New nursing home beds in Wolfville, Kentville

BY WENDY ELLIOTT

The Advertiser

NovaNewsNow.com

Contracts have been awarded to build and operate the first of 552 new long-term care beds being added to Nova Scotia's continuing-care system by 2010.

Two local contracts have been awarded to Shannex Inc. for 62 nursing home beds in Kentville and another 50 beds for Wolfville.

"Building this many beds is a tremendous, but important, undertaking. We are committed to an aggressive schedule to tackle long-term care wait times and I’m pleased to say we are on track," said Health Minister Chris d'Entremont.

Shannex is now free to finalize land agreements and commence design and construction work, according to a press release. They have committed to complete the projects no later than March 31, 2010 and, in some cases, will open facilities in late 2009.

The new facilities will give Nova Scotia's seniors high quality care in a home-like environment. Residents will enjoy single rooms in small households of 12 to 15 people, with a shared kitchen and living room, and have direct access to the outdoors. In addition, many of the new long-term care facilities will offer different levels of care and rooms designed specifically for couples.

The continuing-care strategy is a $260-million, 10-year plan to enhance and expand Nova Scotia's continuing-care system.