October 2007 1

Inside235679

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What’s new in A&VC?

RemembranceDay

New RockGarden

Flu Season

Resident &Family Survey

ANAF annual BBQ

Last PostFund

Memory of a Loved One

Continued on page 2

Tribute toTerry Fox

Sunnybrook Welcomes NewPresident & CEO Dr. BarryMcLellan

Sunnybrook is proud to call Dr.Barry McLellan our newPresident and CEO. He is trulyan internationally respectedhealthcare leader. Hisexperience as a researcher,educator, mentor and clinicianmake him the ideal person tolead the hospital into itsexciting future.

People who have worked withDr. McLellan – or Barry as heprefers to be called — speakglowingly about his ability tomotivate teams and galvanizeentire organizations into action.His colleagues and staffmembers have all describedhim as an excellent leader who has an exemplary strategicunderstanding of the healthcare system.

Barry is well-known at the University of Toronto and is familiar toour organization. He graduated from the University of Toronto witha Medical Doctorate and subsequently trained in emergencymedicine. He was the director of the Trauma Program and VicePresident of Specialty Services at Sunnybrook as well as Chief ofthe Emergency Department, director of the base hospital program(paramedic program) and director of trauma research.

2 October 2007

At Home is the official newsletter of

Aging & Veterans Care. The

newsletter is published six times a

year and is made available to all

members of the Aging & Veterans

Care community.

At Home is also available online at

www.sunnybrook.ca under Programs

& Services, Aging & Veterans Care.

Editor: Sally Fur

Layout: Maria Vlasova

Circulation: 1,800

The next issue of At Home will bepublished for December 2007. Deadline for submissions isFriday, November 23, 2007

For more information, or to make a

submission, please contact Sally Fur

at 416.480.6100 ext. 5057 or by

e-mail to sally.fur@sunnybrook.ca

Contributors:

Dr. Jocelyn Charles

Lorrie Clarke

Dorothy Ferguson

Lois Johnson

Fran Long

Jamie MacKinnon

Nicole Pittman

Material printed in At Home is protected by

copyright and may not be reprinted without

the permission of the editor.

Complex Continuing CareResident & FamilySatisfaction Survey 2006:How Did We Measure Up?

Every 18 months, Aging & Veterans Care participates in a verycomprehensive Resident and Family Satisfaction Survey.Thousands of residents and their families in complex continuingcare facilities across Canada also take part in this survey. As aresult, we are able to compare our results to other facilities inOntario and across Canada. We are excited by the findings andour entire staff is to be complemented. They are the ones whogo above and beyond and provide excellent care andprogramming for our residents each and everyday. Our mostrecent survey was conducted from October 2006 throughMarch 2007.

The actual survey is done by NRC+Picker, an outside companywith no affiliation to Sunnybrook. NRC+Picker sends trained,experienced interviewers to interview residents for the survey,mails out and receives the Family Satisfaction surveyquestionnaires (mailed to the person who visits the residentmost often), and then analyzes and summarizes all the resultsfor Aging & Veterans Care. All of the results are anonymousand cannot be linked in any way to an individual resident orfamily. In this regard, we are confident that the information wereceive is an accurate report of how residents and families viewour facility and the care we provide. We have recently receivedthe results from our survey completed 6 months ago, and arepleased to present the highlights of the results:

� Aging & Veterans Care exceeded both the Ontario and

Canadian averages in all 7 domains of resident

satisfaction: Staff, Dignity, Medical Care & Treatment,

Autonomy, Living Environment, Activities, and Food.

Dr. McLellan is an Associate Professor in the Department ofSurgery at the University of Toronto. He has published morethan 60 scientific papers, written a textbook on trauma care andlectured extensively, including international presentations in thefields of trauma and forensic investigation. He comes to usfrom his most recent post as the Chief Coroner of Ontario.

He is enthusiastic about being here and is looking forward tohaving an opportunity to meet Sunnybrook staff, volunteers andVeterans.

