The board of directors of both the Maria F. Ganong Foundation and Home Support Services Inc. have unveiled their multi-purpose plan for the future of Lonicera Hall in St. Stephen.
Laura Macfarlane presented to a group of roughly 30 residents at the Garcelon Civic Centre last week to showcase the multi-purpose proposal for the facility’s future.
She said given the nature of her profession, it felt obvious to reach out.
“I picked up the phone and called,” she said, speaking with The Courier. “I did not want to see another non-profit close its doors in Charlotte County, so it kind of grew from there.”
Macfarlane said she is passionate about senior care and is looking for ways to make HSSI more sustainable.
“I think that this merging of the two organizations could provide a really great solution for launching two long-standing institutions in our community,” she said.
The proposed model
Lonicera Hall would continue to be an independent living facility, with 10 beds.In addition, there would be eight transitional beds — beds supporting short-term stays for patients needing post-hospital recovery, two respite care beds — again short-term beds that provide relief for caregivers of seniors in the community.
Macfarlane said it is known as the 10-8-2 model. There would also be an additional facility built next to the residence to be used for clinical space, common areas and HSSI’s offices.
“In 2026, things have changed,” she said. “Things are more expensive. Everybody is struggling with the increased cost of living, increased staffing costs. It’s just a difficult environment for business in general.”
It is no different for non-profits, she explained.
Lonicera Hall’s operating costs have exceeded the amount an organization can charge for rent, she said, making it increasingly unsustainable over the last decade.
“In Charlotte County, those rents are reasonable now, but in order to cover the operating costs, they would not be reasonable for most folks,” she said.
Macfarlane, alongside the boards of both organizations, believes this is a solution that addresses many of the chronic issues plaguing both the Department of Social Development and the Department of Health.
She said it will mean fewer trips to the emergency department, shorter hospital stays, and builds on preventative care.
It also addresses ongoing housing challenges and keeps seniors aging in place, in their community.
According to Macfarlane’s presentation, the cost of an alternative level of care (ALC) bed is $800 to $1,500 per day.
A long-term care bed costs between $250 and $400 per day. The proposed model would cost roughly $220 per day.
The Department of Social Development said the current wait time for assessments for placement in long-term care is 76 days.
She believes this is an easy yes for the provincial and federal governments.
Government respsonse
“The proposal really does fit nicely into the current mandates,” she said. “Aging in place has been a federal priority for years. This current government, provincially, has definitely vocalized that aging in place is a priority for them as well.”
Macfarlane said the next step is to continue meeting with the varying departments and Horizon Health Network (HHN) to reach a deal before the September deadline.
Officials from HHN declined to comment on the proposal ahead of a meeting scheduled with the boards.
The Courier also requested an interview from both Social Development and Health, but one was not provided.
“Social Development has been working with a prospective operator to explore opportunities for the continued operation of Lonicera Hall,” Kate Wright, a spokesperson for the DSD, said. “Discussions remain ongoing as the department assesses the viability of this approach and potential next steps.”
