b'COVER STORYWhat does it take to open a new LTC home?Planning, purpose, and pulling together, says peopleCare W ith 40,000 people waiting for long-term care in Ontario, its no wonder building and opening new long-term care homes quickly is a top priority for government and senior living organizations alike. peopleCare Communitiesa family-owned, values-based leading operator of long-term care and retirement homesis doing our part. Working hard to accelerate the nine long-term care developments currently in our pipeline, we anticipate getting shovels in the ground in multiple communities in 2023 alone.Opening a brand-new long-term care home is a significant undertaking, which made it all the more satisfying to see the happy smiles on residents faces this past December as we welcomed them into their new 128-bed home in Meaford, Ontario, with special guests and a ribbon-cutting in front of the holiday tree.The whole experience was fantastic, says family member Bernice Rennie, whose mother Margaret lives in the home. The staff were incredibly helpful and I know my mom didnt feel any of the stress that may have been peopleCare President and CEO Brent Gingerichgoing on behind the scenes. When I left that day, I knew welcomes Ilona Singer into her new homepeopleCare staff members in the lobby of the new Meaford LTC Centre, decorated for holidays in time for its opening last December8 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Spring/Summer 2023'