The upgrade and expansion of the Killam Long Term Care’s Campus of Caring is very nearly complete.  Covenant Health staff had the opportunity to do a walk through of the phase two construction last week.

Covenant Health says the final phase of the facility included modernizing the original building and adding 10 resident suites, including six single-resident suites and four couple suites.

“This is the first time couples in Killam will be able to live in the same room together in continuing care, even if only one spouse requires care.”

Covenant Health says that the Killam Campus of Caring boasts a unique care model designed to meet the unique needs of rural communities, where geography and isolation can have a devastating effect on seniors needing care.

“The facility is designed with the flexibility to provide supportive living, long-term care and dementia care so residents can remain in place even as their care needs change.

“We know people have strong roots in their communities, and in rural areas there are often fewer care options,” says Sheli Murphy, Senior Director of Operations for Rural Health Services at Covenant Health.

“When seniors have lived most of their lives in a community, it’s particularly important for them to be able to stay.”

At the heart of the Killam Campus of Caring is resident comfort, dignity, and independence.

From private resident suites to fully accessible bathrooms and courtyards, each element of the Killam Campus of Caring was designed with the holistic needs of Killam seniors in mind, says Covenant Health.

“Our design means our residents can stay connected to their community and be close to family and friends,” says Geri Clark, Site Administrator at Killam Health Centre.

“This is a home-like environment where residents are supported to live fully in the community.”

The first phase of the Killam Campus of Caring included construction of 40 spacious resident suites, each with a private bathroom.

Residents moved into their new suites in October 2019, and for the first time Killam seniors were able to access different levels of care under one roof.

Phase one of the project was construction of the new resident care building, completed last fall.

Covenant Health says the new building was designed with the flexibility to provide supportive living, long-term care, and dementia care. It includes 40 spacious (350 square feet) private resident suites, each with a private bathroom and a lift track so residents can move around independently.

The new building area also includes three small, home-like dining rooms that are quieter and cozier than a single large dining hall, as well as two secure courtyards that make it easy for residents to enjoy sunshine and fresh air safely.

The new spaces include three living rooms where residents can socialize and relax together.

In the new building, a dementia care wing was specially designed so residents with dementia can enjoy their home with added wander protection if they need it.

Once phase one was complete, phase two, the renovation of the original building, followed.

In this phase, the existing structure was modernized, including a hair salon and chapel.

With phase two complete, the facility has added 10 new resident suites, four couple suites (350 square feet plus 200 square feet of living space), four single-resident suites, and two single-resident bariatric suites.

Residents will begin moving into new suites in mid-September.

Read the rest of the story in the September 9 edition of The Community Press – on newsstands or buy the single issue online below:

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Leslie Cholowsky
Editor