Senior Transitions Made Simple

05/08/2025

It is truly an honor to mentor the next generation of social work professionals. Watching these six Social Service Worker students learn, grow, and develop their own unique style of care has been an incredible experience. Each of them brings something special to the table, and I couldn’t be prouder of their progress.

From day one, we wanted them to feel like a valued part of the team. They received their social work t-shirts, wore name tags, and embraced their roles with enthusiasm. We capped off their experience with a final celebration, a meaningful way to show just how much their presence mattered. Because celebrating these milestones is essential—it’s how we acknowledge growth, commitment, and the impact they’ve made.

Grateful to the long-term care home for trusting us with this opportunity to lead and supervise. A heartfelt thank you to the residents who opened their hearts, sharing their stories and allowing these students to learn through meaningful 1-on-1 visits.

And a big thank you to my dedicated team members who provided invaluable supervision and support, fostering a learning environment that empowers growth and confidence.

Investing in the future of social work means investing in the quality of care for our seniors. And that’s a mission I’m proud to stand behind.

03/14/2025

March is National Social Work Month! And Social Work is Everywhere.

In long-term care, social work is a steady presence in times of transition, loss, and change.

For individuals moving into long-term care, this is one of the biggest transitions of their lives, leaving behind their homes, their loved ones, their pets, and adjusting to communal living while facing the reality of declining health. For families, it’s navigating a system that is often overwhelming and filled with difficult decisions.

We are there. Social work is there. 💜

We bring both compassion and action, helping residents find meaning, supporting families through uncertainty, and ensuring that people are seen, heard, and supported.

I am incredibly grateful for the team we have built at Senior Transitions. Every day, we support each other, learn from each other, and grow together.

Together, we are better.

This Social Work Month, I’m proud to stand alongside my colleagues in long-term care. Together, we make a difference every day.

03/08/2025

Happy International Women’s Day! ✨💜

I am proud to come from a lineage of strong, determined women. My Nanny, Juantia Lester, fought for her place and the place of women in the farming community. In 1994 she was inducted into the Atlantic Agriculture Hall of Fame.

My Mom, Janet Lester built a successful accounting business while raising a young family. I believe she is currently engaged in her 45th year of income tax season, and told me on the phone today, "I'm going to try not to work on the weekends." 😆

Both of these ladies have shown resilience, leadership, and grit. They have always been incredibly dedicated to their family and community. They paved the way for me, and I am endlessly grateful. 💜

Thank you to the women who have taught me, led me, and stood by me.

While women have come so far, the work isn’t done. I carry this fight forward for my daughter and the next generation. Together, we will continue to rise. 💪

03/06/2025

🌟 Happy Social Work Week in Ontario! 🌟

Social workers play a vital role in long-term care, providing expertise in systems and programming, along with the psychosocial and instrumental supports that make a difference for residents and their families.

I’m incredibly proud of the social work team at Senior Transitions, the students we mentor, and the meaningful contributions we make in long-term care. Hearing feedback like this reaffirms why this work matters:

💬 “You, your team, and all of the students that you have brought to our home to learn about the amazing world of LTC have made such valuable contributions to our residents’ lives. Our staff, residents, and families just love the SW team. Thank you for all you do!” - LTC Administrator.

To all social workers in LTC and beyond, thank you for the essential work you do!

Because wherever you are, .

01/21/2025

🌟 Highlighting the Significance of Program Development in LTC Social Work 🌟

Recently, our team member Cindy delivered training on the Butterfly Program. The Butterfly Program was developed to fill a gap in psychosocial care for residents approaching end of life, experiencing declining health, and with low Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) scores. 🦋

Effective program development plays a pivotal role in crafting interventions that are not only relevant but also tailored to our specific resident population. It's crucial to approach program implementation with careful planning, considering various factors and possessing a specific skill set. Investing in program development skills is key to ensuring our interventions align with residents' requirements and lead to meaningful outcomes.

In the creation of the Butterfly Program, we undertook several essential steps:
- Conducted a thorough needs analysis in collaboration with the palliative quality team to pinpoint care gaps.
- Researched best practices for aiding individuals with declining PPS scores and approaching end of life.
- Evaluated our team members' competencies and preparedness to execute effective interventions.
- Established qualifying criteria to target those most in need of the program's services.
- Implemented standardized intake procedures to gather consistent and valuable resident information.
- Enforced safety protocols to deliver care securely and respectfully.
- Procured essential equipment and resources to support program implementation.
- Devised monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to gauge the program's effectiveness and impact.

