Interview with Berwick House resident, Norma Sills

At Berwick House I would say it’s pretty good. The staff is welcoming, it’s respectful, it’s aware of the residents, and they are very caring and they do everything to make us happy.

I’m very sociable, so I like to go to exercise classes. I go out on the bus, trips to restaurants, museums, theater, concerts, and other trips around, hiking in the parks. I do have my own car, but it’s nice to go in the group. They have crafts or music programs, and I enjoy that.

I find it very friendly. The staff is always aware of what’s happening with the residents, and they watch us, and they’re right there if they’re needed. Everyone’s very cheerful. No matter what you ask them, right away, they’re happy to take care of whatever your needs are.

The staff is wonderful, and I think the management does a really good job with programs. The staff is very well-trained to deal with anything that happens there. There are people of all ages with medical problems, and things happen, and they are very quick to respond.

I did look at a few others, and I didn’t feel any welcoming or anything there. However, I came to Berwick House, and I saw a room which was being renovated, and it was what I wanted. So I put a deposit in, and I got the room I wanted. I’m very happy with the room. It’s on the sunny side, looks over the garden, and it’s very pleasant.

Everything was prepared. The maintenance man set up the TV and got everything in working order. I received my new residence book with all the information I needed, and I thought they were well prepared to help me get in easily. Of course, with any questions, they were there, very patient with everything.

It’s a very gradual process because it’s a big change in your life going from a home and making a decision to come. Gradually you feel comfortable and you get to know people, and other residents are friendly and greet you all the time. So you start to feel pretty comfortable with the place. I couldn’t say any definite time. It just gradually happens. You adjust to it. It’s a new life.

The location is something to consider. Where I am, I’m fairly healthy and I like to walk, so I’ve got the library, the grocery, and the pharmacy all within easy walking distance. I think that’s a good thing for anybody. Even if you have a walker, some of the stores are close enough for people with walkers. I can walk easily, so I can walk further. I have a car, but I like to walk and I do walk most of the time. Twice a week at least, I’m out in the car somewhere. I have a lot of freedom and choice about activities and everything. So I consider myself pretty lucky.

Not really. People do get set with their group, and you start to learn where you might be welcome or you might not be welcome. But I don’t take offense. People like to be with their friends, but most of the time, people welcome you to join them. As a whole, people do welcome you. I understand people who do want to stick together. It’s okay. It’s okay with me anyway.

I don’t know. In a way, it’s almost accidental. There are people there who came from other residences because they weren’t happy there, and I feel lucky that I fell into this one, and it was luck. There are two Berwicks there. I had thought about going to the other one because it was in my neighborhood, but it’s more isolated from stores and businesses. I came to Berwick House and they made me welcome. I discovered that for me, this is a better location anyway. But someone who has more medical needs might consider another facility. Hopefully, I’m not there yet. So far, so good.

You have to be flexible. Nobody’s life is perfect. There are pros and cons to everything, but you have to say there are more pros to living there than cons.

For this time in my life, I think I’m doing the right thing. Most of us there have families who are concerned, and they like to know we’re in a safe place. That’s pretty well how it starts. In my case, I just decided I didn’t want any more responsibilities, running a house and hiring people to work for me. It was time to give it up.

It’s a big decision, but it was the right one for me. Everybody has to come to that feeling about when they take that step, and it is a big step, but pretty well deep down, you know there’s a time when you have to do these things, and we have to accept that. I find that everybody there is more than friendly. I don’t know what more you can ask for, really.