Wednesday, December 04, 2024
Ontario. Ministry of Long-Term Care
Ontario Supporting Seniors and Their Caregivers
New legislation and investments will enhance quality of life and care for seniors across the province
Today, the Ontario government introduced the Support for Seniors and Caregivers Act, 2024. The proposed legislation includes a $114-million suite of initiatives to improve the lives of seniors through enhanced dementia care and supports, assistance for families and caregivers, and by creating more opportunities for seniors to build stronger social connections in their community.
“Our government is determined to give the best possible care to the people who raised us,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care. “That’s why we are working across government to ensure Ontario’s seniors can enjoy the best possible quality of life, supported by safe, high-quality care.”
“Our government is continuing to take action to ensure that Ontarians have access to the health care and services they need, at every stage of life,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This investment will improve access to high-quality dementia care across the province, allowing more seniors and their loved ones to connect to the compassionate services and supports they need, in their community.”
The proposed legislative amendments, investments and policies are designed to better support seniors and those who care for them, whether they live in long-term care homes, retirement homes or with their families. Initiatives span across the ministries of Long-Term Care, Health, and Seniors and Accessibility.
The proposed Support for Seniors and Caregivers Act, 2024, would, if passed:
- Invest almost $80 million over three years to improve and expand dementia care and supports to support the well-being of seniors, their caregivers, and families. This includes requiring all long-term care homes to have a dementia care program and giving primary care providers the tools and resources needed to connect people to fast, effective and high-quality dementia care
- Expand adult day programs and respite services to provide recreational and social programs for people living with dementia, while giving their loved ones a much-needed break
- Further strengthening protections for long-term care residents against abuse and neglect, and enhancing the province’s ability to investigate and prosecute offences under the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021
- Strengthen the existing requirements for long-term care homes to recognize and respect, at a minimum, the cultural, linguistic, religious, and spiritual needs of residents. This includes new regulations that require long-term care homes to increase information available in French.
These changes are one more way the province is taking action to meet the needs of Ontario’s aging population and better support the people who care for seniors by improving and expanding supports for seniors living in long-term care, congregate settings and in the community.
Quick Facts
- A summary of the proposed legislative amendments will be available publicly on Ontario’s Regulatory Registry from December 4, 2024, to January 6, 2025.
- By 2046, there will be 1.7 million more seniors living in Ontario.
- As part of its plan to fix long-term care and address waitlists, the government is building 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds across the province.
- Ontario is offering incentives of up to $25,400 to students and recent graduates of personal support worker education programs to launch careers in long-term care homes and in the home and community care sector.
- The Ontario government is investing up to $4.9 billion to create thousands of new positions for personal support workers and nurses in long-term care.
Quotes:
"Every year as the number of older adults increases, we must do all we can to ensure seniors are healthy and socially connected to their communities. This legislation, once passed, will build on our government’s historic investments that keep seniors fit, active, engaged, close to their homes and most importantly end social isolation."
- Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility
"The Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario welcomes a cross-government approach to enriching the quality of life and care for older persons whether they reside in long-term care homes, retirement homes, or their own homes. We applaud the investments to support seniors, their families and caregivers; enhance social connections; and improve dementia care. These, alongside a continuous focus on much needed staff increases, will begin addressing a population that has been under-resourced for decades. We are delighted with the inclusion of nurse practitioners as clinical directors in long-term care homes — a role they successfully performed during the pandemic. Nurse practitioners bring advanced clinical education, the legal authority to diagnose and treat illnesses, and a deep understanding of policy and regulatory frameworks. This change will make a meaningful difference for residents of long-term care, their families and staff."
- Dr. Doris Grinspun, RN, PhD, O.ONT., CEO RNAO
"NPAO is pleased to see the provincial government’s recognition of nurse practitioners (NPs) as leaders in delivering high-quality, compassionate care in long-term care homes, ensuring Ontario’s seniors receive the support they deserve to maintain their health and well-being. This is a necessary step in leveraging the full extent of NPs’ training and expertise, and we look forward to continuing our work with the Government of Ontario and the Ministry of Long-Term Care to improve resident outcomes across the province."
- Dr. Michelle Acorn, CEO of the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario (NPAO)
"We thank the government for recognizing the important role long-term care homes play in the continuum of care, allowing seniors to age in place in their communities when they can no longer stay in their family home. The changes announced today will complement the government’s historic investments in the sector and support the transformation that is underway in long-term care homes across Ontario. Ontario’s long-term care homes continue to embrace innovation and strive to provide resident-centered care that meets the clinical, social, emotional, cultural, and spiritual needs of their residents."
- Donna Duncan, Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Long Term Care Association
"Government has introduced a comprehensive suite of investments aimed at supporting seniors both in long-term care, retirement homes and the community. As we know, our aging population will add significant demand within the seniors care ecosystem. The measures announced today will help provide coordinated and sustainable support along the continuum of care that we so desperately need."
- Dr. Steven Harrison, CEO Tri-County Mennonite Homes; Chair – Advantage Ontario Board of Directors
"At Partners Community Health, we are excited by the Government of Ontario’s proposed legislative changes and investments. We look forward to the opportunity to further support staff and caregivers and, alongside partners, deliver integrated quality care to residents in our long-term care homes, as well those waiting for long-term care in the community."
- Tess Romain, President & CEO, Partners Community Health
Additional Resources:
Media Contacts:
Daniel Strauss
Office of the Minister of Long-Term Care
Daniel.Strauss@ontario.ca
Media Relations
Communications Branch
mltc.media@ontario.ca
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