Earlier this month, BCCPA Member Langley Lodge celebrated its 40th Anniversary of Seniors Care Services. The significant milestone was celebrated with an impressive list of invited guests, including founding members of the Langley Care Society (LCS), staff, volunteers, families of residents, donors, health authority representatives and civic officials. The residential care home operated by the non-profit LCS has been a monument in Langley since the official opening on April 27th, 1974.
“We are pleased to join our member Langley Lodge as they celebrate their remarkable 40th Anniversary,” said Daniel Fontaine, BCCPA, CEO. “With a long-standing track record of providing quality and devoted seniors care to the Langley community, the staff and volunteers that make up Langley Lodge embody exactly what it means to be care providers.”
Where It All Started
In 1971, Stewart Chapman, Administrator of Langley Memorial Hospital, approached Roy Brown, then President of the Langley Rotary, for assistance to research opportunities for establishing a residential care facility in Langley. At the time, Mr. Chapman was under pressure to free up acute care hospital beds occupied by long term care patients. Roy Brown, who still volunteers at Langley Lodge, responded and Rotary spearheaded a feasibility study. A key finding of the study, according to Mr. Brown, was that Langley seniors wanted a future residential care home to be in a central location; they were strongly opposed to being housed “out in the boonies”.
There was strong local support for the project which gathered momentum. In February 1973, a sod turning event was held; a little more than one year later Langley Lodge opened its doors as a personal care home. Operations funding from the Ministry of Health was not a reality until later, and was implemented to assist seniors with lower incomes to access Langley Lodge care. Since the 1970’s the facility has undergone several renovations; the most recent major renovation was completed in 2011 and included the construction of the new West Tower. The facility now boasts single occupancy rooms with contemporary amenities and is home to 139 residents.
“The Langley Care Society strives for an environment at Langley Lodge where ‘people care for people’, to provide exemplary care for our aging population,” said Current President Terry Metcalfe.
“With everyone’s continued support, Langley Lodge will continue to serve the region well into the future,” said Debra Hauptman, CEO.
Hauptman acknowledged the support of the Fraser Health Authority, City of Langley and Township of Langley, and numerous financial contributors who have in the past and present ensured the stability of the society’s services for citizens of our community.
Today, Langley Care Society continues to serve local seniors who require 24 hour nursing care. Services are regulated under provincial Community Care legislation; the society is contracted by the Fraser Health Authority for 112 of its 139 beds. The organization is a registered non-profit society and has registered charitable status. Langley Lodge is Accredited with Exemplary Standing by Accreditation Canada, ensuring a high standard of care and organizational effectiveness. The society is a local employer with over 150 employees and contracted healthcare staff.
For more information on Langley Lodge please visit www.langleylodge.org.
