2026-10-05
THE CAMPFIRE PROGRAM NOW ACCEPTING REFERRALS AT DEEP RIVER AND DISTRICT HEALTH
Deep River and District Health (DRDH) is pleased to announce that The Campfire Program is now accepting referrals. The Campfire Program provides older adults with access to clinical care, personal support, rehabilitation, recreation and social programming, and offers caregiver respite while participants continue to live in their own homes.
The Campfire Program is DRDH’s locally designed model of Ontario’s Community Access to Long-Term Care (CALTC) program developed in response to feedback from patients, caregivers, community organizations and healthcare partners; the program has been designed around the needs and realities of older adults living in the Upper Ottawa Valley.
Participation in The Campfire Program is offered free of charge to individuals who are currently on or eligible to be placed on a long-term care waitlist, and individuals do not need to be ready to move into long-term care to participate. The Campfire Program is intended to bring selected services and supports available in long-term care homes to people earlier, helping them remain healthy, independent, and supported in their own homes for as long as possible. Some select services will carry a small cost.
“The Campfire Program is about providing people with the right support at the right time, without requiring them to leave the community or the home they know,” said Janna Hotson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Deep River and District Health. “Even if someone is eligible for long-term care, but they still want, and are able, to live successfully at home with the right support system around them. The Campfire Program gives us another way to provide this support while also helping families and caregivers to alleviate the pressure of sole care provider.”
Care and services based on individual needs
The Campfire Program will offer both full-day and half-day attendance options from Monday to Friday. Participants may attend occasionally or multiple days each week, based on their individual needs. The Campfire team will assess each participant’s needs and work with them and their caregivers to determine the appropriate schedule based on their care, clinical, social, and respite needs.
All participants have access to a range of services, including:
- Nursing and clinical care, including health assessments, monitoring, wound care and support with ongoing health needs;
- Personal support, including assistance with activities of daily living, bathing and personal care;
- Rehabilitation and mobility services, including physiotherapy and support to maintain strength, mobility, function and independence;
- Recreation, therapeutic and social programming, including individual and group activities designed to promote physical, cognitive and social well-being;
- Meals and nutrition support while participating in the program;
- Dementia and cognitive supports for individuals experiencing memory loss or cognitive changes;
- Health education and service navigation to help individuals and families understand and connect with available health and community resources;
- Caregiver support and respite, providing caregivers with planned time away from their caregiving responsibilities while knowing their loved one is receiving care and meaningful programming; and
- Regular foot care clinics, providing another opportunity for older adults to access important preventative care locally.
The Campfire Program is available free of charge to eligible participants. However, some services, such as foot care, hair services and take-home meals, may involve additional costs.
All services are individualized, and the Campfire team will work with each participant and their family to identify the combination and frequency of support that best meet their needs.
“The flexibility of The Campfire Program is one of its strengths,” said Hotson. “People don’t need to fit into a single model of care. We can look at what is happening in their life, what is important to them and their caregiver, and what supports will make the greatest difference in helping them continue to live well at home.”
Come See The Campfire
DRDH is inviting community members, caregivers, families and healthcare partners to visit The Campfire Program at a Community Open House on Thursday, October 8th 2026 at 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Visitors can tour the space, meet the Campfire team, learn more about the services available and ask questions about eligibility, referrals and whether The Campfire Program may be a good fit for themselves or someone they care for.
To learn more or make a referral:
Individuals or family members may directly refer to the program, or through their healthcare team, using the form available on the DRDH website.
Individuals and families who are unsure whether they meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to contact the Campfire team who can discuss individual circumstances, explain the eligibility and referral process, and help identify next steps.
Deep River & District Health – Campfire Program
Phone: 613-584-3333 x4100
Email: communityintake@drdh.org
Website: www.DRDH.org/Campfire
DRDH Health Campus
117 Banting Drive, Deep River, Ontario