Over the years, Christie Gardens has built a continuum of care and services that has made a notable difference in the lives of seniors and their families.

Christie Gardens becomes first continuing care retirement community in Canada and first nursing home globally to earn CARF–CCAC accreditation

December 11, 2006

Edmonton, Alberta - Christie Gardens holds the distinction of being the first continuing care retirement community in Canada to earn accreditation from CARF–CCAC. Its nursing home became the first in the world to be accredited by CARF–CCAC for its Person-Centered Long-Term Care Community program. Calling the accreditation experience “a high point in our 22-year history,” Grace Sweatman, executive director of Christie Gardens said the recent CARF–CCAC five-year term of accreditation award was “empowering and affirming” for residents, staff, and governance.

“Every step on the CARF–CCAC journey convinced us we had made the right decision in pursuing accreditation,” Sweatman continued. “I have been delighted to share the results with our resident community, our staff team, and our board of directors. We feel enriched by the process. I know the quality of life of our residents is enhanced through our renewed commitment to person-centered care.”

Christie Gardens serves residents physically, socially, and spiritually through a continuum of care and service options, including life-lease ownership suites, rental apartments, retirement studios, and long-term care beds.

CARF–CCAC was formed in 2003 when CARF, a veteran accreditor in the human service field, acquired the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission, which had been accrediting continuing care retirement communities since 1985. CARF began accrediting programs in Canada in 1993, incorporated CARF Canada in 2002, and opened an office the same year in Edmonton, Alberta.

Being the first organization in Canada accredited by CARF–CCAC heightened the Christie Gardens director’s awareness of the retirement community’s new international role-model status. “We are thrilled to be your Canadian ambassador,” Sweatman concluded.