Join the Home Supports Initiative
Real options. Better outcomes. Lower costs.
“I don’t know what we are going to do. Ralph had a terrible fall off a ladder a year ago. His foot and ankle are not healing properly, and he needs surgery,” lamented Jennifer, as she explained how life had changed.
“Ralph loved yard maintenance and household repair. All we want is some regular help doing what he has always done but where can we get that? Our village doesn’t have anyone who is available to do the work and we can’t afford the yard services company from the bigger town near us. We may only need help for a while. I can’t fill in for Ralph because I have neither the physical strength nor the skills.”
Jennifer (age 73) and Ralph (age 74) live in a 35-year-old bungalow with a large yard.
Just like Jennifer, Nancy (age 84) is looking for just the right kind of trusted help. She lives alone in a condo in the city.
“I always thought I was quite capable of living independently even though I don’t drive, but now it is difficult to arrange for anything from medical appointments to ordering groceries, paying bills or getting tickets,” she says. “Phone calls take hours and messages are often ignored. My kids tell me to just go on-line. It’s quick, easy and safe. My daughter visited me and tried to show me on my computer, but her fingers move so fast, and she talks just as fast and when I try to do the same thing later, my computer does whatever it wants – and it isn’t what I want! My smart phone seems smarter than I am. I need someone I can trust who will sit with me while I learn how to use this technology.”
Jennifer, Ralph and Nancy are examples of the challenges older adults face as they age. Their health changes and the world changes around them. They may be living in the home and community of their choice but feel their independent living is being threatened. The last thing they want is to “end up in an old folks’ home”. Why should they?
Data from other countries and places in North America show that providing organized practical supports that match the specific needs of older adults means they can live independently at home as they age. Although their capabilities may change over time, maintaining control over what is meaningful in their lives preserves their dignity and well-being. Living independently and making choices provide significantly better outcomes for physical and mental health. What is more, the costs of providing home supports are much lower than institutional care – approximately one third according to real life examples from other countries.
Currently, ‘home care’ in Saskatchewan is focused on mainly medical needs – a model that provides some home-based care largely for when one is sick. Even those services are difficult to access and provide only minimal care.
Home supports is a new and better model – an approach that invests in practical home supports for older adults who are relatively healthy but may require mostly non-medical services, such as those Jennifer, Ralph and Nancy need. These services can be accessible for everyone if government invests in the model and provides a provincial framework and standards. Costs to individuals would be subsidized according to income.
Municipal support is essential. Communities will benefit from the creation of jobs for those providing the services. Some services may be provided by volunteers who receive the rewards of seeing their skills being used and appreciated. Communities can keep their population base and be attractive places to live.
The older adult population is increasing rapidly. This can be seen as an unsolvable emergency or as an opportunity – given that many older people in their 80s, 90s and 100s can still be contributing to families and communities. There is enormous potential that longevity represents.
There is an aging revolution happening. Can Saskatchewan recognize it? Will Saskatchewan pioneer first in Canada leadership and action?
Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism (SSM) is asking you to join the movement! The SSM is compiling a list of persons who are committed to the Home Supports Initiative. More names will lend more power to the movement. SSM will communicate with members of the group via email, their website and Facebook.
Visit the SSM website www.skseniorsmechanism.ca to learn more and to join the movement.