Aging Windsor nursing home to be replaced

BY NADINE ARMSTRONG

The Hants Journal

NovaNewsNow.com



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

The 108-bed complex has been home to seniors for over 40 years, but CEO Sherry Keen says it has needed upgrading for far too long.

“We've been very vocal with the Dept. of Health about our needs,” she said. “Right now there’s a real issue of accessibility for our seniors in hallways and bathrooms. We've also been working to develop areas that will enhance their environment in general.”

But Keen says with space at a premium, rebuilding was the only route to take. “I'm glad to know that the department has been listening and taking our concerns seriously.”

Staff at the Elms was happy to hear the Feb. 5 announcement, but Keen says plans are still in the early stages. “We're so excited. Our staff is really pleased to be working with the department on this, but we still need to figure out all the details.”

What Keen has been told is that the new home will accommodate an equal number of beds and at the same time offer more single rooms, personal space, recreational space and even rooms for aging couples.

“We're interested to see what the all new standards will be,” Keen said. “But what we've heard so far is really great.”



‘Community of choice’

The philosophy behind the development of new homes throughout Nova Scotia is to allow seniors to move into a facility and remain there as their needs change over the years. Seniors will also have the option to live in what the provincial government calls their “community of choice”.

In a recent press release, Health Minister Chris d'Entremont announced that the new long-term care facilities would reflect a more home-like environment for smaller numbers of residents. He said this will also allow seniors to be located in more communities around the province, giving Nova Scotians access to care closer to home and remain in the same location even as their health requirements change.

West Hants MLA Chuck Porter said he met with the Windsor Elms board last summer about the need for modernization and is confident the new facility will fill those requirements.

“The board has been working on this for some time now, so plans for the home are already well underway,” Porter said. “I know there is provincially owned land that will be made available and I've let them know they can go ahead and be finished before deadline if they want,” he said. “I think it's great that there will be a fully funded, modern facility for seniors in our community.”

Keen said she doesn't know if there will be any impact on overall costs, but there will be no direct financial impact on residents. “This doesn’t mean residents will need to pay more. They’re all currently covered through the provincial care program and will continue to pay the same rates they were originally assessed for,” she said.

A location has not yet been determined, but the new home is scheduled to be complete by 2010. “We're going to be pretty busy for the next three years,” Keen said.