Emergency home care forum called in Brampton as care terminated

Public is invited to join the conversation at 7pm on Friday, September 28

BRAMPTON, ON, Sept. 27, 2012 /CNW/ - Imagine breaking your leg as you try to care for your elderly mother who suffers from dementia; and your ailing father, who has osteoporosis, just took a bad fall. Who do you turn to?

When people can no longer care for elderly or disabled family members, many turn to government-funded home care, a free service for all Ontarians. Unfortunately, due to challenges in the home care system, care may not be available when it's needed the most. And, to make matters worse, hundreds of people in Brampton have been told they will lose their home care worker on Monday, October 1, 2012. With only a few days notice, seniors and people with disabilities will lose valued caregivers that have been part of their lives for years. Meanwhile, personal support workers in Brampton will be laid off en masse at a time when they are needed more than ever.

On Friday September 28, the Quality Care Alliance, a group of concerned citizens and community organizations, will host a Brampton Home Care Public Forum to get informed and discuss home care, and how local seniors can ensure their high-quality care is upheld.

"It's quite alarming to us that, instead of investing in home care, the government wants to cut funding to care providers in Brampton," said Shaila Kibria-Carter, Coordinator of the Quality Care Alliance. "The forum will address what this means for our seniors, their families and caregivers. We want to stand for home care, which allows people to age with dignity in the comfort of their own homes."

The forum is being held at the: Loafer's Lake Recreation Centre at 30 Loafer's Lake Lane in Brampton. Members of the public are invited to this free discussion beginning at 7pm on Friday September 28; light refreshments will be provided.

Currently, there are more than 10,000 elderly and disabled Ontarians waiting for home care. With 88% of Ontarians preferring to be cared in the comfort of their own homes, and the number of seniors set to double by 2031, demand for home care is expected to increase sharply.

RSVP by sending an e-mail to [email protected], or calling 1-855-660-6619. For more information, visit www.ontariansforqualityhomecare.ca.

About the Quality Care Alliance

The Quality Care Alliance (QCA) is a province-wide alliance of community, faith, seniors, and rights-based groups. We are committed to promoting dialogue and understanding between home care recipients, families, frontline caregivers, policymakers, and the wider community. To learn more, visit: www.qualitycarealliance.ca.

SOURCE: Quality Care Alliance

Quality Care Alliance
1-855-660-6619
Cell: 416 347 4906