Lefroy House and the closed Pembroke Nursing Home will have a similar makeover to the Sylvia Richardson Care Facility, says Bermuda’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Cann.

“There have been several reviews of the Government-funded long term care facilities,” he said.

“The Ministry of Works and Engineering commissioned a review to identify needed renovations or modifications to ensure that the facilities meet current standards.

“As a result of these we have developed proposals for upgrading the facilities and developed a design brief for long term care facilities. This was used to plan for the Sylvia Richardson Care Facility.

“We have also used the brief to develop plans for further upgrades at Lefroy House. As you may be aware the decision has been taken to close the Pembroke Nursing Home and upgrade the facilities there.”

A team that included representatives from the Ministries of Health and Works and Engineering accompanied the Minister of Health on a tour of a number of long-term care facilities and programmes in the Atlanta area.

“We were particularly impressed with the focus in most facilities on providing a home-like environment,” he said, “And giving residents options or choice regarding their activities, etc.”

Asked if the available facilities would be able to accommodate the demand of the baby-boomer numbers, Dr. Cann replied: “We believe that it is important that we ensure that there are a range of long term care options that are designed to help seniors remain in their communities and to retain as much independence as possible.

“Yes, we need to provide facilities such as the Sylvia Richardson Care Facility, but we also need to provide an array of community based support services and appropriate home care.”

At the Sylvia Richardson Care Facility everything the residents need is on-hand, but Dr. Cann said there would also be other forms of stimulation for residents, including the possibility of pet therapy.

“We expect an even greater focus on therapeutic recreation activities and involvement of families, community groups, the schools within the area to be the norm at Sylvia Richardson and all long term care facilities,” he said.

As there is a doctor’s surgery on the premises, The Royal Gazette asked if the same physician would always attend the residents, or if there would be a rotation.

“We will use the same model that we have at Lefroy House,” Dr. Cann explained. “The physician attached to the facility will provide medical supervision and advice on a regular consistent basis. “However we also hope to work with the residents’ family physicians and keep them involved with their care.”