Ontario Expanding Dementia Care – Including Algoma Manor in Thessalon
February 24, 2026
February 24, 2026
Long-Term Care
Table of Contents
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- Additional Resources
- Related Topics
Improving Dementia Care Program
Emotion-based models of care aim to enhance the well-being of long-term care home residents with dementia through care that prioritizes their interests and experiences, fosters relationships and emphasizes dignity and respect. Models include:
- Butterfly – Developed in the UK, this model features small, home-like neighborhoods with colourful spaces and the removal of institutional features.
- BSO 5STaR – Developed by Behavioural Supports Ontario to strengthen provider skills, this model promotes adaptable, familiar and supportive spaces designed to reduce distress and enable resident abilities.
- Caring Connections Durham – Designed for all Durham Region long-term care homes, this relationship-focused model prioritizes emotional well-being to create a supportive community.
- Eden Alternative – A model of care created by Americans Dr. Bill Thomas and his wife Jude to address loneliness, helplessness, and boredom in institutional settings. This model does not require physical redesign of a home, but aims to change home culture through a focus on “Seven Domains of Well-Being” (identity, growth, autonomy, security, connectedness, meaning and joy).
- Colour It Your Way – Designed in Grey County, this resident-centred approach empowers staff to provide compassionate and personalized care tailored to individual needs.
The following 17 long-term care homes have been selected for the first year of the Improving Dementia Care Program:
Central Region
- Cooksville Care Centre, Mississauga (Butterfly)
- Grove Park Home for Senior Citizens, Barrie (BSO 5STaR)
- Union Villa, Unionville (BSO 5StaR)
- Vera M. Davis Community Care Centre, Bolton (Butterfly)
East Region
- Extendicare Medex, Ottawa (BSO 5StaR)
- Glebe Centre, Ottawa (Butterfly)
- Glen Hill Strathaven, Bowmanville (BSO 5StaR)
- H.J. McFarland Memorial Home, Picton (BSO 5STaR)
- Lakeview Manor, Beaverton (Caring Connections Durham)
Northeast Region
- Algoma Manor Nursing Home, Thessalon (Butterfly, BSO 5 STaR)
- Temiskaming Lodge, Temiskaming (Butterfly)
Northwest Region
- Princess Court, Dryden (Eden Alternative)
- Wiigwas Elder and Senior Care, Kenora (Butterfly)
Toronto
- Isabel and Arthur Meighen Manor (BSO 5STaR)
- The O’Neill Centre (Butterfly)
West
- Lee Manor Home, Owen Sound (Colour It Your Way)
- The Elliott Long Term Care Residence, Guelph (Butterfly)
Behavioural Specialized Units Expansion
Ontario is investing $3.35 million in 2025-26 and $9.82 million annually from 2026-27 onwards to add 153 BSU beds in five long-term care homes:
- Algoma Manor in Thessalon, 13 beds
- Bruyère Health Saint-Louis Long-Term Care in Ottawa, 24 beds (pending successful completion of renovations and designation process)
- Cassellholme in North Bay, 24 beds
- The Village of Ridgeview Court in Milton, 32 beds
- Baycrest’s Apotex Centre, Jewish Home for the Aged in Toronto, 60 BSU beds (bringing the total number of BSU beds at that home to 83).
Additional Resources
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Media Contacts
Stuart Osborne
Office of the Minister of Long-Term Care
Stuart.Osborne@ontario.ca
Ministry of Long-Term Care Media Line
Communications Branch
MLTC.Media@ontario.ca