A Vision of Home Care in Canada

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 17 /CNW/ - The Canadian Home Care Association (CHCA) concluded its 20^th annual National Home Care Summit - Imagine - with a renewed commitment to advancing access to care at home across the country. 

Currently, in the absence of a federal framework for home care, there is wide variability in eligibility, access and services in Canada.  The CHCA conference, held November 3-5 in Quebec City, provided an opportunity for the 450 delegates - researchers, policy makers, administrators, suppliers and providers - to discuss advancements and strategies to support enhanced home care in Canada. 

Achieving new levels of excellence was a theme threading through the presentations and effectively captured by Clara Hughes, Olympic medalist, who inspired people to excel in their service to others.  Participants debated and discussed the future of health care for seniors who want to remain at home for as long as possible; to look at technology applications as enablers of home care provision and client independence ; and to consider the needs of family caregivers - a constituent that is vital to the success of home care.

"We are very pleased by the energy and commitment to enhancing home care across Canada", said Nadine Henningsen, Executive Director, "the Association is encouraged by the interest across the country to engage in a dialogue on the future of home care as essential to our health care system."

Canadians want to remain independent at home for as long as safely possible.  The future success of home care in Canada requires that governments:

• Accelerate the uptake of technology within home care
• Establish harmonized principles for a national home care program in Canada
• Establish a Canadian Caregiving Strategy
• Support Canadians to develop their "aging strategy"

On behalf of its members across the country, the CHCA will continue to work to advance the necessary policies to ensure home care is recognized as vital to the social safety net valued by Canadians.

About the Canadian Home Care Association
The Canadian Home Care Association (CHCA) is a not‐for‐profit membership association dedicated to ensuring the availability of accessible, responsive home care and community supports to enable people to stay in their homes with safety, dignity and quality of life. Members of the Association include organizations and individuals from publicly funded home care programs, not‐for‐profit and proprietary service agencies, consumers, researchers, educators and others with an interest in home care. Through the support of the Association members who share a commitment to excellence, knowledge transfer and continuous improvement, CHCA serves as the national voice of home care and the access point for information and knowledge for home care across Canada.

For further information:

Nadine Henningsen, Executive Director
Ph: 905-361-3277
Email: [email protected]
www.cdnhomecare.ca