TORONTO, April 18 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is investing $75,000 in

a series of province-wide seminars on the safe use of medication for seniors,

Minister Responsible for Seniors, Jim Bradley announced today.

     "One in four hospital admissions of patients over age 50 are the result

of medication-related problems," said Bradley. "By educating seniors about the

safe use of medication, we can help them protect their health and get the full

benefit of their prescription drugs."

     The funds have been granted to the Ontario Pharmacists' Association to

deliver 35 seminars across the province as part of the Ontario Seniors'

Seminars series. The seminars involve presentations by local pharmacists and a

question-and-answer period on the safe use of medication. The sessions will be

held over the next year and are free of charge.

     Other McGuinty government initiatives to support Ontario's aging

population include:

     -  Engaging in province-wide consultations with the goal of establishing

        a new regulatory framework for strengthening standards of care in

        Ontario retirement homes

     -  Enhancing the Ontario Property and Sales Tax Credits for seniors once

        again in 2007; this will result in $97 million in property tax relief

        this year for eligible seniors

     -  Providing $453,000 to 55 organizations across the province working to

        combat elder abuse in their communities

     -  Expanding the award-winning www.seniorsinfo.ca website to provide one-

        stop access to programs and services for seniors living in smaller

        municipalities across the province

     -  Ending mandatory retirement

     -  Implementing Ontario's Wait-Time Strategy that has resulted in a 41

        per cent reduction in wait times for cataract surgery; a 30 per cent

        reduction for knee replacements; and a 16 per cent reduction for

        cancer surgery.

     "Our government is working with partners across Ontario to ensure that

older adults can live in dignity, security and independence," Bradley said.

"We are strengthening the capacity of our communities to meet the changing

needs of today's seniors."