Canadian Association for Long Term Care’s Post

The C.D. Howe Institute released a report earlier this month, "Scenarios for Seniors’ Care". Yet another wake up call. "A surging population of seniors. A surging demand for their care. And constrained government financial resources. That is the conundrum Canada faces in the years ahead." Both public and private home care was prominent in their recommendations, including: ·       provinces should invest in public home and community care while also considering mechanisms to expand the private provision of these services; ·      current capacity and fiscal constraints mean that expanding both publicly and privately funded options along the continuum of care will be necessary to ensure that seniors can maintain a high quality of life. It is clear that private home care options need to expand significantly to help close the gap between what Seniors expect and what will be available. The C.D. Howe report and a short webinar is available here: https://lnkd.in/eAvSW_Te

Vitala 🤝 Goodwin Living Goodwin Living, a nonprofit senior living and care organization in Northern Virginia, is dedicated to supporting, honoring, and improving the health and independence of older adults. To make rehabilitation more personalized and accessible, Goodwin Living has been offering Vitala to patients and residents across its three campuses and Home Health program. “We’ve been using Vitala for the past three or four months, it’s highly effective in that it tailors the exercises specifically for the patient’s needs and it gives me confidence as a therapist, knowing that the exercises that it’s prescribing are the best exercises for that patient. It’s been really great to be able to prescribe exercise as medicine to our patients, in addition to the therapy that they’re getting from us.” - Lia Poynor, director of Goodwin Rehabilitation at The View Alexandria. 👉 Read more about our collaboration, patient testimonials, and Goodwin Living’s commitment to Exercise as Medicine: https://lnkd.in/dE4AnDBs #ExerciseAsMedicine #ProactiveCare #HealthyAging #PersonalizedCare #ExerciseForHealth

We believe it's crucial to address the challenges facing our health and social care systems. At the Labour Party Conference 2023, experts discussed the urgent need to reform the UK's systems, focusing on solutions for workforce shortages and enhancing community-based care, in a panel sponsored by Age UK. What are your thoughts on these proposed reforms? How can we support these changes in our communities? Read about the conference: https://lnkd.in/eFE2uCJ3 #Carentsroom #ageuk #healthandsocialcare

Last Thursday, the DHSV Board along with some members of the exec and senior leadership teams visited the dental clinics at Ozanam House and the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS).   Ozanam House provides flexible accommodation as well as health and wellbeing services for people experiencing homelessness. VAHS was established in 1973 to address the specific medical needs of Victorian Aboriginal communities.   We talk a lot about the importance of creating welcoming, safe and culturally affirming spaces in healthcare. It was clear from the minute we entered these buildings that they are far more than service providers, they are communities. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff. There was no wrong door or silly question. Everyone greeted you and smiled. And every person who walked through the doors needing care, information or support was accepted and welcomed for who they are without judgement or bias.     I’ve visited a lot of health services during my 40-year career and too often I’ve witnessed the huge divide between staff and patients. When we act as gatekeepers, we create unnecessary barriers to care, particularly for vulnerable and marginalised populations. If we are serious about providing person-centred care to improve health outcomes, it’s vital that our people match the environment we are striving to create.   Ozanam House and VAHS are perfect examples of what can happen when we promote a culture of open access and compassionate support, where services are wrapped around the specific needs of people and communities. They demonstrate the profound impact that tailored, accessible, and compassionate healthcare can have in transforming lives and fostering healthier communities.

I've been reflecting on the latest State of Care Report in England’s Home Care Sector published by Care Quality Commission. I must admit I don't normally read these reports and just skim through them. This one, though, really intrigued me as I wanted to also see how home care has changed post-pandemic. For anyone interested the report can be downloaded from: https://lnkd.in/e52vaFzT The recent State of Care report really hits home for those of us working in the care sector whether directly or indirectly. It shines a light on the reality faced daily by dedicated, compassionate people providing home care across England, yet facing some serious challenges that need addressing. Clearly, workforce struggles are a main topic; while it’s encouraging to see home care services grow, the staffing situation is still a genuine concern. With a 12% vacancy rate (more than double that of care homes), it’s clear the workforce needs more support. Even international recruitment, initially a big help, is levelling off. As a sector, we need a real, long-term workforce strategy that values care workers and ensures a sustainable future for home care. The demand vs capacity topic triggers thoughts about those waiting for home care assessments or stuck in hospital beds because there aren’t enough resources to go around. While services grow, local authority funding and hours don’t seem to be keeping up. This mismatch isn’t just numbers on a page, it’s people in need of care. The quality of care which should be at the heart of it all shows the best providers are those who treat every client as an individual, getting to know their stories and preferences. Person-centred care means so much to those served, and it’s a reminder of what makes this work so meaningful. Collaboration is key if we’re going to meet the challenges ahead, it’ll require all of us, care providers, local authorities, suppliers, the voluntary sector working together. Regional disparities and access to essential support like medication are still big issues, but with shared goals and information, we can bridge those gaps. It’s on all of us to keep pushing for the kind of support, respect, and recognition that the sector deserves. I believe that there's a future where home care has the stability, resources, and compassion it needs to truly thrive. We have a long way to go but we must keep pushing. #uniqueiq Unique IQ #Homecare #SocialCare #CQC #Quality #Regulation #challenges #StateofCare

Our Founder, David Lynes, has shared his thoughts on the Care Quality Commission's latest report, the #StateofCare. Take a look below to get David's take on the findings. #CQC #socialcaresector #homecare

Long term Care Awareness Month Long-term care is increasingly essential, with around 70% of people over 65 needing it. Currently, 8.8 million Americans receive some form of long-term care, with 1.3 million in nursing homes and 7.5 million receiving home or community care. Surprisingly, two out of five recipients are under 65. As people live longer, the demand for healthcare services and costs rise, placing significant pressure on the system. Long-term care supports those unable to remain fully independent due to chronic conditions, offering medical, personal, and environmental services to maintain their quality of life. Despite some government coverage, many must cover significant out-of-pocket expenses. Addressing this growing need is crucial for ensuring all individuals receive necessary support to live comfortably. #Longtermcare, #Livingbenefits #MoneyManagement #WealthBuilding #FinancialEducation #LifeInsurance #FinancialLiteracy #Saving #LegacyPlanning #EstatePlanning

Dementia Australia notes the passing of the Aged Care Act in the Senate yesterday. A rights-based Aged Care Act is fundamental to achieving the reforms recommended by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety three years ago.      People living with dementia and carers deserve an Aged Care Act that genuinely protects their rights and ensures they receive quality care.     We are delighted our CEO, Professor Tanya Buchanan, has been appointed to the new Aged Care Transition Taskforce – an expert group who will guide the implementation of the historic Aged Care Act reforms set to take effect from 1 July 2025.       Tanya’s advocacy will ensure the voices of people living with dementia, their families and carers are heard throughout this critical transition.     Read more about the taskforce here https://lnkd.in/grJFzZNU  

The needs of older adults in this province are evolving, and so are the organizations that serve them. All across Ontario, not-for-profit long-term care providers are stepping up with new and innovative ways to provide appropriate care and services that respond to changing expectations. Read about successful initiatives that are helping to meet enormous demand: https://lnkd.in/gcB_wwGu #AgingwithDignity #OlderAdults #onhealth AdvantAge Ontario - Advancing Senior Care

Health and social care providers and investors into the sector should check out this insight setting out what we might expect next from the CQC and the regulatory framework surrounding it.