November 17, 2021
RED DEER – Additional continuing care beds are now open in Drayton Valley and Ponoka, providing the highest level of supportive living services.
Located within Seasons Retirement Communities facilities, these Supportive Living Level 4 (SL4) beds — 20 in Ponoka and 12 in Drayton Valley — are for individuals with more complex medical needs, including chronic disease management and assistance with daily activities, such as meal assistance (including tube feeds), mechanical lift or two-person transfers, medication assistance or administration.
“Adding these new beds in Ponoka provides residents the opportunity to stay in the community they know and love, close to family, and get the care they need,” says Ron Orr, MLA for Lacombe-Ponoka.
Seasons Retirement Communities expects to open 12 more SL4 beds in Drayton Valley over the next several months.
“This is a great benefit for Drayton Valley,” adds Mark Smith, MLA for Drayton Valley-Devon. “Residents can be confident that they, or their loved ones, will be provided a high level of supportive living care right here in the community.”
SL4 beds were introduced to these communities this past summer, when Seasons Retirement Communities transitioned 16 beds in Drayton Valley and 20 in Ponoka. The decision to offer this higher level of care was made following a thorough review, and consideration of current and future needs of both communities.
“I’m proud of the work we’re doing to increase choices and options for seniors,” says Lori Sparrow, AHS Senior Operating Officer, Seniors Health, Central Zone. “Providing more Albertans the opportunity to age in place, in familiar surroundings near family and loved ones, is an important cornerstone of enhancing care in the community.”
Once all new beds are added, Ponoka and Drayton Valley will each have 40 SL4 beds, which will help ensure residents continue receive the proper care in the right place without needing to move out of the community they love should their care needs change.
"We are excited to increase our capacity for care,” says Nicole Almost, Senior Regional Director, Resident and Guest Services, Seasons Retirement Communities. “We have continued to see the demand for this level of care rise, and this allows us to support even more residents and help keep more people in their local community. It's been a pleasure to work with our AHS partners to support the transition, and we thank them for their ongoing collaboration."
Supportive living promote residents’ independence and aging in place through the provision of services such as 24-hour monitoring, emergency response, security, meals, housekeeping and social-enrichment activities.
Established in 2009, Seasons Retirement Communities is a Canadian company that operates 13 retirement residences in Ontario and nine residences in Alberta, with more under development. Its management team has extensive experience in the senior housing sector and has developed a culture dedicated to providing residents with superior customer service. Seasons wants residents to feel proud to call them home and to know they are surrounded by people who genuinely care. Connect. Care. Change. For more information, please visit seasonsretirement.com.
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.
