Idlewyld Manor is committed to continuous improvement of the quality of our services and programs. We believe it is vital to hear the residents’ opinions and to involve them in the planning and evaluation of changes and improvements to our home. Residents and their families have several avenues for participation.
Resident Council
Idlewyld Manor has an established and active Resident’s Council. Residents are encouraged to participate in Council activities. Other individuals from the community may attend meetings by invitation of the Resident Council. Idlewyld provides a comfortable meeting room and seating for all Resident Council meetings.
The purpose of the Council is to promote good relations and fellowship among the residents of the Manor, to cooperate in arranging programs, and to provide liaison between the Council and the Leadership of the Manor.
Residents will, using minutes posted on the Resident Home Area information bulletin board, be informed of the results of Resident Council monthly meetings along with feedback where requested, from the Administrator or designate.
Interested in what we're up to?
Check out our latest updatesOur Family Council provides an opportunity for families and friends of residents to be involved in the care of their loved ones at Idlewyld Manor. Our main purpose is to be a partner in helping to improve the quality of life of residents and to give their families a voice in decisions that affect them and their loved ones.
Our Family Council Provides:
- Support for families
- Learning and information
- Discussion and action on concerns
- Communication with the Home leadership, and families and friends of loved ones
- Support for special activities and events for residents
For more information, please contact a member of the Family Council Executive. Names and contact information for the Chair Person and the Secretary can be found on the Family Council bulletin board located across from the cafe, near the lobby.
Communicating
Mentoring & Supporting
Learning
Caring
Communication is Key
A Family Council can make a difference in the quality of life of every resident. We are advocates for quality care, a safe home environment, and the general well-being of residents. We act as a sounding board for new ideas and support partnership in resident care.
One-on-One Mentoring
Our main purpose is to be a partner in helping to improve the quality of life of residents and to give their families a voice in decisions that affect them and their loved ones.
If you need someone to talk to, one of our experienced family council members will sit down with you, one-to-one and talk things through. You are not alone. We will be pleased to share our experiences with you and help guide you if you need to access personnel, services or research that might be of help.
Families Helping Families
Our Family Council provides an opportunity for families and friends of residents to be involved in the care of their loved ones at Idlewyld Manor. Our main purpose is to be a partner in helping to improve the quality of life of residents and to give their families a voice in decisions that affect them and their loved ones.
- Support for families
- Learning and information
- Discussion and action on concerns
- Communication with the Home leadership, and families and friends of loved ones
- Support for special activities and events for residents
For more information, please contact a member of the Family Council. A list of the Council Members is found on the Family Council bulletin board located across from the cafe, near the lobby or e-mail
Be Involved
Our Family Council provides an opportunity for families and friends of residents to be involved in the care of their loved ones.
What has Family Council Achieved?
- Support for all residents and families
- Advocacy for new initiatives
- Annual Bake Sales to raise funds for much needed items
- Upkeep and fundraising for beautiful gardens within and surrounding the home
Family Council Meeting Minutes
Idlewyld Manor Family Council Meeting
APPROVED MINUTES
Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Mohawk Room and via Zoom
PRESENT: Barb Vacon, Cindy Allen, Margaret Figliola, Jack Graham, Elaine Armstrong, Karen Vandermeulen, Laura Buote, Rose Linton, Ann Bennett, Mary Newman, Vinzi Calder, Denise Cusson
1. CALL TO ORDER: 6:31 pm
2. GUEST SPEAKERS: None
| Item | Motion | Moved By | Seconded By | Carried/Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Adoption of Agenda | Karen | Cindy | Motion Carried |
| 4 | Approval of Minutes | Elaine | Ann | Motion Carried |
| 5 | Treasurer's Report | Karen | Mary | Motion Carried |
6. ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION
- Challenges in some of the home areas for very disruptive residents causing issues with other residents.
- It has been reported to the home
- Council members provided several other suggestions for improvements moving forward.
