Cochrane received the news today (April 2) that its seniors will benefit from the slated 2017 opening of a continuing care (also known as ‘supportive living’) facility.
Ron Casey was joined by Cochrane Mayor Ivan Brooker to announce $5.55M in grant funding through the Affordable Supportive Living Initiative (ASLI) for the Cochrane project, which will begin construction this August.
“There is $5.55M going to this project through the ASLI grant program, part of a series of announcements made by the province two weeks ago,” said Casey, adding that there are over 2,000 spaces opening up across the province as the PC government seeks to address the need for seniors housing in Alberta.
Bow Valley Regional Housing will also be receiving a $6M grant to go toward Phase 2 — a 63-unit supportive living facility — of their project.
“Overall, we are seeing an increase in seniors housing right across the constituency.”
Phase 1 will offer 114 supportive living spaces. The four-storey facility will be built in the land located behind the Shell gas station in the community of Fireside, made out of ‘non-combustible’ materials (concrete and steel).
The opening of the facility will also open up ‘significant employment opportunities’ for an estimated 100 placements — including LPNs, care aids, housekeeping, kitchen, therapists and nutritionists, among others.
Points West Living has supportive living facilities across the province and according to CEO Doug Mills, they have been looking at opening something in Cochrane for three years.
“Our mandate is to get these units built as quickly as possible,” said Mills, adding that Phase 2 would soon follow — more of a retirement-style of housing, for persons living more independently, which he estimates would be built ‘fairly quickly’ following Phase 1.
“The theory that (eventually) one spouse could walk down the hall to visit their partner in supportive living is just fantastic,” said Mayor Brooker, who marked this announcement as a huge plus for keeping aging seniors in their own community of Cochrane.
All applicants would be referred to the facility through Alberta Health Services (AHS) and according to Mills, Cochrane residents would usually be considered first — especially those Cochranites who have left home (likely to move into a Calgary facility) for supportive living and would like to return.
According to the province: ‘Supportive living is designed for people whose care needs mean they are no longer able to stay in their own homes. Residents have their own private rooms, meals, housekeeping and 24/7 professional nursing care services, depending on their care needs.’
The 114-unit facility would be built into ‘cottage-style’ housing, with 12-15 units per floor; each floor would have their own dining area and full amenities, so that individuals requiring similar levels of care would reside on the same floor.
There would also be a larger common area in the building for bigger functions, community gatherings and entertainment.
Mills said the rental rates are based on those recommended by the province; applicants whose income falls below the mark would receive top-up through Alberta Seniors.
“This funding grant allows us to keep our rents affordable,” explained Mills, adding that the total price tag on Phase 1 is $27M.
Casey said that existing Cochrane seniors care facilities would receive sprinkler upgrades — $750,000 for Big Hill Lodge and $1.326M for the Bethany Care Centre.
To learn more about Points West Living, visit pointswestliving.com.
