Ontario Supporting Seniors in Retirement
April 13, 2022Provincial investments will continue to keep residents and staff safe
NORTH BAY – Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing announced that as part of its plan to stay open and manage COVID-19 for the long-term, the Ontario government is investing up to $37,577 to three licenced retirement homes in North Bay.
“Our government is providing this additional funding to help retirement homes manage COVID 19,” said Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing. “Our loved ones, visitors and staff are gaining the support they need to keep everyone safe.”
“The team and residents here at Barclay House Retirement Living are so grateful for the assistance we’ve received from MPP Fedeli and the Ontario government throughout the Covid pandemic. We look forward to a strong partnership going forward,’ said Kim Petersen, Vice President, Levante Living/Barclay House Retirement Living.
“Infection prevention and control has been a priority for Marina Point Village since the onset of the pandemic. This investment has supported our ability to respond to the threat of COVID-19 and better protect the individuals living in our residence,” Justine Landry, Manager of Operations at Marina Point Village.
Local retirement home recipients include:
- $14,765 for Empire Living Centre
- $13,399 for Marina Point Village
- $9,413 for Barclay House Retirement Residence
This is the first round of new funding for infection protection and control (IPAC), personal protective equipment (PPE) and extra support for resident care. This is part of the province’s $18 million investment to licenced retirement homes across the province to ensure they have the additional tools they need to continue enhanced COVID-19 safety measures and protect the most vulnerable.
The additional funding will be used for infection screening, cleaning supplies and enhanced sanitization, replacement HEPA filters, extra staff to support resident care, and PPE to keep residents and staff safe. This investment is in addition to the $68.9 million in additional support the province provided to the retirement home sector since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A new round of IPAC, PPE and extra support for resident care is expected to happen this summer.
Licensed retirement homes can request reimbursement for funds spent to purchase IPAC products, new air filters, and to offset the cost of increased staff needed for COVID screening, testing, monitoring and audits, and resident care and engagement.
The Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA) will distribute the reimbursed funds to eligible licensed retirement homes on behalf of the Ontario government.
QUICK FACTS
- As of February 2022, there were 777 licensed retirement homes in Ontario.
- The Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA) regulates all retirement homes in Ontario.
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