Perley Health Annual General Meeting

On June 1st, Perley Health held its 125th Annual General Meeting by teleconference and video conference. Among the highlights was an address by Board Chair Margaret Tansey, who reported on the organization's ongoing efforts to recover from the ongoing pandemic. In particular, she noted the return of the Adult Day Program, Respite House and Convalescent Care. Another significant development is Veterans Affairs Canada's decision to fund the long-term care of a larger number of Veterans at Perley Health.

In her remarks, Ms. Tansey outlined the many challenges facing not only Perley Health, but also the entire long-term care and healthcare sectors. These include a chronic shortage of workers with the appropriate skills and training, and the rapid growth in demand. With the number of older Canadians living with frailty expected to triple over the next few decades, current models of care and housing must evolve.

“Solutions are urgently needed,” Ms. Tansey said, “and Perley Health is helping to develop them. Our future lies in continuing to empower Seniors and Veterans to reach their full potential and live their best possible life at every age.”

To help ease the labour shortage, Perley Health's Living Classroom has begun to accommodate a second Algonquin College program. Students enrolled in the school's RPN (Registered Practical Nursing) program now attend classes and serve practicums on-site. The Living Classroom, established in 2019, continues to accommodate students of Algonquin's Personal Support Worker (PSW) program. Significant numbers of graduates of both programs are expected to move directly into jobs at Perley Health. The plan to build an onsite childcare centre in partnership with Andrew Fleck Children's Services will also help Perley Health attract and retain talented staff.

Ms. Tansey also described the increasing importance of the Centre of Excellence in Frailty-Informed Care, and how its research projects and partnerships continue to improve the quality of care for Seniors and Veterans across Canada.

In her address, Ms. Tansey unveiled a new goal for Perley Health: to double the number of seniors it serves by 2035. She expressed confidence that the goal will be achieved given the strong support Perley Health receives from the entire community.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Benoît Robert also addressed the Annual General Meeting, and described how a less-virulent strain of COVID, along with successful vaccination, and infection prevention and control measures, helped protect the health and wellness of the Perley Health community. As a result, many group programs resumed, as did visits from essential caregivers and volunteers. Dr. Robert also explained how the hiring of full-time nurse practitioner Susan Shea further strengthens Perley Health's ability to deliver exceptional care.

“The Perley Health community both recognizes and appreciates our team approach to care,” Dr. Robert said. “This supports our capacity to protect the health and wellness of our residents and tenants.”

Financial Summary

J.J. (Joe) Lund, Treasurer, Perley Health Board of Directors, delivered an update during the Annual General Meeting in June. The update outlined how Perley Health's finances continue to recover with the resumption of operations suspended during the pandemic.

Revenues for 2022, for instance, increased by approximately $4.3 million due to higher occupancy levels and the addition of personal care hours under the Government of Ontario's funding strategy. Expenses associated with the delivery of long-term care increased by a similar amount. Revenues from ancillary operations, such as non-resident food sales and parking, also increased due to the easing of pandemic restrictions.

• View the video presentations and the 2022 financial summary: PerleyHealth.ca/report

On June 1st, 2023, Perley Health held its 125th Annual General Meeting by teleconference and video conference.