GEM Health Care Group

04/13/2026

This weekend, Yarmouth Heights successfully held its third Toonie & Accessories Sale!

This DEIA initiative enables residents to shop for clothing from the comfort of their own homes, offering private shopping time for residents and staff before the event opens to the public. The sale provides a fun and creative way to raise funds that support recreational activities for residents.

The event would not have been possible without the support of volunteers Louise Salvatin and Tanya Deviller, as well as recreation therapist Madison Hodgins for coordinating the event, and Jason Melanson for his assistance with storage and transportation.

Thank you to everyone who donated clothing in the recent months! Your generosity is greatly appreciated by the community.

04/13/2026

Residents of Yarmouth Heights enjoyed a fantastic performance from a group of local line dancers. They were even fortunate enough to learn some of their moves! The community had a ball and can't wait for their next visit.

04/12/2026

Our first feature in the April Melville Heights series is the warm and welcoming Joyce Johnston!

Five years ago, Joyce walked through the doors of Melville Heights, and residents and team members have been smiling ever since.

As the community’s administrative assistant, Joyce is the first face you see at Melville Heights, and she makes sure that first impression counts.

With over 30 years of experience from her career at Nova Scotia Power, she brings warmth and professionalism to the front lobby, truly setting the tone for all the special things that take place at the home.

Joyce, we're so grateful to have you sharing your positive and bright energy with the community. Here's to five amazing years and many more to come!

04/10/2026

We would like to provide an update regarding the ongoing provincial labour negotiations involving CUPE - The Canadian Union of Public Employees. We have been notified that a legal work stoppage is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 13th, at 7:00 a.m. at several long-term care facilities across Nova Scotia, including our own locations at Whitehills Long Term Care Centre in Hammonds Plains and the Admiral Long Term Care Centre in Dartmouth.

Our Residents Are Our Priority:
While we navigate this provincial labour dispute, we have established an Essential Services Agreement with CUPE to ensure core care continues without interruption. This will be further supported by other current non-striking team members in our facilities.

We will continue to welcome families and friends with open arms. To respect the privacy of all residents and adhere to our essential services protocols, we ask that visitors focus their support specifically on their own family members or loved ones during their visit. While you may see picketing near our entrances, we want you to know that access to our facilities for visitors and families will always remain open and unobstructed.

We recognize the important bond between our team and our residents, and we remain hopeful that a fair and mutually beneficial resolution will be reached quickly between the Union and the Province. As these parties work through the collective bargaining process, GEM remains committed to the health, safety, and comfort of our residents.

We appreciate your patience and trust in us as we work through this period together. We will continue to share updates as new information becomes available.

04/10/2026

Yesterday, Yarmouth Heights recognized Vimy Ridge Day.

The anniversary reminds us of the courage and sacrifice of Canadians during the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917, an important moment in our nation’s history that helped shape Canada’s identity.

The community was especially honoured to celebrate the veterans who call Yarmouth Heights home. Their bravery, strength, and dedication to our country continue to inspire us every day.

Thank you to all who have served and to the legacy you have shared with all of us.

Lest we forget.

04/09/2026

This month, we're featuring Melville Heights, one of our retirement and assisted living communities that has made a name for itself in caring for its residents and helping them feel at home.

At Melville Heights, the focus is on giving residents the freedom to enjoy their day however they want. Some spend time walking the landscaped paths or heading out on local outings, while others prefer a quieter afternoon catching up with friends in the games room. The building itself overlooks the Northwest Arm and the Armdale Yacht Club, offering stunning views year-round.

The community’s suites are designed to feel like home, with full kitchens, spacious living areas, and walk-in closets. It’s independent living with support close by when it’s needed. Family and friends are always welcome to drop in for tea, stay for dinner, or book one of the guest rooms for an overnight stay.

There's a lot to look forward to at Melville Heights this month! The team has a fun lineup of activities and events planned, including a pizza party for both staff and residents, a birthday celebration for April residents, live music every Friday, crafts on the weekends, and movies to round out the week.

When asked what they’re most proud of at Melville Heights, the team collectively agreed that it is the quality time spent with residents.

