MINUTES SOCIETY MEMBERS’ ENGAGEMENT MEETING FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2017 11:00 am. odge [ Present: Bob Scales (Chair) ‘Marg Szafron (Carol Anderson (Vice Chair) James Taylor Gib French Cathy Specht ‘Allan Douglas Michael Aikins (Executive Director) Roslyn Smith Kate Mancer, Principal, Lumina Seniors’ Housing Consultants Tawrence Burns ‘Sandie Jordan ‘Sandy Dreger Michael Pontus ‘Marilyn Farnham Carter Power ‘Annette Frits Margaret Silman ‘Margaret Griffith- Cochrane Ron Webber Ross Criffith-Cochrane MINUTES L._ | Gallto order ‘The meeting was called to order at 11:00 a.m. 7. | Michael Aikins opened the meeting stating that change can be difficult and everyone has different opinions. Glacier View has had a long association with St. Joseph’s General Hospital and when acute care transfers to the new Comox Valley hospital on October 1, that will have an impact on how we are able to purchase services from St. Joseph’s. Of similar importance is the preservation. of the non-profit sector to remain vibrant in this sophisticated world dominated by the private sector. The purpose of this meeting is to provide an update on the future; no decisions or agreements with partners have been made at this time. Michael introduced Bob Scales, Board Chair. The purpose of today's session Is to update where the Board sees the future of GVLS. When the facility first opened, many of the residents still drove their own car but were happy to have meals prepared and housekeeping looked after for them. Much has changed sinee 1982 and in 2017 the majority of our residents have dementia and our building does not support their needs. From a 2012 building assessment report we know the present building, although well maintained, woulé require upwards of $15 Million for major maintenance and to bring it closer to current standards. Operationally, with only 102 beds, itis becoming increasingly more dificult to “balance the books’ annually and we are seeing other smaller care facilities merging. We also know that with the hillside, building costs on our site are higher and without convenient bus transportation itis difficult for some of our visitors to attend. The Board, after wrestling with ideas for almost three: years, is recommending we align with Providence Health Care. This will allow us to participate in the Campus of Care which is planned for the current St. Joseph General Hospital site. We do have ‘three basic requirements, namely: (a) senior staff positions are protected; (b) the GVL brand willcontinue to be recognized; (c) sale proceeds of any GVIS assets will be used for construction of @ sl new GVL building. We are not voting on this today, that is planned for our September 21° AGM. Bob introduced Board members: Carol Anderson, Vice-Chair; Allan Douglas; Gib French; Roslyn Smith; Cathy Specht; Margaret Szafron, and James Taylor. ‘Allan Douglas, Margaret Szafron and lames Taylor presented the Board's PowerPoint slides. In 1997 a reciprocal agreement was signed with St. Joseph's and GVLto ensure operational stability and reduced operating costs. St. Joseph's is a non-profit organization with a similar patient population. IT, finance reporting, payroll, nutritional services management and human Fesources were a shared commodity and Michael Aikins and Jenn Chaboteaux are shared 50/50 ‘with The Views. Looking to the future, itis difficult for GVL to remain viable. Points raised: ‘* Funding for beds is by provided by VIHA and capital costs are the responsibility of the care facility. Over the years, funds are becoming more and more scarce and funding has not kept pace. Current standards require larger rooms and wider hallways. ‘Some facilities have opted out of the master collective agreement. GVU's 37 acres are valued between $8 and $12 million. ‘The GVL site has poor road access and land issues including a stream and steep slopes. ‘There is no bus service which makes it hard for people to come and visit. GVL responded to a Request for Proposal in 2007 but was unsuccessful ‘The Board hired a consultant who felt it was beneficial to partner with St, Joseph's and Providence and, subsequently, the GVL Board thought it might be best to join them as well © The current site is not suitable for redevelopment due to road access and servicing requirements. Agood fit was not found to partner with other facilities. We would need to borrow at least {$14 million to upgrade GVL to meet current standards. ‘© Ifthe campus of care as proposed becomes operational, it would allow for a broader range of services and at a lower cost than GVL can currently provide. «The Comox Valley has a disproportionate number of seniors compared to the rest of the province and seniors are expected to double within the next 20 years. © Currently in the Valley, services are provided by Comox Valley Seniors Village, Cumberland Lodge, Glacier View Lodge, The Views and Cummings Home, 2 small provider. ‘© GVLresidents will remain in the building until the new campus of care opens and the last resident would move by 2021. = The new campus of care facility will include assisted and independent living units, which wil be constructed later, allowing residents to remain in place. The campus of care community ‘will nclude bathing, respite, an adult day program, retail space and physicians’ offices. ¢ InNovember 2017, the plan will be for GVL to dissolve and Providence will take over liability afd assets of GV which includes the lng. The covenant placed on the land by the Marsisha Society was that if GVL was sold, the proceeds shall be used for housing to benefit persons ‘over age 55 and proceeds will remain in the Valley. ‘© Rrovidence has established a new society, Providence Residential and Community.Care Services Society (PRCCS) and Chris Kelsey, current SIGH Board Chair, will sit asa director. Services Society (PRCCS) and Chris Kelsey, current SGI Eo ir At this point, questions and comments were invited from the Society members. Q._An alternative plan was not seen today and what would be the cost benefit for Island Healthor another organization taking on care at this site? All small care providers are going through similar stages and there will have to be solutions. What would Island Health provide and what ‘would be the cost benefit? |A. We have not had formal discussions with Island