Manitoba Government to Build Two New Personal Care Homes in South and Northeast Winnipeg

July 3, 2013

New Facilities will Create over 200 New Beds for Families who Need Them: Premier

Manitoba seniors who need extra care will soon have access to two new personal care homes in Winnipeg, one in the northeast and the second in the south, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.

“Providing quality care for seniors is a priority for our government and Manitoba seniors deserve a warm, home-like environment when they are no longer able to be at home,” said Selinger. “When it comes to personal care homes, hospitals, schools or roads, our government is building our province to meet the needs of Manitoba families for years to come.”

The two new homes are part of the Manitoba government’s plan to build hundreds of personal care home beds across the province to meet the needs of a growing number of seniors, the premier said adding this critical infrastructure investment will be supported by the new Manitoba Building and Renewal Plan. The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) has already issued a request for qualifications to identify non-profit organizations interested in developing the new facilities.

“The WRHA strives to offer Winnipeggers the best possible care and services when and where they need them most,” said Lori Lamont, vice-president responsible for long-term care, WRHA. “Adding two new personal care homes to those available services is important to meet the changing needs of our elderly population both today and into the future.”

New personal care homes are also in development or under construction in Niverville, Lac du Bonnet and Morden‑Winkler, as well as an expansion at Holy Family Home in north Winnipeg. With the two new personal care homes in northeast and south Winnipeg, over 370 additional beds are now being developed across the province.

“Manitoba families want to know that appropriate supports and options are available for their loved ones as they age, which is why our government is expanding home care supports and building more personal care homes,” said Health Minister Theresa Oswald. “What our government won’t do is repeat failed policies of the past, such as cancelling all health infrastructure projects and encouraging two-tiered health care.”

Personal care homes provide services to individuals who can no longer manage independently at home with family support and home care. There are currently 39 personal care homes providing care to over 5,700 people in Winnipeg. The WRHA’s request for qualifications for two new facilities follows an initial call for interest months ago that found several non-profit organizations interested in building new personal care homes.

Since 1999, the Manitoba government has added over 1,000 personal care home beds and supportive housing units. Additional supports have also been put in place to allow seniors to remain as independent as possible at home, such as expanded home care, hospital home teams and other community-based services.

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NT3