7. CHAIR'S REMARKS
7.1 Management Update
- Barb asked to make sure all family council members were receiving updates from Rosa (several important communications have come out recently)
- Machine that replicates driving is currently located in Spruceview. This cannot be moved at this time as there is no convenient location with a common area with the home.
- Cost per resident for food is $13.44 currently. There may be a potential increase coming as the budgets get finalized for the upcoming year.
- Follow up: Invite new head of Dietary (Angela) to a future meeting.
- Coffee machine in the café is broken and is being replaced by a Keurig machine. People can use their own cup and pod OR can purchase a cup with a pod.
- Volunteers are needed for the café. IF you are interested, please contact Brad.
7.2 Executive Announcements
- Chair: Barb Vacon
- Co-Chair: Karen Vandermeulen
- Secretary: Maryke Sluis
- Treasurer: Ann Bennett
7.3 Volunteering Update
- Volunteering to set up a meeting to go through how to be a volunteer and attend group training
- May need to set up multiple sessions to cover all of the courses
- Ann & Mary volunteered to assist where needed
8. ONGOING BUSINESS:
8.1 Resident Activity Initiative
- Spoke with Brad and he is happy to have our assistance in cleaning up the activity areas
- Activity items were purchased today with a total (taxes & delivery) of $613.
- Motion made by Barb to spend the extra $113 above the $500 agreed upon last month. Seconded by Karen. Motion passed.
- Barb and Laura have volunteered to clean up the activity areas.
8.2 Entertainment
- Mary has booked out May, October – December
- Council agreed not to book June – September as there are many activities in the home
- Follow up: Discuss with Janice to see if she can sing at the Ice Cream social in July
- Follow up: Investigate a travelling musician as one of the entertainers for some home areas that are harder to get to the celebration room
8.3 Celebration Room
- Capacity in celebration room for entertainment is becoming a problem
- Residents are being missed because there aren't enough staff to take them to the activity
- Follow up: Barb to discuss with Rosa about potentially doing 2 seatings for certain events
9. NEW BUSINESS
9.1 Tell Me Something Good
- Additional donation has been sponsored to the Garden Fund for updates to the gardens.
- New gazebo is completed and new furniture is coming.
- Move to Make it Happen has multiple events coming to raise money for the home.
- 5/22: Ice Cream social
- 5/22 – 6/15: Raffle
- 5/27: Bake Sale
- 5/28: Bingo
- 5/29: Chili Day
10. REPORTS
10.1 Treasurer's report was reviewed and approved.
11. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 pm. Motion by Cindy and seconded by Denise.
Next meeting:
Date: Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 6:30 pm
Place: In person @ Mohawk Room or via Zoom
Idlewyld Manor Family Council Meeting
APPROVED MINUTES
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Mohawk Room and via Zoom
PRESENT: Barb Vacon, Cindy Allen, Margaret Figliola, Jack Graham, Elaine Armstrong, Karen Vandermeulen, Laura Buote, Maryke Sluis, Rose Linton, Nan Uzbalis, Ann Bennett
1. CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 pm
2. GUEST SPEAKERS: Rosa Mozaffari, Administrator
- Survey Results are available for all to review
- Recreational Program needs are being addressed
- Creekside will be adding a full-time recreationalist
- Staffing:
- 6 full time (FT) workdays and cover 7 days a week. They all work every other weekend.
- 1 FT works days and afternoons 2 afternoon shifts and 3 day shifts weekly including every other weekend.
- 1 part time (PT) works every other weekend and 2 afternoon shifts per week. (currently vacant)
- 1 PT works 3 afternoon shifts per week.
- Currently running 4 evening programs weekly: 3 in the Celebration Room at 6:15 pm (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday) and 1 on Creekside at 6:15 pm (Wednesday)
- Extra training is occurring for the OMII machine so it can be available for more locations
- Staffing (PSW)
- 51 vacant lines have been filled, and the use of PSW's from outside agencies decreased significantly
- PSW primary responsibility is to provide care to the residents
- While not their primary responsibility, socializing with residents is encouraged as time allows to build relationships
- Management is looking at building social interaction into their workday routines
- Staffing:
- 7 PSW's per area/day
- 2 PSW's per area/night
- Mandatory masking has been removed today! Masking had a very positive effect on minimizing outbreaks during the winter months.
