Testimony
The Forget for a Moment Foundation built and donated the living wall to the Ernest Brisson Long Term Care Home in January 2017.
The living wall is located in a public place where there is a lot of pedestrian traffic. 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.
Almost ten months after the installation of a living wall in a Gatineau, Québec long-term care center, we asked representatives of the CHSLD Bon séjour facility for their feedback on this project. These are their responses:
"The living wall draws the eyes of everyone who comes near.”
“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 living wall becomes a meeting point and promotes conversations in the midst of our environment.”
“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.”
“In short, the living wall attracts our residents and their loved ones; it allows them to enjoy happy and precious moments.”
Bravo! And our thanks to the Foundation for this beautiful living wall project that animates and brings such cheer to our lives.
Terence Blais, M.Sc.
Living Environment Coordinator – East
Direction du programme soutien à l’autonomie des personnes âgées
Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l’Outaouais
