Breaking ground, building community in Tillsonburg

peopleCare Communities was joined today by the Ministry of Long-Term Care and other special guests to celebrate the official start of construction on a new 160-bed LTC home in the heart of Tillsonburg, Ontario, in Oxford County. This fantastic development means more local seniors and their families will have access to the quality care and services they need to live and age well in this vibrant community.

“We are proud to bring this new long-term care home to Tillsonburg, a community that values its seniors and their families,” says Brent Gingerich, Chairman and CEO, peopleCare. “We sincerely thank the Ministry, Parliamentary Assistant MPP Tyler Allsopp, Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman, and Mayor Deb Gilvesy for their leadership in making this development a reality. We are excited to create jobs, build partnerships, and contribute to a vibrant future for the Town and Oxford County.”

With over 48,000 people waiting for long-term care in Ontario, more beds are urgently needed to ensure seniors have access to the care, services, and housing options they need as they age. In Oxford County, the waitlist is approaching 1,800 for not even half that many licensed beds. peopleCare’s new Tillsonburg home will ease waitlist pressures on existing long-term care homes in the area, as well as help free up beds in the local hospital for those who need acute care, supporting the goal of people receiving the care they need in the most appropriate place.

With a higher than provincial average of seniors population, Tillsonburg’s 2021 Community Strategic Plan identified increasing LTC capacity as a priority, and peopleCare has appreciated the ongoing support of Town Staff and Council to help us get shovels in the ground as quickly as possible.

Mayor Deb Gilvesy was on hand to help mark the official start of construction. “The Town of Tillsonburg is so pleased to welcome peopleCare Communities. The new long-term care beds are very much needed in our community and in Oxford County. We are thankful to peopleCare for choosing Tillsonburg and to the Ministry for supporting this application.”

Over time, peopleCare will collaborate with the community to create an integrated senior living community. This will promote healthy aging and independence through a variety of health and social supports, which peopleCare President Megan Allen-Lamb says is incredibly valuable to today’s seniors and their families as their needs change over time.

“Our new long-term care home represents a meaningful investment in the health and well-being of Tillsonburg’s older adults. We look forward to partnering with the community to create a welcoming, inclusive environment that provides exceptional care and opportunities for residents to live with purpose and joy.”

Once the new LTC home is completed in 2026, peopleCare will be a significant local employer, hiring more than 250 caring new team members.

“We are focused on building a skilled and engaged workforce, providing positive experiences for students from various academic institutions. This will showcase LTC as a rewarding career option,” says Jenn Killing, peopleCare Vice President of Quality, Research, and Strategic Partnerships. “We are fortunate to have the support of the Town, the Tillsonburg Multi-Service Centre, Fanshawe College, local high schools and many others as we work together to create something truly special here in Tillsonburg.”

Aligned with peopleCare’s mission, and the approach in all of our homes, the new Tillsonburg home will focus on transforming the experiences of all who live, work, and spend time in the modern, person-centred spaces we’re creating. The home will feature welcoming lounges, vibrant activity areas, and a central courtyard. Unique additions include a children’s play area, a family stayover suite, and specialized care for residents living with dementia.

Each of the 32-bed resident areas is designed to foster community and inclusion, with kitchenette spaces for caregivers and residents to prepare meals at their own pace. Smaller home areas support meaningful connections and ease of navigation, especially for those with memory issues. Daily programming and central meeting spaces will create a lively, supportive atmosphere. Local murals and artwork will further enhance the environment, promoting comfort and connection.

While peopleCare is new to the Tillsonburg community, the organization has its roots in Oxford, having provided care and services to seniors in Tavistock for over five decades. We are also on track to open our new 128-bed home in Delhi, Ontario this spring, replacing our much-smaller home that has been the only long-term care option in the town for many years.

Visit peoplecare.ca and click on Designing Vibrant Communities to learn more.

Read the Ontario Government’s news release Ontario breaks ground on long-term care home in Tillsonburg