The Provincial Government has released the Long-Term Care and Personal Care Home Review, a comprehensive report developed by the expert advisory panel that makes 23 recommendations on improving long-term care homes and personal care homes for residents and staff. The Department of Health and Community Services, in collaboration with the provincial health authority, will now closely review the report and develop an implementation plan.
The report identifies opportunities to improve quality of care and quality of life for residents, and work-life balance and working conditions of staff. The report is a result of Health Accord NL recommendations to improve the quality and availability of long-term care homes and personal care homes.
The report was completed by an expert advisory panel that consisted of members with expertise in clinical research and public policy in relation to older adults and one member with lived/living experience. Recommendations include:
- Further investments in maintenance, renovation and new construction that align with leading practice design standards.
- Improving the quality, choice and flexibility of meals for residents.
- Improving access to meaningful activities and recreational programs.
- Enhancing opportunities and supporting residents to maintain connections in the community.
- Improving access to medical, therapeutic and other health-related services.
- Improving the recruitment and retention of staff.
- Enhancing staff training and education.
Long-term care homes provide care and accommodation to seniors and adults with complex care needs requiring daily access to nursing care. As of January 2025, there are more than 3,200 long-term care beds in 42 long-term care homes in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Provincial Government spends over $500 million annually on long-term care.
Personal care homes are privately-owned and operated, providing care and accommodations to seniors and other adults who require assistance with activities of daily living. As of September 2024, there were more than 5,200 personal care home beds in 87 personal care homes.
The full report, including the recommendations, analysis and information on the expert panel, is available on the Department of Health and Community Services website.
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“We are always looking at ways we can help seniors and improve long-term care and personal care homes for families and staff. This report complements our other initiatives such as our Seniors’ Health and Well-Being Plan and Centres of Excellence in Aging. We extend our thanks to the panel for their work as these recommendations will help guide decisions in the future on how we can improve long-term care and personal care homes.”
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Minister of Health and Community Services
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BACKGROUNDER
The Long-Term Care and Personal Care Home Review is a comprehensive report developed by the expert advisory panel that identifies opportunities to improve quality of care and quality of life for residents, and work-life balance and working conditions of staff.
The expert advisory panel was asked to:
- Identify opportunities to improve quality of care and quality of life of residents, improve staff engagement and quality of staff work-life, based on best evidence and informed by relevant stakeholders.
- Oversee the review and provide expert advice to the external consultant and the minister of Health and Community Services.
- Ensure the review supports cultural safety and includes the principles of resident-centred care, cultural dignity, transparency, respect, diversity and inclusion.
- Ensure the recommendations from the review are aligned with the recently released Canadian Standards Association and Health Standards Organization’s National Long-Term Care Services Standards.
- Ensure recommendations are actionable, future focused and resident centred.
The expert advisory panel is comprised of:
- Janice Keefe, panel chair, full professor and chair of the Department of Family Studies and Gerontology, Mount Saint Vincent University in Nova Scotia, and director of Nova Scotia Centre on Aging.
- Susan Mercer, assistant professor, Family Medicine, Memorial University, and clinical chief, Older Adult Care, Eastern Health.
- Kelli O’Brien, president and CEO, St. Joseph’s Care Group, Ontario.
- Leslie Daye, a family member with lived experience.