Health care without home care puts Canadians at risk

OTTAWA, May 7, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Home care is a critical component of an integrated, client-centred health care system. Across Canada, home care services enable more than two million people to stay in their homes and retain their independence, providing an efficient and cost-effective alternative to in-hospital stays and long-term care homes.

The aging population and prevalence of chronic disease have made it necessary to transform the way health care is organized and delivered. A new report from Accreditation Canada and the Canadian Home Care Association (CHCA), Home Care in Canada: Advancing Quality Improvement and Integrated Care, examines the essential role of home care as part of an integrated health system, in light of the increasing demand for home care services.

The report looks at the strengths and opportunities for improvement in home care services, and offers innovative solutions to common challenges faced across the country. The Accreditation Canada LeadingPractices and the CHCA High Impact Practices provide concrete examples of these solutions, which include the implementation of innovative technologies and the creation of collaborative integrated teams.

"Our accreditation program helps Canadians receive quality care while living in their own homes," said Wendy Nicklin, President and CEO of Accreditation Canada. "We will continue to work with home and community providers to help improve the quality of home care services in Canada."

"Provincial, territorial, and federal home care programs are undertaking many transformational initiatives to meet the increasing need for community-based integrated health care," said Nadine Henningsen, Executive Director of the CHCA. "The CHCA is committed to supporting this work through the promotion of innovative practices and the facilitation of learning and knowledge exchange among home care stakeholders."

Accreditation Canada and the CHCA share the goal of advancing excellence and quality in home care services in order to provide the best possible care to Canadians. This goal is achieved by putting key principles for home care—such as client- and family-centred care and accessible care—into action.

About Accreditation Canada
Accreditation Canada is an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits health care and social services organizations in Canada and around the world. Its comprehensive accreditation programs foster ongoing quality improvement through evidence-based standards and a rigorous external peer review. Accredited by the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua), Accreditation Canada has been helping organizations improve health care quality and patient safety for more than 55 years. accreditation.ca

About the Canadian Home Care Association
The Canadian Home Care Association (CHCA), incorporated in 1990, is a national not-for-profit membership association representing home care stakeholders from governments (federal, provincial and territorial), health authorities, publicly funded home care programs, service providers, medical and technology companies, researchers and others with an interest in home care. The CHCA advances excellence in home care and continuing care through leadership, awareness, advocacy and knowledge. cdnhomecare.ca

SOURCE Canadian Home Care Association

For further information: Geneviève Brisson, Communications Specialist, Accreditation Canada, 1-800-814-7769 ext. 410, [e-mail]; Maureen Henson, Director of Operations, Canadian Home Care Association, 289-290-4390, [e-mail]