Joanne McQuarrie, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
Jasper seniors have the opportunity of getting 24-hour care in Hinton starting later in March, with the opening of 32 supportive beds at the Evergreens Foundation's Pine Valley Lodge.
Kristen Chambers, chief administrative officer with the Evergreens Foundation, said the beds will offer an additional level of assistance that will be valuable to seniors in the area. That includes folks from Jasper.
“It’s a wonderful thing to give Jasper seniors an opportunity to keep living in an Evergreens facility while they’re receiving a higher level of care,” she told the 51暗网.
The new supportive living Level 4 (SL4) spaces are for individuals with complex but predictable medical needs that can be safely managed onsite.
“The addition of SL4 care gives our seniors more living options while helping them to remain vibrant, healthy and as active as possible,” Chambers said in a press release.
“Our goal is to assist in allowing seniors to remain within their own community surrounded by the familiar faces of friends and family.”
These seniors may require chronic disease management and/or assistance with daily activities, such as meal and medication assistance.
Residents will live in a home-like environment that promotes privacy and independence.
Services will include served meals, linen, laundry and housekeeping services, plus recreational and activity programs.
Maximum independence will be encouraged.
Once finished, the 101-unit facility will also include 49 supportive living lodge units, four two-bedroom units and 16 one-bedroom units.
“Phase one of the facility is complete,” Chambers said.
“We’re still completing construction, but we have enough space to accommodate the seniors by March 28.”
Licensed practical nurses and healthcare aides will staff the beds, providing 24-hour onsite professional and personal care support services.
Home care registered nurses from Alberta Health Services (AHS) will provide around-the-clock support to the care team.
Chambers noted that 18 beds at the Alpine Summit Seniors Lodge in Jasper “are continuing care beds, and are managed the same way beds in Hinton” will be.
The in-depth care at Alpine is provided by both the Evergreens Foundation and AHS.
“It’s a really good partnership,” Chambers said.
“The Evergreens Foundation provides household services, food service and recreation. AHS comes in with (medical staff), and they provide all the health services. We’re both doing what we’re good at. They can get that higher level of care but continue to have lunch with their friends.”
The Evergreens Foundation has partnered with AHS since 2008.
This will be the fourth Evergreens Foundation facility to be in contract with AHS for higher levels of care.
With the new facility, Chambers said, “An important thing is it’s a good solution for rural Alberta. You want to build these stand-alone facilities—it’s ridiculous. It’s better to have these services under one roof.”
She added, “If (seniors) are awaiting placement in a hospital bed, this gives them an option.”
Health Minister Jason Copping said having continuing care spaces is a “big step forward for Hinton.”
“We need to have the right spaces available when people need them, and where they need them,” he added in the release.
“And many people move into continuing care from hospital, so adding spaces also frees up hospital beds and increases capacity so the whole system can work better.”
West Yellowhead MLA Martin Long said the opening of the new supportive living beds expands options and services to the community.
“It provides the right mix of independence and support desired by seniors today and brings new options for local residents,” he said in the release.
Megan Cox, AHS seniors health area manager, said the continuing care beds “are an excellent addition that will ensure those seniors who require more care and support can receive it close to home.”
Construction on Pine Valley Lodge is expected to be complete by late spring.
