The Glacier View Lodge board and administration plans to build a dedicated adult day program space.
“We have released an Expression of Interest and look forward to finding a partner to help us plan and build the adult day program space this year,” said Michael Aikins, executive director of Glacier View Lodge.
The Adult Day Program provides a safe, social environment for clients, while the caregiver has some well-deserved and needed respite time to themselves.
Many caregivers still need to go to work, and manage their other family roles and commitments. It may be the only opportunity they have to go to a caregiver support group to learn how to cope at home.
In many ways, it represents survival for the spouses and families trying to care for their loved ones at home.
If more space is available in Day Programs, caregivers can continue to cope at home, and it is not necessary to rely on the hospital for both the client and the caregiver for burnout.
All who attend the program need support due to complex health needs, many who have experienced changes to memory or cognitive functioning.
The need for qualified dementia care is growing.
Today there are approximately 1,500 seniors in the Comox Valley living with dementia. By 2020, that number will likely double, and by 2030 triple to approximately 4,500.
The lodge has operated an Adult Day Program since 1983, but now finds that space for the program needs to expand. We are very aware that the long waitlist does not well serve the need in the Comox Valley. By creating a larger dedicated space, we will have the capacity to expand the program.
In October the Lodge hosted its inaugural gala.
“The Gala exceeded my expectations,” said Aikins. “It is wonderful to know that we live in a community that is so supportive of seniors.
"The gala not only increased awareness of the need for more community programs, but also raised over $21,000. We appreciate the many community businesses and individuals who made that possible. Combined with the funds available to us from our health authority, we are now in a position to move forward on the project.”
— Glacier View Lodge