A new care home facility, housing 100 residential clients, opened its doors in downtown Vernon today.
Community members and Interior Health staff attended the ribbon-cutting event.
"The Hamlets at Vernon is a great addition for the North Okanagan and its residents," said Adrian Dix, B.C.'s minister of health. "The publicly-funded beds provide a safe, caring place for seniors living with dementia and other individuals requiring assistance with complex health issues."
In October 2015, H&H Total Care Services Inc. was awarded the contract to house 85 publicly funded beds by Interior Health. Construction for the facility began in March 2016.
The six-storey building houses 85 public beds, as well as 15 private-pay residential care beds and 52 private pay-assisted living units.
"This expansion of services to assist seniors with complex care needs in the North Okanagan will help IH serve those who are among the most fragile members of our society," said IH board chair, Dr. Doug Cochrane.
The purpose of the facility is to not only provide housing for seniors, but to reduce the patient load in local hospitals.
"Our aim is to create a healthy, happy community for seniors to live healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives," said Andre Van Ryk, CEO of H&H Total Care Services.
Interior Health funds 5,836 residential care beds.
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