Peel Region leads the way in emotion-based dementia care
BRAMPTON, ON (September 26, 2025) – Seniors Services, comprised of the Long Term Care (LTC) and Seniors Services Development (SSD) Divisions, presented Regional Council with an update on its pioneering work to improve quality of life for older adults through emotion-based care in line with its Seniors Services Strategic Plan.
With seniors projected to make up 20% of Peel’s population by 2041— and two-thirds of Peel Region long-term care (LTC) residents already living with dementia — Peel continues to lead the sector with compassionate, evidence-based approaches that put people, not tasks, at the centre of care.
Key achievements include:
- National first in community care: In 2025, Peel Region’s Adult Day Services (ADS) became the first community-based program in Canada to achieve Butterfly certification from Meaningful Care Matters.
- International leadership in long-term care: Seven LTC home areas across Peel achieved or renewed Butterfly certification in the past year, giving Peel the highest number of certified Butterfly home areas in one organization worldwide.
- Evidence-based improvement: The introduction of a validated Dementia Quality of Life tool shows that 92% of LTC residents in Butterfly home areas had a high quality of life score last year. Ongoing research will guide the spread of emotion-based care to other areas.
- Supporting families and first responders: Emotion-based care training has expanded beyond LTC and ADS to include caregivers, families, and more than 780 Peel Paramedics, strengthening the continuum of dementia care across the community.
- Emotion-based care in Behavioural Support Units (BSUs): Peel Region has embedded emotion-based care into its designated BSUs at Peel Manor and Sheridan Villa, which provide specialized dementia care for seniors with complex responsive behaviours who cannot be cared for in their care environment. The BSU at Peel Manor is the first in the Central West geography.
The following video was also presented to Regional Council illustrating how music supports emotion-based care.
Peel Region and Peel Regional Council have championed emotion-based care because we know it transforms lives. With tools like the Dementia Quality of Life measure, we can show the impact this approach has on resident wellbeing and use that data to shape the future of seniors care across Health Services. Our commitment is to ensure every person living with dementia receives care that honours their humanity.
Nancy Polsinelli, Commissioner of Health Services, Peel Region
Our investment in emotion-based care is backed by evidence showing higher quality of life for residents and stronger engagement among staff. By putting people at the centre of everything we do in our homes, we are setting a new standard for excellence in long-term care.
Ann-Marie Case-Volkert, Director, Long Term Care, Peel Region
From Butterfly certification in our Adult Day Services to emotion-based care training for first responders, we are building a community where people living with dementia are understood and supported at every stage of their journey — no matter where they live. This is how we create not just better care, but better quality of life.
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 contacts
Dan Brennan
Communications Specialist
Peel Region
Justin Maharaj
Communications Coordinator
Peel Region