Leftt to right: Kathie Davidson (Hart's daughter); Leo Hart; David Munch, Executive Director of Finlandia Village; Monsignor John Caswell; Gerry Lougheed, Jr., Sisu Campaign Chair
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 21, 2012
With the grand opening date just a few weeks away, applications are now being accepted for apartments in ‘Lepokoti’, the new, 82-unit affordable assisted living residence being constructed at Finlandia Village.
The Lepokoti Assisted Living Residence and Oliver G. Korpela Wellness Centre is the sixth expansion in Finlandia’s 30-year history and offers independent apartment living for seniors for less than $600 per month. The assisted living model also provides residents with 24-hour on-site assistance when – and if – they need it.
Leo Hart, 90, came to Sudbury from Finland in 1951. As a Finnish War Veteran, Hart already spends a lot of time at Finlandia Village, visiting with friends and participating in the Veterans’ social and rehabilitation programs provided at the Village.
Hart currently lives in his own home, where he has been for the past 15 years, but because his three children are rarely close by (one s on in Windsor; one son in China and a daughter who spends much of her time in Toronto) he worries that if he had a fall or needed emergency care, it might take some time before anybody realized he needed help.
“I am very self-sufficient,” says Hart, “but the day will come when I need a little help. My friends are here and it would be good to be with them, and my children could stop worrying about me being alone.”
Hart’s daughter, Kathie Davidson, said she and her brothers would feel much better knowing her father has 24-hour support available in a place that is familiar and comfortable. “Finlandia Village is already so much part of his life,” she said, “it would be an easy and happy transition into an assisted living apartment here.”
Monsignor John Caswell is also thinking about the future. At 77, the former pastor of the Church of Christ the King is still extremely active as Director of Cath-Com Productions and the television series “A Mass for Shut-Ins” on CTV and fills in on occasion at various parishes in the community and for funeral services.
“I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about Finlandia Village,” he said. “It has come highly recommended as a beautiful place to live. After spending some time here, I completely agree.”
With the $3 million Sisu capital campaign still underway, the new residence is expected to be completed by October, with a grand opening date scheduled for early November.
Assisted living rental applications are available at Finlandia Village at the main desk in the Palvelukoti Building (Block B). Information is also available on the Finlandia Village website at www.finlandiavillage.ca. To donate to the Sisu: Assisted Living for Sudbury’s Seniors Capital Campaign, visit www.sisusudbury.com.