The Ontario government is investing nearly $13 million to expand the Improving Dementia Care Program, bringing it to 13 additional long-term care homes and increasing access to behavioural specialized units at five homes.
“Our government is investing in innovative programs to support long-term care residents living with dementia,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, minister of long-term care. “Through emotion-based models of care, we can improve the quality of life for those residents, their caregivers and families, while creating a better work experience for staff.”
A $3-million investment will connect up to 1,300 more residents living with dementia to specialized supports through the program, which helps homes implement emotion-based models of care. Building on a pilot launched in September 2025, the expansion will bring the total number of participating homes to 30, with plans to reach 50 by 2027-28.
The announcement was made at Villa St. Gabriel Villa of Sudbury, which will receive $247,545 to support staff training, sensory-scape equipment and an implementation lead.
Ontario is also investing $9.82 million in 2026-27 to fund up to 153 behavioural specialized unit beds in five long-term care homes. The units provide person-centred care through specialized staff who tailor therapies to each resident’s physical, emotional and physical, emotional and cultural needs, allowing residents to receive care in a long-term care home instead of a hospital.
More than 60 per cent of residents in Ontario’s long-term care homes have a dementia diagnosis. The province is building 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds across the province.
