Trillium Retirement Home closes doors, residents left scrambling

(Contributed Photo).

Jennifer Wild

Residents of Trillium Retirement Home found themselves with two-weeks notice to find a new home after being notified the Norwich facility was closing.

The retirement home first made news in August of this year, after family members reported staff to police for financial abuse and fraud. Several residents reported over $50,000 unaccounted for as rent was paid to an email account unassociated with the retirement home. Residents were then hit with a large rent increase, taking effect in the new year.

On Oct. 26, family and residents received an email announcing that the home would be closing its doors on Nov. 11, citing a lack of financial resources to keep daily operations going. As the news sank in, outrage grew.

According to the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA), homes are required to give 120-days notice of closing to allow residents time to find accommodations. In a statement, an official with the RHRA revealed the home had given a false statement to the authorities regarding its maintenance program, with an elevator in a state of disrepair for a number of months.

Norwich is a tight-knit community, rallying together when residents suffer hardship. The care for staff and residents of Trillium Retirement Home was fully on display on Nov. 5^th. Community members joined staff members outside the home to raise awareness and provide much needed support to those impacted by the closure. Staff reported they had not received their expected pay Oct. 31. When management was questioned by staff members, they were told there was no money to pay them. They were then asked to volunteer their time to continue providing care for the remaining residents.

A former employee and neighbour started a GoFundMe was started to raise money for staff members who are giving their time to care for residents. The fundraiser raised almost $2,000 before closing, as staff members began to receive pay late last week.

As doors closed on Nov. 11, it’s a reminder that seniors are increasingly targeted for financial abuse. If you suspect a loved one is the victim of a crime, reach out to authorities.