Two Cape Breton Long-term Care Homes Get Expansion

Cape Breton seniors will soon have access to more long-term care beds now that the Department of Health has approved the locations for 25 new licences.

Ten additional licences for Seaview Manor in Glace Bay and 15 for Northside Community Guest Home in North Sydney have been approved.

Seaview Manor will undergo some renovations, with construction beginning in 2006. Northside Community Guest Home plans to construct an Alzheimer unit.

"More beds will mean less time seniors will have to wait to get into long-term care facilities in these communities," said Health Minister Angus MacIsaac. "We are responding to the growing need for more long-term care spaces in Cape Breton. We have conducted provincewide consultations to see what services are needed throughout the province now and in the future."

Final plans for these facilities are expected to be completed in December.