OCSA declares Ontario Government on‘right track’ with announcement on Senior Care Strategy
Toronto – May 25, 2012, The Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) welcomes news that Dr. Samir Sinha will
lead the development and implementation of the province’s Senior Care Strategy. Dr. Sinha is an excellent advocate for seniors and understands the complex health issues surrounding caring for the elderly.
“We look forward to working closely with Dr. Sinha and other health care stakeholders in developing a strategy that will benefit Ontarians receiving and on waiting lists for home and community care,” said Susan Thorning, CEO of OCSA. “As a province-wide association representing non-profit agencies providing home and community care, we look forward to offering thoughtful
counsel to Dr. Sinha throughout the consultation process.”
Access to home and community care services helps to keep people out of hospitals and long-term-care facilities. Many people lying in hospital room beds or sitting on waiting lists for long-term-care homes do not require daily medical care, they just need help with things like bathing, household tasks or transportation to medical appointments. It is far more cost effective to help seniors stay healthy and at home than sick and in institutions. It is also where people want to be - in their own homes.
Greater public investments in home care and community support services is consistent with the advice of health planning experts who clearly identify this sector as the first choice for patients and best, most affordable option for the long term sustainable delivery of health care.
Home and community care is also a priority for Ontarians. A poll released by OCSA last spring as part of its Aging with Dignity (www.agingwithdignity.ca) campaign shows voters support more public investment in non-profit home and community support services with six in ten (59%) agreeing new funding is better designated to these preventative care services rather than facilities and full-time nursing care.
“Along with previously announced plans to increase spending on home and community care and expand the number of personal Support Worker hours available for seniors, the government is demonstrating it is on the right track for health care in Ontario,” said Thorning.
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About the OCSA
The Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) is the voice of the home and community support sector. Across the province each year, more than a million people receive home care and community support services such as in-home nursing, therapy and personal support, Meals on Wheels®, adult/Alzheimer day programs, transportation to medical appointments, supportive housing and attendant services for persons with disabilities. These services are important, cost-effective measures that prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, emergency room visits and premature institutionalization. More information can be found at: www.ocsa.on.ca.
For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Christopher Holcroft
Principal, Empower Consulting, for OCSA
416-996-0767
Chris_Holcroft@yahoo.com
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Ontarians from all backgrounds, from all parts of the province and in all socio-economic circumstances share a common hope – to retain a level of dignity and grace as we age.
Nowhere is this dignity more central than in meeting basic health care needs. But our health system is built on a 20th century vision of institutional care: you become sick, you go to the hospital; you grow older, you go to a retirement home or long-term care facility. This sytem perpetuates a cycle of poor health, deprives people of their independence and puts tremendous financial pressure on our cherished public health system.
Ontarians want to remain in their homes and in their communities when they grow older, close to family, friends and familiar surroundings. This provides for a greater level of comfort and independence, and allows seniors to retain their dignity. The evidence shows this is the most effective way of helping people stay healthy. Home and community care services support people in their efforts to stay healthy, successfully manage specific health issues such as diabetes and maintain their quality of life by addressing issues that make up the social determinants of health.
Still, old stereotypes of health care persist and a shift in thinking is needed if we are to begin to address the twin challenges of an aging population and growing health system costs.
Political leaders must be encouraged to move beyond verbal commitments and into direct, tangible action.
The Opportunity
The provincial election in October presents opportunities to answer these questions and make home and community care a public policy priority in a way it has never been before. Voices advocating for a solution to ensure Ontarians age with dignity must speak up.
Supporters of comprehensive home and community care are urged to communicate directly with political candidates, media and the broader community in the months and weeks before the provincial election. Please see "What you can do" for specific ideas.
The campaign will also be asking candidates and political parties to commit to supporting these Aging with Dignity objectives:
- Comprehensive, affordable home and community care services must be available to all Ontarians regardless of where they live.
- Rebalanced healthcare funding so that it better reflects the significant contribution home and community care does and could make to our health system.
- Expanded research and public education efforts on the essential role of home and community care and how it benefits the public health care system.
- Health care planning focused on individual and family needs.
- Specific plans to address health human resource challenges in home and community care.
Please browse through this website to learn more about the Aging with Dignity campaign.
