Toronto mayoral hopeful Ana Bailao’s unveiled a four-point plan she promises would deliver support directly to 70,000 seniors.

They live in 489 NORC buildings (naturally occurring retirement communities) across the city that have become home to a high density of older adults.

Speaking outside one such building at 55 Rankin Crescent in the Bloor-Dundas neighbourhood, Bailao said the plan would involve door-to-door health and wellness checks from health ambassadors; formerly Vaccine Ambassadors, who would also promote nearby mobile health clinics.

These clinics would set up near seniors’ buildings in partnership between Toronto Public Health and Toronto Paramedic Services, which would provide health screens on-site including for blood sugar, blood pressure, medication, post-op follow up and mental health with referrals to follow up health services if needed.

Bailao’s plan would also see $10-million go toward food hampers for seniors most in need.

”This is a $23.5-million program that will save our health-care millions of dollars and will relieve pressure on our emergency rooms, long-term care homes,” she says.

”Most importantly it will improve quality of life for seniors in our city.”