Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation raises funds for Island Health delivered healthcare in our community. We are grateful to have toured the Washington Apartments, recently extensively renovated by BC Housing, which are also home to eight transitional housing suites rented by Island Health – Community Health Services (CHS) to provide care for members of our community. CHS offers live-in overnight transitional care to patients who no longer require acute care at our hospital but are waiting for long-term care or assisted living.

The program is in its infancy but is already positively enhancing the lives of seniors. One recent program participant who spent seven days in one of the CHS supported suites after a lengthy stay in hospital, moved to long-term care at Cumberland Lodge. When CHS staff followed up with her in her new home at The Lodge, she was beaming with joy. She had already made new social connections, been bowling, and had played bingo with other residents.

Darren (right), Community Health Services Lead, provided an overview of the innovative partnership. While on the tour, Avry (left) and Jessica from the Foundation had the good fortune to meet Joanne (middle), who was busy preparing a hot lunch for residents – a partnership between LUSH Valley and BC Housing that CHS hopes to expand to all the residents they are providing care for at Washington Heights.

We look forward to sharing more about the incredible work being done in our community by the team in Community Health Services. Please stay tuned.