News release

Sheet Harbour Seniors Benefit from Replacement Nursing Home

Health and Wellness

Seniors in the Sheet Harbour area have access to improved long-term care options with a new replacement nursing home.

Health and Wellness Minister Maureen MacDonald joined residents and staff today, March 7, to celebrate the opening of the Harbourview Lodge Continuing Care Centre, which replaces the old Duncan MacMillan nursing home. The long-term care facility has six new beds and 26 replacement beds.

"The new Harbourview Lodge provides top-quality care to residents in a well-designed, private environment that feels like home," said Ms. MacDonald. "The province is taking steps to ensure seniors and staff have the opportunity to move from older buildings into comfortable, functional facilities like this."

The old facility was last renovated in the early 1980s.

The new centre has been built to meet the province's new design standards which emphasize smaller, one-storey buildings with more home-like surroundings.

The LEED-certified facility is made up of three energy-efficient households, one with 10 beds and two with 11 beds. Each household has its own common areas, including a kitchen, dining room and living room.

There is a large multi-purpose room, a chapel, a hair dressing salon and physiotherapy and rehabilitation spaces. Residents can easily access outdoor gardens and the adjacent Eastern Shore Memorial Hospital.

The design also allows couples who both require nursing care to live together in the same household.

"This building is a great improvement and it's fitting that the community and residents worked together to come up with a new name," said Ms. MacDonald. "As part of the province's Better Care Sooner plan, we're working to help seniors stay in their homes and communities longer, near their family and friends."

Residents and staff moved to the new building in December. Clients have access to 24-hour nursing care, medical, nutrition and pharmacy services, as well as recreation, occupational and physiotherapy.

"The new building is making a world of difference and we thank staff, residents and community members for their support to get us here," said Margaret Merlin-Wilson, CEO of Harbourview Lodge Continuing Care Centre. "Residents are enjoying the privacy of the one-floor households, and they appreciate the common areas when guests arrive. Staff members like the more modern facilities and the customized spaces for different aspects of care."

Resident Percy Webb said Harbourview Lodge is a pleasure.

"I love it," Mr. Webb said. "I can come out of my room and go house to house and visit as much as I want. When I have company, I can play cards in the living and dining room and I can go to my room when I want to be quiet."

The facility has hired new full- and part-time continuing care assistants, as well as housekeeping and dietary staff.

The province has opened, or plans to open, nearly 1,100 new beds in 13 stand-alone facilities and 10 expansions. Long-term care resources are a major priority of the province's 10-year, $262-million continuing care strategy.

Access to provincial long-term care facilities is made through the Department of Health and Wellness' single entry access system at 1-800-225-7225.