Working Together to Provide Safe Care to Residents in Long-Term Care

Long-Term Care Task Force Delivers First Progress Report

TORONTO, January 30, 2013 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Long-Term Care Task Force on Resident Care and Safety has issued its first semi-annual progress report. The Task Force was established by the sector in November 2011 to respond to media reports and public concern about incidents of abuse and neglect in long-term care homes and an underreporting of these incidents. Following a period of consultation, the Task Force issued a report in May 2012 that recommended 18 actions to improve the safety of residents in long-term care homes in Ontario.

"I am encouraged by the progress the sector has made to implement the recommendations of their Task Force. My ministry has been working closely with task force members, and I am proud of the actions and recent investments the ministry has made to further support long term care homes, and staff to improve the care and safety of residents," said Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

"We have established open and clear communication processes to support our planning, co-ordination and decision-making to ensure that the public and stakeholders are kept informed of new developments that will contribute to the delivery of safe care for residents living in long-term care homes," said Donna Rubin, CEO, Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors.

This first progress report highlights the foundational work undertaken by the Task Force to establish desired outcomes for each of the 18 actions. While it is still early days, the Task Force is pleased that there has been progress on the eleven sector-led actions and the six actions being led by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC). The final action charged the Task Force with overseeing implementation of the actions over a three-year period and reporting publicly on progress every six months.

"This first progress report demonstrates the Task Force's commitment to monitoring the progress of the Action Plan over the next three years," said Phyllis Hymmen, Concerned Friends of Ontario Citizens in Care Facilities. "We have created a unique and comprehensive partnership of Ontario long-term care stakeholders, and this augurs well for resident care and safety in Ontario's long-term care homes," Hymmen added.

Highlights include initial work on an educational strategy for residents and families; the launch of a Safe Care campaign for long-term care homes; training for LTC leaders on supporting staff in the use of capacity building tools to support quality care; and, targeted investments by the MOHLTC to support the recruitment and specialized training of LTC staff and to support improved resident care and safety overall.

"The Task Force recognizes that education will help drive and support culture change but there is also much that we can learn within long-term care homes," said Donna Fairley, Executive Director, Ontario Association of Residents' Councils. "It is important we all listen to the voices of residents and families - they have a lot to contribute to our shared learning about resident care," added Fairley.

These developments mark a good beginning in the sector's collaborative approach to improving resident care and safety in Ontario's long-term care homes.

"What sets the task force, and thus our approach to implementation, apart is that we all (Task Force members) have ownership of the final report, and an equal role to play in its implementation, working with the MOHLTC," said Candace Chartier, CEO, Ontario Long Term Care Association.

"Our goal is to implement actions that support the prevention of incidents of abuse and neglect in long-term care homes - and while it is early days we are confident that, by working together with a system-driven approach we can improve the care and safety of residents in long term care," said Lorraine Purdon, Coordinator, Ontario Family Councils' Program.

Read the January 30 Progress Report.

Read the May 2012 report of the Long-Term Care Task Force on Resident Care and Safety.

For more information visit: www.longtermcaretaskforce.ca

Seniors Care Strategy

Ontario seniors, their families and caregivers can help to improve senior health care services.

See the notice from Dr. Samir K. Sinha, Provincial Lead, Ontario's Seniors Care Strategy below and go to the website to complete the questionnaire before August 31, 2012

As you may be aware, Ontario is moving forward in developing a Seniors Care Strategy, which will help older Ontarians (age 65 and older) stay healthy, live at home longer and receive the right care, at the right time and in the right place.

To support the development of this strategy, Dr. Samir Sinha, Expert Lead, Seniors Care Strategy, is asking all Ontarians, but especially older Ontarians, their families and caregivers, and health and social care professionals for their input.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has posted a questionnaire online at: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/ltc/scss.aspx to provide an opportunity for Ontarians interacting with the health care system to have a voice and provide their perspective on things that matter to them. The information and insight provided will help to inform our plans to better support older Ontarians stay healthy and live at home longer.

In fall 2012, Dr. Sinha will provide recommendations to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and will work with the health care sector to implement the strategy, once approved.

