As Canada’s population ages, dementia care is becoming an increasingly urgent issue for families and the health-care system. In Ontario — home to the country’s largest population — the provincial government has announced new funding aimed at improving specialized care for residents living with dementia in long-term care homes.
Funding to support 17 long-term care homes
The Ontario government is investing $9 million in 17 long-term care homes to enhance dementia care services, as projections show the number of residents living with dementia in the province could triple by 2050.
Facilities receiving funding include The O’Neill Centre and Isabel and Arthur Meighen Manor in Toronto. Both will participate in the province’s new Improving Dementia Care Program (IDCP), designed to strengthen emotional and person-centred care for residents.
Ontario’s Minister of Long-Term Care, Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, announced the funding on Tuesday, saying the initiative will benefit both residents and staff working in the sector.
“This investment enables us to deepen our emotion-based care approach and continue building meaningful connections between residents, families and staff,” said Monica Klein-Nouri, executive director of the Meighen Health Centre.
The province plans to expand the program to nearly 50 long-term care homes by 2028.
Additional beds and specialized behavioural units planned
Alongside the initial funding, provincial officials say another $3.35 million will be invested in 2026, followed by $9.82 million annually. The funding will support the creation of 153 beds in behavioural specialized units (BSUs) across five long-term care homes.
These units are designed to care for residents with complex behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. Staff in these units receive specialized training to provide individualized support tailored to each resident’s physical, emotional, and cultural needs — an approach increasingly recognized as best practice in Canada’s seniors’ care sector.
In the Greater Toronto Area, The Village of Ridgeview Court in Milton will add 32 BSU beds. Meanwhile, Baycrest’s Apotex Centre — Jewish Home for the Aged in Toronto will increase its capacity to 83 beds, up from 23.
Dementia affecting majority of long-term care residents
According to the provincial government, more than 60 per cent of Ontario’s long-term care residents have been diagnosed with dementia. The condition, which includes Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders, is one of the leading drivers of long-term care admissions nationwide.
Advocates say improving staff training and resources is critical as demand grows.
“The Alzheimer Society of Ontario shares the government’s recognition that provider training is essential to delivering the care people living with dementia deserve,” said CEO Cathy Barrick in a statement.
Lisa Levin, CEO of AdvantAge Ontario, which represents non-profit seniors’ care providers, said quality care must go beyond medical treatment.
“Good care for older adults isn’t just about medical needs, it’s also about how people feel,” Levin said. “Emotional support and meaningful connection, guided by each individual, make a real difference in day-to-day life.”
Growing pressure on Canada’s long-term care system
The announcement comes as provinces across Canada face increasing pressure to expand long-term care capacity and improve standards, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed vulnerabilities in seniors’ homes.
Ontario has been investing in new beds, staffing and training as part of broader efforts to modernize the system and respond to the needs of a rapidly aging population. Statistics Canada estimates seniors could make up nearly one-quarter of the country’s population by the 2030s, intensifying demand for dementia care and specialized supports.
Conclusion
With dementia cases expected to rise sharply in the coming decades, Ontario’s latest investment aims to strengthen care quality and expand specialized services in long-term care homes. Officials and sector leaders say initiatives like the Improving Dementia Care Program will be essential to ensuring residents receive compassionate, individualized care as demand continues to grow.
