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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1989-02-15, Page 8Page 8 Times -Advocate, February 15, 1989 New look, LUCAN - The Villa Home of Retirement on Lucan's main street has undergone a number of changes recently. The solid and spacious former private residence of Dr. Carl Pat - more rooms, added programs at Lucan Villa terson first opened -its doors to pay- ing guests in 1983. Extensive ren- ovations and redecorating have given the Villa a fresh new look and an enlarged capacity since the present owner, Milton Graham, Administrator - Linda Jardine has been in charge at the Villa since March 1988. • House call - Dr. Walter Lock (left) visited the Villa to see his pa- tient, Percy Williams. took over in 1987. Administrator Linda Jardine ex- tends an open invitation- to "come in, have a cup of coffee and check us out". Visitors are greeted in the Large hallway, and ushered into one of three large, comfortably furnished interconnecting sitting_ rooms. The bright and cheery dining room seats 28. A major remodelling of the lower level completed in late November added five semi -private rooms. These, plus eight rooms providing 13 beds on the main floor and an- other five rooms on the second, have increased the Villa's accom- modation capability to 32 full-time residents. The majority of the rooms have en suite bathrooms. Jardine supervised the lower floor project from the beginning, draw- ing up the new floor plan, going to council for the building permit, minor variance, and other required paperwork, and ensuring that the plans were carried out by the con- tractor. The installation of a chair lift completed the project. A fire escape was added during the renovations. At present 20 people ranging in age from 39 to 92 call the Villa home. Residents must be ambula- tory and able to take care of their personal needs, as the home does not have extended care beds. If someone's health deteriorates until more than two hours of nurs- ing care is needed, that person must be transferred to a nursing home. Either the Villa or the family may arrange placement. Newcomers need only bring their clothes, and other personal belong- ings. The amount of furniture is determined by the available space, but all rooms can accommodate at least a favourite chair, a small table and a TV. The Villa supplies meals, linens, soaps and shampoos (unless medi- cally prescribed), dispenses medica- tion, and launders and mends resi- dents' clothing. Respite or short-term convalesc- ing and daycare programs were in- troduced in December. People recovering from opera- tions or illness may stop off at the Villa. "By staying ,here under supervi- son, they can build up their strength and go back home when they are strong enough to manage on their own. The hours of home care a day in some cases is just not enough; it doesn't look after the other 22 hours in a day", Jardine ex- plained. Those needing a break while car- ing for someone suffering from Al- zheimer's or other debilitating dis- eases can bring their family member in for a day. The person is given expert care for up to 10 hours and fed two meals plus snacks, all for a charge of $10. Daily rates for full-time residents range from $27.30 for semi -private to $46 for a private room with its own bathroom. The Villa has a to- tal of nine government -subsidized beds. Caring for the residents is a staff of 12 - 10 guest attendants, a chef who ran her own restaurant for five years and a kitchen helper who dou- bles as a bus driver. "They are fantastic. I've never met such a caring group", Jardine said. Jardine helps with resident care if a regular staff member is off sick. She also does the grocery shopping, picks up -the mail, and arranges rec- reational activities such as morning exercises, crafts and short bus tours. A group of Villa residents found a trip to Ellison's travel show last year very profitable. One won a two-day trip to Quebec, and four took back travel bags. Jardine has instituted a number of changes since being hired in March 1988. She has drafted manuals de- fining rules and procedures on poli- cy, infection control and fire, and started an educational library built around a nucleus of her person cop- ies of medical textbooks. She ap- plied successfully for a New Hori- zons grant to buy a piano, a sewing machine and lawn furniture. Milt Graham's Christmas gift to -the home was an aquarium which is the focal point of one of the sitting rooms. The new owner, a Health Care Facilities consultant and a nursing home inspector, has dou- bled the food budget since taking over the Villa. "He wants to do everything poss►- ble to make the Villa an affordable, acceptable pleasant alternative to people who for physical, emotional or financial reasons can no longer manage in their own homes. A re- tirement home is not for death, but for comfortable living", Jardine said emphatically. Three altogether This is one of three interconnecting sitting rooms on the main floor of the Villa in Lucan. Chef - Debbie Smith puts the finishing touches to a tray of Black Forest pudding she is oreoaring for dessert at the Lucan Villa. Villa gets face-lift Retirement home - The Villa in Lucan can now accommodate 32 full-time residents. iOffl/Ok "PHONE NOW" to register for the Welcome Wagon . ida 1 Part; Monday. March 6, 1989 Brides-to-be, planning to marry between April 19$9 and September 1990 may call 235-2828 or 235-0814 for your personal. invitation to attend., MINI MOP General Household Cleaning Service CaII now to book 228-6136. 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CALL London (519)685-0445 1-800-265-8173 Bob Stuckles`s, (Water Consultant) • Wiwi `1 Witt( QNh, CfRTttttD DfAtUR Snack time - Repidents Alex "Sandy" Young, longtime Lucan fire chief (left) and Gordon Smith enjoy a snack in the attractively decorated Villa dining room. • TRIANGISCOUN LE NTftO 433 MAIN ST., EXETER 12 - 25/89 Y CInsei Toothpaste 100 mi. Head & Shoulders Shampoo • 350 ml. 79 Contac C eeongestant Capsules 20s 499 Tylenol Childrens Drops 15 MI. Z Vaseline Intensive Care 200 ml.. 189 G.E. Light' Bulbs Shadow Ban 2's 129 Vicks Cough Syrup 100 ml. Z69 Cricket �� Disposable Lighters s