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 | | Shannon Oaks administrator Ben Friesen in the facility's lounge. |
THERE IS a new retirement home in Oak Bay, Victoria:
Shannon Oaks. It is handsome, it is big – and it is Christian.
“People who come to look the place over say,
‘I sense something different here – a different attitude.
It’s peaceful’,” says Ben Friesen, the administrator.
It is true; there is a positive, cheerful atmosphere
about the place. Friesen himself is part of it.
He explains that Shannon Oaks has 101 units, plus one
for visitors from out of town. All have a sink and a fridge, and there is
room for microwave ovens, toasters and coffee makers.
The smallest suite has one bedroom, and rents for
$2,860 per month; larger ones are available. The rent includes meals,
housekeeping, laundry and linens, plus use of all facilities, like a bus
for outings.
To qualify, a resident must be independently mobile,
though walkers can be accommodated. Several residents who have extra needs
have care workers coming in to give help with a shower, or make sure they
take the right medications. VIHA, the Vancouver Island Health Authority,
will come to assess the resident’s need, and provide the help he or
she needs.
“When residents lose their independence, we will
never just turf them out,” says Friesen. “We will work with the
relatives and VIHA to find a solution.”
In what way is Shannon Oaks a Christian establishment?
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There is a chaplain, chapel time, a weekly Bible study,
prayer groups and a hymn sing twice a month. All management-level workers
are Christians; they have breakfast together once a week, with a devotional
before the business meeting starts.
The main attraction is the Christian atmosphere.
“We laugh a lot,” says Friesen. “We’re a happy
bunch.”
What qualified him for taking on this job?
He explains that working 10 years for a large company
which manages retirement homes gave him the necessary business experience.
Also, he and his wife really felt equipped by God with a genuine love for
seniors.
“We enjoyed the work, and God blessed the effort
– always 100 percent full – and a good attitude among the
residents and staff.
“But we wanted a place with a Christian emphasis,
and we found the opportunity for that with Baptist Housing, a non-profit
organization. Their mission statement and their core values reflect our
beliefs.”
Do Christian applicants get preference over others?
“No,” says Friesen. “We need to be
the salt of the earth. We give it a Christian flavour – but everybody
is welcome.”
– Jack Krayenhoff
January 2008
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