It’s the moment every adult child with aging parents dreads: the time when you may have to move your mother or father away from the family home and into a place that can offer more care. But older parents share these concerns too, and many take the initiative and tell their children when they are ready. Such was the case with 86-year-old Gertrude Glen and her son Randy Glen in Armstrong.

“It was my mother’s idea to find a place,” explained Randy. “She knew her eyesight was failing and that she couldn’t cope on her own. She came up with the solution herself and once she’d made that decision, it was just a case of looking around to find appropriate care.”

Gertrude added, “I love to be independent and do whatever I can but I also recognized that my eyesight was only going to get worse. Randy and his wife were coming over every night and I knew that wasn’t right. They have their own lives and I felt I had to do something for myself.”

Randy heard about Pioneer Square, a privately-operated assisted living residence then under construction in Armstrong. The development is owned by Kaigo Retirement Communities and has 20 assisted living units subsidized by BC Housing through Independent Living BC. This program partners with the private sector to offer lower- to moderate-income seniors more choices in how they receive their care. Interior Health funds personal care services and part of the hospitality services provided to residents.

“Pioneer Square sounded good – and affordable, which was important given that Mom’s only income is from two small pensions,” said Randy. “She and my wife went to see the development and when Mom saw it she fell in love with it.”

“I’m so happy here,” confirmed Gertrude. “I participate in the exercise classes that are offered twice a week and a hairdresser comes in. And I get all my meals. But I still have my own apartment with all my special belongings here. It’s meant a big change in my life, but I feel like my neighbours and the people who work here are like family.”

Randy agrees. “Before she moved to Pioneer Square this summer, Mom was a virtual hermit,” he said. “Being with others has given her lots of social interaction and given new meaning to her life.”

He added, “I love the partnership between the provincial government and the private operator at Pioneer Square. To me, this is the government doing what government does best: dispensing tax funds to those most in need. And, the private sector doing what it does best: providing cost-effective services.”