Partnerships promote inclusion, dispel long-term care myths: Gourlie
Tuesday, February 6, 2007 -- Natalie Miller
By involving community in long-term care, there’s an opportunity to dispel myths about nursing homes and promote inclusion of people with all abilities, says an OMNI administrator.

While long-term care residents benefit from increased community connections there’s a broader value to partnerships as well, says Rick Gourlie of Almonte Country Haven.

“People come in and see what a care home is all about,” says Gourlie.

“The fear of long-term care and disability goes away. It allows them to see the ability within disability. With experience our judgment changes. That familiarity breeds a sense of warmth and compassion.”

Almonte Country Haven has partnerships with its area high school and community college, which brings students through the doors of the 82-bed rural eastern Ontario nursing home on co-operative education placements.

The home, which has a rich history is in its community, also is connected to the various churches in Almonte. “We have a lot of church inclusion, spiritual inclusion,” says Gourlie. Almonte is able to offer pastoral care programs to its residents but also offer individualized support to residents as well. For instance, a church member may volunteer to run bingo but wind up providing pastoral or palliative support once he or she gets to know residents on an individualized basis, says Gourlie. “The relationship deepens.”

Meanwhile, a partnership between Almonte and an agency that supports people with disabilities has created new opportunities for both Almonte residents and those supported by the community agency. Through its connection with Mills Community Support Corporation, Almonte Country Haven residents take part in lawn bowling and social outings, while the individuals Mills supports gain volunteer experience at the nursing home. Gourlie says the partnership is an important one.

“People in the Mississippi Mills area want a care home that just doesn’t look after seniors,” says Gourlie.

“It creates connections. It creates a sense of inclusion.”

A part of the community for nearly 30 years, service clubs have also supported Almonte Country Haven. An Almonte citizen opened the nursing home after the Second World War to ensure the community’s elders would be taken care of when their needs could no longer be met in their own homes.