Carefree Lodge

Opened in 1967 as a retirement home, the City of Toronto purchased the building from the Vint Foundation, renovated the site and opened Carefree Lodge in 1991, featuring:

• private and semi-private accommodations with ensuite washrooms on three levels (127 total beds)
• all resident bedrooms have air conditioning
• resident lounges
• a library, book nook & care
• hair salon
• auditorium
• therapeutic garden and outdoor patio
• unique octagonal formal dining room that overlooks a ravine.

• As recognized leaders in behavioural support programs, we have a long history of demonstrated knowledge of dementia, delirium and mental health in the delivery of care.
• Staff and medical professionals are knowledgeable in the most prevalent types and related causes of behavioural issues, understand disease processes, stages and progression, diagnostic and assessment process, cognitive or neurological symptoms, treatment interventions, appropriate communication to address resident needs, strategies to promote optimal quality of life and experience of the behaviour(s) from the perspective of the resident, family members and other partners in care.
• Residents with severe cognitive impairment live in Bayview Gardens, which includes its own dining room, a lounge area with a fireplace and a secure outdoor patio.  Beautiful murals adorn the walls and life panels depicting the lives of each residents are installed outside the rooms.
• Recreation programs are developed to meet the specific needs of the residents and are held during the day, evenings and on weekends.
• We offer a range of inter-denominational faith services and based on the resident population we also offer specific cultural activities such as Jewish and Korean recreational activities.

Summary of Resident Responses

• 100 per cent of residents feel that personal belongings are treated with respect.
• 100 per cent of residents feel that personal laundry meets their needs.
• 91 per cent of residents feel that the variety and quality of food meets their needs.
• 91 per cent of residents feel that staff treat them with respect.

Summary of Family Responses

• 100 per cent of families/caregivers feel the staff treat their family member with respect.
• 100 per cent of families/caregivers feel the home provides an enjoyable mealtime experience.
• 96 per cent of families/caregivers feel the home provides a welcoming atmosphere where their family member feels safe and accepted.
• 95 per cent of families/caregivers would recommend this home to others.

We will continue to improve

• Providing a homelike environment
• Respectful treatment of personal belongings
• Enjoyable mealtime experiences
• Responsive communications

For more detailed information, please email: ltc-cfl@toronto.ca.

Toronto Emergency Management leads and facilitates activities related to the City’s ability to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from major emergencies.

We have incorporated the City’s Business Continuity Management and Toronto’s Emergency Plan into an Emergency Management Plan for the City’s directly operated long-term care homes.

Carefree Lodge has a structured emergency management process of risk identification, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

The scope of emergency management planning includes a variety of hazardous situations that may occur inside or outside of the long-term care home, such as:

• fire
• natural disaster
• biochemical and bomb threats
• chemical spills
• radiation exposure
• threats of personal violence
• power failure
• utilities and telecommunications failure

All staff members are trained to respond to these universal codes for emergencies:

• Code Red: Fire
• Code Black: Bomb Threat
• Code Yellow: Missing Resident
• Code Green: Evacuation
• Code Orange: External Disaster
• Code White: Violent Behaviour
• Code Blue: Cardiac Arrest
• Code Brown: Hazardous Spill
• Code Grey: Infrastructure Failure

In addition, we follow the Incident Management System (IMS) and have a robust Crisis/Disaster Communication Protocol.

For further information, please contact Lesreen Bennett, Administrator.

The Quality Improvement Initiative Report for 2026-27 has been developed as required by the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021. As required by Ontario Health, Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs) for 2026-27 were submitted on April 1, 2026. The QIPs guide quality improvement work that improves resident care, safety and outcomes. The QIPs demonstrate our commitment to collaborate with residents, families, caregivers and external partners.

The 2026-27 QIPs, Progress Report and Narrative are available from the Administrator and are posted in each of the LTC homes.

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Initiative Report

2026 Quality Improvement Initiatives and priorities are supported by effective partnerships, committee structures and evidence informed processes. To receive a complete copy of the report, email the Administrator.

Quality Improvement Leads

• Lesreen Bennett, Administrator, is the designated Quality Improvement Lead and Chair of Site Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Committee.
• Elizabeth Juraschka is the Divisional Quality Improvement Advisor.

Priority Areas

Carefree Lodge has identified these areas for improvement, developed in consultation with Residents’ Council, Family Council, and aligned to Ontario Health priorities:

• Focus on improving resident outcomes by reducing Emergency Department visits, minimizing antipsychotic medication use, decreasing fall rates and decreasing pressure ulcers through targeted clinical interventions
• Advance staff development by ensuring all full-time staff and managers completed Equity, Diversity and Inclusion education and training
• Improve the dining experience
• Improve communication and ensure issues, concerns or requests for information are addressed

Policies, Procedures and Protocols that Guide Continuous Quality Improvement

Quality improvement policies have been established to guide quality improvement work and align with the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021, Accreditation standards and required organizational practices, Ontario Health requirements, and the Excellent Care for All Act, 2010.

Continuous Quality Improvement Priority Selection Process

Priorities are selected through analysis of:

• Performance data, audits, inspections, program evaluations
• Resident and Family “Your Opinion Counts” experience survey results
• Accreditation Canada and Ontario Health system level priorities

Opportunities for improvement are reviewed throughout the year by the Site CQI Committee, Residents’ Council and Family Council.

Monitoring and Measuring Progress

Carefree Lodge actively monitors and measures progress on its quality improvement plan through a structured, data-driven approach. Performance indicators are aligned with key priorities such as resident safety, clinical outcomes, regulatory compliance and overall satisfaction.

Progress is tracked against defined benchmarks and provincial standards with results compiled into monthly/quarterly performance dashboards. These dashboards identify trends, highlight areas for improvement and inform action plans.

Leadership shares outcomes through various committees and communication strategies to enforce accountability and accelerate improvements ensuring that quality improvement plan remains a living document that drives measurable sustainable enhancements in resident care and organizational performance.

Family and Resident “Your Opinion Counts” Experience Survey

The Your Opinion Counts (YOC) experience survey is administered annually to measure residents, and family experiences. The survey was administered in September, after consultation with the Residents’ Council and Family Council. Survey results were analyzed to inform areas for improvement. Carefree Lodge has made every reasonable effort to act on the results of the survey and to improve the long-term care home and the care, services, programs and goods.

Resident, Family and Caregiver Your Opinion Counts Experience Survey requirements under the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021

Carefree Lodge Your Opinion Counts 2025 results

Communication Records

A comprehensive communication strategy supports quality improvement work within the long-term care home and at the division level.  The actions enable the home to broadly communicate annual Quality Improvement Plans, the results of quality improvement activities and share progress report to senior management, residents/clients, caregivers, families, staff and volunteers. Records of quality improvement activities and discussions are maintained within Project Charters and committee meetings and posted.

• smoke-free environment
• diverse resident and staff population
• 2SLGBTQI+ friendly home accepting all residents regardless of religion, language, or cultural background.

Families are an integral part in helping make the best decisions for their family member. We offer many opportunities for families to be involved:

• Resident care conferences
• Quality Improvement, Innovation and Risk Management Committee
• Family Council
• Satisfaction surveys
• Volunteer services.

• Volunteers, including family members, adult and youth members of the community along with college and university placement students, all play a pivotal role in improving the quality of life of the residents
• Carefree Lodge has excellent partnerships with the North York General Hospital’s Psychogeriatric Mental Health Outreach Team, Nurse Practitioner-led Outreach Team (HRRH & NYGH) to work with our team to support resident care. The Regional Geriatric Program provides educational support to the team in management of resident care.