Continued from page 1

October 2007 3

Dorothy Ferguson

Operations DirectorAging & Veterans Care

Dr. Jocelyn Charles

Medical DirectorAging & Veterans Care

� Resident satisfaction at Sunnybrook was significantly abovethe Canadian average in 3 out of the 7 domains.

� Aging & Veterans Care exceeded both the Ontario and

Canadian averages in all 6 domains of family satisfaction:

Global Quality, Assistance with Eating, Care and Services,

Communication, Activities, Living Environment.

� Family satisfaction at Sunnybrook was significantly abovethe Canadian average in 5 out of 6 domains.

� Family satisfaction was above the highest scoring facility in

Canada from the last survey (2004) for Global Quality with

96.8% of our families giving us a positive rating.

� Our strengths according to the resident survey include:

• Residence is clean and tidy 94.1%

• Given enough time to eat 91.7%

• Smell of facility doesn’t bother you 90.9%

• Enough opportunities for personal activities 90.6%

• Given right amount of food 89.9%

� Our strengths according to the family survey include:

• Respectful treatment of residents 96.3%

• Feel welcome on unit 97.6%

• Facility maintains dignity 97.5%

• Staff provides tender loving care 97.0%

• Staff polite/courteous towards you 96.3%

The findings of the Resident and Family Satisfaction Surveygives us very valuable feedback on our ongoing work to providethe best possible care and services to our Veterans. Weappreciate all those who took the time to participate in thesurvey and we will continue to work on areas that needimprovement.

RemembranceDay 2007

The annual Sunnybrook

Remembrance Day service will

take place in Warriors’ Hall on

Sunday, November 11, 2007 at

10:15 a.m. The service will be

held in the following locations

K-wing Annex, Sunny’s

cafeteria, and the George

Hees lobby lounge via live

video feed. Please come early

as a large turnout is

anticipated. Please be seated

by 10:00 a.m. The service will

begin promptly at 10:15 a.m.

CenotaphService

Following the main service in

Warriors’ Hall, all are invited to

take part in the outdoor

memorial wreath-laying service

at the cenotaph situated on

Bayview Ave. Prior to the

conclusion of the service

inside, all of the wreaths will

be collected by the 400

Tactical Helicopter Squadron

and then be paraded over to

the cenotaph. The

processional to the cenotaph

will begin at 11:30 in front of

L-wing.

4 October 2007

Tea Time

Marg Stymist and Betty Boyce enjoy high tea at Parkwood Estate in Oshawa.

RemembranceDay Fly-Past

In tribute to our Veterans,

four AT6 North American

Harvard aircraft will fly over

the Sunnybrook cenotaph at

approximately 11:15 a.m.

The aircraft will perform

three passes over the

hospital. The final pass will

be the “missing man

manoeuvre” which honours

the missing man who did

not return from mission. The

Canadian Harvard Aircraft

Association organizes this

annual Remembrance Day

tradition.

Show YourSupport andWear a Poppy

Poppies will be available

from Sunnybrook Veterans

at various locations

throughout the hospital the

week prior to

Remembrance Day.

Proceeds from the annual

Sunnybrook poppy drive go

to Branch 75 of the Royal

Canadian Legion who in

turn generously supports

the Veterans Comfort Fund

in Aging & Veterans Care.

Last August a group of Veteran’s wives ventured out for a day tripto Oshawa to visit one of Canada’s finest and last remaining grandestates. Designated a National Historic site in 1989, ParkwoodEstate is a rare example of the luxury homes that were built duringthe inter-war years. Once home to auto baron R. Samuel McLaughlin, founder of General Motors of Canada,Parkwood exhibits all of the rare details of the roaring twenties.From 1917-1972 Parkwood was the functioning family compoundof the McLaughlin clan.

The wives enjoyed the breathtaking twelve acres of heritagegardens and a delicious high tea served beside the sparklingfountains of the Garden Teahouse Restaurant. The annual Wivesand Widows holiday luncheon will be held on Monday, December17, 2007 in the McLaughlin auditorium.

