The Pines installed the wall recognizing the home’s donors in 2009. Sculptor Brenda Wainman Goulet, known for bronze sculptures like Dr. Norman Bethune in Gravenhurst and Tom Thomson in Huntsville, created a three-dimensional tree to display the names of donors and their loved ones. Donations over $100 receive a plaque and a small red leaf; green leaves represent donations of $1,000 or more; brass sunbursts honour those who have contributed $5,000 or more; and donations of $100,000 or more are featured on the tree itself. 

Adding warmth and growing gratitude 

Leigh Ball, administrative clerk for the Pines, said the original wall was fairly small, but the overwhelming response from donors required an expansion.

“The original person who did the tree for us passed away because it was years ago, so we commissioned Kimberly Rideout, a local artist,” Ball said. “Her daughter is actually a [personal support worker] here, so we reached out to her to see if she could help bring more life into the tree and bring it around the corner and do what we can to acknowledge our donors.”

Beyond the connection with her daughter, Rideout also has her own history at the Pines after donating a mural to the home in 2022. The mural sits to the right of the donor recognition wall, so it’s no wonder the expansion turned into a second full-blown mural. 

Ball said Rideout had many ideas for the space, including making another three-dimensional tree to accompany the original artwork. Rideout also wanted to ensure it was in harmony with the mural she donated, which has been a favourite of staff, residents and visitors alike.

“It’s made our home original,” Ball said. “It looks like home, it looks like Muskoka [and] it just warms up the home area up. She has different textures and different things, like limbs of trees and rocks and moths, so it brings the outside in, which is fantastic because, unfortunately, not everybody can get outside.”

The newly extended donor wall also features a range of natural elements, such as a river, a waterfall, and Forget-Me-Not flowers, which act as a symbol for Alzheimer’s. The wall turned out even better than Ball and the rest of her team anticipated, she said, adding that it’s a “true beauty.” 

The Pines’ donors receive a receipt for their charitable contributions, and all donations go toward making the home a better place for its residents. Ball said it’s important to the staff at the Pines that the facility feels as homey as possible. They want to avoid the institutional feel that long-term care homes often have, and donors make it possible for them to achieve that goal.

“The least we can do is honour them in a space as beautiful as we have, so it’s going to be here for many years to come,” Ball said. “It’s just so nice to be able to thank them in a small way through the tree.”

Three days to transform the space

Bracebridge artist Kimberly Rideout is thrilled to be able to help honour donors while also making the space more hospitable for the residents of the Pines and their families. She knows the challenges of seeing a family member enter long-term care firsthand, so it means a great deal to her to be part of easing that transition.

“It’s very difficult to see a loved one get to the stage where it’s necessary for them to be in a care home, so they take comfort in knowing that there’s an incredible level of care there,” Rideout said. “Going that one step beyond to make the atmosphere and the environment for them that much more like a home away from home or a little community, that’s a hugely beneficial little piece of the puzzle.”

Like most of her murals, the donation wall update took Rideout only a few days. She never sketches out her paintings in advance, and while the Pines Support Committee provided feedback throughout the process, the Pines ultimately gave her free reign.

Much of it was based on the original artwork from Wainman Goulet as well as the mural Rideout previously contributed. When she did the initial mural, she chose the colours and composition to work in conjunction with the sculpture.

“My decision was based on this art piece that was already there,” she said. “There’s some orange and brassy gold tones in it, so that’s what led me to do the sunset in the other mural, because I wanted it to work in combination with the original art piece.”

The donor recognition area was only supposed to wrap around the corner of the wall, but thanks to the advice of her daughter and a coworker, she ended up extending the piece all the way around to the nearest door. She also added a background that faded into the original donor wall to help everything blend into one cohesive area. 

During the two and a half days she worked, she used wood, foam and plaster to form a three-dimensional tree on the corner, replicating the nearby sculpture. The resulting artwork eventually doubled in size.

“That allowed us to have much more room for them going forward, to continue the leaves floating in the air above, so the process always just evolves as I go,” Rideout said. “I have a rough idea of what I want to create, but the exact picture really just develops as I’m painting.”

Rideout wants to remind people how much of a difference their donations make to the residents’ quality of life. Contributions big and small go toward changes that make tangible and noticeable impacts at the Pines. It means a lot to her to contribute to the Pines’ expressions of gratitude to donors, and she was on the receiving end of many thanks while working on the painting as well. 

One local woman saw her recent artwork and shared how much the mural at the Pines meant to her and her late husband, who lived at the Pines for over five years. Many others have shared similar stories, remarking on the calming and lovely feelings they get while viewing her art. 

“When I was painting there, it was a very overwhelmingly touching three days,” Rideout said. “The residents and the staff and the family members were so incredibly kind and complimentary and thrilled to see more work going in there.”

