Find the latest news, initiatives and inspiring stories from Seniors Services and Long-Term Care. These updates reflect our commitment to inform and engage with the people, programs and innovations that make the City a recognized leader in quality care and transformative services for healthy aging.
Summer 2026
We operate in a constantly changing environment, and need to evolve our strategic priorities to continuously deliver on our mandates and maximize our impact. We have completed an environmental scan, comprehensive analysis and data collection to refine the Mission, Vision and Value statements and to establish divisional strategic priorities for 2026 to 2030.
We support Toronto seniors and people living in long-term care to have the healthiest, most fulfilling lives possible through exemplary care and services.
An age-friendly Toronto that enables people to live with dignity.
The principles of Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion guide all aspects of our work and values:
We have identified opportunities and areas of improvement based on results of the Your Opinion Counts surveys. In addition to other input from residents and clients, family councils, our workforce and partners, we’re ensuring that our priorities and objectives reflect the needs and experiences of Toronto seniors and people living in long-term care. We facilitated over 20 strategic planning team exercises to collect feedback and invite suggestions from staff across the division.
These are the strategic priorities we will all be working on:
These priorities reflect SSLTC’s commitment to helping eligible adults access quality care and services. They also support seniors and older adults in navigating City services. In addition, they focus on building a workplace that supports a stable, engaged and competent workforce. A strong culture of collaboration helps improve quality of life for all.
Engagement efforts will continue throughout the coming five years. This will help ensure that our people fully understand how their daily work is tied to the refreshed strategic priorities. It will also show how they play a critical role in achieving these common goals.
Congratulations to the team at Carefree Lodge, recognized by Choosing Wisely Canada and certified by the Appropriate Use Coalition in 2026 for meeting the national target for appropriate use of antipsychotic medications. The team was also recognized for employing non-pharmacological approaches to improve long-term care residents’ well-being and safety.
To be recognized, the Appropriate Use Coalition certified Carefree Lodge’s data and achievement. This review included passing a data quality check. It also included maintaining the risk-adjusted rate of 15 per cent or lower for the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) publicly reported indicator on potentially inappropriate use of antipsychotics in long-term care over the two most recent reporting years.
This milestone underscores the team’s ongoing efforts to enhance quality of life for residents. It reflects a commitment to reducing unnecessary antipsychotic use and promoting safer, more individualized approaches to care.
The CareTO culture change has achieved another milestone with the successful onboarding of 10 Project Leads and 140 Care Coaches. They will support the CareTO implementation across all 10 long-term care homes.
Care Coaches are peer-nominated frontline leaders, driving exemplary care and service delivery. They embed person-centred, equitable, emotionally responsive and relationship-based practices into daily routines. Through coaching, mentoring and real-time education, Care Coaches are strengthening team capacity. They foster a shared accountability for resident experience and outcomes.
The Care Coach team is comprised of diverse roles including Cleaner Heavy Duty, Complimentary Care Assistant, Cook, Counsellor, Food Service Worker, Personal Support Worker, Recreation Services Assistant, Registered Nurse, Registered Practical Nurse, Recreation Therapist, Rehabilitation Assistant and Support Assistant C.
This diversity reflects the CareTO approach, where every voice and perspective contributes meaningfully to high-quality care.
The divisional CareTO leads had the opportunity to present at the annual AdvantAGE, sharing with participants from across the province, the value of a peer-led culture change, championed by Care Coaches. The presentation highlighted how person-centred and emotion-focused care happens when staff are empowered to influence change.
Looking ahead, Wave Two homes (Carefree Lodge, Castleview Wychwood Towers, Cummer Lodge, Fudger House, Kipling Acres, and Seven Oaks) will begin in-person CareTO education led by Care Coaches and unit-based knowledge translation.
Wave One homes (Bendale Acres, Lakeshore Lodge, True Davidson Acres, and Wesburn Manor) will focus on sustaining practice changes and advancing CareTO priorities.
The much-anticipated upgrade of GoldCare software is complete. This is the electronic healthcare record used by team members for clients in the Supportive Housing and the Homemakers and Nursing Services programs.
