Government of Canada Invests in a Stronger Health Care System - Researchers to study services for older adults

VICTORIA, BC, Aug. 15, 2012 /CNW/ - The Honourable Tim Uppal, Minister of State (Democratic Reform), today announced funding for a study by University of Victoria researchers that aims to help older adults and their families navigate long-term care services more effectively while advising decision makers on ways to improve the health system.

"Our Government is committed to continuously finding ways to improve the health care system for Canadians," said Minister Uppal, while visiting the University of Victoria on Wednesday. "We are pleased to invest in this research, which will provide new information to guide policies and programs to enhance the quality of life of older adults and their families."

The funding supports a project being led by researchers affiliated with the University of Victoria's Centre on Aging.

Drs. Margaret J. Penning (Sociology), Denise Cloutier (Geography) and their team will examine how older adults transition through the long-term care system. The project is co-funded by the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

"This project addresses very important contemporary health care issues such as how to provide services that will meet the evolving needs of aging individuals as they transition through the health care continuum from home to hospital or residential care," said Dr. Penning.

"A clearer understanding of these patterns and their predictors is critical for the quality of life of older adults and their families and affects health policy decision-making at all levels," added Dr. Cloutier.

The project is among 27 projects recently funded through CIHR's Partnerships for Health System Improvement program. The program supports teams of researchers and health care decision makers that work together to develop and implement solutions to health care challenges. Projects are co-funded by partners in the public and private sectors. The program is an example of how the Government of Canada is working with partners to improve health care across the country.

"The Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research is pleased to be helping researchers like Drs. Penning and Cloutier ensure health care providers and administrators have the evidence they need to make informed decisions," said Dr. Diane Finegood, President and CEO of MSFHR. "This partnership with CIHR is one way we ensure new knowledge is translated into day-to-day health care delivery, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes for British Columbians and all Canadians."

"Fraser Health is the fastest growing health authority in British Columbia, and significant growth is occurring in the older adult population. This collaboration with the University of Victoria's Centre on Aging allows us to work with researchers who have the same passion for older adult care as we do," said Heather Cook, Executive Director, Residential Care and Assisted Living. "We are confident that the results of this research project will provide us with valuable information, and assist us in developing services and care strategies to best meet the needs of our growing aging population."

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's health research investment agency. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to enable its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 14,100 health researchers and trainees across Canada. www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca

The Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR), funded by the government of British Columbia, is the province's health research support agency. MSFHR's mandate is to strengthen BC's health research enterprise — which in turn improves the health of British Columbians, their health system and their economy. MSFHR is dedicated to the memory of Nobel Prize recipient Dr. Michael Smith, a pre-eminent BC scientist with a long-standing commitment to supporting researchers throughout their careers. www.msfhr.org/

Backgrounder

Researchers to study services for older adults
Institution	University of Victoria
Researchers	Margaret J. Penning and Denise S. Cloutier
	Deanne Catherine Taylor; Laura M. Funk; Francis Lau; and Stuart W. MacDonald
Project title	Transitions and Trajectories in Late Life Care: Patterns and Predictors
Project description	The study will examine how older adults transition through the long-term care system. A better understanding of the patterns and the factors that influence care transitions will help guide policies and programs to enhance the quality of life of older adults and their families. Researchers will be working with Fraser Health to conduct their study.
Funding	Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research:	$99,967
	Canadian Institutes of Health Research:	$233,259

Information about CIHR's Partnerships for Health System Improvement
The project announced today is funded through CIHR's Partnerships for Health System Improvement (PHSI) program. It is part of 27 projects that recently received funding.

CIHR's PHSI program supports teams of researchers and decision makers conducting applied and policy-relevant health systems and services research that responds to the needs of health care decision makers and strengthens the Canadian health system. When the research process is guided by the information needs of end-users, findings are more likely to be mobilized by the decision-maker or partner. Therefore, the PHSI program requires meaningful collaboration between researchers and decision makers likely to make use of the results of the research.

This year, the Government of Canada and partners from across Canada are providing a total of $10.7 million to fund the 27 successful projects. The Government of Canada will be providing $8.5 million, and partners are providing an additional $2.2 million.

CIHR recently launched the latest program competition. Teams of health researchers along with health decision makers are invited to submit applications under CIHR's Partnerships for Health System Improvement program competition. The application deadline is November 1, 2012 and funding will start in 2013.

SOURCE: Canadian Institutes of Health Research

David Coulombe, CIHR Media Relations, 613-941-4563 Cell: 613-808-7526
Mitch Wright, UVic Communications, 250-721-6139 Cell: 250-213-1705
Lori Last, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, 604-714-2788, Cell: 604-868-2313
Fraser Health Media Pager : 604-450-7881

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