Rideout said many staff members had recommendations for other areas in the home that could use a new mural to brighten the space. She knows how hard the team at the Pines is working to make the facility more homey, which reflects the quality of care they offer, so she hopes to continue working with them to add more colour and life to their walls.

She has a vision for future paintings that feature buildings from the community on the doors and walls. The kitchen area could be styled as a bistro while the utility room could look like Knowles Plumbing, she said, helping to make it feel even more like a home away from home. She hopes it will inspire other long-term care homes to make similar changes.

Looking toward the future at the Pines

Mary Lodge, a member of the Pines Support Committee and a former employee at the Pines, has been involved in the home’s fundraising for many years. She’s played a role in the support committee since it was established in 2009. The committee raises money through fundraising events, memorials and other donations.

All the money they raise goes directly toward optimizing life at the Pines, and the donor recognition wall has been one way they honour the people who have allowed that to happen. Lodge and the rest of the committee want to thank Rideout for her work and the community for making it necessary.

“It’s been truly awe-inspiring for us,” Lodge said. “We’ve been so pleased that Kim was willing to do it, and she did such an amazing job. We’re also quite pleased that we’re in need of that since we never thought we would, so our community has been extremely generous.”

The money donated by the community has helped the committee complete many important projects. They’ve been able to purchase important medical equipment like palliative care carts, steady lifts and sit-to-stand lifts. They’ve also provided iPads to help residents stay in touch with family as well as smart TVs and computers for residents to use.

Most recently, the committee bought 160 new hi-low beds for everyone at the home, reducing fall risk and improving resident care. Lodge and the others on the committee look forward to filling up the newly enlarged donor recognition wall, and they already have their next home improvement in the works.

“We’re working diligently on trying to create a garden outside close to the Pines, between the Pines and the district, so that our residents can have a lot of safe exposure to the outdoors,” she said. “That is our next big project.”

To learn more about the Pines Long-Term Care Home, visit the District of Muskoka website.

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The Ontario government is investing more than $100 million in two programs that will train more than 32,000 new personal support workers (PSWs) and nurses in long-term care over the next three years. The investments are part of the government’s Your Health plan to recruit and retain tens of thousands of long-term care staff over the coming years.

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The Ontario government has created a new Investigations Unit to ensure every long-term care resident lives with dignity and experiences the quality of care they deserve. Supported by an investment of $72.3 million, the new 10-person unit will be an effective deterrent and tool when escalated enforcement is needed to improve compliance and ensure resident safety.

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Since June 30, 2023, our residents, staff, and visitors could embrace each other’s warmth and genuine expressions without the mandatory wearing of face masks.

While masks are no longer a requirement in our Homes, the commitment to health and safety has not changed. In shared spaces, Infection Prevention and Control practices continue.

The following changes for staff, caregivers, visitors, and residents are now in effect at The Pines and Fairvern:

• If you’re unwell, stay home. Anyone wishing to come to our Homes should self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and other respiratory or infectious diseases. 

• Masks are recommended but not mandatory in all Home areas. Caregivers and visitors may fully participate in activities, including sharing meals and group activities. At the request of family or residents, staff will mask when providing care.

• Although no longer required by the Ministry of Long-Term mandated, daily symptom screening for residents continues to help keep our residents safe and well.

• In outbreak situations or if a resident’s condition requires additional precautions, all individuals must follow masking and other personal protective equipment requirements.

The Pines and Fairvern are more than just Homes – they are the heartbeats of extended family. The District celebrates this new chapter with staff, friends, and residents’ families with smiles and rekindled connections.

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“This investment, tailored to the needs of our community, will provide long-term care residents right here in Parry Sound-Muskoka with the specialized supports and services they need,” said Graydon Smith, MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka. “Under Premier Doug Ford’s leadership, we’re taking action to bolster our province’s long-term care system and put residents’ needs first.”

Some of the local projects will do this by helping residents get the specialized care they need in their long-term care home without having to go to the emergency room or be admitted to hospital. Others will support the admission into homes of people who no longer require acute care in hospital, but who have complex needs that can be difficult to accommodate without specialized services and supports.

The projects in Parry Sound-Muskoka receiving funding are:

• $66,861.76 to Lakeland Long-Term Care Services for the purchase of bariatric equipment and the expansion of support services to reduce the number of avoidable emergency department visits;
• $66,861.76 to Belvedere Heights for the purchase of bariatric equipment and the expansion of support services to reduce the number of avoidable emergency department visits; and
• $19,421.00 to Muskoka Landing for the purchase of a bladder scanner to support home admission and prevent avoidable emergency department visits and hospitalization.

“Our government is increasing our investment in bold, creative, and innovative solutions that conveniently connect long-term care residents to the specialized care they need in the comfort of their long-term care home instead of a hospital,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Long-Term Care. “Initiatives like the Local Priorities Fund ensure Ontarians are being connected with the right care in the right place, close to their family and friends.”

