Affiliated with McGill University since 1979, Maimonides can trace its history back as far as 1910 when it was founded by the Jewish community of Montreal under the name "Montreal Hebrew Sheltering Home." At the time, it was more commonly referred to as the Moshav Zkainim, and housed only six residents in a home on Evans Street.

In 1928, as a result of ever-expanding needs to serve Montreal's Jewish elderly, land was purchased on Esplanade Avenue where a new four-storey structure was built to accommodate 76 residents. The new institution was known as the Montreal Hebrew Old Poeple's and Sheltering Home under the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies.

Increasing applications for admission made necessary the construction in 1935 of an additional floor containing 40 beds.

In further response to the continuing needs of the community, an adjacent building was purchased and remodeled to accommodate 29 more beds for a total capacity of 145 beds.

Until this time, it was the policy of the founding homes to admit only the aged who were autonomous and required minimal nursing supervision. However, as the physical condition of the residents deteriorated, medical and nursing staff were provided and the criteria for admission was altered accordingly.

To reflect this change, the institution was renamed "Maimonides Hospital and Home for the Aged" in honour of Rabbi Moshe Bar Maimon also know as Maimonides. He was one of the greatest Rabbis in Jewish history as well as a noted philosopher and doctor serving as physician to Saladin, Sultan of Egypt.

[Learn more about Rabbi Moshe Bar Maimon (Maimonides)]

Recognizing the obvious needs in the community for a first rate, long-term Hospital to care for the elderly who were chronically ill, Maimonides Hospital and Home for the Aged and Allied Jewish Community Services made the decision to sell the building on Esplanade which was no longer adequate to meet the demands of the community. They subsequently purchased a 7-1/2 acre site in Côte St.-Luc where in 1964, a new facility was built containing five floors and accommodating 247 beds. In 1983, two more floors were added to increase the bed capacity to 387 where it now stands.

Maimonides has long been a leader in geriatric care and became involved in community outreach as far back as 1965 when the Maimonides Day Hospital, now the Helen and Sam Steinberg Geriatric Day hospital, was inaugurated - the first psychogeriatric day hospital in both Canada and the United States.

In 1967, another first was realized when the "Meals-on Wheels" program came into being - the first of its kind in the Jewish community and one which is totally staffed by volunteers.

To reflect this expanded role in the community, in 1977 the facility became known as Maimonides Hospital Geriatric Centre.

In 1993, management of the Accredited Foster Home program, now renamed Accredited Homes for Seniors, was transferred from Jewish Family Services to Maimonides. Approximately 100 residents in 12 to 15 residential homes in the community came under the supervision of Maimonides Hospital Geriatric Centre.

In 1997, Maimonides Foundation fostered the development of the Collaborative Research Network in Long Term Care involving 14 institutions with over 2,000 residents. The result of research projects emanating from this network will undoubtedly impact on the care of the institutionalized elderly.

In 2002, Maimonides officially changed its name to Maimonides Geriatric Centre.

Maimonides Geriatric Centre delivers a full range of quality care to meet the needs of over 500 Jewish clients with dignity and respect. Made up of a Day Hospital, Respite beds, Intermediate Resources, Accredited Homes in the community, and Long-Term care, Maimonides fulfills an essential role in the Montreal community. The Centre's staff has created a vibrant and innovative environment that focuses on the highest standards of care. Maimonides' programs have been recognized or their excellence.