GEM Health Care Group, Halifax, NS (2026)

02/21/2026

GEM Health Care is built on people, people with different backgrounds, cultures, stories, and paths that brought them here. Those differences help us learn from one another and create places where everyone feels welcome. This month, we’re sharing one of those stories through Sandeep Kaur from Melville Gardens.

Sandeep Kaur has been part of the Melville Gardens team for two years, working as a Recreation Programmer. She was born in Haryana, India, and raised in a Punjabi Sikh family before moving to Canada in 2021 to study Fitness and Health Promotion.

Sandeep discovered the field of recreation during a placement at a long-term care home while she was still a student. Until then, she hadn’t realized recreation was a career path. By her second internship, she knew it was the right fit. What stood out to her was the opportunity to create meaningful programs, adapt activities, and build genuine connections with residents.

Since joining GEM Health Care, Sandeep has continued to grow in her role, developing leadership skills, learning on the job, and maintaining a strong sense of professionalism. One of her proudest accomplishments is building a career in recreation in Canada and seeing residents engaged in programs shaped by their feedback.

Sandeep’s cultural background plays an important role in how she approaches her work. Values like respect, kindness, integrity, and giving back to the community guide how she interacts with residents and colleagues, and how she creates inclusive programs. She enjoys sharing food, talking about cultural festivals, and learning about other cultures with her team, helping create a welcoming workplace.

Outside of work, Sandeep enjoys spending time with family, watching movies, listening to music and podcasts, exploring new places, and going for walks. One of her favourite memories at GEM was helping plan and lead Resident Week, where creative themes and strong teamwork led to strong resident engagement.

What Sandeep enjoys most about her role is creating monthly calendars and leading programs across all wellness areas, especially seated yoga and exercise. She also values the respectful and supportive team environment at Melville Gardens, where she feels comfortable sharing ideas and being herself. Looking ahead, Sandeep plans to pursue further education in the healthcare field while continuing her career in recreation.

Her advice for anyone starting out in the field is simple, enjoy what you do, be open to feedback, and remember that recreation is about creating meaningful experiences and connections.

Thank you, Sandeep, for your dedication to care and for enriching our Melville Gardens community!

02/20/2026

The Melville Garden's community was excited to welcome back the Hope for Wildlife team last week for a visit with three memorable animal ambassadors: Picchu the chinchilla, Barbosa the barred owl, and Waffles the wood turtle.

Through stories and hands-on learning, residents and staff had the chance to hear more about wildlife rehabilitation and conservation. Brooklynn shared how injured and orphaned animals are rescued, cared for, and, whenever possible, returned to their natural habitats, along with the challenges many native species face.

Each animal brought something different to the visit. Picchu’s calm nature (and very soft fur) helped explain how some animals come to live alongside people. Barbosa drew plenty of attention with her curious personality and striking appearance, while Waffles helped highlight the realities turtles face in the wild, including habitat loss and road safety.

These special visits are always a highlight and are enjoyed by all. The work the Hope for Wildlife team does to rehabilitate animals and educate communities continues to leave a lasting impact on everyone who takes part.

02/20/2026

Thank you to Rockingstone Heights Elementary for making beautiful handmade Valentine's cards for the residents at Melville Lodge. This has become an annual tradition that never fails to bring smiles to the facility's residents.

In addition to the cards, the community also celebrated the day with a Valentine's social with Nanaimo bars and trivia! 💝

02/20/2026

The team at Melville Gardens are all-stars when it comes to supporting residents. As part of the February Melville Gardens feature, we’re excited to celebrate Ravanjot Garcha, RN, and Spirit Award nominee, whose warmth, dedication, and leadership make her an incredible asset to Melville Gardens.

From her first days at Melville Gardens, Ravanjot has shown a genuine commitment to caring for residents through her clinical skills and her kindness and compassion.

Ravanjot’s journey displays professional and personal growth. She’s always eager to learn, open to feedback, and willing to help others, whether she’s guiding new staff, supporting international nurses, or offering comfort to families during tough times.

As a Palliative Champion and an active member of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, Ravanjot goes beyond her duties to make everyone feel valued and supported. She truly leads by example, showing us what it means to care deeply for others.

Thank you, Ravanjot, for your empathy, integrity, and the support you bring to our team every day. We’re so grateful to have you in the Melville Gardens community and proud to recognize your Spirit Award nomination!

02/19/2026

Love and friendship were in the air at Yarmouth Heights during their Valentine's Day masquerade tea party! ☕ 🫖 ❤️

02/19/2026

In celebration of Recreation Therapy Month and as a continuation of our Melville Gardens feature, we are pleased to share insights into the facility's daily RT programming.

The team at Melville Gardens employs Montessori-based approaches designed for adults, emphasizing independence, choice, and dignity, particularly for residents living with dementia, cognitive changes, or physical disabilities. Their goal is straightforward: to support individuals in what they can do and help them remain engaged in meaningful ways.

The team also offers busy boards, fidget boards, muffs, and blankets, which can help alleviate anxiety and restlessness for some residents. While these tools may seem small, they have been effective in fostering a sense of comfort and calm.

Thank you to the Melville Gardens team for executing programming that prioritizes creating a settled, capable, and connected environment rather than adhering to rigid schedules or checklists. The impact you have on our residents' lives is immeasurable and deserves the highest recognition.

02/17/2026

Having communities filled with kind and fun-loving residents is one of the best aspects of GEM. In light of this, our next Melville Gardens feature will highlight another beloved resident, Marion Hagne!