Health at this time and we would need to go back to them stating we would need more funding to operate as we would need to negotiate for $15 milion to upgrade. The cost of building on the hillside is more than building on a flat site, We would need to increase our per diem per bed and bill for other services (e.8., Executive Director, Director of Care, I, Payroll, Finance, Human Resources, etc.) Island Health is the funder for residential facilities but they are not in the business daily facility operations. ‘The reason we partnered with St. Joseph's is that GVL did not want to be under government control. Each Lodge has their own director. ‘Comment: There are successful models operated by a Board, for example, Port Alberni Lodge and ‘we should investigate what they are doing right and take a page from their book. Several odges are doing well and some are teetering on the edge. If GVL really wants to be a success, they should start looking at what is successful and what needs to change and see what is doable. |A. Port Alberni is not looking to rebuild. In 2007, GVL participated In an RFP and if we didn’t have any capital needs we probably would not need to change. We are looking at the next 20-25 ‘years. We looked at other partnerships but if we were to partner with Victoria or Port Alberni, we cannot share services, e.g., executive director because of distance. Q. In 1982 when GVL was built, it was based on a mortgage by CMHC and the mortgage has now been repaid. Why not go down that road agaln as GVL has an excellent pay back record? |A. The mortgage has expired in May and we could have increased our direct care hours to 3.36 hours but the money was clawed back. Q. Have you discussed this partnership with Island Health? A. We only received approval in February 2017 to proceed with this announcement and we have not yet discussed this partnership with Island Health. Q. What will Providence bring to the. A. The partnership is bringing expertise but no money. Providence has a renowned reputation as not-for-profit healthcare organization and the new society for residential care is taking over egisting Providence residential care beds._Chr id fal ris Kelsey, current SIGH Board Chair, will be on the Board of Directors. Thgy.will be bringing expertise in fundraising, they can negotiate with sovernment; they have the people and trained staff to do what we cannot do.on our own. & hhave a great passion for sharing Ideas and expanding their circle of knowledge. Q. What happens to GVI funds? ‘A. Funds have to stay in the Valley and if we Join with Providence, the money has to stay in the Valley to build a new facility. Comment: We should talk about going to the “new campus of care site” not St. Joseph's. GVL will have a building. if you want a big partner, please choose a not-for-profit partner. | would hate to see us floundering and being scooped up by a for-profit facility. GVL has awesome staff that is committed because they get a living wage and a for-profit facility would not pay the same wages. Comment: Bob advised he and Michael Aikins met with the City of Courtenay and to build a proper road, it would require a traffic circle at a cost of about $3 - $5 million. There will be some major expenses. (Q. What kind of assurance do we have from Providence with respect to the sale of the GVL property? ‘A. We will have a contract with them and currently Bob Scales has an email which agrees to the eaeThree principles: (a) senior staff positions are protected; (b) the GVL brand will continue to be recognized; (c) sale proceeds of any GVLS assets will be used for construction of a new GVL building. ©. What isto stop a for-profit operator from buying this property and operating a facility on the GVLsite and having Island Health fund the beds? A. Our site has some land that cannot be used. It most likely will be bought by a developer for houses making good use of the mountain view. Comment: In order to renovate GVL, the community would need to raise up to $15 to $40 milion {the $40 million would be for a 200 bed facility). We would have to seek financing from our lender to get them to deal. We could ask BC Housing as long as they have money available. Island Health would have to agree to increase our per diem rate. Q. Either way, no matter what happens financing is sought and then a building built. What is stopping us from doing that? It has to be approved in either case. It was thought this property was sold to GVL for $1.00 and the property has to be used for seniors care? ‘A. The covenant on the property has expired and was on the 37 acres but not the 10 acres. Money from the sale still has to go into seniors’ care. Kate Mancer, Lumina Services, an expert in residential care and related facilities and who prepared detailed reports for the Board’s consideration, also made a PowerPoint presentation followed by @ question period. Lumina Services came up with two plans: Plan A: Integrated health care on the St. Joseph's site creating a campus of care with participation by Providence Health Care, St. Joseph’s General Hospital and Glacier View Lodge. Governments are not providing funding without different ways of looking at things. Innovative approaches are what are going to be increasingly looked for and needed for our health care to be sustainable. Providence has been working on innovative approaches. Providence is new to the Comox Valley and they will need to work with the culture of the community and other issues that have come up. They will need strong and trustworthy community partners, Plan B: Redevelop GVL. There are issues with location, topography, and access to transportation. The recent request for an RFP had nine proponents submitting proposals. Comox Valley Seniors Village is currently owned by a Chinese conglomerate. Global Life management in the Kootenays has to increase their per diem rate or come up with money to fill that gap. Redeveloping the site alone or in partnership with a developer for conventional residential use would cost millions and be extremely risky. A for-profit care provider would be extremely unlikely to be interested in GV. ‘Most operators and providers are concerned to be able to attract enough employees to get toa location to come to work, St. Joseph's is easy to get to. ‘Bottom Line: Continue with the recommendations in the 