Holland Christian Homes

 

John Kalverda, Administrator and Executive Director spoke to Rotary about Holland Christian Homes which began in 1969 and by 1979 the care centre had a major build which included 105 apartments. The organization wanted to make sure care was provided in the apartments and that each one was equipped with a way for tenants to access help; pull chords that enabled tenants to request care very quickly were therefore added.

 
Holland Christian Homes spans 15 acres. There are a total of six apartment towers, but expansion at Holland Christian Homes was gradual, with each additional tower’s construction spaced out evenly from 1979 to 2004. During this time frame 120 bed nursing homes called Faith Manor and Grace Manor were constructed in addition to the apartment towers. In all the Holland Christina Homes campus now boasts 463 apartments and 240 beds for nursing care.
 
In order to live at Holland Christian Homes, tenants need to be 60 years old or older and profess a Christian belief. Spouses who are slightly younger however, are able to become tenants as well. There are 825 tenants and 240 residents currently residing at Holland Christian Homes. HCH is the only senior complex in Canada that provides an on-site pharmacy. They have a credit union on site, a Dutch store that carries all the ethnic food the residents enjoy, two hairdressers, activities such as pool/billiards and shuffle board and a restaurant. Other programs include pastoral care, two church services Sunday morning, Dutch church service Sunday evening and a Wednesday chapel service.
 
Care in towers – on-site doctors five days a week, physiotherapy, massage and a chiropractic clinic. Operating budget $27.3 Mill, 825 tenants, average age 84, 44 employees and 12 board members.