Dining room makeover driven by desire to make residents ‘feel at home’
Wednesday December 12, 2007 -- Natalie Miller
Traditionally, mealtimes are an occasion for families to gather for good food and conversation.

In long-term care, mealtime becomes even more important because it’s an opportunity for residents to socialize together and dining is considered to be the highlight of most days.

Rosebridge Manor’s nutritional care staff takes great pride in serving quality meals for residents, says the Jasper long-term care home's nutritional care manager. On the other hand, the dining room where the meals are served, was in need of a facelift to make the ambiance as enjoyable as the food, says Kori Bigelow.

Always wanting to be part of the makeover, it became a priority these past few months and the new space is expected to be completed by Christmas.

Bigelow says the painters have been into the home, covering up the beige walls with cappuccino-coloured paint on the upper half of the walls, a chair rail and burgundy paint on the lower half of the walls. Wallpaper and border with a country theme of ducks and apples will complete the wall décor. Burgundy accents, navy curtains and knickknacks including antique tins and old crocks and a quilted wall hanging are among the items that will complete the space.

“It’s building on their memories,” says Bigelow about the space.

“It’s very typical of our residents’ (generation).”

The dining room at Rosebridge Manor is one of the first things visitors see when they enter the long-term care home. Although in good repair, the dining room was looking outdated and in need of modernization, says Bigelow. To pay for costs — which Bigelow earlier estimated to be in the $1,000 range — the home held a series of fundraisers since September, netting $453 in just three weeks.

She says staff has been very supportive of the makeover. She says the goal behind the project is making residents feel more comfortable. “It makes them feel at home,” she says. “This is their home.”

— with files from Deron Hamel