Written By Paula Brown

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Seniors living in Shelburne now have access to a new supportive senior housing opportunity.

Golden Agers Take A Break Inc., a supportive senior housing facility located in a residential home on Colonel Phillips Drive in Shelburne, celebrated their grand opening on Saturday (Aug. 10). 

“It's an exciting time knowing that this has been a vision for years and we can finally see the day that it comes to light,” said Natacia Leslie-McKenzie, owner and operator of Golden Agers Take A Break Inc. “I've worked with seniors for quite a while and we decided this was the perfect opportunity to open up our home to offer care to someone that's in need.” 

The residential facility consists of five private rooms on the main and upper levels of the house for senior residents and an additional unit in the basement where Leslie-McKenzie and her family reside.

Each of the five rooms has its own name: Love, Hope, Faith, Happy and Believe. 

While the rooms are available to all residents, Leslie-McKenzie explained that the room called “Love” is a master bedroom space marketed specifically for senior couples, and the room known as “Faith” has been designed with accessibility in mind. 

The home has been retrofitted to accommodate the needs of its senior residents, including a stair lift, handrails in the bathrooms, raised toilets, and wheelchair accessibility. 

Part of Leslie-McKenzie's decision to open her home for local seniors was born out of her own family experience. Growing up, Leslie-McKenzie was raised by her grandmother and her father is currently experiencing deteriorating health in older age and has moved in with her family. 

“We're a close-knit family and I figured I can incorporate the love I received growing up into a way to give back to our elders,” explained Leslie-McKenzie. “It's a passion of mine and they've poured so much into us, it's time for us now to pour back into them.” 

Leslie-McKenzie will be operating the supportive housing facility for seniors and provide services that include transportation, medication administration, laundry, meal preparation, housekeeping, and emergency assistance. 

The facility will also be utilizing the services of a recreational therapist, who will help run daily programs and activities for the seniors to help stimulate their brains and bodies. 

In the Town of Shelburne, there are currently two facilities for seniors to receive supportive housing – Dufferin Oaks and Shelburne Long-Term Care Home and Retirement Community. 

Dufferin Oaks has a capacity of 160 residents and Shelburne Long Term Care Home can house 60 residents. 

According to the Ontario Long-Term Care Association (OLTCA), more than 45,000 individuals are waiting for long-term care and that number is expected to grow by 1,000 people per year and reach 48,000 by 2029. 

Shelburne Councillor Len Guchardi was present at the grand opening and spoke about how it will benefit local seniors.

“It's a unique facility and it's important that as our population ages that we have more places like this available for seniors and the community. They've taken a step to open up a neighbourhood-based model, which has its advantages to seniors in terms of socializing and feeling a part of the bigger community,” said Guchardi. 

Shelburne Town Council approved Leslie-McKenzie's application to rezone her home to allow for the operation of the supportive housing facility for seniors, during their council meeting in early June. 

Those interested in learning more about the new supportive housing residence for seniors can do so by visiting www.goldenagerstakeabreakinc.com.