When Pat Kindree was able to move from St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton into Long-Term Care at The Village of Wentworth Heights, her husband Frank says it was a “godsend”. That he was able to quickly follow and move into a beautiful suite just down Main Street in the Becker neighbourhood of the retirement side of the Village was almost too good to be true.
Nearly every day for five months, he had been navigating the trip to the hospital from their previous home in a different retirement community.
“Now it takes me 232 paces from the elevator to go and see her,” Frank says.
Every morning, he ventures the 232 steps to meet Pat and together they tour the Village, stopping at the café to chat with neighbours, greeting team members as the couple takes the scenic route to Frank’s suite, where today they sit together and share their reflections on the move.
Beyond the physical challenges Pat faces, from which she’s already improved in the six weeks since moving to the Village, she also lives with dementia. Her memories come and go, but her calm demeanor and the affection she feels for Frank is clear as she sips a cup of tea and Frank talks about the move that seems to have changed everything.
“We’ve really had a great life change,” Frank says, “and we really weren’t expecting it. We didn’t expect to see the beauty this place holds. Everywhere you look there’s something cheerful.”
Perhaps the most beautiful thing he’s seen is his wife of nearly 70 years improving after a long hospital stay where her basic care was managed, but there were no mental, physical or emotional improvements.
“She has come so far so quickly,” Frank says, looking over to Pat as she smiles and nods her head. He describes how the social aspects of life in the Village have brought out a new level of connection for Pat, noting a particular friendship that has sparked between Pat and another resident, Kathy. Beyond the other residents, Frank says it’s the team that really makes the Village a special place.
“Those people over in long-term care, I don’t know, somehow I feel they have some further indoctrination, if you will, from Schlegel, that infuses each and every one of them with love,” Frank says. “She gets so much love; I can’t tell you how much.”
He says that love must be the reason so many people he’s met since moving in are in their mid- to late-90s, and some are even 100 or more.
The environment is the key to longevity, he says, noting he just celebrated his 90th birthday in The Ruby, upstairs, which offers a full restaurant-like experience for residents, guests and the community beyond.
“I’m looking forward to our 100s,” he says, reaching over to hold his wife’s hand. “I think with this kind of environment, a person with the right mentality and the right outlook can make it, and we’re going to be two people that are going to do it.”