Dieppe Raid On Thursday, August 16, Veterans Affairs Canada together withSunnybrook held a special event to mark the sixty-fifth anniversary

of the Dieppe Raid. Leftto right: Guest speakersLieutenant ColonelDwayne Hobbs, 32ndBrigade, Ken Arnott,Canadian HarvardAircraft Association andDuncan Graham,President of theVeterans & CommunityResidents Council.

October 2007 5

100 Years Young!

Harold Hutchison,Second World WarVeteran and resident ofGeorge Hees wingenjoys cake, family andfriends at his 100thbirthday celebration.Greetings were readaloud from Her MajestyQueen Elizabeth II, thePrime Minister, and thePremier. Fond memoriesfor “Hutch” include hisearlier days of playingfootball with the Argos.

What’s New in Aging & Veterans Care? Seven new updated brochures are now available on patient care units for residents andfamily members. Brochure titles include: Reducing Your Risk of Falls, The WanderingPatient and Wayfinding, Facts About the Flu Vaccine, Important Information AboutRestraints, Physician Services, The Dorothy Macham Home and The Palliative Care Unit.

On the Web A reminder to all staff to check out the new Aging & Veterans Care video available online atwww.sunnybrook.ca/programs/aging. The new video entitled, A Special Place is a first-handlook inside Canada’s largest veterans’ care facility. Video highlights include: Sunnybrook’slegacy as a military hospital, examples of the extraordinary care provided in K and L wings,leisure time activities and an overview of the facility. The video is aimed specifically atpotential new residents and their family members when they are considering admission toSunnybrook.

Frequently Asked Questions Want to know the answers to the most frequently asked questions in Aging & VeteransCare? This new Q&A is a quick and easy reference for new residents and their familymembers to help them get acquainted with A&VC. Copies are available on the mainbrochure rack in the hallway between K and L wing, through the Admissions office locatednear the George Hees reception desk and on the web at www.sunnybrook.ca under Aging &Veterans Care.

6 October 2007

Construction Reminder With the increase of construction activity, it is important to keep all windows closed at all times inresident care areas. The construction creates disturbance of the outside environment, which in turnincreases the circulation of potentially harmful organisms such as aspergillus and legionella.Infection Prevention and Control is closely monitoring for these organisms in all clinical laboratoryreports. This also includes windows in utility rooms, pantries, and medication rooms.

His fiery torchCasts a gigantic Luminous golden rayOf unity and hopeFrom coast to coast, Terry Fox, One-legged giantWith a fiery torchAnother gloriousRunner of Marathon.

A boy, a man,One-legged giant;A Colony, a Dominion, Now, a great free land, Terry Fox and Canada; A new Promethean With a noble face, Running, From coast to coast With his fiery torchHeralding unity and hope.

Terry Fox Son of all CanadaOf the east and the westThe present and the past;A boy, a man, One-legged giant With a fiery torch,Eternal symbolOf unity and hope.

2007 Practice Based Research Award Congratulations to the Recreation Therapy Professional Group on receiving a Practice-BasedResearch Award for the Health Disciplines and Nursing for their proposal entitled, An Investigation ofthe Experiences of the Residents through Participation in Recreation Therapy Opportunities.

Projects are awarded through a scientific merit process as seed funds. Work supported by thisaward will foster new knowledge and enhanced patient care through research that is rooted inpractice.

One-Legged Giant

By Costas Cokkinos

A Tribute to Terry In 1980, Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope. It was a journey that Canadians will never forget.Through his poetry Costas Cokkinos was able to express his true feelings about the “unbelievable”phenomenon of Terry Fox. “He is the first true Canadian Hero,” says Cokkinos a resident of theGeorge Hees wing. His poem, One-Legged Giant was published in True Poetry: Traditional andPopular Verse in Ontario by McGill-Queen’s University Press in 1989.

The Marathon of Hope started as a dream, and todaythrough the annual Terry Fox Run that dream has raisedmore than $400 million worldwide for cancer research.

