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By Corey Fischer

New Care Home Opens

Jan 17, 2018 | 5:35 PM

The Hamlets is quickly becoming a new hub in Vernon’s downtown area.

The six-story residential care home on 29th Avenue has officially opened, after a construction period of nearly two years.

Hendrik Van Ryk, chief operating officer of H and H Total Health Care, says the response to the units has been good so far.

“We’re almost full already in care. We just opened assisted living in December and have strong interest, with a number of residents moved in and more coming in the next few months.”

The building has 85 publicly-funded complex care beds, along with another 67 private pay complex-care and assisted living units.

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One resident told the opening ceremony, the facility allows couples with different care needs, to stay together in the same building.

The construction started in March 2016 on the former Bennett parking lot site.

“It is a lot of hard work that has been put in by all the team members, starting with our family and leadership team, and all the staff we’ve hired in Vernon. It’s all come together,” Van Ryk tells Beach Radio News

Van Ryk says they also have commercial space on the lower floor that’s yet to be rented.

“We’re looking for possibly a doctor’s clinic, or a medical clinic, a pharmacy, anything that creates convenience for the seniors that live with us.”

“The Hamlets at Vernon is a great addition for the North Okanagan and its residents,” said Health Minister Adrian Dix. “The publicly-funded beds provide a safe, caring place for seniors living with dementia and other individuals requiring assistance with complex health issues.”

Hendrik Van Ryk, COO of H & H Total Health Care, speaks at the opening of the Hamlets at Vernon (Beach Radio photo)

by Corey Fischer

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