Scotia Adult Residential Centre to Downsize and Close
Community Services--Scotia Adult Residential Centre to Downsize and Close
The Department of Community Services and Scotia Adult Residential Centre (ARC) have agreed to downsize and close the Adult Residential Centre in Beaver Bank over the next two years.
This decision is consistent with the North American trend of locating adults with physical and mental disabilities in smaller settings. As well, Scotia ARC has been operating since the late 1960s, and the building would need major renovations to meet current standards.
The needs of each resident living at Scotia ARC will be the primary consideration in their relocation. The two-year time frame allows for each resident to be assessed and moved to a setting that will provide an appropriate level of care. Residents are from across the province. Wherever possible, they will be relocated close to their home communities. These decisions will be made with the best interests of the residents in mind.
Scotia ARC is licensed under the Homes for Special Care Act to provide residential accommodation, rehabilitation and support services to adults with mental disabilities. It has 139 residents and about 120 staff members.
"Our priority is to ensure the ongoing care, supervision and safety of residents during this transition period," said Peter Christie, Minister of Community Services. "We are confident that the relocation will result in improved living arrangements for these residents."
"This was a difficult decision for us given the impact it will have on both our clients and our loyal and long-serving staff," said Thane Stevens, president of Scotia ARC. "We will work closely with our staff, the residents and their families to minimize the effects of this downsizing and closure."
The centre's staff and residents and residents' families have been notified of the downsizing and closure. They will be involved in the transition and relocation process.
An implementation committee has been set up to guide the closure process. Committee chair Suellen Wilson is executive director of the Halifax County Regional Rehabilitation Centre, which is nearing the end of its phase-out. She brings experience in this type of initiative. Other members of the committee include staff from the Department of Community Services and Scotia ARC.
A 45-bed nursing home licensed by the Department of Health, operated by Scotia and located in the same area as Scotia ARC, will continue to operate as usual.