The old adage it takes a village to raise a child as a unique and specific relevance here in the Comox Valley.
In this region, the aging population is one of the most deserving of our attention. The populace aged 75 years and older will nearly double in the next 20 years, which will bring increasing demand for access to quality residential care and other services for seniors.
The Views, a not-for-profit residential care facility at St. Joseph’s General Hospital, is currently home to 117 residents all of whom are at different stages in life related to age, ability or mental and physical health.
Fortunately for St. Joseph’s, seniors and residential care continue to be one of the key areas the local village values and has supported immensely through financial contributions and in-kind gifts to the Hospital Auxiliary and the Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation.
And that support translates into the delivery of a special kind of care deserving of our most valued population. It is known as The Eden Alternative Philosophy of Care and is centred on creating a human habitat that nourishes the spirit as well and the body bringing great fulfilment for both resident and their family and loved ones.
Used very widely within the Eden environment are plants, children and animals. Strolling through the residence you are likely to meet See Bee, a very vocal budgie, one of two visiting golden labs from Pacific Assistance Dog Therapy and, more recently, an affectionate cat named Joey. Or, should you be so fortunate, you might catch the energy and excitement that only Grade 6 students can bring during their monthly “Grandbuddy” visits.
These therapeutic features are designed to combat boredom, helplessness and loneliness that can be encountered by residents in residential care facilities.
Art and music therapy are two other beneficial programs that enhances the lives of residents at The Views, particularly those who suffer from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, enabling them to communicate through creative expression, as well as help in their mental and spiritual well-being.
The Eden Philosophy of Care therapy programs and, indeed, the whole approach to the delivery of care at St. Joseph’s have been made possible because of the generous contributions the Comox Valley community gives to the hospital. Whether donating dollars to specific charitable campaign drives or by simply by making a purchase in the gift shop or dropping off a carload of household goods to the Thrift Shop, the community makes a significant impact.
As Carole Dickson, St. Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary President, explains, the very successful operations of the Thrift Shop and Gift Shop has helped generate a sizeable portion of their revenues – more than $600,000 since 2013 – which, in turn, goes directly toward funding numerous programs at The Views including Art and Music Therapy and toward staff education in Eden Alternative. These operations are even further supported by the generous donation of time and talent from the community through the Auxiliary’s robust volunteer program.
“It has been very important over the past many years for the Auxiliary to be able to help provide funding to The Views. The Music Therapy and the Art Therapy Programs have added much to the daily lives of our residents,” Dickson explains. “We could not have done any of this without the great support we have received from the residents of the Comox Valley, our Hospital staff and our dedicated group of volunteers.”
Equally important to these therapeutic features is having the physical structure with all the amenities and services to allow the care team to deliver this innovative philosophy of care to the residents and their families.
Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation supports the Eden Philosophy uniquely by providing resources to refresh the physical environment at The Views, specifically to the Family Room, Respite Room and Palliative Rooms in Eagleview and Oceanview.
The Respite and Palliative rooms are some of the most intimate, family-centered areas in The Views and required quality facelifts to give them the look and feel of one’s own personal home environment, as well as to alleviate stress during two difficult transition periods residents can encounter.
“St. Joseph’s is so grateful for the generosity of our community to improve the environment for our residents requiring respite and palliative support,” shared Jane Murphy, President & CEO of St. Joseph’s Hospital. “Our surroundings are important to our residents and their loved ones, especially at key times in their lives.”
In 2016, the Foundation’s Christmas campaign raised $93,062 to support Eden Philosophy initiatives at The Views – a successful endeavour made possible by the generosity of a community that continues to see the need and the desire to invest in the Valley’s most fragile and vulnerable populations.
“We are so grateful to our donors who know just how important it is to invest in seniors’ care in our community,” expressed Lynn Dashkewytch, Executive Director of Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation. “Many of our residents’ stories touch and resonate with our donors in many ways, as they have or have had family living in residential care. In this way, they understand the importance of providing a caring, comfortable and safe home for our frail and elderly. To help St. Joseph’s do this, upgrades were needed, and the community answered the call.”
As acute care services soon transfer to the new Island Health regional hospital, St. Joseph’s has the opportunity to continue its future in healthcare as a not-for-profit entity by serving our Valley’s senior populations, as well as explore options to meet the needs of marginalized, vulnerable and special care populations.
Heeding the advice from this community, as St. Joseph’s turns its attention to this exciting role with the development of a state-of-the-art, age-in-place campus of care, it is quite realistic to foresee the outcome – the creation of a compassionate community made possible by the community.
Mary Lee
Owner/Director
MGG Communications & Consulting Inc.
250-792-3428
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