Markham – York Region MPPs Michael Chan, Helena Jaczek, Reza Moridi, and Greg Sorbara together announce Ontario is expanding its successful Aging at Home program by investing $3,111, 968 in York Region to help more seniors live independently and reduce pressure on Ontario’s emergency rooms. In addition, $15, 728, 179 will be invested in the Aging At Home program of the Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) that will also benefitmany York Region residents.

This is part of a province-wide investment of $272 million to help seniors receive needed health services in the comfort and dignity of their own homes and communities. The funding will also help to decrease the number of alternate level of care (ALC) patients in hospitals and support more timely discharge of patients waiting to move out of the hospital to more appropriate services.

•  $ 3, 111, 968 million for the Aging at Home program in York Region
• $15, 728, 179 million for the Aging at Home program in the Central LHIN which also benefits York Region residents.
• $1, 588, 122 million to Central (LHIN) to invest in local solutions that will address ALC pressures
•  $6, 808, 300 million in Central LHIN for increased home care, personal support and homemaking services provided by Community Care Access Centres
• $250,000 to Central LHIN for nurse-led outreach teams to provide more care to patients in long-term care homes and help them avoid transfers to the hospital ER.

ALC patients are individuals in hospital beds who would be better cared for in alternate setting, such as long-term care, rehabilitation or at home. Having more home care and community services enables ALC patients to leave hospital sooner, making more beds available to ER patients.

“Our government is investing in community-based services so that seniors can have the quality of life they deserve at home.” said Dr. Helena Jaczek, MPP, Oak Ridges – Markham. “Byproviding more services to seniors at home and in their communities, these investments have the added benefit of reducing emergency room wait times.”

“Increasing access to care in the community benefits the whole health care system by reducing pressures on hospital Emergency Rooms and providing patients with the opportunity to access care at home and in their community,” said Ken Morrison, Chairman of the Board, Central LHIN. “This funding will enable health service providers to appropriately care for seniors outside of a hospital setting.”