2036 Strategic Plan or begin planning the closure of GVL. Rebuilding might work but is not a realistic hope. {At this point, questions and comments were invited from the Society members. Comment: We will not survive the way we are and we need to be masters of our life. Comment: These options are backing GVL in a corner and the way out has not been presented. ‘The external environment has changed with MAID and the role the Catholic church is taking in this province. To deny the fact that MAID is a huge environmental conclusion. Comment: MAID is a small perspective of concept of care for GVL and you can't let one particular item overshadow the people of the Valley to gain this expertise and care for the Valley. We heed to look at the total perspective and what is best for the residents of the Valley and GVL_staff; no situation is perfect. Everyone can get MAID and no one will be denied it. There are |Jobs at stake as well as high quality care. Seniors should be well looked after not based on one issue of MAID. @: Why has there been no public consultation? A: We could not go public until after February 2017. Comment: We need something to evaluate before we hand out a blank cheque. ‘A. Once we get a general feeling from this group, then we will move forward with an agreement. ‘Comment: If you held a public meeting downtown you would get a small turnout but there would be $5,000 others out there who did not attend and the last thing they want is to read about this in the paper. Comment: | agree. The GVL reputation in this Valley has been phenomenal but put at risk by functioning behind closed doors and stating your case. People want to be able to ask questions, Comment: We have talked with the GVL family council, employees and auxiliary. GVL has a duty ‘to the Society as their first duty and that is why we are here today. After this we can go public; the Society has to be in support of what we are doing. Q: Is there a potential for this to be derailed if other groups get the 70 beds? could be derailed but would flood the market. The government could give the current GVL beds to another private entity so they can do MAID. There is that risk as well. sland Health could give us 12 months’ notice and we are out of business. We are at the mercy of Island Health. | > What information do you need to come to a final decision, beyond a contract? Q: At the family council we saw a blueprint for the St. Josephs’ site, please explain? ‘A: St. Joseph's responded to the RFP for 70 beds plus their own 117 beds. This was an architectural rendering and has nothing to do with GVL beds and was strictly @ reply by St. Joseph's in response to the RFP. Providence will still be partnering with St. Joseph’s even if GVL does not partner. Most non-profits are cash poor, not land poor. The land is not being given to the Catholic church but Providence will hold itin trust, at > Doyyou feel we should have a similar presentation or the community? Comment: | think we need to have consensus from as many people in the Valley. | would need to hhave a sense that the Comox Valley wants us to go with this plan from GVL's own mouth, not. from the newspaper or some third party. Comment: We will present to the community at an evening session open to all. We will educate ‘people and when they understand the situation, they might feel this makes sense..We are just looking for feedback from Society members at this point that this isthe way we should go. Q: My concern is to make this kind of decision, | would like to see the business plan towards two or three options and | have only got two options. There have nat been discussions with Island Health and other partners. What are the costs of the other offers and why we would not accept those? >> What do you see as a positive outcome, if we partner with Providence and Island Health? Comment: in dealing with Senior Village, if a couple has to go there, they are not allowed to live > What additional concerns do you have? | together or in the same room. They often say, “I wish there was a place to go where we could lve together ike we have been for the past SO years.” ifthe husband has dementia, the wife | Chan ie‘could also go into assisted living or go into a suite on a campus of care. Comment: Residents and staff will benefit from innovation. Our first priority is to care for people. Providence is linked to educational institutes plus they already have a lot of facilities like GVL and we can tap into thelr synergy. Providence is an implementer and if you take the fundamentals of their approach, it leaves you wide open to innovation. Comment: GVL has always been an innovator. This is a perfect partnership as two groups want to bbe on the cutting edge with great minds working together. Staffis of the same mind and both ‘organizations are not-for-profit and caring for individuals is paramount and not the bottom, line. Comment: This partnership is not 2 one way street. GVL brought ideas to St. Joseph’s and GVL. ‘can bring ideas to Providence (e.g., patient lifts). Itis an opportunity for people who are Innovative here to spread their ideas, > What other information do you have for the Board to add? ‘Comment:, sland Health is not interested in operating GVL. They are getting out of the business. We don't need that written down as they are not interested in providing care. Comment: The impression from today is that the Board should carry on with discussions. An educational public meeting would be an important part; perhaps another meeting similar to this. Q Is this information available for others to refresh our recollections? @: Can the Board provide a question and answer fact sheet for society members to have key information? Can the presentations be emailed to Society members? There was a lot of information presented today and it would be helpful for Society members to review thi ACTION: Emailed copies of the presentations today will be sent to all Society members. Q: There is an alleged closure to membership of the Society, how are people able to apply now? ‘Az New applications are available at the front desk. July 20 is the cutoff date for new memberships to allow the Membership Committee time to review the applicants. 3. | Adjournment ‘The meeting adjourned at 1:25 p.m. RE. Scales M.Aikins C Maries Chair Executive Director Recording Secretary