A Groundbreaking day for senior care

More than 100 senior citizens in West Hants have good cause to smile these days. Residents and staff of the Windsor Elms are now one step closer to realizing their dream of a new state-of-the-art, $36 million home. The ground at the Dyke Road site of the new Windsor Elms Village was officially turned Sept. 26, marking the beginning of a new era for long-term care in the region.

Amidst sunshine and the nearby sounds of children at play, 98-year-old Elms resident Louis Thomas beamed as he joined Premier Rodney MacDonald along with government representatives, staff and community members in celebrating the next phase in what some coined the new ‘Eden’ philosophy of senior care.

“We are not celebrating just bricks and mortar here today,” said MacDonald. “We are giving seniors the opportunity to live their lives well and with dignity.”

The Falmouth facility will open by 2010 and plans to afford residents not only an enviable view and more home like conditions, but a ‘vibrant and nurturing environment for older people,’ as well. “There will be improved recreation, social and individual space,” Health Minister Chris d'Entremont said. “Today we are laying the foundation for a state-of-the-art facility that will enable seniors to stay close to home while benefiting from the best care possible.” An option deserving of all seniors, he added.

The Windsor Elms Village will be divided into neighborhood of ‘houses’ each boasting a shared living, dining and recreational space as well as a central fireplace and open kitchen. All residents will have their own direct access to the outdoors.

Windsor Elms CEO Sherry Keen said, “the new Falmouth facility will incorporate a new model of care which will project a more home-like atmosphere and encourage relationship building and a greater sense of community.”

For resident Holly Slaunwhite, it also will mean the end to shared sleeping accommodations. “I can’t wait to have a private room all to myself,” she said. “That is what I look forward to most now.”

But what will really make this facility feel like a happy home is the staff, Thomas said. He has lived at the King Street facility for two years. “We have such wonderful staff at the Elms. The longer I’m there, the more I love them. I just hope to having the same staff looking after me.”

Windsor Elms staff has been providing quality care since the home first opened with funding from the United Church in 1966. But even then, the building was not new and the need for a replacement became obvious in recent years, Keen said. “While every effort was made to create a caring, safe and home-like environment for residents and staff in our current location, the need to update and enhance the residence is critical if we are to continue to deliver the high quality service the community has come to expect from us.”