Veterans' Care Overview
When Doug Bird arrived at Perley Health, he was ready to get involved.
He wanted to help make life better for the people around him and contribute to his new community. That instinct reflects a life shaped by service. Major Douglas Bird, OMM, CD (Ret'd), served Canada for 37 years, including two tours as a United Nations peacekeeper in Cyprus. He trained fellow soldiers as Chief Instructor at the Airborne School and served at Mobile Command Headquarters and National Defence Headquarters Joint Staff. His service and leadership earned him appointment as an Officer of the Order of Military Merit. At Perley Health, Doug brings that same spirit of service to community life. He cares about the people around him and looks for ways to lend a hand.
Programs and Services for Veterans
Long-Term Care for Veterans
- Providing specialized, person-centered care to Veterans.
- 130 long-term care beds for qualifying Veterans in the Rideau Veterans Residence.
- Includes a dedicated 25 bed secure unit providing long-term care for Veterans who require higher levels of care.
Senior Living Independent Apartments
- Veterans and former RCMP are granted priority access.
- 139 Apartments in tw buildings
- 99: one- and two-bedroom apartments
- 40: studio apartments
- Mixed income housing
Unique Programs and Services
- Therapeutic Recreation and Creative Arts Program
- A range of activities addressing the physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and intellectual health and well-being of residents.
- Funded by Veterans Affairs Canada and donations to the Perley Health Foundation.
Community Services
- Respite House at Perley Health includes one dedicated bedroom for Veterans and their caregivers seeking respite care.
- Adult Day Program
- The Care Clinic at Perley Health offering audiology, foot care, physiotherapy and speech therapy (stuttering/cluttering)
- Specialized wound care, spiritual care, occupational therapy, dental clinic, advanced clinical expertise in the provision of care to people living with dementia, and a palliative approach to care
- Development of new intergenerational programs engaging community babies, children and pre-teens
Events and Celebrations
- Commemorating military anniversaries and other significant dates.
- Supported by a community of Veterans' organizations, government agencies, and community groups.
For more information please visit PerleyHealth.ca/veterans-information or phone (for LTC: 613.526.7170 x 2300; Senior Living: 613.526.7170 x 2006)
Perley Health is fortunate to have volunteers who have either served in the Canadian Forces and/or are eager to serve Veterans. The team of more than 400 volunteers is committed to providing exceptional comfort and care to support long-term care residents and individuals in the Senior Living independent apartments. Dedicated volunteers undergo meticulous screening and training and some support onsite research projects. Their presence enhances participation in many activities, enriching the lives of Veterans and fostering a vibrant and supportive community.
The History of Caring for Veterans
With roots in compassionate care dating back to 1897, Perley Health emerged from the integration of the Perley Hospital, the Rideau Veterans' Home, and the long-term care unit of the National Defence Medical Centre. Originally named The Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre, this community of care is situated on Russell Road in Riverview Park and features 450 predominantly private rooms, including 130 beds specifically for Veterans. Perley Health offers a comprehensive mix of long-term care, short-stay accommodations, and diverse community programming designed to benefit Veterans and Seniors within the Perley Health community and throughout the region. In 2021, this not-for-profit rebranded to become Perley Health.
Perley Health's history highlights a specialized dedication to complex care. In 2023, a 25-bed secure unit opened within the Rideau Veterans Residence specifically for those living with dementia. Additionally, Respite House - a 12-bed bungalow - includes a bed funded by Veterans Affairs Canada that provide safe, compassionate care for Veterans in the early to mid-stages of dementia and offering their caregivers essential time to recharge.
Perley Health has been instrumental in providing essential care for Veterans in Eastern Ontario through enduring partnerships with federal and provincial bodies. The funding structure for Veteran care at Perley Health includes "enhanced care" services. This includes access to Psychogeriatric Resource Nurses, specialized dental care, foot care services, and the Therapeutic Recreation and Creative Arts program.
At the core of the organization's mission is the Centre of Excellence in Frailty-Informed Care™, a hub for innovation in research and education. Among its research specialties, the Centre of Excellence spearheads projects to address the needs of older Veterans.
Perley Health's commitment to Veterans extends to the two Senior Living independent apartment buildings. All former members of the Canadian Armed Forces and retired members of the RCMP receive priority access, ensuring they can access a continuum of care that encourages independence and community living as their needs change.
In 2025, Perley Health launched the Active Seniors and Veterans Living Centre to serve the broader Ottawa and Eastern Ontario region with an emphasis on the needs of Veterans. Supported by the Perley Health Foundation and the Government of Ontario, the Centre offers affordable, accessible programming aimed at fostering engaged, and purposeful aging.
Perley Health's journey remains a testament to an unwavering - and constantly evolving - commitment to Veterans and Seniors living with purpose, joy, and belonging, wherever they call home.