Residents and loved ones of LaPointe-Fisher Nursing Home in Guelph, Ontario are feeling shocked and afraid after the announcement that the home will be closing due to an inability to meet the deadline for installing a sprinkler system. Lisa Sharp, president of the home’s family council, expressed her frustration at the closure, stating that it doesn’t make sense to lose long-term care spaces at a time of such critical need. The requirement for all long-term care homes in Ontario to have sprinkler systems installed by the end of 2025 was announced a decade ago, but LaPointe-Fisher Nursing Home said the aging building structure makes it difficult to meet this requirement.
Sharp’s partner, Cathy, who has been at LaPointe-Fisher for five years following an accident that left her with higher needs, is now worried about what comes next. The residents of the home are feeling shocked and dismayed, as they face the prospect of having to move and start over in a new facility. Mount Nemo Christian Nursing Home in Burlington is also facing closure due to the unfeasibility of installing a sprinkler system in its rural location. Long-Term Care Minister Stan Cho mentioned that the ministry is reviewing data on sprinkler compliance from a survey of homes and is considering potential exceptional cases to help those struggling to meet the requirement.
The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs has long advocated for a legislated sprinkler requirement in long-term care homes, especially in light of fatal fires in seniors’ homes in the province. St. Catharines Fire Services deputy chief Andrea DeJong emphasized the importance of safety in these facilities and noted that owners of long-term care homes have had over 10 years to prepare for the sprinkler requirement. While some homes are struggling, Donna Duncan from the Ontario Long-Term Care Association believes that the majority of homes are on track to meet the deadline.
The Ministry of the Solicitor General, through the Office of the Fire Marshal, has been working with the Ministry of Long-Term Care to ensure compliance with Ontario’s Fire Code. There are ongoing efforts to assist long-term care homes in meeting the sprinkler system requirement and finding solutions to prevent closures. LaPointe-Fisher Nursing Home’s closing date of November 29 is fast approaching, with residents scheduled to be placed on “crisis” admissions lists in September to assist with transitioning to new homes. Sharp expressed anxiety about the upcoming changes for her partner and all the residents, who will have to adjust to new environments, staff, and routines.