The success of the Butterfly Program underscores the transformative impact of strategic program development on care outcomes, ensuring residents receive the support they need during challenging times.

Pictured: Team member Cindy, RSSW, providing training on the Butterfly Program.

01/08/2025

When I first started as a social worker in long-term care, I often felt like I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off. 🐓

My days were a blur—constantly being pulled in different directions, starting and ending in chaos. I barely had time to breathe, let alone reflect on whether
I was working toward a bigger vision. And honestly, I wasn’t taking care of myself either.

The result? I lacked focus in my role, felt disconnected from my purpose, and knew something had to change.

Over the years, I’ve learned the value of pausing to reflect, set intentional goals, and create habits that align with the kind of social worker I want to be—for the residents, the teams I work with, and myself.

That’s why I’m hosting the 2025 Vision Workshop: Elevating Social Work in LTC on January 16th at 12:30 PM EST.

This workshop is specifically for social work professionals in long-term care.

This workshop is about giving you the time and tools to:
✨ Reflect on what’s working (and what isn’t).
📖 Plan with focus and purpose using the Annual Planning & Visioning Workbook.
🎯 Set goals that align with your vision for your role and resident care.

If you’re tired of feeling scattered or overwhelmed in your work, this is your chance to start 2025 with clarity and intention.

💻 Register now: https://bit.ly/3OITSLs

You don’t have to stay stuck in the chaos. Let’s work together to elevate social work in LTC—and make this your most impactful year yet.

12/24/2024

🎄 Home for the Holidays 🎄

After a 2000km journey with two kids and a dog, we’ve made it to my parents’ kitchen table—a place that holds so much love and countless memories. There truly is no place like home for the holidays.

This season reminds me of the importance of family, recharging, and filling your heart with what matters most. When we take the time to show up as our best selves in our personal lives, we naturally bring that energy into our work and everything we do.

So, this week, let’s pause, recharge, and focus on the connections that make life meaningful.

Wishing you and yours a holiday season full of love, joy, and rest. Happy Holidays! 🎁✨

12/09/2024

✨ Exciting Changes for 2025 ✨

As we look ahead to the new year, we want to share an important update about Senior Transitions Made Simple (STMS).

With our responsibilities in long-term care settings continuing to grow, we have made the difficult decision to discontinue our private client services by the end of 2024. This change allows us to focus fully on our new mission:

🌟 Our work is twofold:
👵 Providing personalized care to LTC residents, addressing their unique needs, and promoting holistic well-being.
🤝 Empowering social workers in LTC through guidance, professional development, and resources to ensure they have the tools to excel.

💡 You may notice changes to this page as we align our content with this new direction. You're always welcome to follow along, but we understand if this no longer serves your needs.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we take this exciting next step toward enhancing social work excellence in senior care. 💙

11/11/2024

Today, on Remembrance Day, we honour the sacrifices of those who served and continue to serve our country. 🇨🇦 For many of the seniors we work with, the impact of wartime trauma and loss is a chapter in their lives that remains deeply felt, echoing through generations. Their resilience inspires us, reminding us of the high cost of freedom. 🕊️

But we know that the struggles are ongoing for many veterans, service members, and their families. Physical and emotional wounds from service can be lifelong, and the journey toward healing and peace often spans decades. ❤️‍🩹

Let us remember, not only today but every day, the strength and dedication of these individuals and their loved ones. May we strive to create a world where their sacrifices are honoured through compassionate care, meaningful support, and a commitment to understanding the enduring effects of trauma.

07/26/2024

Great news!

News Green light to build unit at Meadowview July 25, 2024 69 Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Linkedin ReddIt Email Print Meadowview Villa, Petrolia Heather Wright/The Independent Four years after it was first proposed, construction of ‘small home’ for seniors with dementia in Lambton has be...

07/22/2024

🌿✨ It has been wonderful being involved in our Intergenerational Horticulture Program. The smiles on the kids’ and seniors' faces have been magical. 🌞👵👧

It's heartwarming to watch these kids come into the home, eagerly seeking out their partners from the previous week. They have been incredibly helpful, caring, and kind. 💕🌸

This program is a refreshing reminder of the joy that can bloom when we connect generations. 🌺🌼

07/15/2024

The St. Joseph's Hospice is a wonderful resource. You don’t have to struggle through grief alone, they can help!