By Patrick Burles - @PatrickBurles on Twitter

Health Minister Tours Additions to St. Michael’s Health Centre

Mar 24, 2016 | 2:39 PM

LETHBRIDGE – Provincial Health Minister Sarah Hoffman toured St. Michael’s Health Centre Thursday morning, as new supportive living beds are added to the facility.

The first 12 beds opened this week, in what will be a total of 48 new spaces for residents.

Each patient gets a room in a self-contained ‘cottage’, with a common kitchen and eating area, and recreation areas. They are also staffed by licensed practical nurses and health-care aids, who provide 24-hour onsite support, with oversight by AHS home care registered nurses.

Deb Rakos’ husband, Bob Turner, is a resident at St. Michael’s, as he suffers from early on-set Alzheimer’s disease. She noted that she’s grateful to have a facility like this in the city.

“The way the wings are set up, there’s 12 rooms in a unit, and what I like about that is that it’s secure, not just in terms of Bob’s physical safety, but it’s also I think a feeling of home for him,” explained Rakos. “Even when they eat, it’s in a small setting, you’re not trying to eat with 48 people, because really how often does that happen at your house.”

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Half of the beds will be designated for residents with mental health needs, as Minister Hoffman pointed out that their data shows dementia rates are going to continue to grow in Alberta, “Certainly that’s a very difficult time, not just for the patients, but for the families. For a facility like this to feel like home, not like an acute care setting, we’re hoping people will live here for a long time and have a happy life.”

The next set of 12 beds is set to open in April, with the final 24 being operational by early 2017.