The Village of Carmangay held a candlelight vigil to mark the closure of the Little Bow Continuing Care Centre.
The facility was the subject of controversy over the last few months after Alberta Health Services made the decision to relocate the centre’s 18 Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients.
With the doors to the centre officially closed, the community also looking for closure Thursday night at the small vigil made up of family staff and dignitaries.
Carmangay Mayor Kym Nichols tells GlobalNews it was an evening to share fond memories of the centre and say their final farewell.
“We’re here tonight to remember all the good times and the good memories of it being a hospital and long term care facility for the past 50 years,” she adds.
Residents of the village and neighboring communities rallied together to keep the centre from shutting down following Alberta Health Service’s announcement in July to close the facility.
Despite their efforts including nearly three months of public forums, letters to the Premier, and a rally, the last two residents of the facility we’re moved to other centers in Alberta Wednesday.
Since relocating the patients two have passed away.
“To me they’ve killed two patients that were living here because they knew beforehand that moving them could kill them. There’s a third person who’s not doing well either. These aren’t just numbers; these aren’t just a piece of paper. These are lives and it’s pretty sad they have disrespected the people who built this province this way,” says MLA for Little Bow Ian Donovan.
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Ginger Deitz who had a family member in the centre says they may have lost the battle to keep the centre open but she’s confident they’ve drawn attention to what they believe is a problem within the health care system.
“I think it’s time to start uniting all these people who think they’re all alone in their journey and start telling them there’s a bunch of us out here. If we all put our voices together then maybe we can do something about it,” she adds.
With the doors officially closed it’s still unclear what will happen with the property.
Alberta Health Services is completing a facility evaluation to determine the future of the site but no decision has been made.
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