Replacement Nursing Home Officially Opens in Baddeck
Seniors will be able to stay in their community longer with the official opening of Alderwood in Baddeck today, July 23, the first of 13 facilities being built in Nova Scotia to replace existing nursing homes.
"This wonderful facility will enable residents to receive the health care and support they need in their home community," said MLA Maurice Smith, on behalf of Health Minister Maureen MacDonald. "It is part of government's ongoing commitment to make life better for Nova Scotia seniors."
Alderwood, operated by Victoria County, is home to 70 residents. The facility, which overlooks the Bras d'Or Lakes, has six distinct neighbourhoods each with its own dining area and living room. Residents have private rooms and bathrooms as well as access to outdoor courtyards, patios and a walking path.
It replaces a 40-year-old nursing home which had double rooms and bathrooms that were shared by residents.
Alderwood reflects the province's new design standards, which emphasize one and two-storey buildings with access to green space and homier surroundings. The design also enables couples who require nursing home care to live together in the same household.
Residents have access to 24-hour nursing care and receive regular visits from a podiatrist and occupational therapist as well as physiotherapist and a dietitian. Alderwood also includes a community hall and a spiritual room.
Alderwood's design has embraced green technology. It reduces its use of potable water through low flow plumbing fixtures and water efficient appliances. A solar hot water system passively heats water for the building, reducing energy consumption.
"This isn't just a project, or a new building. This is a place that 70 senior members of our community can call home. It is a genuine investment in their quality of life, and in our community," said Fraser Patterson, chair of the Alderwoood Board of Management.
"It also represents the vision, careful planning, and hard work of many people, and we are very grateful for the tremendous results of those efforts."
The 70 beds at Alderwood are the first of 849 replacement long-term care beds that will open at 13 new facilities across the province by the fall of 2012.
Alderwood employs 130 people.
Access to Alderwood and other provincial long-term care facilities is available through the Department of Health's Single Entry Access system at 1-800-225-7225.