First Butterfly certified adult day program in Canada
BRAMPTON, ON (June 30, 2025) – Marking the last day of Seniors Month, Peel Region is proud to announce that its Adult Day Services (ADS) program at Malton Village in Mississauga has become Canada’s first adult day program to receive Butterfly certification from Meaningful Care Matters. With one in five Peel residents expected to be over the age of 65 by 2041 and the increasing prevalence of dementia, this milestone reflects Peel’s commitment to delivering exceptional, person-centered care for seniors.
The Butterfly approach transforms the experience for people supported by creating a warm, engaging environment that values each person’s emotional well-being, personal history, and individuality. For people living with dementia, this model fosters meaningful connections, emotional expression, and improved quality of life.
This emotion-based model of care also empowers staff to interact more deeply and authentically with people attending ADS services by focusing on the unique experiences, interests, and stories that have shaped their lives — helping to reignite joy, purpose, and connection regardless of their diagnosis or physical needs.
Peel Region was the first in Ontario to implement the Butterfly approach in its Long Term Care Centres and fully intends to maintain its leadership in emotion-based care. As part of the Seniors Services Strategic Plan, all five Peel Region ADS centres will undergo the Butterfly certification process in 2025 to ensure those who attend the services receive innovative, integrated, person-centred care.
To support this initiative, over 90 ADS team members completed intensive Butterfly training that focused on emotional connections and reflective activities. This training will enhance the meaningful connections ADS team members create every day with people living with dementia.
Peel Region also applies the emotion-based care approach to its Virtual ADS programs. Results presented at AdvantAge Ontario’s 2025 Convention earlier this month showed how Virtual ADS programs improve socialization, provide cognitive stimulation, and increase positive mood by up to 25%. To learn more about our virtual ADS, call 905-791-7800 extension 1125. For more information about implementation of the Butterfly approach in Adult Day Services, please reach out to admin@meaningfulcarematters.com.
In 2018, Peel Regional Council took a bold step by championing emotion-based care in Long Term Care Centres — transforming how we support people living with dementia. Its success in building meaningful connections and improving quality of life has been undeniable. We’re proud to now bring this innovative approach to our Adult Day Services, offering more seniors the dignity, joy, and person-centered care they deserve. In doing so, we’re also helping people age at home longer while easing pressure on emergency services and the broader health system.
Nancy Polsinelli, Commissioner of Health Services, Peel Region
With the expected surge in the local seniors population and the increased prevalence of dementia, we need to expand approaches like emotion-based care to make sure our seniors receive the comprehensive support they need. Whether services are provided in-person or virtually, emotion-based care improves the well-being of seniors, provides caregivers with much-needed respite, and lifts the morale of staff, who get to see the positive impact they are having every day.
Whitney Harrison, Director, Seniors Services Development, Peel Region
About Peel Region
Peel Region works with residents and partners to create a healthy, safe, and connected Community for Life for approximately 1.6 million people and over 200,000 businesses in Brampton, Mississauga, and Caledon. Peel’s services touch the lives of residents every day. For more information explore peelregion.ca and follow us on X @regionofpeel and Instagram @peelregion.ca.
Media Contact
Dan Brennan
Communications Specialist
Peel Region