Delayed long-term care projects, a new Minister of Long-Term Care, and more. This is the week in elder care news

Long-term care projects that still haven't broken ground, a new Minister of Long-Term Care, a call for comment on the role of resident support personnel, and 15,000 new caregivers from abroad. It's June 7, 2024, this is the week in elder care news.

Four Windsor-Essex long-term care projects still haven't broken ground

CBC is reporting that construction on 4 long-term care homes in the Windors-Essex area that was supposed to begin sometime over the last 2 years still hasn't begun. These 4 projects represent 200 news beds, and 504 upgraded beds, that were part of the plan to add 30,000 new beds by 2028. Advocates and community members say these delays are frustrating and show that seniors aren't a priority.

The 2022 announcement promised that the following four homes would receive upgrades:

• Banwell Gardens Care Centre: 192 upgraded care beds. Construction was supposed to begin summer 2022.
• Berkshire Care Centre: 11 new and 181 upgraded beds in a new facility. Construction was expected to begin summer 2023.
• Chateau Park Long-Term Care Home: 101 new and 59 upgraded beds in a new facility. The home will move from Windsor to Amherstburg. Construction was expected to start fall 2023.
• Regency Park Long-Term Care Home: replaced by a brand-new building with 88 new and 72 upgraded beds. Construction was supposed to start winter 2023.

CLICK HERE for the full story.

Natalia Kusendova-Bashta is the new Minister of Long-Term Care

Natalia Kusendova-Bashta is taking over as the Minister of Long-Term Care. Since March 28, Natalia has been Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Long-Term Care, and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. Stan Cho, the outgoing Minister of Long-Term Care, is taking over the role of Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, with responsibility for OLG.

Global News coverd the entire cabinet reshuffle HERE.

Have your say on the formalization of the role of resident support personnel in long-term care

You have until June 15, 2024 to reply to the call for comment regarding formalizing the role of resident support personnel in long-term care. You can read our dedicated blog to this story HERE.

Canada to provide permanent residence to 15,000 caregivers

Canada has announced two programs to attract 15,000 new caregivers to move here to work with the promise of permanent residence. Through these new pilot programs, candidates interested in working in Canada’s home care sector will be eligible to apply if they meet the following criteria:

• Attain a minimum of level 4 based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)
• Hold the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma
• Have recent and relevant work experience
• Receive an offer for a full-time home care job

You can find the details HERE.