, the mainstay braces the main mast on a sailing vessel – just as safety provides critical support in navigating through the business day.
Categories you can enter in include:

How to enter
Entry for the Mainstay Awards is open to individuals, businesses, associations, companies, partnerships and other organizations in Nova Scotia that have demonstrated effective injury prevention and return-to-work management programs, initiatives or leadership. You can nominate someone or enter yourself! Entry deadline is January 15th. Click to view the entry process.
Good luck!

In our January 2014 Newsletter

  • AWARE-NS Video Library
  • Health + Safety Training
  • Community Of Safe Practice
  • Know It Live It Show It
  • Safety Services Nova Scotia

Please follow the link for details and to learn more.

In our December 2013 Newsletter

  • Happy Holidays! from Kathy MacNeil, Chair of the Board, AWARE-NS
  • Farewell To Our CEO, Mary-Lou MacDonald
  • Stakeholder Message: Millie Colbourne, Vice Chair, AWARE-NS
  • Holiday Office Hours
  • Upcoming Webinars

Please follow the link for details and to learn more.

The Auditor General report is out and there are numerous recommendations to the Department of Labour & Advanced Education that we should be aware of and prepared for.
Section 5 “Labour and Advanced Education: Occupational Health and Safety” with the supporting recommendations on pages 15 &16 are of most interest.
View Report Here

In our November 2013 Newsletter

  • SPOTLIGHT: Soteria Strains
  • ‘Let’s Talk’ Forum Postponed
  • 3 Ways to Have Your Voice Heard!

Please follow the link for details and to learn more.