New Dogwood Care Home opens in South Vancouver

The six-storey Dogwood Care Home is designed to feel like home for 150 adults with complex care needs, including seniors. Located between Oakridge and Marpole, large windows and patios offer stunning views of the city skyline and nearby greenspaces. Each floor consists of a “neighbourhood” of two homes, where residents with similar care needs have their own private bedrooms and bathrooms as well as shared living, dining, kitchen and social spaces that are inviting for all. Each of the bright, spacious homes accommodates 14 people with staff and other supports close by.

“Building a public health care system that works for everybody means also increasing long-term care capacity to meet the growing demands for acute care and need-specific seniors services,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “By expanding these services with the new Dogwood Care Home within the Vancouver area, we are meeting our commitment to provide safe, accessible and quality care for seniors in our communities.”

The care home includes 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 to provide health and social services to seniors living in the community.

“The new long-term care home in South Vancouver will offer residents a lively, home-like environment where they can continue to live with dignity, and lead happy and fulfilling lives in their community,” said Harwinder Sandhu, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors’ Services and Long-Term Care. “As people age, we are ensuring that quality long-term care services are available when they need it.”

The care model and concept design reflect current best practices and were developed over the course of several years in collaboration with relevant partners, including the Musqueam Indian Band, Dogwood Family Council, City of Vancouver Seniors Advisory Committee and Vancouver Coastal Health staff.

The first residents of Dogwood Care Home will be relocating from Dogwood Lodge, George Pearson Centre and Purdy Pavilion, which are existing long-term care homes in Vancouver.

“We’re excited to welcome residents to this beautiful new care home and to enhance access to care for more people in the South Vancouver community,” said Bob Chapman, Vice President for Vancouver Community at Vancouver Coastal Health. “The new Dogwood Care Home allows us to provide a wide-range of supportive health-care services to residents in a comfortable, home-like atmosphere they can make their own.”

“Our family is thrilled to see our father move into this wonderful new space,” said Mike Chang, family member. “The staff at Dogwood have always made it feel like home for our family, and the new space promises to be a safe and vibrant place for all of us to enjoy.”

To contribute to the cultural safety of clinical spaces, VCH has incorporated art and design input from Musqueam Indian Band to create welcoming environments for clients, families, staff and our wider community. This includes traditional Coast Salish house posts and house boards designed by artists Brent Sparrow and Thomas Cannell at the entrance as well as a sacred space for residents, families and staff.

“VCH is committed to making all of our health care sites more culturally safe and to continue providing exceptional care to all,” added Chapman.

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is committed to delivering exceptional care to 1.25 million people, including the First Nations, Métis and Inuit in our region, within the traditional territories of the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo-Xai'xais, Lil'wat, Musqueam, N'Quatqua, Nuxalk, Samahquam, shíshálh, Skatin, Squamish, Tla'amin, Tsleil-Waututh, Wuikinuxv, and Xa'xtsa5.

Vancouver Coastal Health
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