Ninety-year-old David George Bryant moved to Drumlin Hills in the town of Bridgewater, NS, almost a decade ago because his memory was failing.
He and his wife would burn their dinners after forgetting them on the stove.
So Bryant chose an assisted living suite in Drumlin Hills while his wife moved into a nearby long-term care home. That way, he could visit her three times a week and still have food and cleaning service in her apartment.
Now Bryant, along with other assisted living residents, are worried about her future. Last week, they received notice from Rosedale Investments Limited, the company that bought the building this year, that three meals a day, weekly cleaning and staff assistance will stop on November 30 and will no longer be will include in their rents.
Many seniors in the building fear being kicked out because they can’t cope on their own.
Drumlin Hills was originally built by Atlantic Baptist Housing over 20 years ago. It is now privately owned and receives no government funding.
The only kitchen appliances in Bryant’s kitchen: a kettle, a toaster and a rice cooker. (Robert Short/CBC)
“Change comes suddenly … and change is not good” for seniors, Bryant says.
The building has 24 assisted care units where residents receive help with meals, laundry and cleaning. There are also 72 independent living units that allow seniors to downsize their homes while cooking.
Drumlin Hills residents chat outside the building. (Robert Short/CBC)
Bryant says tenants unexpectedly received forms asking them to accept new leases last week.
“I have too many people coming up to me with a form that says fill it out, you’ll come here next, or you’ll do it next. I want to know what’s next? ?” he said
Drumlin Hills residents were warned that many services will stop on November 30. (Provided by Drumlin Hills residents) The Drumlin Hills administrator declined to comment on the changes presented in the letters. (Provided by Drumlin Hills residents)
The monthly rent has been reduced but so have the services. The letter states that “rent will now include a stove and dishwasher. Units will be converted with new appliances as they become vacant. Tenants will move into completed units or work will be done on their current unit. Alternatively, you may have a toaster oven added to your current unit (not a dishwasher and oven) and turn off enhanced services on September 1, 2022.”
He feels insecure
Bryant says having a stove in the apartment is not safe for someone with memory loss. He says he will turn down a stove in his apartment, which would leave him alone without proper cooking facilities.
An elderly couple in their 80s spoke to CBC about their concerns, but declined to be named or appear on camera because they fear their living conditions could worsen.
The couple moved to the building a few years ago because of the community environment where like-minded people can interact, eat and enjoy activities together.
The sign at the entrance to Drumlin Hills reads “A Project of Atlantic Baptist Senior Citizens Homes Inc.” The building was bought by privately held Rosedale Investments Limited this year. (Robert Short/CBC)
“We talked to a couple of people just this morning who are afraid to stay out of the building, basically because they can’t support themselves anymore, like shopping, preparing food, etc. they have to leave,” he said. to say.
“We have two tenants who are over 100 years old. I don’t know how they will do it,” he added.
Concerned families
Tanya Wentzell of Lunenberg is worried about her mother-in-law in Drumlin Hills. He says that with the housing crisis, there aren’t many options.
A couple in their 80s who live in Drumlin Hills spoke to the CBC. They refused to appear on camera because they feared their living conditions would worsen. (Robert Short/CBC)
“Right now, her unit is only equipped with a microwave, a refrigerator and a sink. So we’re trying to figure it out and we don’t have a lot of time to do it.
“We put our family members there thinking it was a permanent place … And now it might not be.”
Halifax Port Properties
Rosedale Investments Limited, which owns Drumlin Hills, is part of Halifax Harbor Properties and both are owned by Joseph C. Arab.
When contacted by CBC, a representative for Halifax Harbor Properties said he was instructed not to comment on the sale.
The administrator of Rosedale Investments Limited which sent the letters to the Drumlin Hills tenants declined to comment on the sale. She said “absolutely no comment”, don’t call again and hung up.
The landlord was in the news five years ago when a couple looking for an apartment said Arab Brothers, another Arab-owned company, asked them to pay a deposit along with their application. The practice is illegal in Nova Scotia.
The mayor asks the province for help
Bridgewater Mayor David Mitchell said because the building is classified as multi-unit residential and is listed as a private business, there is nothing the city can do to keep the assisted living units as they are.
With only one other facility in Lunenburg County for seniors, he says this situation is incredibly concerning.
“I don’t know where these people are going to go or what they’re going to do,” said Mitchell, whose father also once lived in Drumlin Hills.
Bridgewater Mayor David Mitchell says it is in the best interest of residents and the province to maintain services at the assisted living units in Drumlin Hills. (Robert Short/CBC)
“This is for people who can’t live fully, independently in their own home, and are nowhere near that stage where they should be in long-term care. So this gave them the dignity and the independence to live alone while taking care of their meals and things like that.”
Last week, Mitchell sent an email to the province saying they have a role to play and should step in.
CBC also came to the province. Khalehla Perrault, communications and media relations adviser for Nova Scotia Seniors and Long-Term Care, said the building is not licensed or funded by the government, so no action will be taken by the department.