- WiFi is currently being upgraded
- Shower areas are in the middle of being upgraded
- Additional painting will be completed within the home areas (2 are complete; 4 areas still need to be done)
- Exploration is underway for the A La Carte program
- Would allow individualized meals/specialized for certain residents
- Automated Prescriptions
- Being implemented now. This will cut down on process and medication errors.
- Feedback from Council:
- Volunteering is hindered due to the length of time it takes for approval and the multiple computer courses required.
- Rosa comments that because Long Term Care is highly regulated the computer course are a requirement; however, she will follow up on a better process for volunteering courses.
| Item | Motion | Moved By | Seconded By | Carried/Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Adoption of Agenda | Ann | Elaine | Motion Carried |
| 4 | Approval of Minutes | Ann | Cindy | Motion Carried |
| 5 | Treasurer's Report | Jack | Nan | Motion Carried |
6. ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION
- None for this meeting
7. CHAIR'S REMARKS
7.1 Inspection Report
- Barb has received inspection reports regarding two critical incidents. Action has been taken regarding the report. Contact Barb for details.
8. ONGOING BUSINESS:
8.1 Resident Activity Initiative
- Meeting held with Brad to discuss items of interest to the Rec team
- Catalogue choices including puzzles, picture books, sensory puzzles, and butterfly ornament kits.
- Laura to talk to Brad about cleaning up the family areas and getting out communication to families to let them know these areas are available for use with their loved one.
- Motion made by Karen to spend $500 to purchase various items for home areas. Seconded by Nan. Motion passed.
8.2 Elections
- Volunteers are available for each of the roles outlined; however, council needed additional time to review roles
- May be an opportunity to share the chair role
- Elections will be held at the May meeting
8.3 Quality Council update
- Most of the updates were provided by Rosa at beginning of meeting (see notes above)
- Focus from medical team on potential for removing residents off of anti-psychotics (where possible)
- Nutrition staff are working toward reducing the number of residents who have meals in their rooms on trays instead of eating in the dining room.
- Council follow-up question: What is the cost per resident for food?
9. NEW BUSINESS
9.1 Fundraising
- Council needs to focus on additional fundraising throughout 2026
- Silent Auction may be possibility for fundraising
10. REPORTS
10.1 Treasurer's report was reviewed and approved.
11. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:34 pm. Motion by Cindy and seconded by Nan.
Next meeting:
Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 6:30 pm
Place: In person @ Mohawk Room or via Zoom
Idlewyld Manor Family Council Meeting
APPROVED MINUTES
Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Mohawk Room and via Zoom
PRESENT: Barb Vacon, Cindy Allen, Margaret Figliola, Jack Graham, Elaine Armstrong, Karen Vandermeulen, Mary Newman, Bruce Hamilton, Laura Buote, Maryke Sluis, Christina Bhatia, John Bouman, Denise Cusson, Christy Bradbury, Rose Linton, Vinzi Calder
1. CALL TO ORDER: 6:29 pm
2. GUEST SPEAKERS: None at this meeting
| Item | Motion | Moved By | Seconded By | Carried/Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Adoption of Agenda | Christie | Denise | Motion Carried |
| 4 | Approval of Minutes | Cindy | Christina | Motion Carried |
| 5 | Treasurer's Report | Margaret | Christina | Motion Carried |
6. ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION
6.1 Gardening Program
- Denise has started a Gardening Club within the home.
