Canadian Lawyer

wwww.canadianlawyermag.com 39 there's funding, [that] it's not enough fund- ing, so they're having to partner with capi- tal partners, such as infrastructure entities, global health-care organizations and other financial partners who can provide creative financing in order to actually capitalize on the government programs and bring the develop- ment of new seniors' health-care communi- ties to successful fruition." Aside from cash, governments are also helping the industry in the regulatory sphere. The Ontario government recently changed the rules for certain long-term-care-home li- cence transactions. Roth welcomed the Ford government's new "streamlined" approach in trying to amelio- rate "hallway medicine," but she adds that a practical approach that involves closely mon- itoring and continuing to support and listen to the industry serving such a vulnerable pop- ulation is crucial. While money floods into senior care, tech- nology is changing the face of it. Many facili- ties are using social robotics. ElliQ and Jibo are two examples of these new products, which communicate and learn from their users, pro- vide companionship and help administrate their lives. Like Google Home, only light-years smarter and more intuitive, these new prod- ucts serve as medicine reminders, music play- ers and provide Skype-like interfacing with family members, doctors and fitness programs. Homes are becoming more luxurious — with gardens, bars, music, movie theatres and fit- ness centres. "It gives us something to look for- ward to as we get older!" Roth says. "Gone are the days where we think it's OK to stick somewhere between two and four people in the same room and share facilities," she says. "It's really a whole and brave new world." T I T L E : Par tner, Goodmans LLP ROL E S: Founder and chairwoman of firm's aging and health-care division President and CEO of SenbridGe, a division of Goodmans focusing on seniors living, health care and aging Extensive experience in a diverse range of M&A transactions involving health-care assets as well as in-house experience in health sector T R A NS A C T IONS: Acted for Invesque Inc. in connection with its US$340.4-million acquisition of 20 private-pay senior living communities and Commonwealth Senior Living LLC Acted for Nor thWest Healthcare in its $1.2-billion cross-border acquisition of 11 freehold hospital proper ty assets from Healthscope Limited and its affiliates Acted for Revera Inc. in its joint venture with A xium Infrastructure for 40 seniors living proper ties Acted for Sienna Senior Living Inc. in the establishment of a health-care management platform and Western Canadian development pipeline Acted for Health Care REIT, Inc. in connection with Char twell Seniors Housing REIT and Health Care REIT, Inc.'s joint venture acquisition of Maestro Por tfolio. MICHELLE ROTH "We have new funding programs that are supporting the development of new or enhanced communities."

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