New complex will house seniors with style
By Mona Mattei
For an area where estimates show that nearly 50 percent of the local population will be over 65 in 10 years, the new Silver Kettle Village retirement community is being welcomed by many. Golden Life Management started construction on their new Grand Forks seniors’ village this fall located near the Grand Forks recreation facilities. The village is contracted to provide 40 complex care beds, and the company is adding in 48 additional suites for seniors looking for assisted living, and will have two private rooms for complex care as well. At an information session held on Thursday, Dec. 15, the Grand Forks Seniors’ Hall in City Park was filled with people in their graying years who were very attentive to the village’s opportunities. The presentation was done by Celeste Mullin, from their Cranbrook office, and outlined the type of care, lifestyle and services that will be available to residents. “In the residential care piece we have professional 24-hour nursing staff,” said Mullin. “In our independent and assisted care living if we’re providing personal care services we’ll have assisted living workers there that provide that service. We have to make sure that we’re supporting our clients because if our clients are successful, the staff’s successful, it makes our company successful.” Mullin spoke about the plans for the village and outlined that it could be expanded in the future if there is enough demand. The 40 bed complex care unit will provide all services needed for the residents under their agreement with the Interior Health Authority, similar to the Hardy View Lodge services currently available at the Boundary Hospital. The assisted living suites offer services according to the needs of the resident. Not only will the housing be welcomed by many, the opportunity for employment cannot be overlooked. There will be a number of staff hired, and their hiring practices are stringent, she added. A past staff member from Trail, Lunya Foyle commented to the Sentinel that the company is the best place she ever worked, she always felt valued as a team member, and she is looking forward to being able to re-apply in Grand Forks. Costs for renting the assisted living suites, which include utilities, daily dinner, housekeeping services, transportation services and laundry facilities range from $1,690 – 2,600 a month depending on the size of the suite and the number of people living there. The village offers everything from studios to two-bedroom units, and pet area allowed. Mullin said their average age of residents in other communities is from the mid-70’s through early 80’s. With the meals being prepared by chefs on site using local produce wherever possible, many people were ready to move in soon. At the end of Mullin’s presentation many people had a look at the layout of the suites and took away information on how they can rent a unit for themselves or their parents. But she warned the 45 people in the room that Golden Life’s villages often sell out before the construction is complete so to contact them soon.
If you need more information on the opportunities at Silver Kettle Village go to their website here.