October 2007 7

His Honour, David Onley visits Vets

Ontario’s new Lieutenant Governor, The Honourable David C.Onley, former television personality for CityTV and an anchor forCablePulse 24, joined Veterans in Warriors’ Hall on September13 to discuss his life and career. In his address, he spoke of hisdream for the province of Ontario where disability rights areadvanced for those with both visible and invisible disabilities.Onley is also the best-selling author of Shuttle: A ShatteringNovel of Disaster in Space.

Many Veterans Not Aware ofthe Last Post Fund

By Jaime MacKinnon

The Last Post Fund (LPF) is a non-profit registered charity thathas been serving Canada’s war Veterans for close to 100 years.Still, many Veterans are not aware of how the fund operates orwhat the fund provides.

Dedicated to the belief that no Veteran should be denied adignified funeral and burial, the fund had its humble beginning in1909 in Montréal, Quebec. In 1921, the year in which the LastPost Fund was federally incorporated, it began to offer servicesfrom coast to coast providing assistance to eligible war Veteransthroughout Canada. As the result of a government review in1995, the Last Post Fund was mandated to solely administer theFuneral & Burial Program on behalf of Veterans Affairs Canada.

To qualify for the Funeral and Burial Program, Veterans mustmeet certain financial and service related criteria subject to the

Announcements

Ms. Judy McGrath, RN, BScN,MN, recently joined Sunnybrook,Aging & Veterans Care, as PCMon LTSE/W effective Monday,October 1, 2007. Judy hasextensive experience in MentalHealth as an administrator,researcher, APN and RegisteredNurse. She has authored/co-authored many publications andhas participated in a number ofprofessional activities. Judycomes to Sunnybrook from theCentre for Addiction and MentalHealth where her lastappointment was as ClinicalManager for a fourteen bedPsychiatric Intensive Care Unitand three Ambulatory Careprograms.

Farewell After 12 years of dedicatedservice at Sunnybrook, JaneLittle left Sunnybrook at the endof September. For the past twoyears, Jane has been theProject Manager in A&VC andthe Professional Leader forSpeech-Pathology. Recently,Jane led A&VC’s majorElectronic DocumentationProject, a system that iscurrently being piloted on LFSE.Jane was also a key playerregarding the implementation ofthe Ministry’s Long-Term CareStandards, and review of ourMDS and care planningsystems. We wish Jane all thebest in her future endeavours.

Continued on page 8

The Honourable David Onley and his wife Ruth Ann are seen with Fran and Veteran Chuck Mason.

8 October 2007

Veterans Burial Regulations. Every case is unique. It is best fora Veteran’s family to contact the Last Post Fund to discuss thesituation with a counsellor who will be able to consider all thefactors before making a firm decision on eligibility.

Since its inception, the Last Post Fund has arranged the funeral,and where necessary burial, for an estimated 150,000 Veterans.Funeral and burial related expenses covered under the program,either in full or in part, include such things as: services of theFuneral Director, casket, cremation, urn, burial, and a standardmilitary grave marker.

In addition to delivering the Funeral and Burial Program, theLast Post Fund has several other initiatives that support thecommemoration of Canadian Veterans and is active in theplacement of grave markers for Veterans who lie in unmarkedgraves.

Applications for assistance can be made within one yearfollowing the death of a Veteran. Questions on the eligibilitycriteria or allowable benefits may be directed to Last Post Fund-Ontario Branch by calling 1-800-563-2508.

50 Years of Dedicated LionsService

by Carolyn Hutcheson

Ernest A. Benevides, QC, was recently honoured by theInternational Association of Lions Clubs for 50 years ofmembership and service in the East York-Danforth Lions Club.Two good friends of Ernie’s, and fellow members of the club,secretary Ken Thompson and treasurer Bill Gardiner, came to L-wing on August 17 to present a plaque and read a specialcitation from thehead of theinternationalassociation. Theplaque is nowproudly displayed inErnie’s room in L-wing. Ernie’s wifeIsobel and son Hugh,as well as familyfriend Carol Lombard, were also on hand for the presentation.

From left to right: Bill Gardiner, Ernie Benevides and Ken Thompson.

