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Nestled on the banks of the Annapolis Basin in historic Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia stands the home of well-known residents, Eleanor (Ellie) Macklin and her husband, the late Gerald (Jerry) Ackerman.
Beginning in the 1970s, Jerry and Ellie spent their summers in Annapolis Royal, where Jerry built the Garden Path Restaurant and the Annapolis Royal Inn and helped develop the Delaps Cove Campground and the Good Cheer Restaurant. Two decades later, following retirement from university teaching, they started to divide their time between Ontario where Jerry grew up and Annapolis Royal where they soon became permanent residents.
At age 91, Jerry’s health began to seriously decline. In June 2023, following palliative care at the Annapolis Community Health Centre, he made it clear that he wished to spend his last days at home with his wife. “Jerry was referred during his stay to Nova Scotia Health Continuing Care to coordinate the services, nursing, home support and other programs he needed to enable him to return home. These care services were adjusted as his care needs changed to allow him to remain at home,” says Jacqueline Brown, Jerry’s care coordinator with Nova Scotia Health Continuing Care.
Jerry received healthcare services through Continuing Care and the Victoria Order of Nurses (VON). He was provided general nursing care, personal care and respite to enable Ellie the opportunity for some well-needed rest. VON caregivers came every day, morning and night, and VON nurses came weekly and more as needed. Jerry was also followed by the Nova Scotia Health’s Palliative Care team as well as his primary healthcare physician.
Not long after celebrating his 92nd birthday with friends and family, on December 19th, Jerry passed away peacefully at home in the late afternoon on Christmas Eve. "Jerry received amazing home care from very loving people, and great medical care when it was needed. The staff soon felt like family, and it was an immense relief whenever one of them walked in the door," says Ellie. "I am deeply grateful that Jerry was able to be at home during his last six months, giving me such precious memories of those last days together."
If you or your loved one needs assistance to remain in your home or require support following a recent hospital stay, you can be referred to Nova Scotia Health Continuing Care. For more information or to make a referral, please call 1-800-225-7225 (toll free). Once you make a referral, Continuing Care will work with you or your loved one to create a plan of care that is right for you, this may include home care services from a contracted agency.
Photo of Jerry Ackerman and Ellie Macklin.