SUDBURY, Ontario, October 8, 2026 — The Ontario government has announced nearly $13 million in funding to expand specialized dementia care across the province, extending support to approximately 1,300 additional long-term care residents and funding up to 153 specialized behavioural care beds.
The investment will expand the Improving Dementia Care Program (IDCP) to 13 additional long-term care homes while increasing access to behavioural specialized units (BSUs) at five facilities. The initiative aims to improve residents’ quality of life, strengthen staff training and reduce reliance on hospital-based care.
Ontario Expands Improving Dementia Care Program to 30 Homes
The province is allocating $3 million to introduce the IDCP at 13 additional long-term care homes, bringing the total number of participating facilities to 30.
The program focuses on emotion-based care models that prioritize residents’ individual needs, emotional well-being and relationships with caregivers and family members.
“Our government is investing in innovative programs to support long-term care residents living with dementia,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care. “Through emotion-based models of care, we can improve the quality of life for those residents, their caregivers and families, while creating a better work experience for staff.”
Program Expansion Builds on September 2025 Pilot
The expansion follows the launch of a pilot program in September 2025. Ontario intends to increase participation to 50 long-term care homes by the 2027-28 fiscal year.
Facilities selected for the second year were drawn from applications submitted during the program’s first year. Selection criteria included demonstrated need, readiness to implement the program and operational capacity.
According to the province, more than 60% of residents in Ontario’s long-term care homes have been diagnosed with dementia, highlighting the demand for specialized services.
Sudbury Long-Term Care Home Receives $247,545
The funding announcement took place at Villa St. Gabriel Villa in Sudbury, which will receive $247,545 through the expanded program.
The funding will support staff training, sensory-scape equipment and an implementation lead responsible for helping introduce the care model.
Kari Gervais, President and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health Centre, which operates Villa St. Gabriel Villa, welcomed the investment.
“Thanks to this investment from the Ministry of Long-Term Care, we will build on Villa St. Gabriel Villa’s commitment to person-centred care through the Improving Dementia Care Program. Our emotion-based model will strengthen how we recognize and respond to residents’ feelings with compassion as the compass for care. This funding will ensure we continue to live our mission through care that responds to the needs of the whole person – body, mind, and spirit.”
The funding is intended to help the facility strengthen individualized dementia care while providing staff with additional resources and training.
Ontario Allocates $9.82 Million Annually for Specialized Dementia Care Beds
Alongside the IDCP expansion, Ontario is committing $9.82 million annually in 2026-27 to support up to 153 behavioural specialized unit beds across five long-term care homes.
These units provide specialized, person-centred care for residents whose behavioural and clinical needs require additional support.
Specialized Units Aim to Reduce Hospital Dependence
Behavioural specialized units employ trained staff who develop care approaches tailored to residents’ physical, emotional and cultural needs.
By providing specialized services within long-term care settings, the province aims to reduce the need for residents to receive care in hospitals.
The approach could also help preserve hospital capacity for patients requiring acute medical treatment, although the government did not provide specific projections for potential reductions in hospital admissions.
Investment Supports Ontario’s Broader Long-Term Care Strategy
The dementia care expansion forms part of Ontario’s broader long-term care strategy, which includes plans to build 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds across the province.
The government’s strategy focuses on four priorities: improving staffing and care, strengthening quality and enforcement, developing modern and comfortable facilities, and improving seniors’ access to essential services.
Ontario is also offering financial incentives to eligible personal support workers entering long-term care and home and community care roles.
The latest funding commitments reflect the province’s efforts to address growing demand for dementia services while expanding specialized care within existing long-term care facilities.
With additional homes joining the IDCP and new behavioural specialized unit funding, the government is seeking to improve care options for residents while supporting caregivers, families and health-care workers across Ontario.
Discover more from Wire Service Canada
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.