The Lacombe Foundation and the Bethany Group are working on a strategic plan to improve the lives of Lacombe County’s senior citizens.

“The Lacombe Foundation that operates the Lacombe Seniors Lodge is undergoing a planning and design process. We have a long-standing request from the government to redevelop the Lacombe Lodge. We’re just taking some steps this year to advance this goal,” said Melodie Stohl, stakeholder relations advisor for the Bethany group.

Melodie Stohl attended the Alberta Health Services Community Feedback meeting on January 10th on behalf of the Bethany Group and the Lacombe Foundation in an effort to inform Alberta Health Services about the need for improved care.

“We have a willingness to work with Alberta Health Services to provide the right facility in Lacombe for the seniors in this area, not just the city of Lacombe but the entire Lacombe County,” said Stohl.

The number of seniors in Alberta is expected to rise as the baby boomer generation begin their retirement. According to Alberta’s population statistics, the number of people aged 65 years and older is expected to more than double by 2046. As a result, there is a rising need and there will be a continuing need for better care of senior citizens and more space.

Some of the Lacombe Foundations main goals are:

  • Increase the supply of affordable housing
  • Improve and maintain the condition of existing affordable housing
  • Enhance integration with community support services
  • Support the desire of Albertans to age in their community
  • Modernize regulatory framework to support equitable treatment and housing stability
  • Promote enhanced understanding of and coordinated response to rural and urban needs
  • Support operational and environmental sustainability affordable housing projects
  • Partner with other governments to support a sustainable system

“We are looking for opportunities to allow seniors to stay in their home longer and when they move into the lodge it is an independent living environment to a certain extent and that becomes their home. The longer we can keep them out of higher cost medical facilities the better for everyone,” says Stohl.

For more information on the plans of Lacombe Foundation and Bethany Group, click here.