Media Release
Transforming Health Care for Seniors through Home First
Positive first-year results show ‘cultural shift’ making an impact
August 17, 2011 – After only one year of operation, Home First is already making a significant difference in the lives of local seniors.
Thanks to a successful joint effort, Home First is delivering a new option for seniors in the Champlain region when they are recovering from an illness or injury. This innovative approach helps seniors return to the comfort of their home with enhanced home care services after an acute-care episode in hospital.
Since launching Home First in July 2010, the Champlain Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) has worked closely with the Champlain Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) and all of the acute care hospitals in the Champlain region to implement this “cultural shift” in patient care.
Home First gives people the opportunity to recuperate in a familiar environment, reducing the risk of losing strength from lack of mobility. It relieves pressures on hospitals, and prevents premature admissions to long-term care homes. Over the past year, 592 people across the Champlain region have been discharged from area hospitals through Home First. Ninety days after discharge from hospital, 95 per cent of Home First clients were able to remain safely at home.
Health providers are putting in place programs to help people manage chronic disease and keep seniors as healthy and independent as possible. Home First is a perfect example of how the Champlain LHIN and Champlain CCAC are promoting this transformation in health care.
“Home First is making a vital impact on the number of Alternative Level of Care (ALC) patients in hospital, while promoting independence and quality of life for seniors with care options that help them age at home,” says Gilles Lanteigne, CEO, Champlain CCAC. “By working collaboratively and strengthening our partnerships through Home First and other innovative programs, we are providing people with the right care, in the right place, at the right time.”
“It’s no exaggeration to say that Home First is revolutionizing health care for seniors,” says Alex Munter, CEO of the Champlain LHIN. “The new approach is an example of how the Champlain LHIN is helping to improve access to health services, making the transition from hospital to home as seamless as possible.”
Home First Statistics:
(July 2010-July 2011)
• Home First has been launched in all acute care hospitals throughout eastern Ontario.
• Last year, 592 people across the Champlain region have been discharged from hospitals through Home First.
• Approximately two-thirds (68%) of clients required enhanced Champlain CCAC services (up to 360 hours of care per month, for a maximum of 60 days).
• Twenty-seven per cent of clients needed regular Champlain CCAC service directly from hospital (up to 60 hours per month).
• Services include intensive case management, nursing, personal support, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, social work, dietetics and equipment/supplies.
• Within 90 days post discharge from hospital, more than 95% of Home First clients remained in the community and only 2.7% were re-admitted to hospital.
• In fiscal year 2010-2011, the Home First program in the Champlain region saved the health care system approximately $11.6 million in avoided hospital stays.
• This fiscal year (2011-2012), the program has expanded, so even more savings will be realized.
To view the Champlain CCAC’s Home First video, click here.
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About the Champlain CCAC
The Champlain Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) is the second largest health service provider in the Champlain LHIN with a budget of approximately $182 million and 660 staff. It serves more than 52,000 clients annually across our region.
The Champlain CCAC provides a single point of access to health and personal support services to help people live independently in their homes or to facilitate their transition into a long-term care home. The Champlain CCAC plans, coordinates and ensures the delivery of a full-range of in home and community-based services to support clients and their caregivers. In addition, the Champlain CCAC provides clients with information and connects clients to alternate sources of care in the community.
About the Champlain LHIN
The aim of the Champlain LHIN is to help coordinate health services so that people receive the care they need and deserve in a timely way. Our mandate is to ensure the services are well organized, appropriately funded and meet the needs of residents of all ages. The Champlain LHIN plans, coordinates and funds health services in the following health sectors: hospitals, community care (Champlain CCAC), addictions and mental health agencies, community support services, community health centres, and long-term care homes.
For more information, please contact:
Suzanne Charest
Director, Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
Champlain CCAC
Phone: 613-745-8124 ext. 5997
Cell: 613-864-3925
E-mail: suzanne.charest@champlain.ccac-ont.ca
Carole Ouellette
Communications Officer
Champlain LHIN
Phone: 613-747-3238
E-mail: Carole.Ouellette@lhins.on.ca