CANADA: Ontario Celebrates Seniors' Month

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO (THE CHRONICLE-JOURNAL), June 13, 2005: Homes for the aged and retirement residences across Ontario are throwing their doors open to the public on June 18, in celebration of Seniors’ Month. The inaugural Open Doors program is meant to educate seniors and their families about care for the elderly, and perhaps demystify the places where many people quietly spend their golden years. Shelley Harris, administrator at Glacier Ridge in Thunder Bay, said people need to know what’s available in the variety of homes and the differences between retirement homes and long-term care facilities. “A lot of them still don’t understand the difference between the two,” she said, “so I think opening up the doors is something we need to do to make them aware of this.” Most of the seniors’ homes in Thunder Bay have pledged to take part, including Glacier Ridge, Versa-Care Centre, The Walford, Roseview Manor and the three city-run homes — Dawson Court, Grandview Lodge and Pioneer Ridge. Dawson Court administrator Michael Kennedy calls the program a “wonderful” idea, and said he welcomes the opportunity for people to tour the homes and “see the quality of care we provide.” Most of the open houses are scheduled for the afternoon of June 18. The city homes will offer tours from 1 to 4 p.m., while Roseview Manor will have three tours for visitors, at 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m., said administrator Gail Gallant. Versa-Care program manager Emily Tulloch said visitors will see first-hand what living at that facility is like. “They will be able to talk to residents and meet the committed staff members who make it their mission to provide the very best of lifestyle and care services,” she said. Some of the day’s activities at Versa-Care include the presentation of a painting done by late resident Iris Sweet MacGarva and tours of the residences, the dining room and recreation amenities. The only city seniors’ facilities not taking part in Open Doors are the ones administered by St. Joseph’s Care Group. Spokeswoman Sharron Owen said Bethammi Nursing Home and Hogarth Riverview Manor already offer monthly tours to families and visitors. “We feel we provide enough access to the public as it is,” she said. By Jonathan Wilson Copyright © 2004 The Chronicle-Journal