49 year-old resident ‘active member of the Woodland Villa community,” says DOC
Wednesday, August 24, 2005 -- Craig Anderson
While it’s not completely uncommon for nursing homes to take in younger residents, there usually have to be exceptional circumstances or other appropriate reasons to justify permanent residence.

Woodland Villa’s administration has made exceptions in three cases, and most recently in allowing Gerald Forgues, who has an intellectual disability, to stay as a long term resident at the home.

Gerald has been in ten different group homes, says Deb Kitchen, Director of Care, experiences that were detrimental. He stayed for a while with his mother in Cornwall, but ailing health forced her to put Gerald in the home, assuring he would be cared for in the event she no longer could.

Gerald and Woodland have been a near-perfect fit, says Deb, and his recent commitment to being an ‘active member of the home’s community’ has convinced her that the relationship is mutually beneficial. Gerald, who wanted to be more involved in the daily routines of Woodland, had Deb design a daily duties schedule for him so he could assist in chores and show his appreciation for the place he has been most happy at.

“It was a care plan that we put together with him, we asked him what he would like to do” she says, “but he wanted to see it in writing. He wanted to feel like he was accomplishing something.

Some of the duties he was already doing, but now he gets recognition too,” says Deb, “and I think he feels a greater sense of belonging.”

Gerald, who asserts he “likes to keep occupied” by doing chores, is relieved to finally be in an environment where he is appreciated and fully accepted.

“This is the best place I have lived,” he says, “the hospitality is good and the people are friendly.”

Gerald, hampered by the radiation poisoning he suffered when he was receiving treatment for cancer of the ear, uses a walker and therefore most of his duty choices are not too labour intensive. But he is physically capable despite the injury, says Deb, who adds that his “gait is a little bit off.”

He is fond of gardening, he says, and is currently maintaining a cucumber and tomato garden for the home. He is also fond of one housecleaning staff member, whom he helps daily, splitting sweeping duties in the dining room.

“He is extremely happy here but [as administrators] we have to think ‘he could be here for another forty years in long term care,’” says Deb.

Two other residents – also developmentally challenged, Deb says she “can’t see them out in the community” – give further testament to exceptions made under the right circumstances. One, a 53 year old man, has been in the home prior to Deb’s arrival some 18 years ago, and was, like Gerald, a refugee from a group home and for a brief time immobilized by an injury, in his case a broken hip.

“We’re basically his family,” she says.