Experts have identified a "missing middle" in Ontario’s seniors' care and housing continuum that could keep thousands of older adults off long-term care waitlists and cut institutional costs in half.

Enhanced Assisted Living (EAL) serves older adults who need more help than home care can provide, but do not yet require a long-term care bed.

Eric Mariglia is senior director of public affairs at WoodGreen Community Services, which just co-authored a new policy paper outlining the benefits of EAL and calling on the province to scale successful models.

"We're supporting clients that, without these wrap-around supports, often then end up in the hospital or put on a long-term care waiting list," he told CBC Toronto. "We're alleviating pressure off of the hospital, off of long-term care, and serving clients in the community where they want to be."