FORUM FINDINGS

Seniors Housing
Forum Findings

adult_oriented_building_concept

Seniors Housing
Forum Findings

adult_oriented_building_concept

Seniors Housing Forum Findings

adult_oriented_building_concept

Thank you.

We received an overwhelming response from the community members and their families, our survey participants and public focus groups. Thank you. We have heard you. 

You can download the Full Report of our Findings here.
PHI Findings Report
Below is a summary of our findings.

Thank you.

We received an overwhelming response from the community members and their families, our survey participants and public focus groups. Thank you. We have heard you. 

You can download the 
Full Report of our Findings here.
PHI Findings Report
Below is a summary of our findings.

The Fort St. John community is entering into a time of transition and growth. 

The Fort St. John area is facing housing challenges in that it has an aging stock, and limited options that can accommodate seniors’ evolving needs. The question many Fort St. John residents are asking is where their loved ones would go, should they need to move or change residence, if faced with a significant medical event or for any another reason. It is rapidly becoming apparent that there is nowhere for aging residents of Fort St. John to go. 

The changing face of the population presents an opportunity to create new and innovative solutions to better support the community. Aging-friendly environments that not only support healthy living, they provide environments that consider the long- term needs of residents. The intent of the Seniors Housing Forum was to better understand the community’s needs, and to hear what residents had to say. 

It was important to us to hear this directly from the Fort St. John community, and in your own words. 
 


"Thank you for addressing this issue in our community!" - Survey voice

The Seniors Housing Forum

The primary initiatives of the Seniors Housing Forum were:
  1. 1. The Continuum of Care Survey where over 500 respondents identified their most Important type of senior housing they felt was needed in the community 
  2. 2. Three Public Senior Housing Focus Groups, where stakeholders were invited to share their thoughts and opinions on a series of questions, and a dialogue was facilitated to help better understand the needs of the community 

Specific focus groups for special interest groups throughout the community were also held this time frame, to ensure inclusiveness. 

General Presentations to community leaders and stakeholders took place, outlining the identified issues and potential solutions. 

Continuum of Care Survey top-level findings

The following graph shows the top-level results of the survey findings, and the answer to the question: What Level of Care is Most Important to You? 


Assisted and Supportive Living (Level 4) was the most important level of care, identified by 22.5% of respondents as their greatest need. 

Assisted and Supportive Living was defined as having Personal Care Attendants, 24-hour LPN staff and Medication Assistance on site. 
Common themes

There were common themes identified by participants during the Senior Housing Focus Groups as well as with the open-ended questions included in the Continuum of Care Survey: 

IMMEDIACY 
There is an immediate need for senior housing options in the Fort St. John area. We heard again and again that there is a current need, and that within a three to five-year period, this need will only increase. The greatest housing need obstacles were lack of space and long wait-lists to get into suitable housing. The community recognizes this and is prepared to get involved. They want to work with local government, develop partnerships with local groups, and work amongst themselves in order to provide the support and initiatives needed. 

AFFORDABILITY 
The need for housing solutions that are affordable for seniors and those on a fixed or limited income was of paramount importance to all of those surveyed. Creative ways of reducing costs and including government subsidization and volunteer time were explored. 

AMENITIES 
The need for appropriate amenities and transportation consistently came up as an integral component to the community plan. Wheelchair- accessible transportation, access to pharmacies, clinics, parking, grocery stores and physical fitness opportunities. 

COMMUNITY LIVING 
The concept of community living was identified as a necessity by the majority of participants. Whether it’s a concern for isolation and loneliness, the need to allow pets, or have access to outdoor spaces and daily community involvement, a social component was recognized as a necessity for a healthy and ideal living space.

What's next

Our next steps in the process are to determine what the Assisted and Supportive Living needs and requirements are, and how we can achieve the best fit for the community of Fort St. John. The balance we need to achieve is to ensure we are creating something that can accommodate the needs of a larger community like Fort St. John. In order to define the action plan, we must continue our collaborative work with Northern Health Authority and BC Housing. 

