Province invests $89M to help seniors age ‘safely at home'
The Ontario government announced on Tuesday an investment to make their Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care (CPLTC) program permanent, continuing to offer care for seniors right at their front door.
'Starting in 2026-27, Ontario will invest $89 million annually into the (CPLTC),' stated Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care, in her announcement at Barrie-Simcoe Emergency Services Campus.
Through the CPLTC, community paramedics can offer basic diagnostic services and check-ins to those who are on the waiting list for long-term care.
According to the province, the program has served more than 81,000 people and provided more than 310,000 hours of care to seniors since launching in 2020.
With more non-emergency services available at home, the province confirmed to CTV News that it has translated to fewer 911 calls and more efficiency in the healthcare system.
'It's a win-win situation for all,' said Kusendova-Bashta in an interview with CTV News. 'Our community paramedics are one of those providers who can help support people to stay at home longer. We know that our seniors, they feel really good at home. And if we are able to provide them with the right supports, like through community medicine, they will be able to stay within the comfort of their home longer.'
Of those 81,000 served by the CPLTC program, nearly 2,300 have been in Simcoe County.
The announced funding will support paramedic services in 56 municipalities and expand to seven Indigenous communities in total.
'It means a permanent program,' said Sarah Mills, director and chief of paramedics for the County of Simcoe. 'And securing support for our communities as our seniors age at home and really diversifying the portfolio of paramedics in the County of Simcoe.'
'It's so important if you can keep your family members at home where they feel comfortable, where they feel relaxed,' added Basil Clarke, County of Simcoe warden. 'They know somebody's coming in that's an expert, and even to go over their medication just to make them feel better. At the end of the day, when they leave, (they know that) 'yes, I'm doing everything right, I'm doing the best I can, and there's somebody looking out for me.''
Those on the waitlist for long-term care and those who have been assessed are eligible.
Clients may also refer themselves or family members by contacting their local paramedic service.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Premier Doug Ford warns Ontario scientists doing medical tests on dogs to 'stop before I catch you'
Premier Doug Ford warned Ontario scientists who use cats and dogs in research experiments that he would be "hunting" them down to end such work. Ford said it was unacceptable for beagles to be used in cardiac testing that had been approved by London's Lawson Research Institute and St. Joseph's Health Care London, and promised to introduce legislation to ban testing on certain animals. "I understand the mice, the rats, you know, maybe a rabbit, but these poor little beagles — you just look at their faces," Ford told a news conference in Windsor on Tuesday. The comments relate to an article released last week by the Investigative Journalism Bureau at the University of Toronto's Dalla Lana School of Public Health that revealed dogs had been used for years in the heart study. According to the article, published in partnership with Postmedia, researchers were inducing three-hour heart attacks in dogs and puppies before euthanizing them and removing those organs for further study. "I have now directed our team to start hunting down anyone else doing research on dogs or cats," Ford said Tuesday. "It's just unacceptable. Imagine your little dog being there and they try to put him into a heart attack. The poor thing. That's terrible and inhumane." Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Tuesday in Windsor that he's looking at legislating the end to medical testing of certain animals. (Justin Escoto/ CBC News) The research had been kept under wraps, but once the story was published, hospital CEO Roy Butler wrote to staff promising more transparency. He said the work had been approved by the internal animal ethics committee that follows Canadian animal welfare guidelines. "Animal research at Lawson is highly regulated and undertaken only when scientifically necessary and after all other alternatives have been considered," Butler's statement said. On Monday, St. Joseph's Health Care London said that it would "immediately cease" research involving dogs. CBC News has made multiple requests for an interview but the hospital has declined. Ford's office has not responded to questions about whether it directly ordered the cardiac testing to end, but the premier's comments Tuesday suggest as much. "And just a message: If you're doing this with dogs or cats, you gotta stop before I catch you. Simple as that. We're going to legislate this ... You aren't gonna be going after animals like that," Ford said. Almost 17,000 dogs used for science in 2023 According to the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC), which develops standards for the ethical use and care of animals in science, 16,151 dogs were used in research in 2023, the most recent statistics available. The council, which also participates on ethics review panels for research approval, said decisions on animal experimentation are guided by the "Three Rs": Replacement, reduction and refinement. "Is there an alternative method? If yes, you shouldn't use an animal. Reduction is, 'Do you need to use that amount of animals to conduct research?" said Pierre Verreault, CCAC's executive director. The refinement principle aims to minimize pain and distress by using pain medication if possible and giving the animal comfort. Charu Chandrasekera, executive director of the Canadian Centre for Alternatives to Animal Methods, previously worked in a lab that studied heart failure using animals. Chandrasekera said she's thrilled Ford is speaking out. St. Joseph's Hospital said Monday that it would 'immediately cease' research involving dogs. (St. Joseph's Healthcare London) She's been advocating for legislation that guides medical research using animals and believes scientists have become complacent when seeking out alternatives. "We don't have federal legislation defending animals in science. We do not have a federal animal welfare act. We don't have a lot of things that other countries do, and people always ask me, 'Why don't Canadians care?'" said Chandrasekera. "This