The activities planned aren't just a box to tick off the list. They're where authentic connections happen and where the community truly comes alive. Every moment spent together is a reminder to the team of why this work matters so much.

To learn more about what Melville Heights has to offer, see the video below:

Enjoy a 4K virtual tour of Melville Heights Retirement Residence in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Shot and edited by Mosy Photography

04/08/2026

April 8 is the International Day of Pink, a day when people wear pink as a representation of support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

At its core, the day is about treating everyone with respect, speaking up for others, and working together to create a more inclusive and accepting world. It also reminds us how important it is to foster spaces where people feel safe, accepted, and valued for who they are.

At GEM, we recognize this responsibility and hold ourselves accountable to these values. Whether you are a resident or a team member, everyone deserves a positive, inclusive environment in our communities.

To learn more about the 2026 theme “ECHO”, visit: https://www.dayofpink.org/en/home

04/02/2026

The Easter Bunny hopped by Yarmouth Heights again today to spread more Easter cheer and, of course, chocolate treats! 🍫🐰

04/01/2026

More Easter festivities from Yarmouth Heights: Arts and crafts edition! 🐣🎨🌷

04/01/2026

Yarmouth Heights had a special visitor hopping around the community 🐰

The Easter Bunny made a surprise visit to spread some springtime cheer and hand out sweet treats to residents and staff. They even hopped into bingo, giving the activity a festive twist with a touch of Easter magic!

As always, thank you to everyone who helped make the day special 💛🌷

03/31/2026

When our team members share their cultural values within our facilities, it becomes a true strength by enhancing the care we provide and helping us create welcoming spaces for everyone.

Jennifer Cabrera and Marvin Faraon from Yarmouth Heights exemplify this spirit. Jen serves as a CCA, and Marvin is a valued member of our housekeeping team, though he’s also quick to lend a hand in maintenance and dietary whenever needed. Both have been devoted members of the GEM family for two years.

For Jen, working with the elderly is more personal than “just a job”. “Working in a home feels like I’m taking care of my own grandparents,”

Marvin shares Jen’s feelings, and over the past two years, he has gained experience in multiple departments, continually finding new ways to show compassion in his work.

The pair is proud to bring their Filipino roots into their daily work. They were raised believing that caring for elders is a sign of respect and honour and that blood relations don’t matter.

Beyond their roles at GEM, Jen enjoys cooking and baking for her family, staying active at the gym, and cherishing time with loved ones. Marvin, meanwhile, is always eager to learn and help out, whether mastering new maintenance skills or supporting colleagues in other departments.

Looking ahead, Jen aspires to further her nursing career, while Marvin plans to advance his skills by pursuing a trade course.

When asked what advice they’d give to someone starting in this field, they shared: “Work with passion and heart. Caring for the elderly is rewarding when you know you’ve given your best.”

Anyone who has seen these two in action can tell that they care. They show up for residents day in and day out, no matter what. Team members like Jen and Marvin make us proud and give us confidence that our core values are alive and well throughout our organization.

A round of applause for Jennifer and Marvin for their exceptional work at Yarmouth Heights!

03/30/2026

For the next resident highlight in the Yarmouth Heights series, we will be sharing the story of Charles Campbell.

Charles’ life has taken him from the coal mills to bus routes, and military training grounds across Canada and beyond. He started out working for a year at the mills in eastern Nova Scotia before joining the Infantry Organization of Canada, where he spent more than two decades as a military instructor. His service allowed him to see much of the country and parts of the world.

Afterward, he wanted to continue making an impact on the community and took on a new role as a supervisor of pupil transportation, ensuring school buses ran safely and on time.

Alongside his work, he built a lovely family, raising three children, two sons and a daughter, with his wife.

Now at Yarmouth Heights, Charles is always appreciative of the care he receives from the team. His unique and admirable experiences, stories, and steady outlook are appreciated and respected amongst the community.

Thank you, Charles, for everything you have brought not only to Yarmouth Heights but also to our country. It is a pleasure and honour to have you as a community member.