Eden Gardens

We are Nanaimo Travellers Lodge Society (NTLS) operating as Eden Gardens (formerly Nanaimo Travellers Lodge), a non-profit organization and registered charity. Our dementia care home is in beautiful Nanaimo, in central Vancouver Island. We have 130 residents, all living with dementia.

Our goal is to provide a home environment rather than the traditional, institutional environment. The Eden Alternative® Philosophy of Care combats the three plagues of an institutional environment – “loneliness, boredom and helplessness.”

We provide life-enriching programs and activities that help elders maintain an active and engaged lifestyle that delays physical and mental decline while providing them with an enhanced quality of life.

NTLS has been providing quality compassionate care to residents from all over Vancouver Island, predominantly the central core, since 1979. Eden Gardens on Northfield Road opened in 2017 and was designed and built with compassionate dementia care in mind.

Featuring communities and neighbourhoods, courtyards and meeting spaces, providing a secure, safe environment for elders and their families. Resident rooms are all private. Dining takes place within the neighbourhood creating a homey environment where elders can assist with setting the tables and enjoying their mealtimes. Each neighbourhood has large windows with views of the gardens. Main floor living provides access to the outdoors; the upstairs residences have atriums to enjoy. A family room with large screen TV is a gathering place for socializing and entertainment, and for those looking for a quieter space, each neighbourhood has a quiet area with seating in front of the fireplace.

On the main level off the main entrance, you will find the Community Bathing Program and other vital adult day programs that help to keep people with dementia living in their own homes.
The Eden Alternative® Philosophy of Care combats the three plagues of an institutional environment – “loneliness, boredom and helplessness.” We provide life-enriching programs and activities that help elders maintain an active and engaged lifestyle that delays physical and mental decline while providing the elders with an enhanced quality of life.

As a non-profit, Eden Gardens relies on donations and with generous support from Nanaimo and surrounding communities, Eden Gardens has been able to provide dementia-specific training to its staff, volunteers, and families, with a focus on enhancing the quality of life for all the elders and staff, as well as offering a variety of programs, such as Art, Horticulture and Music Therapies all of which add spontaneity and variety to the resident’s days. The results are happier, higher energy elders, who are opening up, laughing, learning, sharing their expressions of joy, remembering songs and happy events and people from their past.

These organized programs are provided by trained therapists to engage the elders and connect with them through both group and one on one opportunities. Their training enables the program leaders to provide an individualized approach during each session and to formulate activities that will alleviate the boredom, helplessness and loneliness that our residents endure on a daily basis.

The Art Program allows expression from all, with many resident works of art adorning the neighbourhood walls. The Music Program offers many magical moments for the elders. The Horticulture Program provides opportunities for great discussions and enjoyment for many, as they reminisce on past and present experiences. Music, art and horticulture provide creative and safe outlets for the emotions that we all have but that people with dementia are often not able to verbally express. These activities are not 'crafts' but important therapeutic tools that allow the therapists and elders to deal with issues such as frustration and anger. They also encourage pride of accomplishment within the elders.

In order for these programs to continue, Eden Gardens requires annual donations in excess of $130,000. The ability to provide residents with the diverse and intriguing programs they need to thrive is only achievable through the generous support of the community.

Eden Gardens is an Accredited work site with Commendation Standing in May 2023, having exceeded the general requirements of the accreditation program. This achievement allows Eden Gardens to attract fabulous staff, volunteers and donors and is often the first choice of many families in considering a home for their loved ones.