‘Open Doors’ a success at Chatham long-term care home
Friday October 12, 2007 -- Natalie Miller
Opening its doors to the community proved to be a successful endeavour by Meadow Park Chatham, attracting about 100 people from the Chatham-Kent area to the long-term care home recently.

From face painting for children to blood pressure checks for adults, the event offered something for everyone, says Lydia Swant, co-ordinator of volunteers and resident and family services at the 97–bed Jarlette Health Services home.

Swant says the home organized the event after receiving information from the Ontario Long-Term Care Association (OLTCA) regarding the education and awareness campaign.

The OLTCA and The Care Guide, a care and housing resource for seniors, launched Open Doors, an event designed to introduce the public to long-term care and retirement home living, in 2005.

The idea behind the initiative is for long-term care and retirement home operators to hold open houses and invite the public, politicians and industry professionals to attend to learn more about long-term care and retirement home living.

Swant admits in past years the event wasn’t overly successful so the home decided to put a different spin on the initiative this year.

“We open our doors every day,” says Swant, noting the home accepts walk-in tours.

However, this particular day offered something more for the community and their families.

“We wanted to do something different, something fun,” says Swant.

The home held a fun fair Oct. 3 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event, with the support of the social club and volunteer auxiliary, included bake sales and cake raffles, a chocolate fountain, a barbecued meal, a popcorn machine, face painting and games for children.

As well, the home’s administrator and assistant director of care participated by providing free blood sugar level and blood pressure checks.

“That was very well-received,” says Swant, noting about 40 people took advantage of the service.

She says this year’s event was also a success because of in-home promotion and buy-in from staff. “It was definitely an event that incorporated the whole family,” she says.

Swant says Meadow Park Chatham provided tours and information packages for those interested in learning more about the home.