Donna Kern, Director, Seniors Services Development, provided an update on Region of Peel work related to seniors’ supports and services highlighting the Region’s collaborative efforts to develop new and innovative solutions to respond to the needs of the community during the pandemic. She identified lessons learned and key opportunities including: development of a Seniors Master Plan; continued system-level collaboration; the design and implementation of a volunteer telephone companion program and an on-site ambassador program; the establishment of the Peel Council on Aging which will align work with the Terms of Council Priorities; and, continued advocacy.
Councillor Saito expressed concern that Senior Adult Day services are not accessible to all seniors due to limited locations throughout the local municipalities, noting that many seniors have transportation issues. She suggested that these types of services be provided in more neighbourhoods.
Donna Kern stated that the pandemic provided an opportunity to implement virtual and mobile programming noting that both the Central West LHIN and the Mississauga Halton LHIN collaborated to problem solve by sharing waiting lists and programing. She noted that programs will continue following the pandemic, however, future funding is dependent on the LHINs.
Shawn Kerr, Vice-President, Corporate Strategy & Communications, Trillium Health Partners stated that virtual care has increased significantly as a result of the pandemic and several medical services are now offered virtually. He provided an update on the Long Term Care design build and services that will be included in the new Health Hub to be located at the Sheridan Research Park. He noted that Trillium Health Partners still plans to locate a new property in the northern part of Mississauga and that integrated services are an important part of the seniors’ care continuum.