Advocacy Priority
Long-Term Care
The population is aging and the health system is not ready for the number, or complexity, of these individuals. Many want to age-in-place, others will move to long-term care or retirement residences where there are currently too few occupational therapists and assistants working.
Background
For a long time, occupational therapy services within long-term care (LTC) homes have been inadequately funded. The pandemic drew focus to the state of our long-term care facilities and homes looked for ways to enhance the lives of residents. As LTC evolves to include a rehabilitative/restorative focus, and incorporate dementia care strategies, it is essential occupational therapy be included in the care models.
Historically, occupational therapy services have fallen under physiotherapy funding or “bucket” funding along with equipment and other professions. Occupational therapy has not had the opportunity to demonstrate the full scope of professional practice and are primarily used for seating and mobility assessments. Occupational therapy has so much more to offer!
Priorities
Raise Awareness
As occupational therapy has historically been underfunded in LTC, service provision has been largely focused on seating and mobility. LTC home decision makers are often not aware of the full range of services occupational therapy can provide to their residents, staff, and homes. There is a need to raise awareness about the full scope of practice of occupational therapy to ensure service level decisions are well informed.
OSOT is advocating to raise awareness of the full scope of practice and the many benefits of occupational therapy in LTC. OSOT has established relationships with allied professional associations, the Ministry of Long-Term Care, and others, to outline the role occupational therapy COULD play in LTC if funding levels permit.
Establish Staffing Levels
Long-term Care homes need to know what occupational therapy does as well as needing guidance on the appropriate staffing levels for both occupational therapists and assistants.
OSOT is advocating for appropriate staffing level models which would enable occupational therapy providers to work to the full scope of practice for the profession while ensuring the homes see value in the service provision.
Downloads And Updates
Support for Seniors and Caregivers Act, 2024: Proposed amendments to the Fixing Long-Term Care - January 2025
DownloadProviding Quality Care with Stable Staffing in LTC - June 2024
DownloadOSOT Submits a Consultation on Amendments to the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021 - October 2024
DownloadOccupational Therapy: Essential to Optimizing Long-Term Care - June 2026
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