New Ontario Seniors Action Plan: Aging with Confidence
The Ministries of Health and Long-Term Care and Seniors have released Aging with Confidence: Action Plan for Seniors. The plan aims to empower people to make the choices that are right for them when it comes to their care, their independence, and how they access government services - whether that's finding ways to keep up an active lifestyle or getting the support needed to live at home longer.
The action plan identifies many initiatives, addressing a broad range of determinants of health, amongst them:
- Development of a new seniors web portal
- Reviews of community transportation issues
- Age friendly communities
- Elder abuse protection
- Increase number of Seniors Active Living Centers
- Seniors programs tied to the arts and technology
- Servicing naturally occurring seniors communities
- Increased in-home care
- Increasing number of interprofessional House Call programs
- Commitment to finalize home care levels of care
- Continued commitment to Dementia Strategy
- Increasing long-term care beds across the province
- Increasing staffing and support to long-term care homes, including therapeutic care and Behavioural Support Ontario services
Implications for Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapists working with seniors will wish to review this Action Plan thoroughly. Awareness of health system priorities and funding opportunities enhances our ability to promote and develop occupational therapy services to support system needs and to provide evidence informed services to meet the needs of seniors as they age.
OSOT’s Seniors Advisory Group is exploring ways to support members to profile the many contributions OTs can bring to seniors care through occupational transitions. Interested in supporting leadership in seniors care? Contact Group Chair, Barry Trentham.
OSOT's Long-Term Care Homes Team has been advocating for increased access to occupational therapy services in Ontario's long-term care homes and continues to meet regularly with government. Link with this Team through its Chair, Joanne Kular.