Passings May Alan Donaldson

David Barr

William Donaldson

Charles Leach

Dwight Wilson

Max Weinstein

Sidney Ludlow

Paul Simoncini

Dora Stirling

Margaret Viccari

Andrew Bogoros

Vivien Kershaw

James Perry

David Dureault

George Dobbs

Daniel Donovan

June Gordon Smith

William Bushell

Earl Collins

Edward Earl

Nicholas Lakas

Chesley Linthorne

James Scott

Bennie Tepper

July Albert Powers

Horace Roby

Charles Magwood

Frank Dent

Issie Glick

Milton Pollack

Robert Browne

Charles Mortimer

Frederick Kinnear

Glenn Lewis

Continued on page 9

Many Veterans Not Aware of the Last Post Fund

Continued from page 7

October 2007 9

Passings

August

David Wilkinson

Gardner Alison

Edward DeGuerre

Wilburn Seabright

Donald Wetherup

Lawrence Spicer

Steve Pateras

George Sobering

John Arnold

September

Anthony Minchella

Louis Stella

Mary Burgess

Ian Morrison

Harold Reinhart

Percy Wolfe

George Herring

Robert Blenman

George Koutsaris

Costas Constantinides

Maurice Thorpe

Sidney Katz

William Baker

Frederick Osmond

Rita Wilkinson

Gladys Cutler

James Annand\

Veteran’s Chapel CommitteeRecognizes Team Leader

In recognition of sixyears of dedicatedservice to SunnybrookVeterans, Joe Leung,volunteer team leader ofthe Sunday wheelchairescort service to chapel,was presented with acertificate from theVeterans’ ChapelCommittee. Joe is moving on to continue his post-graduatestudies on the west coast. Left to right: The Rev. Canon EbertHobbs, Joe Leung, and Chaplain Mary Jo Macdonald

New Rock Garden By Sally Fur

Set in the back corner of the Veteran’s therapeutic garden liesa stunning new rock garden for all to enjoy. The gardenfeatures a quiet oasis of calm, where veterans and familymembers can get away and meditate or simply sit back take inall the beautiful colours. Philip Spring, Horticultural Therapistand Duncan Graham, together designed the new garden alongwith input from many residents. Graham, a computerenthusiast, initially planned the layout for the garden on hiscomputer.

“The rock garden wastruly a labour of love.We wanted it to bespectacular and veryunique for ourVeterans to enjoy,”said Graham.

Key features of thegarden include: ameandering waterfeature, many colourfulperennials, anddriftwood found sculptures from Georgian Bay.

Special thanks, to the Laura Ann Hartt Fund who generouslysupported the rock garden project.

Continued from page 8

Duncan Graham

10 October 2007

Dogs Perform for the VetsBy Lois Johnson

The K-wing garden was alive with darling dogs! On a warm sunnyFriday evening in the summer, as part of the Friday Night withFriends program, the garden was filled with veterans eager tocatch a glimpse of canines performing agility, tricks and stunts.Veterans were able to see the dogs playing a game of miniaturebasketball, racing through tunnels and poles, and chasingfrisbees. At the end of the show, the dog owners and their dogswould go to each veteran for some special cuddle time.

Pavilion Tile ProjectBy Lorrie Clarke

In June, the grade five and six classes of Blythwood Public School came to celebrate the installationof a joint ceramic tile art project. The project was an intergenerational collaboration between thechildren and some of our talented Veterans. The theme ofthe piece was Veteran’s Garden. Each Veteran was teamedup with two groups of four to five children, with each childcompleting a 6x6 ceramic tile.

It was a wonderful opportunity for the children of BlythwoodSchool to get to know the Veterans. “We talk a lot aboutwhat a real hero is, it’s not a favorite rock star or model,heroes are real people – like the Veterans,” said ToddBrown, a teacher from the school.

The work of art is permanently installed out on the K-winggarden Pavilion. It is a celebration of the great friendship between Blythwood Public School andSunnybrook Veterans. Throughout the school year, the children raised $250.00, which wasgenerously donated to the Veterans to support the art program between Sunnybrook and Blythwood.

