The Countdown Is Over: Navigating Compliance Under Ontario's Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021

Jun 06 | Elizabeth Sauve

As of March 31, 2025, Ontario's long-term care (LTC) homes are mandated to provide an average of four hours of direct care per resident per day, as stipulated by the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021. This legislative milestone marks a significant shift in the province's approach to elder care, emphasizing enhanced staffing, improved transparency, and strengthened family engagement.

The Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021, introduced as part of Ontario's commitment to reforming the LTC sector, outlines several key requirements:

• Direct Care Standards: An average of four hours of direct care per resident per day, encompassing assistance with daily activities and medical needs.
• Allied Health Services: Provision of 36 minutes of care per resident per day by allied health professionals, including physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
• Enhanced Resident Rights: Strengthening the Residents' Bill of Rights to align with the Ontario Human Rights Code, ensuring residents receive culturally and linguistically appropriate care.
• Annual Surveys: Mandatory annual surveys for residents, families, and caregivers to assess satisfaction and identify areas for improvement.
• Compliance and Enforcement: Introduction of stricter enforcement mechanisms, including increased fines and the authority to appoint temporary management in cases of non-compliance.

While the Act sets clear expectations, LTC homes face several challenges in meeting these standards:

• Staffing Shortages: Recruiting and retaining qualified staff remain a significant hurdle, impacting the ability to meet direct care requirements.
• Administrative Burden: Manual processes for documentation, consent management, and family communication consume valuable staff time.
• Family Engagement: Traditional communication methods, such as phone calls and paper updates, are inefficient and may lead to information gaps, affecting family trust and satisfaction.

To address these challenges, LTC homes are increasingly turning to digital solutions that streamline operations and enhance communication:

• Automated Documentation: Integrating electronic health records with compliance tracking tools reduces manual data entry and ensures accurate record-keeping.
• Digital Consent Management: Online platforms facilitate the efficient collection and storage of consent forms, ensuring readiness for audits.
• Real-Time Family Communication: Secure messaging systems and portals provide families with timely updates, reducing the need for phone calls and in-person meetings.

Engage⁺  offers a customizable, comprehensive solution tailored to the needs of LTC homes:

• Integration with PointClickCare: Seamless synchronization with existing electronic health records ensures consistency and accuracy..
• User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive design facilitates adoption by staff and families, minimizing training requirements.
• Comprehensive Features: From health record access to appointment scheduling and mass notifications, Engage⁺  centralizes essential functions, enhancing operational efficiency

Richmond Terrace is currently using Engage⁺  and seeing 90% of families uses

With the compliance deadline now in effect, LTC homes must continue to adapt and innovate to meet the evolving standards set forth by the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021. Embracing digital solutions like Engage⁺  not only facilitates compliance but also enhances the quality of care and strengthens relationships with residents and their families.