FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OANHSS Applauds New Funding for Long Term Care

TORONTO (August 1, 2007) – New funding announced this week to increase the daily food allowance for long term care residents and to redevelop older long term care beds is very good news for residents.

“The jump in the food allowance from $5.57 to $7.00 a day for each resident is really significant, said Donna Rubin, CEO of the Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors. “We wholeheartedly support this much-needed increase,” added Rubin.

The daily raw food allowance is the money that long term care homes receive from the government for each resident to provide three meals, snacks, nutritional supplements and to meet any special dietary requirements.

Over the last few years, OANHSS has repeatedly raised concerns about the inadequacy of the funding to provide residents with nutritious and enjoyable meals. “Homes have always met the basic nutritional needs of residents but a 26 per cent increase will make a real difference. They will enjoy higher quality food, more fresh fruits and vegetables and tastier, more home-like meals,” said Rubin.

The government also announced its plan to redevelop 35,000 older long term care beds over the next 10 years.

“This will mean consistent, high-quality accommodation in long term care homes across the province for current and future residents,” said Rubin.

OANHSS also welcomed the government’s commitment to provide assistance to not-for-profit groups to ensure equitable access to this program. “We are waiting to hear more details but we would certainly support any efforts to ensure that not-for-profit long term care remains a vibrant and growing sector,” Rubin added.

Bluewater Rest Home, an OANHSS member organization in Zurich, Ontario, will serve as a pilot site to determine the necessary supports to ensure that small and rural communities are able to fully participate in the redevelopment.

The province will be meeting with OANHSS and other provincial provider associations to work out more fully the details of the program.

OANHSS is the provincial association representing not-for-profit providers of long term care, services and housing for seniors. Members include municipal and charitable long term care homes, non-profit nursing homes, seniors’ housing projects and community service agencies. Member organizations operate over 27,000 long term care beds and over 5,000 seniors’ housing units across the province.

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Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes & Services for Seniors
7050 Weston Road, Suite 700, Woodbridge, Ontario L4L 8G7
(P) 905-851-8821
(F) 905-851-0744

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OANHSS members include not-for-profit providers of long term care, services and housing for seniors in Ontario.
Members include municipal and charitable long term care homes, non-profit nursing homes,
seniors' housing projects and community service agencies.