Ontario’s Long-Term Care System Struggles to Meet Demand
The demand for long-term care placement in Ontario is skyrocketing, leading to a unique situation where individuals are finding their way into nursing homes primarily through hospital admissions. With Toronto facing a critical shortage of beds due to closures of nursing homes, the pressure on the system is reaching a breaking point.
Advocates are calling for urgent action, emphasizing the need for the province to allocate more resources to address the challenges posed by an aging population. Lisa Levin, CEO of AdvantAge Ontario, asserts that the current system is unsustainable, highlighting the significant increase in hospital-to-long-term care transitions.
According to data from the Canadian Institute of Health Information, over half of long-term care admissions now originate from hospitals, a staggering 67% surge from pre-pandemic levels. This trend underscores the pressing need for a comprehensive overhaul of the long-term care sector to provide alternative options for seniors seeking care and support.
AdvantAge Ontario is urging the government to enhance funding for seniors’ supportive housing and home care services, emphasizing the importance of empowering individuals to live independently within their communities. The organization also stresses the necessity of investing in long-term care facilities to cater to the evolving needs of residents, many of whom are grappling with psychiatric or mood disorders.
The current situation has left families across the province struggling to secure placements for their loved ones, with admission into long-term care homes becoming increasingly challenging. As nursing homes grapple with an influx of residents from hospitals and closures, the need for immediate intervention is evident.
Keyphrase: long-term care system