April 24, 2024
SPIRIT RIVER – Alberta Health Services (AHS) will open Spirit River’s first Type B Continuing Care Home (CCH) spaces (formally known as designated supportive living spaces) at Pleasant View Lodge later this year, enabling more community members to receive a higher level of care closer to home.
The Government of Alberta and the federal government are providing $24 million in capital funding to replace the existing Pleasant View Lodge. The new facility will include 52 supportive living spaces, a level of care previously unavailable in Spirit River, as well as 40 lodge spaces.
A Type B CCH space is a home-like environment that provides 24-hour on-site scheduled and unscheduled professional and personal care and support, provided by licensed practical nurses and healthcare aides. Of the 52 Type B CCH spaces, half are dedicated for residents with dementia.
“This investment in Spirit River is an example of the Alberta Government’s commitment to assist more residents to remain in their home community as their care needs change and help ensure they are in the right place for the right care when they need it,” says Martin Long, Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health and MLA for West Yellowhead.
The Grande Spirit Foundation operates Pleasant View Lodge and will manage accommodation services to its residents. AHS will be responsible for the care needs of the Type B CCH residents.
“With the addition of supportive living spaces in Spirit River, we empower our residents to transition from lodge to supportive living care, assisting them to age gracefully in the familiarity of their home community,” says Judy Kokotilo-Bekkerus, Board Chair, Grande Spirit Foundation.
The local Type B CCH spaces are expected to be available in early summer.
“Bringing new supportive living spaces to Spirit River will help ensure that more of our community members receive the care they need in a local environment that fosters comfort and dignity. Together, we are building a stronger foundation for the ongoing care and resilience of our community,” says Todd Loewen, MLA for Central Peace-Notley.
“By offering new supportive living spaces in Spirit River, not only are we providing more options for residents as their health needs change, but we are also helping to ensure that anyone waiting in acute care has more access to a living space where they can thrive, in the heart of the community,” adds Stacy Greening, Chief Zone Officer, AHS North Zone.
“In turn, this will also free up acute care spaces in the local healthcare centre, improving overall access to local healthcare.”
Visit the AHS website to learn more about supportive living care or contact an AHS home care case manager, at 1-855-371-4122, to discuss health needs and options.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.
