Our October roundup covered a variety of developments in long-term care across Ontario.
We'd love to know which topics caught your attention! Cast your vote below, and feel free to share your thoughts or reflections in the comments.
A lot has been happening in Ontario's long-term care sector this month! From new caregiver supports to concerns about staffing and resident care, here are some of the stories that caught our attention.
Family Councils Making a Difference
The Dufferin Oaks Family Council is organizing information sessions on November 6 and 7 to help families learn more about services available to residents. The sessions will connect families with staff, community organizations and support services, including Family Councils Ontario.
It's a great example of how Family Councils can bring people together, share information, and help families become more involved in their loved ones' care.
Read the article – St. Catharines Standard
New Support for Dementia Caregivers
The Alzheimer Society Niagara Region has received a $99,900 grant to support families adjusting to a loved one's move into long-term care.
The initiative offers counselling, education and opportunities for connection, recognizing that families often experience emotional challenges and changes in their caregiving roles during this transition.
Read the article – PelhamToday
Are Long-Term Care Homes Meeting Care Targets?
A Toronto Star investigation reports that nearly 300 long-term care homes in Ontario are falling short of the province's four-hour daily direct care benchmark.
The four-hour target is measured as a provincial average, rather than a guaranteed amount for every resident. The findings raise important questions about staffing, transparency and the quality of care residents receive.
Read the investigation – Toronto Star
Accountability and Resident Safety
Extendicare Countryside in Sudbury received two additional compliance orders and a $5,500 fine following inspections that identified concerns about resident weight monitoring, food and fluid tracking, and documentation.
The home has outlined corrective measures, while provincial oversight continues. The story highlights the importance of monitoring care standards and addressing concerns that affect resident well-being.
Read the article – Sudbury.com
Keeping Long-Term Care Close to Home
A proposal to consolidate three eastern Ontario long-term care homes into a new facility in Cornwall has raised concerns among local communities and workers.
While the proposed facility would add beds, families and advocates are questioning how the closures might affect access to visits, community connections and French-language services.
Read the United Steelworkers statement – The Globe and Mail
Planning for an Aging Ontario
As Ontario's older adult population grows, advocates are calling for a more comprehensive provincial aging strategy.
The conversation goes beyond building new long-term care beds. It also includes strengthening home care, community services and supports that help older adults maintain their independence and quality of life.
Read the article – Toronto Star
These summaries are shared for informational purposes and reflect reporting and statements from the linked sources
We're starting a new monthly series highlighting news and developments in long-term care across Ontario. Each edition will bring together a selection of articles and updates to help our community stay informed about what's happening in the long-term care sector.
We'd love to hear from you! Feel free to share your thoughts on the articles, ask questions, or contribute other news stories that you think our community might find interesting. We hope this series creates a space for sharing perspectives and meaningful conversations!
Building on the success and enthusiasm of our current Champions and participating LTC homes, we’re expanding the Champions Program to create new opportunities for family leadership in homes without an active Family Council!
The Champions Program supports passionate family members to build leadership skills, encourage family engagement, and bring families together around shared priorities. For homes without an active Family Council, a Champion can be an important first step toward building connections and establishing a Council.
FCO will work with participating homes to introduce the program, identify potential Champions and provide the guidance and support needed to strengthen family involvement.
Is your home interested in participating? We're preparing more information about this opportunity, including how LTC homes can get involved.
Want to learn more? Contact Cathleen Edwards at cedwards@fco.ngo or complete the application form to express your interest.
Our monthly minutes have been posted on the website for our Home for a few years. Yesterday, as Family Council Chair and Secretary, I was informed that they will no longer be posted, and that the other County Homes do not post their minutes. I feel that friends and family can access Family Council minutes on the website if they wish to read what we are doing. Are there other homes who post Family Council minutes online?
Join us November 23–26 for an engaging knowledge exchange! 💡
Four days, four free webinars, and fresh ideas to support better long-term care. Explore practical approaches to oral care, end-of-life support, person-centred care and dementia resources, and hear from organizations bringing new approaches to the sector.
Walk away with helpful resources, fresh perspectives and ideas your Family Council can put into action!
Learn More: Innovation Summit 2026 | Free Webinar Series | Family Councils Ontario
Couldn’t make the daytime FCO Forum? Join us tomorrow, Tuesday, October 20, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Microsoft Teams.
How do we build long-term care homes where everyone (residents, families and staff) feels respected, valued and welcome?
Join us on Wednesday, October 21 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. for “Together: Building a Culture of Compassion and Care for Residents and Staff,” presented by Sharon Jackson and Leila Afrasiabi Ayre.
Through practical examples and reflection, we’ll explore ways to build cultural awareness, address identity-based harm, strengthen relationships and create more inclusive environments.
We’d love to hear how you’re finding the FCO Community of Support! Your feedback helps us understand what’s working well and how we can continue to make this space useful, welcoming, and meaningful for caregivers and Family Council members.
We want to know: Since joining the Community of Support, do you feel more connected to other family caregivers?
Let’s kick things off with something that matters most: the people we care for. 💙
Tell us one thing that always brings a smile to your loved one’s face. A favourite song, a visit from the grandkids, a certain dessert, a joke they never get tired of. Big or small, we want to hear it.
Feel free to add a photo if you’d like (please make sure everyone pictured is comfortable being shared).