Maxwell Wing’s vegie garden thrives in lockdown

Life inside Karinya’s dementia ward seems to be business as usual, with residents managing to stay active during the COVID-19 crisis.

Narrogin Cottage Homes Maxwell Wing lifestyle co-ordinator Rebecca Evenis said the crisis had not had a large-scale impact on the ward.

“The COVID-19 crisis has not greatly affected our daily activities and we have been able to keep our residents active and stimulated during this time,” she said.

The Maxwell Wing has a vegetable patch consisting of two planter boxes in which a variety of vegetables are grown throughout the seasons.

“On a Tuesday we hold a small Maxwell Market where we harvest our vegetables and sell them to the staff,” Ms Evenis said.

“We currently have 23 watermelons growing and are in the process of planting out winter vegetables.

“The residents have been able to maintain their gardening and they are really enjoying it.”

A recently installed sign in Karinya’s front garden displays a thoughtful message to the community thanking them for staying home during the crisis.

Ms Evenis said Anzac Day activities were restricted in the village.

“The staff and residents have been busy with an art project making lanterns which were on display in the front garden and along the front path of the facility to represent our Karinya community during this important time,” she said.

The dementia ward was built in 2017 and is the most recent extension to the facility.

It was officially named the Maxwell Wing in recognition of the significant contribution Robert Maxwell has made to Narrogin Cottage Homes through his more than 30 years of membership of the board.

Today, the village comprises Karinya, a 36-bed ageing-in-place facility; Maxwell Wing, a 14-bed secure dementia wing; and 64 self-contained units of various styles.