(A cheque presentation was made to Project Lifesaver during the unveiling of the new suites at Goderich Place Retirement Residence. From left to right: Jason Younan, detachment commander with the Huron County OPP; Gail MacTavish, general manager of Goderich Place; Susan Radun, co-owner; Cathy Ritsema of the Alzheimer Society; Josef Ger, owner of Retirement Life Communities; Mayor Ken Morrison; Michelle Field of Victim Services. Absent: A representative of the Autism Society of Huron-Perth. Photo by Steph Smith, Goderich Signal Star)
New Residence Specializing In Memory Care Opens In Goderich
Steph Smith, Goderich Signal Star
Those who have experienced, or cared for, a loved one or friend with Alzheimer’s and dementia know that having proper facilities and programs are essential to providing proper care and support.
For the first time, Goderich and the surrounding area will have additional support with the opening of Harmony Memory Care, a special 12-suite and bed addition to Goderich Place Retirement Residence that focuses on individualized Montessori programming. Montessori is an educational approach that focuses on independence, freedom within limits and an overall respect for how a person learns and develops.
(Goderich Mayor Kevin Morrison cuts the cake, with Retirement Life Communities owner Josef Ger to his right. Photo by Steph Smith, Goderich Signal Star)
“The model of care at Harmony Memory Care engage residents in Montessori-based programming that focuses on slowing the progression of disease to maintain as much independence as possible,” said Gail MacTavish, general manager of harmony Memory Care in a press release. “Through cognitive assessments and learning about the resident’s earlier life in greater detail, our staff will engage each resident in individualized therapies with pets, art, yoga, drum circles, etc. to help them cope with their anxieties and bring back they once had. It’s about giving them purpose as they author the next chapter of their story.”
(Retirement Life Communities owner Josef Ger cuts the ribbon. From left to right: Gail MacTavish, general manager of Goderich Place; Josef Ger; Susan Radun, co-owner of Goderich Place; Mayor Kevin Morrison; Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb. Photo by Steph Smith, Goderich Signal Star)
The official unveiling and opening of the new addition took place on October 22 and coincided with the Seniors Health Fair, which featured many presentations, demonstrations and information tables from community partners including the Alzheimer Society of Huron, Southwest Health Line, the Canadian Diabetes Association, One Care and Huron Hospice, to name a few.
Goderich Mayor Kevin Morrison and Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb were two of the special guests to take part in the ribbon cutting ceremony.
(The cake. Photo by Steph Smith, Goderich Signal Star)
“Seniors are very important to Goderich and the community,” Morrison said. “On behalf of the Town of Goderich, I want to thank you for giving them (seniors) the dignity they deserve and for caring for them every day.”
(Maggie Brennan, right, of Off the Beatin Path in Bayfield conducts a drum circle demonstration with some of the residents. Photo by Steph Smith, Goderich Signal Star)
Lobb seconded Morrison, adding that Goderich Place is certainly meeting a need that becomes more apparent as our population continues to age.
“The service you’d get or find in the city is being brought to a rural area, which is really great,” Lobb said. “Goderich Place and the new harmony Memory Care suites give seniors a greater quality of life with service and care.”
For more information on Goderich Place Retirement Residence and Harmony Memory Care, visit www.retirementlifecommunities.com/goderich-place/
Source: The Goderich Signal Star
