Chartwell Retirement Residences is Canada’s largest provider of senior housing with over 25,000 residents.

What is the difference between retirement homes and long-term care homes?

A retirement home is a privately paid home-like residency designed for seniors who can live independently but may need some assistance with daily activities.

A long-term care (LTC) home is a facility for seniors who have difficulties taking care of themselves.

They often require around-the-clock help with eating, bathing and daily activities. Residents in LTC have higher needs and may not be able to do things like get out of bed or eat on their own.

Why Does CHARTWELL Want To Run More Retirement Homes?

Retirement homes do not receive any government funding so Chartwell can charge residents more, making retirement homes more profitable compared to LTCs.

It also costs Chartwell less to operate retirement homes. Retirement homes are not subject to the same regulations as LTCs, since they are meant to serve seniors who can live more independently.

Monthly Rates for a Private Room:

0
Private room in LTC:
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Suite in Retirement Home:

So, What’s The Problem?

SEIU Healthcare represents frontline healthcare workers in 20 Chartwell retirement homes.

SAFETY
The waitlist for residents to enter LTCs are long. 95% of the homes we represent had residents on the waitlist for an LTC facility.

Everyday workers at Chartwell retirement homes are forced by management to provide care beyond their training and workplace’s capacity, making conditions unsafe for staff and residents.

What our Chartwell retirement home members are dealing with:

  • 100% of the homes had residents living with dementia, requiring more hands on, round-the-clock care.
  • Only five homes had a mechanical lift.
  • Many residents have serious mobility issues, some requiring wheelchairs or Hoyer lifts, which retirement homes are not allowed to have.
  • Many residents need help with toileting and feeding and would not be able to do these things without help from staff.

Wages

Our members are also being asked to do more while being paid less.

Chartwell retirement home workers make as low as $6 less than the standard LTC worker in the same classification.

Standard LTC Wage Standard Chartwell
Retirement Home
PSW/Attendant $25 $19
Housekeeping/Laundry/Dietary $23  $19
Cook $25 $21
RPN $31 $25
Staff Shortage Crisis
Workers are leaving Chartwell in record numbers.
0$
Average Chartwell Employee Turnover Rate:
0$
New Hire Turnover Rate:
0Years
Average Chartwell Employee Tenure:
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New Hires Full-Time:

Instead of making meaningful changes to keep staff like raising wages or improving working conditions, Chartwell is relying on temporary contract staff.

Relying on untrained and inexperienced contract staff puts residents at risk.

Compared to the long-term care sector, in retirement homes jobs are less regulated. PSW, Guest Attendant and Health Care Aide are used interchangeably, regardless of certification.

Chartwell leadership has failed to address staff shortages or raise low wages, driving experienced staff away, which leads to poor care.

SEIU members have reported:

Not only are these employees not qualified to deal with the increasing needs of the residents, but they are getting injured on the job from their unsafe workload.

0%
of SEIU Healthcare members reported missing work due to a workplace injury.  The injuries include: 

The injuries include: 

  • Chronic and acute back pain
  • Stress ulcers
  • Carpal tunnel
  • Wrist injuries
  • Neck pain
  • Burns
  • COVID 19
  • Shoulder and elbow issues
  • Flesh-eating infection
  • Spinal stenosis
On top of injuries, employees reported that resident aggression, both physical and verbal is a major issue. 

Chartwell’s Leadership needs to take action:

  • Provide a fair wage that matches the growing responsibilities of retirement home workers.
  • Guarantee all staff are adequately trained to provide proper care for their residents.
  • Ensure proper safety measures are being implemented at all their retirement homes.
  • Stop hiring temporary staff and invest in their employees by creating a stable work environment.