Information & Technology collaborated with Community Programs teams to support the upgrade. This included safely transferring client data, training staff on the upgrades and ensuring a smooth implementation and transition to the new platform.
Upgrades and features of the new GoldCare electronic healthcare record increase efficiency. They also improve record-keeping and are more user-friendly for staff. All of these improvements will help improve client care.
Castleview Wychwood Towers (CWT) hosted a home-wide Cultural Show for residents, their loved ones, staff and volunteers. The show was designed to celebrate the diversity of communities through traditional attire, decorations, food and music.
Donated and loaned items were shared and displayed so that residents could learn about diverse cultures. This included food tasting, which offered an interactive way to experience different traditions. Residents chatted with staff members in a new and engaging format designed to encourage understanding and connection. It also helped strengthen relationships among team members who share cultural connections.
Aligned to the CareTO commitment to person-centred care, the event also incorporated a strong equity and diversity lens. The residents and family members expressed their appreciation for the warm and welcoming atmosphere created by the Cultural Show celebration.
Interprofessional care team members at Castleview Wychwood Towers (CWT) have introduced comfort cards. These cards gather and record residents’ preferences for palliative and end-of-life care. This helps ensure their wishes, values, comforts and preferences are known and respected throughout their care journey.
At CWT, the comfort card is introduced within the first weeks of admission. The Spiritual Care or Complementary Care team document wishes beyond clinical needs. This includes preferred emotional and spiritual supports, environment and surroundings, friends and family, and to honour their life and legacy. Residents are asked to share what they are proud of, how they wish to be remembered and for messages they want to share.
The completed comfort card is included in the resident’s chart. It is reviewed by the care team when a palliative approach is required, helping guide individualized, compassionate end-of-life care.
As we prepare to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Fudger House, we pause to honour a piece of our community’s history – the original staircase bannisters. When this building was known as Sherbourne House Club (from 1916 to 1951), these bannisters were part of daily life. They carry the touch of many generations who have called this place home.
The original bannisters have been carefully revitalized. The bannister revitalization is more than just a restoration; it’s a tribute to the past and a promise for the future. As we mark this milestone year, the renewed bannisters remind us that while much has changed, the heart of Fudger House remains the same. Fudger House is a place of connection, care and shared history.
Here’s to 60 beautiful years and the many memories yet to come. The Fudger House 60th Anniversary Celebration will be held on September 16.
Kipling Acres residents attended the National Ballet of Canada performance of Pinocchio.
They enjoyed the familiar story brought to life through beautiful movement, music and creative staging.
A new adaptive art program at Lakeshore Lodge has been creating meaningful opportunities for residents. The program is based on Opening Minds Through Art (OMA), an award-winning, evidence-based art program designed for people living with dementia. It focuses on accessibility, inclusion and person-centred engagement.
Each session is designed to meet the resident where they are. It encourages artistic exploration through abstract art in ways that support individual abilities, preferences and experiences. Residents work with a variety of materials and techniques in a welcoming and social environment.
With support from staff, the program strengthens social connections and sparks conversation. It brings moments of joy to residents and their caregivers and creates beautiful artwork.
Offered in the evening, the program supports residents with complex care needs. It can help those experiencing sundowning or wandering. It provides a calming, hands-on activity that encourages relaxation and self-expression.
Seven Oaks hosted a Volunteer Appreciation event and celebration. The event recognized the dedication of hundreds of volunteers who give their time and talents to support the home’s long-term care residents. In the past year, 150 volunteers of all ages provided 13,000 hours of volunteer service. Scarborough-Guildwood Councillor and Deputy Mayor Paul Ainslie congratulated the volunteers and shared the City’s appreciation for their community service and commitment.
True Davidson Acres has a month of celebrations lined up for residents, their loved ones, volunteers, community members and staff to recognize Seniors Month, Pride and National Indigenous Peoples Month. Themed to recognize and celebrate diversity, wisdom and rich community history, June is a month filled with learning and gathering, including the divisional Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride flag raising event on June 18.
