At Providence Health Care, we believe long term care should feel like a home, not a facility. That belief took a meaningful step forward at Providence’s Youville Residence in Vancouver last month, where a new six-person household opened adopting the Home For Us model of care. Designed to foster deeper relationships, resident autonomy and a true sense of belonging, this small, home-like setting represents a shift in how long-term care is experienced — for residents and for the people who care for them.
A small care home designed around people, not routines
Unlike traditional long-term care homes, the new six-person household is intentionally small. Residents share a kitchen, living and dining space, much like a traditional family home, creating more space for connection, conversation and meaningful moments throughout the day.
Care in the household is guided by Home For Us — Providence’s social-relational model of care, which is already in place at Providence Living at The Views in Comox. The model is built on three simple but powerful principles:
- Emotional connection matters most.
- Home is a feeling, not a place.
- Residents direct each moment.
In practice, this means moving away from rigid schedules and task-driven workflows. Instead, care teams have the flexibility to spend meaningful time with residents like sharing meals, supporting personal routines, and building trusting relationships rooted in dignity and comfort.
For long-term care professionals, this approach creates space to practice care in the way many were drawn to the field in the first place: unhurried, relational and deeply human.
What it’s like to work at Youville Residence
Staff working at Youville Residence’s new household are part of a close-knit team supporting the same small group of residents each day. This continuity allows care providers to truly know the people they care for, including their stories, preferences, rhythms, and strengths.
For Licensed Practical Nurse Jennifer Zamora, that consistency creates space to practice care in a more human and intentional way.
“A typical day starts by connecting with the team and getting a sense of how each resident is doing. From there, it’s about supporting their routines in a way that reflects their preferences, like how they start their morning, how they like to spend their time, or simply being present with them.”
In this setting, care looks and feels different. It moves beyond task lists into moments of connection.
“Because it’s a smaller household, there’s more opportunity to engage… having conversations, sharing quiet moments, and helping create a sense of normal daily life.”
That shift allows teams to slow down and focus on what matters most. Many staff describe the experience as both more fulfilling and more sustainable, with greater ability to be present with residents.
For Jennifer, it’s the everyday, often unseen moments that define the role.
“A big part of the work is being present with residents in a genuine way, like offering comfort, noticing when something feels off, or simply sitting with someone so they don’t feel alone.”
As one leader shared during the opening:
“We’re not just delivering care, we’re creating a home. Every interaction, every shared meal, every small act of care contributes to a sense of belonging for residents and staff alike.”
Join a team shaping the future of long term care
Providence Health Care is reimagining seniors’ care by challenging institutional norms and placing relationships, dignity and belonging at the heart of everything we do.
The new household at Youville Residence is just one example of how Providence is transforming long-term care. As we continue to adopt and expand the Home For Us model across our homes, we’re looking for compassionate, curious and values-driven people who want to be part of this new era of care.
If you’re interested in working in an environment where care is grounded in relationships, teams feel supported and empowered, residents are recognized as individuals with agency, and “home” is something you feel every day, we invite you to explore opportunities at Providence.
If this is the kind of care you want to be part of, we’d love to meet you.
Discover how we’re reimagining long-term care at Providence Health Care: https://www.providencehealthcare.org/en/long-term-care
Ready to take the next step? Apply today: https://www.providencehealthcare.org/en/careers/external-jobs/licensed-practical-nurse-long-term-care-0