Canadian Hearing Society brings a strong message to Queens Park about visual fire alarms

TORONTO, April 24, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) will be delivering thousands of postcards signed by Deaf, oral deaf, deafened, hard of hearing people and other concerned individuals, to a press conference scheduled at Queens Park on April 26. Deaf consumers will also share their horrifying first-hand experience of escaping fires in their home, highlighting the importance of visual fire alarms.

The press conference will focus on the message that the Government of Ontario needs to implement the following two measures in the name of fire safety, accessibility and equity:

...The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to include visual fire alarm devices under the Ministry's Assistive Devices Program (ADP) in the ADP expansion

...The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services amend the Ontario Fire Code to incorporate visual fire alarms and duty of landlords, owners of rental housing and long-term care facilities, and home builders to comply not only for public spaces but also in residents' dwellings

"Audible alarms which are activated by heat, smoke, or toxic fumes warn of imminent danger by sound; however, these notification systems fail Ontarians who are Deaf or have a hearing loss because they are unable to hear the alarm. Traditional fire alarms are completely inaccessible," said Chris Kenopic, CHS President & CEO,

Kenopic continues, "this is an emergency communication device that saves lives. Compliance should be equitable and not result in financial hardship to the segment of the population with hearing loss. Amending the revised Provincial Fire Code Regulation is essential. The Government of Ontario must find financial assistance for Deaf people and people with hearing loss (who are not recipients of Ontario Disability Support Program) and who may face undue financial hardship, to live safely in their homes and comply with regulations. This is in addition to the Government of Ontario's commitment to the Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit that will help seniors stay safer at home."

"Steps need to be taken to ensure that Ontarians who are Deaf or have a loss of hearing are protected," said MPP Lisa MacLeod. "Traditional fire alarms fail to protect some of our most vulnerable citizens that is why I am happy to stand with The Canadian Hearing Society in their call for changes," MacLeod continued.

Chief Tim Beckett President Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OACF) said, "The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs is committed to relentless pursuit of ensuring that all citizens in Ontario are protected from the effects of fire. Although we have smoke alarm legislation, a number of our citizens have hearing difficulties and may have difficulty hearing activated fire alarms. We welcome the call to government to make changes to legislation that will protect Ontarians who are hearing challenged are also protected to a high level in the areas they should feel the safest...their homes."

"The OMFPOA supports the initiative brought forward from the CHS to have visual fire alarms included in the fire code, and as a part of the Ministry's Assistive Devices Program. Early warning detection is key in a prompt and safe escape from fire. Everyone deserves the same level of safety and early warning detection. Fire does not discriminate," says Chantelle Cosgrove, Fire Prevention Officer Brampton Fire & Emergency Services.

"This is a simple and straightforward bill that will save lives. We are in full support of it," says MPP Cheri DiNovo, NDP Community and Social Services critic.

Echo Supports Innovation to Improve Cardiac and Stroke Rehab for Ontario Women

TORONTO, October 20, 2010 /Canada NewsWire/ - Toronto Rehab and the London Health Sciences Centre are receiving $66,000 in funding to examine best practices in cardiac and stroke rehabilitation in Ontario women. In partnership with Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, Cardiac Care Network and Ontario Stroke System, the project is funded by Echo: Improving Women's Health in Ontario, an agency of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

"Women tend to underutilize rehabilitation services and are less likely to get a referral," says Pat Campbell, Chief Executive Officer, Echo. "We need to close these gaps in care to support women to regain maximum health and support functional independence. This project will help inform future work in cardiac and stroke rehabilitation in Ontario."

"The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario (HSFO) welcomes this initiative and applauds Echo for its leadership," says Mary Lewis, Director of Government Relations and Partner Programs, HSFO. "The Foundation is pleased to partner in this worthwhile study to deliver timely research to close the gender gap and enhance stroke and cardiac rehabilitation for women in Ontario."

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death and disability among Canadian women. Despite the fact that there are Canadian guidelines on Cardiac and Stroke rehabilitation, most research demonstrates low enrolment in rehabilitation. In particular, researchers have also found that women tend to underutilize rehabilitation services.

