The lobby group for Ontario seniors says it is pleased with today's government announcement to improve access to long-term care, provide additional home care hours, and expand seniors’ supportive housing across Ontario.
"Everyone should have the right to live with dignity and peace of mind, no matter their age or health. This announcement is a key step to making that a reality for Ontario residents as we age,” said Wanda Morris, CARP’s VP Advocacy.
“We're delighted the government of Ontario has committed to providing free, high-dose flu shots to older Ontario residents. We commend the government for this investment and believe it will not only reduce healthcare costs but prevent unnecessary suffering among Ontario seniors,” she added.
CARP has been calling for funded, best in class vaccines for Ontario seniors, including the high-dose flu shot.
A government news release says every person in Ontario should benefit from the opportunities the province has to offer, no matter their age.
Premier Kathleen Wynne was at Sackville Hill Seniors Recreation Centre in Hamilton today to announce Aging with Confidence: Ontario’s Action Plan for Seniors. The plan empowers people to make the choices that are right for them when it comes to their care, their independence and how they access government services — whether that’s finding ways to keep up an active lifestyle or getting the support needed to live at home longer.
The number of seniors in Ontario is forecast to double to 4.6 million within the next 25 years.
The plan also substantially expands the number of long-term care (LTC) beds across the province, while increasing staffing levels and support for LTC home residents.
The new plan offers:
- A one-stop website where seniors — about 70 per cent of whom go online every day — can find information about tax credits, drug coverage, powers of attorney, recreation programs and more. Seniors will also be able to get information over the phone in more than 150 languages
- An annual high-dose influenza vaccine, targeted to protect seniors, which will be available free of charge as part of the Ontario Universal Influenza Immunization Program, starting in the 2018-19 flu season
- Support for “naturally occurring” retirement communities by investing more than $15 million over two years for apartment buildings or housing developments where many seniors already live close to one another
- More volunteering opportunities connecting seniors and youth, fostering learning and mentorship while reducing older people’s risk of social isolation
- 5,000 new LTC beds over the next four years and 15 million more hours of nursing, personal support and therapeutic care annually for residents in LTC homes, as well as a 10-year plan to create more than 30,000 new beds over the next decade, working with the long-term care sector.
Older adults make up Ontario’s fastest-growing age group. There are now more people in Ontario 65 or older than under 15.
Almost half of seniors are worried about being alone. Social isolation is a risk factor for an array of negative outcomes among older people, including elder abuse, a higher risk of falls, hospitalization and depression.
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