Seniors long-term care plan released

Press Release

March 26, 2026

FREDERICTON – The government has unveiled Stronger Care for Seniors: A Long-Term Care Plan for New Brunswick.

Supported by a $993-million investment in the 2026-27 budget, the plan includes 624 new long-term care beds and other initiatives to strengthen long-term care services for seniors.

“With this plan, we are making a real difference in the lives of New Brunswick seniors and the people who care for them,” said Premier Susan Holt. “More seniors will have access to the care and support they need to stay in their homes and communities. Caregivers will have the resources, training and support to provide quality care with dignity. This plan is about ensuring every New Brunswicker can age comfortably, safely and with the respect they deserve, while the people who care for them are valued and supported every step of the way.”

The budget allocated funding to support several priorities, such as:

·         $10 million to improve home care affordability, including a new financial assessment and updated income thresholds for subsidies, to ensure more seniors can access care that allows them to live at home.

·         $4 million to expand the Nursing Home Without Walls program, enhancing community support and services to help seniors age in place.

·         $9.3 million to increase wages for personal support workers in adult residential and home support facilities, helping address staffing shortages in the sector.

·         $2.6 million to increase hours of care in nursing homes, meeting the growing demand and improving access to quality care.

The plan aims to ensure seniors have choices and support at every stage of life. It focuses on four priorities to create a person-centred, equitable and responsive long-term care system:

·         Building a strong and supported workforce to ensure quality care is delivered by professionals who are well trained, compensated and supported.

·         Strengthening community, family and caregiver supports by recognizing the vital roles of informal caregivers and creating resilient communities where seniors can stay socially connected.

·         Helping seniors age comfortably at home by improving access to affordable home care and support services so more seniors can remain independent in their homes.

·         Improving and modernizing residential long-term care options by increasing capacity, upgrading facilities and adapting care to meet complex and evolving needs.

The government has also announced infrastructure enhancements to meet the needs of seniors. These include:

·         The replacement of six nursing homes across the province:

–       Campbellton Nursing Home, an 85-bed nursing home.

–       Foyer Assomption, a 50-bed nursing home in Nouvelle-Arcadie (Rogersville district).

–       Passamaquoddy Lodge, a 60-bed nursing home in Saint Andrews.

–       Lincourt Manor, a 60-bed nursing home in St. Stephen.

–       Résidences Lucien Saindon, a 52-bed nursing home in Île-de-Lamèque.

–       Résidence Mgr Melanson, a 42-bed nursing home in Saint-Quentin.

·         A wing of the former Villa Providence nursing home in Shediac will remain open and 24 new beds will be created through its renovation.

·         An additional 240 nursing home beds (120 in Fredericton, 60 in Riverview and 60 in Quispamsis) by expanding existing sites operated by Shannex.

·         An additional 360 long-term care beds, with locations to be announced at a later date pending an open request for proposals.

“This plan is shaped by the voices of seniors, families, caregivers, volunteers and community partners across the province,” said Seniors Minister Lyne Chantal Boudreau. “We listened to seniors, their families and care professionals. Their lived experiences guided us to focus on what matters most: helping seniors stay socially connected, age with independence, and receive the right care at the right time, wherever they may call home. These measures, which include new and upgraded facilities, are part of our broader commitment to provide better care and supports for seniors across the province, while addressing urgent infrastructure needs, both now and for the future.”

The long-term care plan aligns with the provincial health plan, Caring for New Brunswick: Putting People at the Heart of Healthcare, which identifies seniors as a priority area. It reflects a collective commitment to stabilize, integrate and transform New Brunswick’s long-term care system in partnership with communities, organizations and caregivers.

“This plan demonstrates our unwavering commitment to addressing the challenges in health and long-term care for the betterment of all New Brunswickers,” said Health Minister John Dornan. “Through record investments, we are enhancing home care affordability, supporting communities and upgrading residential long-term care. Together, we will ensure seniors and their loved ones receive care in the most appropriate and supportive environments.”

Media Contact(s)

Kate Wright, communications, Department of Social Development, kate.wright@gnb.ca.

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