Remembering Romeo Savoie

Sending condolences to the family and friends of the brilliant Acadian artist Romeo Savoie, who passed away yesterday at the age of 95. Romeo was a decorated artist who was recognized as a member of the Order of Canada for his contributions to Canadian arts.

Condoléances à la famille et aux amis de l'artiste visuel acadien Roméo Savoie. Lauréat de nombreux prix, dont les prix Strathbutler, Miller Brittain et Éloizes, Roméo Savoie a participé à un grand nombre d’expositions individuelles et collectives, y compris une rétrospective à la Galerie d’art Beaverbrook en 2006. Poète publié, il est reconnu pour ses études du sujet, de la forme d’expression artistique et de la technique.

Indulge Food & Wine Festival in St. Andrews

Ahhh, beautiful St. Andrews-by-the-Sea and organizers of Indulge food and wine festival, you really outdid yourselves hosting a sold out event that drew tourists from across the Maritimes. Hotels were full, businesses were booming….what a great boost to the local economy during the shoulder tourism season. The Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture was pleased to support this event with festivals and events funding. Thank you Kathy Bockus MLA for Saint Croix for showing me and my family around your beautiful riding. Dinner at Kingsbrae Garden was out of this world.

Expansion of Nursing Homes Without Walls Program Includes Kiwanis Nursing Home

I am so happy to see the Kiwanis Nursing Home in Sussex on this list. The Kiwanis Nursing Home has been approved for $92,910 in funding under the Nursing Home Without Walls program to be used for social activities, meals, transportation, personal care, navigation support and an information expo. Thank you Ministers Bockus and Fitch.

Fourteen nursing homes around the province have joined the government’s Nursing Homes Without Walls program, which extends some of their services to seniors still living at home.

Social Development put out an initial call for applications late last year; it is expected another six will join the program by the end of this year.

The program expansion and implementation is supported through a partnership with Healthcare Excellence Canada and the Université de Moncton’s Research Centre on Aging. The various sites are in different stages of the process; some are already offering support and services, while others expect to begin in the coming months.

“I am pleased to see the Nursing Homes Without Walls program expand,” said Kathy Bockus, minister responsible for seniors. “I appreciate the partnership between the university and Healthcare Excellence Canada, both for their help in delivering excellent services and their invaluable expertise.”

The current participants are:

1. Manoir Edith B. Pinet (Paquetville)

2. Westford Nursing Home (Port Elgin)

3. Résidences Inkerman (Inkerman)

4. Résidences Lucien Saindon (Lamèque)

5. Loch Lomond Villa (Saint John)

6. Résidences Mgr Chiasson (Shippagan)

7. Foyer Saint-Antoine (Saint-Antoine)

8. Victoria Glen Manor (Perth-Andover)

9. Villa Beauséjour (Caraquet)

10. Kiwanis Nursing Home (Sussex)

11. Passamaquoddy Lodge (Saint Andrews)

12. Dr. V.A. Snow Centre (Hampton)

13. Shannex Embassy Hall, Shannex Tucker Hall, Shannex Cohen Hall (Quispamsis and Saint John)

14. Shannex Losier Hall (Miramichi)

The program provides improved access to health and social services for older adults living in their own homes. It began as a pilot project in 2019 and later expanded through the provincial health plan.

“Helping seniors remain at home and independent is a pillar of the provincial health plan,” said Health Minister Bruce Fitch. “I am grateful for the hard work and dedication of the teams working together to help us reach this goal.”

“Nursing Homes Without Walls expanding across the province is thrilling,” said Suzanne Dupuis-Blanchard, director of the Université de Moncton’s Research Centre on Aging. “The pilot project allowed many older adults to continue to age at home, while having easy access to community support services and social health activities. I am proud to see this evidence-based program continue to grow in New Brunswick.”

Services offered through the program could include:

· Navigating and accessing other programs and services.

· Friendly check-in calls and in-person social visits.

· Transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping and social outings using a nursing home’s minibus.

· Use of a nursing home’s bath facilities and specialized equipment.

· Intergenerational initiatives between students and seniors (for example, a letter exchange with elementary school students or a meal and social visit with university students).