Senior Living Expansion

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About Perley Health

Perley Health remains committed to its goal to expand our community and enhance services that benefit our community. Efforts to increase long-term care capacity and housing for Seniors and Veterans have been ongoing despite economic challenges and the pandemic.

Perley Health is pleased to announce we are continuing to work on a planned Community of Care Expansion, building on the work that started in 2019. This exciting project will build on the existing Perley Health campus and benefit from existing infrastructure. The expansion will add much-needed long-term care beds along with independent living capacity to Perley Health, efficiently sharing and building within the established community model.

A Community of Care

Perley Health is a vibrant and forward-thinking Community of Care in Ottawa, dedicated to enabling Seniors and Veterans to live life to the fullest. With more than 600 residents in long-term care and independent living, Perley Health extends its impact beyond its walls, offering a growing array of clinical, therapeutic, and recreational services to the wider region.

As one of Ontario's largest and most progressive long-term care facilities, Perley Health stands out as a hub for research, education, and clinical innovation. Its Centre of Excellence in Frailty-Informed Care™ leads groundbreaking research to elevate care standards while serving as a vital training ground for future caregivers.

The commitment of more than 900 employees and 400 dedicated volunteers brings Perley Health's core values to life each day, fostering a strong connection with the community and championing the well-being of Canada's expanding population of older adults.

Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and guided by a 15-year strategic plan, Perley Health has evolved into a comprehensive healthcare service provider, renowned for high-quality care and strong advocacy for person-centered approaches.

Why This Matters

With an aging population and increasing demand for senior care, Perley Health is committed to expanding its capacity to serve more individuals. The need is urgent -- wait-lists for long-term care are very long, as highlighted by research from the Ontario Long-Term Care Association (https://www.oltca.com/about-long-term-care/the-data/).

The Ministry of Long-Term Care (MLTC) plays a crucial role in developing new long-term care (LTC) beds in Ontario. The government has committed to creating 30,000 new LTC beds by 2028 and upgrading older ones to meet modern design standards. Perley Health is actively collaborating with the ministry in the early planning stages of this expansion.

Community of Care Expansion: Addressing the Growing Need

The Community of Care Expansion is a crucial step in meeting the increasing demand for independent seniors' housing. With more than 1,200 individuals currently on the waitlist for LTC beds at Perley Health, increasing capacity is essential to better serve Seniors and Veterans who need specialized care, living options and opportunities to socialize. Expanding both long-term care and independent senior apartments will not only support those on the waiting list but also contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive community for older adults.

Project Highlights

  • Location:The team is pleased to announce we have selected a location for the project.
  • Land Tenure: Perley Health holds a ground lease, with the land managed by Infrastructure Ontario (IO). The land itself is jointly owned by the Federal and Provincial Governments.
  • Proposed Land Uses: The concept plan is for two buildings accommodating long-term care and independent living senior apartments.
  • Timeline: Preliminary Planning and Design will take place throughout 2025, followed by City Site Plan Approval process in 2025 – 2026 and then detailed design, building permit process, construction and occupancy is expected starting in 2028.

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News

May 1, 2025

Project Update: Identified Location and Consulting Team Announced

Perley Health is pleased to share exciting news regarding the Senior Living Expansion project. A location on campus has been identified to continue the planning of this future development.

We are also pleased to announce the members of our project consulting team who will be working alongside Perley Health to bring this vision to life. We are partnering with the following experienced firms:

This dedicated team brings a wealth of expertise in senior living development and will be instrumental in guiding the project through the planning, design, and construction phases. We look forward to their contributions as we work to expand our capacity to serve the community.

Past Updates

The Perley Health Board of Directors approved the concept plan and the schematic design process was initiated.

Virtual Town Hall, hosted by Akos Hoffer, CEO (see video presentation excerpt)

Key Messages

  • Expansion Planned: The organization is actively pursuing major expansion initiatives.
  • Targeting Double the Seniors Served by 2035: A core objective is to double the number of seniors receiving services within the next ten years.
  • Addressing Critical Waitlist Numbers: Expansion is urgently needed to alleviate current and increasing pressures on senior care waiting lists.
  • Demographic Shift Driving This Need: The growing demand for services is primarily attributed to the aging baby boomer generation.
  • Navigating Financial Obstacles: Rising interest rates and construction costs have posed considerable financial hurdles to expansion plans.
  • Strategic Partnerships: The organization is working closely with the provincial government and other key partners to achieve expansion goals.
  • Expansion a Top Priority: Expansion continues to be a central focus.
  • Open Communication in Progress: The community will receive ongoing updates regarding the advancement of expansion efforts.
  • Seeking Community Input: Opportunities will be provided for community members to contribute their ideas to the design of new facilities.
  • Feedback is Highly Valued: The organization recognizes the importance of input from stakeholders and neighbours, which has positively shaped past projects.

 

 

Perley Health Senior Living Tenants

Doreen
Doreen Morgan, Tenant

"I think everyone must take a how-to-be-nice course. From the workers in the cafeteria, the volunteers, everyone. I don't know what their training is, but I'd love to look in on it.”

Perley Health Active Seniors
Michael Cooper, Tenant

"I like that it that the staff really makes an effort to know who you are. It makes me feel like I'm seen.”

Marsha
Marsha Gilchrist, Tenant

"I found the staff very kind and nice and very helpful. They're very understanding of your needs and that's why I chose the Perley.”