18 rooms help offset local need for dementia, Alzheimer’s care
Rain showers held off, and dignitaries were able to make their announcements, officially opening the MacLeod Cares Riverside Court Retirement Residence’s new 18-room memory care unit on Thursday, July 3.
The unit, which unofficially opened in July 2024, fills a need for placements for patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The renovations, which were approved and funded by the previous New Brunswick government, were designed in collaboration with the Department of Social Development to meet the specific needs of patients with memory care needs.
“Every senior deserves to live with dignity, care and respect. This new memory care unit reflects our commitment to providing high-quality, person-centred care tailored to each individual’s needs. By expanding access to specialized support, we are helping seniors feel safe, supported and empowered every step of the way,” said Cindy Miles, the Social Development Minister.
Kathy Partridge, the Chief Operating Officer of MacLeod Cares, said the newly opened memory care unit at the facility marks a significant commitment to supporting individuals living with memory-related conditions. The addition reflects an ongoing commitment to residents, their families, and the community to provide care that is dignified, compassionate, and innovative.
“This unit was designed not only with clinical care in mind, but with heart. It offers a space where individuals living with dementia or Alzheimer’s can experience dignity, comfort and purpose, making a meaningful difference in the lives of residents and families in Woodstock and the surrounding area,” said Partridge.
Brad MacMillan is the MacLeod Cares Director of Growth and Development.
He said the unit was filled almost immediately, and his organization is interested in working with the province to expand its services in other locations if the funding model changes.
“This was created under a funding model that no longer exists,” explains MacMillan.
“The need is there, and we are willing to do this again, here and in other provinces if the opportunity is comes up.”
According to Statistics Canada, New Brunswick’s dementia rate is approximately 1,200 for every 100,000 residents.
That number is expected to rise. The Alzheimer’s Society of Canada believes New Brunswick will see an 89 per cent increase in people living with dementia by 2050.
In 2022, CanAge, Canada’s national seniors’ advocacy organization, criticized the Higgs government for not doing enough. The government began consultations on a dementia strategy in 2019, collecting data and input from various healthcare organizations, but never published its findings.
