Interior Health has awarded a contract for the development of 30 new residential care beds in Cranbrook to Golden Life Management.
“The addition of these 30 beds supports those residents in our community who require 24-hour care,” said East Kootenay MLA Bill Bennett. “These beds will help ensure seniors and others in our area who have complex care needs live out their days in a comfortable, home-like environment.”
The 30 beds are part of a plan for 243 new beds across Interior Health, following a request for proposal (RFP) that was issued last September.
The beds will be part of a new facility — Fisher Peak Village — proposed by Golden Life Management that is planned for Kootenay street on a mostly vacant 2.23-acre property.
The RFP requirements included building environments that are homelike and not institutional-feeling; safe for residents and staff; innovatively designed and flexible in function; operationally efficient; environmentally responsible in design, construction and operations; and include dementia-friendly elements.
“Our population is aging and becoming more medically complex. Conditions such as dementia are on the rise,” said Interior Health Board Chair John O’Fee. “The addition of 243 beds across Interior Health will benefit seniors and others who need around the clock care.”
The new beds are expected to open in the summer of 2018.
“Golden Life exists to support seniors to live their best lives and we are honoured to progress that mission by expanding our partnership with Interior Health Authority,” said Golden Life Chief Executive Officer, Endre Lillejord. “The new Village will complement our existing site and through consultation with local stakeholders we are proud to say our new residential design, programs and services will enhance the ability of our compassionate staff to support each resident to live their highest quality of life.”
Across IH jurisdiction, there are 5,650 residential care beds that provide around-the-clock care for individuals who are no longer able to live at home.