Sixty-three years is my age. That’s old enough to remember the mistake made in 1995 when West Park Nursing Home in Red Deer was closed-to save money.
We were told at the time that the building wasn’t up to standards and should be condemned.
The residents and staff were uprooted in complete shock that something like this could ever happen. After all, there was a waiting list!
Shortly after this upheaval announcements were made that there was a bed shortage of at least 70 beds! Then to add insult to injury, the “condemned” building was sold, successfully renovated and re-opened as a lodge!
Our Red Deer North MLA believes that Valley Park Manor and Red Deer Nursing Home are badly deteriorating and need to be replaced.
Yes, the Michener Village is needed; but so are these two homes!
Many billions of dollars are being spent or projected to be spent on continuing care. Spend some for long term care and update these buildings if need be!
We desperately need more than the new 204 long term beds. With a waiting list growing we need to accommodate everyone, including the long term care patients.
If the closures do sadly go as proposed, I wonder how long before we’re told that there is at least a 200 bed shortage and the wait times have increased!
Eve Walker
Red Deer