$5.75-M 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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BACKGROUNDER
ROSEMARY HEIGHTS SENIORS VILLAGE

Owned and operated by Retirement Concepts Seniors’ Services Ltd., Rosemary Heights Seniors Village is a campus of care providing 42 assisted living units funded under Independent Living BC, 19 private-pay assisted living units, 85 funded residential care beds and five private-pay residential care beds.

Located at 15240 - 34th Avenue in Surrey, Rosemary Heights Seniors Village includes a three-storey assisted living building and a two-storey residential care building.

The wheelchair-accessible assisted living units consist of 32 studio units and 29 one-bedroom units.

The assisted living development includes an elegant lounge and bistro bar, dining room with patio area, library and multi-purpose theatre room.

Residents in the assisted living homes receive two meals per day, personal care services, a 24-hour response service, and social and recreational opportunities.

Residential care, including 24-hour professional nursing services, is provided in four neighbourhoods of 20 or 25 beds. Each neighbourhood has its own dining, living and activity areas. The majority of bedrooms are single-occupancy with two double-occupancy rooms suitable for a couple. All bedrooms have their own private ensuite.

Rosemary Heights Seniors Village was completed in July 2008 and is currently 85 per cent occupied in the assisted living building and 100 per cent occupied in the funded residential beds.

PARTNER CONTRIBUTIONS

RETIREMENT CONCEPTS SENIORS’ SERVICES LTD.

Retirement Concepts Seniors’ Services Ltd., a privately owned and operated Canadian company, is based in Vancouver with operations throughout the province and in Quebec. The company provides a full spectrum of quality services for seniors and their families through their retirement communities, assisted living services and residential care facilities.

The company was awarded the assisted living apartments and residential complex care beds through a competitive bidding process that started in 2004.

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Media contacts:
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