Buchanan Lodge

What families should know

Placement through Fraser Health — publicly funded placement

Buchanan Lodge is a publicly funded long-term care home in New Westminster where access is arranged through Fraser Health, so families generally start with a health authority assessment and then may be offered a placement here if the person meets complex-care criteria. The home is run by The Salvation Army as a non-profit, Christian faith-based community that emphasizes spiritual care while welcoming residents from all backgrounds, and it includes four resident areas plus a special care unit for people with higher needs. It sits on Blair Avenue in the Sapperton neighbourhood, near Hume Park and other community amenities, giving residents and visitors nearby green space and a residential, neighbourhood feel rather than an isolated institution. Health authority and charity descriptions characterize it as a long-term or complex care setting for adults with significant medical, physical, or cognitive needs who can no longer be safely supported at home or in assisted living. BCSA QuickFacts reports that admission waits here have ranged from a few days to several years, with average waits a bit over three months, so families should ask Fraser Health how current waits compare and whether there are other nearby options if time is a concern. For families considering Buchanan Lodge, it is important to confirm which resident area or special care unit would be most appropriate, what dementia supports and behavioural care the team can provide, and how they integrate spiritual care for residents who may or may not share the Salvation Army’s Christian background. You may also want to review recent licensing or inspection reports, ask about staffing stability and recreation programming, and clarify visiting policies, parking, and transit access so regular family visits are practical. Together, these steps can help you decide whether Buchanan Lodge’s faith-based, neighbourhood-oriented long-term care environment is a good fit for your family member’s needs and preferences.

Based on BC Seniors Advocate QuickFacts, Health Authority records, and publicly available facility information · Last reviewed May 14, 2026