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GREEN ACRES FOUNDATION IS CELEBRATING 61 YEARS OF SERVING SOUTHERN ALBERTA
to build something, not a nursing home, but something where people can get the services that they need in a home-like setting.
The government had to reach an agreement with the various municipalities, said Coslovi.
“They had to look at how many seniors over 70 years old were in the geographic area. We had over 500 at that time. So the City entered into a master agreement with the province. The city donated the land, the province built the building and Green Acres was created as an entity to run the seniors housing.”
Winner of the Best of the Best 2021 for Seniors Accommodations
And the not-for-profit organization which has been providing excellent, affordable housing for seniors in Lethbridge and southern Alberta since 1960 does so with the distinction of being one of the Pioneers of providing the first full service Seniors’ Housing in Alberta.
It all started right in Lethbridge a little over six decades ago.
“Where the Pemmican Lodge is right now, right by the Galt Museum, that was the site of one of the first Seniors’ Lodges to ever open in 1960. We were the first one in southern Alberta,” said Dawna Coslovi, CEO of Green Acres. “We’re really proud about that because there aren’t many organizations that can say they’ve been around for 61 years locally. We are home grown.”
From that small lodge, Green Acres Foundation has grown around the region.
Today they have nine apartment buildings, four cottage complexes and nine lodges, mainly in Lethbridge, but also in Coaldale, Picture Butte, Barons and Nobleford, housing about 1,000 people.
“Our first lodge was a very small lodge, but we’ve evolved,” said Coslovi. “Back in the inception of
the lodge program in the province, the same blue print was used throughout Alberta. They were all one-story buildings.”
The Green Acres Lodge opened with 33 units, said Coslovi.
“The resident rooms were small, they were 110 square feet and only had a toilet and a wash basin. So residents would have to go down the hall, as bathing facilities were located outside of the rooms and were shared by several residents.
The first building also had a common living room, dining room and kitchen as well as an activity area.
“When the lodge first opened there were some rooms that were slightly bigger,” said Coslovi. “They were still less than 200 square feet, but these larger rooms were shared rooms.”
The first building also had a live-in matron, said Coslovi.
“It was someone who lived in the building and managed the building.”
And right from the beginning, Green Acres Foundation offered full service housing for seniors, the only local organization providing the service in Lethbridge.
“Back in 1958 the Provincial government did a survey (about) having more active treatment beds in the hospitals,” said Coslovi. “Their active treatment beds were mainly housing seniors who didn’t need complex nursing care, but they needed meals and housekeeping a little bit more than they could handle on their own at home. The provincial government wanted
The lodge program full service provides seniors with their own suite, three meals a day plus snacks and weekly housekeeping.
“We have hairdressing salons so residents don’t have to go out,” said Coslovi. “We also have exercise areas and pool tables. There are a lot of recreational events, computer labs and entertainment areas.”
But the most important thing, said Coslovi, is the social interaction.
Each lodge facility has an Activity Coordinator who plans events, activities, and outings. And while COVID restrictions may have changed the way some activities are delivered – like having entertainers perform outside, there are still lots of activities going on.
The residents become a community within their building. So this way, they have a household of people they can have conversations with and meet new friends. It’s surprising, the number of people we have throughout the year that move in and then they find out (someone) was their neighbour or friend many years ago. They make new acquaintances, but also regenerate old acquaintances.”
Sixty-one years later, Green Acres Foundation continues to thrive thanks to their innovation, changing with their clients’ needs as well as their round-the-clock, hard-working staff of roughly 420 employees.
“We have such a good group of dedicated people,” said Coslovi. “We have an employee who has 40 years of service. The staff are so dedicated because they become a part of the community, too. So there’s that friendship, but also that loyalty to the residents they’re serving.”
Green Acres Foundation’s staff is on duty 24/7 and 365 days of the year to meet their clients’ needs.
“There’s not a day off we can take,” said Coslovi. “There has to be a real level of dedication and the staff has fun with the residents and the residents have fun with the staff. I think that’s really a key to success, to have a great staff and to be listening and communicating to see what the residents want and be willing to change and be innovative.”
That’ll keep Green Acres Foundation going another 61 years.
“We are always looking to make improvements and make sure we’re keeping up with what the residents of today want,” said Coslovi. “We’re really proud we’re one of the first lodges in the province and 61 years later we’re still going strong, we’re growing.”
To truly experience a relaxed lifestyle, book a tour and see for yourself. We offer Gourmet meals, activities, and a sense of community. "We are a great place to live"
Book your tour today for any of our lodge sites. 403 328 1155
16 – Lethbridge Herald Alberta Health Services Seniors’ Directory
403 328 1155 • The Trusted and affordable choice for quality housing. •
greenacres.ab.ca Lethbridge Herald Alberta Health Services Seniors’ Directory – 17
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