Connecting Long-Term Care Residents in Toronto to Specialized Care 

TORONTO — The Ontario government is investing over $2 million in 14 Toronto long-term care homes and five hospital-led initiatives that support homes across the city, to help seniors with complex needs like dementia and bariatric care connect to specialized care and supports in homes instead of a hospital. This is part of a $20 million investment in 2022-23 in 189 projects provincewide through a new Local Priorities Fund operated by Ontario Health.

“We’re expanding specialized services and supports for long-term care residents in Toronto, so people with complex needs get the care they need and deserve in the comfort of a home, instead of a hospital,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Long-Term Care. “Our government is taking action to ensure Ontario’s seniors get the right care in the right place.”

Local Priorities Fund projects help residents get specialized care in their long-term care home, reducing emergency department visits and hospital admissions. They can also support the admission of people into long-term care homes who no longer require acute care in hospital, but who have complex needs that are difficult to accommodate without specialized services and supports.

The projects allocated funding in Toronto are:

• $383,917 to Women’s College Hospital for coordinating a virtual hub for long-term care home internal medicine consultations, nurse navigation to connect to specialist care and community resources;
• $258,333 to Unity Health Toronto to launch nurse-led outreach teams that provide medical support and training to long-term care homes;
• $218,333 to North York General Hospital to launch a nurse-led outreach team that provides medical support and training to long-term care homes;
• $190,649 to Village of Humber Heights for bariatric equipment and specialized equipment such as lifts;
• $139,896 to The Apotex Centre – Jewish Home for the Aged at Baycrest for bariatric and other specialized equipment;
• $131,666 to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre to launch a nurse-led outreach team that provides medical support and training to long-term care homes;
• $128,899 to Kensington Gardens long-term care home for bariatric and diagnostic equipment, as well as specialized equipment like pressurized mattresses, adjustable beds and IV supplies;
• $125,439 to Fairview Nursing Home for bariatric and diagnostic equipment, as well as specialized equipment like pressurized mattresses, grab bars and transfer poles;
• $121,808 to Maynard Nursing Home for bariatric and diagnostic equipment, as well as a specialized equipment like pressurized mattresses, grab bars and transfer poles;
• $71,666 to University Health Network to enhance the nurse-led outreach team that provides medical support and training to long-term care homes;
• $50,000 to West Park Long-Term Care Centre for bariatric beds;
• $46,209 to St. George Long-Term Care for diagnostic equipment, pressurized mattresses and bed frames;
• $45,387 to Meighen Manor for diagnostic equipment and specialized equipment such as feeding pumps, and lifts;
• $22,446 to Rekai Sherbourne for bariatric and diagnostic equipment and related supplies;
• $18,010 to Rekai Wellesley long-term care home for diagnostic equipment and related supplies;
• $16,268 to Mon Sheong Home for the Aged for specialized equipment such as a pressurized mattresses for wound care and a bedside fall mat;
• $15,899 to Hellenic Care for Seniors – Toronto for diagnostic equipment;
• $15,749 to Norwood Nursing Home for bariatric equipment; and
• $2,000 to Suomi-Koti Toronto Nursing Home for specialized equipment such as stabilization boots and arm/wrist stabilizers.

The Local Priorities Fund is part of a broader 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.