The residence has 100 permanent beds and seven respite beds for elderly persons who have lost all ability to live independently. The living wall is located in the centre’s “great room.” Located on the main floor of the residence, the great room is geared to social activities for the residents and for gatherings with their loved ones and the approximately 20 active volunteers on site. It is a wide open space that, by its very nature, symbolizes an open community since it is accessible to all who enter the residence.
The living wall is located in a public place where there is a lot of pedestrian traffic. It draws the eyes of everyone who comes near. The Bon séjour Centre wanted to liven up its common areas to encourage stimulating exchanges and promote positive emotional reactions among the residents and their families. The wall helps accomplish this very important objective by offering visual, tactile and olfactory stimulation to all.
Moreover, we watched a woman who cried tears of joy in front of the living wall because it reminded her of her love of plants. Like her, many who no longer have the opportunity to care for their gardens, plants or flowers, are delighted to have access to nature in their residence all year long.
This living wall becomes a meeting point and promotes conversations in the midst of our environment. It attracts our residents and their loved ones; it allows them to enjoy happy and precious moments.
Almost ten months after the installation of the living wall in Gatineau, Québec, we asked the facility for their feedback on this project. Here are some of the responses:
“Our residents, their families, the employees, volunteers, and visitors are fascinated to see how it works”, reports Mr. Denis Roy, the Activities Director here at Bon séjour.
“As soon as people enter the centre and see this living wall, their curiosity is piqued and they move closer to see it better.”
“We are frequently asked, ‘Are those real plants?’ and when we respond, ‘Yes’, they are stunned and fascinated by the arrangement of plants and flowers.”
This project was made possible through the cooperation of the Outaouais Integrated Health and Social Services Centre (CISSSO). The Forget For A Moment Foundation also acknowledges and appreciates the efforts of the professionals who volunteered their services to construct and install the living wall, and to the suppliers for their in-kind donations of some of the materials for construction of the living wall:
Albert Mondor, Project Coordinator, Horticulturist and Biologist
Daniel Moschini, ADSOL Advanced Solutions
Guillaume Brunet, P. Eng., Wallemi
Jean-François Charron, Irrigation Charron
Jeff McDonald, Artist-welder
Justin Lefebvre & Thomas McCuiston, Toiture Nature
Yes. If you would like to make a donation by mail, download, print and fill out the Individual Mail-In Donation Form. Afterwards, mail the completed form and your cheque or money order at the following address:
Forget For A Moment Foundation
211 Russell Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7X6
Your cheque or money order must be made out to:
Forget For A Moment Foundation.
Our registered charity number is 820767887 RR 0001.
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As per Canada Revenue Agency guidelines, donation tax receipts must bear the name and the address of the donor. Thank you for your generosity!
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