Tabusintac Nursing Home reunites 4 couples in their twilight years

The small, 30-bed nursing home in Tabusintac has a reputation in the community for being a home rather than an institution, especially when it comes to keeping longtime couples together in their twilight years.

"It's quite unique. Many times in nursing homes there is a spouse who is living alone or with family or outside the nursing home," said GayleChurchill, the home's administrator.

"It offers quite an opportunity for these couplesto keep connected and be able to reach out and know each one of them is safe."

Helen Harding moved into the nursing home in Januaryto be with her husband, 99-year-old Marven Harding, a Second World Warveteran.

"We're enjoying it. We're well-treated. It's a nice place to be," said Helen.

"Valentine's Day is good. Lots of valentines around."

Boucher and Jean Palmer are another pair of valentineshappy to be able to spend time with each other, despite having to stay in separate rooms.

Jean Palmer is especially pleased with the sense of community of the home.

"Good friends. We've met a lot of friends," she said.

Married 58 years

Edgar and Florence Robichaud have been married 58 years and were also recently reunited to live under the same roof at the Tabusintac Nursing Home.

"I cannot take care of him as I would like to, because I'm blind," said Florence."But I'm real glad to be with him."

Staff at the facility say keeping couples together in the home is beneficial for their health and happiness.

Florence swears her husband, Edgar, perks up as soon as she walks in the room.

Visitors are also glad to join in the family atmosphere. Muriel Price moved home from Barrie, Ontario after 31 years away to be close to her parents, Dougie and Jackie Pricein Tabusintac.

"It's a better life for everybody," said her husband, Paul Hamann.

"They're good examples," he said of in-laws.

The Hamann children visit their grandparentsevery day at the nursing home.

Staff at the Tabusintac Nursing Home are proud to house and take care of so many matriarchs and patriarchs from the area.

"There are so many family connections here," said Churchill."It makes it one big family."