Demographic Change in Toronto's Neighbourhoods
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44 | DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE IN TORONTO’S NEIGHBOURHOODS<br />
Additional challenges <strong>in</strong> long-term care<br />
<strong>in</strong>clude ensur<strong>in</strong>g culturally-appropriate<br />
and LGBT-positive service provision to<br />
meet the needs of Toronto’s diverse senior<br />
population 53,54 and achiev<strong>in</strong>g fund<strong>in</strong>g levels<br />
that support appropriate care. 55<br />
With Toronto’s older seniors population<br />
set to dramatically <strong>in</strong>crease, the long-term<br />
care system must be properly resourced<br />
with an expanded capacity to meet the<br />
needs of our ag<strong>in</strong>g and diverse population.<br />
Exist<strong>in</strong>g long-term care homes are at risk of<br />
closure. The need for immediate action is<br />
clear. To understand the cost of <strong>in</strong>action, we<br />
need only look to the example of Toronto<br />
Community Hous<strong>in</strong>g where longstand<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong>action has resulted <strong>in</strong> the loss of hundreds<br />
of tenant homes and thousands more are<br />
<strong>in</strong> jeopardy. Toronto’s frail and vulnerable<br />
seniors have a right to live <strong>in</strong> dignity <strong>in</strong><br />
a safe and supportive environment. It is<br />
critical that our governments act now to<br />
support a well-function<strong>in</strong>g long-term care<br />
system for Toronto’s most vulnerable<br />
residents.<br />
“There is a significant risk<br />
<strong>in</strong> future years of long -<br />
term care homes clos<strong>in</strong>g or<br />
mov<strong>in</strong>g outside of the city<br />
due to land costs.”<br />
- City of Toronto staff report<br />
City of Toronto, Long-Term Care Homes &<br />
Services (2016). Long-term Care Homes &<br />
Services Environmental Scan and Update on<br />
Council Approved Recommendations. Staff<br />
Report. Toronto, Ontario.<br />
53 ibid.<br />
54 Um, S. (2016). The Cost of Wait<strong>in</strong>g for Care: Deliver<strong>in</strong>g equitable long-term care for Toronto’s diverse population. Toronto,<br />
Ontario: Wellesley Institute.<br />
55 For examples of long-term care fund<strong>in</strong>g issues, see http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/low-prov<strong>in</strong>cialfund<strong>in</strong>g-shortchanges-niagara-long-term-care-residents-558-hours-care-2216410.htm,<br />
https://www.thestar.com/news/<br />
queenspark/2017/05/10/ontario-nurs<strong>in</strong>g-homes-can-add-fresher-better-food-to-menu-thanks-to-budget-boost.html and http://<br />
ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/patients-are-sicker-staff<strong>in</strong>g-is-lower-than-rest-of-canada-at-local-long-term-care-homes-report
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