Ontario Boosts Long-Term Care with $35 Million for Residents with Complex Needs

Province’s Local Priorities Fund to Support Specialized Equipment, Reduce ER Visits

Toronto, ON — The Ontario government is investing $35 million in long-term care homes across the province to help support residents with complex medical needs. The funding, delivered through the Local Priorities Fund (LPF), will be used to enhance services, purchase specialized equipment, and provide staff training to reduce hospital visits and improve quality of life for seniors.

Announced by Minister of Long-Term Care Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, the initiative is part of Ontario’s broader plan to protect the province’s long-term care system and better meet the needs of its aging population.

“Our government is protecting our long-term care system by investing in the tools and training to ensure residents can get the right care in the right place,” said Minister Kusendova-Bashta. “This funding will expand the specialized equipment and innovative services available at long-term care homes across our province, so those with complex needs get the support they deserve.”

Supporting Residents with Complex Needs

The LPF was first launched in 2022 and has supported over 2,500 projects to date. These include everything from mobility aids and dementia-friendly designs to staff training programs and medical care tools.

In 2024–25 alone, over 900 projects were funded, including:

• $9.5 million across Northern Ontario for 139 projects targeting dementia, mobility issues, and cardiovascular conditions.

• $1 million for Women’s College Hospital and the Centre for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety to collaborate with Toronto hospitals and long-term care homes in reducing unnecessary ER visits.

• $500,000 across 30 homes in Eastern Ontario to purchase bariatric equipment, removing barriers to admission for seniors with weight-related medical needs.

A Four-Pillar Strategy to Improve Long-Term Care

The funding complements Ontario’s four-pillar strategy to reform long-term care, which includes:

1. Staffing and care – More hiring and retention support.

2. Quality and enforcement – Stricter oversight and accountability.

3. Building modern homes – Investing in 58,000 new or upgraded beds.

4. Access to services – Improving care coordination for seniors.

Over 60% of long-term care residents in Ontario have dementia. These targeted supports are expected to not only reduce emergency department visits but also relieve pressure on hospitals.

Fast Facts

• Ontario seniors (65+) are the fastest-growing age group in the province.

• The government is offering up to $35,400 in incentives to Personal Support Workers (PSWs) starting careers in long-term care.

• Between 2021 and 2025, Ontario has committed $4.9 billion to hiring thousands of new nurses, PSWs, and allied health professionals.

Building a Safer, Smarter Future for Seniors

With Canada’s population aging rapidly, Ontario’s LPF approach is being recognized as a strategic model for matching funding with local needs. By prioritizing access to specialized care, the province hopes to reduce pressure on emergency rooms, prevent avoidable hospital admissions, and improve quality of life for some of its most vulnerable residents.

For more information, visit the Ministry of Long-Term Care website.

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