For Immediate Release
May 19, 2009

Ontario Expands Aging At Home Program in York West
McGuinty Government Investing In Aging At Home Program, Reducing ER Wait Times

Ontario is expanding its successful Aging at Home program by investing over $18 million in the Central Local Integrated Health Network, helping more seniors live independently and reduce pressure on Ontario’s emergency rooms in York West and Surrounding York Region.

This is part of a province-wide investment of $272 million to help seniors receive needed health services in the comfort and dignity of their own homes and communities. The funding will also help to decrease the number of alternate level of care (ALC) patients in hospitals and support more timely discharge of patients waiting to move out of the hospital to more appropriate services.

1. Over $14.5 million in direct funding to York West and the North West Toronto vicinity community services for the Aging at Home program.
2.  $1.6 million to the Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) to invest in local solutions that will address ALC pressures through the Urgent Priorities Fund
3. $6.8 million in Central LHIN for increased home care, personal support and homemaking services provided by Community Care Access Centres
4. $250,000 to Central LHIN for nurse-led outreach teams to provide more care to patients in long-term care homes and help them avoid transfers to the hospital ER.

“Our government is investing in community-based services so that seniors can have the quality of life they deserve at home.” said MPP Mario Sergio. “By providing more services to seniors at home and in their communities, these investments have the added benefit of reducing emergency room wait times.”

ALC patients are individuals in hospital beds who would be better cared for in alternate setting, such as long-term care, rehabilitation or at home. Having more home care and community services enables ALC patients to leave hospital sooner, making more beds available to ER patients.

QUICK FACTS

1. It is estimated that Ontario’s senior population will double in the next 16 years.
2. The Ontario Hospital Association indicates that seniors, who are awaiting access to appropriate care elsewhere, occupy almost 19 per cent of hospital beds in the province.
3. The government is investing $1.1 billion over four years in the Aging at Home Strategy.

Read more about the Aging at Home Strategy:  http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/program/ltc/33_ontario_strategy.html

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For more information:

Mario Sergio, MPP
York West
416-585-7007