Lead investigator, Dr. Tracey Colella and Dr. Judith Francis, with their teams at Toronto Rehab and London Health Sciences Centre will:

...Highlight differences between what is recommended for women and men with respect to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and stroke rehabilitation (SR);

...Examine the potential benefits and opportunities for the integration of CR and SR activities for women;

...Assess the current gaps by examining differences between best practises and current practises;

...and Identify barriers to implementation and sustainability of best practice of CR/SR for women and identify solutions to close these gaps.

The project team is made up of key opinion leaders, researchers, clinicians, best practise guideline developers and care providers.

Set to commence this fall the project will wrap up in summer 2011.

"The benefits of cardiac and stroke rehabilitation are well established," says Kori Kingsbury, Chief Executive Officer, Cardiac Care Network of Ontario. "This research will help us better understand the opportunities to create programs that will help to address the unique needs of women and close the participation gap in rehabilitation services."

"The Ontario Stroke Network is pleased to partner with Echo on this important research," says Christina O'Callaghan, Executive Director, Ontario Stroke Network. The research will provide new knowledge that will assist health care decision makers in addressing the current gaps and barriers to women accessing cardiac and stroke rehabilitation services."

"We are very excited to be a part of this important initiative that will provide us with the knowledge and evidence for optimizing cardiac and stroke rehab care for women in Ontario," says Dr. Tracey Colella, Advanced Practice Leader, Cardiac and Secondary Prevention Program, Toronto Rehab.

QUICK FACTS

...21% and 23% of men and women, respectively, are projected to die within a year of their stroke;

...Without rehabilitation services, 18% of men and 23% of women may die within one year following their heart attack;

...Approximately 50% of survivors (men and women) experience paralysis, 30% cannot walk unassisted, 26% cannot complete activities of daily living on their own;

LEARN MORE

The POWER Study - Cardiovascular Disease chapter

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. 2007. Consensus Panel on the Stroke Rehabilitation System "Time is Function."

Statistics Canada. 2004..
Mortality, summary list of causes.

Long Term Care Waitlists Growing - Homes Challenged to Respond

TORONTO, June 3, 2010 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Ontario Health Quality Council's annual report, released today, sheds light on the stark reality in the province's long term care system - demand far outstrips supply.

"There are about 76,000 long term care beds in homes across the province, which are 98 per cent full, and there is a waitlist of over 25,000 people. It's not hard to see that this is creating backlogs in patient flow across the health care system," said Donna Rubin, CEO of the Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors (OANHSS).

In an analysis of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's waitlist data, OANHSS calculates that the greatest demand exists in the not-for-profit sector. Not-for-profits account for just over 40 per cent of all homes in the province and less than one half of all beds, but they are the number one preference of two thirds of individuals on the total provincial waitlist.

"As the OHQC's report points out, not everyone on the waitlist is in need of the more complex care offered in homes and we have strongly supported government initiatives such as the Aging at Home Strategy that offer options to help seniors live independently in the community. There are, however, a growing number of people who do require that level of support and the system simply does not have the capacity to respond and alleviate the pressures hospitals are facing with alternate level of care or ALC patients," added Rubin.

The long term care homes sector is ready and willing to work with the Ontario government and the Local Health Integration Networks (LHINS) on strategies to enable homes to admit more residents with more complex care needs but OANHSS has been signalling for some time that the sector cannot perform this role without additional staffing and resources.

"While we recognize the tough fiscal situation the government faces, homes are already having serious difficulty meeting the most basic care needs of existing residents while at the same time trying to effectively deal with very complex situations such as mental health issues and aggressive behaviours. What we need is comprehensive planning to put homes in a position to contribute to an ALC solution, not short-term fixes," said Rubin.

Adding significantly to this challenge is the cost for homes to meet the new requirements in the Long Term Care Homes Act, which comes into force on July 1. Without additional funding, homes will have no option but to reduce current care and service levels to meet these new demands.

OANHSS is also looking for fulfillment of the promise made by the McGuinty government for additional nursing and personal support worker staff in its 2008-09 Budget.

OANHSS is the provincial association representing not-for-profit providers of long term care, services and housing for seniors. Members include municipal and charitable long term care homes, non-profit nursing homes, seniors' housing projects and community service agencies. Member organizations operate over 27,000 long term care beds and over 5,000 seniors' housing units across the province.