The extraordinary appears in quiet, everyday details at The Convalescent Home of Winnipeg (TCHW). Two roommates who barely knew each other six months ago now share stories and morning coffee. A small group of ladies, fresh from their hair appointments, stops to check on the well-being of the pet rabbits before heading into a baking program. These moments are not accidents. They come from an intentional philosophy at TCHW, where aging is treated as life continuing to unfold, not as something to manage.
For 120 years, TCHW has served Winnipeg’s seniors as a non-profit organization governed by a volunteer board. What sets it apart isn’t longevity but approach. While most facilities focus on medical needs first, TCHW starts with a different question: how to help someone truly live while receiving the support they need.
Instead of viewing residents as patients with problems to solve, TCHW sees them as people with stories to continue writing. This thinking shapes every operational decision, from staff training to meal planning to organizing activities.
Walk through TCHW and the difference is immediate. You’ll hear laughter from the recreation room, conversations in the dining area and music drifting through the halls when their “roving musician” is paying a visit. The 84 residents here don’t passively receive services but participate in creating the community they want to live in.
When health needs are complex, TCHW’s 24-hour nursing team addresses them precisely. Staff manage medications carefully, track health changes and proactively bring in outside specialists.
“Every service supports not only the individual but their entire family, creating a true circle of care,” says Sherry Heppner, development coordinator.
Rather than presenting families with standard care plans, TCHW fosters their involvement in creating individualized approaches. Recreation staff design programs around each resident’s interests and life history. Even routine medical care is coordinated to minimize disruption to residents’ established rhythms.
Programs like the Tune-Up Café demonstrate this approach. Developed as a community partner program with the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba, it uses familiar music to spark memories and encourage conversation. What seems like simple entertainment serves as cognitive therapy, social connection and emotional support.
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Every service supports not only the individual but their entire family, creating a true circle of care
Every resident meets with a registered dietitian to customize their nutrition plan, considering medical requirements, personal preferences and cultural backgrounds. When swallowing becomes difficult, speech-language pathologists ensure eating remains both safe and enjoyable. The kitchen prepares fresh meals with rotating menus and daily alternatives thoughtfully developed with resident preferences at heart. Menus also shift with the seasons — lighter fare and fresh salads in the summer, with warm, hearty stews and comfort foods returning in the fall and winter. For people who have lost control over many aspects of life, having a voice in what they eat represents dignity and autonomy.
Everyone at TCHW learns residents’ names and stories, fostering genuine relationships. Community events—Mother’s Day teas, summer barbecues, classic car shows—strengthen these connections. Children visit grandparents, former colleagues/old friends reunite and new friendships form across generations.The impact becomes clear in individual stories. One family arrived seeking basic safety, cleanliness and reliable care. They discovered their parents were treated not as patients but as honored family members from day one. Staff learned their preferences, included them in decisions and helped them maintain connections to their lives before moving into long-term care.
Built in the 1960s, TCHW’s physical structure faces challenges confronting many care facilities across Canada. It has launched Rooms to Thrive, a donor-supported renovation initiative that reimagines long-term care as a place to live fully. Instead of a complete rebuild estimated between $100-$200 million, TCHW aims to fundraise $3 million in two phases ($1.5 million per phase) to renovate shared rooms and create a more personal, homey environment while keeping operating costs stable.
As the population ages, long-term care requires skilled staff, thoughtful design and a shared belief in dignity. TCHW may be an older building, but its walls contain abundant life. Rooms to Thrive is how that life continues to grow. Those who believe in creating a home where older adults feel safe, valued and connected can be part of this change.
