Rosebridge Manor's dining room recently had a makeover.
Dining room makeover a hit with residents and staff
Wednesday February 27, 2008 -- Deron Hamel
With a fresh paint job and the addition of retrospective decorations, a newly-refurbished dining room at Rosebridge Manor is offering residents a warm, cosy atmosphere while they enjoy their meals.

In the autumn, staff members at the Jasper long-term care home held a bake sale, as well as a silent auction. These activities raised about $1,000 to get the makeover to the dining room — one of two at the home — completed in mid-January.

The dining room where the makeover was done is reserved for residents who have cognitive impairment and need a quieter atmosphere for their mealtimes.

Although the home plans to work on the other dining area in the near future, nutritional care manager Kori Bigelow says it was important to give priority to residents with cognitive impairment.

Because residents who have cognitive impairment are often unable to participate in events and activities, Bigelow says she wanted to make sure their dining room got first dibs when it came to renovations.

In the month since the refurbishment was completed, Bigelow says the new look has received a lot of positive feedback.

“We’ve had (people) looking for homes for their family members come in and take pictures to take home and show them,” she says. “We have people who come in the doors now and that’s where their eyes go.”

For Bigelow, it marks the completion of a project she wanted to start nine years ago when she first started to work at the home.

“The room used to be nothing and now it’s just so warm,” she says. “I’m really proud of what we’ve done and I’m proud the reaction has been so positive and people have been so complimentary.”

Staff members selected burgundy paint for the job because “it’s a nice, warm colour,” says Bigelow. Other renovations include new wallpaper with a weathered-wood pattern and decorations such as old posters and biscuit tins.

“Our whole goal was to provide a very warm and welcoming environment for the residents,” says Bigelow.

Bigelow adds that there was a collaborative spirit amongst staff members when it came to designing the atmosphere in the dining room.

“I’m so thankful to the staff and the management team for their efforts,” she says.