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Points West Living seniors’ home aims to fill gap in Stettler housing

Seniors in the region will soon move into the new Points West Living affordable-supportive-living complex in Stettler.

Seniors in the region will soon move into the new Points West Living affordable-supportive-living complex in Stettler.

The seniors’ home is set to open this July.

“We take possession of the building in two weeks and residents will start to move in July 3,” said Doug Mills, a director with Points West Living, who led a tour for town and county of Stettler councils last Wednesday.

Located on 70 Street at the corner of 44 Avenue, the complex includes 88 supportive-living suites filled by Alberta Health Services, along with 16 independent suites.

That includes 30 suites for people with dementia, which Mills said is not currently available in Stettler.

“We need this level of care in Stettler,” said Carol Dyck, manager of Heart Haven Lodge, operated under the County of Stettler Housing Authority.

“There is a large gap between seniors’ lodges and long-term care. People with dementia and those who need extra care will benefit from living here.

“Anyone who moves here will be lucky.”

All standards, services, rates and employee wages are regulated by Alberta Health Services, Mills said.

“So far, we have about 40 suites reserved, all from Stettler,” he said.

Points West continues to hire staff and encourages local people to apply for positions such as licensed practical nurses, staff for administration, food services, recreation and maintenance.

“We need 100 employees,” said Mills, who noted that the hiring process has just begun.

While the company has advertised positions locally and abroad, Mills said just nine applications have come from Stettler.

“Our wages are the same grid at Alberta Health Services,” he said.

Licensed practical nurses and certified health-care aides will be employed under the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees standards.

“Rumours that we are bringing in busloads of Filipinos is absolutely false, Mills said.

For potential residents, designated assisted living units will be capped at $1,785 a month, while independent units range from $2,200 to $2,600 a month, with round-the-clock professional health care being promised.

“Cost for the rooms is controlled by regulation of the government,” Mills said.

Those costs cover all services, except telephone and laundry.

Residents will be accommodated in a cottage-style community on Points West.

“We believe you should put small groups of people of similar health-care needs (together) and run it like a house,” Mills said.

Over the two-storey facility, six seating areas accommodate up to 16 people for small gatherings and meals, with other features such as several lounges and an exercise room that can also be used for physical therapy.

Outside the complex, raised gardens and walking paths will be located behind the building.