Normanna Home
Normanna Home is a non-profit, 100-bed residential care facility situated in Burnaby, BC. Owned and operated by the Norwegian Old People’s Home Association, Normanna is guided by a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors committed to providing exceptional care and services. While specializing in complex residential care and offering a dementia care unit, Normanna’s primary focus is to create a warm and welcoming home for all its residents.
We embrace the Eden Alternative philosophy of seniors’ care, which aims to transform traditional care environments into vibrant, life-affirming places. It focuses on combating loneliness, helplessness, and boredom often experienced by seniors by creating a sense of community, purpose, and spontaneity in residents’ daily lives. This philosophy encourages strong relationships, active participation, and meaningful activities, emphasizing the importance of the human spirit and individual well-being. By fostering autonomy, personal growth, and social interaction, the Eden philosophy seeks to enhance the quality of life for seniors, transforming care facilities into warm, supportive homes.
our history
1944
On May 4, 1944, a meeting was convened at the First Norwegian Lutheran Church in Vancouver to discuss the creation of a home for seniors who could no longer manage independent living. This meeting led to the establishment of Normanna. On May 29, the draft constitution and by-laws for the Association were approved. The founding members were primarily Norwegian, with some representing the Sons of Norway and various local churches.
1948
Site was purchased. The mansion had been build for James Brookes whose Brookes Woodworking Co. Ltd. on 6th and 12th Avenue was one of Burnaby’s first industries.
1949
Normanna opened in January 14, officially opening on July 18.
1954
The first wing addition was completed.
1959
The Centennial Wing was added.
1970
The Anniversary Block addition was completed.
1993
The BC Minister of Health announced that $13 million was allocated to Normanna to be rebuilt.
1999
Seventy-seven residents were placed in four new pods and construction of phase two started on September 7.
2000
Dedication ceremony held on completion of phase two. Therapeutic garden began.
2007
Therapeutic garden began. Dedication of garden.
2009
Includes a number of Nordic features: Stabbur, gazebo with stave church roof, waterfall (fjord), Viking ship and a Ljoren (smokehouse). All features build by volunteers and donations. The Normanna site also includes the Shaw House (home to the first Mayor of Burnaby (Mayor Reeve), which is a heritage house originally built in 1891. Normanna is home to 100 residents of all ethnic groups.