When Covid-19 swept across Canada in March of 2020, it proved to be a virus that does not discriminate between young and old or rich and poor. However, this virus took particular hold of our long-term care homes. In doing so, Covid-19 shed a glaring light on an already broken system. It exposed a deep-rooted and systemic problem. It revealed chronically understaffed homes with overworked caregivers, painfully lonely residents, and the innate need for social connection. It is amidst this bleak backdrop that advocates at Advantage Ontario have urged the provincial government to support more “Seniors’ Campuses of Care” (“Seniors’ Campuses”) across the province.

Seniors’ Campuses provide a range of housing options in a community-like setting, including: assisted living, affordable housing, retirement homes, and life leases. Seniors’ Campuses offer residents a variety of social programs as well as health supports. This model also offers elders continuity of care which, in turn, provides for a more stable environment and one that is conducive to developing deep relationships with fellow members of the community. As Jane Sinclair, Chair of the AdvantAge Ontario Board of Directors, stated, “they [Seniors’ Campuses]…are vibrant, age-friendly communities that promote friendships, social inclusion, mutual support, and positive aging.” Seniors’ Campuses give residents agency over their lives.

Not only do Seniors’ Campuses offer a vast array of benefits to their members, but the model also offers the government a cost-effective way to reduce the pressure on an already overwhelmed long-term care system. Members pay monthly fees to live on Seniors’ Campuses, which vary depending on the housing model they choose to reside in. Members are able to move from one model of housing to the next as their needs change. For example, if an individual was residing in an affordable housing unit and experienced a health deterioration, he/she could be transferred to assisted living. This integrated approach provides seniors with appropriate care and enables them to remain in the community and avoid unnecessary placement in long-term care homes for as long as possible. It is a model that encourages independence and allows seniors to maintain their dignity.

Thanks for reading… Have a wonderful day!

Suzana Popovic-Montag and Tori Joseph