Aging at home strategy expands in the area

Nipissing MPP Monique Smith
News Release

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Ontario is ensuring more seniors in Nipissing can get health care at home or in their community by expanding the successful Aging At Home strategy.

Aging At Home programs provide health care services to seniors in the comfort and dignity of their own homes. It permits Ontario’s seniors to lead healthy and independent lives while avoiding unnecessary visits to hospitals, which can ultimately reduce ER wait times.

Seniors in Nipissing will benefit from programs like:

• Nipissing-Parry Sound PHARA’s Step down unit and 24 hour attendant care in supportive housing.

• The Canadian Red Cross’ transportation program in the Nipissing District.

• Cassellholme’s Home for the Aged segregated supportive housing and home maintenance caregiver support.

• Nipissing First Nation’s Sharing the Care program for caregiver training.

• North Bay General Hospital’s falls prevention awareness program.

The Aging at Home strategy is a key part of the government’s Open Ontario Plan to provide more access to health care services while improving quality and accountability for patients.

“By making more services available to seniors at home and within our community, Ontario’s Aging At Home strategy is continuing to improve the quality of life for our seniors and reduce the time that our loved ones spend in the hospital,” said Monique Smith, MPP for Nipissing. “Seniors in the Nipissing area are receiving these important community-based services to ensure they can continue to enjoy living in their own home.”

QUICK FACTS

- Assisting seniors to live independently at home helps to shorten wait times at hospitals and improve patient flow in emergency rooms.

- Ontario is increasing funding for the Aging at Home program by $143.4 million this year.

- Ontario’s senior population will double within 20 years.

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