Ontario Invests $114M to Support Seniors and Caregivers

TORONTO — The Ontario government is taking new steps to improve the lives of seniors and their caregivers, reintroducing the Support for Seniors and Caregivers Act, 2025 alongside a $114 million investment to expand access to community programs, dementia care, and protections for long-term care residents.

The legislation is part of a broader effort to strengthen Ontario’s aging care system, with reforms targeting long-term care homes, retirement residences, and seniors living independently.

“It is critical to build for the future so we can support some of the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Paul Calandra, acting Minister of Long-Term Care.

What the Legislation Proposes

If passed, the legislation would:

Require all long-term care homes to offer structured dementia care programs.
Strengthen the rights of residents to receive ongoing care from family and friends.
Expand cultural and linguistic recognition, including French-language accessibility, in long-term care settings.
Create new offences for abuse or neglect of residents and bolster enforcement and investigation powers.

It would also amend the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021 and the Retirement Homes Act, 2010, making the legislation a comprehensive update to Ontario’s senior care system.

Additional Investments

Alongside the bill, the province announced:

$80 million over three years to expand dementia care and support programs.
Expansion of community programs that help seniors stay active and healthy at home.
Development of an AI-driven strategy for early detection of osteoporosis, a condition responsible for 80% of fractures in older adults.

“This investment will improve access to high-quality dementia care across the province,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “More seniors and their loved ones will be able to connect to the services they need in their community.”

Context: Ontario’s Aging Population

Seniors aged 65 and older are the fastest growing demographic in Ontario. Over 60% of long-term care (LTC) residents have been diagnosed with dementia. To address rising demand, the province is in the process of building 58,000 new and upgraded LTC beds and has committed $4.9 billion from 2021 to 2025 to hire thousands of new PSWs and nurses.

Ontario also continues to offer incentives of up to $35,400 to attract new personal support workers into long-term care and home care roles.

The legislation and investments reflect the Ford government’s goal of ensuring seniors can live with dignity, security, and support — whether at home, in congregate settings, or in LTC facilities.

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