Representatives from the MN-S, the community, and the Goodwill Manor board were on hand Thursday for the opening of a new sunroom. (Submitted/ Kayla-Jade Pinel)

By Nigel Maxwell

Community projects

New addition to Duck Lake care home upgrades visitor experience

Sep 10, 2022 | 8:00 PM

A new addition to a long-term care home in Duck Lake is helping bring families back together.

The sunroom at Goodwill Manor provides a safe and comfortable place for visits, cultural ceremonies, and even birthday parties.

Board member Bonnie Guigon told paNOW COVID-19 took on toll on residents.

“We saw a lot of the residents having to be separated from their families, having to visit through the window. It was very limiting for the families and the residents with so much separation,” she said.

The official unveiling ceremony on Thursday, took place nearly two years after the initial idea was first proposed. In addition to the additional stresses on families, Guigon explained there were challenges related to ordering the special doors, security cameras, and other materials.

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A view of the new sunroom. (Submitted/ Kayla-Jade Pinel)

The final price tag for the room and security features was around $120,000. Approximately 75 per cent was funded by Metis Nation-Saskatchewan. Another portion of costs was covered by the nearby Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation.

“We are very grateful to have that. They have band members that are residents here so it was very nice to have their support,” Guigon said.

To show their appreciation, residents presented their guests with home made gifts. (Submitted/ Kayla-Jade Pinel)

Cutting the ribbon. (Submitted/ Kayla-Jade Pinel)

The entire facility has 30 beds – 29 are long-term and there is one for respite. The special doors to the new room provide security for residents with dementia, while not giving a sense of being in jail. Another feature is special ventilation which allows for smudging ceremonies. A keyword mentioned during the unveiling was reconciliation.

“We fully support that and truly believe this is our part. This is what we can do for our residents and really beyond for our community,” Guigon said, adding the room also provides the opportunity for the care home’s diverse to be better educated on local cultural practices.

Guigon said residents are very excited about the room and have already made requests for special visits.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell