Seniors in Hamilton Need Long-Term Care Homes Modernized and More Specialized Care
HAMILTON, ON, Jan. 26, 2017 /CNW/ - Seniors living in new or newly renovated long-term care homes are experiencing first-hand the tremendous benefits these homes provide for their care and comfort. With 90% of residents living with some level of cognitive impairment in long-term care homes province-wide, newer homes create a better, safer environment for all residents and staff.
"The needs of seniors entering long-term care have risen dramatically in recent years," said Candace Chartier, CEO of the Ontario Long Term Care Association. "Too many seniors are living in homes that need to be rebuilt and modernized. Too many seniors with dementia aren't getting the supports they need to ensure their comfort and safety. Our seniors deserve better care."
At a long-term care home in Hamilton, Ms. Chartier outlined the challenges facing seniors in the city and the greater region of the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network (HNHB LHIN):
- The number of seniors in the HNHB LHIN over the age of 75 is expected to grow by 45.4% in the next 10 years and 111.6% in the next 20 years. On average, Hamilton will see an increase of 7 seniors per day and the greater HNHB LHIN will see an increase of 19 seniors per day, until the year 2027.
- More than half of the HNHB LHIN's 85 long-term care homes are outdated and need to be modernized. This means more than 3,950 seniors in the LHIN are living in outdated homes, with 1,250 of these seniors living in the City of Hamilton.
The Association's plan for action, "Better Seniors' Care," is calling for immediate action to improve seniors' care in Ontario, including:
- Implementing a plan to modernize every long-term care home in Ontario that has been classified as outdated by the province – increasing the quality of care to the 35,000 seniors who live in these homes.
- Ensuring seniors outside of urban centres have sufficient access to care close to home.
- Providing a more predictable approach to funding and ensuring specialized resources are enhanced to support residents with increasing needs.
To help raise awareness of the challenges facing seniors living in long-term care, the Association is undertaking a province-wide tour to meet with residents and families. Today's stop was at Arbour Creek in Hamilton.
"Thanks to the dedicated staff here at Arbour Creek, we continue to provide the highest quality of care possible to our residents." said Shirley Thomas-Weir, CEO of Thomas Health Care, which owns and operates Arbour Creek. "But we know there is more work to be done to ensure all long-term care residents across the city, LHIN and the province, get the care they require as their needs continue to increase. We need a system where every home has been updated and where staff are provided with the improved resources required to care for seniors with dementia and other complex health conditions."
"We need our elected officials to make providing better seniors' care a priority for the long-term," said Chartier. "We know that Ontarians share our concern about our ability to care for their parents and grandparents. Our seniors need to know that when they can no longer be cared for at home, the long-term care services they need will be there for them. The time for action is now."
About the Ontario Long Term Care Association
The Ontario Long Term Care Association is the largest association of long-term care providers in Ontario and the only association that represents the full mix of long-term care operators — private, not-for-profit, charitable, and municipal. The Association represents nearly 70% of Ontario's 630 long-term care homes, located in communities across the province. Our members provide care and accommodation services to more than 70,000 residents annually.
SOURCE Ontario Long Term Care Association
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Adrian Kupesic, Director of Public Affairs & Governance, Ontario Long Term Care Association, 647-256-3492, [email protected]
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