Going back to the very beginning, Marion was born and raised in Birch River, a small town in northern Manitoba, and is the youngest of four children, with one brother and two sisters. Her father was originally from Scotland, and her mother was born in Ontario.

From a young age, Marion loved being outdoors and wasn’t afraid of hard work. She spent a lot of time helping her father on the family farm and often joked that she was his “second son” because of how hands-on she was.

As a teenager, Marion moved to Ottawa, where she met her future husband while living with one of his relatives. They shared more than 50 years of marriage and raised four children together. In 2002, Marion and her husband moved to the Halifax area.

Over the years, Marion worked in a variety of roles, including at a meat processing plant, on the family farm, and as a nursing aide in a hospital. After completing Grade 12 and a one-year homemaking course, she later focused her time on being a dedicated homemaker.

Marion has always enjoyed travelling and took many long road trips throughout Canada and the United States. Along the way, she collected souvenir spoons from each province, which she proudly displayed at home. She is also a proud grandmother of two and has always had a special fondness for animals, especially cats and dogs.

Today, Marion enjoys Bingo, ring toss, target games, and working on jigsaw puzzles. She also likes spending time watching TV, especially curling and tennis.

Marion brings great energy and spirit every day and is a pleasure to have in our Melville Gardens community!

02/14/2026

Next up in our February Melville Gardens resident feature, we’re thrilled to introduce Helen “Marjorie” Gebhardt, who has been living at Melville Gardens since January 2024.

Marjorie grew up in Ontario and later moved to Hubbards, Nova Scotia, at the age of 76 with her daughter and son-in-law. During this time, she enjoyed quiet walks, getting to know her neighbours, and the pace of life in a small coastal community.

Throughout her life, Marjorie worked in a variety of roles, including grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, as a homemaker, and in both a government factory and a lunch bar. It was while working at a restaurant that she met her husband, who would stop in while driving the owner’s family to church. They married when she was 21 and raised three children, two sons and a daughter. Today, Marjorie is a grandmother to three and a great-grandmother to seven!

At Melville Gardens, Marjorie is known for her friendly, social nature and her regular participation in recreation programs. She enjoys playing cards, bowling, singing sessions, word searches, seated yoga, and special events.

Many residents and team members recognize Marjorie by the sound of her piano playing, which adds a familiar and comforting presence throughout the community. In addition to music, she also enjoys following her favourite sports teams, the Toronto Blue Jays and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Marjorie is a wonderful addition to our Melville Gardens community, and our team is happy to share their days with her!

02/13/2026

Residents at Yarmouth Heights are busy getting their masks ready for the Valentine’s Day Masquerade Ball.

There’s a lot of focus and creativity as they decorate, share ideas, and get excited for the celebration ahead!

02/13/2026

On a wintery afternoon, Crystal McCormack, RN at Yarmouth Heights, and her family stepped outside and built snow people where residents could see them from their rooms and the dining room.

Residents watched from inside as the snow people came together, following their construction and decoration.

Thank you, Crystal and family, for taking the time to do something kind for residents on such a cold day.

02/12/2026

The next resident we would like to highlight in our Melville Gardens facility feature is Joan Grant, who has been a central part of the community for 16 years.

Joan Grant, or “Joanie,” as most people here know her, grew up in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, as the only girl among five brothers. As a kid, she and her brother would walk the railway tracks collecting coal that fell from passing trains to help heat their home.

Later, while raising her four children in Toronto, Joanie had a way of making everyday life fun and special. A deck of cards, a game of Crazy 8s, or a neighbourhood baseball game was all it took. During this time, she earned the nickname “Mickey Mom” because she had no problem hitting a ball clean into the outfield!

Aside from her athleticism, Joanie is known for her great sense of humour, kindness to all, and love for animals. This especially shines through when the Pet Therapy dogs are at the facility.

Joanie is described as one of those people who make a place feel lighter just by being there, and we are honoured to have her in our community.

02/10/2026

First up for our February Melville Gardens feature, we’re happy to introduce you to resident John Way, whose life and career have taken him from the UK to Canada and well beyond.

John was born in Wales and raised between England and Wales alongside his sister. He studied architecture at the University of Cardiff before serving two years in the British Royal Army, where he was stationed in Egypt.

In 1957, after marrying in England, John moved to Canada and settled in Halifax. He and his wife raised four children, all of whom now live in Australia. Today, John is a grandfather to eight grandchildren and a great-grandfather to one.

John spent much of his career as an architect, working in private practice on universities, theatres, and hospital buildings. One of his most notable projects was the conversion of a former movie theatre into Neptune Theatre. He later became Head of Restoration with Parks Canada, overseeing historic sites across Atlantic Canada, and worked in Provincial Public Architecture.

Forty-one years ago, John married his wife Brenda, whom he met while working at Parks Canada. Together, they enjoyed sailing, camping, and spending time outdoors. John also enjoyed road trips in his Volkswagen camper, visiting family in Australia and the UK, and travelling on organized trips, including river cruises through China, Russia, and Europe. Closer to home, summers at his cottage in Pugwash and quiet drives to watch sailboats at the Di**le have always been favourites.

Now living at Melville Gardens, John keeps busy attending music events, taking part in physical activities, and spending time painting.

Thank you, John, for choosing the Melville Gardens community as part of the next chapter of your already extraordinary life!

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