Decorative doors create sense of home
Tideview Terrace seeking donations to install more doors for its residents
The Tideview Terrace Home for Special Care in Digby is looking more like home these days.
Some True Doors – decorative door decals that look like the real thing – have been installed in the home with plans to install 72 more.
Developed by a Dutch company, the replica door decals are designed to transform impersonal hallways into 'neighbourhoods with homes.' The goals are to help people recognize and find their own doors, help seniors feel at home, and energize staff with a beautiful workplace.
And the doors work, says Katie Booth, CTRS, Manager of Therapeutic Recreation at Tideview Terrace.
“Residents, staff and visitors have all expressed how much they love their new doors or their loved ones' new doors,” says Booth. “Adding the True Door to our environment has enabled our residents to feel more at home, be able to recognize and find their own room, increase their sense of safety and privacy, and stimulate reminiscing and social interaction with housemates. When you walk into both of the houses with a True Door there is a sense of being at home.”
Debra Boudreau, administrator/CEO of Tideview Terrace, says the door decals are a great source of joy for everyone who lives and works at Tideview.
“Little things matter, especially at a time that we have limited control on the things happening around us with the COVID-19 restrictions," she says. "Having choice over our personal space's color and design strengthens our sense of autonomy and belonging. Wayfinding becomes especially
Posing beside one of the real doors installed at the Tideview Terrace in Digby. TIDEVIEW important for people with dementia. The doors offer a contrast to their environment that otherwise can be very confusing."
Booth says Tideview Terrace became aware of True Doors during a presentation at an educational session attended by a staff member.
“Residents were involved in every aspect of this project, from picking the door style, color, door knob and placement,” says Booth.
A fundraising campaign is now underway to purchase 72 more True Doors so all residents at Tideview can have their own style door. Each costs $190.
Booth says they are getting support for the campaign from families, friends, Tideview Terrace volunteers and local businesses. “Our initial Facebook post has reached over 16,000 people,” she says.
People wanting to donate to the campaign can do so in two ways: by mailing a cheque to Tideview Terrace, 74 Pleasant St, Digby N.S. B0V 1A0 or through an online link on their Facebook page.
Tideview Terrace is a not-for-profit organization. The Home for Special Care opened in 1973, moving to its currently location in 2011. The present capacity is 89 beds, plus one bed for respite.