Health council gathers record for long-term care facilities
Some of the island’s need for expanded residential care as the elderly population increases is being addressed through a campaign by the Bermuda Health Council.
The council announced it was gathering information for an internal database of privately owned properties that may be suitable for use as residential care homes and nursing homes.
The campaign invites property owners of potentially suitable residential and commercial properties across Bermuda to submit basic property details via a simple online form.
The council said as the island’s population continues to age, policymakers needed to assess the resources available and the system’s capacity to support the changing needs of the population, specifically around the demand for long-term care.
As such, the health council said it was taking a proactive step to understand what properties may be available to meet the critical needs of the community.
It said the plan aligns with the Bermuda’s National Senior Strategy and broader efforts to ensure a co-ordinated, sustainable approach to long-term care across the island.
“This initiative is about strengthening our understanding of Bermuda’s readiness to meet the growing need for long-term care,” a spokeswoman said.
“We know there are individuals interested in establishing care homes, as well as existing operators seeking new or expanded locations. By identifying suitable properties, we can better support informed decision-making and help remove one of the key barriers in this space.”
The Bermuda Health Council welcomes submissions from property owners who believe their space may be suitable for care home use, including:
• Owners of large private residences with multiple bedrooms and shared living areas
• Commercial property owners with underutilised or vacant buildings
• Landlords and property investors open to long-term alternative uses for their assets
• Estate and family representatives with inherited properties suitable for redevelopment
Suitable properties will typically have:
• Multiple bedrooms with sufficient floor area (minimum approximately 120 sq ft of useable space for single occupancy; 180 sq ft for double occupancy)
• Communal living space and kitchen facilities
Additionally, where necessary to align with the Code of Practice for Care Homes, interested property owners must be open to the following:
• Allowing structure modifications, including but not limited to door widening, to meet care facility standards
• Exploring a change of use through the Department of Planning
Submitting a property is straightforward, the council said, noting that property owners can complete a short online declaration form to register their interest.
The council said the information submitted will be compiled into a confidential database it will maintain and shared with relevant partners, such as the Ageing and Disability Services team to inform future care home capacity planning, and Environmental Health to review the properties’ environmental fitness and alignment with the Code of Practice for Care Homes.
It encouraged interested parties to review Section 26 of the code, which outlines minimum space requirements for residential care facilities.
Property owners interested in registering their property can complete the declaration form at healthcouncil.bm/engage.
For more information send an e-mail to carehomes@healthcouncil.bm or call 292-6420.
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