New Poll shows Ontarians are Concerned about Long-Term Care and want new Investments

TORONTO, April 15, 2014 /CNW/ - A new survey by Nanos Research has found that Ontarians are very concerned about staffing levels at long-term care homes and the physical condition of older homes in Ontario. More than 90% of Ontarians are concerned or somewhat concerned about proper staffing support for seniors in LTC and about ensuring the good physical condition of long-term care homes in Ontario. More than four in five (82%) believe the government needs to invest in LTC now to ensure seniors get the quality care they need. The survey conducted by Nanos was commissioned by the Ontario Long Term Care Association

"It's rare to see Ontarians rally so overwhelmingly around one issue. The findings are clear - Ontarians have a sense of urgency about investments in LTC, even in the face of provincial budget pressures," said Nik Nanos, Chairman of the Nanos Research Group.

Ontarians were asked a series of questions about their concern about ongoing challenges in long-term care homes in Ontario:

• 93% are concerned (76%) or somewhat concerned (17%) that staffing levels aren't sufficient to properly care for medical and mental health needs of seniors.
• 92% are concerned (68%) or somewhat concerned (24%) about ensuring the good physical condition of long-term care homes.
• 91% are concerned (66%) or somewhat concerned (26%) about the availability of long-term care beds to meet future needs.

Asked about the physical condition of long-term care homes in the province, 89% of Ontarians find it unacceptable (86%) or somewhat unacceptable (3%) that older long-term care homes aren't equipped with fire sprinklers, and 81% believe it is unacceptable (71%) or somewhat unacceptable (10%) that older homes are not designed to meet the needs of seniors living with Alzheimer's.

Ontarians were also asked to choose between two opposing statements weighing the need to invest immediately or wait until the budget is in better shape:

• 82% of Ontarians believe that "with an aging population we need to invest now to ensure that seniors get quality long-term care when they need it."
• Only 11% of Ontarians believe that "because of the Government of Ontario budget pressures, investments in long-term care homes in Ontario can be delayed to a later time."

"Despite budgetary pressures, Ontarians believe that the needs and challenges of our seniors in long-term care should be made a priority. This should be at the front of our leaders' strategies going forward, particularly given that the province plans to release a budget and work to stave off an election," said Candace Chartier, CEO of the OLTCA. "Recent investments in Nurse Practitioners for LTC is a good first step, but there is more work to do."

Nanos conducted a RDD dual frame (land- and cell-lines) random telephone survey of 500 Ontarians using live agents between February 28^th and March 3^rd, 2014, as part of an Ontario omnibus survey on behalf of the Ontario Long Term Care Association. The dual frame sample included both land- and cell-lines across Ontario. The results were statistically checked and weighted by age and gender using the latest Census information and the sample is geographically stratified to be representative of Ontario.

The margin of error for a random survey of 500 Ontarians is ±4.4 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

For the survey report visit www.nanosresearch.com.

SOURCE: Nanos Research Corporation

Nik Nanos, Nanos Research, 613-234-4666 ext. 237
Adrienne Spafford, OLTCA, 416-272-0120