An emotion-centred approach with strategies tailored to the needs of residents of City-run long-term care homes has been unanimously approved by Toronto City Council.

The approach, including more staff providing more direct care, will be test for 12 months as part of a pilot project at Lakeshore Lodge.

Independent experts will review and evaluate the pilot before the approach is rolled out to all 10 city-run facilities.

It’s estimated the pilot will cost $500,000 while implementing the new approach in all City-run homes over six years will cost about $24-million.

Mayor John Tory says it’s important to have the right programs, services and level of care in place that cater to the needs of our diverse population; especially as the senior population continues to grow.

Councillor Josh Matlow, Toronto Seniors Advocate, says city council’s taken an important step to improving the lives of seniors.

”Adopting emotion-centred approaches to care, such as the Butterfly Model, has been proven to result in healthier and happier residents,” Matlow added.