Long-term expansion complete at Vernon facility

Feb 2, 2024 | 6:30 PM

More housing options are opening for seniors in Vernon needing care.

Vernon-Monashee MLA and Parliamentary Secretary for Senior Services and Long-Term Care, Harwinder Sandhu, announced on Friday a 96-unit expansion of the Creekside Landing community campus facility had been completed.

“This three-storey expansion building [opens] 96 new beds in the community, 90 beds are publicly funded and six are privately funded. It will increase the access to high-quality long-term care now, and for years to come,” Sandhu said as part of a health care announcement at Vernon Jubilee Hospital Friday, Feb. 2

“This centre has added benefits to the facilities such as living rooms, dining rooms and wellness centre where seniors are able to remain active and build relationships that directly and positively impact their quality of life and, of course for staff, it will be great to deliver care in that great setting.”

The new facility, which also features a library, hair salon, excercise centre, and outdoor walking paths is expected to be ready to accept residents starting Feb. 22.

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“People in Vernon and around B.C. deserve good health care at every stage of life and that’s why we’re providing high-quality long-term care,” Premier David Eby said in Vernon.

“This expansion adds more beds in a comfortable, home-like setting. Seniors deserve to age with dignity by receiving the care they need in the city they know and love. These beds also help take pressure off hospital beds in the community.”

The addition brings the number of publicly-funded beds at the Creekside Landing facility on Okanagan Landing Road to 160.

“As people get older, they want to feel assured that they can access the essential-care services they need to stay healthy, active and safe in their community,” Health Minister Adrian Dix, said.

“That is why our government is expanding long-term care throughout the province, including in the Vernon area. By continuously investing in and improving long-term care facilities, we are securing a future where older adults in our province can age with dignity, counting on reliable care near their loved ones.”

The facility will provide a “Campus of Care” model which Sandhu said allows one partner to live independently.

“We heard from many people that it was really difficult for some couples, so the Campus of Care allows one partner to live independently in the site while their significant other receives the services, sometime often complex services, or care they need,” Sandhu said.

“So it’s keeping them together. Aging couples can stay near to each other, which will be great.”

Sandhu said long-term care investments do translate to supporting health care.

“For seniors, it helps get them the care that they need and deserve, and then that also frees up the beds in acute care, a surgical bed, or whichever bed has been occupied and is not doing justice to the senior in that bed,” the local MLA stated.

“So it’s a great announcement and it will help across the board in acute care.”

The facility will be staffed with health care assistants, licensed practical care nurses, dieticians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, activity aids and recreational therapists.

Construction on the Creekside Landing facility expansion began in April 2022.

by Liam Verster

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