This $73M project, funded by the Ministry of Long-Term Care, is being led by the Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (Ontario CLRI) at the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) in collaboration with the Ontario Ontario CLRI teams at Baycrest Health Sciences and Bruyère.

Over the next three years, backfill funds will be sent to eligible Ontario long-term care homes to support more than 15,000 student placements and train more than 17,000 preceptors in homes across the province. PREP LTC LTC will help build a highly-skilled workforce to address the staffing needs of the long-term care sector.

“We are thrilled to lead this project and support successful student clinical placements in long-term care,” said Tina Mah, PhD, Executive Director of the RIA. “This project not only supports students in gaining much-needed skills and experience in working with older adults, but encourages them to pursue meaningful careers in the long-term care sector.”

PREP LTC LTC will provide long-term care homes with financial support to host student placements for personal support workers, registered nurses and registered practical nurses, and build capacity to accommodate future placements. In addition, the project will develop eLearning and mentoring tools to equip long-term care preceptors or mentors with the necessary skills to support positive and successful student placements.

The PREP LTC LTC team will build on the success of the Ministry-funded Preceptor Education Program (PEP) in collaboration with University of Western Ontario and Fanshawe College, developing eLearning courses specific to long-term care. PREP LTC LTC will also strengthen and establish new partnerships between homes and educators to increase opportunities for placements.

Ontario long-term care homes who had active student clinical placements in the 2021-22 fiscal year are eligible for funding. To learn more about this initiative and the project, visit www.clri-ltc.ca/prep.

About the Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care

The Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (Ontario CLRI) strengthen quality of life and care for residents across the province. The Ontario Ontario CLRI is mandated by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Long-Term Care to be a resource for the sector by providing education and sharing research and innovations to enhance the health and well-being of people who live and work in long-term care. The Ontario Ontario CLRI is hosted at Baycrest Health Sciences, Bruyère, and the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging.

Learn more at clri-ltc.ca.

About the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging

The Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) is a charitable, non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing quality of life and care for older adults. The RIA tackles some of the biggest issues facing an aging population by integrating research, education and practice. The RIA develops solutions that make a difference to benefit older adults everywhere.  

The RIA supports a world-class research team, including nine Schlegel Research Chairs (soon to be 14), four Schlegel Specialists, and over 20 research scientists.  The RIA has core partnerships with Schlegel Villages, University of Waterloo and Conestoga College, and collaborates with many other academic institutions and organizations.  The RIA is located in Waterloo with unique-in-the-world infrastructure that brings together researchers, students, health professionals, older adults and care partners to learn with and from each other.  

Learn more at www.the-ria.ca.