When you think of long-term care, what comes to mind? Is it a sterile, medicalized environment where people are essentially confined to their rooms and eating prescriptive & repetitive meals? This is how long-term care has often been described to me. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
In December, we travelled to Providence Living at The Views to film our next video series (coming soon, so stay tuned!). From the moment we arrived, the liveliness of the environment left me in awe. As we walked through the doors, we were met with festive holiday decorations, the sound of live music drifting from the community hall, and the comforting smell of freshly brewed coffee.
Tara Muir, owner of Revocco Coffee Shop at Providence Living at The Views
I took a seat beside the community hall and spent some time simply watching village life unfold. Tara expertly managed the steady stream of customers visiting Revocco Coffee Shop (the bistro located inside The Views). Staff moved throughout the space, hanging holiday decorations, while the elevators chimed constantly as family members arrived to visit their loved ones.
A few residents stopped by to ask what we were up to. Some sat down beside us, sharing life stories and advice, eyeing us with curiosity. One woman, in particular, stood out. I saw her multiple times over the two days we were there. She loved taking walks throughout the village, playing beautiful songs on the piano, and a mean game of crib.
True to its name, Providence Living at The Views offers a stunning space where people can sit with their coffee and look out over the Comox Harbour. I watched as two women came in, ordered coffee, and settled into seats by the window overlooking the water. When I spoke with them, they mentioned they didn’t know any of the residents; they simply came in to enjoy a coffee and the view. Throughout the visit, the space felt alive, filled with activity and the natural hustle and bustle of daily life.
I’ll ask again: when you think of long-term care, what comes to mind?
When I look at The Views, I see what’s possible within our publicly funded system. A place that’s different from what you typically see, where the community is welcomed into the space, and residents are supported to engage in the activities of daily life. It’s a place you don’t have to be afraid to enter if you or a loved one needs long-term care.
Stay tuned for our upcoming videos featuring Providence Living at The Views and what’s next.
We have other great content, continue exploring below.