Thank you to the member from Scarborough–Rouge Park for the question.

As the member noted, some Ontarians, such as those living with dementia, have complex care needs—needs which cannot be adequately met in their current care setting. For these reasons, behavioural specialized units can provide enhanced care in the form of increased staffing, a tailored environment and focused behavioural assessment. Behavioural specialized units offer support to the growing number of Ontarians with dementia and other complex care needs.

As part of our plan to support aging Ontarians, our government is investing in new behavioural support units, ensuring everyone, including those with complex care needs, receives the support they deserve.

Behavioural specialized units ease hospital capacity pressures in two ways: first, by ensuring alternate-level-of-care patients receive specialized assistance in a more appropriate care setting—this has the added benefit of freeing up much-needed hospital beds. Behavioural specialized units are available to members of the community with complex needs, and by providing this enhanced level of care, we can prevent unnecessary hospitalizations.

Our government is investing $3.7 million to create behavioural specialized units at two long-term-care homes in Scarborough—15 beds at Bendale Acres and 32 beds at Extendicare Rouge Valley. These investments contribute to our larger plan to fix long-term care, making up for years of Liberal inaction, and ensuring our elders get the care they deserve.