The new arrivals roam the enclosed grounds, providing another way for facility staff to engage the 13 current residents
Nestled between rolling grainland and native pasture, far from a major city or town, lies the hamlet of Islay, Alta.
There are no stores or services, other than a post office, but there is an assisted living facility that opened in the early 1990s.
Like many small communities in Alberta, lack of doctors and rising health care costs forced the closure of the hospital that was built in 1978 and it was converted to an assisted living facility with capacity for 18 permanent residents.
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This summer, residents and staff welcomed four additional but unorthodox residents: three Columbian Rock chickens and one black and white chicken of unknown lineage.
These new residents roam the enclosed grounds, apparently enjoying the attention, care and freedom of their new home. They have a small coop equipped with laying boxes and roosts.
The goal of the facility “is to provide an environment that meets the residents needs and embraces living with care as opposed to being cared for,” said therapy assistant Caroline McKinnon.
With this goal in mind, staff members look for ways to engage the 13 current residents. Having animals to care for and nurture is one way to do this.
The backyard hen program aims to bring a bit of farm life into the residents’ daily living.
“We have a high ratio of rural residents who came to us from a farm,” said McKinnon.
“We often take them on drives down old country roads, or for lunch in nearby small communities. That is the type of activity our residents are looking for.”
At least 80 per cent of the residents have a farm background.
“The residents enjoy the chickens’ antics. The chickens can get up to some pretty funny behaviour.”
Several approvals and costly permits were needed before the four hens came to their new home. Staff reached out to their local county councillor, George Kuneff, for help. With a grant from the County of Vermilion River and funds from the Islay Health Care Auxiliary Society, cost of the permits was covered. They were also able to buy a chicken coop and four hens.
“The community was very supportive of this venture and they looked after the costs. It was very much a community project with help from the county and the auxiliary,” McKinnon said.
Feed for the chickens is supplied by Cargill. McKinnon looks after cleaning the coop.
“It’s a small chore, and well worth it. The chickens provide some of the residents (with) meaningful, purposeful living. They go to bed knowing they have a reason and purpose to get up in the morning — to feed the chickens.”
The move to any facility can be difficult, and even more so for residents who have never spent a day living in a town or city. Staff at Islay, many of them locals, try to make the facility homey, cheerful and reminiscent of the farm life familiar to many of the residents.
There is a small garden with tomatoes, potatoes and peas, and an abundance of flower beds on the grounds so the view from many rooms is similar to what the residents may have seen from their own living rooms.
The hens strut around the property like they own the place and share the laying boxes and coop.
“Multiple studies confirm the presence of animals at a long-term facility is very calming. They can improve mood, and reduce the risk of depression,” said McKinnon.
“People in nursing homes or facilities tend to feel less isolated and more connected to the world when interacting with animals.”
At summer’s end, the hens will winter at a nearby farm and return in spring to provide enjoyment to the residents.
