News Release
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Virtual Coffee Break with Dr. Samir Sinha and Louise Paquette on ….
Nov. 21, 2014 –Myths about aging were busted and ideas for improving home and community care in the North East were shared at a Virtual Coffee Break with Geriatrician Dr. Samir Sinha, Ontario’s Seniors Strategy Lead, and Louise Paquette, CEO of the North East Local Health Integration Network (NE LHIN).
More than 200 Northerners listened-in to hear about work that is already being done across Northeastern Ontario and the province to strengthen home and community care, as well as ideas other countries are adopting. In addition, early results from a North East LHINsurvey, which remains open until December 9, on improving community care were provided.
“Since we’ve released our survey last week, we’ve had more than 350 people respond and we’re hoping even more Northerners will take this opportunity to share their ideas and concerns about strengthening health care across our region, with a particular focus on improving home and community-based care,” said Louise.
The LHIN has received comments about frustrations, everything from wait times for community care to uncertainty on how to navigate the system, but also many great ideas too, like education for family caregivers, ‘warm hand-offs by providers,’ and the need to include seniors in their own care planning.
Dr. Sinha talked about the need to understand our aging older adult population – those over 65 will double and those over 85 quadruple in the next two decades While in the past, long term care was seen as the only option, now more are being supported at home. In fact the demand for long term care has dropped by about 25% across the province.
“Traditionally, we never really emphasized home and community care as well as we could,” said Dr. Sinha. “People felt if mom or dad, or you one day or your brother or sister or whatever the case, could no longer live independently at home then we would have them go to a long-term care home or to a nursing home. What we're hearing from a lot of people is that it's not really where I want to go if possible.”
Dr. Sinha brought up the example of Denmark which has not added any new long term care or and has actually closed thousands hospital beds in the past two decades, thanks to investments in home and community care to support its aging population.
He also talked about the role small hospitals may play in the future, including the operating more like health centres with primary care and strong links to the specialist services in larger centres.
Backgrounder:
· What is a NE LHIN Virtual Coffee Break? Your opportunity to call in from any location and listen to a half hour “radio” show moderated by NE LHIN CEO Louise Paquette.
· Do you want to help guide health care in the North East? Take our online survey by visiting our websitewww.nelhin.on.ca or give us a call at 1-866-906-5446 and we’ll send you a paper version. The survey closes on Dec. 9th.
· Why is home and community care so important?: Currently about 19 % of the population in the North East is 65 years or older, with this number expected to climb to 30% in the next two decades. Through community engagements with the North East LHIN, seniors have made it clear that they would prefer to live at home or in community as long as possible, rather than in long term care, and that they need more supports to do so. Currently seniors account for about half of health care spending – a small minority (about 11 %) are “high users” of the system.
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