Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Home First – An innovative health-care approach for seniors
New video highlights benefits of program for patients, families and the health system
June 29, 2011 - Home First is a new approach that helps elderly patients continue their recovery safely at home after a hospital stay. Seniors in the program receive intensive services at home such as nursing, physiotherapy and personal support.
Home First is being rolled out in all 14 Local Health Integration Networks across the province. It allows clients to recuperate in a familiar environment, reducing the risk of losing strength from lack of mobility. It aims to prevent premature admissions to long-term care homes, and relieves pressures on hospitals.
The Champlain Community Care Access Centre (CCAC), which runs the program, has released videos in English and in French highlighting the benefits of the Home First philosophy.
Featured in the videos is Champlain LHIN CEO Alex Munter, who says, “The Home First program is creating a new option for seniors and their families in our community, and it’s an option that improves their care, improves their quality of life and helps our health-care system as a whole.”
One of the goals of the Champlain LHIN is to improve access to care for seniors, making their transitions in the health system as seamless as possible. Home Firs<,/i> is an example of that.
Also participating in the video is the spouse of a Home First client, as well as CCAC and hospital officials. As well, local seniors’ advocate Carol Burrows shares her perspective. “We need to empower seniors to be independent,” Ms. Burrows says. “Older people have the right to determine their own lifestyle and to be able to do what they can in the setting of their choice.”
Here’s the link to the Home First video on the Champlain CCAC’s YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pnnsa8WGKDM (English version)
Source: Champlain Local Health Integration Network
Email: champlain@lhins.on.ca
Website: www.champlainlhin.on.ca
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