ANAVETS Annual August BBQ By Fran Long

On Saturday, August 25th, The Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans inCanada held their annual summer BBQ event in Warriors’ Hall and in the K-wing garden. The Veterans were welcomed by a group of volunteers fromANAVETS that made them a wonderful lunch consisting of hot dogs andhamburgers. The afternoon continued with a jumbo Bingo game that enabledthe residents to win big money prizes! Although the weather did bring somerain the volunteers from the ANAVETS brought lots of sunshine to theVeterans through their kindness and generosity. From all the Veteransresiding in K & L wing we would like to thank the Army, Navy, and Air ForceVeterans in Canada for a terrific afternoon and we look forward to seeingthem again on Saturday, December 1st for their Annual Holiday Party!

October 2007 11

Sunnybrook Veterans Grant A Wish

Wishes for July

� To attend the wedding of a family member

� To have treasured pictures framed and hung

� To go for lunch with family at the King

Edward Hotel

� Dinner for two at Montana’s Steakhouse

� A Korean War Veteran jacket

� A wheelchair cape

� To have a steak dinner

� A CD player

� A camera

� Cirque de Soliel Tickets

� Luncheon cruise on the Segwun Steam Ship

� A new license plate

� Lunch at the King Edward Hotel

� A navy blazer

� A new TV

� A trip to Woodbine Racetrack

� A CD player

� To go out for dinner

� A dinner cruise

� Dinner for two at Tom Jones restaurant

� A birthday cake

� To have an anniversary celebration

� A pair of new shoes from Walking on a Cloud

� A supply of Pastizzi (a Maltese Pastry)

� Headphones for T.V./ CD Player

� Soccer DVD’s (from England)

Wishes for August

Wishes for September

Flu Season - Let’s Stop the Spread of Germs

Illness prevention is top of mind as we head into the upcoming flu season. One very important thingyou can do to help protect yourself, your family and your residents is to get the flu shot. Our frailelderly residents are at high risk of serious and sometimes fatal complications if they were to developinfluenza.

Frequent hand-washing is the single most important thing you can do to stop the spread of infection.Please use the hand-wash available throughout the facility, for 15 seconds when entering andleaving K and L wing. Also remember cover your cough and wash your hands after you sneeze,cough or blow your nose.

As residents in Aging & Veterans Care are susceptible to illness, we request that visitors who aresick (or think they are coming down with something) refrain from visiting until they are free ofsymptoms. One visit, even when one has mild symptoms, can result in the spread of infection tomany vulnerable residents who are at risk of serious illness or death from common viruses. Familymembers are welcome to phone residents, or the nursing unit, for regular updates until the residentis well again and they can visit in person.

12 October 2007

THE TOP TEN THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOWABOUT THE FLU

1. Why should I get immunized with the flu vaccine?Flu or influenza is more than a bad cold. The flu has more severe symptoms to include fever,extreme exhaustion, muscle pain, headache, chills and a cough. Recovery is generally prolonged tomany weeks. In serious cases such as in the elderly and in individuals with compromised immunesystems such as patients in hospitals and long-term care facilities, influenza can lead to pneumonia,critical care hospitalization and death.

“People assume because they don’t usually get sick that it is not necessary to get the flu vaccine,”says Dr. Mary Vearncombe, Medical Director, Infection Prevention & Control, Sunnybrook HealthSciences Centre.

“What we need to realize is the flu vaccine is a way to also increase protection for others,” says Dr.Vearncombe. “For people like our grandparents with potentially weaker immune systems and orchronic illnesses, the vaccine is less effective. If we receive the flu vaccine, we lower their chancesof getting the flu from us which results in added protection for our loved ones.”

2. Just how serious is the flu?Every year the flu causes about 4,000 deaths (mostly in the elderly population), 70,000hospitalizations and 1.5 million lost days of work in Canada.

