Construction underway on new continuing care facility in Red Deer

150 new spaces for seniors, adults with complex needs to open early next year

RED DEER — Construction starts today on a new continuing care facility that will bring a range of community-based services together under one roof starting early next year.

Being constructed by Points West Living (PWL) adjacent to its existing facility in the city’s northwest, the new stand-alone facility will add 150 spaces for seniors and adults with complex care needs, including long-term and designated supportive living-level care.

“Seniors and vulnerable Albertans deserve to age with dignity close to family and friends,” says Adriana LaGrange, MLA for Red Deer-North. “Once built, these new continuing care spaces at Point West Living’s second facility in Red Deer will provide seniors from central Alberta with access to care and supports in the community they love. I look forward to watching as this project takes shape over the coming months.”

“I am very excited to see this construction project get started,” adds Jason Stephan, MLA for Red Deer-South. “This will improve the quality of life for seniors and while helping improve capacity at our hospital or other facilities. This project is an all-around win for everyone involved.”

SE Health, a not-for-profit organization contracted by Alberta Health Services (AHS), has provided care at the city’s existing 139-bed PWL facility since 2016, and will also provide care at the new care centre.

“We’re delighted that this project has begun and look forward to celebrating milestones with our partners as work progresses,” says Janice Stewart, Chief Zone Officer in the Central Zone of Alberta Health Services (AHS).

“More so, we look forward to seeing new living spaces open to provide care and support for local seniors as we recognize there is a need in the area for more continuing care. As healthcare partners, we’re working together on projects like this to address the needs of our aging population so that adults and seniors can age in place, in a home-like environment.”

The facility will offer a mix of care levels, including specialized dementia care, independent living and 24-hour onsite support for individuals with complex health needs.

“PWL Red Deer is excited to partner with SE Health and AHS once again to provide additional continuing care capacity for Red Deer and area,” says Doug Mills, CEO of PWL Red Deer. “This is a great project for both PWL and the City of Red Deer, as it will create local construction employment and permanent healthcare positions.”

SE Health CEO Shirlee Sharkey adds the new facility will “bring excellence in care, innovation and wellness to people as they age. Building on the vibrant sense of community at PWL Red Deer, the new facility will offer more options for local seniors while helping to free up capacity in other areas of the health system.”

Points West Living is a leading independent provider of supportive living, long-term care, and retirement residence management and development.

SE Health (formerly Saint Elizabeth Health Care) is a national not-for-profit social enterprise that provides healthcare services across many areas of the health system, including home and community care, long-term care, acute care and primary care.

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. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.