- It meets twice a month (pending Rec availability)
- First meeting was March 1 with 15 people in attendance. Residents talked about gardening, what they wanted to grow and a game for seedlings
- Refreshments were served and meeting lasted about 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Next meeting is this Sunday (March 15) where residents will do some planting
6.2 Meet N Greet
- 2 families were present
- Resident Council also spoke about the home
6.3 Guest Speakers
- Ask Rosa to attend the April meeting
- Ask for Emily (new Director of Care) at the May meeting
- Potential to have speaker from the Ministry about updates
6.4 Recreation
- Availability of recreational people is a constant concern, and new resources may be needed
- Barb to follow up with Brad on resource allocation across homes
7. CHAIR'S REMARKS
7.1 Update from Management
- 2026 Emergency Preparedness Plan
- Feedback was supplied by the Family Council to Management
- Management has updated the document to be more instructional and an emergency plan (instructions will be moved to the appendix)
7.2 Inspection Report
- Ministry was in Idlewyld again on 2/19 for a routine inspection and report received on 3/4 confirming no IPAC or major issues that need addressing
- Maintenance scheduling needs to be reworked
- Painting of drywall
- Gap in nutritional planning and needs to be addressed
8. ONGOING BUSINESS:
8.1 Resident Activity Initiative
- Family Council feels that rec supplies need to be updated and readily available for residents and family
- Some members of Family Council purchased small items from Value Village for use of the Rec Team
- Council members will gather pictures of what is available in each home area and circulate to Laura
- Laura will set up meeting with Brad and (potentially) resident council to discuss updating supplies
8.2 Ice Cream Social
- Brad confirmed that July 18 will work for the Ice Cream social sponsored by Family Council
8.3 Entertainment
- March 21 is Cameron Caton, Elvis Impersonator
- April 26 is Andrew Hamilton
8.4 All About Me Posters
- James has confirmed that all posters have been installed; however, an audit was complete with the following outcome
- Creekside 5 posters installed
- Spruce View 3 posters installed
- Rose Garden 25 posters installed
- Gateside 31 posters installed
- Oakwood 28 posters installed
- Orchard View 0 posters installed
- Barb to follow up with James on why numbers are so low for Creekside, Spruce View and Orchard View
8.5 New Gazebo
- New gazebo is being completed with donated funds
9. NEW BUSINESS
10. REPORTS
10.1 Treasurer's report was reviewed and approved.
11. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:31 pm. Motion by Christina and seconded by Christy.
Next meeting:
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 6:30 pm
Place: In person @ Mohawk Room or via Zoom
Idlewyld Manor Family Council Meeting
APPROVED MINUTES
Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Mohawk Room and via Zoom
PRESENT: Barb Vacon, Cindy Allen, Margaret Figliola, Jack Graham, Elaine Armstrong, Karen Vandermeulen, Mary Newman, Bruce Hamilton, Laura Buote, Ann Bennett, Maryke Sluis, Christina Bhatia, Helen Sluis, John Bouman
1. CALL TO ORDER: 6:29 pm
2. GUEST SPEAKERS: Isoken (Iso) Ikopwonba, Director of Care
- Worked in long term care as staff educator, infection control, nursing, and assistant director of care at other locations
- Started with Thrive in November 2025
- Working with Management (Bahar & Jeannette) on training initiatives for staff
- Working on program evaluations and quality evaluations
- Supports PSW team and hiring
- Questions:
- How are staff being trained?
- Education of various initiatives (i.e. code blue training)
- Support the 4 P's of resident care
- Survey at the end of the year for educational assessment needs
- What is being done for PSW training?
- Discussion around room regarding PSW's being challenged with how to support residents in lifts
- Support is given with multiple online training and with mentoring in the home
- Multiple challenges in the home with PSW call time. Residents are waiting longer than usual to get support.
- Iso will review internally
- Do PSW's engage with residents outside of their physical care?
- Expectation is that PSW's will engage with residents on all aspects of care (including mental well being)
- Is there an independent review of medication? Especially with high alert meds?
- Currently not a policy within the home to support this
- Ministry receives all documented incidents from 2020 on and they investigate
- How are staff being trained?
