Regulations and Rising Costs Cause Challenges for Quebec Seniors Homes Trying to Survive
Jacques Marchildon explains that sprinklers were the final blow for Villa Marie-Ange, a seniors residence in St-Adelphe, Que. The 14-person home will be put up for sale in the coming months, and all current residents will be relocated.
This closure adds to the growing number of more than 500 seniors homes that have shut down in the last five years in Quebec. Owners and researchers attribute this trend to stricter government regulations, increasing costs, and a population of tenants requiring more complex health services as they age.
For small residences, the requirement for sprinklers poses a significant challenge.
After a fire in Îsle-Verte, Que., claimed the lives of 32 residents in 2014, Quebec mandated that all seniors homes with at least 10 units install sprinkler systems. Despite programs to assist with the cost, residences must cover the expenses upfront. Marchildon mentioned that the cheapest bid he received was $150,000, which he cannot afford or borrow.
President Marc Fortin of the Regroupement Québécois des residences pour aînés estimates that around 1,100 homes have closed in the last decade, with 600 closures attributed to the sprinkler mandate. He explains the challenge lies in the high cost of sprinklers and the difficulty in finding contractors, making the situation “unmanageable.”
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Fortin criticizes the decade-old mandate, stating that it unfairly targets seniors homes and does not apply to other establishments housing vulnerable individuals like small hospitals. He alleges that politicians implemented the mandate following a tragedy at l’Île-Verte to enhance their public image.
The current Quebec government has acknowledged the difficulties caused by the sprinkler rules, especially for smaller residences. In response, it has extended the deadline for installing sprinklers to December 2027, a decision that Fortin applauds for potentially preventing further closures.
Despite the challenges posed by the sprinkler mandate, the closure of homes is also influenced by other factors, affecting residences of all sizes.
Recently, La Sittelle, a residence housing 80 seniors in Trois-Rivières, Que., announced its closure due to staffing issues, increased homelessness impacting security, and heightened certification requirements.
A study by research center CIRANO in May highlighted the proliferation of regulations in seniors homes in recent years, accompanied by rising costs, rendering the current model unsustainable.
Fortin explains that alongside costly items like sprinklers, homes are now required to equip themselves with door locks, surveillance systems, and devices to regulate bath water temperature, particularly irksome to younger seniors.
Additionally, private residences are increasingly expected to provide higher levels of care to residents who would typically qualify for long-term care homes but cannot secure a spot.
Marchildon emphasizes the evolving needs of residents, noting a shift towards people staying in their homes longer before transitioning to a seniors residence. This has led to a rise in residents with complex requirements, making it challenging for rural homes like his to cater to the preferences of more active seniors.
Despite the decrease in the number of seniors homes in Quebec between 2015 and 2023, the availability of spots has slightly increased. However, the closure of smaller rural facilities outside major cities poses significant challenges for older individuals forced to relocate away from their communities and impacts local towns where seniors play vital roles.
Fortin expresses concern over losing the essence of villages as elders are moved away, emphasizing the integral role seniors play in community life.
