Cochrane could have its own hospice care as part of the Bethany Care Centre expansion, depending on how plans and funding come together.
Cochrane could have its own hospice care as part of the Bethany Care Centre expansion, depending on how plans and funding come together.
Jennifer Vance, Bethany Cochrane site administrator, said hospice care is on Bethany's radar
According to an October 2016 report from the Parkland Institute, Alberta has 243 palliative care or hospice beds - an increase of 80 over six years.
Alberta Health's benchmark is 7.7 palliative beds per 100,000 population, meaning the province is 85 beds short of its benchmark.
“We recognize it is a need that has yet to be met, ” Vance said.
The Bethany Cochrane Care Centre has drafted plans for a new facility and is now awaiting town approval and government funding to move forward with the project.
“There are seniors waiting in Calgary and surrounding areas to come back home to Cochrane and live, ” said Vance.
“With the increased community needs, we feel it's best to meet that need.
“We are hoping to be digging by spring. ”
The current facility can accommodate 78 long terms beds and 38 supportive living units but a 2015 needs assessment in Cochrane and the surrounding area, identified a deficit of 79 units and a projected shortage of 69 continuing care beds by 2020.
“With population growth and aging, this immediate unsatisfied demand is projected to increase to 122 units by 2020 and 187 units by 2025, ” said Kristen Lawson, director of communications and government relations with Bethany Care.
After a successful open house last October with more than 100 residents signing the letter to support the project and more than 200 in attendance, staff, seniors and residents are anxious to see if the funding approval makes the cut.
“We are hopeful that the government will announce funding for affordable housing projects in the March budget, ” Lawson said.
The most recent statistics from 2011, showed the provincial population of seniors 65 and older at 10.2 per cent, a 40 per cent jump from 2006, according to Statistics Canada. With Cochrane continuing to grow - more than 47 per cent in the last five years -the senior population is also on the rise.
The proposed new facility would have three phases. Phase one includes 120 units for affordable seniors housing while phase two and three would see a total of 180 long term care beds - 90 each. The new facility would be built on land behind the current centre.
In the Province's capital plan, $3.5 billion was announced for health facilities and equipment, and $500 million for future priority investments in health projects across Alberta.
Minister of Finance Joe Ceci will table the 2017 Alberta budget March 16.