- A suggestion box is in each home area for any items that are not critical
- Complaint forms are available for filling out as well (Laura to circulate with next minutes)
- Administrative team does step in on care where needed as long as they are qualified
- Any questions: Iso can be reached at ext. 728
| Item | Motion | Moved By | Seconded By | Carried/Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Adoption of Agenda | Cindy | Karen | Motion Carried |
| 4 | Approval of Minutes | Bruce | Mary | Motion Carried |
| 5 | Treasurer's Report | Elaine | Mary | Motion Carried |
6. CHAIR'S REMARKS:
6.1 Update from Management
- Surge Learning (Volunteering)
- Volunteers must complete 36 courses in all that run from 3 – 16 mins
- All regular staff complete courses yearly
- Additional training is completed in person or through webinars
- Any new hires must have all training completed prior to their first day
- Thrive uses one of 3 agencies for staff. All staff at all agencies must complete and meet training guidelines
- Staff Turnover is monitored through HR. Need to differentiate between actual leaving Thrive vs. staff movement to other departments
- MLTC inspection was completed about abuse in the home. No abuse was found and complaint was found to be unfounded
- All About Me posters
- Posters are up but no markers were handed out
- Follow up: Barb to speak to James about markers
6.2 Round Table Discussion
- Needs to occur within the meeting
- Follow up: Barb will move up in the agenda with a specific time limit
6.3 Potential Next Projects
- Round table discussion about items that would help residents: picture books (i.e. coffee table books), crayons, colouring sheets, puzzles (large pieces, low number of pieces), magazines, dominoes, match games
- Mary, Maryke, Bruce to speak to Brad about a sub team and what is required
- Family Council would be willing to fund some supplies
7. ONGOING BUSINESS:
7.1 Entertainment 2026
- Team is working with Brad to utilize the 3rd Saturday of every month for entertainment
7.2 Funds available for Spending
- Discussion with council as to whether we could take some of the funds in a short-term GIC to earn interest. Concern from council that this may cause us to need to complete tax returns. Further investigation will be completed. Follow up: Ann to investigate.
7.3 Ice Cream Social
- Rec is doing a Strawberry social in July (Canada Day) and a Peach social in August
- Suggestion for council to support a social on July 18. Follow up: Barb to speak to Brad about this date.
8. NEW BUSINESS
8.1 Meet N Greet
- A Meet N Greet for new families is being held on Feb 22 @ 11 am
- Barb, Bruce and John will be onsite to support
8.2 Elections 2026
- Roles and responsibilities for executives were circulated
- Everyone please email Barb with your decision IF are or are not going to volunteer for a role OR if you would like to nominate someone else
8.3 Donation
- A donation was made to Family Council for the Garden Fund. This additional money will be utilized for benches and other items needed for the gardens.
9. REPORTS
9.1 Treasurer's report was reviewed and approved.
10. ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION
11. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 pm. Motion by Cindy and seconded by Christine.
Next meeting:
Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 6:30 pm
Place: In person @ Mohawk Room or via Zoom
Idlewyld Manor Family Council Meeting
APPROVED MINUTES
Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Mohawk Room and via Zoom
PRESENT: Barb Vacon, Cindy Allen, Margaret Figliola, Jack Graham, Denise Cusson, Elaine Armstrong, Vinzi Calder, Karen Vandermeulen, Mary Newman, Bruce Hamilton, Laura Buote, Rose Linton, Ann Bennett, Maryke Sluis, John Bouman
1. CALL TO ORDER: 6:31 pm
2. GUEST SPEAKERS: N/A
| Item | Motion | Moved By | Seconded By | Carried/Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Adoption of Agenda | Cindy | Jack | Motion Carried |
| 4 | Approval of Amended Minutes | Elaine | Vinzi | Motion Carried |
| 5 | Treasurer's Report | Margaret | Mary | Motion Carried |
6. CHAIR'S REMARKS:
6.1 Update from Management
- Bowls from staff gift baskets are in café and will be returned for use next year
- Food Drive will take toiletries and goes until end of January
- Resident's Survey is open - sent to residents & family/friends
- All About Me posters
- Not fully installed yet
- Challenge with tape being used but will resume installation next week
- Complaint Process
- Communication pathway for residents/family members was discussed
6.2 Ministry of Long-Term Care (MLTC) Inspection
- New process has been implemented where the chair of the Family Council and chair of the Residents Council will be engaged
- Barb received a call today about another critical incident that happened in the home and the MLTC investigating
- MLTC was onsite from Nov 26 - Dec 16 due to the last critical incident investigation. Results were posted today on the MLTC site.
