'A New Beginning': Documentary shedding a light on life at Winnipeg care home

A new documentary is giving a glimpse into life at one Winnipeg care home and showing how fulfilling it can be.

The film, which is called ‘A New Beginning,’ focuses on Riverview Health Centre and its residents.

The documentary was created by the therapeutic recreation staff as a way to dispel some of the fears surrounding living in a care home. It also highlights some of the activities, programs, and resources that Riverview Health Centre has to offer.

“There’s a stigma associated with moving into a care home... So we wanted to show that just because you’re moving into a care home, it doesn’t mean your life is over,” said Stephen Gilbert, therapeutic recreation facilitator at Riverview Health Centre.

“We wanted to show that it’s just a new chapter of your life and there’s life to be lived, a new beginning, in a sense.”

Who is featured

Andre Hall-Grusska, who has lived at the care home for almost two years, is one of the subjects of the documentary.

Hall-Grusska lives with Parkinson’s disease and spends his time creating artwork to share with fellow residents, staff, and visitors.

“Some [of my art] is for purchase, and some I donate,” he said.

“I donate a bunch of pieces to Riverview because I feel there has to be a nice area to go into. I figured, why not donate my pieces for them to go by and see it?

“I get a lot of comments from people that work here and residents that the artwork is nice to see downstairs.”

Hall-Gruska’s daily life is just one of the stories featured in the film.

The documentary is now on YouTube. It can be found by searching Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.