LONG-TERM CARE IN ONTARIO IN CRISIS

TORONTO (November 1, 2000) -- Because of provincial government underfunding, the residents of homes for the aged and nursing homes are not receiving the level of care they need and deserve.

"We're doing everything we can to try and keep the system from coming apart. But we're rapidly approaching the point where our facilities can no longer cope," says Donna Rubin, CEO of the Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors.

The province pays one of the lowest per diem rates in the country -- about $60 a day for each resident. At the same time, those living in these facilities are older and sicker, with more complex care needs, than at any time in the past.

The average age of residents is 86, and typically they come to live in these facilities at the end of their lives. "Residents and their families are telling us the level of care is not enough, and we have to agree. But we simply don't have the staffing or funds that are necessary," Rubin says.

Residents today often have multiple chronic illnesses and require special care (such as intravenous feedings, wound dressings, palliative care, psycho-geriatric care, behaviour intervention, and special support). In addition, about half suffer from dementia and other mental health illnesses.

While government has provided some relief, funding has not kept pace with the escalating needs of the residents, and OANHSS estimates that the shortfall is now at least $230 million a year. That's the minimum amount of new funding required to meet current demands. Significantly more will be needed to address future demands.

In the face of these mounting problems, long-term care facilities have had little choice but to cut back on programs and services. According to a member survey just completed by OANHSS:

• The most frequently cited impact of underfunding has been in reduced interactions with residents and families. For example, residents with dementia and behavioural needs are often not getting the special attention they require. Also, residents may not receive the level of personal support or help with daily living they need. For example, routine baths may be given once a week.

• Staff are stretched to the limit. For example, each Registered Nurse now looks after an average of 60 residents during the day shifts, and 100 residents during the night shifts.

• In many facilities, all employees including administrative personnel are having to help out with certain duties, such as feeding the residents, because of staff shortages.

While the Ontario government has announced the creation of an additional 20,000 long-term care beds, most of these will not be available for several years. In the meantime, facilities are now having to turn people away. About 14,000 people in the province are currently waiting for placement, with waiting times of up to four years in some areas.

"Even when the 20,000 new beds are added, the problem of under-staffing and inadequate levels of care will continue to plague the system as long as the province fails to provide the necessary operating funding," Rubin explains.

With the aging population, these pressures will continue to build. In Ontario, the 85+ age group is expected to increase four-fold and the number of people with Alzheimer disease is projected to triple over the next 30 years.

"Something has to give, and it shouldn't be the residents," says Rubin. "We're calling on government to urgently address this crisis by immediately raising its share of the per diem from $60 to $71."

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For further information, contact:
Donna Rubin, CEO
905-851-8821 ext. 230

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.