Come-and-go tea on Friday, Oct. 10 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Celebrations are in order at Rosewood Lodge, which is marking a milestone 50 years.
Plans for the Stonewall-based personal care home began in 1965 and were approved in 1974, according to Heartbeats of a Hospital, a history book printed in 1995.
Rosewood Lodge started out as a 30-bed personal care home to serve the communities of Stonewall, Rosser, Rockwood and Woodlands. Rosewood got its name from a public competition, with “RO” from Rosser, “SE” from Stonewall and “WOOD” from Rockwood and Woodlands. The first residents were admitted on June 26, 1975, and Rosewood had its official opening on Oct. 4, 1975.
At the time, the care home was attached to the Dr. Evelyn Memorial Hospital, which was the original hospital in Stonewall. When the new hospital opened in Stonewall, Rosewood Lodge remained at the original site, and a new 20-bed unit was added onto the care home.
Today, the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority personal care home is home to 50 residents. They’re cared for by a multi-disciplinary team that consists of nursing, health-care aides, dietary, housekeeping, maintenance, administration, occupational therapy and recreation.
“Rosewood Lodge is important to the community because it provides a safe place for our older adults to live when they are no longer able to stay in their own homes and are needing extra care,” said recreation coordinator Sheryl Steinthorson-Taylor.
“It gives their families peace of mind knowing that they are being cared for in a safe environment with staff members there 24 hours a day.”
Having a personal care home in the community also allows residents to remain close to their family and friends.
“Rosewood residents often see familiar faces, whether it be old friends, family members or staff members that may also be related to someone they know,” she said.
“That is one of the joys of living in a rural community — you know your neighbours and see familiar faces every day, and we know how important this familiarity can be for the well-being of residents.”
In addition to providing a caring home to many residents over the last five decades, Rosewood Lodge has also provided employment opportunities in the area for many years.
“There is always someone that you run into that has either worked at Rosewood or knows someone that has worked there,” Steinthorson-Taylor said. “So it is a big part of our community for that reason as well.”
To celebrate Rosewood Lodge’s 50th anniversary, all are welcome at a come-and-go tea on Friday, Oct. 10 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The event is for community members, past staff members and anyone who may have had a loved one that lived in Rosewood Lodge over the years.
“We will be serving tea, coffee and cake,” Steinthorson-Taylor said. “There will be a donation collection at the door, and proceeds will go to the recreation department for the benefit of everyone who lives here.”
A limited number of Heartbeats of a Hospital books, which share the history of the old hospital and Rosewood Lodge, will be available at the event for $10 each.
