“I feel safe”: Pleasant Manor opens a new chapter in Virgil

“Living in Pleasant Manor has been a very pleasant experience for me.”

For George, inaugural chair of the resident council, those words capture what Radiant Care’s new Pleasant Manor means to the people who live there.

“The staff provide excellent care and always treat me with kindness and respect,” said George, who has lived in Pleasant Manor for four months. “I feel safe. My needs are met. And I have a sense of purpose here. I am very grateful to be part of this community.”

That feeling of care and belonging was at the heart of the official ribbon cutting in May for the new long-term care home in Virgil, Ontario.

Pleasant Manor welcomed its first 40 residents just before Christmas and has quickly grown into a warm and active community. Now, the home has 160 long-term care spaces, a Living Classroom in partnership with Niagara that will training for future careers in seniors’ care and beautiful green spaces reflecting its community. Located next to senior living apartments and retirement living, it helps older adults stay close to the place they know and love.

Judy, who has lived at Pleasant Manor since January, said she is happy to call it home.

“The staff are great and the PSWs are wonderful,” she said. “I’m happy here. I love the view of the orchard from my window. The view is amazing. I also enjoy waving to the staff on their way into work. And I’m looking forward to spending time in the garden courtyards and helping to plant the flowers.”

The ribbon cutting marked the result of 28 years of work toward redevelopment, made possible through the commitment of staff, board members, families, donors, local partners and government.

Community leaders and elected officials joined the celebration, including Minister of Long-Term Care Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Niagara Falls MP Tony Baldinelli, Niagara-on-the-Lake Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa, and Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates, alongside hundreds of family and community members.

In Niagara-on-the-Lake, where almost 40 per cent of residents are 65 or older, homes like Pleasant Manor help seniors stay in their own community when they need 24/7 nursing care, while keeping families close.