MONTREAL, April 13, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Réseau FADOQ, the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec – FIQ, the Conseil pour la protection des malades (CPM), the Regroupement des aidants naturels du Québec (RANQ) and attorney Jean-Pierre Ménard demonstrated the impact of gaps in access to home care for the elderly, using typical cases of people with conditions that require care. The first portrait is of a 78-year-old presenting with a slight loss of autonomy (Profile 3 on the Functional Autonomy Measurement System (ISO-SMAF)). We then analyzed the needs of a person aged 85 years presenting with a more severe profile, including cognitive losses (Profile 8). For comparison purposes, patients admitted to a CHSLD generally have an ISO-SMAF profile of 11 or higher.
Some data to contemplate
The portrait of a lady whose needs are assessed based on Profile 3 shows a need for 10 hours of domestic aid and 12 hours of daily living assistance per month. Since she is not eligible for the assistance provided by public services, she has to fill this need herself by purchasing these services from private and subsidized organizations. The Profile 8 portrait, on the other hand, reveals a needs assessment for which 70 hours of services per month would be prescribed. She would be able to get 45 hours from public services, but the remaining 25 hours would be at her own cost. In either case, depending on the person's simulated budget, she would have to come up with approximately $100 per month from her own funds.
Major impact
"The assessment determines the number of hours of care and assistance required for people with varying degrees of loss of autonomy. Keep in mind that public services are unable to provide all of this care within the prescribed timeframes, which leads to waiting lists and gaps in service. Seniors have no choice other than to get these services, which are essential if they are to stay in their homes on a private basis, on their own, leading to the privatization of elderly care. These portraits demonstrate, once again, the impact of the State's lack of engagement with seniors who have a loss of autonomy," asserted spokespersons for the organizations present.
Demands
"The Minister of Health says that enabling seniors to live in their homes is a priority. But the announcement of $60 million in the last budget doesn't mean that seniors with less autonomy, informal caregivers and front-line workers can breathe easier!" observed these organizations. The inadequacy of home care and the difficulty in accessing it are having a very significant impact on patients' rights. We demand a new public policy enabling seniors to remain at home, supported by adequate, ongoing funding, and a guarantee of better structured care services to ensure an appropriate quality of life for those among the vulnerable in our society.
Réseau FADOQ brings together, and represents, people aged 50 years or over, in order to maintain and improve their quality of life. This organization defends and promotes their rights, enhances their contribution to society and supports them through programs, services and activities. With a current membership of more than 425,000, Réseau FADOQ is Canada's largest seniors' organization.
SOURCE FADOQ
Brigitte Roussy, Advisor, Public Affairs/Media Relations, 514 252-3017, extension 3417; 514 248-0160, [email protected]; Caroline Bouchard, Advisor, Public Affairs, 514 252-3017, extension 3440; 514 793-2533, [email protected]
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