Why We Advocate
Canada’s population is aging rapidly. By 2030, nearly one in four Canadians will be over the age of 65, creating unprecedented demand for long-term care environments that are safe, supportive, and dignified. Yet, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed serious systemic and design shortcomings in existing long-term care facilities, where more than 40 percent of all pandemic-related deaths occurred. These outcomes highlighted how architecture directly influences health, safety, and quality of life for residents and care providers alike.
Design plays a critical role in shaping how people live, heal, and connect within care settings. Well-designed facilities promote autonomy, social interaction, and mental well-being while mitigating risks related to infection, overcrowding, and accessibility. Features such as smaller household models, access to nature, adaptable spaces, and improved air quality can profoundly affect the comfort and safety of residents and staff.
As the need for long-term care grows, architects have a responsibility and opportunity to lead change, creating environments that reflect compassion, equity, and inclusion. Thoughtful design can help redefine long-term care in Canada as a system grounded in dignity and human connection.
The Long-Term Care Design Working Group (LTCWG) advocates for a national shift toward compassionate, inclusive, and evidence-informed design in long-term care. Our work emphasizes dignity, safety, and quality of life for all residents, staff, and visitors through architecture that promotes health, connection, and resilience.
We Advocate for:
- National standards and best practices that elevate the design and operation of long-term care facilities across Canada.
- Design solutions that enhance dignity and well-being, supporting autonomy, privacy, and social interaction.
- Built environments that promote safety and health, including improved air quality, infection control, and accessibility.
- Sustainable and adaptable care models that respond to demographic, cultural, and environmental change.
- Collaborative policy development with governments, professional organizations, and care providers to ensure architecture remains central to the conversation on aging and care.
Through this work, the LTCWG supports a future where every long-term care environment in Canada embodies respect, equity, and design excellence.
Current Initiatives
The Long-Term Care Design Working Group (LTCWG) is advancing national dialogue and practical tools to improve the quality and design of long-term care environments in Canada. Our current initiatives focus on sharing knowledge, influencing standards, and strengthening professional education.
We are currently:
- Providing expert input to the development of national standards and federal frameworks related to long-term care design and facility performance.
- Leading advocacy efforts to strengthen health, safety, and design standards for long-term care homes, including contributing to national positions such as the RAIC Statement on Long-Term Care and Inadequate Standards and Codes (May 2023).
- Contributing to professional education and knowledge sharing through RAIC conference sessions, national webinars, and interdisciplinary panel discussions, that explore best practices in architecture for care, community, and aging.
- Writing and publishing articles in the RAIC Journal and other platforms to raise awareness of evidence-informed approaches to raise awareness of the role of architecture in shaping equitable, resilient, and human-centered care environments.
Together, these efforts support the RAIC’s mission to ensure that architecture contributes meaningfully to the health, safety, and well-being of Canadians at every stage of life.
Our Leadership
Get involved
- Join the conversation by participating in RAIC webinars, panels, and conference sessions on long-term care design.
- Share your work or case studies that highlight innovative approaches to care and community design.
- Connect with us to learn more about upcoming opportunities or to express interest in volunteering with the LTCWG.
Resources
The following resources provide essential guidance for architects, designers, and planners working in long-term care environments. These materials address critical aspects of LTC design including person-centered approaches, accessibility standards, dementia care, infection control, and regulatory requirements across Canadian jurisdictions, with particular emphasis on creating dignified, safe, and supportive environments for residents.