CEISS Benefits
For Seniors living in the Community
Aging at Home
Research shows that seniors prefer to age at home in comfortable surroundings. With the assistance CEISS provides, seniors with minimal to moderate care needs can remain in the community either in a supportive housing unit or in their own home with community support services.
Community Support Services
Spaces for an additional 150 community support clients will be included in the CEISS project. These services are provided by the North West Community Care Access Centre (CCAC), community support services (such as Meals on Wheels), and respite, transportation and adult day programs.
For Seniors living at CEISS
Long-term Care
The CEISS facility provides 336 Long Term Care (LTC) beds (including 64 specialized behavioural beds). This is an increase of 108 beds over what is currently available.
Specialized Behavioural Beds
There is an increase in the number of seniors living with responsive behaviours (e.g. dementia). The CEISS will address this need by providing 64 specialized behavioural beds. These beds will be dedicated to seniors from throughout the North West LHIN who require specialized behavioural health program services in a safe and therapeutic setting.
Supportive Housing Units
Supportive housing units will be constructed on the CEISS site. These 132 self-contained apartments will provide on-site support services for residents as required. Support services include homemaking or personal care such as bathing or dressing.
For Seniors living in PR Cook and Jasper Place
Enhancements to Services at Existing Supportive Housing Units
The existing supportive housing sites are PR Cook (operated by St. Joseph Care Group) and Jasper Place (operated by the City of Thunder Bay). Seniors living in these sites will benefit from increases in direct resident care.
For Thunder Bay and the Northwest Region
Training and Research Opportunities
The CEISS will be home to many people with various health care needs. This creates an ideal setting for a Centre of Excellence in geriatric care. Links with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Confederation College and Lakehead University could lead to opportunities for training and placement of students, the development of new research initiatives and industry best practices in gerontology.
Jobs
The creation of the CEISS will result in construction and health care jobs. An Economic Impact Study done for the North West LHIN estimates the design and construction of the facility will create 695 full-time jobs. The project will also promote job growth and retention in the long-term care sector. In addition to maintaining the sector’s stable full-time jobs, the study estimates the facility has the potential to create around 100 full-time jobs.
Builds on region’s Knowledge Economy
The CEISS’ critical mass of seniors’ health and wellness-related facilities and services will enhance the region’s ability to attract and retain a well-educated workforce, contributing to the region’s knowledge community.
