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If you are a health care provider with ideas on how to improve the lives of seniors living at home, the Central East Local Health Integration Network wants to hear from you.

The LHIN co-ordinates health care services and programs in an area stretching from Scarborough to Peterborough.

Last year, the organization invested $4.6 million in new and enhanced services enabling seniors to live healthy, independent lives in their community for as long as possible.

The LHIN is now inviting new proposals for the second year of funding for the Aging at Home Strategy.

Health care service providers and their partners are being asked to focus their proposals on community support services, caregiver support and well-being, support housing and assisted living and, new this year, specialized geriatric services.

The proposals will be reviewed by the LHIN this fall and funding will be allocated beginning next year. A total of $11.5 million will be available in 2009 and 2010.

The need to improve services for seniors and caregivers was identified by the LHIN in 2006, said Kate Reed, the seamless care for seniors portfolio lead.

Seniors and caregivers are already seeing the benefits of the strategy, added Dr. John Peto, chairperson of the LHIN's seamless care for seniors network.

"Already new programs to provide more supportive housing, vision care, dementia support, Meals on Wheels and day programs are now under way," he said in a statement.

Ontario's aging at home strategy, launched in 2007, is a three-year plan. The Central East LHIN is receiving $20 million of the province's $700-million allocation.

The deadline to submit a proposal is Sept. 25.

For more information, visit www.centraleastlhin.on.ca and link to the Aging at Home Strategy - Year Two Call for Proposals or call 1-866-804-5446.