Providence Living – Prince George
Providence Living at The Rivers
A New Approach to Long-Term Care
Slated to open in the winter of 2028, Providence Living at The Rivers stands as Canada’s and Providence Living’s second public, non-profit long-term care village inspired by the dementia village concept and the work done at Providence Living at The Views in Comox. Situated at 6500 Southridge Ave in Prince George, this new home will welcome seniors with and without dementia, as well as younger adults in need of long-term care.
A Village Designed for Community
The 200-resident village, which will include 192 long-term care beds and 8 geriatric psychiatry beds (to be run by Northern Health), will be organized into intimate 12-bed households with private suites. Each household features:
- Single rooms with ensuite bathrooms for comfort, privacy, and enhanced infection control
- Common living areas with kitchen, dining, and living spaces
- · In-house laundry facilities
- Access to household activities that mirror daily home life·
Residents can take part in life’s daily pleasures, including meal preparation and choosing to participate in usual household activities, which have been shown to create a sense of belonging and purpose while improving quality of life.
Freedom of Movement, Engagement and Spirit
Providence Living at The Rivers will offer opportunities for authentic experiences and emotional and social connections, including intergenerational relationships through the on-site daycare with 37 childcare spaces.
The design prioritizes freedom of movement and access to outdoors, with each household connecting to a secure interior courtyard. This allows residents to safely enjoy the therapeutic qualities of nature.
Beyond these households, the home will feature an extensive range of amenities, including:
- A bistro and coffee shop
- Resident grocery store
- Art studio
- Chapel and gardens
- Medical office and physiotherapy spaces
- Hair salon and activity spaces
The village will feature a first-of-its-kind Indigenous sacred gathering space designed by the local Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and intended for Indigenous staff, residents, and families to honor their traditions.
Reimagining Care Through the Home for Us Model
This initiative showcases a union of global best practices with a unique, made-in-BC care model called Home for Us (H4U), signifying Providence Living’s leadership in redefining long-term care, housing, and services for seniors. The five key principles of H4U are:
- · Emotional connections matter most
- · Home is not a place, but a feeling
- · Residents direct each moment
- · Relationship-centered care
- · Human centered design
In its reimagining of long-term care, Providence is enacting a wholesale shift toward a social relational model of care that supports residents in living their best lives within a home-like environment. Home for Us is an improvement initiative that shifts the model of care for residents and families from the institutional approach to a social-relational and resident/family-centred model.
The overarching goals of Home for Us are to create living environments that encourage emotional connections and build flourishing, connected communities; to support residents to direct each moment and have maximal control over their day; and to ensure homes feel like home and always bring about a sense of safety and true belonging.
Moving away from traditional task-based care, Providence Living emphasizes residents’ needs and desires. Our innovative approach aims to ensure residents thrive through maintaining independence, social connections, and engaging in meaningful personal routines. By shifting towards a social relational and resident/family-centered model of care, we aim to support residents in living their best lives within an environment that feels like home, fostering a sense of autonomy, dignity, and community. Please click here to learn more about the Home for Us model of care.
A New Approach to Daily Life
Autonomy will be further enhanced in the move to flexible routines where the pace and rhythms of the day are determined by the household members – in the same way most individuals drive their own days. This represents a fundamental shift from institutional care models to a resident-directed approach that honors individual preferences and life stories.
Community Integration
The home will also house a 30-client Adult Day Program, creating additional connections with the wider community. With construction already underway and foundation work begun, Providence Living at The Rivers is set to transform seniors’ care in Prince George.
As Providence Living at The Rivers prepares to welcome its first residents in 2028, it stands as a beacon of innovation, community integration, and a reimagined approach to long-term care. This vibrant village not only offers a home but a community where every resident is valued, respected, and provided with the opportunity to live a fulfilling life.
