A lovely testimonial from CHSLD Lionel-Émond
Gatineau, 13 August, 2020
Subject: Living wall at CHSLD Lionel-Émond
Madam,
I’m delighted to share with you the positive responses to the living wall installed here at CHSLD Lionel-Émond in March 2020. One must first mention that this beautiful initiative was inspired by the living wall that already existed at the CHSLD Ernest-Brisson. We also wanted to profit from the benefits of natural greenery in our milieu.
This wall was built and completed during a somber and difficult situation, specifically during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. We had to limit comings and goings on the main floor and institute social distancing. Family visits also had to stop.
Nonetheless, since it’s arrival, the living wall hasn’t stopped generating wonderful reactions among our employees, who took their breaks next to it. When people walked by, they commented on the wall’s beauty, its calming effects and its universal improvement to the café area.
The presence of the living wall offered calm and respite to the patient care employees who were working very hard and sometimes living with anxiety.
Dare I say that, all during the lengthy period of seclusion (four months in total), the presence of the living wall offered calm and respite to the patient care employees who were working very hard and sometimes living with anxiety.
Then, in mid-May, with the gradual loosening of confinement rules, the visitors were allowed to return. The wall was met with astonishment and put smiles on the faces of the family helpers and visitors. The day is coming when the residents will also be able to fully enjoy the wall’s benefits.
I want to thank the Forget for a Moment Foundation and the Fondation Santé Gatineau for this beautiful gift that ensures a better quality of live for our residents and the workplace of our deserving employees.
Eric Gagnon
Coordinator, Living Environment – CISSSO (Outaouais Integrated Health and Social Services Centre)