News release - Alberta Health Services

February 1, 2011
News release
Lee Crest opening adds 95 supportive living spaces
CARDSTON – Lee Crest, a new 95-bed supportive living facility, opens its doors today,
providing seniors with a wide range of living options in a modern, family-friendly setting.
Operated by the Good Samaritan Society in partnership with Alberta Health Services (AHS),
Lee Crest has 66 supportive living spaces, 24 supportive living dementia beds and five
community support beds.
Lee Crest is made possible by a $3.5 million Rural Affordable Supportive Living grant through
Alberta Seniors & Community Supports.
“Projects such as this provide more options for seniors and persons with disabilities to have
access to accommodations and services that meet their changing needs, in their own
communities, remaining close to family and friends,” said Mary Anne Jablonski, Minister of
Seniors and Community Supports. “We are committed to working with partners like the Good
Samaritan Society, so Albertans in smaller communities do not have to leave their communities
to find affordable and sustainable accommodations.”
Supportive living provides residents with a home-like environment that promotes privacy and
independence, yet they can have the peace of mind that comes with 24-hour support from
on-site licensed practical nurses and health care aides, and on-call Home Care registered
nurses. Community support beds give patients a place to recover after a trauma or surgery.
They’re also used for respite and palliative care.
Equipment is being set up at Lee Crest, with residents expected to move beginning today.
Some residents were living at Grandview Nursing Home and in long-term care at the Cardston
Health Centre.
“We look forward to serving the town of Cardston and hope that residents and their families find
our values of healthy relationships, servant leadership and hospitable environments alive and
well in Lee Crest,” said Carla Gregor, President and CEO of Good Samaritan Society. “We are
excited, once again, to partner with Alberta Health Services in the provision of seniors’ services
to southern Alberta.”
Colin Zieber, Seniors Health Executive Director for the South Zone of AHS, said he believes
seniors and their families will appreciate Lee Crest’s modern and home-like appearance.
“In other communities where we’ve opened supportive living, seniors and families tell us they
like the environment because they have their own room, can have family and friends visit while
receiving the nursing support and care,” said Zieber.
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News release
The Government of Alberta and AHS are committed to adding more than 3,000 continuing care
spaces by 2013 and to build a strong, sustainable continuing care system with a range of
services to meet the needs of Albertans.
“The opening of Lee Crest brings us closer to achieving this goal and, locally, the facility will
become an important part of the community, supporting our seniors and their families for many
years to come,” said Broyce Jacobs, MLA for Cardston-Taber-Warner.
Good Samaritan Society also operates supportive living facilities in Lethbridge, Pincher Creek,
Magrath and Raymond, and will open a new facility in Taber later this year.
AHS is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports
and services for more than 3.7 million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to
provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all
Albertans.
For media inquiries, contact:
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James Frey Joanne Dusterbeck
AHS Communications, South Zone Director, Communications
403-388-6313 The Good Samaritan Society
587-220-1774 (cell) 780-431-3706