Monday, January 27, 2014
Better Care for Seniors
Ontario Funds New Unit at Queensway Carleton Hospital
Premier Kathleen Wynne was in Ottawa today where she announced that Ontario is providing up to $8.87 million to support a new Acute Care for the Elderly Unit at the Queensway Carleton Hospital. The new unit will provide comprehensive care for seniors and help them remain independent.
The Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) Unit will have 34 beds. It will be a centralized place within the hospital dedicated to treating seniors. The unit will:
- Focus on elderly patients with many different health conditions, complex social issues and declining functional abilities;
- Help patients remain mobile by providing support to maintain their independence and return home;
- Provide nurses and other health staff with advanced training in geriatrics;
- Include a communal dining and activity room.
Making strategic investments in improving health care is part of the Ontario government's economic plan to invest in people, build modern infrastructure and support a dynamic and innovative business climate.
Quick Facts
- Ensuring that seniors can access the right care at the right time and in the right place supports Ontario's Action Plan for Health Care.
- The Acute Care for the Elderly Unit is modeled on recommendations from Dr. Samir Sinha’s report, Living Longer, Living Well.
- Over the next 20 years, the population of seniors aged 65 and over in Ontario will more than double from 1.9 million today to 4.2 million in 2036.
Quotes
“As our population ages, it is critical that we put the right supports in place to take care of our seniors. We want Ontario to be the best place in the world to grow old in, and that means making investments like this one so we can offer the best possible care in every community.”
Kathleen Wynne
Premier of Ontario
“Providing care in an elder-friendly environment will help seniors recover, maintain their independence and return home – where they want to be. The new ACE unit will help seniors maintain their health by working in partnership with patients, their families and caregivers.”
Deb Matthews
Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
“I want to congratulate the Queensway Carleton Hospital for their innovative plan to provide better care for older patients. Our government is proud to support this new ACE unit, which will focus on improving seniors’ quality of life.”
Bob Chiarelli
MPP, Ottawa West – Nepean
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