Throughout the pandemic many of us have thought about the seniors in our lives and how best to care for them. As an important priority for Jewish Federation, we are putting a renewed focus on proactive planning to ensure seniors who choose to remain in the community are healthy, have access to programs and services to be able to age in place, and a plan in place when this is no longer an option.

In our community, Louis Brier plays an important role for seniors and their families as the only Jewish long-term care facility west of Winnipeg. They were one of the few long-term care facilities in the Lower Mainland that remained infection free during the first phases of the pandemic. This success was recognized by many in the field and has contributed to their reputation as one of the leading long-term care facilities in our province. We are proud to have supported their work with a grant from Jewish Federation’s Community Recovery Fund.

LBHH’s dedicated Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner (IPAC) and Quality and Risk management team has played a significant role in achieving positive health and safety outcomes for residents and staff throughout the pandemic, allowing them to sustain and maintain consistent delivery of services and programs to support residents’ mental and physical health.

Recognizing the importance of human connection in maintaining safety and well-being for its residents and peace of mind for family members, LBHH offers the only long-term care companion program in BC. This innovative program enables residents with limited or no family a sense of security by being able to benefit from a designated companion. They offer many Jewish and Israeli themed educational, spiritual and cultural programs so that Jewish residents remained engaged and connected.

Dedicated to excellence as an employer and service provider, LBHH recently received the non-profit Employer of Choice Award. They also received the Stars of Vancouver 2021 Readers Choice Award for being among the top seniors’ residences in Vancouver.

Additionally, their strong connections with UBC’s School of Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health, as well as many other post-secondary institutions and programs, allows them to offer over 200 practicum student placements a year for physicians, nurses, care-aides, music therapists, social workers, recreation, dietitians, and rehab therapists. Not only does this enhance the residents’ experiences, it allows Louis Brier to benefit from the knowledge and skills of emerging professionals.

One exciting new initiative is the Louis Brier Education Centre, generously donated by the Diamond Family Foundation. The centre will enhance academic partnerships for innovation in care, while supporting ongoing training for staff, from environmental services to patient care. The program components include a learning and theoretical classroom with AV technology and a skills/simulation lab with (1 bed high fidelity simulation room with equipment, observation room, and a debriefing space. They are expecting to begin construction in the summer of 2022.

According to Dr. David Keselman, CEO of Louis Brier, “Being recognized as a centre of excellence is achieved through the commitment, application, and integration of best practices, research, and innovation, all in order to deliver quality safe care while meeting the needs of each and every resident each and every time