The Canadian Association of Retired Persons congratulates the Ontario Government on its $9 million investment for dementia care in long-term care homes.

Posted on by Stella Song

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

October 3rd, 2025 – Congratulations to the Ontario Government’s $9 million investment over three years to launch the Improving Dementia Care Program (IDCP). This important initiative will improve the quality of life for both those living and working in long-term care homes.

 

“This initiative could be a game changer and is an important step forward in building a stronger, more compassionate long-term care home system,” notes Kathy Wright, Chair of CARP’s Advocacy Working Group on Long-term Care. “As advocates for seniors and their families, we welcome this targeted investment in emotion-based care.   CARP has been working with many of the leaders who have already implemented the emotion-based model of care and would like to support the Ministry of Long-term Care in whatever capacity is needed.  This $9 million investment recognizes the need for innovation, compassion, and person-centered approaches in long-term care.  After 40 years of a broken system, we look forward to seeing its positive impact in long-term care homes to bring about the transformation from Institutions to Homes.”

 

CARP, along with many of its chapters across the province, has been working for the last several years to support a change in Ontario’s long-term care homes from Institutions to Homes.  Of particular note is that this new program will introduce emotion-based models of care that will meet residents’ needs at the forefront and foster meaningful connections among staff, residents, and families. Drawing on existing expertise from leaders in this field who have already developed training programs for innovative models of care in Ontario will ensure a framework that incorporates sustainability measures providing positive outcomes for years to come. 

 

‘You never change things by fighting the existing reality.  To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete’.  

-Buckminster Fuller.  

 

Media Contact:

Anthony Quinn, President, CARP, 1-888-363-2279, media@carp.ca

Kathy Wright, Chair, CARP’s Advocacy Working Group on LTC,  613-808-8978, kw13@bell.net