Frequently Asked Questions
Glacier View Lodge (GVL) provides a caring home for residents who have complex health needs. We offer professional nursing service, activities, nutritional services, transition support, and housekeeping and laundry services. We are a not-for-profit society and registered charity that is governed by a volunteer board of directors.
We have 101 permanent residents and we have one respite bed that is available for short stays.
No. The majority of GVL’s 101 full-time residents are seniors, but we do have residents who are between 19 and 65 years old whose health-care needs require them to have full-time care. GVL also offers adult day programs and respite programs to people over 19 years old.
No. Although GVL is recognized for excellence in dementia care, there are approximately 10 per cent of residents who have other health needs that require them to have full-time care.
We use a variety of teaching tools; two of our nursing staff are trained Responsive Behavior Coaches and we use the Positive Physical Approach Philosophy by Teepa Snow to help staff understand the physiological changes to the brain and how to work to meet the residents needs based on where they are in their dementia journey.
GVL employs 235 staff and we have been granted an increase in funding (2019/2020 year) to meet the Ministry of Health recommended direct care hour ratio of 3.36 hours per resident. This is the number of nursing/rehab/activity related hours we can provide per resident per day.
Yes. Island Health maintains our waiting list. For more information on the waiting list, please contact your Island Health case manager.
Cost of long term care starts at a minimum rate set by the Ministry of Health and increases according to the resident’s taxable income to a maximum amount. The cost is set at 80 per cent of monthly taxable income (not assets, such as property) as submitted to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The rate is updated annually.
Residents can expect to receive great care at GVL including a private room, 24-hour nursing care, three meals per day and snacks, assistance with activities of daily living, administration of medication, ordering and delivery of medications from the contracted pharmacy, housekeeping, adjustable bed and bedroom furniture. There is also a wide range of activity programs, seven days a week and access to a physiotherapist and Occupational therapist.
GVL works in partnership with Island Health to provide the best care possible to our residents and members of our community and thus we receive an operating grant from Island Health. It costs approximately $10 million to operate GVL, and just 26 per cent of that is covered by resident fees.
Glacier View Lodge is owned and operated by the non-profit GVL Society and is governed by a volunteer board of directors. We are a registered charity. We are a partner of Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA – also known as Island Health).
In its history, GVL has undergone a few transitions. The original GVL came into being in 1955 on land donated and owned privately, with a home already in place with space to care for 28 elderly residents. In 1955 the property was transferred to the City of Courtenay, and in 1968 it was transferred to the then-Regional District of Comox-Strathcona (now Comox Valley Regional District). That property was subdivided into three in 1981, with the regional district giving the Glacier View Lodge Society (incorporated in 1979) the 10-acre parcel in the middle of the three. The Society opened a new “intermediate care” facility on that property in 1982, and the original home was closed.
Health care accreditation is an ongoing process of assessing our organization against standards of excellence to identify what is being done well and what needs to be improved. In June 2018 GVL was granted the highest level possible for the second time in a row: Accreditation with Exemplary Status. Our next formal review will be in 2022.
Access to GVL is via a wait list that is managed by Island Health. People from other communities could list Glacier View Lodge as their preferred facility and would then be placed on our wait list. For information wait lists, please contact your Island Health case manager.
GVL is a vibrant community that seeks to eliminate loneliness, boredom and helplessness. Our home focuses on what our residents can still do. Our creative approach honours our residents’ life stories to bring joy, meaning and purpose in their days.
We value relationships; family and friends are welcomed to become members of our community. Our staff develop relationships with our residents and their families. Glacier View Lodge truly feels like home. We also support other community seniors and their caregivers through respite, community bathing, adult day and supper club caregiver support programs.
Yes. We make every effort to serve the needs and wants of our residents.
Donations are always welcome, and can be done online here, or by cheque to Glacier View Lodge, 2450 Back Road, Courtenay BC V9N 8B5. For general information on donations, click here and to find out about our specific funding priorities, click here.
Volunteers are the backbone of GVL’s ability to provide services in a caring environment. For information on volunteering, click here. You can also contact us at 250-338-1451 local 228 and speak to Liz Friis to find out about volunteer opportunities.