OANHSS members are facing unprecedented challenges as they struggle to deliver high quality services in the face of increasing demand and dwindling resources. There are many pressure points: the shortage of qualified staff, the growth in the seniors population including those with increasingly complex care needs, and the growing demand for affordable and appropriate seniors housing. The following highlights three broad issues and the Association’s strategies for addressing them.

1. Sustaining the Not-for-Profit Sector
2. Funding
3. Supportive Housing

• A key strategic direction for OANHSS is to continue building support for not-for-profit long term care
• Our goal is to demonstrate the importance to consumers and government of supporting the sustainability of the sector in the provision of care, services and housing for seniors
• Strategies for achieving this include promoting the long term care sector’s leadership in providing innovative and effective living environments and community programs, publicizing the quality of life and professional care principles of members, communicating the importance of preserving consumer choice and contributing to consumer education about the range of not-for-profit long term care services and housing
• There is public demand for not-for-profit for care – in the long term care sector this is clearly demonstrated by long wait lists for not-for-profit facility care – the public’s commitment to this sector is also evidenced by the donations of time and money that people make to the not-for-profit organizations in their communities
• Not-for-profit long term care facilities (homes for the aged, non-profit nursing homes), seniors housing, and community service agencies are sponsored by religious, charitable, and ethno-cultural groups or owned by municipalities – they are respected and recognized not only for their dedication and commitment to quality care and service delivery but also for the active and integral role they play as employers, supporters, and contributors to their local communities – not-for-profits are leaders in delivering culturally sensitive care
• Not-for-profit organizations exist for only one reason: to provide high quality services for consumers – any surplus income is used to improve facilities or expand services - they respond to and grow out of the communities they serve
• A fundamental strength that sets not-for-profits apart from other long term care providers is their built-in accountabilities: to their volunteer boards that govern them,  to municipal politicians, to their charitable sponsor groups, and to the communities they serve

• Government funding levels for facility long term care is inadequate (see OANHSS Submission to Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs - December 2005)
• Insufficient base operating funds coupled with other financial pressure points (eg. pay equity, collective bargaining settlements) are having a crippling effect on the ability of facilities to meet the growing demands for service, while maintaining a high quality of care
• Not-for-profit long term care facilities continuously plow any surpluses back in their operations to improve their facilities and expand services – individuals donate their time and money to help create caring and home-like environments – but it is not enough
• The system is sagging under the weight of demographics, increased longevity, and the complex and heavier care needs of our rapidly aging population – the number of people on waiting lists for facilities alone, not to mention those seeking other community and support services, is staggering
• The government needs to put more dollars into the system – into all points along the long term care continuum: home care, community services, supportive housing, facilities – the effectiveness of any one of these components is dependent upon the strength of the system as a whole
• The rippling effects of this underfunding are being felt by frustrated consumers, overburdened family caregivers, overworked staff, and providers that are constantly struggling to do more with less
• OANHSS continues to press the government and advocate for high quality, appropriately funded long term care, housing and community services

• Supportive housing is an extremely valuable and effective part of the range of services available to seniors in Ontario – for the most part it is not widely known or understood
• Supportive housing came about as an alternative to facility care for seniors who may be frail, debilitated, or looking for support and assistance that is not available in their own home – it plays an important role in providing options to seniors in need of supports (note – supportive housing services are also accessed by populations other than seniors including people with physical disabilities or acquired brain injuries and those living with HIV/AIDS)
• Very generally, supportive housing is the type of housing that helps people in their daily living through the provision of a physical environment that is safe, secure, enabling and homelike and through the provision of support services such as meals, housekeeping and social/recreational activities – it can benefit seniors who are looking for company and the companionship of peers
• There are different forms (ie. building types and sizes ) and the levels and types of services provided can vary – some organizations receive funding from the provincial government through the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) to provide services and others offer services for a fee and help subsidize the cost through fundraising efforts
• MOHLTC provides funding to organizations and agencies to offer personal support services and essential homemaking services to individuals who require the availability of 24-hour on-site assistance to remain independent in the community – within a supportive housing project tenants may receive services directly through the housing provider or through an external support service agency that has contracted with the housing provider to deliver services to tenants living in the project – the Ministry is currently operating under a Supportive Housing Policy that was introduced in December 1994
• It is a cost-effective alternative to expensive facility and hospital care and it supports independence and quality of life
• Supportive housing has the capacity to play a greater role in the continuum of long term care services in Ontario
• Supportive housing is an OANHSS priority – the Association continues to champion the expansion of this service (in terms of both funding and availability) in Ontario and press the government to recognize that it fits well with their aim to achieve greater efficiency within the health sector.

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.