Sudbury MPP Glenn Thibeault shared the province's plan, Aging with Confidence: Ontario’s Action Plan for Seniors on Nov. 9.
The plan aims to empower people to make the choices that are right for them when it comes to their care, their independence and how they access government services — whether that’s finding ways to keep up an active lifestyle or getting the support needed to live at home longer.
The number of seniors in Ontario is forecast to double to 4.6 million within the next 25 years — and Ontario is aiming to become the best place in the world to grow older.
Aging with Confidence focuses on areas that seniors say they care about most, including living independently for as long as possible and staying connected through social, recreational and volunteer activities.
To ensure communities like Sudbury are ready for the changing realities of an aging population, the plan also substantially expands the number of long-term care (LTC) beds across the province, while increasing staffing levels and support for LTC home residents.
“Seniors in Sudbury want to know that the province is there for them, to provide supports and services that meet their needs," said Thibeault.
"Ontario’s new plan is the best roadmap for making sure that seniors are well supported at all stages of their lives. I’m proud of this investment and what it will mean for Sudbury."
The new action plan offers:
- A one-stop website where seniors — about 70 per cent of whom go online every day — can find information about tax credits, drug coverage, powers of attorney, recreation programs and more. Seniors will also be able to get information over the phone in more than 150 languages
- An annual high-dose influenza vaccine, targeted to protect seniors, will be available free of charge as part of the Ontario Universal Influenza Immunization Program
- Support for “naturally occurring” retirement communities by investing more than $15 million over two years for apartment buildings or housing developments where many seniors already live close to one another
- More volunteering opportunities connecting seniors and youth, fostering learning and mentorship while reducing older people’s risk of social isolation
- 5,000 new LTC beds over the next four years and 15 million more hours of nursing, personal support and therapeutic care annually for residents in LTC homes, as well as a 10-year plan to create more than 30,000 new beds over the next decade, working with the long-term care sector.
“My mom is 89 and my dad is 91 — so my family and I know, on a very personal level, how important it is to Ontario’s two million seniors, and their families and friends, that we empower older people to navigate this next phase of life with dignity and as much independence as possible," said Premier Kathleen Wynne.
"Through Aging With Confidence, we are doing our very best to help seniors continue to live life to the fullest as part of Ontario’s healthy and vibrant communities.”
A press release from Glenn Thibeault says, "helping seniors live their best life is part of Ontario’s plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change."
The plan includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of Medicare in a generation.
“After a lifetime of working hard and building Ontario up to the thriving society it is today, we owe it to Ontario seniors to support healthy aging and ensure they enjoy a high quality of life," said Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.
"By investing in the health care services and supports that ensure seniors stay independent, healthy and active, all of Ontario will continue to benefit from the tremendous knowledge, compassion and experience that seniors have to share.”
The province is investing $155 million over three years through the action plan.
Find more on the action plan here.
