Increasing Access to Excellent Seniors Care
Background
•Seniors are the fastest-growing age group in Ontario. By 2041, one in five Peel residents will be over the age of 65.
•Over 60% of long-term care (LTC) residents in Ontario have a diagnosis of dementia.
•Seniors living with dementia experience more frequent emergency department visits, higher hospitalization rates, and greater risk of hospital-related harm.
•The waitlist for in-person Adult Day Services (ADS) across all five Peel Region centres was over 600 individuals as of May 2025.
•Due to the rapidly aging population, it is essential to expand community-based programs, including virtual ones, that help seniors age in place within their own homes and communities.
•Virtual ADS helps ease caregiver burden, and relieve pressure on the traditional bricks and mortar healthcare delivery model, including hospitals and long-term care homes.
About Virtual Adult Day Services
•Available at no cost, Virtual Adult Day Services (ADS) helps older adults remain at home by offering live, online programming designed to support physical, cognitive, emotional, and social health.
•Originally launched in 2020 in response to in-person service closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, Virtual ADS has become a permanent service, delivering over 10,000 online visits in 2024.
•Virtual ADS is available online or over the phone.
•Participants can attend one-on-one or group programs led by trained staff, featuring a range of engaging activities, such as:
o Physical exercise
o Trivia programs
o Music therapy
o Culturally specific programs
o Reminiscing and socialization
•Seniors may also receive mailed activity packages and have access to online resources, helping them stay engaged and connected.
•At the 2025 AdvantAge Ontario Convention, data was presented that showed Virtual ADS improved client social engagement, cognitive stimulation, and positive mood by up to 25%.
•According to the 2024 ADS Client Experience Survey, 100% of clients reported satisfaction with Virtual ADS.
Technology Lending Library
•To support digital access, the Technology Lending Library offers tablets to seniors who lack the necessary devices.
•Tablets are available to loan for three months at a time, at no cost to participants. Team members evaluate if the client can use the device with or without assistance.
•Internet access is not included in the Technology Lending Library.
•For more information about the lending library, call 905-791-7800 ext. 1125 or send an e-mail to adsvirtualrec@peelregion.ca.
Emotion-Based Care Approach
•Peel Region integrates emotion-based care into all Virtual ADS programming. This model:
o Prioritizes emotional well-being, personal history, and individuality
o Builds deeper, authentic connections between clients and staff
o Helps reignite a sense of joy, purpose, and connection
•Peel Region was the first in Ontario to implement this approach in LTC settings and is now seeking formal Butterfly certification in Peel Region Adult Day Services, which have been leading with emotion-based care for years.
Caregiver Supports
•Virtual ADS provides respite, education, and support for informal caregivers who care for their loved ones living in the community.
•According to the 2024 ADS Caregiver Experience survey:
o 100% said Virtual ADS contributed to their loved one’s ability to remain at home
o 89% said Virtual ADS gave them the opportunity to complete chores and errands
o 83% said Virtual ADS reduced their stress
For more information visit peelregion.ca