Additional seniors living options available next month

St. Michael’s Health Centre opens new beds starting March 21

LETHBRIDGE — Additional supportive living beds will open next month for local and area seniors, providing supported independence with on-site health care professionals, served meals, recreational activities and housekeeping services.

St. Michael’s Health Centre, located at 1400 9 Ave. S. and operated by Covenant Health, will open 48 new supportive living beds in phases over the next year.

The first 12 beds will open on March 21 and the second 12 in April. The remaining 24 beds will open early in 2017, with 12 of these beds specifically for residents with mental health needs.

“Alberta seniors helped build this province, and our government believes they deserve options that help them stay in their communities, close to their family and friends,” says Sarah Hoffman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “These new supportive living beds will allow more seniors in Lethbridge and area to get the care they need closer to home.”

The new beds will be located in four self-contained ‘cottages’ within the health centre. Each cottage has 12 patient rooms, a common kitchen and eating area, and recreation areas. Licensed practical nurses and health care aides will staff the beds, providing 24-hour onsite professional and personal care support services. AHS home care registered nurses will provide oversight to the care team and will be available around the clock as required.

Supportive living provides residents with a home-like environment that promotes privacy and independence, along with the peace of mind of knowing licensed practical nurses and health care aides are onsite. Supportive living includes served meals, linen, laundry and housekeeping services plus recreational and activity programs. Maximum independence is encouraged.

The supportive living spaces will help meet the current and future needs of the community, says Sean Chilton, Chief Zone Officer of AHS South Zone.

“The positive partnership with Covenant Health allows us to offer these new options for Lethbridge and area seniors,” says Chilton. “We carefully plan to determine the number of beds and expect these additional beds will allow for the anticipated future growth of the population of seniors in the South Zone.”

“Covenant Health, through St. Michael’s, is proud to continue the legacy of the Sisters of St. Martha of Antigonish by meeting the needs of the community by adding more supportive living beds,” adds Tracy Sommerfeld, Senior Director Operations, Rural Seniors Care, Covenant Health. “We are the right organization to provide this service because we are committed to serving seniors and people with mental illness.”

Alberta Health will assign the subsidized suites to residents.

Covenant Health is Canada's largest Catholic health care organization with over 15,000 physicians, employees and volunteers serving in 12 communities across Alberta. A major provider in Alberta's integrated health system, Covenant Health works with Alberta Health Services and community partners to positively influence the health of Albertans through a broad range of programs and services.

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.

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