DUNCAN — Seniors in the Cowichan Valley now have improved access to 24-hour complex care in a safe, secure, home-like setting with opening of the Hamlets at Duncan on March 30, 2021. Residents are being moved into this supportive environment in a gradual manner.

Owned and operated by H&H Total Care Services Inc., The Hamlets at Duncan includes 80 new publicly funded beds and eight private pay long-term care beds.

“A supportive and caring community that cares for their seniors and vulnerable members is our top priority and near and dear to my heart,” said Mable Elmore, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors’ Services and Long Term-Care. “It’s great to see this neighbourhood-style residence opening up for seniors in Duncan and the Cowichan Valley, and we’re proud to be able to offer even more community-based services to the people who built our province.”

The Hamlets was built using a neighbourhood design. Resident rooms are grouped into five neighbourhoods of 16-18 beds. Each neighbourhood features its own spa/bathing area and each room includes an ensuite bathroom that includes a sink, toilet and wheelchair-accessible shower.

Annual operating costs for this long-term nursing home are approximately $5.4 million per year with funding for the new 80 publicly-funded beds provided by the Province, through Island Health.

“I remember when we were at the ground breaking, so this is excellent news for the Cowichan community,” said Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan. “I grew up in Duncan, and I’m very familiar with the increasing need for appropriate seniors services and care—something that is only growing with time. Government, together with the community and health authorities, are making great strides in helping support aging through access to long-term care and other crucial supports.”

“This project is a testament to the power of partnerships,” said Leah Hollins, board chair, Island Health. “Island Health’s collaboration with H&H Total Care Services Inc. has resulted in this beautiful facility that will provide world-class care to Cowichan Valley seniors and complex care clients. It will also reduce pressure on Cowichan District Hospital.”

For more than 25 years, H&H Total Care Services Inc. has been a leader in creating seniors’ living communities with “Hamlets” in British Columbia and Alberta. “Hamlets” communities serve people with a variety of care needs including seniors, dementia care and patients with acquired brain injuries.

“We are excited to be partnering with Island Health and look forward to the many Cowichan Valley residents joining a nursing home community that has been built, designed and will be operated to reflect the culture and people to whom we will serve,” said Andre Van Ryk, CEO/CFO, H&H Total Care Services Inc.

Government has invested approximately $1 billion over the last three years to improve care for seniors, including investments in primary care, home health, long-term care, assisted living and respite services.

This included $240 million over three years to increase staffing levels in long-term nursing homes, with the goal of achieving the target 3.36 direct care hours per resident day – on average – across all health authorities by the end of 2020-21. In 2018-19, more than one million direct hours of care for seniors in long-term nursing homes were added throughout the province.

Video footage from inside the Hamlets at Duncan and more information on the project is available here.

About Island Health:

Island Health provides health care and support services to more than 850,000 people on Vancouver Island, the islands in the Salish Sea and the Johnstone Strait, and mainland communities north of Powell River. With more than 23,000 staff and over 2,500 physician partners, 4,000 volunteers, and the dedicated support of foundations and auxiliaries, Island Health delivers a broad range of health services, including: public health services, primary health care, home and community care, mental health and addictions services, acute care in hospitals, and much more across a huge, geographically diverse region.