Simcoe-Grey MPP Brian Saunderson announced Monday that six long-term care homes in the riding are receiving $268,297 for the purchase of items such as IV equipment, bariatrics equipment, bed support, bladder scanners, ECGs, slip- proof floor mats, wrap around bed rails, and grab bars.
The funding is allocated to: Collingwood Nursing Home, $117,969; Sunset Manor Home for Senior Citizens, also in Collingwood, $76,574; Stayner Care Centre, $33,790; Simcoe Manor Home for the Aged in Beeton, $18,060; Creedan Valley Community in Creemore, $13,705; and Errinrung Long Term Care Home in Thornbury, $8,200.
“Our seniors deserve the support and care they’ve given others throughout their lives,” said Saunderson in a press release. “Our government also knows the agencies and facilities tasked with caring for seniors require support. That’s why this investment in long- term care homes is needed, necessary and will ultimately benefit seniors.”
A release states, The Ontario government is investing in local long- term care homes in Simcoe-Grey, to help connect residents with complex needs like dementia and bariatric care to the right care in the right place, while also reducing avoidable emergency department visits and hospital stays.
“Our government is continuing to take action to ensure long-term care residents across Ontario get the right care in the right place,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Long-Term Care. “This funding will expand specialized staffing, equipment and other services at homes across the province so long- term care residents with complex needs can connect to the care they need, when and where they need it.”
Launched in 2022, the Local Priorities Fund invested $20 million in 2022-23 to help long-term care homes purchase specialized equipment and train staff to provide more specialized care, so more homes can welcome residents who have complex needs but no longer require acute care in hospital. The fund also helped current residents who have new, or increasingly complex medical or specialized equipment needs which could not be previously accommodated in their long-term care home, helping to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.
“Through the Local Priorities Fund, our government is continuing to ensure that Ontarians, at every stage of life, have access to the care and support they need, when they need it,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This investment builds on the historic work our government is doing to provide people with the right care, in settings most convenient to them, whether in their community or in their home.”
The Local Priorities Fund is part of a broader investment of over $120 million in 2022-23 and complements the recently launched Equipment and Training Fund, which helps long-term care homes purchase more diagnostic equipment and train staff to better manage and treat residents’ conditions that often lead to preventable hospital visits, such as urinary tract infections, falls, pneumonia and congestive heart failure.