December 10, 2025
RED FM News Desk
Ontario is extending its culturally focused long-term care placement model to 30 more homes, aiming to better match seniors with services that reflect their religious, ethnic and language needs — while still prioritizing those in crisis on waiting lists.
Long-Term Care Minister Natalia Kusendova-Bashta said the move will help more residents receive care that “respects their cultural, religious, ethnic and linguistic preferences,” noting that familiarity and cultural comfort can significantly improve quality of life.
Under this model, homes can offer culturally specific meals, language-matched staff, and programs that align with residents’ traditions. The goal is to help seniors maintain their customs and feel more at home, especially during moments of crisis when placement decisions happen quickly.
Citizenship and Multiculturalism Minister Graham McGregor said the expansion shows Ontario’s commitment to a “long-term care system that reflects the identities and traditions of the people it serves.”
The program was piloted in 29 homes beginning in April 2025, where the province says it improved access for culturally aligned applicants without delaying placements for others. With 59 homes across Ontario now formally recognized as serving specific cultural or linguistic communities, the expansion brings all of them under the new placement model.
The province is also increasing the number of Reunification Priority Access Beds, which allow couples separated by care needs to live in the same facility. Homes will be able to designate up to four of these beds, giving more partners a chance to stay together.
These changes are part of Ontario’s broader long-term care plan, focused on improving staffing levels, strengthening oversight, modernizing facilities, and making it easier for seniors to access the support they need.
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