The Local Priorities Fund is part of an investment of over $120 million in 2022-23 to provide access to a range of specialized services and supports that are helping long-term care residents with complex needs access connected and convenient care in the right place.

The government is fixing long-term care to ensure Ontario’s seniors get the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve both now and in the future. This work is built on four pillars: staffing and care; quality and enforcement; building modern, safe, and comfortable homes; and providing seniors with faster, more convenient access to the services they need.

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As Ontario approaches the end of respiratory illness season, the province is updating its COVID-19 measures in long-term care homes in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health. While homes will continue to be required to monitor residents daily to detect the presence of infection and indoor masking requirements remain in place at this time, other guidance and requirements that are no longer necessary are being adjusted to reflect the high vaccine uptake among residents and the availability of safe and effective antivirals that are reducing the risk of severe outcomes to residents. These changes will bring Ontario into alignment with other provinces across the country that have already made similar adjustments.

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The Ontario government is providing up to $1.25 billion to long-term care homes this year to hire and retain thousands more long-term care staff across the province, to continue increasing the amount of direct care time provided to residents. This is part of the government’s historic four-year, $4.9 billion commitment to hire and retain more than 27,000 registered nurses, registered practical nurses and personal support workers over four years and ensure residents receive, on average, four hours of direct care per day by March 31, 2025.

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The Ontario government has hired 193 new long-term care inspection staff, including 156 new inspectors. Supported by an investment of $72.3 million, these new hires double the number of inspectors in the field completing on-site inspections and responding to complaints more quickly, to ensure every resident experiences the quality of care they deserve.

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The Ontario government is increasing its construction funding subsidy to support the cost of developing or redeveloping a long-term care home. This additional funding will help fast-track the construction of new long-term care beds before August 31, 2023. This supports the government’s $6.4 billion commitment to build more than 30,000 net new beds by 2028 and 28,000 upgraded long-term care beds across the province.

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After donating a mural to Andy’s House last year, Rideout decided to donate another mural in honour of her father, who died in January. The community voted on the Pines as the recipient, which aligned perfectly with the facility’s plan to renovate the main floor of the residence. It took her three and a half days to complete the piece, which was revealed at 2 p.m. on April 22 in front of dozens of staff members, residents and their families. Rideout enjoyed listening to the excitement build among the residents as they gathered for the reveal, and once the curtain was dropped, it was heartwarming to see their reactions.

“They all seemed very tickled and overwhelmed,” Rideout said. “One of the oldest residents there, her name is Jean and she’s 104, she even said to me she was just so touched and she loved it and it reminded her of good memories as well.”

Rideout’s primary goal was to create something that residents could sit and be immersed in as they reminisced about the past. It wasn’t long after the mural was shown that she heard residents talking about their memories of summers at the cottage. She always knew she wanted to incorporate nature and pine trees into the piece, and the logo for the Pines Long-Term Care home led her to include a sunset as well. 

Once she saw the two signs on the wall where she’d be painting, she was inspired to add three-dimensional elements to the mural. She added pieces of birch behind the signs so that they looked like they were nailed to a tree as well as a rope hanging from the side of the canoe. She even attached rocks, artificial moss and grass, and other small details to bring the picture to life.

Another important part of the mural are the details dedicated to Rideout’s dad, and she said she felt him watching over her at the reveal. She chose red for the canoe since that was his favourite colour and the writing on its side is all in reference to him. The BB stands for his nickname, Bronte Bob, and the numbers stand for his birthday on August 18, 1941.

“Paul said to me, ‘Are you going to sign it anywhere?’ And I said, ‘I already did,’” Rideout said. “My dad’s there. That’s all that matters.”

Jennifer Ridgley, administrator at the Pines, said she was amazed to see such a beautiful piece of art created in such a small space and in such a short amount of time. When the curtain dropped, she couldn’t believe her eyes.

“It was absolutely breathtaking,” Ridgley said. “We had lots of residents and family members and staff members, and when they dropped the curtain, people’s faces were just instant smiles. It was beyond what I ever thought it was going to be.”

Ridgely said the piece speaks to the calmness and peace of Muskoka, and she was excited to hear residents sharing stories of the sunsets and summer days in their own lives after they saw it. She was blown away by the details, from the birds and beautiful trees to the clouds and the canoe.

“It fits in perfectly, and the moment that you walk into that area in the home, it just lightens that entire area,” she said. “It’s the focus now of that common area, which is exactly what we were looking for, and it’s a piece that residents and families and staff members can reminisce about.”

Everyone at the Pines wants to extend a huge thank you to Rideout, Ridgely said. The mural is the perfect addition to their recent renovations, and they’re thrilled that it will be a permanent part of their home going forward.

“We are so thankful and just so privileged that we were chosen to have her do this,” Ridgley said. “We’re forever grateful to her. We’re already talking about how we preserve it so that it will be there for years and years to come.”

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