News Room

A young nurse at Helen Henderson Care Centre in Amherstview has won her first workplace award. Kailey Wemp, 29, smiles brightly when informed she is the home’s Employee of the Month for July 2022. “I’m a little shocked; I wasn’t expecting it,” she says happily. A Registered Practical Nurse at the home since September 2021, Kailey enjoys her job providing health care to 104 residents. “Kailey is always friendly with staff, residents, and family,” says Assistant Director of Care, Melissa Locke. “You will never find her without a smile, and…

Ashley Foley may be a new nurse at Carveth Care Centre, but she has already made a great first-impression. Named Employee of the Month for July 2022, the 36-year-old Registered Practical Nurse smiles and notes, “It’s an honour to get it.” An employee of the long-term care home for six months, Ashley left a job at the local hospital for a change and rest. She says she found both at her new job which provided a change of pace and different role. “It’s like a family here,” Ashley explains about…

Gibson Family Health Care cares deeply about the health and happiness of seniors. A family owned and operated business in Amherstview (Helen Henderson Care Centre) and Gananoque (Carveth Care Centre) - Gibson Family Health Care makes the health and happiness of seniors its top priority. This June 15, the retirement/long-term care homes are marking World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by encouraging residents, staff, families and supporters to wear PURPLE. Managers are also sharing information about the importance of elder care and respect. “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is an important…

Valerie Kimmett is not your average Personal Support Worker. When she’s not helping residents at a long-term care home in Amherstview, she’s riding her horse and training for barrel racing and pole bending competitions such as the World’s in Georgia this fall. “I’m excited about it, but I don’t like to brag about it because there are other people in the area who are going,” she says about this significant accomplishment. A resident of Camden East, Valerie is the Employee of the Month for June at Helen Henderson Care Centre,…

A retired Gananoque woman has won an award for interrupting her retirement to help a local nursing home navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. “I enjoy this job. I like the routine and I like to be active. It’s an honour to work here,” says Mary Brown who started working at Carveth Care Centre in Gananoque in March 2021 as a Universal Worker. Her duties include testing visitors and staff for COVID-19. Mary came out of retirement to help the home navigate the pandemic which was declared in March 2020. “I wasn’t…

For most people, their home is clean enough to be healthy and dirty enough to be happy. For a 43-year-old professional cleaner at a local long-term care home, those standards might not be good enough. Speaking in late April 2022, Edward Allan of Gananoque talks with pride about his job for the past two years as a housekeeper at Carveth Care Centre which named him Employee of the Month for May. Managers describe him as a good worker who interacts well with residents. Speaking on behalf of the home, Julie…

Helen Henderson Care Centre in Amherstview has a new kitchen manager. Shaun Stephenson, a cook in the home for the past seven years, accepted the job in April 2022. “I like it here. I think it’s a great place to work,” says Shaun, 45, from his office located next to the home’s commercial kitchen. “It’s nice that the owners are here and that they are accessible. That makes a huge difference.” Shaun was offered the job based on his skill, experience, and ability to see the best in difficult situations.…

A front-line health care worker has been recognized for her good work helping residents in long-term care. “I’m pretty excited it’s a nice accomplishment,” says Hollie Brennan, 41, about her workplace award as Employee of the Month for April 2022 at Carveth Care Centre. “It’s nice to have my work recognized.” Born and raised in Gananoque across the street from Carveth, Hollie started working at the home last June as a Personal Support Worker (PSW). “I love it; it’s great,” the Gananoque woman replies when asked about her job as…

Helen Henderson Care Centre has a new hairdresser. Jeanne McFarland opened her salon at the home recently and is now taking appointments for residents. "I received my diploma in cosmetology at the Career School of Hair Design in Oshawa," says the Haircare Specialist. "I have more than 40 years of experience in the specialty services of hair care, styling and barbering." Jeanne was the owner/manager and stylist of Courtice Unisex Phase II from November 1994 to January 2010. After that, she started specializing in hair care at retirement/long-term care homes.  "I…

Phyllis Vanhorne looks remarkable for someone who is turning 100 years old. Speaking from her room at Carveth Retirement Lodge in February 2022, the friendly woman talks about her upcoming 100th birthday on March 13 as if it is just another day. “We were just talking about having a party. How best to do it,” she says, nodding to her two daughters who are sitting nearby. “There’s nothing I can do about it,” she replies nonchalantly when asked about turning 100. “I’m happy I can see, hear and walk.” Jumping…