More than 50 seniors relocated after sudden closure of Cambridge nursing home

Dozens of seniors were forced to leave their homes when a long-term care facility in Cambridge unexpectedly closed at the end of August.

Golden Years Nursing Home on Eagle Street North was run by peopleCare Communities for several years, and plans were already in the works to close the facility on Nov. 28. Officials said the building had reached its end of life and it was no longer possible to provide a comfortable space with modern amenities.

That plan was moved up when the building’s infrastructure began to fail.

In an email to CTV News Kitchener, Sheena Campbell, vice-president of communications and engagement for peopleCare Communities, said the aging building lost some essential services on Aug. 21. Those included kitchen access for meals, as well as hot water for some residents.

Campbell said the facility operators worked with the Ministry of Long-term Care and Ontario Health at Home (OHaH) to relocate the 52 people who had been living at the nursing home.

“A number of residents moved immediately to another local LTC home of their choice (where a bed was available). Others are staying at the AR Goudie Kitchener LTC home while OHaH supports rapid assessment and placement into a home of their choice. No one will be returning to the Golden Years building,” the email said.

Golden Years had five small home areas, including a secure one designed for people living with dementia.

peopleCare are also the operators of Hilltop Manor in Cambridge, AR Goudie in Kitchener, peopleCare Delhi, Oakcrossing Retirement Living in London, peopleCare Meaford and peopleCare Tavistock.