Long-term care home on P.E.I. able to take residents for outings once again

A short stroll through Victoria Park in Charlottetown and a stop for ice cream is considered aregular way for many to spend a sunny afternoon.

But it's a big deal for sixlong-term care residents who have only just been able to start going out for excursions again.

"Oh lovely. It's been a long while since I've been out here but it's just nice, just to get out anywhere," said resident Beatrice Doucette,visibly emotional while talking about it.

This is the second outing availablefor some residents of Garden Home in Charlottetown.

Staff said the excursionswere put on hold since the pandemic arrived on P.E.I. in March of 2020.

Now that public health restrictions have slowly been easing, they were able to take the residents out once again.

"It's amazing to us. Being part of the activities team that's what our summer looks like,"said Angela Boudreau, activity director at Garden Home.

"Normally, we try to go out at least every second Friday to do something and then through theweek when we're going toceilidhsand movies at the movie theatre. So this is a big deal to us to actually get out and get some fresh air."

She said residents have all received two doses of COVID-19 vaccineand they plan the trip keepingall current public heath measures from the Chief Public Health Office and their facility in mind.

There were 13 residents able to take part in the first outing, a recent tripto the park. Boudreau said about the same number of residents are signing up for the outings as before the pandemic.

She said they are hoping that things stay safe on P.E.I. and public health measures across the province continue to ease so they are able to gofor more outings.

"It's nice to get out and take those deep breaths and it just refreshes."

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