In Fall 2023, Mon Sheong Foundation commenced the construction of two new Long-Term Care Centres, in Markham and Stouffville. These two new Homes are expected to be completed in two years. In 2026 when the construction is completed, 544 new care beds will be provided to the community, alleviating the pressure of the sheer demand for nursing care for seniors.
Facts from the Ministry of Long-Term Care, as of September 2023, more than 43,000 people were on the waitlist to access a long-term care bed in Ontario. The median wait time is 118 days of applicants to be placed in long-term care. Currently, there is a wait list of 8,000 people for the four long-term care centers of Mon Sheong Foundation, with an average wait time of five to seven years. Over the past several years, Mon Sheong Foundation has been granted a total of 1,472 new bed licences by the provincial government, of which 320 are for the Stouffville Long-Term Care Center that officially began operation in October 2021. This Home has already accumulated a waiting list of over 2,000 people. In light of the continuous increase in demand for long-term care beds at Mon Sheong, we have actively pursued the construction of new long-term care facilities to meet the healthcare needs of our seniors in the community.
The 320-bed Markham Long-Term Care Centre (30 Apple Creek Boulevard, formerly known as 8885 Woodbine Avenue) and the new 224-bed Long-Term Care Centre in Stouffville (168 Sandiford Drive) are expected to be completed in two years. With resident-centered care in mind, Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) remains the utmost importance in designing Mon Sheong new long-term care centres. In addition to fundamental features like individual HVAC systems and real-time positioning systems in each resident’s room, we also plan to provide a private washroom for every basic room in the new facility, same design as current private room’s, but at the charge of a basic room. We are glad that this plan has been approved by the Ministry. While the construction cost per basic room is higher, and it occupies more space, it offers better IPAC and privacy for residents, which aligns with our commitment of providing resident-centered care. Within the Mon Sheong Markham Senior Care Campus, apart from the new Long-Term Care Centre and Mon Sheong Court Senior Apartments, a Personal Support Workers (PSW) training center will be set up to train PSWs to provide more quality personal support services in the community.
The aging population issue is becoming increasingly severe, and providing high-quality care services is the best way to repay our elderly for a lifetime of hard work. These new projects entail substantial costs. Although Mon Sheong Foundation has made various arrangements and utilized reserves, it greatly relies on the continuous support and participation of the community. “Because We Care” capital campaign for the construction of new long-term care centres is now underway. The Foundation calls upon the generosity of the community at large, hoping that everyone can come together to contribute to the well-being of the elderly in the community.
For more information, please visit http://www.monsheong.org/capital-campaign or call toll-free at 1-866-708-0002.
