| Keeping seniors living healthy and happy at home takes hard work, initiative and support, especially for those who are caregivers. How can we better care and choices for Ontario'aging population, as well as keep them active and engaged in their communities? The Ontario government recently addressed these issues with the "Living Longer, Living Well" report as part of Ontario's "Action Plan for Seniors." The report looked at how to provide seniors with better access to health care, resources and safety, including matching them with primary care providers. Dr. Samir Sinha, director of geriatrics at Mount Sinai Hospital and the University Health Network Hospitals, presented the report on January 15, 2013--the result of research in 19 Ontario communities with more than 5,000 seniors and 2,500 care providers. Keeping Ontario seniors at home: The report recommended providing more home care services by expanding personal support worker services through community support agencies, creating and promoting more information and resources for seniors, enhancing elder abuse prevention training and implementing a wandering prevention program for those living with Alzheimer's and dementia. "This report summarizes what I heard from thousands of Ontarians on how we can provide better care for our elders," said Sinha "...and make Ontario the best place to grow up and grow old." (Click here for information about home care and assisted living services available in the South West.) Providing support for caregivers: According to the report, Ontario residents are living longer and with less chronic illnesses or disabilities, but a lot of in-home care is still provided by unpaid caregivers, which can also take a toll on caregiver's health. Seniors, caregivers and families said they want more access to information and services, as well as support. The report states: "All Ontarians stand to benefit when caregivers can be supported with information and access to a range of supports which will allow them to continue assisting those they care about." (Click here to learn about Care for the Caregiver resources available in the South West.) Facts on Ontario's aging population: • Ontario's 1.9 million seniors make up 14.6 per cent of Ontario's population and account for nearly half of its current health care spending. • The number of Ontarians age 65 and older is expected to double over the next 20 years. • In 2011, there were 1,878,325 Ontario residents aged 65 years and older, representing 14.6 per cent of the province's overall population • By 2017, Ontario will be home to more people over 65 than children under 15. More information: |
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Providing better care for seniors in Ontario - caregiverexchange.ca
