Algoma senior's programs get a boost

NEWS RELEASE

NORTH EAST LOCAL HEALTH INTEGRATION NETWORK

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North East LHIN invests in programs to help North Shore, Blind River, Hornepayne and Wawa residents

Like many seniors, Robert* would prefer to stay in his own home. However, with arthritis and a heart issue, making meals and other activities of daily living have become harder for him.

The North East Local Health Integration Network (NE LHIN) is investing in programs and services to improve access to care and increase coordination for people living in East and North Algoma. Some of these investments will help seniors like Robert remain independent, while other investments will support people who need a range of physical and mental health care services.

“Sometimes all it takes is a little help around the house for a senior to remain in their own home or counselling at the right time to prevent a crisis,” said NE LHIN CEO Louise Paquette. “These investments will enhance the excellent work of our health service providers in East and North Algoma.”

The NE LHIN is making the following investments aimed at increasing access to care and support in the home for Northerners in East Algoma:

    •    Assisted living for six seniors provided by the North Shore Health Network so that the seniors are supported in their own homes ($120,000).
    •    Expansion of crisis services along the North Shore and Blind River (between Spanish and Iron Bridge) delivered through Counselling Centre of East Algoma ($85,000).
    •    Support for congregate dining provided by the North Shore Health Network. Health promotion, health education and social activities are part of each congregate dining session, as well as transportation to and from the event. ($6,600).
    •    Palliative Volunteer Visiting Program to provide coordination of end-of-life volunteer visiting services to the residents of Blind River and surrounding area. ($45,000).
    •    Support to help with the integration of the Blind River hospital, Matthews Memorial and Thessalon into the newly created North Shore Health Network / Réseau Santé Rive Nord ($140,000).
 
“We are so very pleased that the North East LHIN continues to financially support our many programs such as Assisted Living, Congregate Dining, Palliative Volunteer Visiting programs, to name a few,” said Gaston Lavigne, CEO of the North Shore Health Network. “These investments insure that our clients remain independent and safe in their own home environment. The support provided for integration facilitates the NSHN’s attaining our vision of being recognized for excellence in the provision of patient-centred rural healthcare and service delivery in an integrated model.”  

For many seniors, including Eleanor, the congregate dining program offers an important social outing. “I really enjoy the lunches and love that my daughter or a friend can come with me. Sometimes I forget but someone always calls to remind me. I get to see some of my old friends and I like that the Handi-transit bus picks me up,” she explained.

In addition, the NE LHIN is making the following investments aimed at increasing access to care and support in the home for Northerners in North Algoma:

    •    Mental health counselling for 100 clients through the Hornepayne Community Hospital by supporting the position of a  Mental Health Counsellor, who will provide face to face, telephone, and OTN visits to clients in the community ($86,000).
    •    Physiotherapy services to be delivered in  Hornepayne and Wawa ($50,000).

“Hornepayne Community Hospital is pleased to accept funding to provide mental health services for our residents, in collaboration with HSK Counselling (Hearst, Smooth Rock Falls, Kapuskasing Counselling),” said CEO Heather Jaremy Berube of the Hornepayne Community Hospital. “We also recognize the contribution from the North East LHIN towards maintaining appropriately equipped physiotherapy departments in Northern rural settings.”

Background

The NE LHIN harnesses local expertise to plan, coordinate and finance health care through provincial funding and in partnership with local health service providers.

This investment supports the commitments made in Patients First: A Roadmap to Strengthen Home and Community Care, Ontario’s plan to improve and expand home and community care, and is part of Ontario’s increased funding for that sector of more than $750 million over three years.
 
*Patient identity anonymized

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