Healthcare Policy & Advocacy
When someone needs medical care, we expect hospitals to be there for them. But what happens when hospitals become long-term holding facilities for people who don’t actually need acute medical treatment? According to Ontario’s Ombudsman Paul Dubé, this is exactly what’s happening to adults with developmental disabilities across our province—and it needs to stop.
The Problem: Hospitals as Default Housing
In a hard-hitting report released this November, Ombudsman Dubé revealed a troubling reality: adults with developmental disabilities are being unnecessarily institutionalized in hospitals simply because there’s nowhere else for them to go. These individuals don’t need hospital beds—they need specialized community housing and support services that, frankly, don’t exist in sufficient numbers.
“The fact that our system continues to rely on hospitals as a default placement is not just inefficient,” Dubé stated. “It’s unfair, inappropriate and profoundly harmful to them and their families.”
A System That’s Failing Everyone
Here’s the heartbreaking cycle that families and care coordinators face daily:
- When housing is found, there’s no funding
- When funding exists, no agency has room
- When a bed finally opens up, it’s often not appropriate for the individual’s complex needs
The result? People with developmental disabilities languish in hospital beds, receiving care from staff who—through no fault of their own—lack the specialized training and resources needed to support their unique needs. Meanwhile, those hospital beds remain occupied, unable to serve people who genuinely require acute medical care.
This Isn’t New—But It’s Getting Worse
Perhaps the most frustrating part of Dubé’s report is this: we’ve been here before.
In 2016, similar findings were presented with recommendations for change. But those recommendations were never fully implemented. Nine years later, the problem hasn’t just persisted—it’s gotten worse.
“The problem is not with the people, but the system itself,” Dubé explained, describing it as “fragmented, under-resourced and inadequate.”
A Glimmer of Hope: 24 Recommendations Accepted
The good news? The provincial government has accepted all 24 of the Ombudsman’s recommendations.
The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services has committed to developing and funding community infrastructure specifically designed to accommodate individuals with developmental disabilities—including those with more complex needs who have been most underserved by the current system.
What This Means for Community Care
This report underscores something those of us in the home and community care sector already know: there is a critical, urgent need for specialized, community-based care solutions.
Adults with developmental disabilities don’t belong in hospitals when they’re not sick. They deserve:
- Dignified housing in their communities
- Specialized support from trained caregivers
- Services tailored to their unique needs
- The opportunity to live as independently as possible
- Access to meaningful activities and social connections
This is where community care providers can—and must—step up. As Ontario’s population ages and our understanding of inclusive care evolves, we need more providers willing to invest in the training, infrastructure, and compassion required to serve people with developmental disabilities properly.
Moving Forward Together
The Ombudsman’s report is a wake-up call, but it’s also an opportunity. An opportunity to:
- Advocate for better funding and resources
- Develop specialized programs for complex needs
- Train our caregivers in developmental disability support
- Build the community infrastructure that’s desperately needed
- Ensure that every person, regardless of their abilities, has access to appropriate, dignified care
The Bottom Line: Ontario’s adults with developmental disabilities have been let down by a system that’s fragmented and under-resourced. It’s time for real change, and it’s going to take all of us—government, care providers, and communities—working together to make it happen.
What are your thoughts on this issue? Have you or your family been affected by the lack of community supports for developmental disabilities? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Source: Ontario Ombudsman Report, November 26, 2025
Read the full report: https://ombudsman.on.ca/en/news/speeches-and-articles/ontario-ombudsman-calls-unnecessary-hospitalization-adult-developmental-disabilities-unacceptable
