Wildwood Care Centre kicks off Christmas season with annual open house

More than 100 residents, families and staff members attend event that created ‘a real feeling of togetherness’

Wildwood Care Centre hosted its annual Christmas open house Dec. 3, with more than 100 people attending.

Allison Hoskins, the St. Marys, Ont., long-term care home’s life enrichment co-ordinator, says this year’s event saw an abundance of family members come through the doors to spend time with their loved ones and meet new people.

“Every December we invite the families of the residents in, and we have entertainment and lots of food, and there is a real feeling of togetherness,” Allison tells The OMNIway.

“People share stories and there’s always lots of laughter.”

Residents were involved in organizing the event, Allison says. At a residents’ council meeting before the open house, several residents said they wanted to help with the baking.

So, every Tuesday before the event, residents helped team members prepare desserts that were served at the open house.

“A lot of the residents like baking cookies and that sort of thing, so they were involved that way,” Allison says.

Allison says each year’s open house marks the kickoff of the Christmas season at Wildwood Care Centre, and the event has become a favourite at the home.

“We always look forward to this event every year, both the staff and the residents,” she says.

If you have a story you would like to share with The OMNIway, please contact the newsroom at e-mail deron(at)axiomnews.com.

If you have feedback on this story, please call the newsroom at e-mail deron(at)axiomnews.com.