The Ontario government is making strides in their commitment to improving long-term care for seniors in the province and held their ground breaking for the Foyer Richelieu Welland Long Term Care Home. The new building will feature:
- Design improvements
- Larger resident common areas
- Air conditioning throughout the home
- Design centered around 'resident home areas' to create more intimate living spaces
- Dining and activity areas
- Lounges
- Offer 128 beds to Francophone residents to cater to their cultural and language needs
Ontario Newsroom states that with a $6.4 billion commitment to build more than 30,000 new beds by 2028 and 28,000 upgraded long-term care beds across Ontario, the government is investing in the future of senior care. The Foyer Richelieu Welland is located in the Niagara Region.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Foyer Richelieu Welland marks a significant milestone in the government's efforts to improve long-term care. The Minister of Long-Term Care, Paul Calandra, congratulated Foyer Richelieu Welland and emphasized the importance of building modern, safe and comfortable homes for seniors. He also highlighted the significance of the day for Ontario's Francophone community and their access to French-language care.
The redevelopment of Foyer Richelieu Welland is made possible by the ministry's Not-For-Profit Loan Guarantee Program. This program helps unlock lending and reduces borrowing costs for eligible non-municipal, not-for-profit long-term care development projects, ensuring that seniors in Ontario have access to a range of choices for their long-term care needs.
In addition to the Foyer Richelieu Welland, the Ontario government is supporting 12 other long-term care projects in the Niagara Region. These projects include the development of homes in St. Catharines, Fort Erie, Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Welland. Together, these 13 projects will provide 810 new and 1,541 upgraded long-term care beds, for a total of 2,351 beds built to modern design standards.
The Ontario government's commitment to fixing long-term care is built on four pillars:
- Staffing and care
- Quality and enforcement
- Building modern, safe and comfortable homes
- Connecting seniors with faster, more convenient access to needed services
In addition to the long-term care projects, the government is also providing up to $4.6 million to Hospice Niagara for a new 10-bed residential hospice co-located with Foyer Richelieu Welland. The construction of this hospice is expected to start in spring 2023 and be completed in winter 2024/25. This investment will provide additional support for end-of-life care in the community.
The government's commitment to improving long-term care in Ontario is critical, as the province's senior population continues to grow. The investment in new and upgraded long-term care beds, as well as the development of new hospice facilities, will help ensure that seniors receive the care they need in a comfortable and supportive environment.
DataBid is currently reporting on this project - Foyer Richelieu & Hospice Niagara Facility - Welland (0104070622)
