Toronto — The Ontario government is rolling out a $9-million initiative over the next three years aimed at improving care for long-term care residents living with dementia. The new Improving Dementia Care Program (IDCP) will expand access to emotion-based models of care while providing training and resources for staff and support for families.
The province announced Thursday that the program will serve approximately 1,800 residents in its first year and is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the long-term care system. More than 60 per cent of Ontario’s long-term care residents live with dementia, and the number of Ontarians with the condition is projected to triple by 2050.
A Targeted Investment in Long-Term Care
“Our government is proud to invest in innovative dementia care and supports to improve the well-being of long-term care residents, their caregivers and families,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care. “Through initiatives like the Improving Dementia Care Program, we can improve the quality of care for residents while improving the work experience of staff.”
The program emphasizes emotion-based care, an approach designed to prioritize resident needs while building strong relationships among staff, residents and families. Participating homes will be supported through staff training and new resident programs. Long-term care operators will be able to apply to join the initiative through their regional Ontario Health office.
Officials say the new program aligns with the province’s four-pillar plan to improve long-term care. The strategy focuses on staffing and care, quality and enforcement, building modern and safe facilities, and connecting seniors with more convenient access to health and community services.
Support From Seniors’ Advocates
Minister for Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho called the investment a significant step forward in ensuring dignity for Ontario’s aging population.
“These investments are one more way our government, under the leadership of Premier Ford, is helping to protect Ontario’s seniors,” Cho said. “The new dementia care pilot will help our seniors live with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
The initiative has also drawn support from the Alzheimer Society of Ontario, which has long advocated for more person-centred models of care.
“The Alzheimer Society of Ontario supports the government’s three-year investment to improve the care for residents in long-term care homes living with dementia,” said Cathy Barrick, CEO of the organization. “Emotion-based models of care are crucial for enhancing the quality of life for residents living with dementia by improving the quality of care that staff in long-term care provide every day. The Improving Dementia Care Program recognizes the integral role that emotion-based care programs — such as the Alzheimer Society of Ontario’s U-First! training — play in delivering the person-centred care that people living with dementia require.”
Meeting Rising Demand
The IDCP comes as Ontario faces mounting pressures in long-term care. Seniors, defined as people aged 65 and older, represent the fastest growing demographic in the province. At the same time, health experts warn that dementia diagnoses are set to rise sharply in the coming decades.
To meet demand, the government has already committed to building 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds across Ontario. The province has also introduced financial incentives of up to $35,400 for personal support worker (PSW) students and eligible PSWs to launch careers in long-term care or the home and community care sector.
In December 2024, the government announced a suite of proposed legislative and programmatic changes designed to bolster dementia care. The IDCP represents one of the first major rollouts tied to that plan.
Looking Ahead
The government maintains that targeted initiatives like the IDCP are essential to ensuring Ontario’s long-term care residents receive the quality of care they “need and deserve.” By focusing on both staff training and resident well-being, officials argue the program has the potential to transform how dementia care is delivered in facilities across the province.
As applications for participation open through Ontario Health’s regional offices, the program’s success will hinge on uptake by long-term care operators and the ability to scale best practices province-wide.
