Ontario retables legislation to support seniors and their caregivers

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Ontario government recently re-introduced legislation to protect and support seniors and the people who care for them.

The Support for Seniors and Caregivers Act, if passed, would better connect seniors and their caregivers to complex care, according to a news release. It is backed by $114 million in investments to increase access to community and social programs that help seniors stay fit, active and healthy in their communities.

“As Ontario’s population continues to grow, it is critical to build for the future so we can support some of the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Paul Calandra, acting Minister of Long-Term Care. “That’s why our government is investing in new programs to improve quality and access to care while strengthening protections for seniors and their families.”

The proposed legislation would amend the Fixing Long-Term Care Act and the Retirement Homes Act. Several changes would be made and make several changes the government feels will make a huge difference:

• Protect residents with dementia by requiring all long-term care homes in Ontario to have an organized program for dementia care and services.

• Support seniors and their families by strengthening residents’ rights to ongoing support from family or friends who provide care.

• Broaden requirements for long-term care homes to recognize and respect 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.

• Introduce new offences related to the abuse or neglect of a long-term care home resident and enhance the ability to investigate and prosecute offences.

Other initiatives complementing the legislation include:

• Investing almost $80 million over three years to improve and expand dementia care and supports.

• Expanding community programming and resources for seniors living in their own homes.

• Developing a provincial approach for using artificial intelligence for the early detection of osteoporosis, responsible for 80 per cent of all fractures in older adults.

These changes are one more way the province is taking action to protect Ontario and meet the needs of Ontario’s aging population and their caregivers by improving and expanding supports for seniors living in long-term care, congregate settings and in the community.

"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 Health Minister Sylvia Jones. “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."

Donna Duncan is the CEO of the Ontario Long-Term Care Association, a group representing the majority of homes in the province, mainly the for-profit sector.

"Long-term care homes play a vital role in enabling seniors with high care needs to age in their communities when staying at home is no longer possible. The government’s historic levels of investment in long-term care staffing, program and capital have enabled critical innovation and improvements in care.”

She added as Ontario’s long-term care homes continue a transformation to provide innovative, resident-focused models of care, the association thanks the government for its continued commitment to supporting and strengthening long-term care across the province.

The Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario has thrown its support behind the proposed legislation. The CEO of the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario explained the government’s recognition of nurse practitioners (NPs) as clinicians and leaders.

“We deliver 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,” explained Dr. Michelle Acorn. “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."

Seniors, designated as those 65 and older, make up the fastest growing age group in the province, and over 60 per cent of Long-Term Care residents have a dementia diagnosis. Ontario is in the process of building 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds.

Incentives up to $35,400 are also being offered to personal support worker students and eligible personal support workers to launch careers in long-term care homes and in the home and community care sector.