A new beginning for the peopleCare LTC Home where it all began

peopleCare to redevelop Tavistock long-term care to a brand-new 128-bed home

TAVISTOCK, Ontario, Nov 20, 2020 – peopleCare is pleased to share that the Ministry of Long-Term Care has approved the redevelopment of peopleCare Tavistock to build a brand-new 128-bed long-term care home in the wonderful community where peopleCare began caring for local seniors more than 50 years ago.

“We are thrilled to receive this news and to have this opportunity to build a state-of-the art long-term care home in the place where peopleCare’s culture of caring and community service first began,” says Brent Gingerich, Chairman and CEO, peopleCare. “We appreciate the government’s commitment to investing in long-term care in Ontario and extend our thanks to Minister Fullerton and MPP Ernie Hardeman for their ongoing support.”

Brent Gingerich’s grandparents LeRoy and Ruth Schlegel, who were known for their hospitality and support of those less fortunate, founded peopleCare in 1967, in an old Tavistock schoolhouse built in the 1800s. In time, his parents O’Derald and Mary Gingerich carried on, leading the first Home in providing care to local seniors with the same family values and commitment to excellence that are the hallmarks of the organization today.

Today, peopleCare Tavistock continues to hold a special place in the heart of the community, with an outstanding reputation and the unwavering support and engagement of families, volunteers, students and local businesses.

“The Ontario government continues to provide record investments into long-term care so that our seniors can live in the safe, modern and comfortable homes they deserve,” said Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford. “This new and upgraded long-term care home is excellent news for Oxford and will build on peopleCare’s record of providing top-quality service to residents and their families in our community.”

As an older “C” home, the redevelopment of Tavistock has been an ongoing priority for peopleCare and we have worked closely with the County, Town and local health partners to explore opportunities to expand seniors’ services, including partnering in the Oxford Ontario Health Team. The groundswell and enthusiasm for this new build has only grown over time.

“We are grateful for the support we’ve received from all of our local partners including Oxford County, East-Zorra Tavistock Mayor Don McKay and many others. These strong community partnerships are key to our ability to deliver on our care and quality commitments.” says peopleCare President Megan Allen-Lamb. “We so look forward to bringing these much-needed new beds to Tavistock and building a new Home for our residents, staff, families and partners.”

peopleCare’s goal is to wrap care, services and programs around the individual needs of those we serve, in collaboration with our local community partners. As we take the next steps in the development process in the coming months, collaboration with hospitals, primary care, community support service agencies, municipal partners and others will ensure the new long-term care home continues to serve the unique health needs of seniors in Tavistock.

“Tavistock is already a warm and welcoming place, with a caring and dedicated team committed to  providing excellent care,” says peopleCare Tavistock’s Executive Director Deb Wettlaufer. “So to imagine what it will be like for more seniors to be able to age in this community they love, in a modern and beautiful home, surrounded by family and friends, is simply wonderful.”

About peopleCare Communities

peopleCare Communities is a Canadian, family owned leading operator of senior living communities, with strong values and a 50-year history of service. We are committed to creating vibrant communities of care that deliver clinical best practices, engaging programs and integrated services that meet seniors’ changing needs. peopleCare’s innovation and leadership has earned Accreditation Canada Exemplary Status, Canada’s Best Managed Companies Platinum designation, and the single largest research grant from the Ontario Centres of Excellence, which funded our award-winning Clinical Pharmacy Model, a first-of-its-kind for long-term care in Canada.

Our vision is to Change the World of Senior Living. 

For more information: Sheena Campbell, Vice President, Communications and Engagement, scampbell@peoplecare.ca

Read the Government of Ontario announcement: Ontario Adding 3,000 New and Upgraded Long-term Care Spaces