Expanded Long-term Care Facility Will Now Benefit Seniors
Seniors in the Barrington area will receive better care and have the option to continue living in the community they call home thanks to an expansion at the local long-term care facility.
Premier Darrell Dexter and Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau, on behalf of Health and Wellness Minister Maureen MacDonald, joined residents and employees of Bay Side Home today, Sept. 23, to celebrate the opening of the expanded facility.
Before the expansion, the Barrington facility was dedicated to mentally challenged and physically disabled residents. Forty new beds were added to the existing 22-bed home, nearly tripling its size and adding the capacity to care for elderly residents.
"As premier, I am delighted that the province has now delivered by providing long-term care in Western Shelburne County," said Premier Dexter. "This remarkable facility is a great asset to the Barrington area and it means people requiring long-term care can be closer to their friends and family.
"The expansion is an example of government's commitment to make life better for today's families by ensuring seniors and people with special needs get the help they need in their own community."
Owned and operated by Bay Side Home Corporation, the facility was built to meet the province's new design standards, which emphasize smaller, one-storey buildings with more home-like surroundings. This is part of the province's Better Care Sooner plan, which includes making health care more patient-centred.
The facility features four new households, each with 10 resident rooms that follow the same layout and design as the existing facility.
The home has private rooms and bathrooms, combined dining, kitchen and living room space, accessible gardens and spa facilities. The design also allows couples who both require nursing home care to live together in the same household. An outdoor garden can be accessed from the hallway of each household.
"Bay Side Home is designed to provide high-quality care in a comfortable, functional environment," said Mr. Belliveau. "Through facilities like this, long-term care residents are getting better care in their own communities and closer to their support system of friends and loved ones."
Clients at Bay Side Home have access to 24-hour nursing care, medical services, nutrition services, pharmacy services, recreation, occupational therapy and physiotherapy.
"The expansion of Bay Side Home is a very positive step for this community," said Paula Hatfield, acting administrator of Bay Side Home. "There are many individuals who have been waiting for long-term care space, and they are now able to receive the support they need and be close to their family and friends. It always puts a smile on your face when you see numerous family and friends who visit the residents on a daily basis."
Ms. Hatfield said the facility has hired 60 new staff, many of whom live in the Barrington area.
"I've been waiting to move back to my own community," said Helen Nickerson, a resident who recently moved to Bay Side Home from the alternate level of care unit of an out-of-town hospital. "It makes a big difference to have my family nearby so they can visit. I really enjoy the home, good food, good people and the rides in the wheelchair up Brass Hill are fun. Nothing is lacking here."
The province has opened nearly 1,100 new beds in 13 new, stand-alone facilities and 10 facilities as part of the 10-year, $262-million Continuing Care Strategy.
Access to Bay Side Home, as well as other provincial long-term care facilities, is through the Department of Health and Wellness' Single Entry Access system at 1-800-225-7225.