Ontario Supporting Long-Term Care Residents with Complex Needs in Aurora and Richmond Hill

July 4, 2025

Local Priorities Fund invests in specialized equipment and innovative programs

AURORA-OAK RIDGES-RICHMOND HILL — The Ontario government is investing $35 million to help long-term care homes across the province support residents with complex needs. The Local Priorities Fund (LPF) is designed to support programs that connect people with the right care for them, reducing emergency department visits and hospital stays. This investment is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by ensuring long-term care residents get the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve.

“Our government is protecting our long-term care system by investing in the tools and training to ensure residents can get the right care in the right place,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care. “This funding will expand the specialized equipment and innovative services available at long-term care homes across our province, so those with complex needs get the support they deserve.”

 “Thanks to the LPF, long-term care homes in Aurora and Richmond Hill are equipped to care for our loved ones,” said Michael Parsa, MPP for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill. “Specialized equipment and services mean that long-term care home residents can get the care they need without the stress of a trip to the hospital.”

Originally launched in 2022, the LPF provides specialized equipment, services and staff training to enable long-term care homes to admit new residents with specialized needs and support current residents with complex needs. Ontario’s funding helps long-term care homes purchase items such as IV equipment, bariatrics equipment bed support, bladder scanners and ECGs, as well as everyday items like slip-proof floor mats, wraparound bed rails and grab bars.

In 2024-25, the LPF supported 3 homes in Aurora and Richmond Hill, including:

  • AgeCare Aurora
  • Mon Sheong Richmond Hill LTC Centre
  • Extendicare Elginwood

Helping long-term care residents with complex needs is one more way the province is taking action to meet the needs of Ontario’s aging population and their caregivers by improving and expanding supports for seniors living in long-term care, congregate settings and in the community. The government’s plan to improve long-term care for residents is built on four pillars: staffing and care; quality and enforcement; building modern, safe, and comfortable homes; and connecting seniors with faster, more convenient access to the services they need.

QUICK FACTS

  • The Local Priorities Fund is administered by Ontario Health.
  • Seniors — people age 65 and older — make up the fastest growing age group in the province.
  • More than 60% of long-term care residents have a dementia diagnosis.
  • As part of its plan to fix long-term care and address waitlists, the government is building 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds across the province.
  • Ontario is offering incentives of up to $35,400 to PSW students and eligible PSWs to launch careers in long-term care homes and in the home and community care sector.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES