ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING October 23rd, 2025 Empowering every person to provide compassionate resident centered care in a diverse family environment.
Gwen Brown, Board Chair Liz Polatynski, Secretary/Treasurer Cathy Borutski, Board Vice Chair Angela Golka, Board Member Trisha DesLaurier, CEO Chantel Brown, Director of Care Kathy Innocente, Manager of HR & Finance
Introductory Report – CEO & Board Chair As we open the 50th Annual General Meeting of Valley Manor (VM), the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer extend our deepest appreciation to all staff and volunteers. Each member of our team brings a unique set of skills which, together, ensure the highest level of care for our residents. The dedication and compassion demonstrated daily by both long-serving staff, some of whom have been with us for more than 25 years, and newer members are truly inspiring. Challenges and Staffing The past year has not been without challenges, including managing outbreaks and operating within an aging infrastructure. One of the most persistent challenges continues to be the recruitment and retention of qualified staff within a very limited pool of local healthcare providers. To meet resident care needs, Valley Manor has relied on contracted Registered Nurses, Registered Practical Nurses, and Personal Support Workers. While essential, this reliance adds significant financial pressures due to agency fees and the need to provide housing for out-of-area workers. Recruitment efforts are also constrained by limited local housing and competition for scarce skilled workers. Despite these hurdles, Valley Manor remains committed to rigorous recruitment strategies. These include online, print, and in-person campaigns as well as international recruitment initiatives. Our efforts support the provincial target of achieving an average of four hours of direct care per resident per day. As of August, VM reported 3.59 hours—an encouraging upward trend toward this goal. Occupancy and Redevelopment With the exception of temporary outbreak restrictions, Valley Manor continues to operate at full occupancy, with a waitlist of more than 100 individuals. Redevelopment remains a priority. A new facility would increase resident capacity from 90 to 96 beds, improve infection control standards, accommodate rising resident acuity, and support staff workflow. Following strong advocacy by Advantage Ontario, Minister of Long-Term Care Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, MPP Billy Denault, and rural LTC partners including VM, the Ministry of Long-Term Care has revised its funding formula to better reflect the fundraising limitations of small communities. While this policy shift is positive, Valley Manor continues to carefully assess the financial implications of a new build amid significant increases in construction costs. Redevelopment has remained a key priority of the Strategic Plan for over a decade, and although progress was delayed by events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the vision remains. VM’s license
responsible manner. Accreditation and Quality Improvement Work has also begun toward the 2026 accreditation cycle. Valley Manor will be transitioning from Accreditation Canada to the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). CARF’s specific focus on long-term care and its more competitive fee structure make this a welcome step forward as VM continues to demonstrate excellence in service. Continuous quality monitoring remains central to operations. Data; including the Case Mix Index, which consistently places VM in a very high acuity category. Additional measures include the provincially mandated Quality Improvement Plan, satisfaction surveys from residents, families, and staff, and exit interviews. These inputs, combined with rigorous financial monitoring by leadership, managers, the Board, and external auditors, confirm that VM is currently in a strong financial position. Governance Updates During the year, the Board accepted the resignations of Jill Vermaire and Annabel Marsh and extends sincere gratitude for their contributions of time, energy, and expertise. The Board was also pleased to welcome Angela Golka as a new member and looks forward to her involvement in shaping VM’s future. Leadership Updates, Employee Health, Wellness and Appreciation Valley Manor is also pleased to welcome Chantel Brown to the role of Director of Care. This important leadership role was previously held by Gail Yantha for 16 years. Additionally, Lynn Strack, a seasoned and veteran RN at Valley Manor, has assumed the role of CQI and Nursing Coordinator, a position formerly held by Chantel Brown prior to moving into the DOC role. Valley Manor continues to enhance staff appreciation and support the health and wellness of both leadership and frontline staff. Health and wellness surveys, along with employee satisfaction surveys, were completed this year. A Health & Wellness Committee has been formed and has already held many successful meetings. The leadership team and Board are actively developing strategies to improve and enrich the working environment at Valley Manor, continuing to recognize that our staff are a key pillar in the organization. As Valley Manor marks its 50th Annual General Meeting, the Board, CEO, and staff reaffirm their commitment to delivering exceptional care to residents and strengthening partnerships with community stakeholders. Feedback and engagement from residents, families, staff, and partners remain vital as we continue to build on our legacy and advance our vision for the future. Trisha DesLaurier CEO Gwen Brown Board Chair
F ROM T HE DE SK OF Medical Director, Valley Manor LTC Home Barry’s Bay, Ontario October, 2025 It is again a pleasure to send my greetings for the Annual General Meeting, as the Medical Director of the Valley Manor Long-term Care Home. From a quality point of view, we continue to perform well compared to our provincial and regional counterparts. We are looking at any opportunity to reduce the number of avoidable hospitals visit for our residents - and have been quite successful in this regard. Looking at things from a “systems” lens, the Valley Manor has been able to admit quite a number of patients from hospital this last year. This certainly helps the flow of patients locally, and helps us attain the goal of The Right Patient in the Right Bed. Since the last report there have been no new additions to the medical staff covering Valley Manor. There are some exciting “irons in the fire” for potential newly-recruited family doctors for our area who appear to be interested in supporting our Home. Details will be forthcoming! As a medical staff, we agree it remains an honour to look after these vulnerable seniors in our community.
Enhance Resident Services Our residents continuously receive our best care and support At Valley Manor, our residents continuously receive the best care and support. Our focus on enhancing resident services is guided by our core values and is driven by feedback from residents, families, and staff. In 2024/25, several initiatives have assisted to improve the care and services we offer, ensuring a positive experience for all. In alignment with Valley Manor’s 2022–2027 Strategic Plan, our Quality Improvement initiatives for 2024–2025 remain focused on enhancing the quality of care, resident experience, and overall service excellence. Collaboration among residents, families, staff, the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Committee, and the Board of Directors continues to be central to our success in achieving — and surpassing — provincial benchmarks for long-term care. Access and Flow Efforts to improve Access and Flow have resulted in reduced emergency department visits and more coordinated care for residents with increasingly complex needs. Engaging residents and families in care planning has strengthened shared decision-making and improved outcomes. Resident and Family Engagement The delayed Resident and Family Satisfaction Survey provided valuable insights that will inform future action plans. We remain committed to ensuring residents and families are active partners in care decisions, with open communication and responsiveness as key priorities. Falls Prevention Fall prevention continues to be a critical focus area. Strengthened strategies aim to improve both physical safety and emotional well-being, helping residents maintain confidence, independence, and quality of life.
Guided by our Vision — “Cultivating a diverse home where all are welcome and respected” — we continue to embed equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of care. Our goal is to ensure every resident is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of background or identity. Resident Engagement and Community Life Meaningful activities and community involvement remain vital to resident well-being. This year’s highlights included participation in the Santa Claus Parade, holiday celebrations, baking and music sessions, shopping excursions, and the Annual Rock-A-Thon. Residents also took part in the Annual Memorial Service and the Memorial Butterfly Release, fostering connection, joy, and belonging within our community. Behavioural Support Ontario (BSO) Program The BSO team continues to deliver specialized support for residents with complex behavioural needs. With $1,530 in BSO Equipment Funding received from the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, we acquired innovative tools such as the HUG™ therapeutic device, an iPad for engagement, and personalized sensory bins. These additions have: • • • • Reduced anxiety, agitation, and loneliness among residents Strengthened staff capacity for individualized interventions Supported infection prevention while maintaining engagement Enhanced emotional well-being through sensory and reminiscence-based activities These initiatives reflect our ongoing commitment to providing safe, compassionate, and person-centered care — ensuring residents feel heard, valued, and connected in every aspect of their daily life at Valley Manor.
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