Kiwanis Care Centre - New Westminster, British Columbia

michelle M.

First time my dad stayed he said the food was great nurses were good . I came in to get his room set up. then the next time he stayed the food sucked and not much of it. When he got home he ate anything and everything he could get his hands on. Thank goodness I sent him snacks.

They wouldn't let him take his own meds from home so their pharmacy sent over his puffer then because he had a new one at home they sent me a bill. I refused to pay and told them why. Now I won't send him there anymore. Dad's case worker called and asked why and when I told her what had happed she said she would look into it but I never heard back from her.

Kelly I.

The staff are very warm and inviting. Efficient staff. Pierre the Care manager is organized. This place gave me a good feel. Although old, it's clean and well cared for. Felt my mother was in good hands.

Patricia K.

4 - 5 weeks ago my friend, a resident at Kiwanis, found herself without any summer nighties. She had 3 of them and they all disappeared. Things go missing, items disappear in the laundry.
That is understandable. What is not acceptable is that the facility has refused to replace these items. My friend has been dressed in long-sleeve winter nighties since then. I finally wrote to the Director of Care, Ms Lorrie Gerard. I asked Ms Gerard to reimburse my friend a token amount by a deadline date. I had waited long enough to see that the Care Home was not planning to do anything to right this wrong. Meanwhile, my friend is still sleeping in winter nighties. Ms Gerard's reply to my request included accusing me of 'extortion' and 'blackmail'. To date, my friend has still received no financial compensation to purchase replacement summer nighties. As I write, the lower mainland has a heat warning. If my friend could afford to lose all her nightclothes, she likely would not stay here where she is marginalized at best.

Maria C. (.

I've been lucky to have 2 very important people in my life live under the care of the staff at Kiwanis Care Centre. The staff truly care for their patients. My mother was here for a while and I could not have chosen a better place for her care. She also loved the people here and was always appreciative of what they did for her. The facilities are very clean and the staff are very friendly and professional. The food has variety and they cater to everyone's needs. The dining room has a nice ambience and does not make you feel institutionalized at all. There are lots of activities and special events for the residents. They know their patients by name and their individual needs. I lost my good friend weeks ago but up to her last breath, the staff were there to make her comfortable in her final hours. A totally well balanced place to have your loved ones cared for. This is the place! Thank you KCC for all that you did for the 2 ladies in my life.

Lana L.

My experience of Kiwanis Care Centre was an absolute nightmare! After housing my mother there for three plus years, the secretary, and executive director refused to communicate with me, (as I was calling often to inquire about my mom), and the secretary didn't like my tone. The secretary took offence and her peers decided to shut me off in my ability to access the facility. A volunteer in charge of Covid 19 visits made it possible to see my mother, or I would not have been able to see her at all. As Power of Attorney, what Kiwanis Care Centre did was illegal, deeply disrespectful, and reflects on them in in a strongly distasteful way. I would not recommend this place of business to my friends, family, or indeed a stranger off the streets. Run and do not turn around! Do not believe any flimsy awards you may see. This place is a dump!

Cat D.

I had a very bad experience at Kiwanis. My mother almost died due to inaction on requests from family re infection until it was too late and she ended up deadly ill in hospital. For weeks we had been asking for action including 3 requests to speak directly to Dr. finally on third request direct to Director the Dr called me and listened and immediately ordered the test . Unfortunately it was too late and it was another 4 days before she went to emergency with deadly infection.

So the food is good, they do a good job of activities, and the garden in the summer is nice. They do have some very caring staff but there is also a big turn over in care aids so they don't get to know the patient as well. This may be an issue at other places as well.

If you do find yourself placed here or anywhere for that matter ,you must be insistent that they do what you ask re doctors and toileting don't let it go and have faith they will or that the doctor will respond. Go immediately to the director and complain if no action taken on your request.

We had a daily care giver as well for mom until May. Without her no one noticed moms condition was deteriorating except me and I reported it.

Finally this is the only facility my mother has lived at. I also note some of the other reviews from people familiar with the subsidized homes . So this may be the same or worse at other places by the sounds of it and if I do find that out I will be sure to post again here and update. My message is even though your loved one is in care never assume everything is ok. Make sure you take care of them as they took care of you.

Ok I said I would come back if my mom made it to another home . Well unfortunately for Kiwanis I have seen a big difference in her new facility with regard to respect of residents and so far impeccable care. They have the luxury of long term staff which I also thinks makes a big difference.
Kiwanis needs an investment of funds for expansion and some modernization such as silent alarms. I think if that happened staff would stay longer and the executive director and directors efforts would bear more fruit. I believe they are good people doing the best they can with what they have.

Karen C.

I am a private caregiver and have worked with many clients in care or going into care over the last 10 years.
Kiwanis Care Centre , in New Westminster, gets 4.5 stars from me for several reasons.
From the continuous support of the nursing staff , careaides, activity, dietary, kitchen, housekeepers, reception to management. This whole group works as a team! They all try their best to encourage residents, to make them feel safe and comfortable in their new home. This is not always an easy task. Providing good meals, music therapy, a clean environment as well as medical support is just what I have witnessed being there 5 days a week for the past 4 months. Every concern that I or the family I support have had has always been addressed professionally.

Thank you Kiwanis for "all" that you do!

Sara H.

Absolutely the worst experience time after time with this place. I couldn't visit my mom because of their endless requirements to get in. Then I finally get in after 3 weeks and I'm not allowed to bring my 2 year old to visit my mom because he is to loud for the other residents. He was behaving. And there were only 4 residents in the lobby not even watching a movie ,the rest were in their rooms . And I couldn't visit in my mom's room because her neighbour kept screaming help me and we couldn't even hear eachother talk . So basically they don't want any family visiting because it's inconvenient for them.