Adrian Dix says new beds and facilities will allow seniors to live their lives to the fullest. (Richard Zussman/CBC News)
The provincial government has announced a new long-term residential care facility will be built in the Comox Valley.
Health Minister Adrian Dix said the facility will have 126 publicly-funded beds, including 120 residential care beds, two new hospice beds and four publicly funded hospice bed that will come from The Views at St. Joseph’s.
Golden Life Management Corp. will build and operate the new facility. Construction is expected to begin later in 2019, with occupancy beginning in 2020.
“Our government is taking action to make sure the needs of frail, elderly seniors with complex conditions are met across the region,” Dix said.
“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.”
Island Health has also arranged for Providence Residential and Community Care Society, an entity formed by Providence Health Care, to take over St. Joseph’s. on April 1, 2019. The society has an agreement to work with Island Health on a potential redevelopment plan.
The proposed redevelopment would make the 21 temporary residential care beds now in place permanent and would bring in 10 new residential care beds. The hospice beds would be 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,” Dix said.
The province said the new facility is part of a $240-million investment to increase the direct care seniors receive in residential care homes in communities.
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