Salem Personal Care Home has played a vital role in the Winkler Community for almost 70 years, taking care of the communities’ elders and ensuring there is a place to stay that doesn’t feel like just a hospital.
A new avenue to listen
The personal care facility is a place that many people currently depend on and will continue to depend on as they look toward their own future, which was the purpose of the public forum held by Salem at the Central Station Community Centre last Thursday night.
CEO of Salem Home — Karin Oliveira, had been looking in to putting a forum since just before the beginning of summer.
“It came through a suggestion from a family member at Salem, and so we started thinking about how we could make this possible.”
The night consisted of coffee, cookies and conversation as groups of people gathered around tables to brainstorm ways to improve or add to the current facility, and possible program ideas for Salem to look into.
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Brainstorming
One of the common suggestions seen at multiple tables was a way to offer spousal assisted care and living spaces that allow partners to stay closer to one another.
An event goer shared her thoughts, saying “We've had some discussion about the need for a blend of housing models. From like the standard, long hallway PCH, to like the smaller house model.”
Other ideas consisted of better internet and Wi-Fi connectivity, potential living pods of eight to ten people, a gym for people to stay active, as well as an indoor meditative garden for people to enjoy some quiet moments of serenity.
Having a way for the community to share their thoughts and concerns in a format that encouraged open communication appeared to be effective, and Winkler Mayor Henry Siemens had some closing remarks at the end of the night, saying,
“We love conversations like this, where good ideas come up. Those people that are closest to the situation generally have some of the best ideas.”
Click below to listen to the full interview with Karin Oliveira.