MPPs Volunteer at Long Term Care Homes Across the Province

TORONTO (October 11, 2006) – MPPs are rolling up their sleeves and pitching in as volunteer workers at not-for-profit long term homes across Ontario.

The province-wide program is being implemented by the Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors (OANHSS) in order to give MPPs a first-hand look at the realities of long term care.

“We want MPPs to have a really good understanding of the conditions in long term care homes and greater insight into what is needed to improve the quality of life of residents,” said Donna Rubin, CEO of OANHSS.

Only recently launched, the program has already arranged for a number of MPPs to visit long term care homes in their ridings. To date, the participating MPPs include:

Ted Arnott, Waterloo-Wellington - Nithview Community Housing

Gilles Bisson, Timmins-James Bay - North Centennial Manor

Laurel Broten, Etobicoke-Lakeshore - Labdara Lithuanian Nursing Home

Kim Craitor, Niagara Falls - Pleasant Manor Heritage Place and Upper Canada Lodge

Brad Duguid, Scarborough Centre - The Wexford Residence

Garfield Dunlop, Simcoe North - Georgian Manor and Trillium Manor

Christine Elliott, Whitby-Ajax - Fairview Lodge

Michael Gravelle, Thunder Bay-Superior North - Bethammi Nursing Home

Pat Hoy, Chatham-Kent-Essex - Riverview Gardens

Frank Klees, Oak Ridges - Mon Sheong Richmond Hill

Dave Levac, Brant - John Noble Home and St. Joseph’s Brantford

Bill Mauro, Thunder Bay-Atikokan  - Hogarth Riverview Manor

Jennifer Mossop, Stoney Creek - Shalom Manor

Richard Patten, Ottawa Centre - Glebe Centre

Laurie Scott, Haliburton-Victoria - Lakeview Manor

Joseph Tascona, Barrie-Simcoe-Bradford - Grove Park Home for Senior Citizens

John Wilkinson, Perth-Middlesex - Spruce Lodge Home for the Aged

Elizabeth Witmer, Kitchener-Waterloo - Parkwood Mennonite Home Inc.

John Yakabuski, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke - Bonnechere Manor, Miramichi Lodge and Four Seasons Lodge

OANHSS continues to schedule MPPs who want to volunteer some time at a long term care home, and hopes that many more will participate over the coming weeks.

Those MPPs who have participated are enthusiastic and positive about the experience. “I think it is important and necessary that elected officials take the time to see first hand the challenges staff in our long-term care facilities face daily,” said John Yakabuski, MPP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, who has spent time volunteering on the front lines at three homes in his riding.

Timmins-James Bay MPP Gilles Bisson noted: “The only way to see how these facilities are run is to take part in its daily operations. Being there gave me a first-hand look at what challenges are being faced. I enjoyed experiencing life as a staff member of the manor and can now bring concerns back to Queen’s Park.”

Etobicoke-Lakeshore MPP Laurel Broten stated: “I very much appreciate the time I spent with the dedicated staff, residents and volunteers at Labdara Lithuanian Nursing home.”

Donna Rubin of OANHSS noted that the MPPs’ visits mean a lot to both the staff and residents at these homes. “We applaud those who give their time to this initiative because we know it will help inform decision-making at Queen’s Park. It is so important that we all work together, government and providers, to ensure that the seniors in our homes receive the best possible care.”

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 26,000 long-term care beds and over 5,000 seniors’ housing units across the province.

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For further information, contact:

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.