July 22, 2013
The three-year-old Abbeyfield building is just a block east of Airport Road, right in the centre of Caledon East, near stores and restaurants. The one-storey building adjoins a small low-rise seniors’ apartment building, but is organizationally separate. Residents report that there is nearby bus service. Wheel-trans is available.
Residents’ ages range from about 80 to 94. All are active and independent, and must care for their own rooms and personal laundry. Any who become less able to do so are referred to a caregiver who will, for a fee, do laundry and cleaning for them. Trips to doctor, etc. must be organized by family.
There are 12 units: 7 occupied, 4 available now for new residents, and one guest suite (which can be rented for visiting family and friends or seniors wanting a short-term stay). Each room has an en-suite bathroom, with a large easy-access shower. Each room has large windows looking out on garden areas. There is a laundry room with 2 washers and 2 dryers. Rooms are laid out in two groups of six, each group with a central common area with table and chairs for reading, games, and visiting.
There is a garden with raised beds where residents can plant their own flowers and vegetables. Between the wings of the building is a sheltered patio with BBQ, where their popular Friday finger food suppers are served. (Wings, pizza, chips, salads, fruit trays, etc.)
The entrance hall is broad and welcoming, with a bright library/TV lounge to one side, and a washroom on the other side, and opens into a large comfortable combined living room/dining room, with fireplace. This is open to the kitchen, where all lunches and dinners are prepared, and residents get their own breakfasts. Residents who want to cook may do so with the support of the manager. Residents have prepared special meals as well as jams and jellies. One daughter of a resident who died continues to cook dinner for everyone once a month.
Staff consist of the manager Gillian (Monday-Friday) and assistant Loretta (weekends, and other times manager is away). Loretta gave us our tour. It was clear that the residents we met have a warm relationship with the staff. The manager has a self-contained apartment in the small second floor. The assistant has a room for her use when she is on duty. The common areas are cleaned twice a week by a cleaner who comes in to do this.
The corridors are bright with windows and beautiful art — paintings and photographs. (Note: The professional photos, placed there with permission of the photographer, are labeled with prices in hopes of sales to visitors.)
Residents must sign out when they go out, so they can be located if necessary, but otherwise there are no restrictions. They like to go to a nearby restaurant, and one resident spoke of how much she enjoys her walks on a nearby level trail. The house is run by a volunteer Board, which meets in the TV lounge. Residents have an opportunity twice a year to give feedback to the Board.
Contact Info: www.abbeyfieldcaledon.org
E-Mail: fo@AbbeyfieldCaledon.org
Tel: 905-860-0181
Location: 22 Walker Rd East, Caledon East, ON L7C 3K2
Kate Chung for the OWN Housing Committee
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Last updated: August 26, 2013
File: ABBEYFIELD CALEDON EAST July 2013 # 2.doc mrj