Ontario Proposes New Legislation to Support Seniors and Caregivers
The Ontario government has introduced the Support for Seniors and Caregivers Act, 2024, which proposes a series of legislative changes and investments aimed at enhancing care for seniors across the province. The proposed legislation includes a $114-million initiative focused on improving dementia care, supporting families and caregivers, and fostering social connections for seniors.
Key components of the proposal include:
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Dementia Care: An investment of nearly $80 million over three years to enhance dementia care and support services. This includes requiring all long-term care homes to implement dementia care programs and providing primary care providers with necessary tools and resources.
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Adult Day Programs and Respite Services: Expansion of adult day programs and respite services, with a $20 million investment over three years to offer social and recreational programs for seniors, particularly those with dementia, and to provide caregivers with necessary breaks.
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Long-Term Care Protections: Strengthening protections for residents in long-term care facilities against abuse and neglect, and enhancing the province's ability to investigate and prosecute related offences.
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Cultural and Linguistic Needs: New regulations to ensure long-term care homes meet the cultural, linguistic, religious, and spiritual needs of residents, including increased availability of information in French.
The government also plans to build 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds across Ontario and is offering incentives of up to $25,400 to students and recent graduates of personal support worker programs to encourage careers in long-term care homes and community care sectors.
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