Connecting More People to Care in their Home
The Ontario Government has recently made many health care announcements, but there is one that I would like to highlight for seniors in Kanata and West Carleton. The government is focused on connecting people to convenient care in their home and in their community. This is being done so that more Ontarians can choose to stay in their homes for longer as they age.
Delivering convenient care at home provides a much better experience. Having people receive health care services in their homes helps to provide needed space in hospitals, long-term care homes, and doctors’ offices.
In 2022, the Ontario Government invested $1 billion to expand the delivery of home and community care services to help more people connect to the care they need. From more caregiver support and respite services, bereavement and behavioural programs to assisted living services for people with brain injuries, work is underway to provide faster and more convenient access to health care.
The Province is also working with home and community care providers to create new and innovative programs for people wanting to connect to care in their home. These programs include more virtual care options, and connecting home care services with doctors and other care providers to ensure personal medical records follow people as they move between care providers. The investments will help nearly 700,000 families who rely on home care.
The Province is also building on the success of the paramedicine program that was piloted here in Ottawa. With the help of paramedics, those living with chronic health conditions can now live at home more independently and avoid regular visits to the hospital waiting room. Ontario’s expanded community paramedicine program is already in place in 55 communities and has connected more than 30,000 people to 24/7 non-emergency support at home.
I am proud of the fact that this program started with the paramedic services in Ottawa and Renfrew. This innovated care service allows paramedics to use their training and expertise to provide home visits for a range of services, including:
- making sure medication is taken as prescribed
- educating people on how to properly manage their chronic conditions
- providing assessments and referrals to local community care services, such as home care
The Province is making it easier for people and their families to connect to the care they need, whether that’s by expanding access to services in their home or community or ensuring hospital and long-term care beds are available when it is needed most. Read more about the Ontario Government’s health care strategy: Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care.
Quick Facts
- Home and community care services support people of all ages who require care in their home, at school, or in the community. Seniors and those experiencing complex medical conditions can often stay in their homes if they have some support.
- The Ontario Caregiver Organization supports caregivers across Ontario with a suite of programs and resources including the 24/7 Ontario Caregiver Helpline 1-833-416-2273 (CARE), counselling and peer support groups, webinars, tip sheets and checklists available at www.ontariocaregiver.ca.