More Seniors to Benefit From Exercise and Falls Prevention Classes in the South West

South West LHIN Selects Community Support Service Agencies to Provide Services to Seniors

LONDON, ON, July 25, 2013 /CNW/ - Seniors in the South West will have improved access to exercise and falls prevention classes, beginning August 1, 2013.

The South West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) has identified a number of Community Support Service providers that will participate in a two-phased approach. This approach will first maintain and then increase access to exercise and falls prevention classes. The South West LHIN will work closely with these community organizations to ensure that exercise and falls prevention classes will continue to be available to seniors currently receiving classes from registered physiotherapists.

Exercise and falls prevention classes will be set up in multiple locations throughout the LHIN to ensure access for more seniors. No fees will be charged and there will be no limit to the number of classes a senior may attend. A list of class locations and contact information will be available on the southwesthealthline.ca website.

These changes are part of the government's plan to expand access to exercise and falls prevention classes, as well as physiotherapy services, to more communities throughout Ontario. This new approach is more accountable, patient-centred and reinforces Ontario's commitment to help more seniors stay healthy and active.

QUOTES

"It is a priority of the South West LHIN to ensure that exercise and falls prevention classes currently supported with public funds are maintained. We have identified seven successful organizations that will work with approximately 60 retirement homes, seniors' apartments and other community sites to ensure the smooth transition of exercise and falls prevention classes. We will then move forward to expand access to exercise and falls prevention classes for seniors throughout our LHIN." - Jeff Low, South West LHIN Board Chair

"We are taking direct action to ensure that over 68,000 additional seniors - about 130,000 in total - will have access to high-quality exercise and falls prevention classes. That more than doubles the current number receiving this care in the community. Just as important, this care will be expanded to a number of small and rural communities that are currently underserviced."
— Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

QUICK FACTS

Physiotherapy Reform

• By directly funding vital services such as physiotherapy, exercise and falls prevention classes, Ontario is able to improve the availability of these services across the province and significantly boost access for seniors and others in need.
• The changes to physiotherapy cover five streams of services:
• In-Home Physiotherapy - The South West CCAC will become the single point of access for all in-home - retirement and home care - physiotherapy.
• Long-Term Care Home Physiotherapy and Exercise - Long-Term Care homes will receive direct funding to provide one-on-one physiotherapy and exercise classes.
• Physiotherapy Clinics - Expansion of clinics to increase capacity and improve geographic access of publicly funded physiotherapy for people referred to physiotherapy clinics by a physician or nurse practitioner.
• Group Exercise and Falls Prevention Classes - Exercise and falls prevention classes will be provided through certified staff and volunteers at retirement homes by community support service organizations and will no longer be provided by physiotherapy companies.
• Primary Care Physiotherapy - To provide program-based physiotherapy in primary care settings where there is currently limited integration of physiotherapy.

Exercise and Falls Prevention Classes

• Falls prevention classes and regular exercise help seniors stay active, healthy and independent.
• Ontario is investing $10 million for exercise and falls prevention classes for approximately 130,000 seniors throughout the province.
• The South West LHIN is working closely with the seven successful providers, identified for phase one, to ensure that exercise and falls prevention classes are also available to seniors currently receiving classes from registered physiotherapists. These providers include:
• ONECARE Home and Community Support Services
• Spruce Lodge Home for the Aged
• St. Mary's & Area Home Support Services
• VON (Victorian Order of Nurses) Middlesex-Elgin
• VON Oxford
• VON Perth-Huron
• VON Grey-Bruce
  

In phase two, further retirement home and community setting providers will be identified to provide exercise and falls prevention classes.

LEARN MORE
For more information on changes to physiotherapy and exercise services please visit www.southwestlhin.on.ca

Read about the government's plan to expand physiotherapy services and exercise and falls prevention classes.

SOURCE: South West Local Health Integration Network

Faadia Ghani, Communications Specialist
519-672-0445 ext. 2595
[email protected]