Editorial
It's time to raise our voices again for long-term care
Responsibility and accountability are two pillars of good government. Throw in a little of the 'vision thing' and you have a recipe for a strong approach to intelligent decision-making.

A lack in any of these areas, and people suffer, particularly the most vulnerable in our society. Coping, then, becomes a virtue.

Residents of long-term care homes in Ontario are coping, too. Thanks to a commitment by most long-term care homes to ensure care is not compromised, residents are receiving care that reflects a higher level of funding than actually exists for their needs. But residents deserve more.

Seven months ago, it could be said the Ontario government acted on the issue of care for residents. But they did so because 55,000 signatures arrived at their feet, representing an amalgam of concerned residents and family members who were rightfully concerned about quality of care issues. To address their concerns, though, the government's solution was to make residents and families foot the bulk of the bill over three years -- $3.02 for 2002, $5.02 for 2003 and $7.02 for 2004. Residents have clearly done their share.

A government-sponsored level of service study ranks Ontario at the bottom of its list when it comes to a commitment to long-term care. In a recent Ipsos-Reid poll, 72 per cent of Ontarians surveyed say long-term care should be a funding priority for their provincial government.

These are the cornerstones of a case for more appropriate funding the Ontario Long Term Care Association (OLTCA) seeks to deliver to the Ontario government, with the endorsement of families and friends of long-term care residents.

On the campaign front, OMNI has been an acknowledged leader. During last year's campaign OMNI garnered more signatures per resident than any other long-term care provider.

This year, it will attempt to lead the charge again made by the Ontario Long Term Care Association (OLTCA) for more resident funding. Last year OMNI raised over 6000 signatures in support of the OLTCA campaign.

This year OMNI is aiming to secure the signatures of over 8,750 residents, families and concerned citizens on postcards to be sent to individual members of provincial parliament by March 7th.

Getting behind this initiative will involve each one of us raising our voices and making ourselves heard. Look at page four in this issue of the OMNIway or visit your local long-term care home and ask about getting some postcards to be signed and sent back to the long-term care home by March 6th.

You can also click here to see our feature section where you will find stories that outline how OMNI spent the dollars it received last year, and describe the details of this year's campaign. A printable version of the post card is also available on the site. Consider beginning an email campaign of your own.

This time, the government needs to act not by mandating fee increases for residents and families, but by stepping to the mark on their own. This isn't about something intangible - it's about caring for vulnerable people.
But this time, the government needs to act not by mandating fee increases for residents and families, but by stepping up and opening their chequebook in a meaningful way.

There is now an opportunity, if not for vision, then at least for responsibility and accountability.

Now, for Ontario's sickest and frailest seniors, it is time for the government to do their share.