Ontario will invest more than $2 million to support researchers at Conestoga College, the University of Toronto and the Bruyére Research Institute in their efforts to lead a new initiative that will improve system integration and care quality for the province’s growing population of older adults with complex care needs.
Funded through the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Health System Research Fund (HSRF), the Ontario QUILT (QUality for Individuals who require Long-Term support) Network will bring together complementary and collaborative research programs from across the province in the effort to guide health system changes required to meet the needs of seniors and their caregivers and ensure that all Ontarians receive equitable and seamless care across continuing care settings.
“As the Ontario population ages, the number of seniors with complex health care needs will continue to increase, and many will require support in the community or in residential care settings,” said Dr. Veronique Boscart, Director of the Schlegel Centre for Advancing Seniors Care at Conestoga College. “Research conducted through this project will help assure that Ontarians have access to care that is connected across health-care sectors.”
Dr. Boscart will serve as the Kitchener-Waterloo lead for the project, working in collaboration with the Waterloo-Wellington Local Health Integration Network, the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging, Dr. Andrew Costa from McMaster University, and Dr. John Hirdes and Dr. George Heckman from the University of Waterloo. Principal leads for this project include Dr. Katherine McGilton from the University of Toronto and Dr. Heidi Sveistrup from the University of Ottawa.
The QUILT Network is one of 14 initiatives to be funded through the 2017-18 HSRF Program Awards competition. In total, Ontario is investing $27.94 million through the program over three years to improve the health of Ontarians. For more information, visit the ministry’s website.
The Schlegel Centre for Advancing Seniors Care at Conestoga College operates in collaboration with Schlegel Villages and the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging to develop innovative education, improve workforce development and strengthen care practices to support care for seniors and their families across Canada. It provides a hub for collaboration with partners to advance training and practice approaches and share best practices and resources to enhance seniors care and living.
For more information, visit the Centre’s website.