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Perhaps no other health care institution holds as many wrenching memories as Woodlands- but it too will soon be just a memory

The massive structure in new Westminster, which housed and cared for the mentally handicapped since 1878, will be an empty shell by 1994. as part of the long-term government plan residents of Woodlands are being moved to group homes in communities.

Of the 850 people who lived in Woodlands in 1981, 592 are now living in group homes. By march 1981, 90 per cent of residents will be living in communities. According to health care officials less than 20 people are re- admitted to Woodlands after they move into group homes.

But the transition has not been easy for patients or their families.

Royal city record/now reporter Bessie Brown looks at the deinstitutionalizing plan, the families and the former Woodlands residents and they are coping, in this special series starting today.

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Mother fears group home care won't be enough for Tina

After spending much of her life in woodlands, 41-year-old Tina Mowat is scheduled to move into a group home in surrey.

Her mother Pauline is unhappy her daughter is being moved out into the community.

"Tina's happy where she is living. It's going to be really hard for her to move out of what has been her home for the last 35 years."

Tina is severely physically and mentally handicapped, Mowet said. "Tina really needs a lot of care and she receives it at Woodlands. She can't do anything without independently. She suffers from epileptic attacks and she can't talk."

The move to a group home in Surrey group home may be too much for Tina, Mowet said. "One of our biggest concerns is that group homes are not operated by professionals. I'd feel more comfortable if there was a nurse or doctor in the home. One reason she's in Woodlands is because of the nursing care she gets there."

It is hard to imagine why anyone would think Tina would do better without getting the same medical care in the community, Mowat said. "There has always been someone with medical training on the ward if there needed. I don't know what kind of help will be available for Tina at the group home."

In the past, New Westminster residents have welcomed Woodlands residents into the community, she said. " Tina and others have been able to go to church and shop in the community without any problems."

Woodlands residents may be more isolated living in group homes than in an institution, Mowat said. " There is a family like atmosphere at Woodland. Many of them are losing life long friends when they are moved into a group home."

Tina goes out into the community for a couple of hours a each week. "She likes to take a walk in the country or at the beach. Tina also likes to walk on the Woodlands grounds. She will miss that a lot."

Mowat said that when Tina is happy she makes a lot of noise. "She's usually happy when she's out and it's fine to make noise on the ground but I don't know how people will react to her living in a residential neighborhood."

Another concern Mowat has is that her daughter has never slept in a bedroom by herself. "Tina likes to have people around and i'm afraid she may get bored. I'm not convinced that she will receive the one-to -one attention she sometimes needs. Group home staff are always very busy doing housework, shopping and other jobs necessary to run the house."

While Mowat accepts that Woodlands is closing, she wants an alternative to community living. "I believe one alternative is to build group homes on the Woodlands property."

See [Like family] pg.9

[Photo caption]
PAULINE MOWAT: her daughter Tina is leaving Woodlands after 35 years

Photos by Ward Perrin