Villa Cathay Care Home

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Villa Cathay Care Home

Villa Cathay Care Home provides person-centered, culturally-oriented care to seniors in Vancouver History:

In March of 1978, the New Villa Cathay of 36,000 sq.

ft., 3-storey building with 150 beds celebrated its' grand opening. Ten years later, the East wing was added for 9,000 sq. ft., 38 new beds. For the past 25 years, the Villa Cathay has been the largest Chinese seniors' full service care facility in North & South America. At the end of the 19th Century, many Chinese, who had completed the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, came to Vancouver, British Columbia to settle down. However, when they became ill, they could not enter the local hospitals. Fortunately, a Catholic Archbishop set up an Oriental Home on the City's East Side in 1922. The Canadian Chinese will not forget their humanity and compassion. In 1972, the City of Vancouver expropriated the Oriental Home for industrial expansion. Seven families established the New Non-profit "Villa Cathay Care Home Society".

03/28/2026

Music has a unique way of reaching the heart. At Villa Cathay, we witness every day how the healing power of music transforms lives.

For residents navigating cognitive challenges, a familiar melody is more than just a song—it becomes a gentle bridge back to the present moment, sparking recognition and connection when words may fail. For those experiencing discomfort, music offers a quiet sanctuary of relief and emotional release.

Whether it’s singing, tapping along, or simply listening, these sessions foster creativity, dignity, and a sense of empowerment for every participant. Most importantly, music brings people together. It transforms quiet spaces into shared experiences, helping residents connect with one another and build a true sense of community.

During Music Therapy Awareness Month, we would like to thank our donors for making this life-changing approach possible. Through your kindness, we are able to harness the power of music to enhance well-being, reduce isolation, and brighten the days of those in our care.

Thank you for helping us bring healing, connection, and joy to our residents through the universal language of music.

03/21/2026

When Dr. Kenneth Chow celebrated his 60th birthday, he chose not to receive gifts—instead, he asked for a future of enhanced care for the residents at Villa Cathay.

“This is the most meaningful way I could celebrate my birthday,” shared Dr. Chow.
His community responded generously, raising an incredible $35,000+ in support of our Care Enhancement Program. These funds directly contribute to enriching daily life and elevating the quality of care for our residents.

The celebration came full circle when Dr. Chow visited us to express his gratitude for the commemorative artwork created by the residents themselves. This gesture of mutual respect underscored the spirit of his gift: a deep commitment to the dignity and joy of our seniors.

Dr. Chow’s milestone birthday has become more than a personal memory; it is now a story of impact that inspires us all. Thank you, Dr. Chow, for turning your celebration into a community legacy!

03/14/2026

A Proud Milestone: Villa Cathay Achieves Accreditation with Exemplary Standing

Emerging safely from COVID-19 was a significant milestone for our team and residents. Building on that resilience, we dedicated the past two years to the pursuit of clinical and organizational excellence through accreditation—an independent evaluation conducted by Accreditation Canada that measures the quality, safety, and standards of care in long-term care homes.

We are proud to share that Villa Cathay has been awarded Accreditation with Exemplary Standing—the highest distinction within the Qmentum Program—recognizing our sustained commitment to safety and excellence in quality care.

Achieving accreditation reflects the strength of our entire organization and our unwavering commitment to resident safety, compassionate care, and respect for the elders we serve. While this award provides an objective measure of our operational excellence, the true spirit of this recognition is found in the people behind it: our staff, families, volunteers, and supporters who believe our residents deserve nothing less than our very best.

Most importantly, our residents are essential partners in this journey. Their voices, experiences, and trust guide our decisions and shape the very foundation of the care we provide.

For us, this milestone is not a finish line, but a catalyst for the future. It reinforces our promise to provide a home where residents live with dignity, joy, and the highest standard of care. Here’s to the next chapter—continuing to set the standard, deepening our culture of compassion, and strengthening the community that makes Villa Cathay a true home.

