Meeting the needs of seniors in North Bay

North East LHIN
Media Release

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The Ontario government, through the North East LHIN is investing in innovative programs to increase access to care and better meet the needs of the frail elderly in North Bay, a need that was well expressed during a community engagement session held in North Bay on July 6.

"The care of our seniors is incredibly important. The programs benefitting from this increased funding provide important assistance to our seniors and additional assistance to individuals requiring care as they transition home from the hospital," said Monique Smith, MPP for Nipissing."

"These investments are about helping Northerners access health care in the community where the frail elderly would much rather be," said CEO Louise Paquette. "It's about shifting health care to where people in North Bay need it most. Last month, citizens of North Bay told us first-hand how more assisted living and mental health services are needed in their community. We heard and we are responding."

A total of $1 million is being invested locally to support seniors, particularly those requiring assistance with activities of daily living in assisted living residences or in long-term care homes so that they don't end up as an Alternate Level of Care (ALC) patient in hospital. ALC patients don't need the 24 hour care that hospitals provide and can be better cared for at home with supports or in a transitional care bed in the community.

"I'm most excited about the behaviour support team," said Dr. Ian Cowan, NE LHIN Board Director for the Nipissing area. "I think this will be very successful. This is an innovative program and the best part is - it's meeting the needs of people right in the community in which they live."

The behaviour support team is a first for the North East LHIN, which plans to bring this program to other communities across the region. The team will be linked to both the North East Specialized Geriatric Services and Geriatric Case Managers at the CCAC. Team members could include a nurse, social worker, a therapist - professionals who can easily move to the place where care is needed, for example an elderly person with dementia who may be moving to a long-term care home and could benefit from additional support to make the transition safe, smooth and comfortable.

The investments include:

- Additional Assisted Living Units in North Bay - A $350,000 investment to meet the needs of seniors in areas of the community where there is a high density of seniors. Assisted living services can include providing help with bathing, meal preparation or activities of daily living - all in the location in which a senior is living. This program will serve approximately 16 seniors this year that are identified as high risk for hospitalization or placement in a long-term care home.

- A North Bay-based Behaviour Support Team - A $500,000 investment to meet the needs of seniors with complex care requirements in the environment in which they live. This program will meet the needs of 30 to 50 people.

- Transition to Home Beds in North Bay - A $150,000 investment which will be delivered in partnership with the North Bay Regional Health Centre and PHARA. This investment will provide a staff person from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm for 365 days a year - in two additional beds at Westwind Apartments at 280 Oakwood Avenue. The care will be provided to those seniors who have a need for a high degree of convalescent care.

Facts:

· On Monday, August 30, 2011, the NE LHIN announced $2.6 million to enhance services for seniors

who have behaviours associated with complex and challenging mental health, dementia or other neurological conditions across Northeastern Ontario. This region-wide investment will allow local health service providers

to hire new staff - nurses, personal support workers and other health care providers - and train them in the specialized skills necessary to provide care for these patients with dignity and respect.

· This spring and summer, the NE LHIN held 24 community engagement sessions with fellow Northerners. On July 6, North Bay citizens noted that more assisted living services and mental health services are needed so that seniors and frail elderly can benefit from help with activities of daily living.

· The North East LHIN allocates $1.3 billion to front line health care in communities across Northeastern Ontario every year.

· The North East LHIN has helped to improve the lives of 14,600 seniors across the region by funding services such as: driving seniors to medical appointments, helping to bathe and dress seniors, bringing hot meals to homes, and shoveling their walkways.

· The North East LHIN works with partners to deliver new or enhanced assisted living services to 700 more seniors who are able to comfortably and safely stay out of hospital or a long-term care home.

· In Northeastern Ontario, 17% of the population is 65 years or older - higher than the provincial average which is 13%.

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