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
Quality of life, quality of care and financial viability are at the forefront of our vision. We believe in innovative ideas and incorporating solutions that are proven to benefit those needing assistance. 

Our recommendation is to focus on developing small intentional communities where residents can thrive, and experience full, vibrant lives. This modern, interactive style offers community living, which is a proven model to enhancing quality of life. 

“Every one of these levels (of care) are long, long overdue for the Fort St. John area. Anyone who’s lived here would know that and agree. What’s needed for seniors is better meals. The buildings need appropriate kitchens to cook wholesome meals in. Buildings need to look and feel warm and inviting. The cold institution look isn’t acceptable.” 

The Fort St. John community is entering into a time of transition and growth. 

The Fort St. John area is facing housing challenges in that it has an aging stock, and limited options that can accommodate seniors’ evolving needs. The question many Fort St. John residents are asking is where their loved ones would go, should they need to move or change residence, if faced with a significant medical event or for any another reason. It is rapidly becoming apparent that there is nowhere for aging residents of Fort St. John to go. 

The changing face of the population presents an opportunity to create new and innovative solutions to better support the community. Aging-friendly environments that not only support healthy living, they provide environments that consider the long- term needs of residents. The intent of the Seniors Housing Forum was to better understand the community’s needs, and to hear what residents had to say. 

It was important to us to hear this directly from the Fort St. John community, and in your own words. 


"Thank you for addressing this issue in our community!" - Survey voice

The Seniors Housing Forum

The primary initiatives of the Seniors Housing Forum were:
  1. 1. The Continuum of Care Survey where over 500 respondents identified their most Important type of senior housing they felt was needed in the community 
  2. 2. Three Public Senior Housing Focus Groups, where stakeholders were invited to share their thoughts and opinions on a series of questions, and a dialogue was facilitated to help better understand the needs of the community 

Specific focus groups for special interest groups throughout the community were also held this time frame, to ensure inclusiveness. 

General Presentations to community leaders and stakeholders took place, outlining the identified issues and potential solutions. 

Continuum of Care Survey top-level findings

The following graph shows the top-level results of the survey findings, and the answer to the question: What Level of Care is Most Important to You? 
most important type of seniors housing

Assisted and Supportive Living (Level 4) was the most important level of care, identified by 22.5% of respondents as their greatest need. 

Assisted and Supportive Living was defined as having Personal Care Attendants, 24-hour LPN staff and Medication Assistance on site. 
Common themes

There were common themes identified by participants during the Senior Housing Focus Groups as well as with the open-ended questions included in the Continuum of Care Survey: 

IMMEDIACY 
There is an immediate need for senior housing options in the Fort St. John area. We heard again and again that there is a current need, and that within a three to five-year period, this need will only increase. The greatest housing need obstacles were lack of space and long wait-lists to get into suitable housing. The community recognizes this and is prepared to get involved. They want to work with local government, develop partnerships with local groups, and work amongst themselves in order to provide the support and initiatives needed. 

AFFORDABILITY 
The need for housing solutions that are affordable for seniors and those on a fixed or limited income was of paramount importance to all of those surveyed. Creative ways of reducing costs and including government subsidization and volunteer time were explored. 

AMENITIES 
The need for appropriate amenities and transportation consistently came up as an integral component to the community plan. Wheelchair- accessible transportation, access to pharmacies, clinics, parking, grocery stores and physical fitness opportunities. 

COMMUNITY LIVING 
The concept of community living was identified as a necessity by the majority of participants. Whether it’s a concern for isolation and loneliness, the need to allow pets, or have access to outdoor spaces and daily community involvement, a social component was recognized as a necessity for a healthy and ideal living space.

What's next

Our next steps in the process are to determine what the Assisted and Supportive Living needs and requirements are, and how we can achieve the best fit for the community of Fort St. John. The balance we need to achieve is to ensure we are creating something that can accommodate the needs of a larger community like Fort St. John. In order to define the action plan, we must continue our collaborative work with Northern Health Authority and BC Housing. 

