Applaud discussion on Age in Place concept

Mayor Peter Mertens and Chief Administrative Officer Merlin Dewing recently presented a possible healthcare concept to various health care groups and seniors services organizations.
The municipal staff  had put together a possible plan where a hospital, Family Health Team facility, a residential hospice, an assisted living development,and seniors condominiums might co-exist.
The site would be a 24-acre piece of property located adjacent to the H.J. McFarland Home and owned by the municipality. Mayor Mertens said the municipality would like to start a conversation  among all those  interested in how to serve the healthcare and accomodation needs in our aging community.
I don’t always agree with some of the decisions that are made at Shire Hall but in this instance I applaud CAO Dewing and his staff for putting together this very detailed concept plan to start a discussion.

This is an excellent opportunity for all healthcare stakeholders and other interested parties to start a dialogue with the municipal leaders.
The County’s press release on the Age in Place Concept follows.

Fran

For more information contact Mayor Mertens at 613.476.2148 x 230, or Merlin J. Dewing, Chief Administrative Officer at 613.476.2148 x 225 or cao@pecounty.on.ca

County of Prince Edward Presents Age in Place Concept
Picton ON – The County of Prince Edward is considering a development concept at the H.J. McFarland Home property to create an Age in Place seniors’ community. Health care professionals and industry, developers, media, municipal staff, and councillors explored this idea at a stakeholders’ discussion session on June 19, 2012 at the Prince Edward County Community Centre. Mayor Peter Mertens and Chief Administrative Officer Merlin J. Dewing presented the Age in Place concept and led discussion among approximately 70 stakeholders, councillors and staff.

The County’s concept of Age in Place envisions a seniors’ community that will encourage active living and integration into the community, but also facilitate residents’ transition into increasing levels of assisted living if additional support becomes necessary as an individual ages.
This discussion aligns with community interest in the future of health care in Prince Edward County. Quinte Health Care, Prince Edward Family Health Team, Prince Edward Health Care Alliance, and community health care partners have submitted a proposal for a new Picton hospital to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. Preferred options for revitalization involve construction of a new hospital building on a green field property that could also accommodate an inter-professional complex that will provide a wide range of health care services on one site.
While Ministry decisions about a new Picton hospital are years away, the Age in Place/Health Care Development concept will demonstrate the potential benefits of anchoring a new hospital on the McFarland home site.

No decisions were made at Tuesday night’s session, which was primarily intended to share the concept of Age in Place and evaluate stakeholder interest and cultivate synergies.
“The intent of the meeting was to initiate discussion among those who have the vision to see the merits of these potential partnerships, and the capability to participate in this initiative and contribute to its success,” says Merlin J. Dewing, Chief Administrative Officer. “The input we will receive going forward will help us determine our options to proceed.”
“The concept of a flexible care community would benefit the residents of Prince Edward County. It would promote resident well being, transitional living and preventative care, which reduces pressure on overburdened hospitals and long term care facilities,” says Mayor Peter Mertens. “We know that Prince Edward County is predicted to be the oldest population in the province, and we want to do everything we can to allow aging residents to stay in their own community.”