Windsor Elms Village embraces the “Art of the possible”

Last year, the new Windsor Elms Village broke ground; this year, they plan break barriers.

A stale, traditional model of residential senior care is being replaced with a new world of possibilities according to the Elms’ second annual Community Reception. The “Maximizing Seniors Living” event aimed to encourage “outside the box “ thinking, while bringing the community and Windsor Elms together.

Not just the layout and location will change at the new Elms, said project manager Lloyd Brown. A shift in attitude and expectation will make the Village an international trendsetter for modern senior care. “Our position is to look at the art of the possible and not put any barriers in place.”

Staff at the current location is all ready assessing how things will work in the new domain, he said. “The thinking now is what do we take with us to the new building and what do we leave behind?”

While staffing numbers will remain the same, Brown aid the goal is to look at how people can work efficiently within the new model. “Its not about doing more, its about being creative so the focus is on the care that has to happen for residents as it is required. “We want staff to enjoy their work and interact more with each other and with residents.” He lauded current staff: “They’ve been very brave and bold and its amazing what can be done and the change that can happen.”

Some of that change stems from community and staff input, he noted. “We’ve held an array of focus groups in the community to help generate ideas, so this model of care can develop into collaborative care that is resident focused.”

Creating a home

Architect Benji Nycum said the working committee has been committed to breaking the mold. “As an architect, I am amazed at the leadership of this group. There has been a lot of deep searching for the right answers and solutions.”

Since the announcement was made in 2007 to build the replacement Elms, much has been accomplished, Nycum noted. “There is certainly no turning back now. Next year at this time we will be having a party like this, there in that building.”

Nycum said design of the Village will create a world-leading facility. The 108 units will be broken into neighborhoods of 36 each, then into “households” of 18 residents, with “houses” of nine single rooms.

The central Village will include administration offices, a café and central community/ recreation room. As well, each household will have its own activity area, which Nycum said will create a less industrial, more residential feel. “This is a departed from the way we used to do things even a decade ago. There will be no more long corridors and which means shorter distances to amenities for residents. This is designed to feel as homelike a possible.”

Each house will have its own outside entrance, he said. “This way seniors can easily go out and sit in the sun which is very a healthy healing process that we need as humans.”

Even mealtimes will be more pleasant. In the old model, food was served in a single centralized dining room, which often required a long walk to dinner.

In the new Village, there will be a kitchen facility in each household, available for residents’ use as well as their visitors. “They can heat up a can of soup if they want to, or a slice of pizza,” he said.

The kitchens will also act as central dispensing stations to several tasks to be shared at the same time.

New neighbours, continued quality care

The new Elms Village is also looking forward to new neighbors. Karen Wallace, principal of Falmouth Elementary School said the 242 students there are very excited to meet the residents “We’re hoping to bring the sounds of students at play a little closer,” she said. “We’ve got a lot of ideas and the kids are keen. The want to talk, and be friends with people.”

MLA Chuck Porter said the Elms has always put its residents first. He would know; his mother has been a resident for several years. “Staff are always positive and very involved with residents and they involve the family in this process. “The family becomes part of the care team. And to me that is very important- someday it may be one of us living here at the Elms Village.”

He added the Elms is not only a place to live but also a place to teach, learn and “a place for our families to call home.”