On July 25, Bishop Gary, Fr. David Hogman, and Fr. Mike Favero celebrated the first Mass at the chapel of the new Providence Living at The Views facility. Located at the former site of St. Joseph’s General Hospital in Comox, Providence Living at The Views is Canada’s first public, non-profit long-term care village inspired by the dementia village concept.
Providence Living at The Views moves away from an institutional approach towards a social relational and resident/family-centred model of care. With flexible routines and an environment that tries to feel like home, staff support residents in living their best lives, fostering a sense of autonomy, dignity, and community.
The village is divided into households, each of which have private suites and common living areas, where residents can choose to participate in making meals and other household activities if they wish. Each household connects to a large, secure, interior courtyard garden, allowing freedom of movement and access to the outdoors.
In addition to the chapel and gardens, Providence Living at The Views also offers residents access to a bistro, art studio, coffee shop, and grocery store. A daycare on site allows opportunities for intergenerational relationships, and an Indigenous sacred gathering space designed by the K’omoks First Nation is available for Indigenous staff, residents and families to honour their traditions.
Providence Living is a Catholic non-profit health care organization established by Providence Health Care, which was founded by some of the first Religious Sisters to arrive in Western Canada. In 1913, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto responded to the invitation of the bishop to care for the sick and injured in the Comox Valley. They partnered with the community, encountered hardship, trusted in Providence, and often took significant risks to fulfill their ministry.
It is this powerful legacy that Providence Living at The Views will work to preserve, build upon, and keep in trust for future generations. At the official opening on July 2, Bishop Gary blessed the new facility and all those who will live and work there. Together with him, we pray:
May all who enter this place feel welcomed and accepted.
May each area and corner of this building be filled with the spirit of happiness and hospitality.
May all who receive care, work, or visit this place experience your healing love.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
Amen.
