A before and after of the vinyl door decals that will help transform the Herb Bassett Home into a neighbourhood atmosphere for residents. (submitted photo/Jennifer McDougall)

By Teena Monteleone

there's no place like home

Fundraiser underway for door decals that transform facilities into homes

Nov 21, 2023 | 6:00 AM

In the words of legendary crooner Perry Como, ‘There is no place like home for the holidays.’

The Herb Bassett Home in Prince Albert is taking that sentiment to heart this Christmas.

“We took a wing in the long-term care facility and turned it into a neighbourhood,” said recreation coordinator Jenn McDougall.

The Herb Bassett Home launched a campaign to raise enough funds to transform the door to each resident’s room using a vinyl decal that looks like a real front door from a house.

“When you get older and have to leave the house you lived in your whole life, most people don’t get to bring very much. So, we try to do everything possible to make this facility feel like it’s their home now – so they can continue to have a sense of pride and ownership.”

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The vinyl door decals range in colour and style with windows or stained glass, wrought iron or antique wood — even mail slots. McDougall said it gets rid of the sterile, institutional feeling that a long-term care facility can have.

“So instead of just walking down the hallway of a long-term care facility, it feels like you’re walking down the street. Each wing has 12 different rooms, so there will be 12 different door designs and our residents will know that the green door or the blue door is theirs.”

Personalizing interiors has been shown to help people living with dementia. Residents recognizing their own doors have an increased sense of safety and privacy. In other long-term care facilities that have introduced the idea, social interaction was reported to have increased and even staff felt more energized with a beautified workplace.

“It’s already such a huge buzz here with all the residents,” McDougall said. “We’ve managed to cover two doors so far with the help of Sign Universe in Prince Albert. When [the resident] Katie saw her new door there wasn’t a dry eye in the hallway. I think she just instantly felt like she belonged. It was her home and she was so proud of it, she went and got everyone else to come and look. So, it really does give them a sense of pride.”

Each of the door decals costs about $175 and there are 142 rooms in the Herb Bassett Home.

McDougall said she can’t imagine what the wings in the facility will look like once all the doors are done and they’ve added some décor like plants to enhance the feeling of walking through a neighbourhood.

“It’s gone better than expected and we’ve only done two doors so far. The one resident said, ‘Gosh! you guys are really sprucing up the place!'”

The public is encouraged to visit the Boreal Health Foundation website and select the ‘Home for the Holidays’ campaign to donate.

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teena.monteleone@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertNOW