The Vermilion Valley Lodge now has 10 temporary continuing care beds for patients who no longer need acute care (hospital) services but require care in a more appropriate setting.
Alberta Health Services (AHS), and Vermilion and District Housing Foundation have temporarily converted 10 type B continuing care beds (formerly known as designated supportive living Level 3) at Vermilion Valley Lodge to Continuing Care Home Type B beds (formerly known as designated supportive living Level 4).
The 10 spaces add more acute care capacity in the Central Zone, and healthcare teams can better support patients who no longer need acute care services and residents from the community who require additional care support.
“This temporary change will help ensure the right services and supports are in place to serve the people of the County of Vermilion River, enabling patients to remain as close to home as possible,” says Garth Rowswell, MLA Vermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright.
These spaces will be used for 12 months. The residents in the temporary spaces will be relocated to alternative continuing care spaces before the end of the contract period.
“Moving patients who no longer need acute care into a continuing care setting frees up beds for patients who need them the most,” says Lori Sparrow, senior operating officer – community and seniors health in AHS Central Zone. “It also ensures the most efficient use of acute care and continuing care beds in Vermilion, while having no impact on the residents who currently reside in continuing care at Vermilion Valley Lodge.”