is a defining moment for science in our country, and hopefully we can show the world that Canadians care by making a plan to phase out animal testing and adopting more and more animal-free methods." After Ford made comments on legislating an end to using dogs in research, CBC reached out to one of the largest medical research organizations in Canada for comment. The University Health Network (UHN), a public research and teaching network in Toronto, said it doesn't conduct studies on dogs or cats. "We are committed to the highest ethical standards of animal care and use for the purpose of continued progress in the field of human medicine," a UHN spokesperson said in an email. "The use of animals in research has been essential for advances in life sciences, medicine and agriculture, and has resulted in enormous benefits for human and animal health. We also continue to explore alternative approaches to reduce and replace animals where possible. "Any research involving animal models is conducted under a rigorous ethical and regulatory framework with protocols that align with national and international regulatory bodies," the release added.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Bat tests positive for rabies in South Huron
Huron Perth Public Health says another bat has tested positive for the rabies virus. The infected animal was found in South Huron. 'Huron Perth Public Health has followed up with persons involved to prevent rabies infection,' a media release stated. Officials also confirmed it was the second bat to test positive for the virus this year. Similar cases have been reported this summer in Brantford- Brant, Mississauga, Grey-Bruce, Chatham-Kent and Woodstock. Why is rabies a concern? Rabies can be contracted through a scratch or bite from an infected animal, such as a fox, raccoon, skunk or bat. Anyone who comes into contact with them must seek immediate medical treatment before symptoms begin to prevent serious illness. If not, they will usually die within seven to 14 days. Rabies symptoms include a fever, tiredness, headaches, anxiety or irritability, tingling and numbness. Eventually, the infected brain will swell, causing confusion, seizures and hallucinations. The patient may also develop a fear of water, fresh air or drafts. A child in Brantford-Brant died after coming into contact with a rabid bat in 2024. Public Health Ontario said it was the first case of domestic human rabies since 1967. What to do if you find a bat Here are a few things you can do to prevent rabies exposure: Avoid touching or feeding wild animals, even if they look healthy Make sure pets and livestock are up to date with their rabies vaccinations If you find a bat in your home do not touch it, call animal services at 311 If you believe someone has been exposed to an infected animal, confine it but do not touch or handle it with your hands Stay away from any animal that is acting strangely, is injured or sick Anyone who has come into direct contact with a wild animal is advised to wash the bite or scratch with soap and water, then seek immediate medical attention. They are also urged to report it to their local public health unit.
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
London hospital ending controversial research studies on dogs following outcry
Days after it emerged that heart studies had been performed on dogs for years at a London hospital, St. Joseph's Health Care London said Monday that it would "immediately cease" research studies involving the animal. In a brief statement, the organization said the decision came "following consultations with the province." "We acknowledge that this will have a significant impact on the ground-breaking research that has resulted in major strides in cardiac care and treatment, and on the dedicated teams involved in this work," the statement said, which was also sent to staff and volunteers. CBC News had contacted the province for comment. Officials with St. Joseph's refused an interview request on Monday. "The animal research conducted at Lawson Research Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care London (St. Joseph's) adheres to the highest standards of, and is in compliance with, all scientific and ethics protocols," the statement issued Monday read. "The Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) and the Western Animal Care Committee provide valued third-party oversight and ensure our commitment to ethical research at every stage of the discovery and innovation process." An article published last week by the Investigative Journalism Bureau at the University of Toronto's Dalla Lana School of Public Health revealed that dogs had been used for years in a heart study at St. Joseph's Hospital. According to the article, published in partnership with Postmedia, researchers from Lawson Research Institute were secretly inducing three-hour heart attacks in dogs and puppies before euthanizing them and removing their hearts for further study. The research had been kept under wraps, with the animals wheeled into the hospital in blanket-covered crates, as loud music played to drown out their barking, according to the report. In a post on social media on Monday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he was "deeply disturbed" by "reports of inhumane medical research taking place on dogs," at the hospital, and reached out to raise his concerns. "I'm pleased that St. Joseph's has agreed to immediately stop this research. Our government will always act to ensure that any medical research is carried out in an ethical and humane manner," Ford wrote. In a statement to CBC News last week, St. Joseph's said the report contained "several inaccuracies of fact," but would not say what the inaccuracies were. A spokesperson added that the research was conducted to "learn more about how to accurately image post-heart attack injury and healing that we cannot yet decipher using other models." "Other effective models don't yet exist for this specific line of inquiry that connects the metabolic and cellular mechanisms that can lead to, or prevent, a heart attack or heart failure with non-invasive imaging techniques." They also confirmed that dogs, rodents, fruit flies and other large mammals were used in research, but did not return a subsequent inquiry seeking more clarity on what "other large mammals" meant. Monday's announcement specifically referred to the immediate cessation of "research studies involving dogs." A vigil was held outside of St. Joseph's Hospital on Saturday for the dogs who died as part of the study.
