The Slaight Family Foundation announced a $30-million gift to hospitals across the GTA, as well as local and national organizations, as part of their Seniors Initiative. UHN will receive $3 million.
The gift will enable UHN to change the way it delivers care through the expansion and development of programs that have a significant impact on seniors’ health – reducing hospital visits and improving quality of life.
Of UHN’s $3-million portion, Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation will receive $1 million to support two core areas:
- Dotsa Bitove Wellness Academy
The gift will help expand programming and staff to help even more seniors living with mild to moderate dementia express themselves through the power of art, creativity and movement, as well as provide support to their caregivers. - UHN OpenLab
UHN will transform Toronto’s high-rise apartment buildings with high concentrations of seniors into Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs). Through UHN’s OpenLab initiative, 25 buildings will serve as living laboratories to develop, pilot and test ways to provide health services and other support for seniors – right in their own buildings. The gift will help launch an ambassador program where 100 seniors will help co-design the services they need.
“We’re grateful to The Slaight Family for demonstrating the important role that philanthropy plays in advancing our healthcare system,” says Dr. Kevin Smith, President and CEO of UHN. “Together with our partners, we share a commitment to finding solutions to support seniors, build capacity in the community, and accelerate our vision of A Healthier World.”
The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation and Toronto Rehab Foundation will also receive a portion of the $3-million gift, enabling UHN to offer enhanced care for seniors’ across a spectrum of program areas.