Alberta Health Services wants to dispel myths of extra costs and explain the type of care that will be available at the 60 new designated assisted living beds opening this fall at Extendicare Canada’s Michener Hill Village.
Sissel Bray, executive director of seniors health Central Zone with Alberta Health Services, said residents will get the assistance they need at no extra charge, as identified in their individual care plan following assessment by a registered nurse.
“There’s assistance with activities of daily living, like going to the washroom or changing of incontinence supplies, or anything like that. All of those basic care needs,” Bray said on Monday.
Club Sierra in Aspen Ridge, run by Masterpiece Inc., has 26 beds designated assisted living by Alberta Health Services and they are the only designated assisted living beds in Red Deer.
Designated assisted living serves residents with higher health needs but who do not need the level of care provided in a long-term care facility.
Bray said Extendicare will provide a higher level of care than Club Sierra.
Alberta Health Services is closing Red Deer Nursing Home and Valley Park Manor and will move all the residents starting in September to Michener Hill Village long-term care beds.
Michener Hill will have 220 long-term care beds, four more than currently exist at two nursing homes.
Bray said some of the newer admissions will go into supportive living because there isn’t another option.
Alberta Health Services hasn’t decided what will happen to the two aging nursing homes once the buildings are closed.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com