Providence CEO Fiona Dalton (back row, left) and Mark Blandford, CEO of Providence Living (front row, right), at the event with Minister Adrian Dix (left of Blandford).
Providence Living and Northern Health have come together to build a new 200-bed care home in Prince George, it was announced today.
Providence Living, a non-profit society that Providence Health Care created in 2017, is contributing the land in partnership with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Prince George. Providence will build and operate the long-term care home together with Northern Health.
The first step will be the design phase. The procurement phase will identify contractors for the design and construction. Building is expected to start in fall 2024.
Helping seniors stay in their communities
“As people age, they need access to compassionate and dignified care,” Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, says. “That’s why our government is expanding long-term care throughout the province, including in Prince George. Through our partnership with Providence Living, a new care home is coming to Prince George, which adds more long-term care beds to the community to ensure more seniors can stay in the community they love with the support they need.”
Private rooms for each resident
Mark Blandford, the president and CEO of Providence Living, adds: “Providence will work closely with Northern Health to bring to life a vision for long-term care that will use a world-class living environment alongside a unique style of care that is infused with compassion and tailored to the unique story of each resident. Our new home will offer private rooms within a community setting where residents can enjoy everyday activities and interactions that respect their individuality and ensure each day is a day well lived.”
Adrian Dix (at podium) announces new long-term-care residence. Right: Providence Living CEO Mark Blandford.
The main features of the new care home are expected to include:
- single-bed rooms with private washrooms;
- units designed in a resident “household” concept consisting of smaller groupings of 12 resident rooms with social and recreational spaces found in a typical home, such as a living room and dining room;
- indoor and outdoor spaces for larger social and leisure activities for residents and family as well as quiet rooms and private spaces;
- amenities for cooking meals using fresh ingredients on site;
- non-denominational space for worship, reflection and spiritual practice, including Indigenous ceremonial practices; and
- a staffing model that supports person-centred care and values the seniors in our care.
Long-term care homes provide care for people with complex care needs who can no longer live safely and independently at home. They need 24-hour nursing care through a range of services delivered by well-trained, compassionate and caring staff.
To meet growing demand over the past five years, government has invested approximately $2 billion to expand and improve quality care for seniors in British Columbia, including investments in primary care, home health, long-term care and assisted living.
Visit here to watch the announcement from November 14, 2023.
