About (Test)

About CARP OTTAWA:

CARP Ottawa is a local chapter of the Canadian Association for Retired Persons (CARP), one of Canada’s largest non-profit advocacy organizations with approximately 230,000 members. In 2018, CARP Ottawa’s Board made improving the delivery of care in Ontario’s long-term care homes a top priority. This led to the formation of CARP Ottawa’s Advocacy Working Group on Long-term Care (CAWG), a dedicated team of volunteers with decades of experience in dementia care, education, and advocacy. The group meets regularly, hosts webinars, and promotes public action to advocate for long-term care reform.

Who We Are
We are CARP’s Advocacy Working Group on Long-term Care. Our team is passionate about transforming Ontario’s long-term care homes from institutions to homes. We work collaboratively with like-minded organizations to influence change.

What Do We Want to Accomplish?
Our goal is to transition Ontario’s long-term care homes from the traditional institutional/medical/task-oriented model of care to a person-centred approach. This means creating smaller, home-like environments where residents, staff, and families can thrive with dignity and respect.

Why This Advocacy Matters
The pandemic shed light on long-standing issues in long-term care. Residents, families, and staff deserve better. A home-like environment offers compassion, community, and a higher quality of life. After years of challenges and tragedies, we cannot delay action.

Our Approach to Change
There are innovative models of care in Ontario and around the world that have successfully transitioned from institutions to homes. These models—such as the Green House Project, Eden Alternative, Butterfly Approach, and Hogeweyk Villages—demonstrate better outcomes, including:

  • Fewer cases and deaths during crises like COVID
  • Reduced use of antipsychotic drugs and supplements
  • Fewer aggressive incidents
  • Lower staff turnover and sick days

By raising awareness of these models and their benefits, we aim to influence decision-makers to support and fund these transformative approaches.

Download Our 1-Page Advocacy Overview
[Download link for PDF]


Meet the members of the Advocacy Working Group:

Carol Dueck brings experience in governance of a family council network and a long-term care home in the Niagara region.
Marg Eisner currently resides in Hamilton and has over 30 years of experience in education and program development, focusing on dementia care.
Vicki Iler has over 25 years experience in health care, pharmaceutical and retirement home industries and is currently a member of CARP Mississauga Board.
Barbara Schulman, from Ottawa, brings over 30 years of experience in management, particularly in health care and dementia care.
Kathy Wright, from Ottawa, has 30 years of experience as the Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County.

 

We would like to thank CARP Ottawa for providing financial support for the enhancement of our website/blog and the integration of our social media platforms.


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