Background

Westbank First Nation (WFN) announced the planned closure of Pine Acres Home (PAH) in October 2021 due to the result of increased COVID-19 requirements for long-term care facilities, shortages of staff, and the changing landscape of long-term care models across the country. “We found ourselves unable to continue to ensure sufficient staffing levels in providing high-quality care to our residents,” said Chief Christopher Derickson. As of December 23, 2021, all residents were successfully transitioned to their new residences and the facility was closed. 

Prior consultations with WFN Membership also raised the question of whether PAH was still meeting the Elders’ care needs of the Members, particularly in light of the notable trend of less and less Member-residents in the facility over recent years. This prompted WFN  to rethink the future of its care delivery model, considering increased assisted living and aging-in-place options.

WFN thanked its staff and ensured job fairs were held to assist staff in obtaining alternative employment with the vast majority receiving reasonable offers and securing employment while still working at PAH or immediately following its closure. Furthermore, WFN partnered with Interior Health to ensure all residents were placed in long-term care homes of their choice.  

“Pine Acres Home was targeted to close January 2022, however thanks to the efforts of our Pine Acres team and Interior Health, all residents were safely transitioned to their homes ahead of schedule and before Christmas”, said WFN Chief Christopher Derickson. “For almost 40 years, we have provided quality care to our Elders and seniors from other communities, and we look forward to working with our Members to identify how we can continue to do so in the future, in new and innovative ways.”

SMM Minutes, Sept '21 (Member-only)
MNP powerpoint, Oct '21 (Member-only)
Letter to Members, Oct '21 (Member-only)
FAQ (update Jan '22), Oct '21 (Member-only)
Letter to Members, Dec '21 (Member-only)
Member update/powerpoint, Jan '22 (Member-only)
Backgrounder: closure & severance payout, May '22

About Pine Acres Home (PAH)
In 1983, WFN opened Pine Acres Home (PAH), an intermediate care facility that provided quality care for community Elders within an Indigenous environment. While originally designed to provide residence to aging residents, PAH evolved to provide complex care including dementia care. There were 63 beds for residential care and the facility was distinguished for its approach and commitment to Indigenous cultural and spiritual beliefs. Working closely with the Interior Health Authority (IHA) and Indigenous Services Canada, forty beds were funded through IHA and priority placement was given to Indigenous residents for the remaining twenty beds. The facility provided 24-hour professional nursing care that consisted of Licensed Practical Nurses, Health Care Workers, and an Activity Department supported by volunteers. Registered Nurses in Administration provided clinical leadership and education. There were no active cases of COVID-19 prior to the closure.