She stands alone at the mic to explain the project.

Her resolve and determination are reminiscent of that old hymn:
Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone.
Dare to have a purpose firm,
Dare to make it known.

True to her cause to see a new “household model” nursing home and day care centre built in Saint Andrews, Caroline Davies, is obviously a warrior. She has been at this a long time, at least seven years.

Davies has personal experience with the existing “Lodge” in Saint Andrews where a member of her family has been a resident for some time. The current facility is a cramped 53-year-old building with a dedicated staff but lacking the services and amenities of a modern nursing home. 

A large meeting was held Nov. 25 at the Bill O’Neill arena in the town to set out the very comprehensive plans for the “household model” of the project, which must raise $20 million for completion.

The “household model” commonly used in European and Scandinavian countries, and in some provinces in Canada, involves up to twelve individual rooms in a cottage-like unit. This approach is designed to help build a sense of community among the residents and avoid the long, echoing hallway with many doors into separate rooms.

Most people attending the meeting on Tuesday were persons of ‘a certain age.’ There were very few persons who could be described as “young.” There were no children present. Several philanthropists and representatives of well-known foundations attended.

Many people expressed interest in finding out where they “could go” in their later years, when no longer able to remain in their own apartment or house.

Davies noted the importance to so many to remain as long as possible in their own home. She says that she and the others committee members on the project strongly support “aging in place” throughout Charlotte County.

It is hoped that if the new nursing home can be achieved, many of the “aging in place” services could be supported from there. For instance, dementia patients could visit the home with family members to receive care that would not be available at home. Eventually, there could be a therapy pool, as well, allowing for low impact exercise in the pool.

Several senior politicians, including Premier Susan Holt, Cindy Miles, Minister for Social Development, Lyne Chantal Boudreau, Minister for Seniors, John Dornan, Minister of Health, John Williamson, MP for the federal riding of N.B. Southwest, and Kathy Bauchus, MLA for the riding of St. Croix, were conspicuous by their absence at the Tuesday meeting. To be fair, Premier Holt, Dr. Dornan, and MLA Baukus were present in St. Stephen on the same day for the announcement of a Collaborative Care health unit for that town.

Nonetheless, it is plain to see that the Saint Andrews Passamaquoddy Lodge project did not rank as far up the political interest chain that day. There is obviously a gap in political interest which the new Lodge project has not filled.

Those who attended the meeting for the new Lodge were invited to sign pre-drafted letters urging support. A lot of work obviously went into preparing those letters. But anyone with experience in a political office will confirm that it is personal letters based on real human hardship and personal concern that receive greater attention and response.

For whatever reason, the project does not seem to be garnering the attention and backing of the province’s senior politicians.

The per diem rate for nursing home beds in New Brunswick depends on the type of care and the resident's income. Internet research indicates that the provincial government provides per diem funding to nursing homes to cover most costs, while residents pay a maximum of $113 per day, depending on their income. 

Davies acknowledged the provincial government’s per diem rate would have to be doubled for the project to be viable.

There is an old saying that politicians don’t see the light until they feel the heat. To realize greater support coming from the local area, the Against the Flow blog wonders aloud if the project needs to win support from younger citizens including, believe it or not, school-age children.

Just about every kid has a grandmother or grandfather they are fond of and who is approaching that difficult age when they begin to ask themselves: “Where will I go when I can no longer care for myself or my partner at home.”

Could this care and affection of kids and their parents be a source of interest for the new Passamaquoddy Lodge? If the Lodge project goes ahead, there will be a day care attached to it, so in the future families would be very aware of its importance for all ages.

Also, Saint Andrews has a very rich cultural community. The local amateur theatre troupe staged three performances last weekend of its musical play Pirates of Passamaquoddy. It was a smash hit, raucous and rowdy, with tremendous community participation. Even amateur actors grow old eventually. Could this group of citizens also become involved in the fight for the new “Lodge”?

The Dare to be a Daniel philosophy can be adopted at any age or stage of life. Kids or comedic actors can also show that determination. Any government would have to pay attention to an “all ages” movement dedicated to: “Dare to have a purpose firm and Dare to make it known.”