7. ONGOING BUSINESS:
7.1 FCO Meeting
- Long-term Care Act being revised with a mandatory inspection of all homes yearly (Provincial Legislation)
- These will be proactive inspections and inspectors will show up without warning. These inspections will ensure compliance with all regulations. Inspectors are trained for between 6-9 months prior to completing any inspections
- MLTC hit their target of all homes inspected in 2025
- MLTC will be responsible to inform Family Council of findings
- Reactive inspections will occur within 2 days of critical incidents of being reported
- MLTC Complaint Line = 1-866-434-0144
- The Family Council can be used as a conduit to submit a complaint within the home. Family Council will escalate to management who must respond within 10 days.
- There is also a Patient Advocacy Ombudsmen with MLTC that can be contacted for complaints.
7.2 a. Volunteering Update
- Courses needed to complete for volunteering are intensive and do require time to complete. The time allocated is sometimes misleading.
- Some Family Council members are currently underway with course work.
b. Trugs
- Denise is currently taking a horticultural course and will use her learnings and volunteer time to engage residents in various gardening activities both indoors and out.
- This is VERY early stages in preparation but may also include a Garden Club.
7.3 Bake Sale
- Distribution of funds was discussed with the council.
- Motion by Mary to distribution 1/2 the money to the garden fund and 1/2 to Family Council. Seconded by Cindy. Motion approved.
7.4 Entertainment
- Entertainment has been booked for January and February.
- Motion moved by Cindy to allocate $2000 for 2026 to the Entertainment Committee for monthly performances. Seconded by Vinzi. Motion passed.
8. NEW BUSINESS
8.1 Elections 2026
- 2026 is an election year as last elections were done in February 2024. All positions are open for nominations or declaration of interest
- Laura will circulate the roles and responsibilities for the Executive Council. All Family Council members are eligible to nominate themselves for the various executive roles by sending an email to Barb outlining what role they would like.
8.2 Guest Speaker
- February Guest speaker will be Iso new Director of Nursing
- Council members to provide all list of questions for Iso to Laura
9. REPORTS
9.1 Treasurer's report was reviewed and approved.
10. ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION
- Activities for 2026:
- Donut day
- Ice Cream social - tentatively scheduled for August 16.
- Council to think of other potential activities and come to February's meeting prepared
11. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 pm. Motion by Karen and seconded by Laura.
Next meeting:
Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 6:30 pm
Place: In person @ Mohawk Room or via Zoom
IdleWyld Manor Familt Council Minutes - Jan 2026 (Download PDF)
Quality Council
Contact Family Council
At Family Council meetings we help each other, through staff representatives, to understand the long-term care, the roles, and responsibilities of staff members, and the day to day challenges at our Home. If you would like more information or would like to speak with one of our Family Council Representatives, please fill out the following form.
Your Family Council hosts “Take a Break” education sessions on long-term care, roles, and responsibilities of staff, and day-to-day challenges in our home.
- Why should I attend a Council Meeting?
- To meet leadership staff
- To learn more about plans, projects, and programs
- To give feedback and share concerns
- To ask questions and get answers
- To support others and to be supported
- Code of conduct – Family Council will:
- Respect all opinions and voices
- Uphold the goals of tolerance and understanding
- Listen respectfully and allow all voices to be heard
- Keep in mind the goals of our Family Council at all times
