A major Canadian survey released by the Health Standards Organization calls for new national long-term-care standards featuring “emotion-based care that emphasizes social connection (rather than the completion of tasks).” The survey involved 16,000 Canadians (70% from Ontario) and also revealed that the public prefers homes staffed by “caring, compassionate and competent” workers focused on injecting life into residents’ final years.
With Thanksgiving weekend just days away, experts say choosing not to invite your unvaccinated relatives is the safer, smarter, and more ethical option — especially while kids can’t get a COVID-19 jab. “The vaccines are really effective, but they’re most effective when you’re surrounded by vaccinated people,” said Dr. Matthew Miller, assistant dean at McMaster University’s department of biochemistry and biomedical sciences.
Ontario is setting aside up to $270 million to hire more than 4,000 long-term care workers by the end of the fiscal year. The details of the funding were announced by Long-Term Care Minister Rod Phillips, who said that it’s part of a plan to hire more workers in the sector so the province can meet a goal of getting long-term care residents an average of four hours of direct care per day by 2025.
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The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is now recommending COVID-19 booster shots for residents of long-term care homes and seniors living in other congregate settings across Canada, such as retirement homes, assisted-living facilities, and chronic care hospitals. The suggestion is for seniors who have already received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine to be offered a third shot at least six months after their last dose.
As vaccine deadlines approach at both London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) and St. Joseph’s Health Care in fewer than three weeks, there are still hundreds of healthcare workers who remain unvaccinated. “What we’re really focusing on at this point is reaching out to all the staff who have not been vaccinated and offering any support we can,” explained Carol Young-Ritchie, LHSC Executive Vice President, Chief Clinical Officer, and Chief Nursing Officer.
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The Ontario government is investing up to $527,900 in Dementia Friendly Communities. “Ontario’s population is aging, and projections show that growing numbers of Ontarians will be living with dementia. This investment will help raise awareness of Dementia Friendly Communities and provide communities and first responders with much-needed resources to help keep older Ontarians living with dementia safe,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility.
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