In each “Behind the Scenes” segment, Village Media's Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our local journalists to talk about the story behind the story.
These interviews are designed to help you better understand how our community-based reporters gather the information that lands in your local news feed. You can find more Behind the Scenes from reporter across Ontario here.
Today's spotlight is on GuelphToday.com's Taylor Pace, whose story 'Norfolk Manor to transition away from being a retirement home' was published on Jan. 11.
Big changes are coming for Norfolk Manor, which has stood as a private retirement home in Guelph for more than 40 years.
Norfolk Manor owner David Ing announced Tuesday that he is not renewing the retirement license, and that the home will transition into a “care home” effective May 13.
Residents are not required to move out. However, the change means a significant number of services will be stripped back, including in-house medical care, though accommodation charges will remain the same.
In a press release, Ing cited “operational and staffing challenges, rising costs and the evolving industry” as the reason for ceasing operations as a retirement home under the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority.
“The decision to shift from an assisted living facility to a Care Home comes after careful consideration of the challenges faced not only by Norfolk Manor but by our front-line workers over the past three years,” the press release states. “This transition aims to ensure the continued well-being and satisfaction of residents while adapting to the evolving landscape.”
The announcement comes not long after Ing ended the subsidy agreement with the Wellington County, requiring subsidized tenants to pay the market rate or move elsewhere by Jan. 30.
According to a letter sent to tenants on Jan. 9, Norfolk Manor will no longer provide a wide range of services it currently provides, ranging from personal monitoring and assistance, medication management and PSW support. There will also be no recreational activities provided.
Three meals a day will still be served in the dining room, and the manor will provide weekly housekeeping of suites, weekly changing and laundering of linens and towels and building maintenance service. Common areas will still be cleaned, and reception or concierge staff will be available – but only for billing questions or to refer building items to maintenance.
Residents who require medical care will either need to make and pay for their own private arrangements or move to another retirement home offering those services.
