Province Providing Faster, Expanded Access to Home Care Services
A social media version of this release with hi-res, downloadable photos, audio and video clips will be available later today, Sept. 20, at http://novascotia.ca/news/smr/2012-09-20-Home-Care/ .
Nova Scotians who need help to stay in their homes will get more support, more quickly thanks to improvements announced today, Sept. 20, 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.
"Too many seniors and others have been forced into long-term care facilities when they could stay in their homes with some extra help," said Mr. Wilson. "We said we would give seniors options to stay in their homes and communities longer, and that's exactly what we're doing.
"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."
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.
"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," said Jill Robbins, health services director for continuing care, Capital Health.
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.