Algonquin College launches Retirement Communities Management program

Our population is changing. They're living
longer, they want to live healthier,

and they want to live more engaged. They
want to live out of isolation and they

want to live independently for as long
as possible. To do that, there are changing

needs and colleges are a wonderful
resource to help deliver particular

services and it's nice to see that
Algonquin College here, it's doing a

seniors' program.

I have about 25 years
of retirement home operations experience, and I've also

worked in long-term care and hospitals. I collaborated with many men and women that are currently in

the industry to develop the criteria to
go forward. The course will cover all

bases of running a retirement communities operation including managing residents, the seniors, staff and

ensuring that quality programs and that
the intent of the retirement home act are being met.

So I enrolled in the program, I've worked in the industry before when I was going through

university. I did five years in
retirement homes and then after university

and then I kind of changed directions
so I'm trying to get back into the

industry and I feel like this will just give
me a heads up in a big boost in what

sort of skills I'll have to offer employers

The solution to the challenges of the aging population are very very multi-faceted

and includes education and includes
training. There's a tremendous number of

retirement homes, it's a regulated
business and Algonquin will be on the cutting edge

and have a certificate program that will
enable people to learn about the

regulations and the laws in terms of how to manage residences for seniors.

Students will learn rights of the residents and ensure that when they

go into the industry when they go back to the retirement homes

that first and foremost safety and security of seniors is utmost in their minds

as they work through their days of management.

Creates career opportunities as well for Algonquin students to be able to access that type of program.

So we're very excited that it creates tremendous opportunities for young people

who are thinking in terms of careers as well.

It's getting that industry experience, working with people that are actually in the industry

all the teachers have experience and know what they're doing and meeting other students

This is going to be a long
way in providing services improving the

life for seniors anything we can do to
improve the life for our seniors, it's better.