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
Quality of life, quality of care and financial viability are at the forefront of our vision. We believe in innovative ideas and incorporating solutions that are proven to benefit those needing assistance. 

Our recommendation is to focus on developing small intentional communities where residents can thrive, and experience full, vibrant lives. This modern, interactive style offers community living, which is a proven model to enhancing quality of life. 

“Every one of these levels (of care) are long, long overdue for the Fort St. John area. Anyone who’s lived here would know that and agree. What’s needed for seniors is better meals. The buildings need appropriate kitchens to cook wholesome meals in. Buildings need to look and feel warm and inviting. The cold institution look isn’t acceptable.” 

We believe small format solutions are the future of care. They offer a home style of comfort help seniors live longer, and happier. There are many successful examples of this that we can look to. 

In addition to this, we need to find ways to enhance quality of life through community engagement and social interaction. 


To read more about Our Recommendations, 
and to view the Full Report of our Findings click here.

We believe small format solutions are the future of care. They offer a home style of comfort help seniors live longer, and happier. There are many successful examples of this that we can look to. 

In addition to this, we need to find ways to enhance quality of life through community engagement and social interaction. 

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To read more about Our Recommendations, 
and to view the Full Report of our Findings click here.

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LISTEN TO THE LATEST INTERVIEWS ON CBC RADIO

LISTEN TO THE LATEST INTERVIEWS ON CBC RADIO

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US

Ron Brar and Goldy Brar
Ron and Goldy have been building in Fort St. John since 2005 and have built over 400 happy homes!

Ron sat on the New Construction Committee with The North Peace Seniors Housing Society from 2011-2012 and gained a lot of valuable insight.

It was here Ron realized that the Senior population, the same pioneers that built this great community, were not getting the attention they required. We’re now ready to take action and need valuable insight from all key stakeholders.
Kevin Pearson
Partner with Peace Holdings Inc. Kevin has been instrumental in the success and development of Fort St. John housing and subdivisions. He has 30 years of Real Estate experience in Fort St. John and is well regarded in this community where he is also born and raised. Kevin along with his development company PHI built Evergreen Estates subdivision (20 acres Master Planned Community), Sunset Ridge subdivision (75 acre Master Planned Community) as well as many commercial and residential developments along the way to include Signature Pointe 1 &2, Avalon Villas and the complete renovation of Century 21 Energy Realty new offices on 100th Ave.
Terry Collier, MSc.
EFG Development Management

Terry has been facilitating the develop of senior’s facilities for the past 25 years. 

He is a faculty member at Donald School of Business at Red Deer College and actively involved in design and consultation of development properties and seniors living facilities. Click here to see some past projects.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US

Ron Brar and Goldy Brar
Ron and Goldy have been building in Fort St. John since 2005 and have built over 400 happy homes!

Ron sat on the New Construction Committee with The North Peace Seniors Housing Society from 2011-2012 and gained a lot of valuable insight.

It was here Ron realized that the Senior population, the same pioneers that built this great community, were not getting the attention they required. We’re now ready to take action and need valuable insight from all key stakeholders.
Kevin Pearson
Partner with Peace Holdings Inc. Kevin has been instrumental in the success and development of Fort St. John housing and subdivisions. He has 30 years of Real Estate experience in Fort St. John and is well regarded in this community where he is also born and raised. Kevin along with his development company PHI built Evergreen Estates subdivision (20 acres Master Planned Community), Sunset Ridge subdivision (75 acre Master Planned Community) as well as many commercial and residential developments along the way to include Signature Pointe 1 &2, Avalon Villas and the complete renovation of Century 21 Energy Realty new offices on 100th Ave.
Terry Collier, MSc.
EFG Development Management

Terry has been facilitating the develop of senior’s facilities for the past 25 years. 

He is a faculty member at Donald School of Business at Red Deer College and actively involved in design and consultation of development properties and seniors living facilities. Click here to see some past projects.

Thanks again.

Thank you for your help in developing a community that meets the needs of today's older adults - now, and in the future.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank You!

Thank you for your help in developing a community that meets the needs of today's older adults - now, and in the future.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
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