Hillside building, Riverview Hospital, Coquitlam, B.C., Canada.
Work started in January, 1965, and the contract was for $241,296, for the 60 bed Hillside unit, done in “Danish-modern style” it was completed by January of 1966. Initially there were 46 residents. The main hospital population in 1967 was 2815, and 756 in Valleyview, for a total population of 3,571.
HILLSIDE By: E.D. Bower, West Lawn
That is one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen in all my life. It is a millionaire's mansion in every sense of the word, and I hope they get the right people to run it.
The old swimming pool in front of it is a disgrace; the building has been condemned. It should be torn down immediately and a social centre along the lines of the Crystal Garden in Victoria be built in its place. [Ed.note: The “pool” was part of the Boys Industrial School of Coquitlam,(BISCO),(1923-1955), and was removed a few years later]
All about Hillside By: Mrs. T.Simmons, H 3
For weeks now patients out strolling have been admiring the new building which has been emerging opposite the swimming pool. It is Danish modern in design, surrounded by what will be sweeping lawns, Colourful flower gardens front the concrete walks to the entrance,
Now it can be told — the building is the Rehabilitation Department's new Hillside Unit, opened August 15th for 60 patients, 30 women and 30 men.
From the glassed front entrance of the main floor where the office is centrally located, the living and dining room are on either side. Furnished with three arrangements in Danish modern, the living room, spacious and effused with daylight, through the opposing windowed walls, spells comfort and relaxation in the soft, colourful hues chosen for the interior decoration. Leading from the living room is an outside patio on the north side. The cafeteria-style dining room offers hot meals cooked and trucked down from East lawn kitchens, and served from steam tables. All stainless steel, the serving room and kitchen are provided with the most modern refrigeration and stove units. Besides enjoying the living room, where visitors can be entertained, there is T.V. placed in the dining-room where there is ample room for this in one corner. An aquarium also graces the area.
Next to the living room, a special work kitchen provides facilities for preparing light meals. And again, a laundry room is suitably equipped for washing, drying and ironing. The latter are both for patients’ use under guidance of the teaching staff. Wash rooms adjoin from the hallway.
An open staircase arises from the entrance hall to the second floor. Here the bedrooms consist of five six-bed rooms for the ladies on one side, and the same number for the men on the other. To each bed, there is a compact wardrobe closet, boasting a set of drawers; a ladder-back chair for bedside use finished in dark walnut to match the wardrobe. Bathrooms for each side are centrally located with an extra room to provide a den or "hide-out" for those wish to spend time in grooming, mending or other sit-me-down hour duties. The storerooms for linen and utility closet take up the remaining space.
Nothing more could be asked for in the way of a home away from home. Hillside unit is luxury and must be seen to be appreciated. Open house will be held some time in September.
THE SUPERVISOR & STAFF
Supervisor of the new Hillside Unit, Mr. Richard T. Franklin was interviewed by "The Leader," prior to the opening which took place on August l5th. A casually keen and efficient host, Mr. Franklin (Tony, as he pleasantly told us he was called by many contemporaries and friends) guided us through this modern and cheerful building.
Graduating in Psychiatric Nursing in 1949, he won the Proficiency Medal at the time and has since attended a course at the University Psychiatric Hospital at U.C.L.A. In 1963, through a bursary grant. This course at U.C.L.A. dealt with Psycho Therapy for male and female patients, acutely ill.
Mr. Franklin has been on the nursing staff in various units of Riverview Hospital and recently was charge nurse at Valleyview 2 on Rehabilitation for Geriatric Patients. His wife, Mrs. Mildred, is Coordinator with Volunteer Services at Woodlands School.
Although Hillside Unit was in the planning for two years, Mr. Franklin himself has been organizing on the job for over two months, ordering supplies and overseeing the many details of readying. He is looking forward with enthusiasm for the results on the "Rehabilitation for Outside Living” for patients, who are carefully chosen and ready for this new venture.
INHABITANTS By: Miss N. McClung, E 3.
More than 60 patients will be finding a new home at the Hillside Unit - 30 men in the west side and 30 women on the east side. The pilot project, as explained by Miss Ellart, Coordinator of the Rehabilitation Department , and Mr. Franklin, Unit Supervisor, this week, is really two programs: for patients ready to be discharged to boarding houses, and for those beginning to prepare themselves for outside living on their own.
The staff, all with psychiatric training, will be in civilian clothing to emphasize their role of instructors rather than nurses.
Only the staff who voluntarily applied have been enrolled. They will not be attached to any Departments of Riverview, but be under the Rehabilitation Department only.
The 60 Patients who will be transferred to Hillside will continue at their work areas, and in addition when they are "at home" they will be learning to cook, care of their clothes and personal grooming. The entire modern building and the mode of living will be patterned for every day living.
The main emphasis will be rehabilitation for outside living, and the philosophy taught the importance of self-grooming and self-care. Think what an asset this will be when the patients return home. The cooking instruction will include simple food preparation for those working or living alone.
