Bethany Care Society breaks ground on new care home

The not-for-profit continuing care provider broke ground on the project Tuesday in the same Calgary location as its first facility.

Construction of a new Bethany Care Society care home is officially underway.

The not-for-profit continuing care provider broke ground on the project Tuesday in the same Calgary location as its first facility, which opened in 1945, marking the beginning of a massive redevelopment project.

“You hear us talking about that all the time with the changing demographic we have to build new, and we have to replace old,” says Jennifer McCue, Bethany Care Society president and CEO.

“We aren’t simply building a new care home, we are reimagining how we care for our seniors with a focus on dignity, independence and community.”

The new care facility will have 420 private rooms with ensuites, making up small “homes” with 14 units, each with shared living and dining spaces.

The design of smaller homes in the facility is partly inspired by learnings from COVID-19. Shared spaces were one of the contributors to the high number of cases and rapid spread of the virus.

The smaller homes allow for fewer residents sharing the same space.

“Just like homes of a street, each neighbourhood will have its own distinct character, creating a sense of individuality and warmth,” explains Dr. Al Kryski, Bethany Care Society board chair.