Within a few weeks the provincial government is expected to table its new budget – likely in late March. This will determine if government will fund homes for the additional staff and supplies they require to meet resident care needs.
OLTCA and its member homes have launched a major campaign asking government to provide an extra $513 million in operating funding in the 2008/2009 budget. This funding will allow homes to respond to care and service priorities that impact residents throughout the day, every day. (see box)
In the past, government funding initiatives in long term care have often been directed at a single issue. These band-aid approaches leave other substantial resident needs unmet.
Homes are being asked to provide care and services for an older, frailer resident with increasingly complex medical and psychological needs. The time has come for government to provide the funding required for homes to make a real difference against these needs now.
We urge you to help. Tell your MPP that long term care needs more than a band-aid in this budget by sending an e-postcard from this site or by signing a postcard at one of our Member homes.
You will be helping make a difference for 75,000 of the oldest and frailest residents who built this great province. You will also be helping all Ontarians by reducing the strain on hospital emergency rooms