St. Joseph's Villa Foundation, Dundas

St. Joseph’s Villa is recognized as one of Ontario’s largest and most innovative long term care homes with 431 beds. We are a non-profit charitable organization owned by the St. Joseph’s Health System. The Villa voluntarily submits to external third party review by Accreditation Canada (formerly CCHSA) and CARF/CCAC receiving the highest available accreditation rankings from each organization. The Villa has been recipient of the Hamilton Community News Readers’ Choice Awards and Hamilton Spectator’s Readers’ Choice recipients for several years for best long term care home.

St. Joseph’s Villa is a vibrant community activity centre for nearly 200 seniors who participate in the Adult Day Program. The Adult Day Program offers seniors and older adults many opportunities for social interaction and physical therapies. Activities are structured to promote physical and mental well-being. The program has four different groups offering various levels of care and cognitive stimulation.

The newly created S.I.M. (Seniors In Motion) Gym is a fully functional fitness centre that is open to persons 55 and above living in the community and is supported by a personal trainer. Programs for cardiovascular exercise, balance, strength and coordination are created on a one-to-one basis with and OTA/PTA on hand to assist. Aerobics classes are offered three times a week. There is also a community pool program offering gentle and aerobic classes in a warm, easy access environment.

In 1990, with the support of the Rotary Club of Dundas, the Villa introduced a Respite Care program which now provides service to over 150 seniors annually. Respite Care allows family members a much needed break as they continue to care for their loved ones at home. It is one of the most successful Respite Programs in Ontario.

In March 1996 and February 1997, St. Joseph’s Villa lands also became home to St. Joseph’s Estates, two senior life equity facilities that consist of 107 units. The individuals living in the Estates are able to manage an independent lifestyle and have access to the swimming pool, bowling alley, outreach programs and social amenities offered by the Villa. We have over 200 couples on our waiting list for these units and are looking at ways to respond to this demand.