03/08/2026

Social Workers are often the first face residents and families meet at Villa Cathay.

From day one, they help residents and families transition smoothly into life here, offering guidance, reassurance, and emotional support. Throughout a resident’s stay, Social Workers advocate for individual rights and preferences, address emotional and psychosocial needs, and collaborate with families and care teams to ensure every resident receives truly person-centered care.

During times when critical support is needed, Social Workers help families navigate difficult decisions, cope with grief, and ensure residents experience comfort, peace, and dignity in their final days.

At every stage, their dedication ensures residents feel heard, valued, and supported, while families can have confidence knowing their loved ones are in caring hands.

This Social Worker Month, we celebrate our incredible social work team for their professionalism, compassion, and unwavering commitment to our residents and families!

02/28/2026

Have you been blessed with red envelopes this New Year?

Each red envelope carries wishes for health, happiness, and prosperity. When you share your blessing with Villa Cathay residents, your gift brings comfort, companionship, and dignity into their daily lives.
Keep the good fortune flowing through March 15, 2026 by donating a Red Envelope to support our residents.

Donate today: go.villacathay.ca/cny26

02/22/2026

Lunar New Year is one of the most important and cherished occasions for our residents — a season deeply rooted in family, culture, and lifelong traditions.

At Villa Cathay, it takes a collective team and community effort to help our residents relive and uphold these meaningful customs. From freshly preparing traditional turnip cakes and sharing red envelopes, to welcoming community members who brought heartfelt New Year greetings, every detail came together to create a vibrant atmosphere that truly reflected the spirit of the season. It was a powerful reminder that moving into a care home does not mean leaving traditions behind — they continue to be honoured, lived, and kept alive.

As we welcome the Year of the Horse, we honour the culture, connection, and strong sense of belonging that help our residents thrive at Villa Cathay. From all of us, we wish you and your family a year filled with health, happiness, and good fortune!

02/16/2026

Welcoming the Year of the Horse!

Lunar New Year is a time for family, tradition, and joyful moments together. At Villa Cathay, our residents and families came together to celebrate with laughter, blessings, and meaningful time with loved ones.

Grateful to share these special moments as we step into a new year filled with health and happiness!

02/07/2026

February is National Therapeutic Recreation Month!

For seniors facing cognitive, physical, or sensory challenges, recreation therapy is a lifeline. It’s more than just play—it’s about bringing purpose and removing barriers so every resident can participate meaningfully, supporting their physical, social, cognitive, emotional, spiritual, and sensory well-being while fostering confidence, connection, and joy every day.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, our recreational programs have been transformed. Because of you, our residents enjoy:

🚲 Physical Well-Being: Scenic trishaw rides, outdoor outings and exercise.
🧠 Cognitive & Creativity: Hands-on cooking, brain games, gardening.
🤝 Social & Cultural: Taishanese Club, Chinese opera performances, intergenerational programs.
🤍 Emotional & Spiritual: 1:1 and pet visits and programs that honour diverse faiths.

The impacts of these joyful and meaningful experiences are clear: better sleep, more stable moods, healthier appetites, and a stronger sense of daily purpose. Thank you for helping us bring more joy and connection to every day!

01/31/2026

January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. While dementia can affect memory and daily routines, it does not erase a person’s abilities, identity, or life experiences. With the right support, seniors can continue to engage, contribute, and find meaning in everyday moments.

The tactile experience of handling ingredients, the familiar aromas, and the joy of creating something together often reconnect residents with memories of family, culture, and everyday life. These shared experiences nurture dignity, purpose, and a sense of accomplishment.

We believe that living with dementia does not mean giving up life’s meaningful activities. Through programs such as cooking—rooted in familiar routines and cherished memories—our team celebrates what residents can still do. From simple preparation tasks to sharing stories around favourite dishes, these moments encourage residents to stay active, connected, and confident in their abilities, while stimulating the mind, supporting overall well-being, and playing a meaningful role in slowing functional decline.

