The new state-of-the-art Summerset Manor is completed and ready for residents to move in and enjoy, says Health and Wellness Minister Doug Currie.
“Our government is committed to providing the highest quality long term care to Island seniors so they have the services and comfort they deserve,” said Minister Currie. “The new Summerset Manor is a top-notch facility that feels like home to the residents and focusses on person-centred care. Our manor replacement program is ensuring we are better able meet the continuing care needs of Islanders today and in the future.”
In the new 82 room facility, residents will live in households in one of three neighbourhoods. Each household, which will be home to 13 or 14 residents, has a kitchen, dining room, and a living room with a fire place, and every resident has a private room and bathroom. The smaller household design provides a more home-like atmosphere as well as an improved staffing model.
One of the three neighbourhoods is a bilingual neighbourhood where 60 per cent of staff members are French speaking. This will greatly improve the residents’ access to French language services as part of government’s continued efforts to offer more French services to the Acadian and Francophone community.
“We are thrilled with this beautiful new home for our residents,“ said Gayle Lamont, administrator of Summerset. “The residents and staff are extremely excited and looking forward to moving into this ultra-modern, bright, spacious facility next week so they can get settled into their new home and enjoy all the comforts and benefits it will bring.”
Government invested approximately $16 million in the new Summerset, which will be occupied and fully operational by the end of next week. Summerset is one of five manors being replaced under government’s $65 million manor replacement program, one of the pillars of the 2009 provincial Healthy Aging Strategy.
Under the program, Colville Manor in Souris was completed in October 2011, and Maplewood Manor in Alberton was completed in November 2011. The Prince Edward Home in Charlottetown is expected to be completed in May 2013, and construction on the Riverview Manor in Montague will begin in 2015.