Lead the Development of new models of Community Living:

A holistic approach to housing - beyond accommodations.

Celebrating 61 Years Of Caring

Northwood began as a social movement. Moved to act, founder Ed Roach invited over 580 individuals and groups to a public meeting in 1962 to discuss the plight of seniors living in Nova Scotia. Two hundred and eighty-five concerned citizens gathered that night at St. Thomas Aquinas School in the South end of Halifax to hear Ed's vision for the future.

He spoke passionately about the plight of seniors and the need for affordable housing. The meeting resulted in a call to action and the creation of the Halifax Senior Citizens' Housing Corporation (HSCHC), with Ed Roach as president. Northwood was born.

Northwood quickly became a voice for seniors in Nova Scotia, demanding a new approach to aging in place. Northwood's mission began by providing an affordable option for seniors wanting to remain independent within a supportive environment. In 1970, Northwood opened Northwood Centre, an innovative new approach to long-term care, and began reaching out to the community through its Multi-Purpose Centre.

As a leader in Continuing Care, over the past 61 years, we have been the ‘First’ at many things. Northwood introduced a Home Care Service, Intouch, and Adult Day to support seniors wishing to remain in their own home, in their own community. Northwood was the first to provide a licensed lounge, Hospice and Pastoral Care, Health Centre Services, and a dedicated floor designed for the deaf community.

We have continued to introduce new programs and services to respond to unmet needs in the community, such as our mental health program Seeds of Success, Kaye's Place (Dementia Friendly Family Program Space), High Tech with Heart, and expanding programs that continue to be successful such as Adult Day and our Dementia Friendly Fitness Centres.

Northwood is also a champion for diversity. We represent over 20 nationalities and are proud to do so. Northwood was the first long-term care facility in Nova Scotia to have a diversity committee to support its staff! Northwood was the first long-term care facility to participate in Halifax Pride and has been participating since 2010. Northwood embraces all employees for who they are with no barriers. Northwood welcomes with open arms the LGBTQIA2S+ community, international persons, families, and people from all backgrounds.

Our campus model continues to evolve and thrive through our 61 years of caring. Our Halifax Campus continues to adapt to changing needs, and our Bedford Campus continues to grow. We have a new Bedford building underway and a final building being planned. We have also begun planning for the next phase of our Bedford community garden and park. Our campus model will also be expanded to Fall River and Dartmouth.

The Northwood Bedford Campus continues to grow with the addition of our new affordable Retirement Living building, Northwood Gardens. The opening is scheduled for late winter/spring 2024.