Glen Haven creates “Hooga Nook”

NEW GLASGOW, N.S. — NEW GLASGOW, N.S. – Glen Haven Manor has an innovative new resource available for staff that is connected to an overall approach towards providing outstanding quality care, which is called Hygge. 
Hygge is a progressive long-term care concept that representatives of Glen Haven learned about when taking part in a Healthy Aging Tour last fall. It is an experience that is core to the Danish way to live well and fundamental to how they deliver continuing care and is an uplifting way of being that comes from warmth, comfort and taking time to “stop and smell the roses”. 
For Glen Haven, Hygge also means offering ways to support and appreciate the team members that are required to provide exceptional quality care around the clock, 24-7.
In a small, calming, mauve-coloured room, located at the bottom level of the long-term care facility, is a place which staff can now go for a bit of time to rejuvenate. Inside is a Nordic Wellness Chair along with soft electric candle lighting.
“The Nordic Wellness Chair offers relaxation and soothing music and motions,” explains Glen Haven CEO Lisa Smith. “We are consistently witnessing the benefits the chairs are giving our residents and felt from the moment we saw them demonstrated that one could also benefit our staff. Working in long-term care is extremely rewarding but also demanding as our residents deserve and require continuous excellence in care. In order for our staff to do their best at all times, we want to provide them with mentoring, training, and professional growth as well as some therapeutic tools that are good for their well-being. We have created what we call our “Hooga Nook” (Hooga is the phonetic way to say Hygge) for our staff when they need a break, to relax, to refresh, to recharge or to rejuvenate.”
The Hooga Nook at Glen Haven Manor is an addition to other extra supports such as the internet café, annual Health Fair, Continuing Care Month celebrations, education opportunities, health lifestyle program, staff recognitions and more. 
The Hooga Nook will be officially opened at Glen Haven Manor’s upcoming annual Health Fair for staff to be held on May 29.