ONTARIO SUPPORTING SENIORS AND STAFF IN RETIREMENT HOMES IN KITCHENER-CONESTOGA
Provincial investments will continue to keep residents and staff safe.
KITCHENER – CONESTOGA — As part of its plan to stay open and manage COVID-19 for the long-term, the Ontario government is investing up to $73,559 to 8 licenced retirement homes in Kitchener Conestoga.
“I am very thankful to the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility for providing this additional funding to help support retirement homes in managing COVID 19,” said Mike Harris, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga. “Our loved ones, visitors and staff will all benefit from this added support to keep everyone safe.”
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 licensed 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.
“Our government is providing this additional funding to help retirement homes manage COVID 19,” said Mike Harris, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga. “Our loved ones, visitors and staff are gaining the support they need to keep everyone safe.”
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.
Some of the retirement homes in Kitchener-Conestoga that are receiving funding include:
- Chartwell Bankside Retirement Residence, $9,086
- Chartwell Elmira Retirement Residence, $8,922
- Chartwell Westmount Retirement Residence, $10,778
- Highview Residences Kitchener, $9,359
- Hillside Residence, $7,011
- Lanark Village, $10,505
- Nithview Community, $9,686
- Jacobs Place, $8,212
A new round of IPAC, PPE and extra support for resident care will happen this summer.
“Ontario’s retirement homes provide a caring and safe place for many seniors to live,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “Our government will always step up to help residents and staff stay healthy and secure as we continue to manage COVID-19 for the long-term.”
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.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Retirement Homes Act, 2010
A guide to programs and services for seniors | Ontario.ca
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