News Items
If you think you have the coronavirus, or have been in close contact with someone who has, use this self assessment tool: Ontario Government covid-19 self assessment tool
October 22, 2020 – Anxiety reducing smart watch pilot project comes to CLC
CLC is participating in a pilot project by Awake Labs, developers of a technology that helps people with developmental disabilities manage anxiety. They have designed a software system that uses a smart watch worn by the person experiencing anxiety, and a mobile device for caregivers to monitor real-time stress indicators. The watch measures their physiological state, including anxiety. The app alerts the staff when there is heightened anxiety.
The pilot project was launched this week, with 12 of our participants. The software uses a Samsung smart watch and corresponding iPods to communicate with the smart watches, worn by designated participants.
Stress is often a precursor to other behaviour like agitation and aggression. Anxiety is a really hard thing to observe in someone else because there often aren’t any signs until it has progressed to an outward behaviour. Early intervention is most effective, which is where this technology earns its recognition.
The watch measures strong emotions, both positive and negative, like excitement, fear and anxiety. The app uses an algorithm developed by scientists at Holland Bloorview Hospital, calculating heart rate and motion to score those emotions as normal, low, medium, or high. When an emotion increases, a notification is sent to the caregivers mobile device. This helps reduce the number of stress related incidents, and minimize behavioural incidents.
October 19, 2020 – Welcome managers, Jamie Hall and Miguel Martinez
We would like to extend a warm welcome to Jamie Hall and Miguel Martinez.
Jamie Hall is the new Human Resources Manager and brings with him over 13 years of progressive experience from the sectors of high tech, manufacturing and healthcare. Before joining CLC, Jamie held the role of Human Resources Business Partner with the Wellington Health Care Alliance and previously with Canadian Solar Solutions. Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, Jamie will be responsible for providing support in labour/employee relations, coordinate the disability management process, and lead the health, safety and wellness function.
Miguel Martinez joins as the new Manager of Specialized Services–Health & Wellbeing. Miguel’s background includes training and working as a medical doctor and general surgeon. Miguel has held roles as a surgical director, a general physician and a professor. Miguel is currently a registered practical nurse and for the last eight years, he has worked with WellPoint Health Ltd. Reporting to the Director of Residential Supports, Miguel’s responsibilities will include responding to all organizational needs related to the personal health and wellbeing needs of participants, either in person or by phone calls from staff seeking direction in situations relating to health, ISPs, Care Plans, serious occurrences and incident reports.
Please join us in welcoming Jamie and Miguel to Community Living Cambridge and wishing them all the success in their new roles.
July 22, 2020
Update from the COVID Recovery Team regarding visitors
July 13, 2020 – Community Gardens at Franklin Centre
The community garden at Franklin Centre is a labour of love. It was designed, built and now facilitated by CLC staff for our community families and group homes. Jonathan and Joanne built the garden itself and the residential folks planted it over the course of the last two months. It went from a random patch of grass to a beautiful, peaceful place to come and enjoy.
The vegetable garden has been planted with corn, two types of squash, beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, pumpkins, watermelon and peppers. There is also an herb and sensory garden. In this garden you are able to engage all five of your senses with the garden. There is therapeutic moss to walk on in bare feet, there are herbs to touch and to eat. There are flowers, sunflowers, wind chimes, a bug and butterfly house, hummingbird feeders, and everyone’s favourite, a “sensitive plant’ which you’ll have to come and see for yourself why it gets its’ name.
May 28, 2020
COVID-19 Update from Cindy Mackay Musso
March 16, 2020
Important update regarding day programs at Community Living Cambridge:
Effective immediately, all programming at the Franklin Centre and ADP will be temporarily suspended.
All Passport related activities and outings are also cancelled, as well as all community recreation events.
Employment and volunteer supports will be modified. Job coaches will be in contact.
We are really sorry for any inconvenience this causes. Our number one priority is the health, safety and well-being of our staff and participants.
Please continue to monitor our social media outlets as we will post regular communications and updates here.
Thank you.
March 5, 2020
Cambridge Santa Claus Parade – November 15th
A huge shout out to AMJ Campbell for making it possible for CLC to participate in the Cambridge Santa Claus Parade. This is the 5th consecutive year that AMJ Campbell has generously sponsored CLC in the Santa Claus Parade, providing the truck, driver, supplies and hours and hours of preparation work so the floats can look as amazing as they have. Well done everyone!
The theme this year was the Nightmare Before Christmas and everyone on the float and walking alongside were dressed as elves. The costumes were fantastic and fortunately the weather was better than past years, a little chilly, but at least no one got rained on.
A Visit with Therapy Dogs
We had a little visitor, named Willow at North Lodge today. Thank you to her handler, Debbie for sharing the puppy love with us today
