Dear Editor

I am a resident of Grey County with a keen interest in finding a sustainable solution to funding of long-term care in the County.

I am a community physiotherapist with decades of experience visiting clients in their homes and long-term care facilities in Grey County and elsewhere in Ontario. I have been impressed by the quality of care received by residents of Grey County long-term care homes.

Earlier, I wrote to Grey County council in support of the three-facility solution - keeping the status quo - maintaining Lee Manor, Grey Gables and a redeveloped Rockwood Terrace. Recently I have changed my view.

After reading the on-line information and the Grey County Long-term care review of 5/11/2017 I see that the best option would be to redevelop Rockwood Terrace in Durham for 166 beds and make Grey Gables available for redevelopment and possible expansion, ideally as a different level of care for our expanding senior population.

I understand the Grey County cost per resident in the smaller Grey Gables facility is significantly higher than the larger facilities, and that the per resident cost is likely to increase dramatically in the forseeable future. To preserve long-term care beds in Grey County, it makes sense that the larger redevelopment of Rockwood Terrace be the chosen option. Maintaining three LTC facilities in Grey County runs the risk of making the provision of such care by the County unsustainable in the long run.

This decision needs to be made now. Location options for the redevelopment will only narrow as time goes by, and cost of land and servicing will surely increase.
As well, the province may change the rules regarding the allocation of LTC beds to the area, and their funding model.

Regards,
Ted Stewart, Registered Physiotherapist
Owen Sound, ON