Ontario Connecting Long-Term Care Residents in Parry Sound-Muskoka to Specialized Care & Supports 

Investment providing supports in long-term care homes instead of hospitals 

For Immediate Release

April 14, 2023 

PARRY SOUND — The Ontario government is investing $153,144.52 in 3 projects in Parry Sound-Muskoka to help seniors with complex medical needs like dementia and bariatric care connect to specialized care and supports in their long-term care home instead of a hospital. This is part of a $20 million investment this year in 189 projects provincewide through a new Local Priorities Fund operated by Ontario Health. 

“This investment, tailored to the needs of our community, will provide long-term care residents right here in Parry Sound-Muskoka with the specialized supports and services they need,” said Graydon Smith, MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka. “Under Premier Doug Ford’s leadership, we’re taking action to bolster our province’s long-term care system and put residents’ needs first.” 

Some of the local projects will do this by helping residents get the specialized care they need in their long-term care home without having to go to the emergency room or be admitted to hospital. Others will support the admission into homes of people who no longer require acute care in hospital, but who have complex needs that can be difficult to accommodate without specialized services and supports.

The projects in Parry Sound-Muskoka receiving funding are: 

  • $66,861.76 to Lakeland Long-Term Care Services for the purchase of bariatric equipment and the expansion of support services to reduce the number of avoidable emergency department visits; 
  • $66,861.76 to Belvedere Heights for the purchase of bariatric equipment and the expansion of support services to reduce the number of avoidable emergency department visits; and 
  • $19,421.00 to Muskoka Landing for the purchase of a bladder scanner to support home admission and prevent avoidable emergency department visits and hospitalization. 

“Our government is increasing our investment in bold, creative, and innovative solutions that conveniently connect long-term care residents to the specialized care they need in the comfort of their long-term care home instead of a hospital,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Long-Term Care. “Initiatives like the Local Priorities Fund ensure Ontarians are being connected with the right care in the right place, close to their family and friends.” 

The Local Priorities Fund is part of an investment of over $120 million in 2022-23 to provide access to a range of specialized services and supports that are helping long-term care residents with complex needs access connected and convenient care in the right place. 

The government is fixing long-term care to ensure Ontario’s seniors get the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve both now and in the future. This work is built on four pillars: staffing and care; quality and enforcement; building modern, safe, and comfortable homes; and providing seniors with faster, more convenient access to the services they need. 

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QUOTES 

“We are very grateful to receive this funding; it will allow us to continue to prioritize exceptional care for our residents and will help us better support residents experiencing circumstances that require specialized care – ensuring that they are able to continue to celebrate life in the safety and security of their own home! Belvedere Heights always strives to place residents at the center of care and we appreciate the government’s recognition of this pursuit.”  Kami Johnson,  Administrator for Belvedere Heights 

“The equipment and enhanced care hours this funding provides to Lakeland Long Term Care will be very beneficial to our organization.  We always strive to provide the best care possible, enhancing the support we can provide residents with complex medical needs is invaluable.  We are thankful to MPP Smith for his acknowledgment today and his on-going support.” Steve White,  Administrator for Lakeland Long Term Care 

QUICK FACTS 
 

  • Ontario’s over $120 million investment in specialized services and supports in 2022-23 includes up to $20 million for the Ontario Health Local Priorities Fund referenced in today’s announcement, $5.91 million for four new Behavioural Specialized Units in long-term care homes, an additional $5 million for Behavioural Supports Ontario, $2.6 million for Baycrest’s Virtual Behaviour Medicine program, and $4.5 million to build dedicated spaces for health care at a new seniors’ housing complex in Kenora. 
  • Through a $6.4 billion investment, the province is adding nearly 60,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds and increasing the amount of care residents receive so seniors can live with dignity. This will increase the number of available beds to help address wait lists for long-term care and ensure seniors are being cared for in the right place, where they can connect to more supports and recreational and social activities that may not be available if they are being cared for in a hospital while waiting to move into a long-term care home. 
  • The province has also made a $4.9 billion commitment over four years to increase the average daily direct care time provided by nurses and personal support workers to four hours per resident by March 31, 2025. This also includes increasing the system average direct care provided by allied health professionals to 36 minutes per resident per day by March 31, 2023.  As part of this commitment, the Ontario government provided $673 million to long-term care homes in 2022-23 and is providing $1.25 billion to long-term care homes in 2023-24 to hire and retain thousands of long-term care staff across the province. 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 

MEDIA CONTACT

Dan Powers

dan.powers@pc.ola.org