A consultant's report released last summer found that the North Thompson Valley does not have enough population to sustain a stand-alone hospice house facility.
However, District of Clearwater is working on developing a “campus of care” facility that would integrate several levels of care, according to Mayor John Harwood.
Speaking at the annual general meeting of the North Thompson Hospice House Society on May 25, the mayor challenged the society's members to come up with suggestions on how to include hospice or palliative care into the campus of care model.
“What is it that we should build that would be useful to the people you represent?” Harwood asked.
Clearwater presently has Evergreen Acres, which provides low cost, independent living for seniors. The community also has Forestview Place, the extended care wing at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital, for those who need more round-the-clock attention.
The proposed campus of care would bridge the gap between the two facilities as well as integrate them to a certain extent.
About four or five years ago grant money was received to help build 10 more independent living units for Evergreen Acres.
There is some assisted living available at Evergreen Acres but there are mobility issues in the facility, Harwood said.
A recent report on the proposed campus of care concluded that the valley needs another 16 independent living units plus another 16 assisted living units, he said.
The campus of care report needs some adjustments to suit local conditions, Harwood said, and the committee working on it is seeking sponsors to keep the cost to clients reasonable.
However, if everything comes together as they hope, construction could begin as early as next spring, he said.