Ontario Building New Seniors’ Housing Complex in Kenora

Innovative project provides on-site supports for seniors and protects hospital capacity

Paul Calandra, Minister of Long-Term Care

KENORA— The Ontario government is investing $4.5 million to build dedicated spaces for health care at a new seniors’ housing complex in Kenora. The mixed-use complex will include 56 independent living suites for residents as well as dedicated health spaces to provide a range of specialized services and supports on site to ensure residents and the surrounding community can receive the right care in the right place, instead of in a hospital or long-term care home.

“Our government’s investment in the new Kenora mixed-market seniors’ housing complex is an innovative way to help seniors who want to continue living at home and avoid admission into long-term care or hospital, but need support to do that,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Long-Term Care. “We’re taking action so people can live and receive care where they can have the best possible quality of life, close to their family and friends.”

Integrating health and housing services at this seniors’ complex is an innovative approach that will:

  • Postpone and reduce the demand for long-term care and hospital services in Northwestern Ontario, including reducing the number of hospital patients who go on to be designated as Alternate Level of Care (ALC), by providing another option for care;
  • Improve access to supportive and culturally sensitive services by having on site, coordinated services that take into account the unique needs of the population; and
  • Help seniors remain in their home community by providing affordable housing.

The housing complex is being developed by the Kenora District Services Board (KDSB), together with the All Nations Health Partners (ANHP), which includes Indigenous partners and organizations like the Kenora Chiefs Advisory, Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig, and Grand Council Treaty #3, who provided input into the design of the complex and the supports and services to be offered there.

Today’s announcement of this seniors’ housing complex is part of a $37 million investment in 2022-23, with additional funding moving forward annually, to expand access to a range of specialized services and supports that will help people access the right care in the right place and reduce unnecessary hospitalization.

The Ontario government’s transformation of health and long-term care is continuing alongside the Plan to Stay Open, and aims to provide a more stable and better-connected health care system for Ontarians, while keeping our province and economy open. The plan is built on five strategic goals, which include preserving our hospital capacity and providing the right care in the right place.


Quick Facts

  • Ontario’s investment in specialized services and supports also includes $20 million this year, and additional funding moving forward, for a new Long-Term Care Local Priorities fund to be administered by Ontario Health, an additional $5 million this year and additional funding next year for Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO), and $2.6 million in 2022-23 and additional funding moving forward for the Baycrest Virtual Behaviour Medicine program. These investments will expand access to a range of specialized services and supports which will help people with complex needs like bariatric, behavioural and dialysis access the right care in the right place.
  • The Ontario government is on track to build 30,000 much-needed net new long-term care beds in the province by 2028. Through a $6.4 billion investment, Ontario has 31,705 new and 28,648 upgraded beds in development to help reduce long-term care waitlists and provide our seniors the care they deserve.

Quotes

“Our government understands the unique challenges that seniors face across Northwestern Ontario. This investment of $4.5 million to ensure the inclusion of dedicated health spaces at a new, 56-unit, mixed-market seniors’ housing complex in Kenora is a welcomed addition to our local long-term care sector. The Kenora mixed-market seniors’ housing complex will allow for more seniors to stay close to loved ones in a safe and comfortable setting with the best quality of care.”

– Greg Rickford
MPP for Kenora-Rainy River

SOURCE Province of Ontario

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