NEW ASSISTED LIVING UNITS TO BENEFIT VICTORIA SENIORS

VICTORIA – The Wellesley, a 40-unit assisted living development in Victoria, officially opened its doors today, with funding partners joining in the celebration. Health Minister George Abbott was on hand to mark the occasion.

“These new units give residents the support and care they need to live independently. Assisted living fills an important need in our communities and is an integral part of our continuum of care for B.C.’s seniors,” said Abbott. “With the opening of these 40 units, we have built more than 2,200 net-new residential care beds, assisted living units and supportive housing units with home support since June 2001. We are on target to meet our 5,000 bed and unit commitment by the end of 2008.”

To ensure the assisted living remains affordable, the Wellesley will receive rent supplements from the Province under the Independent Living BC (ILBC) program, an innovative housing-for-health partnership that meets the needs of lower-income seniors and people with disabilities by providing a middle option between home support and residential care. The new units will provide residents with personal care, hot meals, housekeeping, laundry services, recreational opportunities and a 24-hour emergency response system.

“Assisted living provides today’s seniors with the opportunity to live independently, while at the same time offering medication and mobility support,” said Vancouver Island Health Authority board member Brenda Nunns Shoemaker. “We are happy to provide support services for the Wellesley for this reason.”

The Wellesley is operated by Retirement Concepts, a privately held company based in Vancouver with operations throughout the province and in Quebec. The company provides a full spectrum of quality services for seniors through retirement communities, assisted-living residences and skilled nursing facilities.

“We are pleased that the Wellesley will provide seniors not only with housing they can afford but also a place to call home and a sense of community,” said Azim Jamal, president of Retirement Concepts.

The Province of British Columbia, through the Independent Living BC program, is committed to providing more than 4,000 affordable assisted living apartments for B.C. seniors and persons with disabilities. To date, more than 3,500 units have been allocated in communities across the province.

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BACKGROUNDER

THE WELLESLEY

The Wellesley, located at 2800 Blanshard Street in Victoria, houses 40 rent-subsidized studio assisted living units. All the assisted living units in the three-storey complex are wheelchair accessible. Construction was completed and the facility was opened to residents in May 2006.

Residents receive two meals a day, weekly housekeeping and linen services, 24-hour emergency response, personal care services and social and recreational opportunities. The facility is a campus of care, offering a range of services and care levels from independent living to assisted living.

Retirement Concepts, a private operator, manages this facility.

The Province, through BC Housing, will provide up to $228,000 annually in rent subsidies. Vancouver Island Health will provide personal care and hospitality services, totalling $575,000 annually.

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Media Contact:
Laura Kohli
Corporate Communications
BC Housing
604 439-8583
604 805-4960 (cell)

Suzanne Germain
Vancouver Island Health Authority
250 370-8270

Azim Jamal
Retirement Concepts
604 662-4969 ext. 12

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