Interior Health confirms Broader Horizons to officially re-open operations September 1
By Nelson Daily Staff
A concerned senior population in Nelson can breathe a sigh of relief after Interior Health officially announced that Broader Horizons Adult Daycare Centre will officially re-open operations (Tuesday) September 1.
IH Health Service Administrator for Community Services in Kootenay/Boundary Cheryl Whittleton made the announcement Monday.
“We’re pleased to announce that we’ve hired permanent staff and we will be re-opening the programs (at Broader Horizons) September 1st,” Whittleton told The Nelson Daily.
“We’ve always indicated that this was a temporary closure. We recognize the importance of this program to all over our clients so I think our clients will be happy its’ re-opening.”
Broader Horizons was temporarily closed June 30 of this year due to a lack of qualified staff available.
The closure came as a shock to many seniors who depend on the program.
“I’m delighted,” said Gretchen Backus, whose husband Glenway was a frequent user of the Broader Horizons program.
Glenway Backus is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
“We’re both delighted and relieved and also hope that a lesson has been learned by Interior Health that this never be repeated again,” Gretchen Backus added.
Whittleton said the closure was never going to be long-term, adding the Broader Horizons program is a key component of the IH strategy to deal with the senior population.
“There’s been lots of community concern that this was going to be a permanent closure,” Whittleton said.
“But I’ve always indicated that this was a temporary closure and I’m really glad that we’ve been able to fill our positions.”
Whittleton the closure was a result of a staff resignation, which came at an inopportune time during summer holiday season.
“We can’t predict when staff are going to resign . . . we can look at staff retirements,” she said.
“But if staff resigns for one reason or another, that’s their right, we put up posting as soon as we receive the resignation and work within our collective agreements to recruit staff the best as we can.”
Backus was relieved to hear the news and hopes to have her husband back on a regular routine.
“He has missed out on the socialization and friendships that he has made,” Gretchen Backus said, adding she had to hire a private health care worker to fill the void created by the closure.
“Except when I got Glenway out myself, he didn’t have a place to call his own to socialize and I feel that has been he misses the friendships and the activities.”
Broader Horizons is an adult day centre the offers opportunities for seniors to enhance health, nutrition, socialization, independence and the enjoyment of life, in a supportive and safe environment.
The goal of the program is to supporting individuals to remain within their home and community.
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