NewsFor-profit shuts down seniors centre
'They’re more interested in the real estate market than the health-care delivery market'
Published July 7, 2011 by Trevor Scott Howell in News


Almost 30 seniors living in the Colonel Belcher’s assisted-living wing have until the end of September to find a new place to live.
The building’s owner, Chartwell Senior Housing REIT, is not renewing its lease with Alberta Health Services.
Instead, the company, which bills itself as “the most trusted name in seniors housing,” plans to upgrade and rent its 145 seniors suites at the Colonel Belcher to maximize profits.
“These for-profit health care providers they’re more interested in the real estate market than the health-care delivery market,” says David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare.
In fact, Chartwell states on its website that its goal is “to capitalize on the strong demographic trends present in its markets to maximize the value of its existing portfolio of seniors housing facilities.”
Eggen doesn’t fault Chartwell for doing business, but blames the provincial government for creating the conditions for companies to build a private health-care business on the backs of seniors and their families.
“At the very least the government should come clean and say ‘This is the new reality so you had better start saving because the future of seniors’ care is private and very expensive,’” says Eggen.
Email: thowell@ffwd.greatwest.ca