The men will find the ability to do their own ironing useful.
In line with the practical usefulness of the course, the staff plans the gradual transfer of patients from Riverview for a few weeks, to find out what really will be needed in the unit.
Besides enjoying the living room with its bright tangerine, brown and forest green decor, the patients are taught hostess duties when visitors are entertained at Hillside. They can serve tea to their guests. There is a television corner, in the dining room, where there is ample space for this without disrupting the sitting room. Mr.Franklin also mentioned shopping trips outside will be planned for the patients to select their own wardrobe.
At one end of the building is a "powder" or sewing room, for ladies. At the other end of the hallway is a den for the men, for hobbies.
For recreation, it is hoped that the volunteers will help the patients participate in community and church services, and that hospital facilities in their area will be kept to a minimum.
The prime purpose of Hillside unit is to further aid the patients (after active treatment is completed), and to enable him (or her) to resume once again normal living and to enjoy a purposeful life.
Hillside -- New Horizon. By: M. Hilling, Hillside.
I am a former patient from East Lawn, who was transferred to Hillside soon after that unit opened last fall. More responsibility, frequent discussions of the patients lives both at Hillside and other units are all keynoted in the Hillside environment. Supervisor is Mr. Franklin. Committee meetings play an important part in our life. Recently we elected officers for our committee: Chairman, Mr.C.Campbell -- Secretary, Mr. F.Duggan -- Treasurer, Mrs. W.Augustino --Directors, Mrs.L. Krepelnick, Mr. R.Secora, Mrs. W.Somerville.
Encouragement of self-expression and responsibility are stressed by meetings. Criticisms and suggestions are welcome, and if our proposals are practicable within the general framework in which the unit operates, they are accepted. The staff attend our meetings but only because when we were given the option of holding our meetings without them, we chose to have them present.
Examples of our increased freedom and responsibility, which always go together, are numerous. They include liberal bedtime regulations, our "home kitchen" where both men and women renew their cooking aptitudes, and the care of our own clothes, which we greatly enjoy washing and ironing.
Among other features of the Hillside program are our tri-weekly exercise sessions. These are held at 11:15 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for the women residents and at the same time on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for the men. On Wednesdays, Miss Rappaport of the R.T. Department takes over our group and really sparks the session. On Friday nights and Saturday mornings, we go on shopping expeditions to town.
Our meetings with our instructors take place throughout the week, and we have a truly enjoyable time talking and socializing together. Couples and groups mingle well and listen to the radio or records. Everything has taken on a new glow, a mellow atmosphere.
We all get along extremely well at Hillside; both residents and instructors. There have been twelve residents discharged from the unit within the last five months, and the rest of us are looking forward to the day when we shall be leaving too.
HILLSIDE UNIT
This article is for the benefit of persons who are unaware of the purpose of Hillside We will be submitting an article pertaining to individual programmes each month and hopefully this will be of some assistance to interested parties.
The programme in this unit is specifically designed to prepare the patient for more effective living when he/she returns to the community. The assumption is that acute symptoms have subsided and that he/she is now capable of responding to individual and group stimulation for improvement in behaviour patterns., Stress is laid upon encouraging the patient to become self-sufficient and responsible for his/her behaviour,
The programme is designed to meet the needs of specific groups:
A) Potential for employment & independent living.
B) Potential for Boarding Home living.
C) Potential for family living, including a home to accept the patient.
D) Potential for Boarding Home living and employment.
Priority is for patients who can profit most fully from a rehabilitation programme stressing self-sufficiency and independence.
HILLSIDE CHRISTMAS PARTY. By: M. MacDonald, H 3.
December 17th was the date of the Hillside Rehabilitation Unit's Christmas Party. The time was set for 7:30 and cars arrived to provide transportation for the invited guests from other areas.
Upon our arrival at Hillside, each lady was presented with a small Christmas corsage. We were ushered into the dining area where the dance was to take place, to await the arrival of the orchestra. The room was filled with residents and guests, and a few staff members with their husbands and wives, including Miss A. Elart, Coordinator of the Rehabilitation Department.
The Augmented Patients' Orchestra, under the direction of Mrs. B. Hood, arrived, and soon the dance was in progress in the limited dancing area. Mr.Tony Franklin, Unit Supervisor, arrived with his wife Mildred, who is Volunteer Coordinator at Woodlands, and with "Leader" artist, Ken Butterworth, danced a smooth rendition of the samba. Some dancers maneuvered their partners under the mistletoe hanging over the dance floor. During an interlude, staff and patient entertainment was supplied by various soloists. Among these were Sybil Kelly, Trigbe Ristad, Morley Le Page, Miss Worth, Mr. Schroeder, and Jerry Adams, who all performed admirably. Entertainment over, dancing resumed for a short while. Refreshments were served, and the party was over. Thank you for the entertainment, Hillside.
No comments:
Post a Comment