Released on November 12, 2013
Seniors in Saskatoon and area will benefit from an innovative program to help them remain safely in their homes longer. Government is investing $2 million into a new Home First/Quick Response Home Care pilot project in Saskatoon.
The Saskatoon initiative builds on government’s previous $2 million investment in a similar project launched in Regina this summer.
Health Minister Dustin Duncan officially launched the Saskatoon pilot at an event held at Scott and Forget Towers today.
“The Home First/Quick Response initiative reflects our government’s commitment to patient- and family-centred care, and our growth agenda goal of improving the quality of life for all Saskatchewan people,” Duncan said. “We want our seniors to have the appropriate care, at the right time, and be able to live independently in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.”
The pilot’s aim is to improve access for seniors to supports in the community that will allow them to safely age within their own homes and progress with other care options as their needs change. The pilot will:
- Enhance and improve Home Care’s response to crisis and intensive short-term service needs;
- Encourage early discharge from acute care to community options;
- Prevent unnecessary admissions to emergency departments; and
- Engage additional service providers in the system to support seniors in their homes.
Client Care Co-ordinators will identify and arrange supports in the community to help seniors maintain independence and optimal health status at home and make referrals where appropriate. The Care Co-ordinators will collaborate with other areas of health care including acute and emergency services, primary health care, and home and community services to improve seniors’ journey within the health care system.
“We are excited to be part of this prevention model of care,” Saskatoon Health Region Vice President of Integrated Health Services Sandra Blevins said. “When we provide additional support to older adults through Home First, we will not only save the health care system money, but we will allow people to live with independence and dignity in their own environment.”
The Saskatoon pilot project will be implemented over the next two years.
“Older adults told us directly during our Age Friendly Saskatoon Initiative they want to live at home and get the help they need in their own homes,” Saskatoon Council on Aging President of the Board of Directors Elliot Paus Jenssen said. “This new project will improve their quality of life and enhance their dignity, health and independence.”
A third Home First/Quick Response pilot will be launched in Prince Albert in the coming months.
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For more information, contact:
Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: tmcmurchy@health.gov.sk.ca
Client Patient Access Services (CPAS)
Pnone: 306-655-4346