Together, we strive to create a home where residents’ strengths are honoured, skills are preserved, and memories, abilities, and a sense of belonging continue to flourish.

01/24/2026

Because of our donors, residents at Villa Cathay continue to receive care that helps them relax, reduce discomfort, and support overall well-being.

In January, our Wellness Program resumed with the return of Traditional Chinese Medicine services, provided three days a week through our partnership with the Faculty of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, under the supervision of Dr. Jennifer Gao, Dr. Wilson Wu, and Dr. Kevin Lu. Massage therapy also returned in January, with Registered Massage Therapy students from Langara College visiting Villa Cathay every Friday afternoon.

Thank you to our donors for making this possible!

01/17/2026

“I read the newspaper every day. I read every single page—something I’ve been doing for thirty years, ever since I retired. It’s hard to imagine a day without it. These past few days, I’ve been saving the newspapers so I can read them again later,” said Mr. Chan, after learning that the last Chinese newspaper in Canada will cease printing this week.

For many of our residents, reading the Chinese newspaper isn’t just a habit—it’s a daily connection to the world. They read every page on their own, returning to it throughout the day, without needing help or learning new technology. For them, the newspaper is as essential as a smartphone—a ritual our residents relied on for decades.

We are exploring ways to continue supporting our residents’ love of newspapers, from subscribing to overseas print papers to creating daily printed news for our residents.

Volunteers and donations are vital to help preserve this meaningful daily habit, keeping our residents informed, independent, and connected to the world every day.

Click the link to get involved: go.villacathay.ca/vol26

我每天都讀報紙，每一版都看得仔細。自從三十年前退休以來，這已成為我的習慣。很難想像沒有報紙的日子該怎麼過。這幾天，我特地把舊報紙留起來，打算之後再反覆閱讀。」陳伯伯在得知加拿大最後一份中文印刷報紙將於本週停刊後，感傷地說道。

對於華宮的許多長者而言，閱讀中文報紙不只是習慣，更是他們與世界接軌的每日橋樑。他們習慣獨立閱讀每一版內容，並在一天之中反覆翻閱，這讓他們無需依賴他人或學習複雜的新科技，就能自主獲取資訊。一份實體報紙就像現代人的智能手機一樣不可或缺——它是長者們數十年來的精神寄託，也是他們日常生活中可靠的陪伴。

華宮正積極尋求方案，協助長者維持熟悉的生活方式與獨立性。方案包括訂閱海外印刷報章，或自行編製及印刷每日新聞簡報，讓長者能繼續享受這份熟悉且意義深厚的日常規律。

我們需要您的支持，讓這項珍貴的傳統得以傳承。無論是奉獻時間擔任義工，或是透過捐款支持，您的參與都將確保長者能夠與外界接軌，保持資訊靈通並享受自主生活。

為長者延續閱報的樂趣: go.villacathay.ca/vol26

01/10/2026

Join us for the iCON - interCultural Online Health Network Chinese Health Forum “Stroke Smart: Awareness, Action and Recovery” on January 12, 2026. Free to attend and it will be delivered in Cantonese, Mandarin and English!

誠意邀請您參與「安康」於2026年1月12日（太平洋時間上午 9:30 - 下午12:30）舉辦的免費網上講座，以“誰有中風危機？應如何處理？”為題。是次講座以廣東話進行，設有國語及英語即場翻譯。

Learn more 了解詳情: : https://iconproject.org/

Address

970 Union Street
Vancouver, BC
V6A3V1

Telephone

+16042545621

Website

http://www.villacathay.ca/

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Our Story

At the end of the 19th Century, many Chinese who had completed the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway came to Vancouver, British Columbia to settle down. However, when they became ill, they could not enter the local hospitals. Fortunately, a Catholic Archbishop set up an Oriental Home on the City's East Side in 1922. The Canadian Chinese will not forget their humanity and compassion. In 1972, the City of Vancouver expropriated the Oriental Home for industrial expansion. Seven families established the New Non-profit "Villa Cathay Care Home Society".