Province Aims to Help More Seniors Age Safely at Home While Reducing Pressure on Hospitals
Ontario is expanding its Community Access to Long-Term Care (CALTC) pilot program to three additional communities, broadening access to clinical and personal care services for seniors who wish to remain in their own homes while awaiting long-term care placement.
Announced by the Ministry of Long-Term Care on July 31, the expansion will bring the program to Deep River, Ailsa Craig and Woodstock, building on the success of the pilot’s initial rollout in 2025. The move forms part of the provincial government’s broader strategy to improve access to long-term care services, reduce hospital visits and support an aging population.
“Our government is protecting our long-term care system by getting people the right care in the right place,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care. “Providing services at long-term care homes to people in the community helps them age comfortably in their own homes, while giving them access to the services they need.”
Three New Long-Term Care Sites Join Ontario Pilot Program
The Community Access to Long-Term Care program was first introduced in September 2025 to provide eligible seniors with access to care while they continue living at home. The initiative serves individuals already on the long-term care waitlist, those currently eligible for admission, and people expected to become eligible in the near future.
Under the expansion, three new participating locations have been added:
- Four Seasons Lodge in Deep River (East Region)
- Craigholme in Ailsa Craig (West Region)
- Woodingford Lodge in Woodstock (West Region)
These facilities will offer a range of services designed to help seniors maintain independence, including nursing care, clinical support, personal care, dementia care and wound management.
Program Builds on Strong First-Year Results
The province will also continue supporting the three original pilot locations:
- Seniors Health and Wellness Village at Peel Manor in Brampton
- Partners Community Health’s Integrated Seniors’ Hub at Wellbrook Place in Mississauga
- St. Joseph’s Villa Dundas
According to the Ministry, the original pilot sites delivered more than 10,000 visits during the program’s first year. Those visits included clinical care, personal support services, social programming and recreational activities.
Among the most frequently accessed services were foot care, bathing assistance, wound care, physiotherapy, social work support and vital signs monitoring.
Provincial officials say these services have enabled many seniors to receive needed care while remaining safely in their own homes, delaying or avoiding admission to hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Expansion Supports Ontario’s Long-Term Care Strategy
The CALTC expansion aligns with Ontario’s long-term care strategy outlined in the 2026 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario. The province has committed to building 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds while strengthening services available to seniors before they require institutional care.
The government’s long-term care strategy focuses on four priorities:
- Improving staffing levels and resident care
- Strengthening quality standards and enforcement
- Building modern, safe and comfortable long-term care homes
- Expanding faster and more convenient access to services for seniors
Ontario also continues to provide financial incentives for Personal Support Worker (PSW) students and eligible PSWs to encourage careers in long-term care homes and home and community care.
Community Leaders Welcome Expansion
Local leaders and health-care providers welcomed the addition of the three new sites, saying the program will improve access to essential services while allowing older adults to remain connected to their communities.
“By including Four Seasons Lodge in the Community Access to Long-Term Care pilot program, we are ensuring more people have access to the high-quality care they need and deserve, while helping residents remain in their own community with the support they need to live safely and independently. I want to thank the Ontario government and Minister Natalia Kusendova-Bashta for their leadership in expanding this initiative and for ensuring our community is included in this important pilot.”
– Billy Denault, MPP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke
Janna Hotson, Chief Executive Officer and Administrator of Deep River and District Health, said the investment reflects extensive consultation with local residents and organizations.
“The Province’s investment gives us the opportunity to create something truly designed by our community, for our community. Through our conversations with residents and partners, we heard that helping people remain at home requires much more than health care alone. It requires connection, purpose, education, navigation, trusted relationships, and timely access to support. The Community Access to Long-Term Care program allows us to rethink care delivery by supporting people earlier—before they require long-term care—helping them remain healthier, more connected, more independent, and living at home for longer.”
Elaine Shantz, President and CEO of Fairview Parkwood Craigwiel Communities, highlighted the benefits for rural communities.
“Older adults and families in rural communities often face unique challenges when navigating specialized care. Through Craigwiel Gardens, they will now have streamlined access to essential health care and social supports — including clinical nursing, community paramedicine and enhanced memory care — allowing them to remain independent and live safely at home longer. We are proud to partner with the government of Ontario through the Community Access to Long-Term Care pilot to strengthen our ability to serve older adults and their care partners in Ailsa Craig.”
Mark Dager, Director of Long-term Care at Woodingford Lodge, said the program allows care providers to extend their expertise beyond traditional long-term care settings.
“Woodingford Lodge is proud to expand our role beyond the walls of long-term care and bring our expertise, services and supports directly to people living in our community. Through support from the Ontario’s Community Access to Long-Term Care program, we are helping older adults remain safely at home longer while supporting families and caregivers throughout their journey. By providing access to services such as our adult day program, physiotherapy, personal care and bathing, system navigation, care partner support groups, and meaningful social and recreational programming, we can help people maintain their independence, prevent avoidable hospital visits and make future transitions into long-term care more familiar and less overwhelming.”
Growing Demand for Senior Care
Ontario says seniors aged 65 and older remain the province’s fastest-growing demographic. Eligibility for the Community Access to Long-Term Care program is limited to individuals currently on the long-term care waitlist, those already eligible for long-term care, or those expected to become eligible in the near future.
Residents seeking more information about eligibility or enrollment are encouraged to contact the nearest participating long-term care home. The province expects the expanded pilot to improve access to care while supporting seniors in maintaining their independence and quality of life within their communities.