Improved access to long-term care homes for seniors in South Vancouver is on the way as plans are moving forward for the new Dogwood Lodge.

The six-storey, 150-bed care home will bring home-style living for adults with complex care needs.

“Seniors and people with disabilities living at Dogwood Lodge will find a comfortable, home-like atmosphere,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “The skilled staff at Dogwood Lodge will provide supportive care that will continue to meet the increased needs of residents as they age. This is truly a unique residence that shows the direction we are moving in for long-term care.”

The new Dogwood Lodge long-term care home will be based on a model that is like a traditional home. Each storey will consist of a “neighbourhood” of two homes where residents with similar care needs will have their own private bedrooms and bathrooms. They will share living, dining, kitchen, patio and social spaces. Each home, which can accommodate 14 people, will be bright, inviting and in close proximity to staff and other supports.

The care home will also include two homes that specialize in care for people with dementia and a 10-person home for people with tracheotomy and ventilator care needs. There will also be an adult day program that provides health and social services to seniors living in the community.

The innovative model of care was developed over several years, and in collaboration with stakeholder groups, including the Dogwood Family Council, the City of Vancouver Seniors Advisory Committee, and Vancouver Coastal Health staff, reflecting best practices. Vancouver Coastal Health authority has selected Surrey-based Lark Projects Construction to design and build the care home.

“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 the best care possible,” said Bob Chapman, executive director for Vancouver community, Vancouver Coastal Health. “Lark Group is an experienced and respected builder and understands how important it is to the residents we serve to enable them to be in a home-like setting. We’re confident they’ll be a great partner.”

Construction is expected to begin in spring 2020, with clients expected to move into the care home in June 2022. Until construction is complete, current Dogwood Lodge residents will continue to live in the existing 83-bed care home, which opened in 1979. The design-build contract value is $50.7 million. Lark Group will now apply for the development permit for the site at the City of Vancouver.

“We’re very excited to have been awarded with the opportunity to bring this project to life,” said Kirk Fisher, Lark Group. “We have an extensive track record of delivering state-of-the-art health care and long-term care spaces for our partners and are honoured to be working with Vancouver Coastal Health again to build homes that residents of Dogwood Lodge can be proud of.”

Improving access to long-term care home is part of the B.C. government’s commitment to strengthen the supports available to seniors. The Province is investing approximately $1 billion over three years to improve care for seniors, including investments in primary care, home health, long-term care and assisted living. This includes $75 million over three years to expand respite and adult day services and $240 million over three years to increase staffing levels in long-term care homes, with the goal of achieving the target 3.36 direct care hours per resident day – on average – across all health authorities by the end of 2020-21.