New seniors' residence would become leader in long-term care

By Nadine Armstrong

The Hants Journal/NovaNesNow.com



Since the announcement of provincial funding, the United Church Senior Citizens Home -- the Windsor Elms -- is one step closer to breaking new ground as a leader in long-term care facilities.

The proposed development agreement to allow for construction of a new facility on the Falmouth Dyke Road received West Hants council approval Feb. 12, after an in-depth public presentation by the West Hants Planning Department and design architects.

The Windsor Elms is one of nine Nova Scotia nursing homes designated last February to be replaced in a province-wide initiative by the Department of Health to improve standards for long-term senior care.

The 108-bed facility has been home to seniors for over 40 years, but by 2010 the new complex promises to house its seniors in a more gracious and family-like setting.

The new seniors residence will differ dramatically from traditional facilities in that the one-story complex will be divided into three buildings, which architect Heather Bown describes as ‘neighborhoods.’

Each neighborhood will house groups of 18 single occupancy rooms that will make up independent households, a concept Bown says will help to, “get away from the institutional feel of older facilities.” Each household will have its own activity space, living room, dining room and kitchen, outdoor courtyard and parking with direct access for visitors.

As well, the private rooms have increased in square footage so seniors will be better able to accommodate personal furnishings.

The exterior of the residence will also be designed to reflect architecture in the area said municipal planning assistant Jane Sodero. Because the area is currently zoned residential the facility will be, “architecturally compatible with neighboring structures and provide adequate open space, fencing, landscaping and separation distances from neighboring homes.”

Neutral impact

Landscape engineer Kerry Vollick said his goal would be to create a landscape that will have a “neutral impact on the neighbors,” by “providing appealing atmosphere for residents while meeting both the communities and developments objections.”

It’s a well known fact the flooding has been a concern for some along Falmouth’s Dyke Road, but Vollick maintained the development has been designed with it’s own storm water management system.

“I know neighbors on the downslope have expressed concerns but our design will create as multi-layered way of controlling storm water drainage.” He said water off the hill will be diverted and because of that some area residents would more likely to see improvement in water levels.

Although there were many that attended the hearing only one resident voiced specific concern around noise, traffic control and lighting.

Peter Shankel and his wife live in the property adjacent to the development site.

Sodero assured them that the new standards published by the Department of Health address these issues for long-term care facilities. She said it specifies that all outdoor lighting fixtures will be shielded away from streets and properties.

Vollick added that the driveway for service vehicles is directed toward the back road and that this type of facility really wouldn’t receive deliveries on the scale that other commercial buildings would.

He added that there would also be a natural, vegetation buffer. “We obliviously don’t want to shine lights in the eye of residents. Not to mention waking them up at 5 a.m. with delivery vans.”

As well, Sodero pointed out there are regulations for decibel levels set out by the Department of Health.

“If it’s bothering you, it’s definitely bothering the residents,” said Vollick, “and that’s not going to happen.”

Delighted with presentation

Over all, Windsor Elms CEO Sherry Keen was delighted with the outcome of the presentation. “This is a big turning point for us and I’m so pleased for the support shown by the community and council.” Although there is still a 14-day waiting period for appeals, Keen said she is optimistic that the facility will be ready to open on schedule.

“We’ve already done a whole lot of work,” she said, “Now it’s ready to finalize.” The new facility will be a leader in the industry, which is something she says everyone can be proud of. “We’re creating a home for seniors in a way that hasn’t been done before. This will be the new model for long-term care.”

Jerry Raymond, an Elms board member who also sits on the planning committee for the new facility, was impressed with the attendance and support shown that evening. “It was a good turn out and those who had questions seemed satisfied with the answers.”

Raymond said the committee has be working on the proposal for two years and it’s been wonderful have approval of the public and council. “Planning staff have been very helpful, we have no complaints,” he said. And the location he added is prime. “We so thankful for Bill Porter for making the land available to purchase, It’s a lovely piece of land.”

Area Coun. Rick Gaudet said that if the complex is built they way it was demonstrated that evening, it should be a good fit for the community and was glad there was no opposition to the proposal. “You don’t get a complex like this in a community everyday. It’s going to look good on us.”