Politicians, health officials and community members gathered last Thursday to officially celebrate the opening of The Residence in Mission.
Located on the site of Mission Memorial Hospital, The Residence is a three-storey, 128,000 sq. ft. residential care facility for citizens with complex care needs and dementia. The facility, which welcomed its first residents in April 2014, features 190 private suites and five double occupancy suites for couples.
The building was designed to promote caring practices using a person-centered approach within a homelike and non-traditional residential care environment. The facility is laid out in ‘neighbourhoods’ that house 24 to 26 residents, each with its own dining room, lounge, leisure room, and kitchen. The facility’s four secure courtyards and six large secure balconies ensure outdoor access for all residents.
“This is home for our residents,” said Lois Dixon, vice-president clinical operations at Fraser Health, in a press release. “The building was designed with people in mind with the goal of promoting comfort, independence and a sense of belonging..”
The Residence was built for $32.2 million. The province, through Fraser Health, contributed $9.9 million, the Fraser Valley Regional Hospital District contributed $22 million, and the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation, together with Mission Healthcare Auxiliary, contributed $335,000.
With the addition of The Residence, Mission Memorial Hospital now offers an adult day program for non-residents, a respite hotel and an assisted living residence.
The Residence in Mission and the Community Health Centre that opened in the summer of 2013 are the first achievements under the District of Mission’s Community Health Plan, which was developed in 2009 to address the health related needs of Mission-area residents.
“The 195-bed Residence is an attractive and valuable addition to the Mission Memorial Hospital site and something of great importance to Missionites,” said Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton in a press release. “The opening of The Residence will support seniors and those with complex care needs in a secure, safe and comfortable environment that meets their needs close to family and friends.”
“People with complex care needs and dementia are family at The Residence in Mission,” said Simon Gibson, MLA for Abbotsford-Mission, in the release. “Staff and volunteers provide care that is respectful of their independence, while still supporting them when they need help the most.”