The industry has long been aware of the impending impact that baby boomers would have on health care needs. The high level of awareness has spawned a wide variety of care facilities trying to meet these needs.
The Comfort Living group wanted to enter the industry but needed to find a niche that was overlooked or being neglected for some reason. Our research demonstrated some interesting facts and trends that helped guide us.
The trend to want to “age in place” developed from a simple observation – as people age they resist change because instability breeds insecurity. Simply put, the older they are, the less they want to move. As we age our health care needs accelerate and our need for higher care levels increase. This forces the individual to move to an establishment that can meet their health needs.
Providing assistance with bathing, dressing and medication allows a person to stay in one place longer resulting in more security and, in turn, a better well being.
On an expanded scope, staying in one’s neighbourhood or in one’s hometown surrounded by familiar places and people contributes to a healthy well-being. Unfortunately, this is sometimes hard to achieve in small towns.
The costs of building and operating a facility economically have forced the industry to look at large complexes of 50 units or more. This “large size” mentality has been further entrenched by potential lenders that require the loans to be a certain size and the management to be of a certain expertise to minimize their risk potential.
These hurdles have left a void for the needs of those in smaller communities or those whom prefer local neighbourhood settings in which to age-in-place.
In response to this need, the “cottage” care residences have started to evolve. These smaller facilities, (ten to twenty beds), started developing in neighbourhoods and smaller communities. They have struggled for capital and compete for the professional recognition; however, these cottage care facilities are one of the real answers.
Comfort Living has taken this cottage care model and has enhanced it. Firstly, with newly constructed premises it is able to include all physical requirements in accordance to the Community and Assisted Living Act (CCALA). Secondly, by operating in accordance to the CCALA.
