Extendicare Countryside residents, staff sing praises of new digs during visit from Sudbury MPP

A look at the new Extendicare Countryside Residents & staff of Sudbury's newest long-term care home, Extendicare Countryside, boast about the new facility. Angela Gemmill reports.

Sudbury’s Member of Provincial Parliament got a firsthand look inside the city’s newest long-term care home. It was a chance for residents and staff at Extendicare Countryside to boast about their new digs.

Jamie West came during breakfast time and not only shared a meal with residents but listened to their praise for their new home and the staff who work there.

“When you hear from Joyce (Lacelle) and the staff how cared the residents are here, but then you see it and you hear from people as your walking through the cafeteria or in the hallway – they say the same thing,” West said.

“I think it’s a real positive reinforcement because sooner or later most of us are going to end up in long-term care and you want that to be as positive experience as it can be.”

Officially opened in May, Extendicare Countryside is a 256-bed long-term care home in Greater Sudbury’s southend.

Joyce Lascelle moved here from the York Street site and says although the new space is bigger and has a better view, the staff provide the same high level of care.

“The care that’s taken with the residents. The (staff) are very helpful. (The residents) like the attention they get here. The PSWs are very good.”

At mealtime, residents eat together in the dining hall. Accommodations are made for dietary needs, which West and other guests had a chance to sample.

The meet and greet coincided with Ontario Long Term Care Association's First Community Engagement Day – a chance to show outsiders what goes on inside a facility like this one.

The Regional Director for Ontario North said Extendicare is committee the creating more long-term care spaces across the region.

“We have approved homes right across the north,” said Johanna Horne.

“Every one of the regions that I’ve mentioned … with the exception of one home in Sault Ste Marie, all of them are slated for development over the next few years.”

Extendicare has purchased property in Sudbury’s Minnow Lake neighbourhood with the plan to build a new 320-bed facility that would replace the York Street site. That development is slated to start within the next few years.