We spoke with Kay Blair, Recreation Specialist Clinical Lead/Regional Liaison at Western Long Term Care in Corner Brook, Newfoundland about her experience transporting residents with her bus from Crestline. She shared a little about herself, and her experience using the bus for activities at the residence.
“I am Kay Blair, Recreation Specialist Clinical Lead/Regional Liaison at Western Long Term Care, Corner Brook, Newfoundland. I work for NL Health Services, Western Zone.
I have been a Recreation Specialist for NL Health Services (formally Western Health) since 2008.
Residents and Recreation Staff of Western Long Term Care traveled to Cox’s Cove on July 19th. This is a very scenic drive along the north shore of the Bay of Islands. Along the way, residents were able to see the many small communities (some of the residents belonged to these communities and lived there before LTC). Residents were also treated to an ice cream along the way as it was a very hot day. Once at their destination of Cox’s Cove, residents were able to see the scenic Bay of Islands – looking out to the ocean for miles…they weren’t able to spot any whales that day but they had lots of fun trying!
Our bus has been a fantastic mode of transportation for our residents. Bus outings typically happen starting in May month and go until the weather permits in the late fall. Residents love their bus outings and can sit comfortably for several hours touring around the local area and small communities close to Corner Brook and season to season.
Bus outings can also include our Making Memories Program for our residents of LTC. The Making Memories project enhances the lives of Western Zone’s Long Term Care residents by granting personalized wishes, requested by residents, family members, employees, or volunteers. The bus is often utilized to accommodate residents to/from their desired wish destination.”
About The Bus
Crestline delivered Western Health a StarTrans Senator II wheelchair bus that holds up to 10 passengers and 2 wheelchair positions. The bus has a DVD player installed due to its remote location. The bus is based in Corner Brook, a city located on the West Coast of Newfoundland. Most of their trips are at least 90 minutes long and are dedicated to providing long-term care residents mobility for their outings. This is the second bus they purchased from Crestline. The first one was financed by the local Lions Club about 20 years ago.
A Note from Crestline
“It was a pleasure working with their operations staff to build this bus for their exact needs, to meet their passengers’ expectations on their day trips in the community.” Michael Harbec, Senior Sales Consultant for Crestline