Elgin-St. Thomas Adult Day Program Receives $25K Seniors Community Grant to Enhance Dementia Care and Caregiver Supports at Valleyview site
The City of St. Thomas is pleased to announce it has been awarded $25,000 through the Province of Ontario's 2025-26 Seniors Community Grant Program to support a new initiative aimed at enhancing services for seniors living with dementia and progressive cognitive impairment through the Elgin-St. Thomas Adult Day Program.
The funding will support the City's project, Advancing Supports for Clients with Progressive Cognitive Impairment Through Innovative Technology and Dementia Focused Resources for Caregivers, which was designed to strengthen the Adult Day Program's ability to provide inclusive, therapeutic and meaningful experiences for clients while equipping caregivers with additional resources and support.
The project responds to a growing need within the community. Increasing numbers of seniors accessing Adult Day Program services are experiencing dementia-related symptoms and responsive behaviours that require specialized care and engagement strategies that allow them to age in place longer.
Through this investment, the Elgin-St. Thomas Adult Day Program plans to:
- Increase staffing during higher-needs periods to provide more individualized support and therapeutic programming.
- Introduce dementia-informed technologies, including interactive and sensory-based tools, that promote cognitive stimulation, social connection and meaningful engagement.
- Expand recreation and wellness programming that helps participants remain active, connected and engaged in their community.
- Create a caregiver lending library featuring resources and practical tools that families can use at home to better support loved ones living with dementia.
- Enhance dementia-focused staff knowledge and program capacity to provide earlier interventions and more personalized care.
"As the needs of our aging population continue to grow, investments like this help ensure seniors and their families receive the care and support they deserve,” said Mayor Joe Preston. “Thank you to the Province of Ontario and MPP Flack for supporting this important initiative."
Members of Council, City Staff, and MPP Rob Flack came together at the Valleyview site to celebrate this provincial investment and its positive impact on local seniors and their families.
"The Elgin-St. Thomas Adult Day Program plays such an important role in supporting seniors and their families, and I'm pleased to see this investment helping them continue that great work," said Rob Flack, MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London. "As more families are navigating the challenges of dementia, it's essential that they have access to compassionate care, meaningful programming, and practical supports close to home. This funding will help ensure seniors can remain active, engaged, and connected in their community, while giving caregivers the resources they need to support their loved ones."
Funded by the Government of Ontario, the Seniors Community Grant Program supports initiatives that help older adults stay active, healthy, engaged and connected in their communities.