Lynn Valley Care Centre
1070 Lynn Valley Road V7J1Z8 North Vancouver, BC, Canada

Bunnies, and eggs, and sprinkles - oh my! We're getting into the Easter spirit with some colourful baking that our residents are sure to enjoy.

"We are one year into the global outbreak of COVID-19, but at the Lynn Valley Care Centre, we remember it like it was yesterday." In this northshorenews opinion piece, our LVCC Director Noori Shahkar reflects on the pandemic's toll on frontline staff, reveals how our mindsets and protocols have changed, and shares plans for a special memorial dedicated to loved ones lost to the pandemic.

Happy (belated) St Patrick's Day to all of our residents, staff, and families! Last week, we painted the town green with some Shamrock Cookies, and Irish Beef Stew with Guinness and Dumplings on top. Aren't we a lucky bunch?

Happy International Women's Day to all the incredible women residents, staff and families who make the Lynn Valley Care Centre feel like home.

On March 5, exactly one year ago today, our Lynn Valley Care Centre became the first care home in Canada to be faced with the COVID-19 pandemic. Short-staffed and under duress, the team at LVCC performed bravely. Today, our Director Noori Shahkar reflects on the lessons the pandemic has taught us: "Someday we might celebrate the end of the pandemic, but only when we can finally put the masks and goggles away. With all of our residents vaccinated, we look forward to that day.

To the heroes who have gone, and to the brave men and women who lived to tell the tale... We Remember.

Rain or shine, our group gardening club is a weekly fixture for our green-thumbed residents. We're already looking forward to getting more evergreen and house plants that we can maintain during the autumn and winter months. (And to learning more about gardening from our in-house pros, of course!)

Happy Healthcare Aide Day! We know firsthand the incredible impact care aides make day in and day out. Today we honour all the women and men who provide front-line care, continued independence, and heartfelt advocacy for our residents and loved ones. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!

We got in the Halloween spirit over the weekend Our in-house chef Sam baking these ghoulish delights, while Jin painstakingly decorated each unique one. Creepy, delicious, and a whole lot of fun for our Lynn Valley residents!

A couple times week, we host a group gardening club. As it turns out, our residents have taught the staff more about gardening and really taken over the program... like the time one lady stood up from her chair, pointed to the plants and pots, and told the staff, "You get me the equipment and I'll teach you how to plant!"

Turns out more than a few of our residents have a green thumb and the proof is in our patio garden! These fresh veggies and fruits made it into our shared meals all summer long.

Good morning! We can't not smile at a view like this. (Couldn't resist sharing it either.)

Happy belated Thanksgiving from our Lynn Valley Family to yours! Our seniors enjoyed getting together for a festive lunch, complete with turkey, cranberries and pumpkin pie. Yum! A great big THANK YOU to all the dedicated staff, local organizations, loving families, and one-of-kind residents that make Lynn Valley the incredible place that it is. We couldn't have made it through this year without this community of support.

We recently renovated our Garden Room and we're so happy with the results! This garden-side space is now a movie-lover's paradise, with film posters, old cameras, a library, a cozy movie-watching set-up and, best of all, resident film-lovers who make the most of it!

Did you know... Senior's Care Centres aren't just for long-term care. Sometimes, after a hospitalization, an accident or when a usual caregiver is on vacation, caring for an elderly senior at your home can be challenging. That's where our short-term professional nursing care comes in here for you when you need it!

Lunch is served! Our residents enjoying some fresh tomato soup, grilled cheese sandwiches with pickles, tea and dessert... and each others company (at a safe distance, of course)!

Social time is great, but sometimes a little quiet time with a friend is even better. Our Care Centre is full of serene spaces and cozy corners where avid readers like Irene can enjoy some fresh air, sit back, and relax.

Stroll around the grounds until you feel at home... Our gardens are a veritable breath of fresh air! Fun fact: Our brand new artificial lawn ensures the grass stays mowed, clean and green all year along!

Who doesn't love a weekly movie matinee?! Recently, our residents had a good laugh at "Little Rascals" with some popcorn snacks and refreshments, of course!

Recognize this smiling face? Its our very own Resident Family Visit Assistant, Jerome Santos. If your loved one is expecting a visitor, you can bet Jerome will be on hand to ensure everything goes smoothly. Thanks, Jerome!

Over the last few months, weve adapted a different pace of life, learning to see things from a new perspective and to appreciate the beauty in our midst. Our various flowers and plants, windows and skylights, make finding little moments of joy that much easier.

This Tuesday, our resident puzzle-master Evelyn and her helper Elena were up for a challenge. The duo enjoyed some fresh air and mountain views on our patio while working on their masterpiece...until every last piece was in!

Happy 65th anniversary to Charles and Joy! When this gentleman stopped by our Care Centre with a gorgeous "rainbow bouquet" in hand, we knew it was a very special occasion. Charles and and his wife Joy met 79 years ago, when he was just a 12-year-old boy looking for a girl to take to the Grade 9 formal. His mom suggested he ask the nice gal from church, and the rest is history. In their six and a half decades together, Charles and Joy have travelled the world, and enjoyed kids and grandchildren, before Joy joined us at Lynn Valley Care Centre. All the best to you both!

