Project Backgrounder
The County of Renfrew and City of Pembroke are developing a “Seniors’ Housing Strategy” which is intended to assist in strategic decision making and policy development with regard to seniors’ housing. Re/fact Consulting has been retained to undertake a comprehensive review of housing and services for seniors across the county in order to help formulate the strategy.
Context
As the population ages and the share of senior citizens increases, the need for seniors’ housing and services locally will also continue to grow. The greater diversity in seniors households and the broader range of services that they rely on also influences their accommodation needs. However, the housing choices they have are tempered by what’s available to them and at what cost. These housing decisions are also influenced by the services and supports that are available to them, especially when these differ from the services they need.
The County of Renfrew and the City of Pembroke operate two Long‐Term Care (LTC) homes; Bonnechere Manor, and Miramichi Lodge. These highly regarded long‐term care homes located in Renfrew and Pembroke respectively, provide a wide‐range of quality long‐term programs and services including 24‐hour nursing care, accommodation, meals, as well as physiotherapy programs and a variety of social and recreational activities to the 346 residents who call the Manor and the Lodge “home”. A vibrant part of the community, the Manor and the Lodge offer a variety of community services such as respite care, day programs and support groups.
These LTC Homes, together with a host of housing and service providers across the Renfrew County service area, help to address the needs of local seniors. However, there are substantial wait lists for accessing these LTC homes. As the growing seniors population seeks suitable housing and/or support services in Renfrew County, interest has continued to grow in expanding options that help seniors age in place. This puts less emphasis on traditional institutions and instead, places more emphasis on options that enable seniors to maintain independence in the community as long as possible. As a rural county with a sprawling geography and dispersed population, there is value in considering opportunities that meet needs within Renfrew County in less conventional ways.
About the project:
It is within this context that a Seniors Housing Strategy is being developed, one that explores the continuum of care for seniors in the local community including (but not limited to) assisted living, supportive housing, community paramedic partnership for in‐home/virtual care and the possible expansion of LTC beds. The Seniors Housing Strategy seeks to identify local seniors needs, the housing options available to them and the continuum of services required to address these needs. At the same time, there are significant changes occurring in the broader health system – both regionally and provincially ‐ which may impact on potential approaches and the resources available to address needs. The strategy will have regard for these influences.
By better understanding the local housing and service landscape, more effective community‐based solutions can be developed that respond to seniors needs. As a significant participant in that system, the County and City can strategically use resources and tools to support the local system. They can also play a leadership role in helping to align the efforts of community partners to meet common goals for seniors. Through the Seniors Housing Strategy, the County is ultimately seeking to map out prospective solutions that will add more options and generate better outcomes for seniors in terms of housing and supports.
During the project, the consulting team will be reaching out to a wide range of community stakeholders, gathering information from and working with, local municipalities, housing providers and many community agencies. As an integral part of the process, the consulting team will consult via:
- Key informant interviews
- Focus groups (virtual)
- A community roundtable (virtual)
- Service provider inventory survey
During the project, stakeholders and members of the community can also provide feedback via the project mailbox. Do you have thoughts, concerns or ideas about seniors housing you want to share? Simply send them via e‐mail directly to the project mailbox at the following address: seniorstrategy@countyofrenfrew.on.ca
Based on data gathering, analysis and the consultations that are conducted, the consulting team will formulate a Seniors Housing Strategy that includes recommendations for addressing seniors housing needs throughout the Renfrew County service area. It is expected that the final report will be submitted by the consultants in the Fall of 2020.
The County of Renfrew and the City of Pembroke will be posting information about the project throughout this process. Please continue to visit www.countyofrenfrew.on.ca for updates.
For more information about the Seniors Housing Strategy, please contact:
Paul Moreau, Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk of the County of Renfrew ‐ (613) 735‐7288
Michael Barber, Media Relations/Grants Coordinator, County of Renfrew – (613) 735‐7288
Strategy and Reports
Please submit feedback to seniorstrategy@countyofrenfrew.on.ca
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