3. Can I get the flu from the flu vaccine?You cannot get influenza from the vaccine. The vaccine is a killed virus and is a ‘split virus’ in achemically disrupted preparation.

The benefits of the flu vaccine far outweigh the risks! The most common flu vaccine side effectwhich may last for a couple of days is soreness at the site of injection. You might also notice fever,fatigue and muscle aches within six to 12 hours after your vaccine and these effects may also last aday or two.

4. “I got the flu last year, even though I had the flu vaccine.”The flu vaccine protects only against influenza, not against other common respiratory viruses suchas the cold. The vaccine may take up to two weeks to provide protection so people need to beespecially cautious when exposed to influenza-like illnesses during this time.

In healthy adults, the vaccine is 70 to 90 per cent effective. The overall effectiveness of the vaccinevaries depending on the match between the vaccine ‘split virus’, and virus strains circulating in thecommunity.

5. Why do I have to get the flu vaccine every year?The World Health Organization (WHO) each year recommends the strains of influenza theyanticipate will be the largest concern for the coming year to be included in the coming season’svaccine.

It is important to get the flu vaccine every year because the flu virus changes from year to year.

October 2007 13

6. When do I get my flu vaccine?The vaccine is generally available in early to mid-October. Public Health sets up free clinics atplaces such as shopping malls across the province. You can also visit your private physician forthe vaccine which is free to everyone in Ontario. The flu season usually starts in late November toearly December. It takes about two weeks for the flu vaccine to provide protection.

7. What else can I do to stay healthy?� Practice good hygiene before touching the eyes, nose or mouth.

� Frequent, thorough, 15-second hand washings are also important. If washing facilities are not

available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer gel.

� Keep your distance from people who are coughing and sneezing.

� Practice good respiratory etiquette by containing a cough or sneeze in a tissue, or by coughing in

the sleeve on your arm. Dispose of used tissue immediately in the garbage and thoroughly wash

your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer gel.

� If you are ill, practice self-quarantine by staying home. Avoid public places and please do not visit

elderly friends or family members in a hospital or long-term care home.

8. Is the flu vaccine safe during pregnancy?Yes. National Advisory Committee on Immunization states the flu vaccine is considered safe forpregnant women at all stages of pregnancy and for breastfeeding mothers. Pregnant women areat increased risk of severe medical complications of influenza. Women who will deliver duringinfluenza season should be immunized to protect themselves and their newborn.

9. Is there anyone who should not receive the flu vaccine?Individuals with a serious allergy to eggs could have a severe reaction to the flu vaccine.

10. Do I have the flu, or do I have a cold?Here is a general reference chart that outlines the key differences:

SYMPTOM COLD INFLUENZA

Fever Uncommon or mild Common, may be high

Headache Uncommon Common

Aches and pains Mild Common, often severe

Fatigue and weakness Mild Severe, can last two to three weeks

Extreme exhaustion Never Very common at the start

Stuffy nose Common Sometimes

Sneezing Common Sometimes

Sore throat Sometimes Common

Cough Mild to moderate Common, severe, persistent

Chest discomfort Uncommon, mild Common

14 October 2007

If These Walls Could Talk By Nicole Pittman

It was a day filled with greatcompany, wonderful food and alifetime of fond memories.

In August, SunnybrookVeterans and staff had thepleasure of dinning at thenewly restored Palais Royallocated at 1601 Lake ShoreBlvd.

The Palais Royal is a classicballroom, which was firstopened in 1922 to coincidewith the opening of Sunnysideamusement park. However, thedance hall didn’t reach its peakin popularity until the 1930’swhen big band and swinggreats rocked the house.

As we toured through the halls of the Palais you could almost hear the sounds of the great DukeEllington, Benny Goodman and others echoing threw out the building. One resident joked and said,“If these walls could talk, they would have lots to say”…

In the last few years the building had some renovations to restore it to its previous splendor. Some ofthe features have changed in the building but the memories the Veterans have will stay fresh withthem forever.

The Recreation Therapy staff would like to thank The Palais Royal for their hospitality and allowingus top take a walk down memory lane.

