A rendering of the new site by ARK (Architects + Research + Knowledge) in comparison of the site under construction in April 2022.
In late fall 2022, Circle of Care will open our doors to a brand new Adult Day Program (ADP) facility in Richmond Hill. The new space will feature a clean, bright, and spacious facility that can provide care for up to 60 clients at a time.
“Moving our Adult Day Program to this new facility will allow us to provide services to a greater number of clients,” explains Dara Zarnett, VP, Quality, Strategic Partnerships & Communications at Circle of Care. “It’s a project that has been driven by the demand. We know that overwhelmingly, families want to be able to keep their loved ones at home, but they need the support to do so. There are so many clients that are on waitlists across our region, and this new facility will allow us to accept a number of them into our program.”
Family caregivers heavily rely on programs like Circle of Care’s Adult Day Program to provide them with respite and peace of mind. Caring for a loved one with dementia is often an around-the-clock responsibility. Having a place to bring their loved one for a few hours, or a full day, gives caregivers the ability to run errands, get sleep, or just simply rest, all while knowing that their family member is participating in activities that are researched and geared for those with dementia.
“The Adult Day Program is a blessing for people like my mom,” explains a Circle of Care family caregiver. “When she was first diagnosed with dementia, she would spend her days just sitting in her room, looking out the window or at the wall. Now she goes to the ADP for mental and physical stimulation, companionship and nutritious meals. If it wasn’t for her ‘club’ she would have been in a long-term care facility years ago.”
Building an Innovative and Integrated Facility
Circle of Care’s new ADP facility is being designed to create a “home-like” program space that is friendly, inviting and non-institutional, yet meets the latest safety and accessibility standards. The new space will include a full kitchen, open dining room and activities spaces, as well as a lounge and an enclosed outdoor green space area.
“We are so excited for this new space,” says Maria Campo, Manager of the Adult Day Program. “We’re looking forward to being able to provide thoughtful and innovative programming in this new facility, including offering new therapeutic activities for our clients.”
The new space will also feature enclosed offices where Circle of Care staff can come and work, as well as a private spa that will offer a variety of personal care options.
Strong Partnerships Help Project Success
The construction of the new facility in York Region is a huge undertaking, and to ensure the success of the project, Circle of Care is working closely with our partners at Sinai Health, and specifically with the facilities team.
“The facilities team at Sinai Health has been key in providing expertise and guidance, and getting this project moving and the site built,” says Chris Ng, VP, Finance and Administration.
Construction on the site started in April 2022, and is expected to continue until October. An official opening date has not yet been announced, but is anticipated to be prior to the end of the year.
The impact that the current Adult Day Program has had on client and their families has been incredible, and we are looking forward to being able to increase that impact with our new space.
This story is featured in Circle of Care’s Annual Report 2021-2022.