Long-term care centre designed for 'home-style' model

VANCOUVER — Crews are now working on the new Dogwood Lodge in South Vancouver. The home-style, long-term care home will provide 150 care home spaces.

“The start of construction of the new Dogwood Lodge is an important milestone for this unique residence that reflects the direction we are moving in for long-term care in B.C.,” said Adrian Dix, minister of health, in a statement.

Work is expected to wrap up in early 2023. The project will be built by Surrey-based Lark Projects Construction under a $50.7 million design-build contract.

While work is underway, current tenants will continue to live in the existing 83-bed care home, which opened in 1979.

“The new Dogwood Lodge will be a place where residents will be able to enjoy all the privacy, comfort and benefit of living at home while still receiving exceptional care,” said Vivian Eliopoulos, interim president and CEO of Vancouver Coastal Health. “We also look forward to supporting many more residents with this new model of care.”

The new facility’s six-storey design intends to bring home-style living to tenants with complex care needs, including seniors. The province noted this approach is based on a model that is reflective of a traditional home.

Each floor of the facility is designed as its own “neighbourhood” of two homes where tenants can be with those who have similar care requirements. The homes include private bedrooms and bathrooms, and share living, dining, kitchen, patio and social spaces. Each home, which can accommodate 14 people, is designed to be bright, welcoming and within reach of staff and other supports.

A handful of the facility’s homes will be optimized for dementia patients and those with tracheotomy and ventilator care needs. There will be an adult day program to provide health and social services to seniors living in the community.

The home care model was developed over the course of several years in collaboration with stakeholder groups including the Dogwood Family Council, the City of Vancouver Seniors Advisory Committee and Vancouver Coastal Health staff.