About The Fund

Strategic Priority #1 – Improved Quality of Life

There is no cure for aging. However, our quality of life as we age is affected by the people in our lives, the products and services we consume, and the community in which we live.

The Prosperity Fund is committed to improving the quality of life of those seniors in our non-profit long-term care homes, and other seniors in our community. Through funding, programs and services, the quality of life of these individuals will be improved and if some cases, their lives will be enriched.

The MOHLTC funds key costs of the LTC homes, but does not provide sufficient funding for programs and services that would greatly improve the quality of lives of residents in the LTC home. As a result, without community based funding, many seniors would spend their time at the LTC Home in isolation, with limited companionship, limited activities for mental and other stimulation. By providing funding to the LTC homes for new and existing programs (i.e., recreational programs, enhanced services to residents, specialized equipment, and other activities), we will provide more incentive for residents to “leave their rooms” and facilitate more independence, increase engagement and enhance their comfort. We believe that this will create a more dignified aging process for each and every resident.

Strategic Priority #2 – Increased Support to Families

Every year, more and more families are exposed to long-term care. Many families are thrust into crisis when a loved one is no longer able to live independently, whether due to illness or simply due to the process of aging. Their loved one’s safety and security is paramount, but many do not know what to do, where to go, or who to call.

Long-term care is typically the solution for those seniors who require 24-hour medical supervision and help with the some or all of the basic activities of daily living (BADLs):

• Dressing and undressing
• Self-feeding
• Functional transfers (Getting from bed to wheelchair, getting onto or off of toilet, etc.)
• Bowel and bladder management
• Ambulation (Walking without use of use of an assistive device (walker, cane, or crutches) or using a wheelchair)

The Prosperity Fund recognizes that families need help as well as those they care about. We understand the pressures that family members often endure throughout this process, especially those people with dependent children (i.e., sandwich generation), demanding careers, and other priorities. We also understand that there are many family members that do not live in Ottawa and have difficulty managing the issues of their loved ones due to financial and other constraints. We fully understand that if they knew their loved ones were well taken care of, had programs and activities to keep them as independent and active as possible, that much of their concern, guilt and worry would be alleviated.

Through funding, programs and services, The Prosperity Fund will help the LTC homes enhance its care for its residents and put families’ minds at ease. We also provide financial and other support to family caregivers through our Caregiver Appreciation Award.

Strategic Priority #3 – Increased Community Involvement in Long-Term Care

All LTC homes require community involvement and volunteers to service its residents. However, many homes do not have the resources to expand its recruiting efforts beyond their immediate catchment area. Consequently, a number of LTC homes are vulnerable to decreases in volunteer interest, as well as changes in volunteer programs at the home.

The Prosperity Fund is committed to engaging the community as a whole into the LTC Homes. We will recruit volunteers on a community-wide basis on behalf of all of the LTC homes. We will engage more student volunteer involvement, creating additional benefits through intergenerational connections. We will also deliver additional “in-home” activities and programs with community groups, volunteers, private and non-profit organizations to enhance the experience for residents of these homes.

The biggest issue for long-term care is the lack of companionship for their residents. Too many residents do not have any family members or friends who will visit them on a frequent basis, or at all. Many of these residents spend the majority of their days alone, and crave conversation, companionship and mental and emotional stimulation.

The Prosperity Fund will continue to engage the community to respond to this need.