Wesburn Manor residents have welcomed a new intergenerational program in partnership with nearby St. Elizabeth Catholic Elementary School. Twice a month, grade seven and eight students visit residents to share time, laughter and join small group activities. Intergenerational programs and community connections offer significant mutual benefits. This includes social engagement for seniors and enhanced empathy and skill development for youth.
During National Volunteer Week, Mayor Chow and City Councillors Ainslie, Crisanti and Matlow presented Excellence in Volunteering Awards. This recognized the impact volunteers have in their communities and the support they provide to residents in the City’s long-term care homes.
The team participated in Toronto Newcomer Day at Nathan Phillips Square. They provided information and pathways to access services for seniors and caregivers in Toronto, and shared volunteer opportunities to support residents living in long-term care homes.
During the pandemic, discharges from the Supportive Housing Program outpaced new admissions. By 2023, the client base slipped to 72 per cent program capacity.
Staff-led, coordinated engagements over the past two years have brought it back to 90 per cent. This allows approximately 400 clients to live independently and safely age in place.
This will continue to grow as the team builds relationships with social housing and home care operators.
The team also conducts monthly wellness sessions and information events to raise program awareness, recruit applications and assess eligible tenants.
Seven Oaks, in collaboration with Scarborough Village Residence, are working to support eligible clients. Together, they are looking to help create a better transition experience from the shelter system into long-stay long-term care.
Seven Oaks is home to 249 residents ranging in age from 37 to 99 years of age. Scarborough Village Residence offers semi-independent living for 93 men. These residents are 55 years of age and older and have a history of using the hostel system.
Staff teams from both sites are working together to learn about each other’s operations. This is creating a strong foundation and streamlining pathways to support older men find an environment where they can receive the care and services they need to live with dignity.
Scarborough Community Council has instructed City staff to review the name “Bernice Redmon” for the long-term care home being built at 4610 Finch Avenue East. The new site will have 378 beds and will be directly operated by Seniors Services and Long-Term Care. It will also include resident home areas for seniors who identify as Black, and/or with Caribbean and/or African diasporas.
Championed by Scarborough North City Councillor Jamaal Myers, naming the long-term care home after Bernice Redmon would recognize a pioneering Torontonian. Her life and career helped break down racial barriers in the healthcare system. She was born in 1917 and raised in Toronto. At that time, Black women were denied access to nursing programs in Canada.
Redmon pursued her education in the United States. She returned home in 1945 and became the first Black nurse to practice in public health in Canada. Later, she became the first Black Canadian admitted to the Victorian Order of Nurses.
Her determination, professionalism and commitment to patient care helped pave the way for future generations of Black healthcare workers across the country.
The City’s 25 Years of Service Recognition Program uses credited aggregate hours worked to celebrate and recognize employees who achieve this milestone. Congratulations to the following 28 employees, who have achieved 25 years of service:
United Way Coordinators and Ambassadors play a vital role in the success of the campaign. They help raise awareness, inspire payroll pledge participation and support fundraising efforts across the Toronto Public Service. Each year, dedicated staff go above and beyond in these roles.
We are proud to recognize the outstanding contributions of Seniors Services and Long-Term Care ambassadors, Cherice Drummond and Jennifer Yap. They received the 2025 Ambassador of the Year Award for their success in last year’s employee campaign.
Special thanks to all of the work location representatives including Grace Araneta, Ruth Butler, Edgar Cordero, Caitlin Demers, Lin Dong, Andrea Fray-Bowen, Bonnie Hatfield, Migena Lipo, Jacob Logel, Mark Lundrigan, Lianne Neumann, Tresia Rawle, Michele Rodway, Avi Sharma, Lysa Springer-Laks, Maria Verduci, Carly Wolf and the countless others who made this happen.
Together, City of Toronto employees raised $2.5 million for the United Way.
Bendale Acres celebrated Nursing Week with a vibrant and engaging series of activities. This recognized the dedication, compassion and professionalism of the nursing team who are committed to delivering safe, high-quality, resident-centred care. Nursing quality poster board displays covered topics like behavioural supports, infection control and medication management, alongside a nursing fashion show and care team musical talent “Idol” showcase.
