Monday, April 29, 2013
More Seniors to Benefit from Physiotherapy and Exercise
New Ontario Government Expanding Access to Care for Seniors
April 18, 2013 9:15 am
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Ontario will provide more than 200,000 additional seniors and patients with improved access to high-quality physiotherapy, exercise, and falls prevention classes.
Beginning August 1, 2013, more one-on-one physiotherapy, group exercise classes and falls prevention services will be available in long-term care homes and in communities across Ontario.
Following the recommendations in Living Longer, Living Well, Dr. Samir Sinha's report on a Seniors Strategy for Ontario, the province is making improvements to the delivery of physiotherapy that will:
•Provide access to exercise and falls prevention classes for 68,000 additional seniors in community settings
•Provide funding for one-on-one physiotherapy for all long-term care residents with assessed need, in addition to group exercise classes
•Offer in-home physiotherapy for 60,000 more seniors and people with mobility issues to clear current waitlists
•Expand clinic-based physiotherapy services across Ontario for 90,000 more seniors and eligible patients
In addition, Ontario will integrate physiotherapy into family health care settings, including Family Health Teams, Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics, and Community Health Centres.
By directly funding vital services such as physiotherapy, and exercise and falls prevention classes, Ontario is able to improve the availability of these services across the province and significantly boost access for seniors and others in need.
Expanding physiotherapy is part of the Ontario government's Action Plan for Seniors, ensuring seniors and their families have access to quality services and supports in order to lead healthy and independent lives.
Quick Facts
•One-on-one physiotherapy helps seniors recover better from illness, surgery or injury, while falls prevention and regular exercise helps them stay active, healthy, and independent.
•Ontario will invest $156 million a year to support the enhanced access to physiotherapy, exercise and falls prevention services for seniors and eligible patients.
•With these changes a total of approximately 500,000 people across the province, mostly seniors, will have access to physiotherapy and exercise classes.
Media Contacts
Media Line
Toll-free: 1-888-414-4774
media.nullmoh@ontario.ca
GTA: 416-314-6197
Maxine Chan
Communications Branch
media.nullmoh@ontario.ca
416-314-6197
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