Simon Fraser Lodge Happy residents, the true sign of success

Jeff Renaud knows a thing or two about redevelopment, after all as an administrator he’s in the middle of one for Simon Fraser Lodge in Prince George, British Columbia that will not only redefine the space but have a major impact on residents that live there and the staff that work there.

Originally built in 1964 as a military hospital, Simon Fraser Lodge features four bed wards which still exist in some parts of the current structure.

In 1988, the property was purchased by Buron Healthcare and several additions were made over the years. In 1992 two special care units were added and 2001 saw the addition of private rooms. They also partnered with Northern Healthcare which is today one of the only public/private healthcare relationships in the country.

So with all these additions why the need to renovate?

Renaud notes that the bulk of clients are living in the four bed units in the military hospital section of the facility. Also, the requirements of what people in long term care and assisted living need have changed over the years and there is now a push towards privacy and dignity. Renaud wants to allow people to have personal space and a place to call their own.

In addition, the old building was showing some wear as, among other things, pipes started to break down. The convergence of these two factors really ensured that change would happen.

“Across Canada we are starting to see an increase in comorbidity and dual diagnosis like Alzheimer’s and diabetes,” says Renaud, “and at Simon Fraser we work closely with the health authority to respond to the region’s needs and there has been an increasing demand for beds for cognitive impairment.”

But why stay in the same place? After all, wouldn’t it be less trouble for the residents if they could all be moved to a new facility?

For Simon Fraser, staying where they are has its value since they are located right behind Prince George’s regional hospital giving their residents easy access to the medical care they need. In addition, Renaud says, the recent renovations and the investment in the property have ensured the hospitals continued value.

The planning process for the redevelopment has been a long one with the initial planning phases starting in 2000. The project stagnated for a while due to staff turnover but was picked right back up again when Renaud joined the staff.

The first step was determining what the community’s need was. From there, Buron hired an architect to lay out plans for the renovation. Simon Fraser also worked with Northern Health and got a contractor in place.

What followed were focus groups with front line employees as well as residents and family members to ensure what was best for the redevelopment “The energy behind all of this was just so positive,” commented Renaud.

Of course with any project comes some challenges and Simon Fraser has a few unique ones. Since there have been many renovations over the lodge’s lifespan, the builders and planners are working with both old, semi-new and new material which makes the process that much more difficult.

The other main challenge is what to do with the residents of the facility who will still reside in the facility while Simon Fraser Lodge is overhauled. Placement then becomes a big issue.

Simon Fraser faces several choices: should they move residents out of a building and into another one? Or should the residents be moved to different rooms? This is a question that is still being decided and the need of the residents is being taken into serious consideration.

Renaud notes that the master plan is to have a 124 bed facility that caters to the individual while maintaining a focus of care. With a relatively small facility, the challenge will be to create enough space for each resident.

Things to consider for the new facility include the turning radius for wheelchairs, having enough space for lift equipment, the size and number of windows in each of the rooms, accessibility of outdoor space and of course a whole lot more. Even deciding how many trees are needed to meet guidelines is a consideration that impacts the bottom line.

Renaud emphasizes that the most important thing is that residents and family are part of the process. When the plans were unveiled, the architect got the opportunity to meet with staff, family and residents to explain to them the changes and hear their input. The interior designer will also meet with families and residents to get their opinions providing a forum not only to have their say, but to be heard.

“However,” comments Renaud, “family members are a little more reluctant to see changes around their loved ones.” After all, those with dementia need stability and Renaud admits it will be a huge challenge to ensure this.

The question that is being asked, says Renaud is, “How do we make it so they have a safe environment, are well cared for, have access to activities and are supported in all of those areas and still do this renovation?”

Renaud realizes that this will need to be constantly evaluated as the project continues.

The renovation at Simon Fraser Lodge will commence in three phases throughout the year. The first is already started; focusing on some external parts of renovating including the courtyards.

Going forward, the lodge is being very conscious of safety issues regarding residents and staff keeping an eye on construction safety, infection control while ensuring that the operational issues such as residents still getting a bath or receive their food on time continue all the way through construction.

A renovation is a huge project that has many components but as Renaud says, “all the players involved in the project from Northern Healthcare to the senior management team to Buron to the architect and contractor all have experience with this so it makes it much easier.”

Going forward, Renaud knows it’s going to be about incorporating the residents into the process and keeping everyone informed as each step unfolds. After all, happy residents are the true sign of success.