Seniors in the Comox Valley will be able to access the long-term and end-of-life care they need as over 150 permanent beds are added to their communities.

“Our government is taking action to make sure the needs of frail, elderly seniors with complex conditions are met across the region,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “In conjunction with our action plan to increase direct-care hours, we are expanding the availability of residential and dementia care in the Comox Valley.”

To support seniors and their families with a full spectrum of facility-based seniors’ care, Island Health has identified Golden Life Management Corp. as the successful proponent, following a request for proposals (RFP) to build and operate a new long-term care facility in the Comox Valley.

The facility will have 126 publicly funded beds, including 120 residential care beds, two new hospice beds, and four already publicly funded hospice beds that will move to the new facility from The Views at St. Joseph’s.

Island Heath expects construction on the new facility to begin later this year, with anticipated occupancy as early as 2020.

In addition to the RFP process, Providence Residential and Community Care Society (an entity formed by Providence Health Care), will take ownership of St. Joseph’s on April 1, 2019, and has an agreement to work with Island Health on a potential campus of care redevelopment plan.

The proposed re-development would make permanent the 21 temporary residential care beds now in place and add up to 10 net new residential care beds. It would also see the hospice beds now in place converted to respite beds. This is in addition to the replacement of the existing 116 residential care beds at The Views residential care facility.

“With the construction of a new care home and creation of campus of care, the local health-care system will be able to provide care that is flexible and responsive for those living with dementia and complex health issues, including options for a range of end-of-life care and services,” said Dix.

“It’s encouraging to see this work being done to address the growing need for residential care here in the Comox Valley,” said Ronna-Rae Leonard, MLA for Courtenay-Comox. “With the addition of these new spaces and services, people facing complex care needs and seniors will have the flexibility and freedom to access the care they need in the community they love.”

“We recognized a need in the community and already have added 52 temporary beds. Now we can provide reassurance to the community that these beds will be part of the future for the community,” Dix said.

This announcement supports recent investments announced as part of a $240-million, three-year plan to increase the direct care seniors receive in residential care homes in communities and throughout the province – to reach the target 3.36 care hours per-resident day, on average, across health authorities, by 2021.

As part of this, more than $6.4 million is being invested in care hours on Vancouver Island in the first year of the strategy. As well, 7,400 more adult day program spaces are being added on Vancouver Island as part of the Province’s investment of $75 million over the next three years to expand respite care and adult day programs. The Comox Valley is identified as a priority area for these spaces.

Quotes:

Anne Kang, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors –

“Through our seniors strategy, we are working to support better services for seniors. The investment in these beds, as well as additional investments in care hours and adult day-care spaces, are examples of how we are making improvements for seniors and their families.”

Leah Hollins, board chair, Island Health –

“We recognize the growing need for long-term care beds in the Comox Valley, and we are pleased to be moving one step closer to providing more seniors a place to call home close to family, friends and community supports. The investment will allow our aging population to enjoy the quality of life they deserve.”

Fiona Dalton, president and CEO, Providence Health Care and Providence Residential and Community Care –

“This is a visionary commitment by the Ministry of Health and Island Health to partner with Providence in bringing innovative dementia care and seniors care solutions to Comox. Our planned redevelopment at The Views will provide home-like environments and care that enable stronger emotional connections with the people we serve and help address growing needs for the community.”

Celeste Mullin, vice-president, Golden Life Management Corp. –

“We are grateful for the opportunity to work with the Minister of Health, Island Health and Comox Valley Hospice Society to bring exemplary housing, care and services to the Comox Valley. Our villages are more than bricks and mortar. They are vibrant and dynamic communities that support each person’s unique beliefs, values and wishes affording them the opportunity to direct and live their best quality of life.”

Quick Facts:

• Residential care homes offer seniors 24-hour professional supervision and care in a safe and secure environment.
• Through the $240-million investment over three years, the average direct care hours in B.C. will increase from 3.11 per-resident day in 2016, to 3.24 by 2019, reaching 3.36 by 2021.
• Progress has been made with almost 270,000 more care hours being provided throughout the province by converting part-time and casual staff to full time.
• New funding of $48.4 million in 2018 will add more than one million hours of direct care.

Learn More:

For more information on increasing staffing in residential care homes, visit: news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2018PREM0072-001861