This one-storey apartment-style building is run by the West Coast Native Health Care Society and has a complex care facility on site.
Access to subsidized assisted living units is through a Community Health Services assessment.
Please do not contact the Operator directly regarding subsidized units. For more information on subsidized assisted living, contact an Island Health Community Health Services office near you.
For information on market units, please refer to the Seniors Housing Directory of BC.
6222 Compton Rd
Port Alberni, B.C.
V9Y 7B8
Mailing Address:
6151 Russell Pl
Port Alberni, B.C.
V9Y 7W3
West Coast Native Health Care Society
We achieved Primer level in February 2016.
Accreditation is an external peer review process to assess and improve the services health care organizations provide to their patients and clients, based on standards of excellence set by Accreditation Canada. For more information, visit: http://www.accreditation.ca.
Publicly Subsidized Units: 10
Private-Pay Units: 0
This one-storey apartment-style building is run by the West Coast Native Health Care Society and has a complex care facility on site. It is situated one block from a bus route. Our grounds are large and well maintained with lush, green lawns, benches and pathways throughout the property. The large patio is used for meals and activities. We have a greenhouse for our Resident Horticultural programs.
The games room has a large screen TV/DVD, an organ and a piano. There is a kitchen next to the dining room that is equipped with a fridge, stove, sink, and cupboards. Tenants can bake or cook together as part of an activity. The space allows larger groups to gather for tenants families.
- housing for seniors and younger individuals with disabilities
- no alcohol permitted
Tsawaayuus (Rainbow Gardens) Assisted Living Residence is in a newer residential area. Shopping, pharmacy, hospital, restaurants and hotels are less than five minutes away. Port Alberni Parks and Recreation offers a multitude of activities for city residents. Movies, live performances and special events are scheduled regularly. The Alberni Valley has a natural beauty that everyone enjoys.
Tsawaayuus is a unique, responsibly managed Assisted Living facility whose mission is to provide holistic, culturally competent care in a family-like environment with an emphasis on Indigenous people.
In 1985, a group of ladies had a dream of building a safe home for Native Elders, which would also hire native employees to look after the Elders. The ten Assisted Living apartments are an addition to the original 30 residential care beds opened in 1992.
There are some First Nations people working in each department, First Nations people in management and First Nations people on the Board of Directors.
At Tsawaayuus we have an underlying respect for who people are. We strive to keep each resident as well as they can be. We accept each resident as a unique whole person physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and culturally.
Tsawaayuus plays a role in the community which includes education. We challenge and act against racism.
Each resident has a family they are important to whether it is the family within Tsawaayuus or their relatives in the community.
The house we maintain for residents is comfortable and warm. Care provided is supportive and culturally appropriate to the individual. We are relationship focused.
Staff are valued for the skills, knowledge and abilities they bring to Tsawaayuus. They are responsible to know how to provide safe care and maintain a safe environment for residents. Staff are open to learning and sharing. We are cooperative as a team and we have concern for one another.
There are self-contained individual apartments with ensuite bathrooms and storage. Each unit has a full sized stove and fridge in the kitchen. There is individually controlled air-conditioning and heat. The building is wheelchair accessible and there are grab-bars in the bathrooms. There is a spacious lounge and dining area. Tenants have a recreational program as well as the use of two wheel-chair accessible vans. Podiatry services and hair-dressing services are available.
Residents pay 70% of their after-tax income which covers:
- monthly rental accommodation
- hospitality services: two meals and two snacks daily, weekly housekeeping, laundry, etc.
- personal care
- on-site emergency response system
Residents on income assistance pay a flat rate. Items not included as a part of the monthly fee include: telephone, cable, hydro, personal laundry, household and toiletry supplies, medications, personal care products and insurance.
Tenants are welcome to participate in group exercises, entertainment, bingo, baking, shopping, and seasonal activities. Two buses with wheelchair lifts are available for outings.
Manual/power wheelchair accessible throughout.
There are outlets in the storage area and a patio area to park and re-charge scooters.
No pets are allowed.
Smoking permitted in designated outdoor areas only.
The building is secure. Tenants may lock the doors to their apartments. A key fob that opens the main door and individual apartments makes locking and unlocking easier.
- secure entrance with telephone intercom
- fire alarms (flashing lights and sprinklers throughout)
- fire drills practiced regularly - orientation to fire safety provided
- each tenant has a Lifeline System
Resident laundry facilities, games room with piano and organ. There is also a kitchenette by the dining room that may be used by residents and families for larger events.
Find information on assisted living visitor guidelines.
Please contact staff to learn more about visiting this location.
Visitors can be buzzed into the building by the tenant. There are no visiting hours but be respectful of the other tenants in the evenings or mornings.
During influenza season (typically December-March), to help protect patients from the flu, all visitors will be expected to wear a mask in our facilities if they have not had a flu shot. For more information, please read our Influenza Protection Policy.
