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June 2021
Happy Father's Day from ExquisiCare
June is a busy month at ExquisiCare with many celebrations. 

June 7th to 11th, is Seniors Week in Alberta and is dedicated to honoring all seniors. ExquisiCare takes great care to engage and entertain our seniors in residence, and this years Seniors Week was no exception. There was live entertainment, games, manicures, and time spent outside enjoying our beautiful weather.

On June 15th we recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. It's certainly not something we like to talk about, but we must bring attention to this issue that is on the rise. Read my blog post here.

And this coming Sunday, June 20th we will celebrate all the amazing dad's we care for on Father's Day. We have many amazing dad’s living at ExquisiCare homes and wanted to introduce you to one of them - This is Ed. He is past his century mark and we are so thankful for his cooking lessons! This jam he made was the best! We wish all dad’s a very Happy Father’s Day!
If you know someone who would benefit from the ExquisiCare model, contact us now
Improving Quality of Life for Continuing Care Residents
The Government of Alberta recently undertook a complete review of Facility Based Continuing Care. Implementing the findings from the review will help make Alberta’s continuing care system better, safer, and more sustainable.

The report provides recommendations to improve the quality of life for residents and their families and the work environment for staff and operators, and make better use of taxpayer dollars.  The report also includes learnings from the COVID-19 response to inform future pandemic planning. What we found most interesting about this report is that ExquisiCare is already a best practice leader in the area of continuing care. Many of the recommendations in the report are already standard practice at ExquisiCare. Read more hear to see how we already meet and exceed these recommendations!
Get your ZZZZ's !
Missing Out on Sleep in Midlife May Increase Dementia Risk

A good night's rest could reduce your risk for cognitive complications down the road
Cannabis and Dementia
Curious About the Relationship between Cannabis and Dementia?
FDA Has Approved New Alzheimer's Treatment
Care at Home by ExquisiCare
Home care in Edmonton is our calling. Our caregivers are guided by the ExquisiCare core values of love, reverence and family.
Stay Tuned for an exciting
ANNOUNCEMENT
in our July newsletter!
Meet the Team at ExquisiCare
Andrea MacDonald
Community Leader

Not only is Andrea new to ExquisiCare, but so is her position of "Community Leader".

Andrea is the eldest of 5 siblings, so growing up, she recognized her role as a caregiver at a young age. Her instinct for helping others intensified as she watched her grandparents fall ill. Assisting with personal care and psychosocial health, Andrea started the path for her career in the Healthcare Field.

As a lifelong learner, she worked a variety of positions initially to jumpstart her experience and continue her education. From Spinal Cord Injuries to palliative care, she began to observe the workings of diverse level's of care.

Acute care opened her eyes to the compassion and empathy required to assist those of all ages. This fast-paced environment secured her belief in holistic care. As a float nurse, she found herself working frequently on the Alternative Level of Care Unit. This was the beginning of years of dementia training, skill development and her love for senior care was born. A highlight of Andrea's career was becoming a Team member of the Victoria Order of Nurses. It is here she encouraged independence and the respect for those that yearn to live in their home for the reminder of their lives.

With her increasing interest in dementia care, Andrea completed her Positive Approach to Care training, Certifying her as a Dementia Educator. The premise of Living in the moment, encouraging self-expression and respecting those living with dementia for where they are was the focus. She has participated in education sessions for families and those living with early onset dementia.

Becoming part of the ExquisiCare Team as Community Leader in 2021, Andrea has made it her goal to make non institutional care available to seniors her focus. Making a home environment available, while exceeding the standard of care has been exciting. It’s the ‘thinking outside the box”. Tasked based care is a thing of the past, and she strives to push the dignity, independence, choice and respect that ExquisiCare stands for.

As Community Leader, Andrea has overall operational accountability for our 3 SW Edmonton locations. She oversees and ensures the high standards of quality care, mentors and engages staff and is the main point of contact for our extended families.