TORONTO –The McGuinty government is investing $5.6 million to help hundreds of Ontarians living with acquired brain injuries (ABI), Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman announced today.

"This investment is going to make a big difference to people who have sustained brain injuries," said Smitherman. "One hundred and sixty six people and their families will get the care they urgently need - access to day programs, independence training, supportive living and psychological services - and they will get those services where they need them, in their communities."

Today's announcement represents an increase of more than 14 per cent over last year and includes :

• Helping 115 clients remain in their homes in Durham, Simcoe and Ottawa thanks to new or expanded services
• Offering new intensive specialized services, including access to around-the-clock clinically supervised programs, for 25 people with ABI in urgent need of assistance
• Trained Ontario March of Dimes workers assisting 21 people with ABI in the district of Cochrane to live more independently in their home communities
• Providing new ABI community services on a visitation basis or in supportive housing to serve an additional five clients in central south and south western Ontario.

"Today's announcement is a recognition by the McGuinty government that acquired brain injury survivors need not only services, but to access those services closer to home," said John Kumpf, Executive Director, Ontario Brain Injury Association.

Acquired brain injury means any injury to the brain that is not related to damage that occurred during birth, a congenital disorder or attributed to a degenerative disorder such as Alzheimer's disease or Multiple Sclerosis. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care funds ABI community services for adults over the age of 16.

This initiative is part of the McGuinty government's plan to better integrate local health services and expand community-based care in order to build a health care system that delivers on three priorities – keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing better access to doctors and nurses.

For further information :

Members of the general public : (416) 327-4327, or (800) 268-1154

Backgrounder Improving Access To Acquired Brain Injury Services 2 pages | 28k | PDF format

To view PDF format files, you need to have Adobe Acrobat® Reader installed on your computer.    You can download this free software from the Adobe Web site.

© Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2005  |  Privacy Policy  |  Disclaimers  |   Last Modified :