Our People
Bruce McLeod MD FRCP(C) and Lois Bowden MD CCFP
We are two of the people that first raised the issue of a cohousing concept for the Valley - one with active ageing focus. We are both physicians that work in the Emergency Department at the Kentville hospital and see people, almost on a daily basis, requiring admission to hospital purely because their home is no longer suited to their needs. Many did not plan, at all, for aging. Now, new limitations in physical or cognitive ability may require long waits for appropriate environments while they wait in hospital. Aside from medical issues there are also the more subtle issues of loneliness and lack of social engagement that contribute to decreased health. So it was easy for us to immediately seize upon the cohousing concept we first heard of it several years ago and apply it to ourselves as we are both in our mid-sixties.
We are committed, with others, to developing the Collins in a way that will promote social engagement, active living and to allow “aging in place” in our own home and not on a stretcher in an Emergency Department hallway. We look forward to biking, walking, debating and sharing meals with all that share this vision of living well.
Judy D. Saunders
A life long resident of the Annapolis Valley, I am currently retired and living in my own home in New Minas.
From 1973 until retirement in 2017, I was actively involved as Managing Director at the Old Orchard Inn and from 1989 until 2017 as owner of the Slumber Inn in New Minas. During my time as an Innkeeper, I served on various tourism organizations. The International Operators Council of Choice Hotels, Silver Springs Maryland, the Evangeline Trail Tourism Association, Destination Southwest Nova and most recently the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia, to name a few.
Maintaining an active lifestyle is important to me so I keep a membership at the local gym and take a Pilates class twice a week. I have had the good fortune to travel to some interesting spots around the world and may get back to that again some day. A good book is my favourite quiet past-time and I can play a pretty good game of Crib. I did start to take some painting lessons about the time Covid struck so that has been on hold, but I hope to return to it this fall.
As I consider the next phase of my life, I am absolutely convinced that the camaraderie and activities of life at “The Collins” will help me live long and well.