Memory of a Loved OneBy Sally Fur

As a patient of K1E during the last few months of her husband's life, Ena and Rod Currie would oftenvisit the Veterans Therapeutic Garden just to enjoy the birds and sit and people watch. From hisroom, Rod Currie could also see the beautiful gardens behind K-wing. When Rod died on July 4,2006, at the age of seventy-seven, Ena and her family wanted to do something that would be apermanent and lasting in memory of her beloved husband. With her desire and with input from thestaff on KIE, Sunnybrook’s Palliative Care unit, the idea of buying a new bench with Rod’s nameinscribed on a brass plate was conceived. “Rod was a fabulous gardener. It’s very meaningful to usthat a bench be dedicated in his memory and placed in this magnificent garden where he spent hislast days", said Ena Currie.

Rod Currie was a well-known journalist with the Canadian Press. His love of reporting started inHalifax at the age of eighteen when he was an office assistant, working his way through many of themost prominent reporting jobs at the Canadian Press. Over the span of a forty-seven year career he

Continued on page 15

October 2007 15

covered such greats as Churchill, andEisenhower and was based in eight cities,including New York and London twice andWashington. At the age of sixty-five he retiredunder the Arts byline.

In addition to Rod's bench, a second benchwas bought and dedicated to Rod’s olderbrother, Ryland Vincent Currie, DFC. “Eventhough, Ryland lived in Nova Scotia, thebrothers were very close,” said Ena Currie.

As a result of her meaningful experience atSunnybrook, Ena plans to do some volunteerwork with the Veterans in the near future.“The care on the palliative care unit was sowonderful. As a family we wanted to givesomething back to the Hospital,” said Ena. Ifyou are interested in purchasing a new benchto dedicate in memory of a loved one, pleasecontact: the Sunnybrook Foundation at 416-480-GIVE (4483).

Memory of a Loved OneContinued from page 14

The Veterans Portrait And Photography Studio Presents:

TORONTO’S ‘BIG’ BUSINESSES

In the first part of the 1900s, Toronto was growing and some of the businesses that began as small local enterprises were thriving and growing.

This photographic archive, as depicted on postcards of the time, will bring back memories of ‘household’ names, such as the

T. Eaton Company, Whaley Royce (pianos), Diana Sweets (restaurant)

and a host of others that prospered in the 1900s and then in some cases failed to adapt to the demands of the late 1900s and the 2000s.

Some are a little faded, as is normal with some of this type of photo over a very long period of time.

The Toronto Postcard Club hopes that you will enjoy this visual return to ‘big business’ as it was many years ago.

John Sayers

Toronto Postcard Club

From left to right: Rod’s eldest son Robert, daughter Laura and wife Ena

16 October 2007

Show Your Support of Aging & Veterans Care

Contributions to the Aging & Veterans Care program are gratefully accepted, helping us meet specialor urgent needs in a timely fashion. Donations to the A&VC program will help fund high priority needssuch as capital improvements to the veterans’ residences and educational fellowships in Aging.Donations to the Veterans’ Comfort Fund helps us provide our Veteran residents with ‘extras’: equipment,events and entertainment items that help to enhance their quality of life. Support of the Palliative CareTrust Fund helps to enhance the living environment for patients and families receiving palliative care.

Donations can be made in memory or in honour a loved one, or to acknowledge a special event suchas a birthday or anniversary. If you so choose, Sunnybrook Foundation will send a card to yourhonouree or their family letting them know that they have been honoured through a donation. A taxreceipt will be issued for all donations over $10.

How to donate:

By Mail:

Cheques should be made out to Sunnybrook Foundation

For a specific designation, please write ‘Veterans Comfort Fund’, ‘Palliative Care Unit TrustFund’ or ‘Aging and Veterans Care’ on the bottom of your cheque.

Mail your donation to:Sunnybrook Foundation, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Room H332 Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5

By Telephone:

call 416.480.4483 for the Sunnybrook Foundation

By Internet:

www.sunnybrook.ca/foundation and follow the simple instructions

Thank you!