Yee Hong Newsletter

2020 was a hard year for everyone. The extended provincial lockdown and restrictions on social interactions raised the risk of depressive symptoms.

Nursing students at Yee Hong Markham wanted to help. They rebooted post-lockdown BSO activities with music on all floors and introduced residents to some gadgets that could be incorporated into their care in the future.

Traditionally, the main goal of BSO was to incorporate gadgets and activities that give residents with dementia another outlet to communicate with their caretakers. In this case, the music concerts held by the nursing students helped to treat depressive symptoms and improved the cognitive functions of residents living with dementia. Devices that stimulate cognitive functions can help residents to communicate and express themselves through different methods.

The students held numerous musical performances to entertain and engage residents. Leading up to the performances, residents and students worked together to make personalized musical instruments using containers, colourful beads, and stickers. Residents chimed in with their instruments as students performed songs on the piano, saxophone, and guitar. Performances from the students included songs such as Teresa Teng’s The Moon Represents My Heart, Sam Hui’s Drifter Song and Billy Joel’s Piano Man.

Surprisingly, one of the gadgets that the students incorporated into their musical performance sparked an interesting interaction. Some of the residents began to mimic the movement of a robot that the students added to their performance. Later, the robot was programmed to lead simple morning stretches. A 2020 research trial at our Mississauga Centre found that residents there enjoyed a similar robot-led exercise program.

Residents were able to sing, clap and shake their instruments along to the music. Moreover, the smiles and participation of the residents met our goal to raise the mood and give feelings of comfort and fun. Feedback from patients’ families and other Yee Hong staff was very positive. The students promised more events to bring joy to the Yee Hong family.

Yee Hong has been creating opportunities for residents and for caregivers to be with loved ones to enjoy the outdoors. All four sites welcome residents, caregivers, visitors and staff to access the Yee Hong Gardens, Patios and Balconies.

In Mississauga Yee Hong, Activation Department have created a garden with the concept of Labyrinth and multi-sensory stimulation in mind. The labyrinth is a place for people to walk and relax. Walking the Labyrinth quiets the mind, opens the heart and grounds the body. The walkways invite the visitor to slow down, and as it start and finish at the same point it is also ideal for people with dementia. The Labyrinth is also designed with wide paths for easy maneuvering in a wheelchair. To add more charms to the garden, there are sound of birds and wind chimes, positive messages of love and joy, smell and touch of the fresh flowers and herbs stimulating the senses and the mind. The garden provides a quiet place alone, a beautiful place to connect with others, and many other reasons unique to each individual.

In long-term care settings, gardens can enhance social interaction; promote activity, exercise and physical health; provide multi-sensory stimulation and engage the brain. And sometimes when you’re out in nature, it’s just good for the soul.

“What a wonderful place! You must have put a lot of thoughts and hard work into it. It is so peaceful, relaxing and comfortable, I love bringing my mom to this beautiful garden. Thank you!” one family member told us.

The Finch Centre’s favourite hairdresser has returned! Vivian has finally come back into our Finch home after Ontario’s COVID lockdown. Residents are thrilled to have safe and professional hairdressing services in the Centre’s main floor salon. “It’s been several months,” said Vivian. “I miss the residents, and feel so happy that the salon can reopen.”

To schedule an appointment for a Finch Centre resident, phone Vivian at 416-999-2998. At the McNicoll Centre, phone George at 416-293-3999 or 416-277-8339. Salons at the Markham and Mississauga Centres are taking clients by appointment too. Residents can schedule a cut with help from their care team.

Starting September 1, the Yee Hong Newsletter will have a new look. Your copy will arrive by email with many more links to Yee Hong photos, events and information. If you currently receive a print copy in the mail, we’ll ask you to try something new with our September issue.

Most of our readers already follow us online, and this switch will connect them with more stories every month. The Newsletter’s new format will also allow us to post items in English, Traditional and Simplified Chinese for the first time.

We think the new format will improve our Newsletter, and we hope you think so too! Let us know at communications@yeehong.com.