Province Providing Faster, Expanded Access to Home Care Services

Published by the Department of Health and Wellness

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Nova Scotians who need help to stay in their homes will get more support, more quickly thanks to improvements announced by Health and Wellness Minister David Wilson. The province is shrinking the waitlist and helping more people in the Halifax area get faster access to services like personal care, meal preparation, caregiver respite and housekeeping.

Quotes

“ Too many seniors and others have been forced into long-term care facilities when they could stay in their homes with some extra help. We said we would give seniors options to stay in their homes and communities longer, and that's exactly what we're doing. ” Health and Wellness Minister David Wilson

“ This is one more way this government is providing Nova Scotians with better care sooner. More home care support helps patients go home from the hospital sooner, and ensures seniors only move into long-term care when they really need to. ” Health and Wellness Minister David Wilson

“ This is good news for our clients who are currently waiting for care, our providers who deliver this care and our co-ordinators who assess the needs of our clients. ” Jill Robbins, health services director for continuing care, Capital Health

Quick Facts

  • The province's $2.5-million annual investment will cut the current waitlist and help about 265 people now waiting for home care support.
  • An additional $1.5 million over the next two years will ensure Nova Scotians receiving home care services get more support that's better suited to their needs.
  • The province invested an additional $22 million in the 2012-13 budget to improve home care support and meet demand across the province. The funding will make home care more affordable, support caregivers, strengthen community solutions, and add more care providers, technology and equipment.
  • Home care services are available to Nova Scotians of all ages who need help to stay in their homes and communities. Access to home care and other continuing care programs is available by calling 1-800-225-7225.

Learn More

Media Contact

Theresa Hawkesworth
Health and Wellness
902-424-6883
E-mail:

Images

Sherry Fitzgibbon talks with Health and Wellness Minister David Wilson before the seniors afternoon bingo game.
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Health and Wellness Minister David Wilson talks about the province's $2.5-million annual investment that will cut the current waitlist and help about 265 people now waiting for home care support. An additional $1.5 million over the next two years will ensure Nova Scotians receiving home care services get more support that's better suited to their needs.
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Seniors listens to Health and Wellness Minister David Wilson talk about the province's investment in home care.
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Seniors listens to Health and Wellness Minister David Wilson talk about the province's investment in home care.
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Videos

Jill Robbins, Health Services director for Capital Health's Continuing Care division, explains how this investment will drastically reduce Home Care wait lists and allow for quicker access to home care services for the districts clients.
Carol Tait shares her experience with the Province's Continuing Care program.

Audio

Health and Wellness Minister David Wilson says the investment will help people stay in their homes longer and get support they need.
Mr. Wilson says people will now be able to leave hospitals sooner.
Jill Robbins, health services director for continuing care, Capital Health, says people want to stay in their homes as long as possible.