Deer Lodge Centre taking over operations of Charleswood adult day program slated for closure

An adult day program set to close at the end of the month in Charleswood has been spared.

The provincial government announced Monday that is ensuring adult day programming for seniors continues in the same Charleswood space after Lions Housing Centres announced Oct. 30 would be its last day.

“All of the participants are going to be able to continue at that same location,” Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara said in an interview Monday.

The funder — the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority — and the operator, Lions Housing Centres, sent a letter Sept. 16 to the 107 day club members and their families informing them of the closure without providing a reason. The letter said the WRHA was working closely with partners to explore options for current participants and individuals on the waiting list and that a home care case co-ordinator would contact them with options to try to meet their needs.

On Monday, the province announced that Deer Lodge Centre is assuming operations at the same Charleswood location with the goal of minimizing disruptions to programming.

“That is really good news,” said Kathy Brett James, whose mother lives in the neighbourhood and attends the day program.

“I’m just thrilled because that allows them to be independent for a day and they give their caregiver some respite and they have a day to socialize with people their own age — and it’s just a really fun program,” James said.

The Charleswood day program had been operating with a deficit for several years and Lions Housing wasn’t prepared to renew the five-year lease without adequate funding from the WRHA, sources close to the program, who asked not to be identified, said earlier.

Now, the WRHA has signed a 10-year lease for the space, effective Dec. 1.

“We wanted this to be a much longer lease so that seniors who are counting on this could also trust to be in place for at least a decade,” the health minister said. Asagwara wasn’t clear if the centre will remain open in November with the same four staff members.

“Our hope here is that the program will continue without disruption. We’ve let the WRHA know that whatever resource and support they need from our government in order to ensure that, that they have it. They’re actively working with Lions to ensure the smooth transfer of all of the equipment and supplies that were located at that space,” the minister said.

“We would welcome all the Lions employees if they wanted to stay on and continue the programming.”

A spokesperson for Lions Housing Centres’ Charleswood adult day program wasn’t available for comment Monday.

For more than 30 years, the program provided a welcoming place for connection, companionship and support for older adults and their families. It helped participants remain active, engaged and connected to their community while also providing respite and support for caregivers.

“We just really want this to be a seamless and positive transition for all the participants,” the minister said. “We are encouraging Lions to work with the WRHA to make this a seamless transition.”

Asagwara said there may be an opportunity to “onboard” more staff with Deer Lodge Centre expanding its adult day program. It will add 20 participant spaces for seniors living with dementia, providing more opportunities to stay active, connected and supported in their communities, the minister said.

Adult day programs help seniors to continue living independently at home. They offer a range of services, including therapeutic recreation, nutritious meals and snacks, health and safety education and community outings.

The Charleswood adult day program issue should have been addressed long before Monday’s last-minute rescue by the provincial government, Progressive Conservative health critic Kathleen Cook said.

“It never should have got to this point,” said Cook, the MLA for Roblin, where the day program is located.

“I feel that if there hadn’t been such effective pressure on the government to act, then the program would be closing its doors this week. This is a credit to everyone who spoke up about this issue and reached out to me, to the minister’s office and to the WRHA to express their concerns about this.”

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca