As demand for senior housing increases, the options are limitless with these new builds, from urban lower-income housing to oceanside, resort-style living.
MCKAY APARTMENTS – BURNABY
Opened December 2018
Available for seniors 55 and up (50+ with a disability) this four-storey, 145-unit apartment is managed by the Fair Haven Homes Society and has been created with financial support from BC Housing. With a modern interior and contemporary design, these affordable senior residences are available in studio or one-bedroom formats, with 15 one-bedroom wheelchair-accessible suites.
Fully appointed with convenient laundry on each floor, a full kitchen, parking and secure storage on the sub-basement level, the goal of McKay Apartments is to provide safe and community-oriented housing with 90 per cent of rents below the market rate.
Amenities include a courtyard, garden spaces with raised garden plots for tenants, and a wellness walkway and exercise equipment generously donated by the Rotary Club.
BERWICK QUALICUM BEACH
Opening spring 2019
An arts and crafts designed residence meant to blend in with the surrounding area of cozy Qualicum Beach, this new care home by Island-owned and operated Berwick Retirement Communities will offer independent and assisted living in the heart of downtown.
“We make sure that the building really fits in with its surroundings, so this one has a very English manor feel to it to match the town,” says Director of Sales and Marketing, Lena Foran.
Similar to other Berwick properties in terms of amenities, Berwick QB will feature a theatre, fitness room, dining room, coffee house/bistro, and a games area, as well as a private dining room for residents and their family and friends to use. A rooftop lounge will be a great gathering space while providing a lovely view of the town and waterfront, and residents will be within walking distance of all amenities, shops and restaurants.
“Most of our communities really vary in terms of dietary preferences and hobbies, so we design our programs based largely on resident feedback,” says Foran. “We try to take a collective group’s desire and cater to that,” she adds. Pets are allowed, and suites range from studio to two bedrooms.
VIVIAN APARTMENTS – VANCOUVER
Opening summer 2019
The same concept as McKay Apartments, and a similar contemporary design with fully appointed suites, Vivian Apartments is another innovative project by Fair Haven Homes Society. A four-story building with 139 units consisting of studio and one-bedroom suites and including six wheelchair-accessible units, this community is being designed with recommendations from the City of Vancouver’s Urban Design Panel to incorporate the building into the thriving Killarney neighbourhood.
There will be a courtyard for outdoor activities and gardens, a large multi-purpose room and many common areas meant to help foster community and social activities. The sub-basement level includes parking for vehicles, bike storage, and storage for tenant belongings.
OCEANA PARC – WHITE ROCK
Opening July 2019
A 23-floor resort-style community meant to encourage a comfortable, independent and active lifestyle, PARC’s newest independent living residence will feature some of the best amenities available. There will be many options for premium upgrades including, but not limited to, air conditioning, walk-in soaker tubs, fireplace and a choice of colour scheme.
The generously sized suites are designed with a modern west coast feel and range from studio to three-bedrooms plus den with the option of a raised ceiling and include in-suite laundry, wall-mounted TV, walk-in shower, and the choice of a kitchenette or full kitchen.
“We’re aiming to meet everyone’s style preferences and needs by providing many options and customizations,” says GM Shelley Grenier.
With a focus on health and recreation, there will be two storeys packed with activities and opportunities for fitness, including multi-purpose rooms and lounges, large fitness centre with daily instruction, putting green, a greenhouse, plus a partially covered infinity walking loop to allow residents to exercise outdoors in all weather conditions.
PARC is also focused on flexibility, which is why they offer a select meal plan in addition to the traditional set meal plan, which allows residents to choose when and where they’d like to have their meals, depending on where their day leads them.
“Our philosophy is around health and wellness, and a proactive rather than reactive approach to health,” says Grenier. A registered nurse will be on site to provide tips and advice for healthy living and self-care, and there is an option for residents to obtain outside health support.
AMICA – WHITE ROCK
Opening summer/fall 2019
Amica’s new residence at the site of Abbey Lane Health Centre will feature a full continuum of care, as well as direct access to BC’s largest medical clinic. With independent, assisted living and memory care suites available, Amica aims for all residents to age in place. On the memory care side, the studio suites include dens, providing additional living and entertaining space.
With easy access to shopping, services, entertainment, outdoor activities and cultural events, residents will remain a part of the White Rock community they know and love.
“This community has a mix of a high-end hotel, but also that feel of a place where locals would go and feel comfortable,” says GM Kelvin Monteiro.
Amica places emphasis on recreation, with a fitness centre, 40 ft saltwater pool, and four rooftop terraces with stunning panoramic ocean and mountain views. A hobby kitchen will be available to allow residents to host private family dinners, or to attend monthly cooking demos of favourite dishes.
“We try to do things that are unique and simplistic, so all residents can participate, regardless of age, cognition or overall health. One of my favourite examples is cooking Thanksgiving dinner. Residents can go into the hobby kitchen, cook up a storm, and staff will clean it up afterwards,” says Monteiro.
Meals are also available whenever the mood strikes, from 7 am to 7 pm. “You don’t have to change your routine to fit our schedule, we will change our schedule to fit your routine, so if you want to have your eggs benny at 11 am, you can have your eggs benny at 11 am,” says Monteiro.
THE SUMMIT AT QUADRA VILLAGE – VICTORIA
Opening late 2019
Replacing Mt. Tolmie Hospital and Oak Bay Lodge, The Summit at Quadra Village will be a four-story assisted living care residence with an emphasis on dementia care. Developed by the Capital Region Hospital District, it will be the first facility in the province with an on-site hemodialysis clinic and is being designed to integrate seamlessly with the surrounding Quadra/Hillside neighbourhood.
The entire building has been designed in multiple levels, called “houses,” and centres around a courtyard as a point of reference for residents, as well as the backdrop to the entire lobby and town square, and there will be several outdoor spaces for the residents as well as extensive space available to the larger community.
“We’re working with the Quadra/Hillside Community Association to put a community garden in one of the outdoor spaces. Things like this not only provide useful amenities for the neighbouring community, but a focus for residents as well,” says Project Manager David Wilkinson.
Residents moving into the Summit will have private rooms as well as access to a host of amenities including a physio gym, bistro and hair salon. Other amenities include a day program with day trips and therapeutic work, and a half-kilometre-long walking path circumnavigating the entire property for families to take their loved ones for a walk.
“Every attempt is made to make this feel more like a Scandinavian country hotel. It has a simplicity to it like an apartment or a house, and a private space rather than a facility,” says Wilkinson.
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