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13 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,M ay 30,2019 theifp.ca At first glance, 128 Cob- blehill Rd. in Acton looks like a typical family home. But what's happening inside is quite unique. The house in a residential neighbourhood has been converted into Christie Oaks Care Home, an assis- ted living and transitional care home for seniors. "It's a home environ- ment. We don't want it to look institutional," said owner Cynthia Okwudili. "Our care is very personal- ized and all of our meals are cooked from scratch." The home opened its doors in December 2017 and is licensed for up to 10 residents. It's staffed 24-7 by personal support work- ers, with nursing staff vis- iting a few times per week and a doctor stopping by weekly to check on pa- tients. "We also work in part- nership with the local health integration net- work and they support us with any resources we need," noted Okwudili. With hospitals and long-term care homes struggling to keep up with the demands of an aging population, Okwudili said Christie Oaks can "fill in that gap" for patients tran- sitioning back into the community who are still in need of 24-hour assistance. "Our goal is to always make sure there are no re- admissions to the hospital because it's already full," she said. "I think homes like ours should be where the Ministry of Health is looking in the future as we can take that burden from the hospital." While Christie Oaks is always full, Okwudili said they do assess the needs of individuals coming in and try to give preference to those who need care the most. The wait list for transitional care is about one to three months, she noted. The home also offers re- spite care for caregivers who need a day, weekend or week off. Christie Oaks is hoping to put an addition on its home in the near future and open up an additional five beds. BUSINESS Christie Oaks Care Home owner Cynthia Okwudili shows off the homey environment provided for seniors who need assisted living and transitional care. Melanie Hennessey/Torstar CHRISTIE OAKS PROVIDES HOME AWAY FROM HOME FOR SENIORS CHRISTIE OAKS CARE HOME 128 Cobblehill Rd., Acton EMAIL: info@armisaelcare.ca WEBSITE: www.armisaelcare.ca PHONE: 519-929-9494 NEWBIZ LEARN ABOUT NEW BUSINESSES IN YOUR COMMUNITY. THEIFP.CA MELANIE HENNESSEY mhennessey@ metroland.com Call to Artists Request for Proposals Banner Project - Temporary Public Art Open to all Canadian Artists Closing Date: June 11, 2019 Questions & applications to publicart@haltonhills.ca Visit haltonhills.ca/culture for full project details I've got your back Count on me for one-on-one service, better savings, and coverage that's customized for you. Stop in, call or click. 12 11 0 27 C N .1 Desjardins Insurance refers to Certas Home and Auto Insurance Company, underwriter of automobile and property insurance or Desjardins Financial Security Life Assurance Company, underwriter of life insurance and living benefits products. Desjardins, Desjardins Insurance and related trademarks are trademarks of the Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec, used under licence. Lora Greene CIP, Agent 211 Guelph St Unit 6 Georgetown ON L7G 5B5 905-873-1615 www.loragreene.ca