MISSISSAUGA, ON, Dec. 10, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Home Care Association congratulations Dr. Réjean Hébert, Minister of Health and Social Services and Minister Responsible for Seniors, and the Quebec government on their actions to ensure independence for seniors. The tabling of Bill 67 to the National Assembly is a major step in ensuring choice for seniors who require supports to live independently in their own homes. This legislative milestone, in addition to targeted funding for home care services, set a strong foundation to enable the shifting of health care from an episodic acute care to proactive long-term care; a shift that is necessary to meet the needs of our aging population.
According to Portraits of Home Care in Canada, released earlier this year by the CHCA, the number of individuals receiving home care has increased by 55% over the past 5 years. Of the 1.4 million Canadians who received home care in 2011, 800,000 were seniors (individuals 65 years of age and over), which equates to one in every six seniors. "All jurisdictions across Canada identified the impact of our aging population as a major challenge to the home care sector, and the health care system," stated Jill Robbins, President CHCA. " Home care supports seniors to live safely and independently in their own homes and plays a key role in aging in place strategies, in reducing hospital readmissions and repeat emergency department visits, in managing chronic diseases and in ensuring quality end-of-life care."
"We are pleased to see the inclusion of respite services for family caregivers in Bill 67," said Nadine Henningsen, Executive Director, Canadian Home Care Association and President, Canadian Caregiver Coalition. "Caregivers are the backbone of our health care system, often providing more than 80% of care needed by individuals with long-term care needs."
Through the introduction of Bill 67, the Quebec government has recognized and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the vital role of home care within our health care system.
- Canadians expect a health and wellness system that will not only sustain life and restore basic human function, but will support independence and quality of health throughout their lives. Home care plays a critical role in meeting this need.
- Health care is shifting to proactive, long-term chronic care management in the home and community. Home care is an essential part of this transformation.
- Governments and health care consumers expect quality, efficiency and value for their health care investment. Home care is a cost-effective alternative to facility-based care.
The Canadian Home Care Association welcomes the opportunity to work with the Quebec government and all stakeholders to build an integrated health care system that provides accessible, responsive services that enable people to safely stay in their homes with dignity, independence and quality of life.
About the Canadian Home Care Association
The Canadian Home Care Association (CHCA) is a national not-for-profit membership association dedicated to ensuring the availability of accessible, responsive home care and community supports to enable people to safely stay in their homes with dignity, independence, and quality of life. The CHCA, as the national voice of home care, promotes excellence through leadership, advocacy, awareness and knowledge. For more information, visit the CHCA website at www.cdnhomecare.ca.
SOURCE: Canadian Home Care Association
Nadine Henningsen, Executive Director, Canadian Home Care Association
289-290-4389 [email protected]
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