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The board of trustees will be closing Lonicera Hall in St. Stephen.
In a release obtained by The Courier, the board said that it had made the difficult decision to wind down operations and residents living there would need to find alternative accommodations by early summer, noting its inability to continue to operate past that point.
This decision was not made lightly. It reflects long-standing challenges that have made itincreasingly difficult to operate Lonicera Hall in a sustainable and responsible manner,” the release said. These challenges include declining occupancy, rising operating costs, changes in the senior care environment, and the limitations of a volunteer-based governance model.”
Lonicera Hall is an independent living facility and the release said it does not have the authority to place residents into nursing homes or special care homes.
While we cannot provide placement guidance or determine next steps on behalf of residents, we will ensure that confirmed information is shared as it becomes available,” the release said.
The release said the Department of Social Development will take the lead on the transition planning.
“We understand that this news is difficult,” the release said. “Our focus at this stage is to ensure that information is shared clearly and respectfully as the situation progresses.”
