To ensure residential care services continue to meet community needs, Interior Health has issued a request for proposal to create 185 new residential care beds in the Okanagan.
The RFP was issued Tuesday and calls for the creation of 100 beds in Kelowna and 85 beds in Vernon.
Residential beds provide 24/7 care and support for individuals with complex care needs who are no longer able to live at home independently or with supports. This includes the frail and elderly, and those with dementia, whose needs may change over time.
The decision to open new beds in the Okanagan recognizes the need to create capacity both now and into the future for the region’s seniors’ population.
According to the 2011 census, the seniors’ population in Kelowna rose by almost 12 per cent between 2006 and 2011. Continual growth in that demographic is expected, and provincial officials say these new beds will help ensure the future needs of the growing number of seniors in the Okanagan are met.
“Over the past three years we’ve opened more than 150 new residential care beds in the Okanagan, and today, we’re more than doubling that,” said Premier Christy Clark, in a press release. “BC’s population is ageing, and that’s why we’re making investments to ensure beds are available for those who need them.”
These new beds will bring quality care closer to home for Okanagan residents, as a home-away-from home for those who can no longer care for themselves. It is also anticipated that these news beds will reduce pressures on local hospitals.
“These additional beds not only support seniors, but also help relieve pressures at our local hospitals, ensuring they are able to continue operating efficiently and providing our residents with access to timely care services,” said Steve Thomson, MLA Kelowna-Mission.
The RFP will be available on the BC Bid website for six to eight weeks. Following a period of evaluation, IH anticipates the contract will be awarded in June with construction estimated to begin in the fall.
