Elizabeth Lamirande’s story is testament to how much things have changed -- a little over a year ago, the then 80-year-old was in long term care home waiting for a spot to open up at an assisted living residence.
Finlandia’s Lepokoti did open its doors to 82 seniors in the fall of 2012 and Lamirande was one of a handful moving into a new apartment from a long-term care home. “While Lamirande is a trailblazer, her story will become more common for many seniors in the North East,” said Louise Paquette, CEO of the North East Local Health Integration Network. “Long-term care is increasingly becoming not only a final destination but also a place to recover from an illness before returning home.” David Munch, Executive Director of Finlandia Village, said by moving out of long-term care, Elizabeth opened up a spot there for a senior who needs it. “It was a win-win for everyone,” Munch said. “Elizabeth gets to move into the right care setting at the right time and another individual who requires long-term care gets the right care at the right time.” Lamirande is no stranger to trailblazing, having been hired as one of the first female Sudbury transit drivers in 1977. She and her husband Reginald Lamirande, a truck driver with a talent for ironing and baking apple pies, enjoyed 65 years together raising four children in Wahnapitae and then the births of three grandchildren. After his passing two year ago, Elizabeth’s health also suffered. She was admitted to hospital with an acute illness and spent three months at Health Sciences North before being declared an Alternate Level of Care (ALC) patient. At that point, she was transferred to the hospital’s former Memorial site where interim beds for ALC patients had been set up. It took nine months before a spot opened in a long-term care home – Pioneer Manor in Sudbury. While at Pioneer Manor, her health continued to improve and she was identified as a potential candidate for Finlandia’s Lepokoti residence – a mix of affordable and market value apartments, with a dining room and meal plans, as well as assisted living services for those who need them. It opened in October of 2012 and Elizabeth moved in one month later. “I don’t want to knock the care I received in hospital and at Pioneer. They took very good care of me. But you have to understand, those are institutions. I like the freedom I have here. If I want to go outside for a walk, I can go outside for a walk,” she said. Or take her scooter out to bingo, bread making or other activities. Her doctor has an office in the building just around the corner from her apartment. While she takes most of her meals in the dining room, partly for the socializing, Elizabeth explained “if I want to poach an egg, I can right here in my kitchen.” She receives daily visits and help with her medications. “I’ve been here for over a year. It’s a very friendly place. I’ve met a lot of new people,” Elizabeth said. Backgrounder:- Throughout the North East LHIN’s ongoing engagements, Northerners have said that more supports are needed to help seniors maintain their independence living at home or in community.
- North East LHIN investments have allowed for more than 230 additional high risk seniors accessing assisted living, whether in a residence or in their own home.
- Ongoing North East LHIN support has allowed for a decrease in alternate level of care patients in hospital, which had been at a high of 40 per cent to a low of 19 per cent across the region. More importantly, the support is changing the lives of many seniors, including those who are able to leave long-term care homes for more appropriate care in the community in which they live.