Province Adding, Replacing More Long-Term Care Rooms

More seniors will receive needed long-term care with additional new and replacement rooms across the province.

The government announced today, November 20, that 2,200 more long-term care rooms will be added or replaced by 2032. This is in addition to about 3,500 new and replacement rooms that are expected to open by 2027. Together, they will help to meet the care needs of the province’s aging population.

“We know the need for quality long-term care for seniors is growing and will continue to grow as our population ages,” said Barbara Adams, Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care. “We’re investing in communities across the province to make sure that Nova Scotians have the security they need as they age. These 5,700 new and replacement rooms will mean that seniors can live with dignity and enjoy high-quality care in comfortable surroundings. By investing in long-term care, we are also reducing the pressure on our hospitals and emergency rooms, which translates into better healthcare for everyone.”

All new living spaces will be single rooms, each with its own private washroom. The government is contracting with several long-term care providers for new facilities and to replace existing ones.

Construction of the additional 2,200 long-term care rooms will occur in communities across the province over the next several years, beginning this fall with 336 rooms in three Halifax Regional Municipality communities. This includes:

• a new 144-room nursing home on Seton Road in Halifax, operated by Shannex
• a new 144-room nursing home on Starboard Drive in Bedford, operated by Shannex
• an additional 48 rooms at the new facility on Westwood Boulevard in Tantallon, operated by Gem Healthcare; this will increase the size of the facility to 144 rooms.

More announcements on locations are expected in the coming weeks. Information and progress updates on all 5,700 new and replacement long-term care rooms are available at: https://novascotia.ca/long-term-care-rooms-progress-updates/

Building and improving more long-term care rooms is part of Action for Health, the Province’s strategic plan to improve healthcare. Building and renovating new facilities with single-bed rooms, and ensuring seniors live with dignity and can age well are also commitments in the Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister’s mandate.

Quotes:

“We’re pleased to see the Province’s investment in long-term care with additional and more welcoming living spaces for older Nova Scotians.”

– Ron Swan, Chair, Seniors’ Advisory Council of Nova Scotia

Quick Facts:

• in January, the government announced a long-term care infrastructure plan that included 3,500 new and replacement rooms to be built across the province by 2027
• current wait lists for long-term care spots vary across the province; as of November 15, there were just over 1,700 people waiting at home for placement in long-term care
• of those waiting at home, more than 70 per cent receive home care
• seniors make up close to 22 per cent of Nova Scotia’s population; this is expected to grow to about 25 per cent by 2032
• the Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment, Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care and the continuing care sector are working together to recruit the staff needed for the new rooms

Additional Resources:

News release – First Long-Term Care Replacement Home Opens: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20230929006

News release – Construction Beginning on Long-Term Care Homes in Central Zone: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20230517001

News release – Province Building More Long-Term Care Rooms: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20230111001

Action for Health, the government’s plan for transforming the healthcare system: https://novascotia.ca/actionforhealth

Mandate letter for the Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care: https://novascotia.ca/exec_council/letters-2021/ministerial-mandate-letter-2021-SLTC.pdf