NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 2008HSD0122-001889 Dec. 12, 2008	Ministry of Housing and Social Development Ministry of Health Services
$5.75M CAMPUS OF CARE OPENS FOR SURREY SENIORS

SURREY – Rosemary Heights Seniors Village officially opened today to provide a new campus of care with 90 residential care beds and 61 assisted living units, announced Health Services Minister George Abbott.

 

“Seniors are living longer, healthier lives. As a Government, we’re committed to supporting their independence through affordable housing options,” said Abbott. “New developments like Rosemary Heights Seniors Village enrich the lives of seniors by providing a full range of up-to-date quality housing services close to family and friends.”

 

Of the 90 residential care beds, 85 are subsidized by Fraser Health and five are private-pay. The modern campus of care offers a residential setting that provides care 24 hours a day for adults who can no longer live safely or independently at home because of their complex health care needs. Residential care provides a safe and secure living environment, 24-hour nursing care, personal care, assistance and support, nutritious meals, basic linen and personal laundry services, and recreational and activity programs.

 

“Seniors have always made a huge contribution to the community here in Surrey,” said Kevin Falcon, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale. “We want to ensure they have the supports they need to continue living comfortably in their homes, and Rosemary Heights does just that by providing help with the day-to-day activities for residents.”

 

Fraser Health is providing annual operational funding for personal care services and associated health-care services for the assisted living units, as well as support services for the residential care beds. Fraser Health funds 994 beds and units in South Surrey-White Rock and 1,558 beds and units in Surrey. Bed numbers include new facilities under construction and redevelopment projects approved as of October 2008.

 

“The campus of care model provides seniors a range of care levels and services, enabling them to stay in their homes longer,” said Gordon Barefoot, board chair, Fraser Health. “Rosemary Heights Seniors Village is an important part of our overall strategy to provide capacity and different combinations of housing and personal care options for seniors in Surrey and throughout the Fraser Health region.”

 

The province subsidizes 42 of 61 assisted living units through the Independent Living BC (ILBC) program, an innovative housing-for-health program for seniors. ILBC offers a middle option between home care and residential care for those who need some assistance, but do not need 24-hour professional nursing care.

 

 

“Seniors are a vibrant and active part of Surrey, and the community welcomes a development such as Rosemary Heights Seniors Village as it provides an excellent housing alternative,” said Mayor Dianne Watts, City of Surrey.

 

Retirement Concepts Seniors’ Services Ltd., an established provider for seniors’ housing in British Columbia and Quebec, owns and operates the development, which provides a range of quality housing services and care options for seniors in a warm, home-like environment.

 

“Rosemary Heights Seniors Village provides seniors with a variety of services and care levels to enrich their quality of life and allow them to ‘age in place’ as their needs change,” said Azim Jamal, president and CEO of Retirement Concepts. “The development is an innovative and progressive model of housing and care and we’re pleased to welcome its new residents.”

 

These new units are part of the British Columbia government’s commitment to provide 5,000 net-new residential care beds, assisted living units, and supportive housing with home support units by the end of 2008. To date, 11,751 new and replacement beds and units have been built, including 5,424 net-new beds/units.

 

Through the provincial housing strategy, Housing Matters BC, the Province is investing more than $400 million in shelters and affordable housing this year, more than three times as much as in 2001.

 

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1 backgrounder(s) attached.
Media contact:	Rhonda Nguyen BC Housing 604 439-4740 604 374-8301 (cell)	Tony Baena Vice-President of Operations Retirement Concepts Seniors’ Services Ltd. 604 662-4969 Ext 215
	Fraser Health Media Pager 604 450-7881
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