Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Ontario Increasing Access to Dementia Care in Long-Term Care Homes
New dementia care program is launching in 17 homes to connect residents to innovative, specialized supports
The Ontario government is strengthening dementia care at long-term care homes, by announcing the first 17 homes participating in the new Improving Dementia Care Program (IDCP) and increasing access to behavioural specialized units (BSUs). The government is investing $9 million over three years in the IDCP to better support residents living with dementia and is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario’s long-term care system by making targeted investments that ensure residents get the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve.
“Our government is investing in dementia care and supports to improve the well-being of long-term care residents, their caregivers and families,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care. “These innovative programs and specialized units will support people living with dementia and their loved ones, while improving the work experience of staff.”
Launched in September 2025, the government has selected the first 17 homes to participate in the program this year and will fund nearly 50 homes by 2027-28. The IDCP will support long-term care homes to implement emotion-based models of care and train staff to improve the well-being of residents with dementia by prioritizing their needs and fostering close relationships between staff, residents and families.
Ontario is also investing $3.35 million in 2025-26 and $9.82 million annually from 2026-27 onwards to add up to 153 BSU beds in five long-term care homes across the province. BSUs provide person-centred care by specialized staff who tailor therapies to the individual, based on their physical, emotional, and cultural needs. This helps residents get the care they need in the comfort of a long-term care home instead of in a hospital, which also helps ensure there are hospital beds available for those who need them most.
Advancing dementia care is one more way the government is ensuring Ontarians get the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve. The plan to improve long-term care 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:
- More than 60% of residents in Ontario’s long-term care homes have a dementia diagnosis, and the number of Ontarians with dementia is expected to triple by 2050.
- Homes taking part in the first year of IDCP were assessed by Ontario Health against criteria that included demonstrated need, implementation readiness and capacity to operate the program.
- BSU funding comes from a three-year, $46-million commitment made in the 2024 Budget to add 210 BSU beds to the long-term care system. With these latest investments, the government is on course to surpass that total, creating up to 218 beds.
- 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 to PSW students and eligible PSWs to launch careers in long-term care homes and in the home and community care sector.
Quotes:
"We applaud the government’s investment through the Improving Dementia Care Program to enhance the quality of care and well-being of long-term care residents. The Alzheimer Society of Ontario shares the government’s recognition that provider training is essential to delivering the care people living with dementia deserve. That’s why we offer U-First!, an emotion-based care program that equips staff with concrete skills to work with people living with dementia and their care partners to address individual needs. We congratulate the 17 homes selected for this first round of funding and look forward to working with them to improve person-centred dementia care."
- Cathy Barrick, CEO, Alzheimer Society of Ontario
"This is incredible news. We’re very pleased to see the government working with the sector to move emotion-focused care forward. Good care for older adults isn’t just about medical needs, it’s also about how people feel. Emotional support and meaningful connection, guided by each individual, make a real difference in day-to-day life. We’re proud that our association’s advocacy helped pave the way for this important investment."
- Lisa Levin, CEO, AdvantAge Ontario
"We are grateful to the government for this important investment in dementia care. With more than 60 per cent of residents in Ontario’s long-term care homes living with a dementia diagnosis, and the number of Ontarians with dementia expected to triple by 2050, the need has never been clearer. This funding strengthens our ability to deliver more focused, personalized, emotion-focused supports, and this is what our homes do best: person-centred care. By building on that foundation, we are enhancing dignity, connection and quality of life for residents and families across Ontario."
- Donna Duncan, CEO, Ontario Long Term Care Association
"The Improving Dementia Care Program represents an important step forward in how we support residents living with dementia. At Meighen Health Centre, we believe care must be guided by compassion, innovation and evidence-based practice. This investment enables us to deepen our emotion-based care approach and continue building meaningful connections between residents, families and staff."
- Monica Klein-Nouri, Executive Director, Meighen Health Centre
Additional Resources:
Media Contacts:
Stuart Osborne
Office of the Minister of Long-Term Care
Stuart.Osborne@ontario.ca
Ministry of Long-Term Care Media Line
Communications Branch
MLTC.Media@ontario.ca
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