Long term senior care provider tests new project
Published 12:30 pm Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Providence Living, the provider behind a new long term care home coming to Smithers, is trying out a new initiative in their other locations that will also come to Smithers when the facility is open.
A recently formed partnership between Providence Living at The Views, on Vancouver Island, and the cat rescue organization, CATS (Cat Advocates Teaching & Saving Society), deliver a group of kittens every week who will spend the afternoon with seniors residing at the home.
Kelley Romeril, Providence Living’s director of site operations said this has been happening for about two weeks and is turning out to be a great initiative.
“On Thursday afternoons, they bring anywhere between, you know, five and seven cats, little kittens, at this point, to socialize with the residents. They also bring sort of an army of volunteers to support the residents with their cat visits," she explained.
"And it's just really beautiful. It's it's been a great experience, and it's been lovely to connect with different members of the community who have such a passion for animals, and connect them with our residents who have a passion for animals. So there's been some real deep friendships forming as well.”
She also said they want to expand the program.
“It may look different wherever we go, and at each of our different sites, but animal visit and access to animals is definitely one of our core values,” she said. “We know that it supports our residents need for connection. We also know that it staves off board and boredom and it brings spontaneity and joy, and so whatever it looks like at our northern sites, we are definitely going to be on the lookout for community partners that want to help support our residents with access to animal visits. So we're very open to whatever the possibilities may be.”
Last year, the Province announced a new long term care home will be built that will bring 160 new publicly-funded beds to Smithers.
The long-term care home will also offer a 32-space adult day program designed to support older adults living independently at home. This program will provide social connection, engaging activities, exercise and health checks for seniors facing health challenges, ensuring they can maintain their independence while receiving essential services to support their health and well-being.
The new building will be at the end of Broadway Avenue.
Romeril said currently there is a facility being built in Prince George that just broken ground, and next will be one in Quesnel, followed by Smithers. She said there is not an exact timeline yet, but they are currently in the design and planning phase.
