Northwest LHIN Expands Seniors’ Health Services
New Supportive Housing Services for Seniors in Kenora-Rainy River District
The North West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) is expanding its successful Aging at Home Strategy to provide additional supportive housing in Kenora and Dryden, and to fund a new supportive housing initiative in Rainy River. More Kenora, Dryden and Rainy River seniors will now have access to additional care in their communities. The new supportive housing services in each of these communities include:
- supports for 20 individuals in Kenora
- supports for 10 individuals in Rainy River, and
- supports for 5 individuals in Dryden
This funding will provide health services to seniors in the comfort and dignity of their own home. Supportive housing helps seniors to lead healthy and independent lives while avoiding unnecessary visits to hospitals, which can ultimately reduce emergency room (ER) wait times. Supportive housing provides an option for seniors to age in the community with 24 hour support and helps reduce wait lists for long-term care.
Findings from a recent study indicate that up to two thirds of those waiting for residential long term care in Kenora, Dryden and Rainy River could continue to live in the community if supportive housing was available.
Supportive housing options also support the adoption of a Home First philosophy in the North West LHIN that people should go “home first” once the acute phase of their hospital stay is complete, before any longer term decisions are made about their ongoing care. Supportive housing provides additional options for safe discharge, enabling seniors with higher needs to age in the community with appropriate supports.
QUICK FACTS
- The Aging at Home Strategy allows people to stay in their homes while receiving supportive community care. The strategy also eases pressures on hospitals by finding care for patients who no longer need hospital services. Freeing up hospital beds helps patient flow throughout the hospital and leads to shorter wait times in the Emergency Room.
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The North West LHIN is responsible for planning, integrating and funding local health services – hospitals, long term care facilities, the community care access centre, community health centres, community support services and mental health and addictions agencies. The North West LHIN and its Board of Directors are responsible for over $560 million of health care services delivered in Northwestern Ontario.
