Press Release
The North West Local Health Integration Network, along with Ontario’s 14 Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs), is investing $1.23 million to enhance services for seniors who exhibit behaviours associated with complex and challenging mental health, dementia or other neurological conditions.
The money will go towards local initiatives that will improve care.
The $40 million provincial investment will allow local health service providers to hire new staff—nurses, personal support workers and other health care providers—and train them in the specialized skills necessary to provide care for these patients with dignity and respect.
The investment is part of the provincial Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO) Project, which focuses on providing quality care for individuals with these conditions, in an environment that is based on safety, high quality, evidence-based care and practice.
Four LHINs—Central East, Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant, North Simcoe Muskoka and South East—will be developing and implementing their local plans beginning November 1, 2011—with the remaining 10 LHINs implementing in February 2012.
One of the goals of the BSO Project is to ensure that staff working in health care settings—such as long-term care homes, community services and hospitals—are supported in caring for seniors with complex mental health needs.
The Behavioural Supports Ontario Project is a collaboration between Local Health Integration Networks, Alzheimer Society of Ontario, Health Quality Ontario, and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
“We know Ontario’s population is aging and that the number of seniors with dementia and other complex health needs is going to increase. Patients deserve to be managed with sensitive care,” said Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.
“The Behavioural Supports Ontario Project—the first of its kind in Canada and only one of a handful in the world—will support this vulnerable population,” she added.
“The Alzheimer Society of Ontario applauds these much-needed investments that will strengthen the capacity of both families and our health care system to improve the quality of life for this group of Ontarians,” said Gale Carey, CEO, Alzheimer Society of Ontario.
“Today’s announcement responds to solutions suggested by family caregivers and health care personnel coping with these challenges every day, whether they’re in hospitals, long-term care facilities or in their own homes. The Alzheimer Society looks forward to working with the LHINs in implementing this important project,” she added.
“This is about supporting those with complex mental health needs, as well as our dedicated front-line workers who care for them with sensitivity and compassion,” noted Laura Kokocinski, CEO, North West LHIN.
Sixty-five percent of long-term care home residents have dementia.
By 2020, the number of persons with dementia in Ontario will increase by 40 percent to 220,000; and 34 percent of Alternate Level of Care (ALC) bed days are occupied by people with dementia.
In the North West LHIN catchment area, 60 percent of Alternate Level of Care patients waiting for long-term care exhibit responsive behaviours.
Alternate Level of Care individuals with responsive behaviours wait on average more than 40 days for placement to long-term care; 78 percent of those individuals on the Alternate Level of Care wait list have cognitive impairments.
Eighty percent of Alternate Level of Care patients waiting for long‐term care have cognitive impairments.