After a serious health injury or surgery, many seniors need rehabilitation services, such as physical therapy and nursing care, to help them recover. Here's how to determine the best location for a loved one to recover from home care, to assisted living, to nursing care.

Physical distancing shouldnt mean complete isolation. Were happy to see our residents spend safely-distanced social time in our rec rooms, patio areas, and dining spaces. Were in it together.

Home is where the heart is. These cozy, crochet hearts strung all across our entryway make us feel so loved!

Happy 101st Birthday to this young lady! Our very own "Queen of Lonsdale" has been sporting her snazzy outfits, floral hats, and fun-loving personality for years around town. Born in 1919, in the midst of the Spanish Flu, Sheila has braved not one but two global pandemics. Today she enjoys daily calls and regular visits from her kids and grandkids, as well as her favourite colour yellow. A day before her August 15th birthday, Sheilas son Gary surprised her with some gorgeous flowers (yup, yellow!), a lovely card and balloon, some celebratory cookies, and a banana (a beloved treat). It wasnt the big birthday celebration shed had in years past, but you can bet that Sheila was still treated like a queen!

Does your loved one have a birthday, anniversary, or special celebration coming up? Call to schedule an in-person visit (Mon - Fri from 9am - 5pm) in our designated visitor area!

Recognize this smiling face? It's our very own Resident Family Visit Assistant, Jerome Santos. If your loved one is expecting a visitor, you can bet Jerome will be on hand to ensure everything goes smoothly. Thanks, Jerome!

Happy 75th Birthday to Heather! A VJ Day Baby, Heather was born right as World War II ended. Today, she enjoys gardening, eating healthy, and celebrating the achievements of her two kids and two grandkids. She also loves animals, and even received a "pandemic scrapbook" filled with cute photos of the family dog. We caught up with Heather relaxing in the garden, eagerly awaiting her daughter and a celebratory strawberry cheesecake. Heathers words of advice for a life well-lived? "Just live happy and give happiness onto your kids." We couldnt agree more!

Lynn Valley Care Center is committed to providing our residents with outstanding and compassionate care in a safe and home-like environment. With 139 government-subsidized beds and 65 private-pay rooms and suites, we offer intermediate care, extended (complex care), palliative care, and end-of-life care.

Weve always loved bringing the outdoors inside and never has that been more important for our residents than over the last few months. Thats why our rooms, commons areas, and favourite reading nooks include little touches of greenery. So refreshing!

Its been three months since the Lynn Valley Care Centre has been COVID-free a testament to our tireless staff, supportive families, and the VCH COVID-19 quick-response team. And to our community: Thank You For All Your Love!

From garden to table! Many of our residents love spending time in our rooftop herb garden and theres nothing quite as satisfying as seeing the results on our plates. Pictured: Our in-house chef Sam serving up a delicious lunch, Leek Flowers, and more!

Thank you to Mulgrave School for spreading the love with a whole cartload of beautiful flowers. In these unusual times, were thrilled to be able to enjoy the colours and smells of the outdoors, inside.

Its BBQ season, and were serving up grilled teriyaki salmon, seasonal vegetables and house-made fresh fruit tarts. Special thanks to our cook and grill master, Sam, for keeping our residents happy and healthy!

Is it weird to say Thank You for the Thank Yous? This last few months, weve definitely felt the overwhelming support of our community. Each and every one of your notes has made our hard-working frontline staff feel appreciated and determined to continue to provide the best care possible.

Hand-drawn treasures from some of our youngest family members and community supporters! Our residents cant get enough of these imaginative stories, fun colouring, and fabulous pictures. Keep em coming!

A message big enough to be seen by each of our residents from their windows, and heartwarming enough to continue to inspire us every day.

See that little black circle in the top right corner? Thats our high-end thermal camera, which checks all of our visitors for fevers instantly and accurately. Its just one of the many ways in which were protecting our residents and staff every day.

Were still admiring these gorgeous roses from Symphonie Des Roses, dropped off for our resident moms on Mothers Day. This year, each of our mothers received her own giant blue rose, said to last for over a year. (And with so much floral love to go around, we were able to sneak some to many of our non-mom residents, too.) Thank you!

Nothing lifts the spirits like a rainbow on a rainy day. Over the last few months, our space has transformed with beautiful notes and drawings from our community. Were proud to hang and display each and ever one!

We couldnt do what we do without incredible staff that go above and beyond, like our very own care aide Amy Dalton: "We all took on responsibilities outside of our job description and we did it while putting ourselves at risk in order to provide the best care possible to our residents...We know our residents as well as and sometimes better than our own families."

Take a peek at our designated visitor area! Were happy to share that, in compliance with BC Health recommendations, our residents can now see a single visitor at a time. To book a visit (Mon - Fri only, from 9am - 5pm) call in advance to make an appointment, and prepare to wear a face mask and have your temperature checked by our infrared thermometers on the day of. Well be keeping you updated about further easing of restrictions as we learn more from the Ministry of Health.

Thank you Hillside church for your support

Performance by Sonia Marie.

Fathers Day Celebration

Fathers Day Brunch

Thank you Vera burger shack for supporting our heroes

Our arts and crafts program was a success.

In recognition to our everyday HEROES