Statement from CEO Donna Duncan
On the second reading of the Support for Seniors and Caregivers Act, 2024:
“As Ontario’s older population increases, so too does the prevalence of dementia. We must ensure that every part of the health and social services system is trained and equipped to provide quality care to seniors living with dementia and supports to their dedicated caregivers. The proposed new legislation and investments demonstrate the government’s understanding of the growing impact of dementia in our society and its commitment to support people living with the disease and their caregivers.
Caring for people living with dementia is a core purpose of long-term care homes, where more than 60 percent of residents have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another dementia. The changes proposed in the Support for Seniors and Caregivers Act complement the government’s historic investments in the sector and support the transformation that is underway in long-term care homes across Ontario. In particular, the government’s new investments to help implement emotion-focused care will help more homes to adopt this transformative approach to care.
The pilot program to provide access to long-term care services for seniors living in the community is also an important initiative that can make a significant difference to seniors waiting for long-term care and their families. The ability to access services in long-term care can help to manage symptoms, reduce distress for both the resident and caregivers, delay admission to long-term care, and ultimately support a smoother transition for residents and families who have become familiar with long-term care. We look forward to supporting this pilot in its rollout and evaluation.
The new legislation also includes measures related to investigations in long-term care, focused on addressing egregious acts of abuse and neglect. These are rare incidents. Homes have zero tolerance for abuse and take any allegations very seriously with immediate action.
Long-term care home leaders and staff are committed to ensuring residents live in a safe and caring environment. Staff choose long-term care wanting to make a difference in the lives of seniors, and it is important to acknowledge and celebrate the excellent care that they provide every day. Long-term homes are dedicated to the welfare of their residents and practice ongoing quality improvement to ensure they are continually enhancing their quality of care and quality of life.
We thank Minister Natalia Kusendova-Bashta for her leadership and commitment and the Ontario government for their continued dedication to supporting Ontario’s seniors and their caregivers, and their enhancements to the organizations and sectors that care for them.”
December 5, 2024