Construction has officially begun on an innovative new dementia care facility on Vancouver Island.

The facility will open in the Comox Valley and is modeled after “dementia village” care centres in Europe.

The property will include homes that have private rooms for 12 people, with individual bathrooms for each room.

The homes will surround a secured one-acre courtyard that features walking paths, sitting areas, and garden boxes, so that residents can walk around the property freely.

The B.C. Ministry of Health says the facility will focus on fostering a sense of community by creating a home-like environment where residents can help with things like food preparation and laundry, connect with friends and family, and participate in daily activities.

The province says the village will also offer amenities for residents and non-residents, such as an art studio, bistro, and chapel.

The facility, called Providence Living Place, Together by the Sea, will include 155 publicly funded beds, and one private pay bed.

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